Nice is great, don't get me wrong. The Promenade des Anglais is iconic for a reason, and you can't beat a sunset at Castle Hill. But if you spend your entire trip within the Nice city limits, you’re kinda missing the point of the Côte d’Azur. The real magic isn't in the big hubs; it’s in the jagged cliffs, the weird little hilltop hamlets, and the coastal towns that feel like they haven't changed since the 1950s.
Honestly, the "best" cities near Nice France aren't always cities at all. Some are barely villages.
Getting around is surprisingly easy. You've got the TER (regional train) that hugs the coast like its life depends on it. For a few Euros, you can hop from a billionaire's playground to a sleepy fishing port in twenty minutes. I’ve spent years wandering these tracks, and I've realized most people follow the same tired itinerary. They hit Monaco, they hit Cannes, and they call it a day.
That's a mistake. Let's talk about where you should actually go.
The Cliffside Drama of Èze Village
If you only do one day trip, make it Èze. But here’s the thing: there are actually two "Èzes." There is Èze-sur-Mer, which is on the water, and Èze Village, which is perched 427 meters above it. You want the one on top.
Walking into Èze feels like stepping into a film set that’s too perfect to be real. It’s a maze of stone. No cars. Just narrow paths and incredible amounts of jasmine. The big draw is the Jardin Exotique. It costs about €7 to get in, which might feel steep for a garden, but the view from the top of the ruins is basically unbeatable. You can see all the way to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and, on clear days, maybe even Corsica.
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Quick Tips for Èze:
- Wear sneakers. Seriously. The cobblestones are uneven and steep. I’ve seen people try it in flip-flops; they looked miserable.
- The Nietzsche Path: If you're feeling athletic, you can hike from the village down to the beach. It takes about an hour and it’s beautiful, but it's hard on the knees.
- Timing: Go early. By 11:00 AM in the summer, the tour buses arrive and the "medieval charm" gets buried under a sea of selfie sticks.
Antibes: Where the Old World Meets Superyachts
Antibes is my personal favorite. It’s got this weird, wonderful contrast. On one side, you have the Port Vauban, which is basically a parking lot for the world’s most expensive superyachts. We’re talking helicopters-on-deck kind of money. Then, five minutes away, you’re in the Vieil Antibes (Old Town), which feels completely down-to-earth.
The Marché Provençal is the soul of the town. In the morning, it’s all about socca (chickpea pancakes), mountain cheeses, and flowers. By lunchtime, the vendors vanish and the local restaurants move their tables into the covered market area. It's loud, it's messy, and the food is incredible.
Don't miss the Picasso Museum
He actually lived and worked in the Château Grimaldi back in 1946. Because he was so prolific during his stay, he left a massive chunk of his work to the city. Even if you aren't an "art person," the building itself, perched right on the sea wall, is worth the entry fee.
Villefranche-sur-Mer: The Most Colorful Bay
You can literally walk here from Nice if you’re up for a long stroll around the Cape. Most people just take the train—it’s only one stop and takes maybe five minutes.
Villefranche is what people picture when they think of the French Riviera. The buildings are painted in shades of apricot, pink, and deep red. The bay is one of the deepest natural harbors in the Mediterranean, which is why you’ll often see massive cruise ships anchored out there.
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Pro tip: Skip the restaurants right on the waterfront. They’re fine, but they’re pricey and the quality is "tourist standard." If you head one or two streets back into the narrow alleys, you'll find much better bistros for two-thirds of the price.
The Perfume Legacy of Grasse
Located about 20km inland from the coast, Grasse is a different beast entirely. It’s the perfume capital of the world. Even the air smells different here—a mix of rose, jasmine, and orange blossom depending on the season.
The three big historic perfumeries—Fragonard, Molinard, and Galimard—all offer free tours. They’ll show you the old copper vats and explain how they "nose" (the experts who create the scents) can identify thousands of different smells.
Create Your Own Scent
A lot of people don't realize you can actually book workshops to make your own perfume. It takes about 90 minutes. You sit at a "perfume organ" with dozens of glass vials and try not to make something that smells like old laundry. It’s a bit humbling to realize how hard it actually is.
Menton: The Secret at the Italian Border
Menton is the last stop before you hit Italy. Because of the mountains behind it, it has a unique microclimate that’s warmer than the rest of the coast. This is why it's famous for lemons.
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If you’re visiting in February, the Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival) is wild. They build giant sculptures—I’m talking 30-foot tall dinosaurs and castles—entirely out of lemons and oranges. In 2026, the festival runs from February 14th to March 1st. It’s chaotic, but you’ve never seen anything like it.
Practical Logistics for Exploring
Look, you don't need a car. Honestly, having a car in the summer is a nightmare because parking is non-existent and the coastal road (the Basse Corniche) turns into a parking lot.
- The Train (TER): Buy your tickets on the SNCF app. It saves you from fighting with the glitchy kiosks at the station.
- The Bus: Bus #82 is the one you want for Èze Village. Bus #607 (formerly the 100) takes you along the coast toward Monaco and Menton for just a couple of Euros.
- Footwear: I mentioned this for Èze, but it applies everywhere. The Riviera is hilly.
Finding the "Hidden" Spots
If you want to escape the crowds, look into Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Most people go for the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild (which is stunning, with nine different themed gardens), but the coastal path that loops around the peninsula is where you'll find the locals. There are little rocky inlets where you can jump into the water away from the crowded sandy beaches.
Actionable Steps for Your Trip
To make the most of the cities near Nice France, don't try to see three places in one day. You'll just spend your whole time on train platforms.
- Pick a "Direction" per day: One day go East (Villefranche, Èze, Monaco). Another day go West (Antibes, Cannes, Grasse).
- Validate your ticket: If you buy a physical train ticket at the station, you must punch it in the yellow machines (composter) before boarding. If you don't, you'll get a fine, and "I'm a tourist" won't work with the inspectors.
- Check the wind: If the Mistral wind is blowing, stay off the coastal paths. It can be surprisingly dangerous and definitely not relaxing.
- Learn three phrases: "Bonjour," "S’il vous plaît," and "L’addition, s'il vous plaît" (the bill, please). People in these smaller towns are much friendlier if you start with the basics.
The French Riviera is more than just a place to tan. It's a collection of tiny, distinct worlds. Whether you're smelling raw musk in a Grasse laboratory or eating socca on a stone wall in Antibes, the best moments usually happen when you step off the main path.