Villefranche-sur-Mer Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer

Set in a stunning harbour on the Côte d'Azur, Villefranche-sur-Mer is impressive for its panoramas, charming for its character and fascinating for its heritage.

With brightly coloured houses nestling between wooded hills and a turquoise sea, steep narrow streets and majestic buildings, this seaside resort is visually spectacular. Its two ports are surrounded by four charming beaches where you can devote as much time as you like to relaxing between visits to the town's monuments.

Once you arrive, you will undoubtedly notice the impressive Saint-Elme fortress. Built in the 16th century by the Duke of Savoy, it has beautiful gardens with views of the harbour, as well as several museums that are free to visit. Higher up in the hills there is another building from this era, Mont Alban fort, whose strategic position gives it a magnificent panoramic view of the coastline stretching all the way from Antibes to Italy. Heading back down to the port, you will notice a small building with an original façade, Saint-Pierre des Pêcheurs Chapel, which was built in the 16th century but brilliantly redecorated in full by Jean Cocteau.

Next, explore the old town with its maze of flower-adorned side streets on the hillside, or take a stroll around Darse de Villefranche-sur-Mer, the town's charming marina. For dining out, you can choose from the many restaurants along the Port de la Santé, slightly to the north. Marinière beach, located inside the harbour, and Darse beach, which is smaller and quieter, are great places for sunbathing. Visitors looking for action will love the water sports here, like sailing, rowing, scuba diving and snorkelling, which are very popular due to the beauty and depth of the sea bed.

Villefranche-sur-Mer is next to Nice and therefore easy to access by road via the three magnificent coastal roads running between Nice and Menton. The train is another option: the town's station is on the TER PACA network. Coming by plane, you can land at Nice Airport, which is about 8 miles away. However you arrive, discovering Villefranche is like the joy of finding a pearl in an oyster. This jewel of the Côte d'Azur awaits you!

Where to stay in Villefranche-sur-Mer

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Old Town

Amazing beaches a bustling port and top sights from Place de la Paix to Baie des Anges – discover Old Town, a destination also famous for its historic sites.

Old Town
La Flore
La Flore
3 out of 5
5, Bd Princesse Grace De Monaco, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Alpes-maritimes
The price is £156 per night from 12 Jul to 13 Jul
£156
12 Jul - 13 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Villefranche-sur-Mer. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Promenade des Anglais and ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (317 reviews)
"Lovely little room with a terrace, didn’t know about the pool until I arrived and they even allowed my little cousins to use for 20mins Breakfast was good with lovely views across the bay"

Reviewed on 30 Jun 2025

La Flore
Hôtel Le Provençal
Hôtel Le Provençal
3 out of 5
4 Avenue du Marechal Joffre, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes
The price is £215 per night from 30 Jul to 31 Jul
£215
30 Jul - 31 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 3-star eco-certified hotel in Villefranche-sur-Mer. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a 24-hour front desk. Our guests praise the helpful ...
9/10 Wonderful! (101 reviews)
"The hotel was in a great location, very clean with amazing views. The staff were incredible friendly and helpful. The hotel breakfast was perfect and has so many options and the courtyard to eat was super cute. Would highly recommmend staying here. Was close to the town and beach. Bedrooms were spacious ..."

Reviewed on 23 Jun 2025

Hôtel Le Provençal
Westminster Hotel & Spa Nice
Westminster Hotel & Spa Nice
4 out of 5
27 Promenade Des Anglais, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is £274 per night from 14 Jul to 15 Jul
£274
14 Jul - 15 Jul
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Nice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,002 reviews)
"Could not get the shower to work"

Reviewed on 4 Jul 2025

Westminster Hotel & Spa Nice
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Pierre & Vacances Residence L'Ange Gardien
Pierre & Vacances Residence L'Ange Gardien
Avenue de l'Ange Gardien, Basse Corniche, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Alpes-Maritimes
Stay at this beach residence in Villefranche-sur-Mer. Enjoy free parking, an outdoor pool and a garden. Our guests praise the property condition in their reviews. ...
7/10 Good! (147 reviews)
"Check in was a bit difficult as it was on Sunday, no one there and needed a code that wasn’t working. But the nice guy at the snack bar got it figured out for me and I was able to sit by the pool while waiting. The views from the sea view rooms are unbelievable and the pool is fantastic! I highly ..."

Reviewed on 4 Aug 2024

Pierre & Vacances Residence L'Ange Gardien
Lagrange Apart'HOTEL Les Jardins d'Olympie
Lagrange Apart'HOTEL Les Jardins d'Olympie
4 out of 5
180 voie Marie Fisher, Antibes, Alpes-Maritimes
Stay at this 4-star aparthotel in Antibes. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (446 reviews)
"Ideal location for Antibes, Cannes, Nice & Monaco. Carrefour a short walk across the main road. We stayed in the 3 bed suite Esterel & really nice apartment. Arrived out of hours, due to a delayed flight and reception provided access to the apartment. Only issue during the stay, was the fire alarm ..."

Reviewed on 8 Jun 2025

Lagrange Apart'HOTEL Les Jardins d'Olympie
Zenitude Hôtel-Résidences Nice
Zenitude Hôtel-Résidences Nice
25 avenue de l'Armée des Alpes, Nice
Stay at this aparthotel in Nice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, an outdoor pool and breakfast (surcharge). Popular attractions Promenade des Anglais and Port of Nice are ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (6 reviews)
"The room and hotel in general were very clean, the reception staff was pleasant and helpful. The hotel is only a 4 minutes walk from the train station which was convenient to get around (and about a 25 min walk to get to downtown Nice). Although it says it in the name, I wasn't aware that the place ..."

Reviewed on 24 Jun 2025

Zenitude Hôtel-Résidences Nice
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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Reviews of Villefranche-sur-Mer

4.6
Top destination
5 - Excellent
5
5 - Excellent 63%
4 - Good
3
4 - Good 38%
3 - Okay
0
3 - Okay 0%
2 - Disappointing
0
2 - Disappointing 0%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Jayney

If you want to get away and chill out for a few days then this is the perfect place. I’d love to own somewhere there one day

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

In March it’s very quiet, so more relaxing. It’s easy to walk around and the train station is near the beach. Excellent town!

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