The French Riviera is the stuff of dreams, with its turquoise beaches, seaside towns, picturesque villages and museums devoted to the greatest artists… To visit the Côte d’Azur in 5 days, you have to make choices, but you can already get a taste of the best the region has to offer!
And to help you out, here’s our ideal 5-day itinerary for the Côte d’Azur and a few alternatives to suit your travel requirements.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Plan your 5-day itinerary on the Côte d’Azur
The Côte d’Azur is a rich and varied region. So the itinerary possibilities are endless. There is no absolute itinerary, as it depends on your preferences.
But based on our preferences, here’s our ideal program. A mix of everything: towns, villages, beaches, nature
Let’s start with a map to orient you:
This itinerary can be experienced as a road trip, changing city almost every night, to discover the different atmospheres every night.
But you can also choose to sleep every night in one central location, to avoid changing hotels. You’ll have more road every day.
Stay in Nice: see our selection of the best hotels.
And if you don’t want to drive, scroll down further in the article for our car-free suggestion.
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.
Day 1: Menton
Start by discovering the town of Menton, a unique jewel on the Côte d’Azur. Menton is the ideal place to relax on its sunny beaches, stroll through its gardens and sample local specialties. The old town, with its narrow streets and colorful facades, offers a mix of Mediterranean characters.
The town harmoniously combines the art of living with a peaceful, sunny atmosphere. We’re spellbound on every visit.
To plan your day, read our article on the best attractions in Menton.
Our ideal day is:
- Morning at the Jean Cocteau Museum
- Then explore the old town, including the staircase to St. Michael’s Basilica and views from the old castle cemetery.
- Visit to the Jean Cocteau Museum
- Lunch break – see restaurants
- Visit the magnificent Val Ramheh garden
- Relax on the Sablettes beach in the heart of the city, overlooking the colorful old town.
And if you’re on a road trip, spend the night in Menton: see our selection of the best hotels.
Day 2: Èze + Villa Ephrussi
This morning, we advise you to get up to the village of Èze early, before the crowds arrive. In our opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful villages on the Côte d’Azur. And we love wandering around in the calm of the early morning and having plenty of space to admire the old stones.
Start by exploring all the alleys. Perched on a steep hill some 427 meters above the sea, the village is not very large but offers spectacular views of the coast and sea. It’s a maze of narrow lanes and cobbled streets, typical of the Mediterranean region, with tunnels and arches.
Then climb to the very top of the village and choose to visit the botanical garden with its many species of cactus on the hillside. Be careful, it’s very steep!
On the way back down, take some time to stroll through the narrow streets and explore the local artisan stores that will be open at the time.
Find out more about the village of Èze.
Option 1: lunch in Èze.
Option 2: go directly to the Villa Ephrussi and start with lunch in the gardens.
The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild is famous for its multi-influenced architectural beauty. It was built at the beginning of the 20th century, and blends different styles: Italian Renaissance, Baroque and French Classicism. You can explore the villa and admire its 9 extraordinary gardens, overlooking the sea. In our opinion, its gardens are among the most beautiful on the Côte d’Azur.
>> Book your admission ticket including audioguide
Find out more about Villa d’Ephrussi.
If you’re on a road trip, spend the night in Beaulieu-sur-Mer: see our selection of the best hotels.
Take advantage of the evening to admire the Beaulieu waterfront, with its sheer mountains and the Villa Kérylos.
A LITTLE MORE patience
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Day 3: Nice
Our next stop is Nice, the region’s largest city.
Nicknamed “Nissa la Bella” by its inhabitants, Nice is a must-see destination. It offers captivating museums, a natural cityscape, a sparkling seaside and a thriving gastronomic scene. You won’t have time to get bored.
To plan your day out, read our article on the best attractions in Nice.
Our ideal first day is:
- Start by stretching your legs along the Promenade des Anglais to the sundial.
- Climb to the castle hill for magnificent views of the city, sea and mountains.
- Strolling through the old town of Nice
- Lunch break – see our selection of restaurants
- Visit the famous MAMAC art museum
- Visit the Museum of Photography
- And change the subject with the museum of musical instruments
If you’re on a road trip, spend 2 nights in Nice: see our selection of the best hotels.
Day 4: Antibes
Let’s continue to Antibes for a very different experience. 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.
