2h30
Nice
ROUTE · Cours Saleya → Old Nice → Castle Hill → Port
Start around Cours Saleya, cross Old Nice, climb Castle Hill, descend toward the Port. If you only have 2 hours, cut the Port.
EXPLORE · 2-3 HOURS
Only got 2 or 3 hours? Good.
A short window is not a failed half-day; it is often the best antidote to an overpacked itinerary. These eight routes actually fit the time advertised.
3h
Cannes
ROUTE · Forville → Le Suquet → Place de la Castre → Old Port → Croisette
Catch the market in the morning if it is open, then do the old town before finishing at the port and Croisette. It is more interesting in that order.
2h30
Antibes
ROUTE · Station → old town → Picasso Museum → ramparts → Gravette
If you go inside the Picasso Museum, make it the real centre of the slot. If you mainly want the walk, stay outside and keep the ramparts + Gravette.
2h
Villefranche-sur-Mer
ROUTE · Station → old town → Rue Obscure → Citadel → harbour → Marinières
A compact loop through lanes, heritage and water. Do not build the slot around the Citadel museum: its museum rooms are currently closed for renovation.
2h30
Menton
ROUTE · Biovès → old town → Saint-Michel → Sablettes
Climb gradually to Saint-Michel, take in the view, then come down toward the sea. With 30 minutes more, extend toward the Bastion/Cocteau.
2h30
Monaco
ROUTE · Place d’Armes → Rock → Palace → Cathedral → Saint-Martin gardens → Oceanographic Museum exterior
The Rock fits 2-3 hours if you stay outside. If you enter the Oceanographic Museum, make that the main event: the museum itself recommends about 2 hours.
2h
Saint-Paul-de-Vence
ROUTE · Place de Gaulle → Rue Grande → ramparts → cemetery → village
Two hours works for the village if you do not add Fondation Maeght. If Maeght is the priority, give it the slot: the Saint-Paul tourist office gives an average visit of about 90 minutes, closer to 2 hours if you linger in the gardens.
2-3h
Èze
ROUTE · Village → lanes → garden / viewpoint → church
If you arrive at the village, two hours is enough for a real visit. From Èze-sur-Mer, the Nietzsche path is 2.1 km with roughly 350-400 m ascent and takes about 1-1.5 hours just to climb.