Going on a trip in the vicinity of Nice sounds nice? Then, allow me to suggest some destinations less than 2 hours away from Nice by car or train.
Table of Contents
Beaches
The Ondes Beach (30 minutes car ride)
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Spend the weekend at the Ondes Beach located at the Antibes Cap.
Forget about the shingles of the Promenade des Anglais and enjoy a relaxing afternoon as you tan on the warm sand instead.
The unique feature on this beach are the ruins of a fake observation tower by the water. Children love it!
By spending a night there, you can also enjoy a nice night stroll by the Port Vauban (the port of Antibes).
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- The most affordable one: Hotel room located in the city center with a full bed and providing a lovely view of the town (starting from €80)
- The best for Instagram: Hotel room decorated in a atypical and colorful style with a queen-size bed (starting from €66)
- The best equipped one: Two-bedrooms apartment with a pleasant view of the city with a queen-size bed, a twin bed and a sofa bed. Perfect for spending the weekend with friends! (starting from €199)
The Verdon Gorges (2h car ride)
The Verdon Gorges are home to the Saint-Croix Lake, the perfect place to go to when you are looking for a change of scenery for the weekend.
I recommend you to rent a paddle boat or even a canoe-kayak to fully enjoy the setting as you gently exercise.
If you are more likely to enjoy a relaxing nap by the waterside, give water beaches a try starting with the Galetas Beach.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- The most affordable one: Room with a nice view of the mountains with a queen-size bed and an access to a patio (starting from €96)
- The best for Instagram: Room with an impressive view of the Saint-Croix Lake with a queen-size bed or two twin beds (according to your preference) (starting from €98)
- The best equipped one: Hotel room with a queen-size bed and an access to the hotel hot tub and tennis court (starting from €125)
Cannes (30 minutes car ride)
Cannes is the ideal place to rent a boat and go on a trip to the nearby idyllic Lérins Isles.
Get onboard a motorboat (starting from €65 for a 2h30 ride) and head toward Sainte-Marguerite Island, a 15-minute boat ride away from Cannes.
For a more affordable ride, you may also take a water bus from the Cannes port. It costs €16 per adult and €10 per child.
In the evening, have dinner at La Croisette and spend the night in a hotel room with a lovely view of the city.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- The most affordable one: Hotel room located near the Cannes railroad station with a full bed and access to a balcony (starting from €62)
- The best location: Room located in the city center with a view of the hotel garden with a full bed (starting from €132)
- The best for Instagram: Hotel room located in the seafront with a balcony providing an impressive sea view (starting from €395)
Towns
Aix-en-Provence (1h30 car ride)
Spend the weekend in Aix-en-Provence and fall in love with this charming Provencal town.
Hop on a trip to Aix-en-Provence and learn about its historical romantic city center.
Go on a walk by the Atelier de Cezanne and visit the collection of the Vasarely Foundation, a museum of modern art.
In short, Aix-en-Provence is the perfect place for art enthusiasts looking for a change of scenery for the weekend.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- The most affordable one: Hotel room with a full bed with a view of the city (starting from €81)
- The best location: Room located near the Granet Museum with a nice view of the hotel garden with a full bed (starting from €103)
- The most luxurious one: Romantic hotel room with a king-size bed and a private indoor hot tub (starting from €441)
Monaco (35 minutes car ride)
Monaco brings the elegance of a small town to a principality.
In the afternoon, I suggest you go on a walk near the Prince’s Palace, then grab a drink outside by the Hercule Port. In the evening, the city comes alive near the Casino Monte-Carlo, it definitely is the place to be in Monaco!
Monaco also is a great place to treat yourself, the city being full of luxurious hotels, restaurants, and boutiques. Some may prefer to go window shopping and end the day by eating the best truffle focaccia in Monaco at Amici Miei.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- The best location: Hotel room with a full bed and a 10-minute walk away from the Hercule Port and Prince’s Palace (starting from €135)
- The best equipped one: Room with a full bed with access to the hotel boutique, a bar and restaurant, and a heated outdoor pool (starting from €153)
- The most luxurious one: Hotel room located up above town with a queen-size bed and a balcony providing a sea view (starting from €330)
Marseilles (2h car ride)
I suggest you go on a trip to Marseilles this weekend.
