Menton, Saint-Tropez, Cannes, Nice, Cassis… the names are familiar, and they make you dream. From picturesque alleyways to bustling resort boulevards, each town has its own charm and distinct character.
Whether you’re looking for culture, relaxation or urban adventure, the region offers a wide variety of experiences.
Here’s our selection of the most beautiful towns on the Côte d’Azur to consider visiting during your trip, along with a map to help you plan your route.
This opinion is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Côte d’Azur’s most beautiful towns: map and selection and video
Below you’ll find a map to help you locate our selection of the most beautiful towns along the Côte d’Azur, so you can decide where to go.
The Côte d’Azur has no officially defined boundaries. We choose the modern vision that stretches from Cassis to Menton.
This list considers the beauty of cities (in our opinion). But if you’re looking for:
- where to stay, see our article on where to stay on the Côte d’Azur (coming soon)
- the most beautiful villages on the Côte d’Azur, see this article
1. Antibes
Why visit? Our review
Antibes is one of our favorites on the Côte d’Azur. It’s rarely mentioned first, but we’re going to make an exception! It may be less famous and luxurious than its neighbors Nice and Cannes, but it offers the charm of history, beautiful stonework and breathtaking views.
It’s a pleasure to stroll through this human-sized commune, which offers magnificent Mediterranean landscapes, with ramparts, a rich heritage, sandy beaches and views of the sea and mountains.
Last but not least, it’s an ideal place to relax: numerous beaches, water sports and leisure parks. In Antibes, you’ll immediately feel like you’re on vacation!
Attractions in Antibes
- Walk on the ramparts and admire the statue of Le Nomade
- Explore the narrow streets of the old town
- Enjoy the many sandy beaches with unforgettable views
- Visit Fort Carré
- Learning at the Picasso Museum
- Hike the coastal path to Cap d’Antibes and its impressive Garoupe lighthouse!
- …
See our article on the best attractions in Antibes.
Practical advice
- Allow at least 2 days to admire all the must-sees.
- The old town is easy to explore on foot. A large underground parking lot provides direct access
- Buses and shuttles to Juan-les-Pins, the beaches and Fort-Carré
Where to stay and eat
We recommend..:
- Hotel La Villa Port d’Antibes & Spa in the center of town – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Alexandra near Juan-les-pins – see prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel la Villa Cap d’Antibes, charm and calm – see prices, photos and availability
Find out more with our articles: Best hotels – Best restaurants
2. Chin
Why visit? Our review
Menton is the most unique town on the Côte d’Azur. It’s a fascinating destination to explore. The old town of Menton, with its narrow streets and colorful facades, offers an immersion in the authenticity of the region.
The city is famous for its lush gardens, notably the Val Rahmeh Botanical Garden, which amazed us. Menton is the ideal place to relax on its sunny beaches, stroll through its gardens and sample local specialties. The town harmoniously combines the Mediterranean art of living with a peaceful, sunny atmosphere. We were spellbound.
Attractions in Menton
- Plage des Sablettes in the heart of the city, overlooking the colorful old town
- The staircase to Saint-Michel Basilica
- Jean Cocteau Museum
- Views from the old castle cemetery
- And the Lemon Festival, if you’re visiting (second half of February)
- The villages of Sainte-Agnès and Roquebrune
See our article on the best attractions in Menton.
Practical advice
- Allow a minimum of 3 days to explore the city’s highlights, but it’s also a great place to spend a week.
- There are several large pay parking lots in the city, which are very convenient for parking and exploring.
- Beware: the old town is very steep and not easy to explore.
Where to stay
We recommend..:
- Charming London hotel – see prices, photos and availability
- Riva Art Hotel, facing the sea – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Villa Genesis, Belle-Époque – prices, pictures and availability
Find out more with our articles: Best hotels – Best restaurants (coming soon)
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
3. Nice, the largest city
Why visit? Our review
Nicknamed “Nissa la Bella” by its locals, Nice is an unmissable destination that has truly charmed us. Between its omnipresent nature in the city, its seafront, its captivating museums, its architectural gems and its thriving gastronomic scene, we had no time to get bored in this idyllic Côte d’Azur location. It’s the region’s largest city.
But what charmed us most was the architecture and elegance of the city’s streets. Just look up and be amazed!
