Things to Do in Beaulieu-sur-Mer: A One-Day Itinerary
With one day in Beaulieu-sur-Mer, start at the market on place Marinoni, visit Villa Kérylos, swim at the Baie des Fourmis, then walk to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat along the Promenade Maurice Rouvier. You can do it all on foot from the train station, no car needed.
Tucked between Nice and Monaco, Beaulieu-sur-Mer is a small Belle Époque town where everything sits within a few hundred meters: the train station, the harbor, two public beaches and a Greek villa right on the water. It's the perfect place for a car-free day, at the pace of walking and swimming.
Getting to Beaulieu-sur-Mer without a car
The easiest way is by train: Beaulieu-sur-Mer station is served by TER trains on the Nice – Ventimiglia line. It takes about ten minutes from Nice or Monaco .
By bus, three Lignes d'Azur routes stop in town (Gare de Beaulieu-sur-Mer, Kerylos and Baie des Fourmis stops):
- line 15: Nice (Promenade des Arts, Port Lympia) – Beaulieu – Port de Saint-Jean;
- line 84: Nice (Riquier) – Beaulieu;
- line 600: Nice – Beaulieu – Monaco – Menton.
If you do come by car, the marina parking lot is free from mid-September to May 1, outside the blue zone; the Batterie parking lot, near the town hall, is paid on weekdays . The tourist office (the Beaulieu branch of the Nice Côte d'Azur Metropolitan Tourist Office) is at 38 boulevard du Maréchal Leclerc and provides maps and walking ideas.
Morning: market, harbor and garden
Kick off at the place Marinoni market, a stone's throw from the station: fruit and vegetables Monday to Saturday from 8:30am to 12:30pm, a Provençal market (food, textiles, crafts) on Saturdays, and an Italian market on the first Sunday of the month .
Then head down to the marina, on boulevard du Maréchal Leclerc. Its quays are lined with restaurants and shops and serve as a base for water sports: diving, sailing, paddleboarding. Just above, the Jardin de l'Olivaie, planted with olive trees, offers an open view over the harbor .
Villa Kérylos, the must-see
Built in the early 20th century by Hellenist Théodore Reinach and architect Emmanuel Pontremoli, Villa Kérylos recreates a house from ancient Greece, right on the water at the tip of the Baie des Fourmis. Allow about an hour for your visit. The villa generally opens at 10am; detailed prices and opening hours are on the official website . Tickets are sold on site.
All our visiting tips are in our dedicated article: visiting Villa Kérylos.
Midday: a swim at the Baie des Fourmis
As you leave Kérylos, Baie des Fourmis beach is right next door, on avenue Fernand Dunan. It's a free public fine-gravel beach with lifeguards from June to August, plus showers and toilets. Above it stand two Belle Époque landmarks: La Rotonde, the former lounge of the Hôtel Bristol opened in 1904 and now an events venue, and the casino, facing the sea.
If you'd rather have a longer, shadier beach, Petite Afrique, east of the harbor, is lined with pine trees. We compare the two beaches in detail in our guide to the beaches of Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
Afternoon: a seaside stroll or a climb to the heights
Two options depending on your energy levels.
Easy option: the Promenade Maurice Rouvier
From the Baie des Fourmis, this flat coastal path of about 1.3 km reaches Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat harbor in half an hour. Paved surface, no steps, stroller friendly. You can return on bus 15 from Port de Saint-Jean. Details in our article on the Promenade Maurice Rouvier.
Active option: the Petite Afrique trail
This 4.7 km waymarked trail starts at the harbor via the pedestrian rue Gallieni and climbs up to the Belle Époque district overlooking the town, with about 220 m of elevation gain. The return goes through a pine forest and down a steep staircase (montée des Mandarines). Wear good shoes, bring water and avoid the hottest hours in summer.
End of the day
The tourist office's "Littoral et city trek" walk is a loop linking the harbor, the Sancta Maria de Olivo chapel (now an exhibition space), Villa Kérylos, La Rotonde and the casino: a relaxed way to see the town again in the evening light. The casino and the harbor restaurants then take over for the night.
Our partners in Beaulieu-sur-Mer
Frequently asked questions
How much time do you need to visit Beaulieu-sur-Mer?
One day is enough to see the highlights: the market, Villa Kérylos, a beach and the walk to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. Add half a day if you want to do the Petite Afrique trail or a trip out on the water.
Can you visit Beaulieu-sur-Mer without a car?
Yes, it's actually recommended. The TER station is in the town center and bus lines 15, 84 and 600 serve the main stops. From there, everything is on foot.
What are the beaches in Beaulieu-sur-Mer?
Two public fine-gravel beaches: the Baie des Fourmis, near Villa Kérylos, and Petite Afrique, east of the harbor. Private beach clubs rent out sun loungers there in season.
What to do in Beaulieu-sur-Mer when it rains?
Villa Kérylos can be visited in any weather, as can the exhibitions at the Sancta Maria de Olivo chapel . The casino is another option.
Kayaking with Azurkay
Beaulieu-sur-Mer is the starting point of our local tour: a 4-hour guided kayak trip between Beaulieu and Cap Ferrat, in a small group of 16 people maximum, led by state-certified instructors. It's another way to discover Villa Kérylos and the villas of the cape, from the water. Exact meeting point and price : all the info is on the Beaulieu-sur-Mer tour page.
