Cannes to Nice: How We Spent One Day in Nice, France

Planning Your Day from Cannes Cruise Port

This was our first visit to Southern France, and with just one day in port, we had a big decision to make. The Cannes cruise port is well-situated for day trips across the French Riviera—should we stay in Cannes, rent a car, take a guided tour to Monte Carlo, or try to see as much as possible?

With so many options, the best way to decide is to focus on what you want to experience most. For us, it came down to either a fast-paced tour of multiple destinations or a relaxed DIY trip to one city.

While we had enjoyed renting cars at previous cruise stops, Europe’s rail system is efficient and easy to navigate. A train ride from Cannes to Nice sounded like the most straightforward and most affordable option.

📌 Note: Cannes is a tender port. This means your cruise ship will anchor offshore, and passengers must take small boats (tenders) to reach the terminal. This process can add an hour or more to your time in port, so plan accordingly.

Our ship was in Cannes from 8 AM to 6 PM. After checking with a tour company about a French Riviera excursion, we realized there wasn’t enough time to fit everything in. Instead, a self-guided day trip from Cannes to Nice by train became the clear winner.

Not only did this give us the flexibility to explore at our own pace, but it also saved us money. That’s one of the downsides of cruising—port stops are short, and tendering takes extra time. The last thing you want is to cut it too close and miss your ship.

Shore Excursion Options from Cannes

If you’re uncomfortable navigating the train system or prefer a guided experience, these shore excursions are great alternatives. Just make sure they fit your cruise schedule.

• Nice, Eze, Monaco & Monte-Carlo from Cannes [book here]
• St-Tropez Day Tour from Cannes [book here]
• Hilltop Villages Guided Tour in French Riviera from Cannes [book here]

Taking the Train from Cannes to Nice

How to get from Cannes to Nice by Train

Once you arrive at the train station, you have plenty of options. If you want to follow our recommendations for Nice, great! But if another city nearby interests you, this same process applies. No matter where you go, you’ll have a great day exploring the French Riviera.

Once you arrive at the train station, find an electronic kiosk. It is pretty easy to navigate. We suggest you research and find out which station you would like to travel to beforehand so your chances of getting lost are low.

Buying Train Tickets at Cannes Train Station

Once at the station, locate an electronic kiosk to purchase tickets. The process is simple, but it helps to research your destination in advance to avoid confusion.

• For Nice, select NICE VILLE as your destination and choose your departure time from Gare de Cannes—Cannes-Ville.
• We bought roundtrip tickets and selected a return time that allowed us enough time to walk back to the port for the tender.
• Some trains are faster than others, so check the duration when selecting your train.
• Your ticket will display the platform number for your departure.

If you don’t think you can explore Nice on your own or are afraid of not getting to see enough, you can take the train to Nice and take a walking tour.

For our itinerary, we had to be back at the port by 5 PM, so we booked return tickets from Nice to Cannes for 4 PM. The ride is only 30 minutes, but we factored in the walk back to the port and the tendering process to avoid cutting it too close.

Tour Ideas:
Walking Tour of Old Nice and Castle Hill [book now]
Nice Food Tour: A Full Taste of French Riviera by Do Eat Better [book now]

How We Spent One Day in Nice, France

Our morning started with breakfast and lining up to tender to port. Depending on the ship and the destination, tendering can be quick and painless—or a frustrating ordeal. But we were excited for one day in Nice from our cruise ship, knowing we’d get to experience a new city along the French Riviera.

But once we stepped off the ship and into Cannes, the peaceful morning air made all of that frustration disappear. The day ahead was ours to explore, and we were ready for a change of scenery.

We arrived at the Nice-Ville train station, a beautiful building that immediately caught our attention (yes, we stopped to take photos). From there, we set off on foot toward Old Town Nice, about a 25-minute walk away. Some visitors opt for a bus or taxi, but we wanted to take in the city as we went.

Without a strict itinerary, we let the streets of Nice guide us. The walk gave us a first look at the city’s vibrant energy, historic architecture, and everyday life. We knew one day wouldn’t be enough to see it all, but we planned to make the most of it.

Things to Do in Nice, France

Nice is full of history, beautiful streets, and Mediterranean views that make you want to slow down and take it all in. Since we had no strict itinerary, we let the city guide us, stopping wherever something caught our eye. These are some of the highlights from our day, and if you only have one day in Nice, these stops make for a great introduction to the city.

Avenue Jean Médecin

We used Google Maps to navigate toward Old Town Nice and were directed to Avenue Jean Médecin, the city’s main north-south street. If you love shopping, this is the place to be—every store you can think of is along this street, making it a popular area for both locals and tourists.

Le Jardin Albert 1er (Albert I Garden)

This 19th-century public park was an unexpected highlight of our walk. It’s a peaceful green space in the middle of the city, perfect for a quick break. We loved strolling through and watching families and kids enjoying the fountains.

You’ll find Promenade du Paillon just past the park, with more fountains and play areas. If you’re visiting Nice with kids, it’s a great spot for them to run around and cool off.

Promenade des Anglais and the Beach

After passing through the park, we caught our first glimpse of the coast. Promenade des Anglais stretches for four miles along the Mediterranean, starting near the Côte d’Azur Airport.

Since we were visiting in the off-season, the beach was quiet, but in the summer, it’s packed with umbrellas, lounge chairs, and vacationers soaking up the sun. We took a short walk along the promenade, and I couldn’t resist dipping my toes into the French Riviera—a little travel moment I won’t forget.

Ascenseur du Château and Castle Hill

For one of the best panoramic views of Nice, you can take the classic art-deco elevator (Ascenseur du Château) up to Castle Hill Park—or, if you’re up for it, you can take the stairs. We opted for the latter.

The view of the Nice coastline from the top is incredible. If you have the time and energy, this is absolutely worth the climb.

Explore Charming Old Town Nice

The deeper you wander into Old Town Nice, the more you feel transported to another era. The cobblestone streets, pastel-colored buildings, and hidden courtyards make this one of the most picturesque parts of the city. Around every corner, you’ll find historic churches, elegant facades, and tucked-away staircases leading to charming little squares.

We passed by the Opéra de Nice, admired the intricate stonework of Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur, and strolled through quiet alleyways where laundry swayed from windows above. Every turn felt like a scene from a European postcard.

I was so mesmerized by the architecture—looking up, taking photos, and recording videos—that I walked straight into a steel pole. Not my finest moment, but hey, it’s not the first time, and I had the bruise to prove it!

Cours Saleya Open-Air Market

With so much to see, we hadn’t decided whether we’d sit for a full lunch. Instead, we ended up eating our way through the market—and it was perfect.

Located in Old Town Nice, the Cours Saleya Market runs Tuesday through Sunday from 7 AM to 1 PM. We lucked out and found a variety of stalls selling everything from fresh fruit and baked goods to local seasonings and dried lavender. The vendors were so welcoming, making the experience even better.

We grabbed coffee at a café, picked up a sandwich for hubby, and tasted different goodies along the way. Later, we spotted a few stands with hot dishes that we wish we had noticed before stuffing ourselves with everything else. If you visit, consider grabbing some food here and enjoying a picnic by the beach.

Would We Visit Nice Again? Absolutely.

Our day trip from Cannes to Nice was a success. We had an incredible time wandering the streets, enjoying the coastal views, and enjoying the city’s charm. Nice had a completely different vibe from Paris, and we loved it even more.

We didn’t see everything, but we saw enough to leave us smiling and planning a return trip. If you ever get the chance, spend a day in Nice—or better yet, stay longer. It’s the kind of place that makes you want to come back.

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