Menton in three days: sea, Monaco and the Italian Riviera

Menton works well as a calm base: spend one day getting to know the town properly, then use the next two days for Monaco, Nice or the Italian Riviera without constant packing and unpacking.

The outline below keeps walking reasonable and leaves space for slow meals, swims and unplanned stops. Check current train times before each day trip, especially for evening returns.

Start with breakfast near Halles du Marché so you are only a few steps from the market afterwards. Buy small portions of local specialities such as pichade, hot socca if available, barbajuans and seasonal fruit, then treat them as a second breakfast while you wander between stalls.

From the market, climb Les Rampes Saint-Michel into the old town, stopping for photos of the bay and facades. Continue to the Cimetière du Vieux Château for wide views over Menton and the Italian coast, then drift back down through narrow streets for coffee or lemonade on a shaded terrace.

For lunch, either sit near the old port and Plage des Sablettes or build a picnic from market finds. In the afternoon, use Sablettes for a swim and rest, or add Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh if you prefer shade and greenery after checking opening hours.

Towards evening, walk Promenade du Soleil as the light softens. Stop for an aperitif near Sablettes or along the promenade, then choose a calm finish near Port de Garavan or a rooftop such as Med Rooftop if it is open and you want one cocktail with a wider view.

Have a simple breakfast near your apartment or by the seafront, then take a morning train or bus to Monaco. Journey times vary, so check current schedules, but the distance is short enough for an easy day trip.

Start in Monaco-Ville, the Rock, for harbour views and narrow streets, then walk around the palace area and cathedral before it gets too hot or crowded. For lunch, head towards Port Hercule and Condamine for harbour views or simpler places slightly away from the water.

In the afternoon, explore the Casino area and surrounding gardens. Even from outside, the square gives classic Monaco images: Belle Epoque architecture, luxury cars and sea in the background. Add a museum, shopping or a cafe break depending on your energy.

For the evening, either stay for a livelier Monaco night around the harbour, checking current programmes for places such as La Rascasse, or have an early dinner and return to Menton for a quieter drink by the sea.

For a French Riviera city day, take a morning train to Nice and start in Vieux Nice and Cours Saleya. The market streets, cafes and narrow lanes give colour, second coffee options and a stronger city rhythm than Menton.

Stay in the old town for lunch, or walk to Promenade des Anglais for a more open seaside feel. In the afternoon, climb Colline du Château for panoramic views over Baie des Anges and the old town roofs, then swim, rest on the beach or stroll the promenade.

If you want one bigger night before leaving the Riviera, Nice has more bars, pubs and clubs than Menton. Otherwise, have an early dinner in Nice and return by train for a last quiet walk along Promenade du Soleil.

For a change of country, take a morning train east to Ventimiglia. On market days the town is busy with stalls; on quieter days, use it for Italian coffee, a pastry and a walk through the old centre.

Stay for lunch in Ventimiglia or a nearby coastal town, leaning into Italian flavours: fresh pasta, focaccia, seafood and gelato. If you enjoy food markets, check current schedules before planning around them.

In the afternoon, either return early to Menton for another swim at Sablettes or Fossan, or continue a little farther along the Ligurian coast before coming back. Finish with a final Menton dinner near the market, Sablettes or Port de Garavan.