French Riviera 7-Day Itinerary: Nice to Marseille
The South of France
Are you trying to plan a fantastic trip around the French Riviera? If you're not sure where to start, where to go, how much it will cost, or how much time you need, then we've got the answers. This route will let you experience the nightlife, delicious food, beautiful locations, and couples of the region. This itinerary can be used as a guide and an outline for your next trip, because here you'll find all of the information you need to put together an amazing seven-day trip.
Along the way, you'll discover beautiful beaches, colorful towns, historical cities, and delicious food. We'll start with some of the many reasons to visit this fantastic region. Then, we'll cover travel details such as the route, the estimated costs, things to do along the way, where to stay, and more.
This itinerary will take you through the following destinations:
- Nice (2 days)
- Cannes (2 days)
- Saint-Tropez (1 day)
- Marseille (2 days)
The Port of Cannes, France
Itinerary Highlights
- Great for couples
- Family-friendly
- Good for backpackers and budget travelers
- Beaches
- Delicious Food
- Beautiful Locations
- Small Town Charm
- Historic Sites
- Snorkeling and Scuba Diving
- Nightlife
One of the main reasons to visit the area is to see the gorgeous beaches and relax in the water. When it comes to Nice, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez, the beaches are fantastic.
It's no secret that amazing food is a major draw for travelers, and the French Riviera holds its own with fantastic cuisine. Your journey promises an abundance of remarkable restaurants and local dishes that deserve your attention. The food in Cannes, Nice, and Marseille is especially delicious.
The mesmerizing landscapes of the French Riviera are a major draw for visitors, defining the essence of the region. Grab your camera because the real-life view is far superior to anything you've seen in photos. You don't want to miss Saint-Tropez, Nice, and Cannes for the beautiful scenery.
Don't miss out on exploring the lovely and quaint small towns scattered throughout the region. You'll have a wonderful opportunity to engage with the local culture while tasting delicious food and soaking in the history.
So much history is to be found in the French Riviera. Don't miss the historic architecture, museums, and charming vibe of the area.
If you're in the French Riviera, mark scuba diving and snorkeling as must-do activities. The waters here are known for their clarity and abundant marine life. It's truly an experience you can't pass up. Take a break and hit the water for some unforgettable moments. If you're into diving, you're in for a treat around Saint-Tropez – the opportunities are simply terrific.
Brace yourself for a vibrant nightlife experience in the French Riviera, complete with numerous hotspots that are totally worth checking out. Specifically, don't miss the nightlife in Saint-Tropez, Cannes, and Nice.
Nice, France
When is the best time to visit?
When summer rolls around, the French Riviera becomes a hotspot, buzzing with activity. Anticipate a lively atmosphere with plenty of visitors; however, the silver lining is that during this time, everything is accessible and ready for exploration.
Who is this itinerary for?
Traveling as a couple? Let's dig into the romance in the French Riviera. It's renowned for being an ideal destination for couples, offering an enchanting atmosphere. If you're journeying with your significant other, get ready for a treat. Especially visit Nice, Saint-Tropez, and Cannes for the enchanting atmosphere.
The region is a gem for families, offering plenty of kid-friendly activities that promise to turn your trip into an unforgettable and joy-filled experience. We'll get into some of the details later. In particular, make a point to visit Saint-Tropez.
Traveling on a shoestring budget or backpacking in the area? No worries, as there are abundant options for you. From budget-friendly hostels and economical hotels to cost-free activities, affordable dining, and an inviting social environment, your trip is sure to be fabulous without burning a hole in your pocket.
Vegetable Market in Marseille, France
Transportation
Traveling between these destinations in the French Riviera should be fairly easy for you, considering that most are around 2 hours apart on average.
We've planned this as a one-way journey from Nice to Marseille because it covers a lot of distance and the transportation options are good in both places. However, you could always loop back to the beginning if it's easier. Also, you can do this route in the opposite direction if you find better tickets into Marseille instead of Nice. To get to Nice, you can see flight prices and schedules here.
If you're following this itinerary, a car is a good way to do it. Don't stress if you didn't bring yours; renting a car is easy. Having your own car in the French Riviera means you're the boss of your schedule, and you can stop wherever and whenever you please.
Traveling by train through the French Riviera is not only easy, but also affordable and efficient. While trains connect major cities very quickly, getting to smaller destinations can sometimes take a little more time. Some smaller towns may even require connecting to local buses. But generally, it's easy to get around if you stick to the main routes, and you'll be able to sit back and admire the views out the window. Check out the ticket prices and schedules ahead of time, too.
