Monaco, the world's second-smallest country, is a glittering Mediterranean principality renowned for its luxury casinos, prestigious yacht harbor, and the famous Formula 1 Grand Prix. This glamorous city-state combines Belle Époque elegance with modern sophistication, offering world-class dining, pristine beaches, and exceptional safety with one of the lowest crime rates globally.
Top day trips
Handpicked excursions within easy reach.
Nice
Highlights: Vieux Nice old town with baroque architecture · Cours Saleya flower and food market · Promenade des Anglais beach walk · Musée Matisse and MAMAC contemporary art · Castle Hill panoramic views · Fenocchio ice cream - 100 flavors
Eze Village
Highlights: Medieval hilltop village with narrow stone streets · Jardin Exotique d'Eze with cliff panoramas · Parfumerie Fragonard perfume factory and museum · La Chevre d'Or hotel terrace views
Menton
Highlights: Jean Cocteau Museum - world's largest Cocteau collection · Basilica Saint-Michel with colorful esplanade · Lemon Festival in February · Old town Garavan with Italian-French border character · Serre de la Madone botanical garden
Antibes
Highlights: Picasso Museum in the Chateau Grimaldi · Marche Provencal covered food market · Cap d'Antibes coastal walk Sentier du Littoral · Vauban sea ramparts and old town · Jazz à Juan festival in July
Cannes
Highlights: La Croisette Boulevard and Palais des Festivals · Ile Sainte-Honorat monastery with vineyard boat from Cannes · Marche Forville food market · Le Suquet old town with panoramic views · Film Festival in May
Ventimiglia Italy
Highlights: Friday market - one of Liguria's largest · Medieval old town Ventimiglia Alta · Hanbury Botanical Gardens nearby · Italian gelato and aperitivo culture · Ligurian focaccia pesto seafood at Italian prices
Trips by distance
How far you can go in a day.
Getting there
Transport options for day trips.
- Tours
- Monaco Tourist Office and Nice-based operators offer organized half-day and full-day tours to Eze, Nice, and Cannes from €45-85 per person
- Private
- Private car hire with driver from Nice Airport or Monaco hotels from €300/day - ideal for Grasse, St. Paul de Vence, and off-track Riviera exploration
- Public
- French SNCF trains and Lignes d'Azur buses serve all major destinations from Monaco-Monte-Carlo station. Trains to Nice, Menton, Ventimiglia every 20-30 minutes
- Rental
- Car rental from Nice Airport from €40/day (Hertz, Avis, Europcar, Sixt) - recommended for inland hill villages (Eze, La Turbie, St. Paul de Vence) and Gorges du Verdon excursions
Day trip tips
Make the most of your excursions.
Start day trips early - Eze Village and Nice old town are far more enjoyable before 10 AM when coach tours arrive
Book trains in advance on SNCF.com during peak season - the Nice-Monaco line is extremely popular in summer
The scenic bus 100 (€1.50) along the coastal Corniche between Monaco and Nice offers some of the French Riviera's most spectacular sea views
Friday in Ventimiglia means the massive weekly market with 400+ vendors - combine with Italian gelato and pizza at Italian prices