The Perfect Slow Travel Itinerary from Nice

Discovering the Riviera, One Beautiful Moment at a Time

Some places are meant to be rushed through—Nice is not one of them. This is a city that invites you to wander, to linger, to take the scenic route. The cobalt-blue sea, pastel-colored streets, and gentle Mediterranean pace make it the perfect place to slow down and soak up the beauty.

This guide is for travelers who appreciate a relaxed rhythm, who enjoy long lunches with a sea breeze, who like to mix cultural gems with hidden corners, and who believe that getting there should be just as enjoyable as the destination.

Whether you prefer exploring by public transport or driving at your own pace, these 3-, 5-, and 7-day itineraries will help you experience the French Riviera without the rush—but with all the magic.

3 Days in Nice: A Taste of the Riviera

Perfect for: A short but meaningful introduction to Nice and its surroundings.

Day 1: The Heart of Nice – Old Town, Panoramic Views & Coastal Strolls

Start your day at Cours Saleya, the city’s vibrant market street. In the morning, it’s filled with flowers, spices, and fresh produce (except Mondays, when it turns into an antique market).
📍 Where: Place Charles Félix, 06300 Nice. Hours: 6:00-13:30
📍 How to get there: Tram Line 1, stop Opéra-Vieille Ville.
Wander through Vieux Nice—get lost in the maze of narrow streets, admire the Baroque beauty of Palais Lascaris, and stop for a slice of pissaladière, a local onion tart with anchovies.
📍 Where:15 Rue Droite, 06300 Nice. Hours: 10:00-18:00 (closed Tuesdays).
Climb (or take the elevator) up Castle Hill for a spectacular view over Nice and the Baie des Anges. Don’t miss the hidden waterfall at the top!
📍 Where: Rue des Ponchettes, 06300 Nice.
📍 How to get there: Take Ascenseur du Château (free lift) from Place Garibaldi or climb the 300 steps.
Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, a boulevard with an aristocratic past—British visitors funded its construction in the 19th century so they could enjoy seaside walks in style.Fun Fact: Nice’s famous blue chairs along the Promenade date back to the 1950s. They were originally rented out, but today, they’re free for anyone to use.

🏰 Alternative for history lovers: Instead of walking the Promenade, visit Musée Masséna, a beautiful 19th-century villa that tells the story of Nice’s past.

Day 2: A Seaside Escape – Villefranche-sur-Mer & Cap Ferrat

- Take a short train (8 minutes) or drive to Villefranche-sur-Mer, a postcard-perfect fishing village with colorful facades and a deep natural harbor.
 🚆 Getting there: Take the TER train from Nice-Ville station (8 min ride). Alternatively, take Bus 15 from Port Lympia (25 min)
- Visit the Chapelle Saint-Pierre, a tiny chapel covered in surreal frescoes by artist and poet Jean Cocteau.
 📍 Where – Rue Obscure, 06230 Villefranche-sur-Mer. Hours: 10:00-12:00 & 14:00-18:00 (closed Mondays).
- Walk the coastal path around Cap Ferrat, a peaceful, scenic trail with breathtaking Mediterranean views.
 📍 Where – Starts at Plage Passable, loops around Cap Ferrat (5 km, easy-moderate)

Stop at Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

nine themed gardens, from a Japanese oasis to a Tuscan dream

Where

- Try a plate of pan bagnat, Nice’s answer to the sandwich—crusty bread filled with tuna, olives, tomatoes, anchovies, and hard-boiled egg.

🌿 Alternative for nature lovers: Skip the villa and continue the Sentier du Littoral coastal walk, which wraps around the peninsula with hidden coves along the way.

