A perfect day trip to Èze from Nice

Perched high above the French Riviera, the medieval village of Èze is one of the most delightful places you can visit on a trip to the South of France.  With its winding cobblestone alleys, stone houses, and artisan shops, Èze feels like you are truly stepping back in time.  Plus, you’ll get breathtaking views of the French Riviera below.

We visited on our recent 3-day trip to Nice and absolutely loved it.  This guide covers everything you need to plan your day trip to Èze from Nice, including how to get there, the best things to do, and a simple itinerary you can follow.

*may contain affiliate links (at no extra cost to you)

We spent a surprising amount of time figuring out the best way to reach Èze and discovered you have several good options.

The easiest and most budget friendly way to to do a day trip to Èze village is by bus.  We took this from Bavastro on Rue Barla, which is a short walk from Port Lympia.

You’ll need either:

• Bus 602 (direction Monaco Casino)
• Bus 82 (Plateau de la Justice)

The two routes alternate and go every hour from the same bus stop.  We travelled at the weekend, and the bus was already full when it reached out stop, so you can expect standing room only!

However, the journey only takes about 20 minutes, and the bus drops you right at the base of the medieval village.

To get back, you can return by bus the way you came, or hike the Nietzsche Trail down to the beach, then return by train instead.  This is the option we took, which worked really well.

There is a train, but it’s important to know that it takes you to Èze sur Mer, the beach area at the bottom of the hill.  From here, you’ll need to either:

• take a bus up to the village
• hike the Nietzsche Path up  (It’s steep, stony and takes about an hour.  I personally wouldn’t recommend this, though when we came down this way, there were a surprising amount of people giving it a go.)

So remember, the train does not go directly to Èze Village!

If you prefer a completely stress-free option, book a guided tour from Nice to Èze, which also includes a stop in Monaco.  Or you could do a full guided tour of the French Riviera, with stops in Monaco, Antibes, Cannes, and Èze.

If you have a car, Èze is an easy drive from Nice.  There is a small car park at the entrance to the village.

Taxis are also a possibility, but obviously a more expensive option.

Once you arrive, a flight of steps lead you up to Èze village, where you’ll discover a maze of narrow cobblestone lanes, medieval walls, and tiny artisan shops.  It’s incredibly charming and full of character.  The village is completely pedestrianised, so you can wander at your own pace,  stopping for photos and exploring little nooks and crannies along the way.

We headed to the top first and saved our browsing for the way back down.

At the very top of the village you’ll arrive at one of the main attractions in Èze, the Jardin Exotique.  It is a stunning place and absolutely worth visiting.  You’ll find towering cacti of all sizes, aloes, and succulents, as well as a Mediterranean garden and a couple of water features.  You should also look out for the sculptures of Earth Goddesses dotted between the plants.  These were created by artist Jean-Philippe Richard.

When we visited tickets were 10 Euros for adults.  Children under 12 can go for free.

Top Tip:  Buy your tickets at the machine at the base of the village to skip the queue at the entrance.

From the gardens, you’ll spot the 18^th century Baroque church below.  Pop inside to admire its beautiful neoclassical interior and enjoy a quiet moment away from the crowds.

Èze is home to two gourmet restaurants, the Château Eza (in the hotel) and La Chèvre d’Or.

The legendary La Chèvre d’Or, is a Michelin-starred restaurant with jaw-dropping views.  If fine dining isn’t in your budget, the Café du Jardin offers a more relaxed (but still luxurious) terrace experience.

Like many beaches along this coastline, the beach at Èze-sur-Mer is pebbly, but the water is clear and calm.  It’s much quieter than Nice’s main beaches, and there are a beach restaurant and showers.

As you enter the village, you’ll pass the Fragonard Perfume Factory.  They offer a free 30-minute tour, which includes a look inside the cosmetics laboratory and an introduction to perfume-making.

After the tour, you can pay to join a short workshop to blend you own eau de toilette.  If you don’t have time for a tour, you can just browse inside the shop.

Take the early bus to Èze from Nice or Monaco.  Wander through the cobbled lanes, stopping to browse the little shops and galleries.  At the top, visit the Jardin Exotique, for the most incredible views.

We stopped at L’Antre Potes, a casual restaurant, with a large garden on the way out of Èze.

Have a look around the perfume factory.  Then, if you’re feeling energetic, walk down the Nietzsche Path down to the beach.  It’s steep but shaded and takes about 50 minutes.  It takes you directly to the beach.

After relaxing on the beach, hop on the train back to Nice.

If you’d rather skip the hike, simply return by bus from the village.

For fine dining with a view, try La Chèvre d’Or or Château Eza.

For something more budget-friendly, visit Le Cactus, Le Del, or L’Antre Potes.  You can’t make a reservation for these more casual spots.

Yes, absolutely.  We loved it.  It is a unique village and one of the most beautiful villages on the French Riviera.  Èze is an easy day trip from Nice or Monaco.  However, I’d recommend arriving early and avoiding the weekend, as it can get busy.

It really depends on how many things you want to see.  You only need about two hours to explore Èze village and visit the gardens.  However, I suggest you allow more time, so you can stop for lunch or a leisurely drink.  You will need an additional hour if you’re hiking the Nietzsche Path and a few more if you want to spend time at the beach.

If you are reasonably fit, it’s not difficult.  However, the trail is steep, rocky, and uneven in places, so not suitable for all.  The descent takes around 45 minutes to an hour.  Wear trainers or sturdy shoes and bring water.

Èze is the medieval hilltop village and Èze-sur-Mer is the beach area at the bottom of the hill.  The train only goes to Èze-sur-Mer.

Yes, you could easily visit Èze in the morning, then continue to Monaco by bus or train for the afternoon.  Most of the organised tours include both.

• 10 very best things to do in Alicante, Spain
• 3-day Kraków itinerary: perfect for first-time visitors
• A 3-day Porto itinerary: How to spend a long weekend in Porto
• 10 best things to do in Malaga, Spain
• 14 brilliant things to do in Gdansk, Poland

Pin for later or share with a friend: A perfect day trip to Èze from Nice

*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links – any purchases you make are unaffected but I may receive a small commission. (Read our full Disclosure Policy)