Attractions in Nice
- The seafront promenade (Promenade des Anglais)
- The old town with its Italian influence
- The ancient heritage
- Numerous museums, especially art museums
- Views from Colline du Chpateau
- Belle-Epoque and Art-Déco architecture
- St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral
- …
See our article on Nice’s top attractions.
Practical advice
- Easy access by train and plane
- Allow a minimum of 3 days, but a week is ideal to enjoy all the museums.
- Nice is quite large and hilly, and it’s difficult to do everything on foot. But parking is difficult. We recommend city buses, hop-on-hop-off buses or Uber.
Where to stay
We recommend..:
- Hotel Anantara, palace by the sea – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Apollinaire, elegant and bright – see prices, photos and availability
- Aparthotel AMMI, very practical and pleasant – see prices, photos and availability
Find out more with our articles: Best hotels – Best restaurants
4. Saint-Tropez
Why visit? Our review
Nestled on the Côte d’Azur, Saint-Tropez is a legendary town that combines glamour and authenticity. We were pleasantly surprised, as the town has managed to preserve a real Mediterranean charm (despite the huge yachts in the harbor that block the view of the colorful facades).
The old town remains on a human scale, where it’s a pleasure to stroll along the narrow streets. The Old Port, with its terrace cafés and relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere, is an iconic location.
But what struck us most was the surrounding peninsula, which has remained largely undeveloped. It’s the ideal place to recharge your batteries, with vineyards, impressive views and sandy beaches with azure waters.
Attractions in Saint-Tropez
- Stroll along the harbour and through the narrow streets of the old town
- Relax on a terrace to enjoy the atmosphere
- Explore the 16th-century citadel and visit the museums. Enjoy beautiful views over the bay.
- Discover the most beautiful beaches in the area, such as Plage de Pampelonne and Plage de l’Escalet.
- Discover French popular culture at the Musée de la Gendarmerie et du Cinéma (in reference to films starring Louis de Funès).
- Explore nearby villages such as Grimaud, Gassin and Ramatuelle
See our article on the best attractions in Saint-Tropez.
Practical advice
- The town is quite small, so put your car down and explore on foot.
- Allow at least one day to explore the town center and citadel, but to enjoy the region and its beaches, it’s best to stay several days.
- The town is on a peninsula with few access roads. So there’s a lot of traffic in and out of town.
Where to stay
We recommend..:
- Hotel Sezz, with its excellent restaurant – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Le Pré-de-la-mer, calm and cosy – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Lou Pinet, right in the center of town – see prices, photos and availability
Find out more with our articles: Best hotels – Best restaurants (coming soon)
5. La Ciotat
Why visit? Our review
What a wonderful discovery! La Ciotat is a discreet town, but one that really knew how to enchant us. We appreciated its less touristy atmosphere, the charm of its port, dominated by an elegant church, its long golden sandy beaches and its calanques, all within easy walking distance!
What more could you ask for?
La Ciotat has a peaceful atmosphere that we recommend if you’re looking for a little more authenticity.
Attractions in La Ciotat
- Stroll along the harbour and admire the traditional boats
- Visit the Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption church with its beautiful stonework
- Swimming along the Plage des Lumières
- Walk 20 min to reach the magnificent calanque de Figuerolles (pictured below) or the calanque de Mugel.
- Take the car for a scenic drive along the Route des Crêtes to Cassis
- Tour Île-Verte off the coast of La Ciotat, with beautiful views of the coastline.
- Learn more about the shipyards.
See our article on the best attractions in La Ciotat.
Practical advice
- The town isn’t big, but it does lack parking. Put your car down and explore on foot
- Allow a day to discover the city, but a few days to soak up its atmosphere. If you’re looking for something a little less touristy on the Côte d’Azur, this town is still a little unspoilt.
Where to stay
We recommend..:
- Best western hotel Premier vieux port where we loved swimming! – see prices, pictures and availability
- Hotel A Deux Pas de l’Eau, right next to the main beach – see prices, photos and availability
Find out more with our articles: Best hotels – Best restaurants (coming soon)
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in Provence a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
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6. Cassis
Why visit? Our review
Cassis is a small fishing town that has preserved its authentic charm despite its growing popularity. The iconic harbor is lined with lively cafés and seafood restaurants.
What we liked most was that Cassis combines the charm of a Mediterranean village with magnificent natural playgrounds: the calanques on one side and the Soubeyranes cliffs on the other.