data-start=”3508″ data-end=”3563″>Day 3: Art & Culture Beyond the Tourist Trail

- - Visit the Marc Chagall Museum, where the artist’s colorful biblical paintings glow in natural light.
    📍 Where – 36 Avenue Dr. Ménard, 06000 Nice. ata-start=”2790″ data-end=”2800″>Hours: 10:00-18:00 (closed Tuesdays). Bus: Line 15 from Jean Médecin
  - Explore the peaceful Cimiez neighborhood, once the favorite retreat of Queen Victoria. Walk through the Franciscan Monastery gardens, a tranquil spot with views over the city.
    📍 Where – Place Jean-Paul II, 06000 Nice. ta-start=”2964″ data-end=”2978″>Free entry. Bus: Line 5 from Masséna (15 min)
  - Stop at the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, a spectacular building that looks like it belongs in Moscow rather than the Riviera.
    📍 Where – Avenue Nicolas II, 06000 Nice. a-start=”3095″ data-end=”3105″>Hours: 9:00-12:00 & 14:00-18:00. Bus: Line 17 from Masséna
  - Indulge in a slice of tourte de blettes, a unique Niçoise pastry made with Swiss chard, raisins, pine nuts, and a dusting of sugar—sweet and savory at the same time!

🎭 Alternative for art lovers: Instead of Cimiez, take the tram to the Libération district for a more local experience. This area has a fantastic food market and independent boutiques.

Practical Tips for Traveling in and Around Nice

Getting Around

🚶‍♂️ Walking: Nice is compact, and most attractions are within walking distance. Old Town, the Promenade des Anglais, and Castle Hill are best explored on foot.
🚋 Trams & Buses: The Lignes d’Azur network is excellent, with trams running frequently. A ata-start=”702″ data-end=”731″>single ticket costs €1.70, or get a day pass (€7) for unlimited travel.
🚆 Trains: The TER regional train connects Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer, Antibes, Monaco, and Menton in under 30 minutes. Buy tickets at SNCF stations or via the Oui.sncf app.
🚗 Driving: If renting a car, note that parking in Old Town is limited. Use Parc Masséna (€2 per hour, 5 min walk to Vieux Nice) or Nice Étoile Parking (€3 per hour, near Jean Médecin tram stop).
🎟️ Tickets & Passes: The French Riviera Pass (€26 for 24h, €56 for 72h) includes museums and public transport.

a-start=”4374″ data-end=”4428″>5 Days in Nice: The Riviera at a Relaxed Pace

Perfect for: A deeper experience, with time to explore both the coast and countryside.

Day 4: Antibes & A Walk in Picasso’s Footsteps

- - Take a 30-minute train or drive to Antibes, a charming town with ancient ramparts and a lively harbor filled with luxury yachts.
 🚆 Getting there: Take the TER train from Nice-Ville station (€4.30)</li>
 - Visit the Picasso Museum, housed in a medieval fortress where the artist lived and worked.
 📍 Where – Château Grimaldi, Place Mariejol, 06600 Antibes. start=”3460″ data-end=”3470″>Hours: 10:00-18:00 (closed Mondays).
 Entry: €8
 - Wander through the Provençal Market, where stalls overflow with local cheeses, sun-dried tomatoes, and lavender honey.
 📍 Where – Cours Masséna, 06600 Antibes. art=”3574″ data-end=”3583″>Open: 6:00-13:00 daily.
 - Walk the Sentier du Littoral, a stunning coastal trail that hugs the cliffs of the Cap d’Antibes.

🏝 start=”5062″ data-end=”5095″>Alternative for beach lovers: Instead of hiking, relax at Plage de la Garoupe, a beautiful white-sand beach once loved by F. Scott Fitzgerald.

Day 5: A Journey Into the Hills – Grasse & Saint-Paul-de-Vence

- - Take a train or drive to Grasse, the perfume capital of the world.
  - Visit ta-start=”5373″ data-end=”5398″>Fragonard or Molinard for a tour of their historic perfume factories.
    📍 Fragonard Perfume Museum – 20 Boulevard Fragonard, 06130 Grasse. rt=”3966″ data-end=”3976″>Hours: 9:00-18:00. Free entry, tours available
  - Stroll through the quiet streets of Grasse, stopping for a tarte Tropezienne, a brioche pastry filled with vanilla cream.
  - Head to Saint-Paul-de-Vence, a hilltop village where artists like Picasso, Matisse, and Chagall once wandered.
  - Visit the Fondation Maeght, a modern art museum with an outdoor sculpture garden.
    📍 Where – 623 Chemin des Gardettes, 06570 Saint-Paul-de-Vence. t=”4103″ data-end=”4113″>Entry: €16. Bus: Line 400 from Grasse.

