If you're planning 3 days in Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer, this itinerary is a great way to experience the best of the French Riviera. We spent a long weekend exploring colourful streets, seaside promenades, local markets and one of the prettiest coastal towns in the South of France.
I've been visiting the Côte d'Azur since I was a child, but this trip felt different. My sister, my cousin and I decided it was finally time for a long weekend together. My cousin spent much of her childhood here, while my sister and I mostly came for short beach holidays. This time, the weather wasn't ideal for the beach, so we decided to explore instead.
Day 1: Arriving in Nice
I flew into Nice while my sister and cousin drove from Turin. They picked me up from the airport, and we went straight for brunch while we waited to check into our apartment. Luckily, it was ready earlier than expected, so we dropped off our bags and headed straight back out.
Our first stop was the famous Promenade des Anglais. Stretching along the Mediterranean, it's one of the most iconic places in Nice and the perfect introduction to the city.
From there, we walked to Place Masséna to see the Fontaine du Soleil. The fountain is famous for its large statue of Apollo and is one of Nice's best-known landmarks.
The weather was beautiful, so we stopped at Soho Restaurant for an aperitivo before walking along Avenue Jean Médecin, the city's main shopping street. We did a little shopping before returning to the apartment to get ready for dinner.
The best part of the evening was the sunset. From our balcony, we watched the sky turn shades of pink and orange over the Mediterranean. It was the perfect end to our first day.
For dinner, we went to Le Yen for sushi. It was a little further away, but definitely worth it.
Although we had a car, we barely used it. We either walked or took the tram. Nice has an excellent public transport system. It was easy, affordable and often faster than driving.
Day 2: Exploring Nice
Our only full day was all about discovering Nice before spending the afternoon in Villefranche-sur-Mer. We didn't have a strict plan. We simply wandered and enjoyed whatever we came across.
We started by taking the tram to the Port of Nice. I've always loved walking around harbours. I can't really explain why, but I never get tired of looking at the boats and watching the water.
From the port, we walked up to the famous "I Love Nice" viewpoint. The short climb is well worth it. The views over the city, the harbour and the Mediterranean are incredible.
On our way back, we stopped at Cours Saleya Market. It's full of flowers, fresh fruit, local food and handmade products. We had breakfast there before continuing through the colourful streets of Old Nice.
Old Nice is one of my favourite parts of the city. Its narrow streets are full of character, with colourful buildings, small cafés and local shops around every corner.
We passed Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate before walking through Place Masséna and the nearby gardens. We also admired the beautiful building of Lycée Masséna.
On a previous visit, I had explored the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas. If you have an extra day in Nice, I would definitely recommend visiting it.
An Afternoon in Villefranche-sur-Mer
In the afternoon, we caught the bus to Villefranche-sur-Mer. The journey took around 30 minutes, making it one of the easiest day trips from Nice.
Villefranche-sur-Mer is small, colourful and full of charm. A few hours are enough to explore, but it's a place you'll remember long after you leave.
One of the main reasons we visited was to try a restaurant that serves a local speciality. We'd heard so much about it that we couldn't leave without trying it ourselves.
Before lunch, we walked through Jardin des Chasseurs and enjoyed the views over the bay. We then made our way down to the harbour.
Finding the restaurant wasn't as easy as we expected. There were so many restaurants next to each other that we walked past it more than once before finally finding La Mère Germaine.
Before lunch, we stopped for a drink at a small café overlooking the harbour.
Looking back, that simple moment became my favourite memory of the whole trip.
Everything felt perfect. The colourful houses. The boats gently moving in the water. The warm sunshine. The relaxed atmosphere. And, most importantly, the company.
I remember sitting there and suddenly realising how happy I was. It's not often we notice those moments while they're happening. We're usually thinking about the future or looking back at the past. This was one of those rare moments when I was simply happy to be exactly where I was.
After lunch, we wandered through the little streets for a while before catching the bus back to Nice.
For our final evening, we kept things simple and enjoyed pizza at a local restaurant near our apartment.
Final Thoughts
The next morning, we drove back towards Turin. We stopped in the city centre for breakfast before it was time for me to head to the airport.
It was only a long weekend, but it felt like much more. Sometimes you don't need a long holiday to make lasting memories. A few days with the right people in a beautiful place can be enough.
If you're planning 3 days in Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer, I highly recommend combining both destinations. Nice offers lively streets, beautiful architecture and fantastic food, while Villefranche-sur-Mer is quieter, more relaxed and full of postcard-worthy views.
It was the perfect French Riviera escape, and I'm already looking forward to going back.