OUR 10 THINGS TO DO IN MENTON IN 2 DAYS VISIT

WHAT TO DO IN MENTON IN 2 DAYS ? OUR ITINERARY

Here is our suggested walking route to explore the city’s main points of interest. The stops listed are only a guideline, don’t hesitate to wander off the main path to discover nearby streets and hidden corners. As we’ll explain later, if you’re visiting Menton for 2 days, we’ll also suggest additional activities.

a gourmet visit at Les Halles Market

Les Halles Market first catches your attention with its beautiful façade. Once inside, the aromas, vibrant colors, and lively local atmosphere awaken all your senses. Wander among stalls selling fresh produce: fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, and fish, all high quality and offered by passionate local producers.
You’ll also find several food stands serving regional specialties such as “socca”, a chickpea flour pancake, or “Barbajuan”, a fried ravioli filled with Swiss chard, cheese, and rice.

Stroll Through the Streets of Old Menton

To begin your walk through the old town, head toward “Place aux Herbes” then continue along “Traverse de la rue Bréa”. Don’t miss “rue de la Conception”, the “Pénitents blancs” chapel and the stunning “Saint-Michel Archange” basilica.
From this incredible square, with its pebble mosaic forecourt, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view over Les Sablettes beach and the Mediterranean sea. This is also where you’ll find the famous Saint-Michel ramps, often featured in iconic photos of Menton.
If you love brightly colored façades, narrow alleyways and charming little squares, you’ll be completely won over by this picturesque district.

Walk up to the Old cemetery castle

Next, take “Vieux Château” street, which leads you to the upper part of the town. It’s quieter here but be prepared, it’s a climb ! With a mix of stone walls, warm-colored façades, vaulted passages, cobbled streets and lush vegetation, you’ll feel as if you’re wandering through a small village.
You may even spot a unique corner house along the way! And as we often say : the best way to explore is to get lost.
Once you reach the “Vieux Château” cemetery, you’ll be at the highest point in the city. Depending on where you stand, you’ll enjoy sweeping views over the rooftops of Menton, as well as spectacular panoramas of the seafront and harbor.

Wander through Val Rahmeh garden

Continue your visit by following Garavan boulevard, where you’ll enjoy lovely views over the beach and harbor. When you arrive at Val Rahmeh botanical garden, you’ll find yourself immersed in remarkable exotic vegetation : palm trees, giant bamboo, fruit trees, and cacti.
It takes about one hour to stroll through the garden paths and enjoy this peaceful haven.

>> Check opening hours and ticket prices

Head to Les Sablettes beach…

… …and the most beautiful viewpoint in town ! From there, walk down toward Garavan harbor and follow the “Promenade du Soleil” along the quay. You’ll already enjoy a lovely panorama over Menton bay.
Once you reach Les Sablettes beach, continue toward the Saint-Michel statue to reach the famous viewpoint overlooking the old town.

What awaits you is a postcard-perfect scene: the beach and the “MENTON” letters in the foreground, the Saint Michel’s Ramp with its intersecting staircases leading your eye up to the Saint-Michel Archange basilica. All around, the red, yellow, pink, and orange façades of the town create a stunning backdrop.
For us, this is the most iconic view on this stretch of the French Riviera, between Nice and Italy.

5 ADDITIONAL THINGS TO DO IN MENTON

The itinerary above can easily be completed in one day. If you’re visiting Menton for 2 days or more, here are a few extra ideas !

Admire decorated Floats the Lemon Festival

At the end of winter, usually in february or march, Menton hosts a unique event : the famous “Fête du Citron” (Lemon Festival). We were lucky enough to attend a few years ago and were amazed by the sculptures made from thousands of citrus fruits.
The decorated floats and flower parades are incredibly detailed and impressive in scale, often depicting famous figures. Most creations are made using oranges and lemons, nearly 150 tons of fruit! Parades, performances, and shows take place throughout the day and even at night, with illuminated parades.

>> Dates, tickets, and full program of the Fête du Citron

Relax on Menton’s beaches

As a seaside town, Menton offers several swimming spots. Les Sablettes beach is our favorite and the most convenient if you’re visiting Menton for a weekend. It’s located just steps from the old town and offers a magical setting with views on the colorful façades on one side and the Italian mountains framing the bay on the other side.
Its soft sand mixed with fine gravel, rare on the French Riviera, is another advantage. Beaches on the western side, such as Fossan beach or Casino beach, are more typical pebble beaches.
If you’re able to venture outside the city, we recommend beaches around Cap Martin or Cap d’Ail, such as “Plage du Buse” or the stunning Mala beach.

Discover Menton and its coastline by sea

As we love to do, there’s nothing quite like discovering a destination from the water. It’s the perfect way to escape the crowds and admire the coastline from a new perspective.
At Les Sablettes beach, you can rent a stand-up paddleboard or a kayak from the Menton water sports center, allowing you to explore the bay and coastline at your own pace. Why not also rent a boat, with or without a skipper, for a few hours ? Whether toward Cap Martin or the Italian Riviera, the scenery is just as wild as it is beautiful.

Explore Menton’s Museums

If you enjoy art and culture, we recommend visiting the Jean Cocteau museum, located at the foot of the old town in a former seaside bastion. The exhibitions showcase the artist’s work, including films, sculptures, and drawings.
You can also visit the Museum of Regional Prehistory which traces prehistoric life in Menton and the Alpes-Maritimes. It also features fascinating artifacts recovered from shipwreck explorations in its underwater archaeology section.

Taste traditionnal food

As mentioned at Les Halles Market, Menton’s local specialties are diverse and delicious, and no, it’s not just lemon tart or limoncello ! Whether dining in or grabbing something to go, these sweet and savory treats are sure to delight.
Try the artisanal citrus jams from Maison Herbin, a pan bagnat from Chez Sini, or the Menton-style fougasse from Mitron Bakery,everything is excellent.
Menton also has a strong Italian influence, so you’ll find great pizzerias and trattorias. We recommend Pecora Negra and La Trattoria.

If you’d rather be guided through these flavors, there’s also a fantastic food tour available. We found the perfect one for you >> See details of this gourmet experience

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