Hidden gems between the French & Italian Riviera: a slow travel guide to Menton, Sanremo & more

About 10 years ago I had a wonderful working holiday opportunity: I got to spend a summer working in a hotel (in exchange for food and accommodation) in a little village near the French-Italian border. Naturally, I tried to fit as much exploring and sightseeing in my day to day life as possible, and this is how I ended up finding lots of hidden gems in the area. When it comes to the French Riviera most people instantly think of Cannes or Nice, but there are many other towns and hidden gems in the area that are worth your attention. Italy is even better in this sense, a lot of people don't know, but the coast all the way to Sanremo is just as beautiful as the hyped up parts of the French Riviera, just without the tourists or the price tag. So, in this post I have collected my favourite finds, hidden gems and top tips to help you plan a trip around the French & Italian Riviera.

Managed to dig up a photo from 2016, one of my favourite ones from this summer, a day spent exploring Ventimiglia

When you travel to a place like the French-Italian Riviera, how you move through it matters just as much as what you see. Rather than rushing between highlights, this slow travel itinerary is designed to help you move gently, stay present, and truly soak in the atmosphere. If you enjoy travelling with intention, my free Travel Wellness Routine Builder can help you weave small grounding moments into your day, with a printable checklist, gentle self-care prompts, and simple rituals to help you feel calm and centred wherever you are.

Grab your freebie

How to get there

The easiest and likely cheapest way is to fly to Nice International Airport. From here you can catch a train and reach your accommodation easily. Alternatively, you can fly to Milan and take a train to Sanremo, but this is likely to be a much longer journey. I’d say opt for this if considering train and flight tickets Milan is much cheaper to reach, and of course if you have the time luxury. 

Where to stay and how to get around

Whether you’re renting a car or taking a public transport, you have to remember that you may need a visa to cross the French-Italian border to see everything listed in this blog. Make sure you check official websites for information on what documents you need exactly. Now, let’s see my recommendations for where to stay and how to get around depending on your form of transport. 

If you’re renting a car

You have obviously more flexibility in this case, but I would still recommend booking your accommodation somewhere on the Italian part of the riviera. If you’re renting you are not likely to be allowed to cross the border with the car, but the trickiest places to reach are in Italy anyway, so may have better use of a rented car on that side of the border. Since the French Riviera is well connected via trains, I would recommend renting a car in Italy and using it there for a smoother holiday experience. Doing so, you will have the luxury to stay at very local, authentic little villages like Dolceaqua, making your trip more memorable. You can also pick some of the coastal towns if you want to start your mornings with a long walk by the beach. 

If you’re reliant on public transport

This is actually how I explored the whole area, so you’re not as limited as you think. The French-Italian Riviera is well connected by train, so except for a few places I list below that are located in Italy, it’s easy to get from A to B via trains (and is pretty budget friendly too). In this case, I would stay in some of the Italian towns scattered around the coast that have a direct train station. This way you can easily reach all your destinations. Bordighera or Ventimiglia could be good options, or even Sanremo if you want more of a city experience. The Sanremo-Ventimiglia line is also well connected by local buses, so you’ll be able to get to places easily. While you’re in Italy, you can also rent a bike, as it’s easy to get around that way on the coast and smaller villages.

If you’re staying in France 

I think Nice could be a good starting point, as your flight is likely land there anyway. Most places on the coastline will be easy to reach via train, however some of the Italian hidden gems below may require more logistics, so I think if you definitely want to visit them, opt for Italy as your base if you can.

How long do you need

This part of France and Italy is filled with scenic beaches, authentic, local towns and lots of things to see, so I’d say you can easily spend a week here. This would be enough to explore a new location each day, and also give you the flexibility to spend some time relaxing by the beach. Of course, this is not a rigid itinerary, so as always you can leave what doesn’t interest you and plan your holiday around what caught your eye. I will give you an estimation of how long I think each place would roughly take to visit at a slow, intentional pace. The thing I love about this area is that it really allows you to take your holiday as slow as you like. There are beautiful things to see and do, but this part of Europe has a laid back atmosphere, so if all you want to do is lay on the beach and eat gelato, you can also do that. There are so many opportunities around here to do your holiday your own way. 