We find it very pleasant to walk along the ramparts, in the heart of the old town and along its beaches with views of the sea and mountains.
This city invites you to take a trip back in time.
To plan your day, read our article on the best attractions in Antibes.
Our ideal day is:
- Walk on the ramparts and admire the statue of Le Nomade
- Explore the narrow streets of the old town
- Learning at the Picasso Museum
- Lunch break – see our selection of restaurants
- Afternoon: Visit Fort Carré
- Relax overlooking the city and the mountains, at the Ponteil beach
- …
If you’re on a road trip, spend the night in Antibes: see our selection of the best hotels.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
- Great kayak trips in:
Saint-Tropez to the Ramatuelle reserve
Cassis to the calanques - Helicopter flight from Cannes
- Shuttle service along the coast between Nice and Saint-Tropez
- Bike tours: eBike in Nice – Mountain biking in the Esterel massif
Day 5: 3 options
Option 1 – Cannes and Ile Sainte-Marguerite
Cannes is one of the best-known towns on the Côte d’Azur, with its golden sandy beaches, its special relationship with cinema, its museums and its famous Croisette promenade.
To plan your day out, read our article on the best attractions in Cannes.
Our ideal day is:
- Morning: take the boat to Marguerite Island
- Get home for lunch – see our selection of restaurants
- Stroll through the Suquet district, enjoy the views and visit the church.
- If you have time, visit the World Explorations Museum.
- Relax on the beach or feel like a star on the festival’s red carpet.
If you’re on a road trip, spend the night in Cannes: see our selection of the best hotels.
Option 2 – Vallauris and Mougins
Morning: Mougins village
With its medieval charm, refined cuisine and artistic ambience, Mougins has something to please every visitor. It’s a circular labyrinth of charming narrow cobbled streets. Its statue-decorated squares create an enchanting atmosphere, perfect for a peaceful stroll.
Stroll through the charming village of Mougins with views of the mountains.
Afternoon: Vallauris and the Picasso National Museum
The pretty commune of Vallauris is home to a combination of 3 museums in one location, including the Musée National Picasso: located in the Chapelle du Château de Vallauris, it houses the work La Guerre et La Paix (1952). We were speechless in front of this immense fresco in vibrant hues!
Option 3 – L’Esterel for nature lovers
You can also choose to discover a little more of nature.
To be honest, a lot of people want to see the Verdon Gorge. But it’s inland with a lot of roads.
From Cannes, we advise you to stay closer to the sea, and discover the beautiful landscapes of the Esterel with its red rocks.
You can
- go for a walk in Théoule sur mer
- follow the corniche road through the red rock creeks, stopping at each viewpoint
- climb inside the national park and go hiking.
WHERE TO STAY ON THE Côte d’Azur
Our independent picks for the accommodation of your dreams:
Alternative: 5 days on the French Riviera without a car
If you’d prefer not to drive, we recommend that you land in Nice, as there are many organized tours departing from this city to explore the Côte d’Azur.
We recommend alternating city days with excursions.
Choose your accommodation with our list of the best hotels in Nice.
Here’s our ideal car-free itinerary.
Day 1: Èze and Monaco
Discover the charming village of Eze, perched high above the sea, with its picturesque streets and surprising garden.
Then head back down to the sea to witness the glamour and luxury of the Principality of Monaco.
See prices, photos and availability
Day 2: Antibes
Antibes is one of our favorite towns on the Côte d’Azur. With its fortifications, it’s like stepping back in time. It’s one of the best towns to see the mountains of the Alps, as it lies on a peninsula.
You can take the train and explore for yourself with our article on the best attractions.
See the available schedules and book your train tickets now.
Day 3: Nice
Choose from Nice’s best attractions.
Day 4: Saint Tropez
Today, discover the legendary seaside resort that attracts the stars.
The town is charming, with its colorful alleyways and Provencal market, and we were spellbound during our stay. Between beaches, museums, culinary specialties and vineyards, you’ll love discovering this not-to-be-missed town on the French Riviera.
Option 1
Take the shuttle boat and explore for yourself with our article on the best attractions.
