I had been to Monaco ten years ago but only for a few hours. Since then, I’ve been waiting to return. The ambiance, weather, and sights make the entire French Riviera one of the best places to visit.
Typically, I don’t travel from May to October, as I enjoy the local weather (and Lake Balaton) during this period. However, I came across a Tuesday morning Vienna-Nice and a Wednesday evening Nice-Budapest flight. Both were with Wizz Air, and with a WDC membership, the two tickets cost 24 €. I couldn’t pass up such a deal.
Those who have read my reports know I don’t spend much time in one place, so I had to pack a lot into the two full days.
Table of Contents
Monaco
The plane landed in Nice at 8 AM on Tuesday. The L2 tram from the airport takes you to the city center. The ticket can be bought from a machine outside the arrivals hall: a single ticket costs 1.50 €, and a 24-hour ticket only 5 €. This covers buses and trams! Always validate the day ticket on the vehicles.
Since Wednesday’s weather was uncertain, I first went up the hill between the city center and the port, from where you can take great pictures of the seaside promenade. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the Garibaldi / Le Château L2 tram stop.
From there, I headed to the 607 bus stop (Port Lympia / Arson), which starts from the street beside the port to Monaco. As many people board here, I walked to the starting point, Square Normandie. Here, only a few of us boarded, so I was able to get a good seat on the right side. Definitely sit on this side, as the view is stunning almost the entire way! In Monaco, public transport tickets and day passes are not valid; you need to buy a ticket from the bus driver for 2.50 €.
In Monaco, I got off at the western end at the Place d’Armes stop, from where a short staircase leads to the Prince’s Palace. This is probably the best spot for panoramic shots in two directions!
It’s also worth wandering into the narrow streets, where you’ll find lots of shops and restaurants. Additionally, the cathedral, the Oceanographic Museum, and a beautiful garden are in this area.
The Formula 1 race is in two weeks, and preparations were underway: stands, pit lanes, and the track were being set up. Despite some closures and detours, this didn’t affect the Monaco experience.
Another must-see is the famous Monte Carlo Casino. You can always see luxury cars parked in front of the entrance and even take photos with them. Ten years ago, a friend and I went inside to play blackjack and even won enough for a few beers. 🙂
This time, I skipped gambling and went to the nearby small Japanese garden. It’s refreshing to rest in this charming spot amidst the flashy buildings and cars.
Then, I walked back to the casino for a late lunch and took bus 602 to Èze.
Èze
This little village is built on a rock, known for its alleyways and perfumes. After a short uphill walk from the bus, you reach this beautiful area.
It’s worth meandering through the alleys; they’re very atmospheric. At the very top, a botanical garden offers a beautiful view. I didn’t go there because the weather was overcast; it’s best seen in the sunshine.
I planned to take bus 82 to Nice, but the online and actual timetables didn’t match. This is the case with other buses too, and with few buses, there’s a lot of competition for a spot. I couldn’t fit on the 602 bus as it was too full. So, I had to wait for the next 82 bus, which arrived an hour later. From here, the 24-hour ticket is valid to Nice.
Nice
Fortunately, the weather was good on Wednesday, so I could see all of Nice’s attractions. On my way to the city center from the accommodation, I passed the Saint-Nicolas de Nice Russian Cathedral. There were several tame rabbits running around freely in the garden.
I walked down to the seaside promenade, perhaps the most famous part of Nice. It’s several kilometers long, with many bars and ice cream parlors on the beach. There were a lot of sunbathers on the beach, making it a real community spot.
The city’s main square is Place Masséna, where the red-yellow buildings and the Fontaine du Soleil fountain create a beautiful area.
From here, heading east, you’ll find a district with narrow streets, including the Sainte-Réparate de Nice cathedral. Entrance is free, and the interior is beautiful. I spent some time walking through these alleys; it’s a charming part of the city.
I continued to Garibaldi Square, another significant square in Nice. A few minutes from here and you reach the port. Alongside the many yachts and beautiful buildings, a large cruise ship was docked.
I took the L2 tram back to the city’s main street, Jean Médecin. It’s a classic pedestrian street with a tram line. On the northern end stands the impressive Notre-Dame de l’Assomption basilica.
After a coffee, I took bus 5 from downtown to the Matisse Museum. The famous painter spent a long time in Nice, and his works are displayed in a beautiful villa. The entrance fee was 10 euros, and it’s relatively quick to view the 9-room museum. I expected it to be bigger, but for Matisse enthusiasts, it’s a must-see.
Another important site was the view from Mont Boron, east of the port. Bus 33 from the museum went directly there. The journey uphill got progressively more beautiful, but the best view was from the lookout point before the Chemin du Fort stop. Just look at this picture:
After that, I took a bus and then a tram to the Saint-Augustin train station to take a regional train to Cannes.
Cannes
The train journey takes about 30 minutes and arrives in the center of Cannes. Within a few minutes, you can walk to the seaside promenade.
They were preparing for the Film Festival, so a good part of the beach was fenced off. But like in Nice, many people were sunbathing and picnicking on the available parts.
West of the port is a hill topped with the Église Notre-Dame d’Espérance. I walked up there; it’s about a 10-minute climb. The view from here is also beautiful.
I descended through an alleyway to the Rue Meynandier pedestrian street. After a late lunch, I returned to the train station in Nice.
Honestly, I enjoyed Nice (and Monaco) much more than Cannes. Probably because after the other two cities, Cannes didn’t have much new to offer. But if you’re on the French Riviera, it’s still worth a visit!
Nice and its surroundings are perfect for a short getaway. Pleasant weather, beautiful sights, friendly people – everything that makes a trip worthwhile!