There are hidden beaches between the Sanremo-Nice tramline that are easy to approach, this one is Mala Beach (with no filter)

No let's look at my recommendations. These alone deserve a trip in my opinion, but they can also be a great addition if you are already planning on visiting Nice, Cannes or Monaco.

Dolceaqua

This medieval town is the definition of a hidden gem. It is most famous for its 15th century bridge and castle, the former even inspired Claude Monet. If you are tired of the touristy, overhyped Italian places you come across on social media, you will love this little town. It’s charming, authentic and picturesque. The tiny streets make you feel like you just travelled back in time. Getting there by car or taxi is the easiest way, but you can also take a public bus from Ventimiglia or Vallecrosia. I’d say this may be one of the trickiest place to get to, but it certainly worth a visit. By car/taxi you can spend half a day here easily, if you are reliant on public transport I’d say only pair it with an afternoon spent by the beach, because taking the bus may take longer than anticipated. Alternatively, you can also combine this activity with visiting Laghetti di Rocchetta (more on that below).

The whole town feels like a trip back in time

Sanremo 

This is one of my favourite places in Italy, just to enjoy the laid-back, Italian lifestyle without must-do or see list or the rush. Sanremo is another coastal city with beautiful views of the sea, Italian restaurants that serve your favourite local dishes and cozy streets to explore while enjoying a nice gelato. The perfect place for a slow travel day. It’s also not overwhelmingly big, so easy to explore on foot. In addition, it has direct access to the beach if you want to wrap up a laid-back travel day with sunbathing with an Aperol Spritz in hand. You can easily get there by train, and I think if you want to add some time for the beach, you can plan a day around this area.

Beautiful coastal views in Sanremo

Hanbury Botanical Garden 

This may be the most beautiful place on this list, another thing that locals recommended visiting. The best time is April-June for blossoms, but even if you end up visiting during peak summer times, there are some pretty spectacular views to enjoy around here. This botanic garden was funded by an English botanist, and besides the beautiful plants, what makes it so special is its location; direct views of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s easy to access it via car, but you can also take a bus from Ventimiglia. I’d say it’s a half day activity even at a slow pace. It’s best paired with Ventimiglia for a full day of adventure. Ventimiglia has been mentioned a few times now, so let’s talk about it for a second. It’s another coastal town on the Italian Riviera, offering similar vibes to Sanremo, so you get the typical Italian lifestyle staples with lovely beach views.

Botanical gardens are the perfect addition to a slow travel day

Beautiful views all around

Menton

Compared to Nice or Cannes, this French coastal town doesn’t get half the attention, but it is definitely worth a visit if you’re in the area. Colourful streets, lovely, local cafes and restaurants and a quintessentially French atmosphere is what you can expect. It is easily accessible via train. Since it also has a beach, you can quickly turn this attraction into a day activity, with some time to explore the town and some time spent relaxing by the beach. 

Menton is one of the most vibrant and colourful places I have ever seen

Laghetti do Rochetta 

Enough about coastal towns and man-made attractions, let’s see what nature has to offer in the area. If you’re craving a day in nature, spent exploring beautiful waterfalls and natural pools, you will love this area. The easiest way to approach this place is by car. If you’re going with public transport it requires some planning, but you can reach it via bus from Ventimiglia or Vallecrosia, and will likely take the whole day. Keep in mind that after you leave the town behind, there won’t be any opportunities to buy food or drinks, so be prepared. 

Rocchetta Nervina is the town you need to reach to start your journey

The trek is worth the effort as you get to enjoy crystal clear water like this around here, very popular in the summer time among locals

So, if you have been Googling whether is this part of Europe is worth visiting, I hope my travel guide and top tips convinced you. I love this corner for especially slow travel days and laid-back afternoons spent by the beach.