>> Reserve your place on the shuttle
Option 2
Join an organized tour to discover Saint-Tropez and the water village of Port Grimaud – see program and availability
Day 5: Famous places on the Côte d’Azur (or another day in Nice)
Today we suggest a loop that takes you to several very different but world-famous places:
- The steps of the Palais des Festivals in Cannes
- Grasse, the perfume capital of the world
- Saint-Paul-de-Vence, one of the most inspiring villages for artists such as Chagall.
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Alternatives: 5 days in Nice, Cannes, Monaco or Saint Tropez…
You can also concentrate on visiting one city and make just a few excursions on certain days to discover the Côte d’Azur.
5 days in Nice
To spend 5 days in Nice, take a look at our articles:
5 days in Cannes
To spend 5 days in Cannes, take a look at our articles:
5 days in Saint-Tropez
To spend 5 days in Saint-Tropez, take a look at our articles:
5 days in Monaco
To spend 5 days in Monaco, take a look at our articles:
Alternative: ouest de la Côte d’Azur
There is no official definition of the Côte d’Azur. Some stop in Saint-Tropez, others in Toulon. We find that the same seaside quality extends to Cassis.
So you can also choose to visit the western part of the Côte d’Azur, with its smaller towns and beautiful beaches.
Day 1: Saint-Tropez and its peninsula
Today, explore the town of Saint-Tropez itself, with its museums, citadel, charming alleyways and port.
Soak up its unique atmosphere.
See our article on Saint-Tropez’s top attractions.
All around Saint-Tropez, the peninsula is magnificently rich in sandy beaches(see our favorites) and charming villages(see our favorites). You can, for example, visit Port Grimaud and Grimaud, or the beach at Pampelonne, as you wish.
Overnight in Saint-Tropez – see our hotel selection
Day 2: Domaine du Rayol and Bormes-les-Mimosas
Heading west with two stops:
First, explore the magnificent Domaine du Rayol, a semi-wild seaside garden (a good level of fitness is required).
Then it’s on to the charming village of Bormes-les-Mimosas: a medieval village nestled on a hilltop, offering an authentic atmosphere and timeless charm. Its narrow streets and stone houses create the ideal atmosphere for a leisurely stroll.
The village has really made an effort to add plants and flowers everywhere.
Drive to the Giens peninsula for an early start the next day.
Day 3: Porquerolles
Located off the coast of Hyère, the island of Porquerolles seduced us with its unspoilt natural beauty. We rented an electric bike to explore as much as possible in one day. You’ll discover dream beaches, with crystal-clear waters and golden sands.
But we were also fascinated by its historic forts, which bear witness to its military past. Be sure to climb to the very top of Fort Sainte-Agathe for exceptional views, as shown in the photos above and below.
It’s the most beautiful island on the Côte d’Azur.
Day 4: Sanary-sur-Mer and La Ciotat
Discover the charming village of Sanary-sur-Mer with its traditional boats. Its port is one of the most photogenic spots on the Côte d’Azur.
Then head for La Ciotat. Explore the charming little town of La Ciotat and its beautiful calanque – see the attractions
Then get back on the road, and discover the wonderful landscapes of the Route des Crêtes between La Ciotat and Cassis, at the top of the cliffs.
Overnight in Cassis: view the best hotels
Day 5: Cassis and its calanques
From Cassis, take a boat tour of the calanques between Cassis and Marseille (or hike to Port-Pin).
And discover the charming little town.
See the best attractions.
Frequently asked questions about visiting the Côte d’Azur in 5 days
Where should I spend 5 days on the Côte d’Azur?
Nice is the most popular and convenient base, offering easy access to other destinations. It is well served by public transport and offers a wide variety of accommodation and restaurants.
But for added charm, and if you’re renting a car, we really like Antibes.
What are the must-see places?
It depends on what you’re interested in, but if you only need to see 4 places in 5 days, we recommend:
- The village of Èze
- Menton’s colorful old town
- The ramparts of Antibes
- Nice’s art museums
What’s the best way to get around?
Renting a car is really the best option for visiting the Côte d’Azur and avoiding the crowds.
But, if you’re based in Nice, you can also take advantage of organized tours to many places, or visit other cities by train or boat.
When is the best time to spend a week on the Côte d’Azur?
Spring and autumn have very pleasant temperatures and fewer crowds than in summer (and cheaper accommodation). If you want to swim in the sea, choose September or early October.
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
