Verica Gavrilovic
Did you know the French Riviera packs more than 300 sunny days a year into a coastline shorter than some major world cities?
That’s exactly why planning an itinerary here can feel overwhelming.
One trip could mean quiet hill towns, glamorous beaches, local markets, or days that stretch lazily along the sea.
The good news is that the Riviera works beautifully for any trip length.
A weekend escape, a relaxed week, or a longer slow-travel stay can all feel complete if the rhythm is right.
Below are itinerary ideas shaped around time, not pressure, so you enjoy the region instead of racing through it.
Short Stays (2–3 Days): A Taste of the Riviera
When time is limited, the smartest move is choosing one base and letting the Riviera come to you.
Nice works especially well thanks to its airport, walkability, and mix of culture and coastline.
Spend your mornings wandering Old Town, stopping for espresso and fresh pastries, and your afternoons along the Promenade des Anglais or Castle Hill for views that instantly justify the trip.
A short stay is also where the sea becomes more than scenery.
Many visitors choose to experience the coastline from the water with French riviera superyachts, offering access to quiet coves and panoramic views that land travel simply can’t replicate.
This way places like Villefranche-sur-Mer and Cap-Ferrat reveal a different personality.
For a balanced 2–3 day plan:
- Day one focuses on Nice’s old town and seaside.
- Day two includes Monaco or Villefranche.
- Day three stays flexible for markets, museums, or a coastal cruise.
Medium Trips (4–5 Days): Mixing Glamour and Local Life
With four or five days, the Riviera starts to slow down for you.
This is the ideal length to mix famous destinations with less polished moments.
Base yourself in Antibes or Nice, then branch out daily without changing hotels.
Antibes brings historic charm and a lived-in feel, while still sitting close to Cannes and Juan-les-Pins.
One day can lean glamorous, strolling Cannes’ Croisette and exploring Le Suquet.
Another can feel almost rural, wandering inland to villages like Saint-Paul-de-Vence where art, stone streets, and vineyards replace beach crowds.
Did you know?
The French Riviera has more Michelin-starred restaurants per square mile than almost any other coastal region in Europe, largely due to its blend of local produce, seafood, and culinary tourism.
A strong 4–5 day rhythm looks like this:
- Two coastal days for beaches and ports.
- One inland village day.
- One culture-focused day with museums or markets.
- One open day for rest or spontaneous plans.
One-Week Trips (6–7 Days): The Classic Riviera Experience
A full week allows the Riviera to feel less like a destination and more like a lifestyle.
This is where variety becomes the real luxury.
You can afford slower mornings, longer lunches, and entire afternoons that revolve around nothing more than shade and water.
Split your time intentionally:
- Eastern Riviera: Nice, Monaco, Cap-Ferrat.
- Western Riviera: Antibes, Cannes, Menton.
This length also supports a day structured entirely around the coast.
Whether by ferry, private boat, or shoreline drives, seeing the Riviera from the water ties everything together.
Ports, cliffs, and pastel towns line up in a way maps never show properly.
Below is a simple planning snapshot for a 7-day trip:
| Day Focus | Area |
| Culture and food | Nice |
| Coastal villages | Villefranche and Cap-Ferrat |
| Glamour day | Monaco |
| Beach and history | Antibes |
| Festival energy | Cannes |
| Inland escape | Saint-Paul-de-Vence |
| Slow day | Beach or boat |
Each day builds naturally without feeling scheduled.
Longer Stays (10+ Days): Living Like a Local
Once you cross the ten-day mark, itineraries become looser by design. Longer stays work best when you reduce movement and deepen routines.
Renting an apartment, shopping local markets, and returning to the same café starts to matter more than ticking locations off a list.
This is also when seasonal events shape your days.
Summer brings music festivals and late dinners. Spring and fall favor hiking coastal paths and visiting vineyards.
Winter stays feel quieter, more reflective, and deeply local.
A longer itinerary benefits from:
- Repeating favorite spots instead of chasing new ones.
- Balancing sea days with inland countryside.
- Leaving at least two unscheduled days each week.
Interesting fact:
Many Riviera towns operate on a slower rhythm outside peak season, with extended lunches and later evenings that travelers often miss on short trips.
Here, the Riviera becomes less about sightseeing and more about settling into its pace.
Choosing the Right Itinerary for You
There is no perfect French Riviera itinerary, only the one that fits your time, energy, and curiosity.
Short trips reward focus. Medium trips reward balance.
Long stays reward patience. The region adapts easily if you let it.
Think about how you want your days to feel. Busy or unhurried. Social or quiet. Planned or spontaneous.
Once you answer that, the Riviera does the rest naturally. No matter the trip length, the coastline has a way of making time feel generous, even when it is not.
