We just arrived in nice today and know some of the things we would like to do but wonder if someone can sort of map out an itinery.

We are thinking one day we want to just do the local things in nice and the surrounding areas. Another day, probably Monday, we want to get going early and head along the coast and end up in Monte Carlo making stops along the way.

Please let me know the must dos and the best way to navigate around.

Thanks in advance

Villa Euphrisi. The bus system is cheap and runs frequently.

A great way to get to Monte Carlo is to walk! Not from Nice of coure but take the train first to Cap d'Ail and then take about a two-mile flat walk along seaside paths thru a completely untouched part of the French Rivieria - the clear azure-hued water beckons you to swim - sans swimming suit you can skinny dip as you may see others doing!

Suddenly you round a cap and voila glitzy Monaco with its glitsy yacht club!

Just an outstandingly scenic and awesome walk - take the train back to Nice from Monaco.

https://www.google.com/search?q=sent...=1600&bih=1075

Pain bagnat is a Nice delicacy - well if you can call a sandwich a delicacy - numerous places in the Old Town by the sea and under the big hill on the east serve this - this is also a neat area to dine at night.

https://www.google.com/search?q=pain...=1600&bih=1075

Take the bus to Cap Ferrat. Visit Villa Euphrassi and it's gardens then walk downhillto the pretty town of St-Jean for lunch by the water. After lunch walk to Villa Kerylos in Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Take bus back to Nice.
Another day take the train to Antibes. Visit Musee Picasso. Enjoy this lovely town.
In Nice, make sure you visit the Musee Chagall.
Walk the Promenade.
Have an authentic Niçoise meal at Cantine de Lulu on rue Alberti.
Visit the food and flower markets on Cours Saleya.

I agree with suggestions above but if following the (always excellent) advice of PalenQ above, you would miss the lovely upper corniche village of Eze. We went some years ago in September and crowds were not a problem; I would not miss that spot.

bookmarking

Go one way to Monaco by foot from Cap d'Ail - spend the few hours at most most need in Monaco and then take the corniche bus back to Nice via Eze which yes does offer stupendous views of the coast. Crowds can be a problem however as this is a mandatory stop for tour bus groups - for the view and to shop the many souvenir and perfume stands - but that tourist schlock is out by teh road and the view from the famous hotel (name escapes me) area is awesome - good suggestion from aliced!

Notes from my visit with DD a few years ago:

"For our first dinner, I had brought the name of a restaurant I’d found on Travel Talk, and the front desk agreed it was a good one, a local favorite in old Nice. It’s called Acchiardo, at 38 rue Droite in Vieux Nice.

We headed over for their opening at 7p.m., and were very happy with it. Really friendly and attentive service, very quaint and casual atmosphere, with a good menu. I had a steak dinner, which actually included vegetables on the side. My daughter had two different salads. We had bottled water and a half-liter of house red wine. When the bill arrived for 28.50EUR, I thought they’d made a mistake because it was so much less than I’d been accustomed to paying in Venice, Florence and Rome. But, no, it was correct. (We would have maybe eaten there another night, but found out it closes on weekend nights, believe it or not.)





The next day we decided to take the short bus ride on the #81, to visit the Villa and Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild, near Saint Jean Cap Ferrat. (The bus is just 1.30EUR each direction, which you pay in exact change on the bus.)



It was a nice visit, especially to see the views of the sea down below on both sides of the hillside. I thought the price was a bit steep, at 9.50EUR for an adult, because the Villa isn’t really all that interesting (sorry!), but the gardens are pretty. There’s also a nice little café there, for a light snack or drink or meal, which was a welcome break from all our walking. 



While we were there, a very strong wind came up, which caused quite a bit of white caps in the water below, and chased everyone in from the patio tables. The wind stayed with us for the rest of the day, but wasn’t terribly annoying.



From the Villa, we did the easy walk down to the port of St. Jean to walk around and check it out. There are nice boats in the little harbor, with cute restaurants and shops. It’s very tiny, so doesn’t take long to walk from end to end of St. Jean. We spent just about an hour and a half there, then caught the #81 back to Nice.



That evening, we returned to old Nice for dinner. We loved that neighborhood’s little streets, overall atmosphere, and cute shops. We found the Restaurant la Tapenada, 6 rue St. Reparate and had a very nice dinner. It was probably about 60EUR for the two of us, on their fixed price menu, with a bottle of house wine.

Very nice little place, with friendly and attentive service. They even let my daughter trade her dessert for a salad. So she had two salads to start, one after the other, and they timed the arrival of our main courses perfectly. We were perfectly happy with our meal there.



The next day we decided we’d stick to the coast and see Antibes, which is a short 20-minute train ride from Nice. We were glad we’d chosen Antibes, as it’s beautiful. The sea wall makes a nice walk, and the Centre Ville is very charming. 



We wandered its streets, shopped in a tiny clothing boutique, found a little place for omelettes (nothing special, but nice enough), then headed back to Nice by train after about 4 hours total. It was a good choice for a quick day-trip.



That evening we weren’t very hungry, so opted for the simple Pasta Basta, once again in old Nice. It was a nice meal, although not extraordinary. Good prices and decent service.



All in all, we were very impressed with Nice and the surrounding area. It’s a very pretty city, with a friendly attitude, sitting on a lovely shore. There are many options for things to do near Nice. We’d considered St. Paul de Vence and Digne, but with the beautiful clear weather, we were drawn to stay at the seaside, and were glad we did."