Things to Do in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in One Day
With one day in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, visit the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its nine gardens in the morning, have lunch at the port, then walk the coastal path to Pointe Saint-Hospice before a swim at Paloma or Les Fossettes. You can do it all without a car, thanks to the no. 15 bus from Nice or Beaulieu-sur-Mer station.
The Cap Ferrat peninsula fits in the palm of your hand: just a few kilometers of coastline between the Bay of Villefranche and the bay of Beaulieu. That's exactly what makes it possible to enjoy it fully in a single day, on foot, mixing heritage, trails and coves.
Getting to Cap Ferrat without a car
Parking is the peninsula's big headache in summer. Leave the car behind and take the Lignes d'Azur no. 15 bus: from Nice, it leaves from the "Lycée Masséna" stop heading for "Port de Saint-Jean". From Monaco, Zou line no. 600 drops you at "Gare Beaulieu-sur-Mer", where you switch to the 15 at the same stop. By train, get off at Beaulieu-sur-Mer station (TER Nice–Monaco–Menton) and then take the 15 .
If you do come by car, the tourist office says parking is free from October 1 to April 30. The main parking lots are the Centenaire lot, the Cros deï Pin beach lot, Passable and the Lido . For a full overview of transport options, see our guide to getting around Nice and the Riviera.
Morning: the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Start with the most popular visit, before the tour groups arrive. The villa, built in the early 20th century for Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, overlooks both the Bay of Villefranche and the bay of Beaulieu. Its nine gardens (French, Spanish, Florentine, Sèvres, Stone, Japanese, Exotic, Provençal and Rose Garden) are worth the trip on their own. Allow about two hours for a self-guided visit.
The "Passable Rothschild" bus stop (line 15) is less than 500 m from the entrance. Opening hours vary by season and some dates are closed for events . All the practical details are in our article on visiting the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.
Lunch: the port of Saint-Jean
Head back down to the port of Saint-Jean, the heart of the village. This is where you'll find the restaurants, cafés and the tourist information office (quai Virgile Allari, tel. 04 93 76 08 90). Take time to stroll along the quays and watch the boats, then picnic or have lunch on a terrace.
Right next door, Plage Cros deï Pin is the port's public beach, convenient with kids and lifeguarded in season according to beach guides .
Afternoon: the Pointe Saint-Hospice trail
From the port, the Pointe Saint-Hospice trail is a loop of about 1.8 km, roughly a 40-minute walk according to the tourist office. It passes Plage de la Paloma, rounds the point and joins the Anse des Fossettes cove. If you make the detour to the Saint-Hospice chapel and its large bronze Virgin at the top of the point, allow closer to an hour.
If you've got the legs for it, carry on with the Cap Ferrat loop (4.8 km, about 1.5 to 2 hours), which passes below the lighthouse and leads to Plage de Passable. We cover the route in detail in walking around Cap Ferrat.
Be aware: in rough weather (swell or wind), access to the trails may be temporarily closed. Check with the tourist information office before setting out.
Late afternoon: swimming, snorkeling and the Promenade Maurice Rouvier
For a swim, Paloma is a sheltered cove with water that's often calm, while Les Fossettes draws snorkelers. The coast is part of the "Cap Ferrat" Natura 2000 site, a marine area of about 9,000 hectares that protects, among other things, the Posidonia seagrass meadows: look, but don't touch or walk on the seabed.
For a gentle way back, the Promenade Maurice Rouvier links Saint-Jean's town hall to the Baie des Fourmis in Beaulieu-sur-Mer: 1.3 km, paved and step-free, so it's stroller-friendly. You can then catch the bus or train in Beaulieu.
Practical tips
- Closed-toe shoes for the trails: the ground alternates between stone, dirt and wooden boardwalk.
- Bring at least 1.5 liters of water per person in summer; shade is scarce on the southern side.
- Get to the beaches early: space is limited in July and August.
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Frequently asked questions
Can you visit Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat in one day?
Yes. The peninsula is small: the Villa Ephrussi in the morning, the port at lunchtime, and the Pointe Saint-Hospice trail and a swim in the afternoon all fit into one car-free day.
How do you get to Cap Ferrat from Nice without a car?
Take the Lignes d'Azur no. 15 bus from the "Lycée Masséna" stop in Nice, heading for "Port de Saint-Jean", or the TER train to Beaulieu-sur-Mer and then the 15 .
Is the coastal path always open?
No. It can be temporarily closed due to swell or strong wind. Call the tourist information office (04 93 76 08 90) before setting out.
Where can you swim with kids on Cap Ferrat?
Plage Cros deï Pin, near the port, and the sheltered Paloma cove are the easiest options.
Kayaking with Azurkay
Cap Ferrat is also best discovered from the water: the cliffs of Pointe Saint-Hospice, the villas hidden among the pines and the coves you can't reach on foot take on a whole new dimension at paddle level. Our Beaulieu-sur-Mer tour follows the coast of Cap Ferrat with a state-certified instructor, in a small group of no more than 16, for four hours . A great way to round off your day on foot.
