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Famous for the high-octane thrills of its Formula One Grand Prix track and the glitzy casinos lining its waterfront, Monaco draws travelers from around the globe. Here are a few ways you can experience the high life on the French Riviera on a trip from Nice.

Half-Day Tours

With medieval villages such as Èze and La Turbie within easy reach of Nice, there are plenty of ways to add a little bit of countryside adventure to your Monaco trip. Spin along the Grande Corniche road for coastal views, discover Roman ruins hidden in the hills, or soak up the Monaco sun in this historic corner of southern France. With hotel pickup and round-trip transport from Nice typically included, it’s easy to make the most of your time on the French Riviera.

Full-Day Tours

Full-day tours from Nice to Monaco offer a more in-depth experience, whisking travelers along the Grande Corniche roads to places of interest, including historic Èze, glamorous Cannes, and Monte Carlo, where medieval history and high-rolling casinos are the order of the day. Visit the famous Fragonard perfumery, see stars’ handprints near the Film Festival Palace in Cannes, and head to Antibes, where luxury yachts bob gracefully on the waters of Billionaire’s Quay. 

Things to Know

• Monaco is 12 miles (20 kilometers) to the east of Nice, a drive of about 40 minutes.

• Visitors to the French Riviera should carry plenty of water and bring sunscreen and a hat to protect from the near-constant sunshine.

• Tours from Nice typically include pickup and drop-off at your Nice hotel, plus roundtrip transportation.

With its beaches and promenades, elegant restaurants and art museums, Nice offers plenty of tempting, sun-drenched attractions. The capital of the Côte d’Azur is also a perfectly situated jumping-off point for further Riviera explorations. From local explorations to day-trip destinations, here’s how to plan a 3-day stay.

Day 1: Sightseeing by Land and Sea

A morning hop-on hop-off bus tour is an easy way to get acquainted with Nice’s landmarks and neighborhoods. Alternatively, book a Segway or e-bike tour to zip efficiently around town. In the afternoon, complement your city tour with a boat excursion on the Baie des Anges. Admire Nice from the water, sail past glitzy yachts, and spot other coastal destinations, from the Cap d’Antibes to Cannes; there’s no better way to immerse yourself in the tranquil, Mediterranean ambiance. Once the sun begins to set, venture to a neighborhood restaurant to sample regional specialties such as ratatouille, or, to end the day on a high note—quite literally—book an evening helicopter flight for yet another perspective on Nice’s charms.

Day 2: Food and Culture

Dedicate your second day in Nice to creature comforts and cultural highlights. Begin the morning with a market tour; see how the locals shop, nibble pastries and other treats, and get acquainted with the city’s sights and smells. In the afternoon, retreat to one of Nice’s banner art museums—the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain) or the Nice Fine Arts Museum (Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice)—or delve into the work of individual artists at the Musée Marc Chagall or the Musée Matisse. Wind down the day in style: Enjoy an aperitif before venturing to one of Nice’s many Michelin-starred eateries. Finish with a stroll down the Promenade des Anglais or a nightcap in one of the city’s grand hotels.

Day 3: Riviera Adventures

Nice’s convenient, seaside setting means that it’s within easy day-trip distance of many of the region’s top destinations. Book a small-group or private day tour and venture to area attractions ranging from Saint-Paul-de-Vence (a medieval hilltop town) and Antibes (a glittering, coastal haven for the wealthy) to Èze (renowned for its perfume industry) and Cannes (long the province of the rich and famous). Illustrious Monaco, star-studded St. Tropez, and scenic Italian cities such as Sanremo are likewise just a quick trip away. For an alternative escape, explore world-class vineyards in Provence’s wine country.

With medieval villages, sweeping coastal scenery, fertile vineyards, bustling food markets, and sun-soaked beaches, the French Riviera is the jewel in southern France’s crown. Here are a few ways to explore the Cote d’Azur, using Nice as a base.

