The French Riviera has lured travelers for centuries with a promise of light, sea, and la dolce vita—Matisse painted here, movie stars summer here, and families return for its gentle beaches and easy days. Nice and Monaco sit at its heart: elegant promenades, flower markets, and a shoreline that invites slow mornings and golden-hour strolls.

From Nice’s Belle Époque seafront to Monaco’s sparkling port, you’ll find sandy coves, stroller-friendly promenades, and public elevators that trim down hill climbs. With a car on hand, you can dip into cliff-hugging villages like Èze or glide along the Corniche roads to sunset viewpoints—with secure parking close to major sights.

Food is half the story here: flaky morning pastries, Niçoise classics like socca and pan bagnat, and Mediterranean seafood at tables overlooking turquoise water. Pack hats and reef-safe sunscreen for beach days, carry small coins for tolls/garages, and remember Riviera dining skews late—reservations help, especially in July–August and during Monaco events.

Nice

Nice is your sun-splashed base: pastel old town, the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais, and a beach culture that rolls from morning swims to gelato nightcaps. Families love the car-light logistics—valet at beach clubs, elevators up to Castle Hill, and loads of shaded cafés for snack breaks.

• Top sights: Promenade des Anglais, Old Town (Vieux Nice), Castle Hill lookout via elevator, Cours Saleya market, Villa Ephrussi gardens (nearby), and sandy Villefranche-sur-Mer.
• Local flavor: Try socca at Chez Pipo, a pan bagnat by the sea, and gelato flights at Fenocchio.
• Parking made easy: Interparking Masséna, Indigo Corvesy, and Palais de la Méditerranée garages place you steps from the promenade and Old Town.

Where to stay (beachside, parking-friendly): Browse villas and apartments with on-site parking on VRBO Nice or compare seafront hotels on Hotels.com Nice. Look for properties along Promenade des Anglais for easy stroller access and valet.

Getting to Nice: Fly into Nice (NCE). For intra-Europe flights or trains, search Omio flights and Omio trains (e.g., Paris–Nice TGV ~5h 40m, often $45–$110). For long-haul routes into Europe, compare on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrive in Nice, Promenade Sundown, Seafront Dinner

Afternoon: Land in Nice and check into your beachside stay. Park in Interparking Masséna or Palais de la Méditerranée garage and stretch your legs with a smooth stroller roll along the Promenade des Anglais—perfect for jet-lag recovery.

Evening: Early dinner with a view: Le Plongeoir (seafood on a historic diving platform) is a kid-pleaser for the setting; or Blue Beach’s restaurant for an easier, toes-in-the-sand vibe. Gelato at Fenocchio (try lavender or fig) before bedtime.

Day 2: Old Town Bites, Castle Hill by Elevator, Beach Club Ease

Morning: Coffee and flaky croissants at Brume Coffee or Emilie’s & the Cool Kids (great for kids). Stroll the Cours Saleya flower-and-food market; pick up a warm socca slice from Chez Pipo or a pan bagnat for later.

Afternoon: Ride the elevator up to Castle Hill for panoramic views—minimal steps required. Then claim a lounger at Ruhl Plage or Blue Beach; both rent umbrellas, offer lifeguards, and have ramps for easy access.

Evening: Dinner in Old Town: Peixes (Portuguese-inspired seafood, light and fresh) or Bocca Nissa (rooftop, shareable Mediterranean plates). If little legs are tired, hop the Petit Train de Nice for a breezy city loop.

Day 3: Private Catamaran Day—Swim, Snorkel, Coast-Hugging Coves

All-day: Charter a private catamaran from Port Lympia (Nice) or nearby Cannes for a low-effort, high-reward family day. Skippered boats typically include paddleboards, snorkels, shade, and chilled drinks. Cruise to Villefranche’s emerald bay, Cap Ferrat coves, or as far as Antibes for a swim-and-sandwich lunch on board. Ask for kids’ life vests and a catering picnic; many charters can arrange beach-to-boat tendering to minimize walking.

Dinner: Back on land, try La Petite Maison (Niçoise classics; book ahead) or Attimi (casual pizzas and salads just off Place Masséna).

Day 4: Èze Perfume & Villa Gardens (Private Tour Option)

Morning: Easy 25–35 min drive to Èze village for breathtaking views. Skip the steep paths by parking near the village entrance and focusing on the Fragonard perfumery tour—short, sensory, and fun for kids.

Afternoon: Head to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild on Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The musical fountains run every 20 min; gardens offer plenty of benches and shaded alleys. Late-afternoon paddle at sandy Villefranche-sur-Mer beach (gentle slope, great for children).

Evening: Sunset dinner on the quay at La Mère Germaine (Villefranche) for bouillabaisse or a simple grilled fish. Park in the waterfront lot and request a terrace table away from steps.

Prefer a guide/driver to reduce walking and parking stress?

The Best of the Riviera Private Sighseeing tour can pick you up in Nice for a customizable day—Èze village, Fragonard, coastal viewpoints, and Monaco photo stops—tailored to your pace.

Monaco

Monaco is as compact as it is dazzling: royal pageantry on the Rock, superyachts in Port Hercule, and the famous F1 circuit you can actually drive. With dozens of public elevators and moving walkways, it’s surprisingly friendly for families and anyone avoiding long uphill walks.