Spending the weekend wandering around a town steeped in history sounds enticing to you? Then, Marseilles will definitely meet your expectations.
You should enjoy Mediterranean dishes and give the local bouillabaisse a try. There are several restaurants surrounding le Vieux-Port (the Marseilles Port).
Spend the night up above town and wake up to an impressive Mediterranean view.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- The most affordable one: Modern hotel room with a queen-size bed located near the Terrasse du Port Mall (starting from €83)
- The best location: Hotel room located near the Marseille Saint-Charles railroad station with a queen-size bed (starting from €99)
- The most luxurious one: Hotel room with a panoramic view of the sea and the mountains with a full bed (starting from €209)
Grasse (40 minutes car ride)
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Going on a trip to Grasse is an actual breath of fresh air.
It is especially known for being the perfume capital of the world. That is why I suggest you go visit the Fragonard historical perfume factory. Fun fact: the tour is completely free.
Go for a stroll in the old town center and get lost through its colorful maze of houses. There are plenty of spots for you to take pictures and save this moment forever as you leave with many memories.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- The most affordable one: Hotel room with a queen-size bed and a 2-minute walk away from the town center (starting from €68)
- The nicest view: One-bedroom apartment located on the top floor of the builing with a stunning view of the town center with a full bed (starting from €170)
- The best equipped one: Three-bedroom apartment located 300 meters away from the Perfume Museum. This is the perfect place to spend the weekend exploring the town with your friends! (starting from €180)
Saint-Paul-de-Vence (40 minutes car ride)
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Take a trip to Saint-Paul-de-Vence and explore a Provençal village in an authentic setting.
It might not look like much, but this small town is actually very appreciated by art enthusiasts. In the town center, you can visit The Maght Contemporary Art Foundation as well as the Bartoux Vieux Saint-Paul contemporary gallery.
There are also plenty of handicraft boutiques downtown for you to bring home a souvenir from this weekend.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence is also the perfect place to visit vineyards and taste the local wine.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- The most affordable one: Room located in a charming villa at a 15-minute walk away from the town center with a queen-size bed and a bathtub (starting from €115)
- The best for Instagram: Colorful hotel room with a full bed and an access to a private balcony (starting from €142)
- The best equipped one: Room with a nice view of the hotel garden with a king-size bed and a balcony (starting from €152)
Saint-Tropez (1h50 car ride)
I suggest you go visit Saint-Tropez this weekend!
Saint-Tropez is the perfect place to go for a shopping spree. Therefore, I recommend you plan a shopping budget in advance to treat yourself as you walk by the different luxury boutiques in the city center.
You can also wander around the port and take a look at all the luxurious yachts which are emblematic of Saint-Tropez.
In the late afternoon, head towards the Place des Lices to enjoy a homemade tarte tropézienne (a local dessert pastry with brioche and vanilla pastry cream).
There is too much to do in Saint-Tropez not to say for the night!
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- The most affordable one: One-bedroom apartment with a full bed and a balcony (starting from €123)
- The best location: Hotel room located in the center with a nice view of the city with a king-size bed (starting from €239)
- The best equipped one: Hotel room with a queen-size bed or two twin bed (according to your preference), a balcony and an outdoor swimming pool (starting from €269)
Menton (40 minutes car ride)
Spend a special weekend discovering Menton.
Want to go for a trip to a charming baroque village? Then, I suggest you go on a walk down the old Menton town center and pass by theSaint-Michel-Archange Basilica.
Art enthusiasts will appreciate visiting the Jean Cocteau Museum before heading to the daily market at Place Saint-Roch. There, you can buy Menton’s specialties as well as flowers and all kinds of trinkets.
By spending the night in Menton, you can even spend the next day going hiking in the nearby mountains.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- The most affordable one: Hotel room with a nice view of the city with a full bed (starting from €57)
- The best location: Room with a queen-size bed located near the Saint-Michel-Archange Basilica with a view of the hotel garden or the sea (according to your preference) (starting from €101)
- The most original one: Duplex house located 500 meters apart from the beach decorated in a bohemian style with a twin bed and a king-size bed (starting from €197)
Mountains
Entrevaux (1h10 car ride)
Visit an authentic medieval town built on top of a hill.
