Beaches with turquoise waters, fortified towns, picturesque villages and must-see museums… you won’t have time to get bored on a week’s trip to the Côte d’Azur. It will be unforgettable!
To help you make your choices, here’s our ideal 7-day itinerary for the Côte d’Azur, plus 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.
Define your itinerary for a week on the Côte d’Azur
The Côte d’Azur is so rich and varied that the itinerary possibilities are endless. It’s very difficult to define the absolute itinerary, as it depends on your preferences.
But based on our own, we share our ideal program below. A mix of everything: towns, villages, beaches, nature
Here is a map to help you find your way:
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 to the end of 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 Menton, the most unique town on the Côte d’Azur. The old town, with its narrow streets and colorful facades, offers a mix of Mediterranean characters.
Menton is the ideal place to relax on its sunny beaches, stroll through its gardens and sample local specialties. The town harmoniously combines the art of living with a peaceful, sunny atmosphere. We were spellbound.
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.
Start by exploring all the alleys. It’s not very big.
Perched on a steep hill some 427 metres above the Mediterranean Sea, it 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, you can 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 Eze.
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.
In the evening, you can admire the seafront with its sheer cliffs and the Villa Kerylos.
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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Day 3 – Nice
Let’s move on to Nice, the region’s largest city.
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 seaside, its captivating museums, its architectural gems and its thriving gastronomic scene, we had no 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 or one of the city‘s other superb museums
If you’re on a road trip, spend 2 nights in Nice: see our selection of the best hotels.
Day 4 – Nice
For this second day in Nice, complete your choice of museums that interest you most:
- Chagall Museum
- Matisse Museum
- Museum of Photography
- Musical Instrument Museum
- National Sports Museum
- Museum of Archaeology
- Asian Art Museum
- Villa Masséna
- …
In our opinion, Nice deserves at least 2 days The city is rich in museums and attractions. But if you want more variety, you can spend a day in Monaco instead.
If you’re on a road trip, spend your 2nd night in Nice.
Day 5 – 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 6 – 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.
You probably know the city from the world-famous Cannes Film Festival.
Beyond the cinema, we enjoyed discovering the old town (and particularly the Le Suqet district perched on a hill) and the Lérins islands opposite.
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.
Day 7 – Art and village or nature
Option 1 – Art and village
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.
Move to the charming village of Mougins with mountain views.
Afternoon: Vallauris and the Picasso National Museum
The pretty commune of Vallauris hosts a combination of 3 museums in a single fort:
- 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!
- The Magnelli Museum: admire the colorful abstractions of Italian painter Alberto Magnelli (1888-1971). Find out more about the artist here.
- The Musée de la Céramique : retrace the evolution of Vallauris ceramics through various major periods.
Option 2 – Nature
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 Esterel landscape 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: a car-free week on the French Riviera
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 itinerary by car.
Day 1 – Nice
Choose from Nice’s best attractions.
Day 2 – Èze and Monaco
Discover the magnificent 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 3 – Antibes
Antibes is one of our favorite towns on the Côte d’Azur. With its forticiations, it’s like traveling back in time. It’s one of the best places to see the Alps because it’s on a peninsula.
You can take the train and explore on your own with our article on the best attractions.
See the available schedules and book your train tickets now.
Day 4 – Nice
Choose from Nice’s best attractions.
Day 5 – Famous places on the Côte d’Azur
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.
Day 6 – Saint Tropez
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 7 – Nice
Choose from Nice’s best attractions.
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Alternatives: a week 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.
1 week in Nice
To spend a week in Nice, take a look at our articles:
1 week in Cannes
To spend a week in Cannes, take a look at our articles:
1 week in Saint-Tropez
To spend a week in Saint-Tropez, take a look at our articles:
1 week in Monaco
To spend a week in Monaco, take a look at our articles:
Alternative: West of the 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 as far as Cassis.
So you can also choose to visit the western part of the Côte d’Azur, with its smaller towns and beautiful beaches.
In this case:
Day 1 – Saint-Tropez
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.
Overnight in saint-Tropez – see our hotel selection
Day 2 – Peninsula around Saint-Tropez
All around Saint-Tropez, the peninsula is magnificently rich in sandy beaches(see our favorites) and charming villages(see our favorites). For example, you can visit Grimaud and Port Grimaud in the morning, and spend the afternoon on the beach at Pampelonne.
Overnight in saint-Tropez – see our hotel selection
Day 3 – Domaine du Rayol and Bormes-les-Mimosas
Heading west with two stops:
First, explore the mangificent Domaine du Rayol, a semi-wild garden by the sea (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 4 – 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.
We discovered its dream beaches, with crystal-clear waters and golden sand.
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 5 – Sanary-sur-Mer and L’île verte
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.
Make your way to La Ciotat to take a boat shuttle to admire the scenery on Île-Verte.
Overnight in La Ciotat: view the best hotels
Day 6 – 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 7 – 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 7 days
What are the must-see places?
It depends on what you’re interested in, but if you only want to see 4 places during this week, we recommend:
- The village of Eze
- 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 other 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