• Top sights: Oceanographic Museum, Prince’s Palace, Monaco-Ville lanes, Casino Square, Japanese Garden, and Larvotto Beach (soft sand and playgrounds).
• Eat & sip: Café de Paris Monte-Carlo for people-watching, Maya Bay for Thai/Japanese in a lush setting, and the Marché de la Condamine food hall for easy kid-approved variety.
• Parking intel: Casino, Grimaldi Forum, and des Pêcheurs garages put you next to major sights; many offer the first hour free.

Where to stay (seafront, spa access): Compare options on VRBO Monaco and Hotels.com Monaco. Favorites with easy parking and beach access: Fairmont Monte Carlo (sea-view rooms, rooftop pool), Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo (iconic, direct access to Thermes Marins spa), Hotel Ambassador Monaco (Old Town access), and Hotel de France (great value).

Nice → Monaco travel (Day 5 morning): Drive the Basse Corniche in ~35–45 min (toll-free, scenic). Or go car-free: the TER train from Nice-Ville to Monaco Monte-Carlo is ~20 min and ~€4; check schedules and fares on Omio trains.

Day 5: Coast Drive to Monaco, Larvotto Beach & Old Town Sunset

Morning: Depart Nice after breakfast. Optional quick stop at La Turbie for a superb Riviera panorama (minimal walking from the parking lookout). Roll into Monaco and valet at your hotel.

Afternoon: Unwind at Larvotto Beach—calm water, playgrounds, and cafés line the promenade. For lunch, Maya Bay serves crowd-pleasing Thai and Japanese with highchairs and space for strollers.

Evening: Take the public elevators up to Monaco-Ville (the Rock). Golden-hour stroll past Saint Nicholas Cathedral and the Prince’s Palace viewpoints, then easygoing dinner at the Marché de la Condamine food hall (pasta, rotisserie, socca stands—everyone’s happy). Park at Parking des Pêcheurs for direct lift access.

Day 6: Oceanographic Wonder, Spa Time, and a Circuit Cruise

Morning: The Oceanographic Museum is a perennial kid favorite—shark lagoon, touch pools, and rooftop views. Prebook a time slot in high season and use the elevator from Parking des Pêcheurs for fewer steps.

Afternoon: Parents: rotate a few quiet hours at Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo (seawater pool with port views, restorative treatments), while the other adult takes the kids to the Japanese Garden and gelato in Larvotto.

Evening: Do a slow “victory lap” by car on the Monaco Grand Prix route (hotel→Casino Square→Fairmont Hairpin→Tunnel). Dinner picks: Nobu at the Fairmont (sushi fans) or Beefbar (excellent kids’ mains and sea views).

Guided option to keep logistics light: Fascinating Monaco - Private Walking Tour tailors the Rock, Cathedral, and Casino area to your pace with strategic elevator routes.

Day 7: Easy Morning or 3-Country Adventure, Then Depart

Option A—Relaxed Monaco Morning: Coffee and viennoiseries at Café de Paris Monte-Carlo, souvenir stop at the Métropole Shopping Monte-Carlo (escalators and lifts), and a last paddle at Larvotto before checkout.

Option B—Private Day Trip (light walking, big views): Dip into Italy and Menton’s lemon-scented lanes, then back to Monaco with a driver-guide on Discover 3 countries in 1 Day: Italian Markets, Menton and Monaco. It’s customizable and great for families who prefer rides over long walks.

Departure: If you’re flying from Nice, the drive back is ~45 min. Train to NCE via Nice-St-Augustin works too; check Omio trains for schedules, or compare flights on Omio flights (Europe) and Trip.com (long-haul).

Family-first food & coffee map (Nice + Monaco)

• Breakfast/Coffee: Brume Coffee (specialty brews), Emilie’s & the Cool Kids (Nice; muffins and kid-approved smoothies), Gran Caffè (Monaco; Italian pastries).
• Lunch: Blue Beach or Ruhl Plage (Nice; beach service), Maya Bay (Monaco; highchairs, fast service options), Marché de la Condamine (Monaco; mix-and-match counters).
• Dinner: Le Plongeoir (setting kids remember), Peixes (light seafood), La Petite Maison (Niçoise must), Nobu/Beefbar (Monaco evenings), La Mère Germaine (Villefranche quay).

Parking & low-walking hacks

• Nice: Interparking Masséna (Old Town access), Indigo Corvesy (near Cours Saleya), Palais de la Méditerranée (Promenade). Many beach clubs offer valet—ask when booking loungers.
• Monaco: Parking des Pêcheurs (elevators to Oceanographic Museum/Old Town), Grimaldi Forum (Larvotto/Japanese Garden), Parking du Casino (Casino Square). Public lifts are well-signed; many garages comp the first hour.
• Beaches: For sand underfoot, prioritize Larvotto (Monaco) and Villefranche-sur-Mer over Nice’s pebbles. Beach clubs provide ramps, showers, and changing rooms.

Optional private touring add-on (from port or hotel)

If you’re arriving by cruise or prefer a driver-guide to minimize walking and parking, this 6–7 hour customizable outing hits Èze, Monaco-Ville, and Monte-Carlo at an easy pace: Shore excursion to Eze, Monaco & Monte-Carlo from Villefranche.

Wine tasting note: If you’d like a short, scenic tasting without long drives, the Bellet AOC estates (on Nice’s hills) offer appointments for crisp Rolle whites and light reds; book a single estate and keep it to a one-hour stop to stay kid-happy.

This Riviera week balances slow seaside mornings, scenic drives, and just-enough culture to spark curiosity—without wearing out little legs. Between Nice’s café life and Monaco’s sparkling bays, you’ll unwind in style, eat brilliantly, and head home sun-kissed and smiling.