Half-Day Tours

Nice lies within easy reach of medieval villages and glamorous destinations including Antibes, Cannes, Èze, and Monaco—and half-day tours are a great way to see the best of the areas of your choosing. Stroll along Cannes’ La Croisette Boulevard, catch the Changing of the Guard at Monaco's Royal Palace, or explore the historic streets of Èze, where life ticks by at a relaxing pace. With hotel pickup and round-trip transport from Nice typically included, you’re free to see the sites and soak up the sunshine in style.

Full-Day Tours

Leaving from the seaside city of Nice, full-day tours take in diverse destinations along the French Riviera and beyond so travelers can discover more of what the south of France has to offer. Roll the dice in the glitzy casinos of Monte Carlo and watch luxury yachts bobbing in the harbor in Monaco, or head along the coast to medieval villages such as Èze and sample delicate wines among the vineyards of Provence.

Things to Know

• Nice is 13 miles (21 kilometers) west of Monaco and 20 miles (33 kilometers) east of Cannes. Both are under an hour’s drive from Nice.

• Bring a water bottle and sun protection—the French Riviera is famous for its sunshine, and the midday rays can be strong.

• Tours from Nice typically include pickup and drop-off at centrally located Nice hotels and roundtrip transportation.

St-Tropez on the French Riviera is more than a hangout for A-list celebrities and European jet-setters—its historic old town, lively market, and coastline make it popular with day-trippers and cruise visitors along France’s Côte d’Azur. Here are the best ways to see St. Tropez from Nice.

Group Tours

On a full-day group tour by road from Nice to St-Tropez, you might drive through the Maures Forest with a stop in picturesque Port Grimaud along the way. With your guide, take in the sights of St-Tropez, such as the yacht-filled old port, Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption Church, the Citadel of St-Tropez (Citadelle de St-Tropez), or the Annonciade Museum. Some tours include an optional boat ride, with small-group and sunset tours available. Alternatively, take a seasonal spring or summer ferry from Nice to St-Tropez and enjoy coastal views as you sail along the French Riviera.

Private Tours

Experience Port Grimaud and St-Tropez according to your interests by booking a private tour from Nice. Together with your guide, you’ll plan your day just as you’d like, which might include exploring historic houses and canal ways of Port Grimaud, stopping for photos along the Côte d’Azur, and strolling down the designer shopping streets in St-Tropez. Try a private tour of St-Tropez after dark to get a taste of the village’s nightlife.

Things to Know

• Full-day sightseeing tours typically last eight to nine hours.

• Bring extra money for meals and snacks.

• The drive from Nice to St-Tropez takes about two hours; the ferry ride lasts about two and a half hours.

• The market in St-Tropez is open on Tuesday and Saturday mornings.

• Depending on your tour, pickup is available from many Nice hotels. In case of hotel pickup, plan to depart 30 to 60 minutes earlier than stated departure time.

From its splendid waterfront to its vibrant food scene, from its Riviera weather to its impeccable scenery, Nice is as much a Mediterranean idyll as it is a cultural hub. Explore by boat, indulge in wine tastings, and enjoy a leisurely dose of sightseeing. Here’s how to make the most of your 2-day stay in the Côte d'Azur's capital.

Day 1: Sightseeing and Exploring

**Morning:**Get acquainted with Nice’s charms and enjoy an introductory tour of the city when you book tickets to a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Thread your way through different neighborhoods, admire waterfront views, and discover key landmarks.

**Afternoon:**Trade your double-decker bus for a yacht—and discover a completely different perspective on the Côte d’Azur’s capital—on an afternoon boat tour. Enjoy sea breezes as you trawl the turquoise waters of the Baie des Anges and glide past nearby locales such as Villefranche-sur-Mer and Menton.

**Evening:**The Promenade des Anglais is arguably Nice’s top attraction, and it’s true that a stroll along its languid crescent is a classic Niçois experience. Set out at sunset, enjoy the people watching, and feel like a local as you amble. After you’ve worked up an appetite, venture to one of the elegant restaurants nearby.

Day 2: La Belle Vie

**Morning:**In Nice, the living is easy—and no trip is complete without indulging in its finer things. Begin your second day in the city with a food-themed walking tour: Stroll through busy markets and graze as you go. Alternatively, for a hands-on experience, book a local-led cooking class.

