Visiting Monaco and Nice on same day - TOO MUCH?

Tendering in Villefranche. If we ("we" includes 2 teen boys who love sports cars and yachts) got up early (as in first off ship) and took train to Monaco for a quick look at fancy sports cars, yachts and in general "say we've been there" looking around, is it possible to also visit Nice in same day and be ready to board ship by 5ish? Is this too much? Are we better off seeing Monaco and then relaxing in Villefranche for the afternoon before boarding ship? Is it really a mistake to skip Nice?

Tendering in Villefranche. If we ("we" includes 2 teen boys who love sports cars and yachts) got up early (as in first off ship) and took train to Monaco for a quick look at fancy sports cars, yachts and in general "say we've been there" looking around, is it possible to also visit Nice in same day and be ready to board ship by 5ish? Is this too much? Are we better off seeing Monaco and then relaxing in Villefranche for the afternoon before boarding ship? Is it really a mistake to skip Nice?

It can be done, but go to Nice first to go to the flower market (best early in the morning, shuts down at noon) and old town, maybe by Petit Train. A couple of hours there and then go to Monaco for the quick look. Take a train back to Villefranche around 3:30 and you will be fine.

We did it a few years ago. Went to the train station, told the person at the counter what we wanted to do and he gave us 3 sets of tickets to Monaco, then Nice and back to Villefranche. Back to port early enough to walk around Villefranche for an hour or so.

The trains can be very full. We had to stand from Villefranche to Monaco. The trip is short so not a big problem.

I wouldn't do it.

I am a believer that it is better to do less but in greater depth the trying to do more places and seeing very little of them.

Keith

We agree with both Marazul (it can be done) and Keith (it might be too much for a port day). My advice is to simply head to Nice ASAP and certainly visit the Flower Market (in the Cours Selaya). Then enjoy Nice and see how your day goes. If you get your fill of Nice and its still pretty early in the afternoon (or earlier) you could then take the train or bus over to Monte Carlo for a short visit...and then train or bus (#100) back to Villefranche. Our advice for independent travel (based on about fifty years of experience) is to do your homework (pre trip), know your options...and then make your decision on the spot. Having that kind of flexibility is the great advantage to DIY independent travel.

Hank

I would definitely do both without hesitation unless you know you will be able to take your kids another time. Not a lot for teen boys in nice in my opinion, but worth a quick trip and spend more time in Monte Carlo. We were lucky we were there with my daughter and they were setting up for Grand Prix in a couple days. They will love seeing all the yachts and cars and taking pics with them. ENjoy!

Have not been to Nice, yet and I don't think it is a destination for teen Boys, Monte Carlo on the other hands with all the yachts and cars is great, and you also can visit the Palace and the Ozeanographic Museum. From the hill where both sights are it's also a great view over the whole country. If the boys are old enough maybe watch with them the James Bond Movie "Goldeneye" or "Iron Man 2" which takes part in Monte Carlo (at least a scene in it)

So in my eyes it's better to head to Monte Carlo and see what's there around and if you got still time at hand you could head either to Nice for a quick peek or back to Villefranche.

I think you can. I tendered in Villefranche last month and took a train to cannes and spent three hours or so there and then took train to nice. There was works going on the promenade and I was really hot and tired. I literally went to McDs for wifi and lunch and then back to take the train to villefranche. I could have stayed an hour or so in nice if I wanted to however. I considered doing a fast visit to Monaco as well and would have had time but decided to relax in villefranche instead. Villefranche is beautifully charming but not much to do there except souvenirs or relax at a cafe etc.

Nice is a large, sprawling city. I'd save it for another time and just focus on Monaco. There's plenty to see there and it's small enough to navigate by foot. The hills will also tire out your boys!

http://travel-europe.ca/monaco/index.html

If you are going to Monaco with teen boys who like cars, you have to visit Prince Ranier's private car collection exhibit/museum. My husband and teens loved it!

http://www.palais.mc/en/private-collection-of-antique-cars-1-27.html

Our ship (Westerdam) made an unscheduled stop in VilleFranche in June because of high winds in St. Tropez. (Most passengers seemed happy about the change by the way.) Our ship had been to Monaco the day before, but several had taken excursions/tours away from Monte Carlo... so much to their delight, they caught a city bus from VilleFranche to Monte Carlo to do what they couldn't fit in the day before. The ship staff was telling them the bus ride would be very short and cheap.

So while I can't speak from personal experience, a bus ride may be worth exploring. It could be cheaper and more frequent than a train??

We did both on our last Med cruise. We were off the ship early ish and got the train around 9am (we'd planned the train times in advance) and into Monaco. We've been a few times so we could take it easy, It's only around 15 mins from Villefranche. We stayed until around lunchtime (had lunch around harbour) and then got the train to Nice after lunch. The we had 2-3 hours in Nice before getting the second to last train before our departure back to Villefranche. Last tender was at 7pm I think. We even had time to sit and have a drink in Villefranche before boarding the last tender.

We did both from Villefranche by bus. First got the bus to Monaco, then another bus across to the casino. Then bus back through to Nice for a late lunch and a wander round the old part, then bus back to Villefranche. Worked fine. Scenic route too!

Another thing the boys might be enjoy is swimming at the beach in Nice. Went to the free public beach, there are no loungers but the beach exactly the same. Take towels from pool back to your cabin night before and use these to sit on. Change into/out of swimsuits at restrooms at flower market which is very close to beach.

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

I don't have advice since we haven't been there yet. In May 2018 we board our ship in Monte Carlo. We are going to stay in Nice for two nights before boarding the ship. What Keith said goes along with my general feelings about touring.

We don't have definite plans yet ... maybe I'll tune in later!

We won't be arriving at our hotel until around 2pm after a flight from NY which is why I added an additional night there. So I figure we really won't have that much time in Nice. But I also figured that I'd rather see Nice than Monte Carlo or Eze ...

OP said they leave at 5:00 so it is not a long day. I say stay in Monaco as so many things to do there that teen boys would like. We love to take pics of the harbor, the yachts and those fancy cars go right by the Main Street at the harbor. Also think the teen boys would enjoy the beach in Monte Carlo as teen girls also enjoy it. It is more a pebble beach than sand but pebbles are smaller than Nice and the shore not as deep two steps into water as in Nice. That said, we also love love Nice. But Monaco is a great choice for teens that may not appreciate some of the other port stops as much as adults.