As a general rule, buses present a highly effective way to navigate the area. Known for their affordability, efficiency, and comfort, it's an easy way to get around on a tight budget. Check out the prices and compare for yourself.
Is seven days enough time in the French Riviera?
To see all of the highlights, seven days will give you a comfortable amount of time to explore the highlights in the French Riviera. This detailed itinerary will make sure that you see the best parts of each place. You'll be able to plan a trip that's fun, relaxing, and efficient. If you find yourself wanting to see more, you can always extend your stay or schedule more time in a specific place, as it's entirely up to you. With an array of day trip possibilities, flexibility is key. However, if you're short on time, consider adjusting this schedule for a shorter yet fulfilling experience. While cutting out a few stops is feasible, we recommend aiming for around seven days to truly take it all in.
The Port of Cannes, France
How much does a seven-day trip to the French Riviera cost?
The estimated budget breakdown for this seven-day trip through the French Riviera is shown below. This budget is based on our daily average travel costs which come from the spending habits of actual travelers along with cost data from major companies. The daily average costs are per person and do not include the transportation between destinations. These estimated costs are meant to be a guide. You can stay close to thse costs by staying at mid-level hotels, eating at normal restaurants, and paying for some of the main attractions in each location. It's possible to stay on a cheaper budget if you stay in hostels or budget hotels and eat at less expensive restaurants. It's also very easy to go over this budget by staying at high-end luxury hotels, eating at fancy restaurants, and taking private tours.
| City | Daily Average | Days | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nice | $181 | 2 | $363 |
| Cannes | $185 | 2 | $371 |
| Saint-Tropez | $191 | 1 | $191 |
| Marseille | $195 | 2 | $390 |
| Total per person | $1,315 | ||
| for 2 People | $2,630 | ||
From these calculations, the estimated cost for this seven-day itinerary of the French Riviera costs $1,315 per person. This does not include the transportation between destinations, as that cost will vary depending on your chosen option.
Accommodation Costs
Trying to figure out how much you'll pay for hotels on this trip? Below is the expected cost for accommodations for this trip through the French Riviera based on calculated averages.
Hotel Prices
For your accommodation costs, the average hotel room price for each destination is shown below. This hotel cost data is calculated from the prices of hotels provided by Kayak, and do not include taxes and fees. The average prices represent typical mid-range hotel rooms, but it's always possible to spend more or less than this average if you stay in budget-friendly or high-end luxury hotels, respectively. Also, during peak travel season, these prices will usually be higher.
| City | Average Hotel Room Price | Days | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nice | $97 | 2 | $194 |
| Cannes | $152 | 2 | $304 |
| Saint-Tropez | $469 | 1 | $469 |
| Marseille | $95 | 2 | $190 |
| Total expected hotel cost* | $1,157 | ||
Hostel Prices
Looking to be budget-savvy on your journey? Hostels are an excellent choice, especially for the younger crowd or solo adventurers. The prices provided below outline the average costs for a dorm bed in a hostel in each destination. Yes, you might sacrifice a bit of privacy in a hostel dorm, but the lively atmosphere often turns these shared spaces into social hubs, offering fantastic opportunities to forge new connections. Keep in mind that many hostels also provide private rooms, albeit at a higher cost than dorms, coupled with additional amenities such as kitchens, social activities, and strategic locations. These average prices are calculated from available hostel data thoughtfully provided by HostelWorld.
| City | Average Hostel Dorm Price (per person) |
|---|---|
| Nice | $25 |
| Cannes | $40 |
| Marseille | $24 |
The French Riviera Itinerary
1. Nice
2 Days
Nice is a world famous destination along the French Riviera. It's lined with pebbly beaches and iconic shopping areas. The city is famous for its popularity amongst celebrities, but casual vacationers will also enjoy visiting the many cafes and and coastal views around town. Visitors can walk down the famous and historic promenade or pop in a local eatery to try some French cuisine.
With snorkeling and scuba diving, nightlife, delicious food, and beautiful locations, Nice offers so much to visitors. It's also a great destination for couples, families, and backpackers because of everything available.
Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Nice is always at the top of any foodie's travel list.
After a day of exploring, you'll want to head out in the evening for a lively nightlife experience. After all, this is one of the most popular nightlife spots in the world.
Luxury resorts in the area are especially popular. If you can swing it, stay at one while you're here for relaxation, pampering, and fun.
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