Visiting Nice and want to plan a day trip to the beautiful Saint Jean Cap Ferrat? Well our guide will help you plan your trip and answer questions on how to get there and what to know before you go!
Saint Jean Cap Ferrat is only a few miles from the old town of Nice and is absolutely stunning. It’s one of my favourite places to visit in the South of France and I’ve been going every summer for the past 8 years. Whilst I’d 100% recommend it as a day trip from Nice, it can be a bit tricky to get to and you will have to compete with other tourists during peak season. This guide will give you some tips on how to get to Saint Jean Cap Ferrat either by public transport or by car.
From Nice to Saint Jean By Bus
If you’re going to take public transport I’d recommend taking the bus. You can take the Number 15 bus from Nice. The route starts from the Lycée Massena stop which is about a 7 minute walk from the Marché Aux Fleurs in the old town of Nice. It leaves just off the Place Garibald.
You need to ride the bus for the whole route and it will take you into the heart of Saint Jean Cap Ferrat. It takes around 45 minutes depending on traffic and costs €1.7 each way.
Tip: During the summer the route gets very busy so I’d advise planning an early trip out if you take the bus.
Driving & Where to Park
If you’re driving to Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, the route is fairly simple. You’ll want to go past the old port in Nice and take the M6098 or the Bd Maurice Maeterlinck. This route takes you through Villefranche Sur Mer and onto Cap Ferrat. Once you reach the start of the small peninsular, you’ll take a right onto Av. Denis Semeria. You can then follow the signs down to
Once you’re in the town there are two main parking spaces (both pay & display). Unfortunately they’re both small and it can be very hard to find a space if you come late morning during peak season. These two spots are:
- Parking du Centenaire (next to the Marina)
- Parking Cros dei Pin (next to a beach to the north of the town)
Note: The majority of street parking spaces are for residents.
Nice to Paloma Beach
Getting to Paloma beach from Nice is the same as getting to Saint Jean Cap Ferrat. If you’re taking public transport, take Bus 15 to the final stop – the port in Saint Jean.
If you’re driving, I’d advise to try and park in the paid parking spaces in the town and walk up.
Once you’ve arrived, it’s about a 7-10 minute up-hill walk to the entrance of Paloma beach.
Parking Near Paloma Beach
Unfortunately there’s no dedicated parking for Paloma Beach nor is there a valet service. Due to the very small, windy roads packed around villas, there just isn’t space for dedicated parking.
There is however, space on the road (Avenue Jean-Mermoz) that leads up to and next to Paloma Beach. It’s effectively a one way road where people park on the right hand side, next to the rock face. You may get a spot here if you come very early but it’s extremely limited. Be warned however, that if you find a spot, you risk other drivers scratching your car. This happened to me once but luckily my rental was fully insured!
The best bet is to come early and park in one of the paid parking spaces in the town. There is a free shuttle (a kind of motorised tricycle) to take you back if you’re a paying customer at the restaurant.
Looking for where to eat when you’re there? Check out our guide to the best restaurants in Saint Jean Cap Ferrat.
