Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat – Things To Do
With spectacular hiking trails, incredible beaches, watersports, diving, pleasure cruises, yachting, and several tennis clubs, there’s plenty of great activities to fill your time in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Walking Paths
Follow in the footsteps of the some of the greatest thinkers our world has ever known, and let your mind and feet wander the hills, peaks and trails of our beautiful peninsula.
Promenade Maurice Rouvier. Commence at Beaulieu with a magnificent view of the Cap Ferrat peninsula, taking in the Cros deï Pin beach and the Pointe Sainte-Hospice headland, before making your way up to the gorgeous Saint-Jean Harbour (25 mins)
Tour de la Pointe Saint-Hospice. Set off from the Jardin de la Paix on this world famous trail. Along your way, you’ll find 6 observation stations where you can discover the rich coastal heritage of this soon-to-be UNESCO listed site (30 mins)
Tour de Cap Ferrat. This trail starts on the ‘Carrière’ path, named after the quarry that provided the stone for the Port of Monaco. Progress along the coastline, passing beneath the legendary Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, before reaching the lighthouse and the Pointe Malalongue headland. This longer walk concludes at the idyllic village of Villefranche-sur-Mer, where you can sit back with a coffee or a bite to eat by the water (2hrs).
The Nietzsche trail: Èze-Bord-de-Mer to Èze Village. A slightly steeper, more challenging trail, this is the first part of the route that Friedrich Nietzsche would hike, when vacationing in the area.
Take in the astonishing view of the valley and coast, then follow in the footsteps of one of the most influential philosophers who ever lived, through the 12th century Moorish village of Èze. After your 4.2 km hike, you can enjoy the exotic gardens, or visit the historic Château Eza, now a hotel (2 hrs).
Nice to Villefranche-sur-mer (coastal path). This easy-going, all-year-round path is equally suited for both runners and walkers. Commencing at Nice central station, you’ll walk the Promenade des Anglais, taking in the Museum of Modern Art, the old town, and the market square of Cours Saleya.
Leaving the Promenade, you’ll gently ascend the gradual slope of Mont Boron, taking in this fascinating residential area, before making your way through dappled sunlit forest trails to Basse Corniche (2 hrs).
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Beaches
The Cap Ferrat peninsula is a beachbum’s paradise, with unspoilt golden sands interspersed by rocky outcrops that create a wonderful sense of seclusion, stretching most of the way round this section of the Côte d'Azur.
As well as the five main public beaches at Cap Ferrat, there’s plenty of opportunities for adventurous sunbathers and swimmers to find their own perfect spot amongst the woods and coves.
If you need more exclusive beach access, there’s private beach clubs such as the Royal Riviera, which also provides watersports facilities down on the Baie des Fourmis beach.
Passable Beach. This understated but beautiful little beach on the northwest of the peninsula offers both public and private access, and provides strong afternoon sun and picture-perfect sunsets.
Paloma Beach. Regarded by many as the finest beach on Cap Ferrat, this spectacular stretch of sand and gravel opens on to the bay of Beaulieu-sur-Mer, where this east-facing location offers glorious morning sunshine for early risers.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Watersports
If you can do it in water, you can do it at Cap Ferrat. Jet-skiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, water-skiing, paddleboarding, ski-tubing, diving, boat trips, yacht rental and more.
Scuba divers will find their needs well-met at Cap Ferrat Diving, a 5-star diving center that’s partnered with Aqualung.
For excursions and shuttle-boats, we can recommend Cap’tain Ferrat or SOS Grand Bleu. If you’d rather get hands-on and run your own ship, then Cap Ferrat Watersports have a range of speedboats and yachts you can charter, or you can get the whole family seaworthy at Yacht Club Beaulieu-sur-Mer.
Cap Ferrat Watersports (located in front of the Royal Riviera Hotel) is also your go-to for waterskiing, jet-skiing, paddleboarding, and almost every other aquatic adventure you could dream of.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Tennis Clubs
For those that prefer their exertions a little drier (apart from the Pimm’s, that is), Cap Ferrat has two excellent tennis clubs. Both Beaulieu Tennis Club (which hosts several national tournaments) and Villefranche Tennis Club offer excellent clay courts, equipment rental, tuition, and a well-stocked clubhouse.