From Nice, take the Train des Pignes (website in French) to Entrevaux for about 1h30 (€10.70 per adult and €5.40 per child).
Dive into this charming authentic setting as you pass by medieval-looking fortifications and buildings.
During your visit, you will even be able to cross an authentic drawbridge to access the center of the village.
Stay there for a night to enjoy a breathtaking view of the entire Var valley.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- The most affordable one: Hotel room with a full bed, a 7-minute walk away from Entrevaux by car (starting from €88)
- The best equipped one: Two-bedrooms apartment with a full bed and two sofa beds with a pleasant view ofof the mountains (starting from €135)
- The nicest view: One-bedroom apartment with an impressive view of the entire valley with a full bed and a sofa bed at a 1-minute walk away from the town center (starting from €348)
Èze (1h by train)
Go visit Èze to get some fresh air for the weekend!
Èze is a small village built high up in the mountains around Nice. The village overlooks the sea and the mountains providing one of the most impressive views in the region.
Take a stroll through the Botanical Garden alongside the cacti and other plants.
During your trip in Èze, stop by the Fragonard factory laboratory to visit this emblematic local perfumery. There is even a shop for you to take home some souvenirs.
In short, Èze is really worth the detour and definitely a must-see in the region!
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- The most affordable one: Hotel room located at the bottom of the village with a full bed (starting from €146)
- The most luxurious one: Hotel room decorated in a baroque style with a nice view of the mountains with a queen-size bed (starting from €314)
Isola 2000 (1h50 car ride)
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Don’t you want to spend the weekend breathing some mountain air?
Isola 2000 is a ski resort, located in the Southern Alps, and it has the same quality as other winter sport destinations without having to leave the French Riviera.
No matter if you enjoy snowboarding more than skiing, come spend a weekend in the mountains and enjoy the shows and activities put together by the resort all year round.
In short, Isola 2000 is the perfect place to take a break from your everyday life, away from Nice. This is a great idea to end the week on a high note!
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- The most affordable one: Studio apartment with a twin bed, a full bed and a sofa bed with access to a balcony (starting from €117)
- The best equipped one: One-bedroom apartment with a full bed and two sofa beds with access to a balcony providing a nice view of the mountains (starting from €123)
In Italy
Vintimiglia (1h10 by train)
There is nothing like spending the weekend right at the French-Italian border to get a change of scenery.
The town’s must-see is the Ventimiglia’s covered market every Saturday from 6am to 2pm. You can buy a bouquet at the flower market or go taste the local pastries. There is everything you need for you to spend a romantic weekend with your partner!
Go on a walk within the old city center and end the day by having a candlelit dinner with your loved one. I recommend you eat at the Margunaira Ristorante and order a plate of seafood.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- The most affordable one: Hotel room with a queen-size bed and a bathtub with a nice view of the city (starting from €97)
- The best location: Hotel room located near the city center by the seaside with a queen-size bed or two twin beds (according to your preference) (starting from €163)
- The most luxurious one: Apartment with a queen-size bed and a balcony with an incredible view of the sea 7-minute walk away from the Ventimiglia railroad station (starting from €204)
San Remo (1h30 by train)
Do you want to spend the weekend on the Italian Coast?
San Remo is just as intimate and welcoming as its inhabitants. There is nothing more enjoyable than walking in romantic streets with an authentic Italian architecture.
I recommend you stroll down the Villa Ormond’s gardens among the elegant statues to get a panoramic view of the sea.
If you are more interested in going shopping, head to the San Remo Mall and take advantage of the great deals from luxurious boutiques such as Alexander McQueen.
Recommended accommodations in the area:
- The most affordable one: Room with a nice view of the hotel garden with a queen-size bed (starting from €89)
- The best location: Hotel room with a queen-size bed 5-minutes walk away from the historical center (starting from €147)
- The best equipped one: Two-bedrooms apartment with a splendid view of the city with a queen-size bed, a twin bed and an access to a balcony and a patio (starting from €197)
I aim to share my tips and recommendations for the beautiful country of France. My goal is to help you plan your next adventure, whether it’s a weekend getaway or a once-in-a-lifetime trip. From finding the best hotels and restaurants, to discovering unique activities and sights, I’ve got you covered!