The town is also famous for its white wine, Cassis, which you can taste in the surrounding vineyards.
Attractions in Cassis
- Wander around the port and through the narrow streets
- Hop on a boat for a tour of the most beautiful calanques
- Hike along the Port-Mio cove, to the Port-Pin cove and, if you’re brave enough, the En-Vau cove.
- Enjoy the beaches of the town center with views of the Soubeyranes cliffs
- Take the car to admire the scenery along the Route des Crêtes to La Ciotat
See our article on the best attractions in Cassis.
Practical advice
- Be careful, there are always lots of tourists! The parking lots fill up fast. Arrive early.
- Plan a day to explore the center and take a boat tour of the calanques. But there’s also plenty to keep you busy over several days
- The hikes to the calanques are quite slippery, so wear good shoes.
Where to stay and eat
We recommend..:
- Hotel Les Roches Blanches, luxury in front of the cliffs – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Eden, in the center of town – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel HPC Suites, for longer stays – see prices, photos and availability
Find out more with our articles: Best hotels – Best restaurants (coming soon)
7. Cannes
Why visit? Our review
Cannes is one of the best-known cities on the Côte d’Azur. We were seduced by its golden sandy beaches, its special relationship with cinema, its museums and its famous Croisette promenade.
You probably know the city from the world-famous Cannes Film Festival. Does this event, which attracts major celebrities from the 7th art world to the red carpet, make you dream?
Beyond the cinema, we enjoyed discovering the old town (particularly the hilltop Le Suqet district) and the Lérins islands opposite.
Attractions in Cannes
- Stroll through the Suquet district and admire the views
- Visit the Museum of Civilization and climb to the top of the tower for the best views.
- Feeling like a star on the red carpet steps
- Find the fingerprints of your favorite actors
- Take the boat to Île Marguerite for a soak in nature and visit the famous Museum of the Man in the Iron Mask.
- Or choose Saint-Honorat island and its abbey
- Stroll along the seafront on La Croisette
- The nearby village of Mougins
See our article on the best attractions in Cannes.
Practical advice
- Allow one day to visit the city’s main sights or several days to visit the islands and surrounding area.
- The center is easy to explore, but the Le Suquet district is steep.
- Don’t try to drive once you’re in the city center, just park your car in one of the parking lots.
Where to stay and eat
We recommend..:
- Five Seas Hotel with its huge rooms and rooftop pool – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel BW Le Mondial downtown – prices, pictures and availability
- Hôtel Le Suquet, where some rooms have a terrace with a view – see prices, photos and availability
Find out more with our articles: Best hotels – Best restaurants
8. Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Why visit? Our review
Beaulieu-sur-Mer is another discreet Côte d’Azur town. We really appreciated the elegance and calm. It was a very pleasant break from the hustle and bustle of other cities.
We particularly liked its beaches, with the cliffs surrounding the town and the many magnificent trees all around. It’s like a garden city.
It offers privileged access to Cap Ferrat and the famous village of Èze.
Attractions in Beaulieu-sur-Mer
- Admire the olive trees, palms and many other species of trees around the town
- Marvel at the cliffs at Petite-Afrique beach, one of our favorites on the Côte d’Azur(see our list).
- Visit the Greek-style Kerylos villa
- Explore Cap Ferrat, including the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.
See our article on the best attractions in Beaulieu.
Practical advice
- Allow a day to enjoy the beach, the center and the Villa Kérylos, but it’s also a pleasant, slightly quieter destination on the Côte d’Azur.
- Plenty of parking spaces all around the city with longer-term packages
- City very easy to explore on foot, fairly flat
Where to stay and eat
We recommend..:
- Hotel La Réserve de Beaulieu with its superb seafront restaurant – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Carlon, charming and well located – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Select, conveniently located in the center of town – see prices, photos and availability
Find out more with our articles: Best hotels – Best restaurants
9. Villefranche-sur-Mer
Why visit? Our review
Villefranche-sur-Mer is considered one of the pearls of the Côte d’Azur.
Alongside the vibrant city of Nice, it offers a seaside village feel that won us over with its picturesque atmosphere.
Set in a superb bay, it offers a unique Mediterranean experience: an old port, a citadel, colorful houses, historic alleyways… we enjoyed wandering around.
Attractions in Villefranche-sur-Mer
- Stroll along the harbour and narrow streets: don’t miss the covered alleyways for a trip back in time!