🌸 Alternative for garden lovers: Instead of perfume workshops, explore the Jardin Fragonard, a peaceful botanical garden in Grasse.

7 Days in Nice: A Full Riviera Immersion

Perfect for: Travelers who want to fully embrace the culture, coastline, and countryside.

Day 6: Monaco & Èze – Royalty & Medieval Charm

- - Take a train (20 minutes) or drive to Monaco. Visit the data-start=”6209″ data-end=”6254″>Prince’s Palace, the Oceanographic Museum, or simply wander through Monte Carlo’s streets.
 📍 Prince’s Palace of Monaco – Place du Palais, 98015 Monaco. =”4446″ data-end=”4456″>Hours: 10:00-17:00.
 📍 Oceanographic Museum –Av. Saint-Martin, 98000 Monaco
 - Stop in Èze Village, a medieval hilltop town with cobbled streets and an Exotic Garden that offers stunning panoramic views.
 📍 Where – Rue du Château, 06360 Èze. Take Bus 112 from Monaco
 - Try a serving of daube Niçoise, a slow-cooked beef stew with red wine, onions, and Provençal herbs—the ultimate comfort food.

tart=”6582″ data-end=”6715″>🚗 =”6585″ data-end=”6613″>Alternative for drivers: Instead of the train, take the Grande Corniche, one of the most scenic coastal roads in France.

Day 7: Menton – The ‘Pearl of France’

- - Take a 40-minute train to Menton, a town famous for its pastel-colored buildings and lemon groves.
    🚆 Getting there: TER train from Nice-Ville to Menton
  - Visit the Jean Cocteau Museum, dedicated to the poet, filmmaker, and artist who adored the Riviera.
    📍 Where – 2 Quai de Monléon, 06500 Menton. Hours: 10:00-18:00 (closed Tuesdays).
  - Wander through the Old Town, stopping to try a slice of tarte au citron, a lemon tart made with Menton’s world-famous citrus.

art=”73″ data-end=”151″>My 7 Days in Nice: The Plan vs. Reality (And a Small Travel Blooper)

If you’ve read my other blogs, you’ll know that I love to plan ahead. Before my start=”237″ data-end=”267″>7-day trip to Nice in 2025, I had crafted this perfect itinerary—every day mapped out with scenic walks, cultural stops, and just the right balance of adventure and relaxation.

But, of course, travel has a way of surprising you.
So I combined Grasse with Cannes. You’re going to pass it anyway—might as well make the most of it!
And take my visit to Antibes, for example. I had planned a smooth day exploring the Old Town and coastal paths, but when I bought my train ticket back to Nice, I made a small miscalculation. Thinking I was being extra efficient, I booked a round-trip ticket in advance, only to realize—too late—that I had to choose a specific return time. That meant I had a little extra time in Antibes.

With time to spare, I decided to hop on the little tourist train to Juan-les-Pins. I got to see the data-start=”1057″ data-end=”1087″>famous Millionaire’s Beach and experience a different side of the Riviera—something I would have missed if my original plan had worked out perfectly.

data-end=”1338″>Lesson learned? Wander with Wonder.
(And next time, I’ll buy my return ticket when I’m actually ready to leave!)

And if that wasn’t enough of a happy accident, I was also lucky enough to visit during Carnaval season. Seeing in person—the towering floats, the confetti-filled parades, the energy of the crowds—was an unforgettable experience. As a bonus, I also made it to Menton’s Fête du Citron, where entire sculptures are made out of citrus fruits.

data-end=”1780″>Since these events only happen in February, I left them out of the itinerary—but if you’re visiting in winter, consider this a must-see extra!

rt=”5339″ data-end=”5379″>Slow Travel, Timeless Memories

Nice and the Riviera aren’t meant to be rushed. Whether you spend data-start=”5447″ data-end=”5476″>three days or a full week, the best moments come when you slow down, take in the view, and let the journey unfold at its own pace.

data-end=”5665″>What’s your ideal way to explore the Riviera? Let us know in the comments!
Want to read more about the French Riviera? Check out the other blogs like The history of the French Riviera of things about the carnaval of Nice