Beyond Nice: 3 Day Trips Worth the Train Ticket

So many of you have told us JSYT inspired your Côte d'Azur trip. Nice is usually the main stop, and for good reason, but if you're there a full week or just a long weekend, it's worth venturing a little further. In this post, we're sharing our 3 favourite spots you can easily reach from Nice by train or bus.

1. Monaco

A completely different vibe than Nice, and much more than luxury cars and designer shops. Our favourite spot is the market. Grab a coffee, sit down for a glass of wine, and enjoy the not so well known side of Monaco. It's a beautiful place with a really interesting history.

Is it pricey? Some places, absolutely. But you'll also find burger spots and pizza bars at very normal prices, so don't worry, you don't need to be a royal heir to spend a great day in this little jewelry box of a country.

25 minutes from Nice by train for 6 euros, or 40 minutes by bus for around 5 euros.

2. Antibes

Our absolute favourite place in France, and honestly, in Europe. Elegant, comfortable, modern, but full of history and art.

23 minutes from Nice by train for 7 euros gets you to some of the best specialty coffee on the whole Riviera. Our picks: Nomad and La Torréfaction de Fersen.

The beaches here cover every mood: sand if you want to lie down and do nothing for hours, pebbles if you're chasing crystal clear water, and a hidden gem for the more adventurous, Baie des Milliardaires.

Just like in Monaco, the market is the most special part of the city. Delicious olives, incredible cheese, a nice souvenir or two, and spices from local farmers.

3. Menton

A vibrant town with a truly unique old town, 30 minutes from Nice by train for 7 euros.

Menton is known for lemons. Lemon tart, lemon sorbet, lemon trees, lemon everything. Grab your dessert of choice and head up to the old cemetery. I know that sounds strange, but trust me, you won't find a better view of the Mediterranean anywhere else. Fair warning: you'll leave with a lemon soap, a lemon candle, and zero self control. Oh, and don't forget to visit the best tea shop in town: Palais des Thés.