Start at Place Masséna to get your bearings among the red façades, fountains and gardens, then walk west to the seafront for an easy hour along the Promenade des Anglais. It’s a pleasant, mostly flat route; pause by the blue chairs for a view across the Baie des Anges. In October, bring a light layer—the waterfront can be breezy.
Continue into Cours Saleya in the Vieux Nice. Monday is generally the antiques-market day, rather than the usual flower-and-produce market, so browse the stalls and check what’s actually set up when you arrive. For lunch, Le Safari is right on the square and serves Niçoise classics; allow 1–1½ hours and roughly €25–45 per person. It’s popular, so booking ahead is sensible, especially if you want a terrace table.
From Cours Saleya, walk east toward Castle Hill (Colline du Château); allow around 15 minutes to reach the base, then time for the climb and the viewpoints. The steps are steep in places, so wear comfortable shoes. The park is free, and a lift is often available from the seafront side, but check its operating status and hours locally before relying on it. Spend about 1½ hours here for views over the Old Town, port and coastline, with time to sit and take it all in.
Arrive in Monaco with enough time to explore Monaco-Ville, the Rock’s old lanes and cathedral quarter before the crowds build; allow 1–1½ hours, mostly on foot and uphill. Then spend about two hours at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. Check its current hours and admission price before setting out, and leave time for the entrance queue; museum tickets are typically around €20, but prices can change.
There’s a transport mismatch to sort out before you go: the itinerary’s transfer is by TER train, while today’s plan calls for a drive from Monaco to Menton. If you’re driving, allow 30–45 minutes on the road, plus time to collect the car and park near the center. If you’re following the train plan, take a later TER to Menton instead; don’t assume a car is available in Monaco. Either way, aim to reach Marché des Halles de Menton before early afternoon: the covered market generally runs in the morning and may be closing by then. Browse for local citrus, olives and other specialties.
For lunch near the market, try Le Petit Port for seafood and Mediterranean cooking; budget roughly €25–45 per person and allow 1–1½ hours. Then wander uphill through Menton’s Old Town to Basilique Saint-Michel-Archange—the baroque façade and terrace setting are the reward for the steep lanes. Give yourself around 45 minutes; entry is generally free, but access can be limited during services.
Aim to reach Antibes Old Town in time for Marché Provençal, which usually runs in the morning; Wednesday is a market day, but hours can vary, so check locally before setting out. Give yourself about an hour to browse the covered stalls for olives, cheese, spices and seasonal produce. From there, walk through the old-town lanes to Musée Picasso in Château Grimaldi. Allow 1–1½ hours for the collection and sea-facing terrace, and verify opening hours and ticket arrangements before you go.
Stay in the old town for Le Figuier de Saint-Esprit. This is a polished Provençal meal rather than a quick stop; allow around 1½ hours and budget roughly €50–90 per person. Booking ahead is sensible. After lunch, continue to Cannes by train as planned, then collect or head to your car and park in a central public garage near the waterfront or old town; check the garage’s rates and available spaces on arrival.
Explore Le Suquet, Cannes’ old quarter, at an easy pace. Its steep, narrow lanes reward a slow wander, and the higher viewpoints look across the harbor; allow 1–1½ hours and wear comfortable shoes. Then stroll along La Croisette for about an hour, with a pause by the beaches or gardens if the October weather is kind. The seafront is especially pleasant in late afternoon, when the light softens over the bay.
Once you’re in Nice, head up to Cimiez by taxi or local bus; allow roughly 20–30 minutes from Nice-Ville for the ride and a little extra to find your way around. Start at the Musée Matisse, where you can spend about 1½ hours with the artist’s work in a former villa among the olive trees. Check the museum’s current hours and admission arrangements before setting out. Then walk a few minutes to the Arènes de Cimiez for a 45-minute wander through the Roman amphitheater and archaeological grounds, followed by the Monastère de Cimiez gardens. The gardens are a lovely, quiet pause, but access and opening hours can vary, so check locally.
Make your way down to Marché de la Libération for a browse and something fresh to take away. It’s a lively neighborhood market, but stalls generally wind down around lunchtime; aim to arrive as early as your Cimiez visit allows, and check that day’s hours. From there, take tram line 1 toward Garibaldi and walk on to Chez Pipo near Port Lympia—allow around 20–30 minutes door to door. Settle in for socca and other Niçoise staples; budget about €15–30 per person. If you reach the market after the stalls have packed up, you can still enjoy the neighborhood, then head to Chez Pipo, checking its current lunch service before you go.
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