- Visit the 14th-century citadel and its historic entrance
- Admire the 17th-century church of Saint Michel
- Relaxing on Plage des Marinières
See our article on the best attractions in Villefranche.
Practical advice
- It’s nestled between the sea and the cliffs, and the streets are narrow enough to get there.
- Parking is very, very expensive. Include it in your budget.
- Allow half a day to explore the town center, but it’s a pleasant destination for a long weekend enjoying the beach and the surrounding area.
Where to stay and eat
We recommend staying in Beaulieu-sur-mer on the other side of the bay, as the town has a better range of hotels and less expensive parking.
10. Monaco
Why visit? Our review
Yes! Even if you’re not a fan of luxury, Monaco is well worth a visit, as it’s a city like no other! While most of the city is made up of massive buildings, Le Rocher has been preserved and features pretty little streets, with magnificent panoramic views of the coast.
If, on the other hand, you’re a lover of luxury, the Principality is the place for you. Between 5-star palaces, high-end boutiques, casinos, clubs and haute cuisine, you’ll be in heaven!
Last but not least, Monaco has other lesser-known assets that we liked: museums, beautiful religious buildings and even green spaces!
Attractions in Monaco
- Visit the Prince’s Palace and watch the changing of the guard
- Explore and marvel at its museums: the Oceanographic Museum, Prince Rainier III’s car collection, and art museums.
- Admire the luxurious architecture
- Discover the many different garden styles (exotic, Japanese, rose garden…)
- Enjoy the luxurious ambience
See our article on the best attractions in Monaco.
Practical advice
- Allow at least three days to see the city’s best-known sites
- Beware, the town is on a cliffside. So there are lots of steep streets (but also elevators, which are very welcome).
Where to stay and eat
We recommend..:
- Hotel Hermitage, for a luxurious and historic experience – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Miramar, for a boutique hotel – see prices, photos and availability
- Monte Carlo Bay Hotel, for a resort – see prices, photos and availability
Find out more with our articles: Best hotels – Best restaurants
11 to 15 – Other best towns on the French Riviera
11. Sanary-sur-Mer
Sanary-sur-mer is another pretty port on the Côte d’Azur. The town has a village atmosphere, with its church, tower and traditional boats.
Allow half a day to explore the center.
See the best rated accommodations.
12. Fréjus
Fréjus seduced us with the charm of its town center. The cathedral is superb, with its typical Provençal stonework, and there are many Roman remains.
We were just disappointed by the reconstruction of the arena…
See the best rated accommodations.
13. Saint-Raphaël
Saint-Raphaël left us baffled. We loved its long sandy beaches and proximity to the Esterel massif, ideal for nature lovers.
But its architecture is less fascinating than that of other cities, in our eyes.
See our top-rated accommodations or our article on the best hotels.
14. Toulon
Toulon is a city in the process of reinventing itself, and is well worth a visit, especially for the boat tour of the harbor with its warships, the climb up Mont Faron with its impressive views, and the beaches and islands nearby.
See our top-rated accommodations or our selection of the best hotels.
15. Hyeres
Hyères is a lesser-known town with a great atmosphere. Above all, it’s the gateway to the famous island of Porquerolles, one of the most beautiful on the Côte d’Azur(see our list).
See the best rated accommodations.
Côte d’Azur’s most beautiful villages
And if you’re looking for even more beautiful places to visit, the region is full of charming medieval villages such as..:
- Èze and its exotic garden
- Roquebrune and its fascinating views
- Mougins and its narrow streets
- Sainte-Agnès, between mountain and sea
- Grimaud and its castle ruins
- Les Hauts de Cagnes
- Saint-Paul-de-Vence and its ramparts
- …
Find them all in our article on the most beautiful villages on the Côte d’Azur.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE Côte d’Azur
- Inspiration
The most beautiful landscapes in 30 photos
Best things to do on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful villages
Best beaches on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful gardens
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Most beautiful islands
Secret places
- Practical advice
Successful travel on the Côte d’Azur (coming soon)
Rent a car in Provence – in Nice – in Cannes – in Marseille – in Aix-en-Provence.
Itineraries: 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
Weekend ideas: best-of – romantic – luxury – unusual
- Where to stay
Where to stay on the Côte d’Azur
Best luxury hotels on the Côte d’Azur
Hotels by the sea
Best boutique-hotels
