Nice → Monaco
In 60 seconds
The route in 60 seconds
One of the shortest routes in the atlas, and one of the most scenic. Nice gives you a real city with markets, museums and a beach; Monaco gives you a principality you can walk across in an hour. The train between them runs along the water every twenty minutes, which means the route works as two nights, or as one very good day.
Stops
Where you sleep
Nice
France
Cours Saleya market, Matisse, and the old town at night.
Monaco
Monaco
Monte-Carlo, the old rock and the Oceanographic Museum.
Day by day
How the days fall
The order we would follow, with the transfers already in the right place.
Day 1
NiceMarket, old town, beach.
- Morning
Cours Saleya
Socca at a counter, then the flower market.
- Afternoon
Colline du Château
Climb or take the lift for the view over the old town's roofs.
- Evening
Old town dinner
Niçoise cooking is specific — look for petits farcis and daube, not Provençal generics.
Day 2
Nice → Èze → MonacoCorniche road, hill village, principality.
- Morning
Bus to Èze
The Moyenne Corniche; sit on the right and keep the camera down for the first ten minutes.
- Lunch
Èze village
Eat before noon or after two. The exotic garden at the top is worth the ticket.
- Afternoon
On to Monaco
Continue by bus or drop to the coast train. Monaco-Ville first, Monte-Carlo after.
- Evening
Port Hercule
Dinner on the harbour, and the F1 circuit under your feet the whole way.
Day 3
Monaco → NiceMuseum, garden, train back.
- Morning
Oceanographic Museum
Opens at ten. The terrace view alone is worth the entry.
- Afternoon
Train back along the water
Twenty-five minutes. Afternoon in Nice, or straight on to the airport.
Transport
Between destinations
- Nice → MonacoTrain25 min
TER regional trains every 20 minutes from Nice-Ville. Sit on the right for the coast. Buses along the Moyenne Corniche are slower and far more scenic.
Highlights
Key experiences
If the trip is cut short, these are the four to protect.
Cours Saleya market
Flowers and produce every morning except Monday, when it becomes antiques.
The Moyenne Corniche by bus
Take the 82 or 112 one way instead of the train. The views are the whole point.
Èze village
Between the two, on a rock 400 metres above the sea. Go early, leave before the coaches.
The Oceanographic Museum
Built into the cliff face in Monaco. Worth it for the building before the aquarium.
Stay
Where to stay
- Nice
- Stay in the Carré d'Or or just behind the old town. The Promenade hotels charge for a view you can walk to.
- Monaco
- Expensive for what it is. Many travellers sleep in Nice and visit Monaco on the train — a reasonable call.