**Afternoon:**Once you’ve sated your appetite, dedicate your afternoon to all things wine-related. Provence is a dream destination for wine lovers; sign up for a grape-centric tour to taste some of the region’s most exquisite varietals.

**Evening:**For a truly luxurious end to your trip, hop across the border into Monaco in the evening—it’s just a quick trip from Nice. Enjoy a dinner to remember when you venture to one of the principality’s high-end restaurants; afterwards, drop into the Casino Monte-Carlo for a roll of the dice.

The capital of the Côte d’Azur, Nice is a carnivalesque and hedonistic city, where glittering Mediterranean waters abut stately promenades, and seaside elegance mingles with artistic vibrancy. One day in town is enough time to sightsee, stroll, and dine in style—here’s how to plan the perfect itinerary.

Morning: An Indulgent Tasting Tour

From its mingled French and Italian heritage to its Mediterranean bounty, it’s no surprise that Nice is host to an exceptional food scene. Get your full day of adventuring off to an indulgent start when you embark on a culinary walking tour of the city (and enjoy some sightseeing opportunities as you wander, too). Traipse through Vieux Nice (the city’s scenic old town), visit bustling markets, and sample numerous local dishes, from pissaladière (a delicious onion flatbread) to salade Niçoise.

Afternoon: Streamlined Sightseeing

After a morning exploring Nice’s neighborhoods and markets on foot, kick back and relax when you book a hop-on hop-off bus tour. Settle into a seat on the upper deck to soak up the sun and enjoy panoramic views, and discover many of the city’s top landmarks in the space of a couple hours. Wend your way past the Promenade des Anglais and the Musée Marc Chagall, see the elegant neighborhood of Cimiez, and more. Alternatively, book a Segway excursion or e-bike tour for another fun and efficient way to discover Nice’s attractions.

Evening: Take to the Skies

The French Riviera’s impeccable scenery is famed the world over, and there’s nothing quite like seeing it from the air. If you only have one day in town, make the most of your Nice excursion and cap off your adventures with a helicopter journey. Book an early evening flight time so you can see the sun setting over the Mediterranean, and watch Nice’s neon lights slowly blinking on. Upon landing, head to one of the city’s constellation of Michelin-starred eateries for a meal to remember, or sip a nightcap at one of Nice’s storied hotels, such as Le Negresco.

Provençal cuisine highlights the bounty of France’s Mediterranean coast. Dishes are made with local herbs and seafood, and are often from traditional recipes passed down through the generations. Here are a few of the flavors and activities to seek out.

Must-Try Dishes

The Mediterranean warmth, coastal rainfall, and fertile soils of Provence provide the perfect conditions for fresh produce to flourish. Sun-ripened vegetables, herbs, and home-grown extra-virgin olive oil are the backbone of traditional Provençal cookery.

With the Mediterranean Sea so close, anchovies, clams, langoustine, mussels, shrimps, squid, and tuna feature on ingredient lists all along the coast. Traditional dishes such as bouillabaisse and ratatouille, built on fresh shellfish and vegetables respectively, are often found in restaurants, while niçoise salad is another popular plate, with tuna steak, lettuce, green beans, and tomatoes layered among crisp salad leaves. Seafood also features heavily in brandade, a fish-and-potato stew made with local salt cod. Rouget (a small, red fish popular in Provence) and loup de mer (sea bass typically grilled with fennel) are fine examples of the fresh fish dishes for which the region is famous.

Provence also has its own regional delicacies to rival the humble baguette. Fougasse is the traditional bread—a circular flatbread typically filled with nuts or olives—and travelers can also look out for socca (a peppery bread made of chickpea flour), pissaladière (a local pizza-style flatbread), and pan bagna (a bread roll topped with anchovies, olives and tomatoes).

Must-Do Experiences

• Visit a home in Nice or St. Jeannet to discover new flavors in a cooking class.

• Learn how to pair wine with traditional Provençal cuisine.

• Follow a guide on a food tour of Nice and discover the diverse ingredients of Provence among its delis, markets, and specialty food shops.