Bucket list destination:

Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez, Cote d'Azur, France

Last updated: 22 September, 2024

Expert travel writer: Dana Facaros

Little Saint-Tropez has an enormous reputation as the hippest, most hedonistic resort in France. An artists’ colony in the late 19th century and the post-war Left Bank on the Med (think Sartre, Picasso and Juliette Greco), today’s Saint-Tropez owes much of its charisma to its muse, Brigitte Bardot.

With its stunning hotels, fabulous restaurants, hip boutiques, iconic beaches and nightclubs, Saint-Trop (its nickname, ‘Saint Too Much’) is one of the world’s top places to see and be seen (with prices to match), attracting film stars, models, VIPs and Russian oligarchs, while still maintaining an informal, bohemian sense of fun.

Orientation

The town sits on a beautiful wooded peninsula, clustered around the Vieux Port with its mega yachts and cafés gazing across the Gulf towards the Massif des Maures.

Another hub is the Place des Lices, scene of St-Tropez’s delightful outdoor market. Luxurious villas nestle in the hills, while most of St-Tropez’s famous 5km of white sandy beaches are a few kilometres away in Ramatuelle; other parts of the stunning coastline are a nature reserve.

Tours, tickets & transfers

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this destination, plus helpful tickets and transfers

Ferry from Cannes to St Tropez

Cannes

Viator

If you’re looking to spend a day in St Tropez, there’s no more relaxing way to start your journey than on a boat ride from Cannes. Enjoy the beauty of the Mediterranean Sea and the shoreline of the French Riviera as you cruise along the coast. Spend the day as you like in St Tropez, a destination known for its celebrity visitors, picturesque village, boutiques, cafés and luxury yachts that has managed to keep most of its Provençal authenticity.

Price €83

Min age 0

Rating 4.25 / 5 [186 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Saint-Tropez and Port Grimaud Day from Nice Small-Group Tour

Nice

Viator

En route to Saint-Tropez, after driving to St Maxime, you can opt for a 20-minute boat trip (9€) to explore Saint-Tropez at your own pace (available from May to mid-September). During your free time, be charmed by the famous harbor, beautiful beaches, and Place des Lys, where artists, celebrities, and journalists gather. Wander through the village’s narrow streets and take your time to choose from the many local restaurants. Over the years, Saint-Tropez has evolved from a 15th-century military stronghold to a quiet fishing village, and now it’s a playground for the jet set, models, and millionaires. On your way back, stop by Port Grimaud, known as the "Little Venice" for its canals, bridges, and quaint squares. For cruisers: A 50% refund will be granted upon request in case of last-minute port call cancellation.

Price €145

Min age 0

Rating 4.62 / 5 [24 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Travel advice

When to go

Unlike Nice, Monaco and its surroundings, St-Tropez seriously closes down out of season: as the only town on the Cote d’Azur to face north, it’s unsheltered from blustery winter winds and weather. Beach and nightclubs generally close in early September; after the early October Voiles de St-Tropez historic yacht race, the final one of the season on the French calendar, the town once again becomes a sleepy little Mediterranean port.

Getting there and away

By road, it can take 90 minutes or up to three hours from Nice Airport to St-Tropez. There are direct Beltrame buses from the airport to St-Raphael, where you’ll need to transfer to another bus to St-Tropez.

You can also take a train to St-Raphael, and a seasonal ferry from there to St-Tropez. Or arrive in style by helicopter: in July and August. Heli Securite run a regular service that takes 20 minutes from Nice Airport.

Another option is to fly into Hyeres-Toulon Airport, 50 minutes away, which has seasonal connections around Europe, then take a taxi or bus – they run five times a day to St-Tropez.

Getting around

The beaches are out of town, and while there are plentiful taxis and boat taxis, having some form of wheels is useful; if you haven’t brought the Lamborghini, hire a scooter or a bike, both of which are far easier to park.

Where to stay

Your main decision in St-Tropez is whether to stay in town where it’s convenient to the bars, restaurants and nightlife, or out near the beaches. Some of the smarter hotels in town provide shuttles to the beaches, a good solution if don’t want to hire a bike.