port of Villefranche (Nice), France
Mediterranean

Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice, France

Port schedule

Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice, France cruise ship port calendar shows all scheduled arrival and departure dates in a timetable format. The cruise calendar displays the ship’s estimated time of arrival including related information. If you want to find out more about the cruise ship itineraries such as ports, dates, and arrival/departure times just follow the ship’s link.

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Port Overview

The Port of Nice (Port Lympia) is a picturesque Mediterranean harbor serving both cruise and ferry passengers. Unlike larger ports such as Barcelona, Nice caters mainly to small and mid-sized cruise ships and luxury vessels, as well as ferries to Corsica and Sardinia. Its prime location offers immediate access to the Promenade des Anglais, Old Town (Vieux Nice), and the French Riviera beyond. Due to its central location, passengers can disembark and walk directly into the city’s vibrant streets, cafés, and markets.

 

Information

Details

Number of Quays

1 main cruise quay (Quai du Commerce) accommodating small to mid-sized cruise ships, plus additional berths for ferries and yachts.

Number of Passenger Terminals

1 dedicated cruise terminal at Quai du Commerce, with a maritime station providing check-in and passenger services.

Distance to City Center

Approx. 1 km (0.6 miles) – the port is directly adjacent to Nice’s Old Town and city center, easily walkable.

Distance to Airport

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is approx. 7 km (4.3 miles) west of the port.
Port address
Port de Nice, 06300 Nice, France
Port phone number
+33 4 92 03 88 80

Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice, France - Transport to the Cruise Port

Transport Options from the Airport

1. Taxi
Available directly outside the airport terminals. The ride to the Port of Nice takes approx. 20–25 minutes depending on traffic. Average fare: €25–€35.

2. Bus
The airport’s tram line connects to Nice city center. From Jean Médecin or Garibaldi stops, it’s about a 15–20 min walk or short taxi ride to the port. Alternatively, bus line 98 (Airport–Nice Riquier) also runs near the port area.

3. Private Transfers
Companies such as Welcome Pickups, Suntransfers, and local limousine services provide pre-booked door-to-door transfers. This option is convenient for groups or passengers with luggage.

4. Public Transport

  • Tram: Tram Line 2 connects the airport to the city center in 25–30 minutes. From Garibaldi station, the port is about a 15-minute walk.

  • Train: Nice Riquier station (near the port) connects to the airport by tram + train.

5. Car Rentals
Available at Nice Airport. Driving to the port takes about 20 minutes. Limited parking is available near the harbor area.

Nice Cruise Terminal

Passenger Terminal – Gare Maritime (Quai du Commerce)

  • Location: Quai du Commerce, at the eastern side of Port Lympia. Walking distance from Old Nice and central attractions.

  • Size & Facilities: Modernized maritime station offering check-in counters, waiting lounges, baggage services, and customs facilities.

  • Passenger Capacity: Designed for small and mid-sized ships, typically accommodating up to 1,500–2,000 passengers.

  • Operators & Ships: Primarily used by luxury cruise brands (e.g., Ponant, Silversea, Seabourn) and ferries to Corsica/Sardinia.

  • Accessibility: Easily reached by taxi or on foot. Shuttle buses may be provided by some cruise lines for transfers to Nice Airport.

     

Services and Facilities

  • Air Conditioning: Yes

  • Baggage Handling: Yes

  • Bars/Restaurants: Limited – cafés and restaurants are available just outside the port.

  • Boarding Bridges: Yes (for select ships/ferries)

  • Crew Lounge: No

  • Duty Free Stores: Limited (mainly ferry terminal)

  • Foreign Exchange: Yes (ATMs and exchange counters nearby)

  • Police/Immigration: Yes

  • Taxis: Yes, available at the terminal entrance

  • WiFi: Limited (better connectivity at nearby cafés and city hotspots)

Cruise Port Guide

Villefranche, Nice Cruise Port Guide Info

Located east of Nice, and south-west of Monaco, Villefranche-sur-Mer is another French Riviera pearl and one of the major Western Mediterranean cruise ports. Due to its favorable geographical position, and the proximity of the most popular destinations in Côte d'Azur such as Nice, Monaco, Monte Carlo, Cannes, and Grasse, Villefranche-sur-Mer has become one of the most visited cruise ports in France. 

Tucked in the Bay of Villefranche, the town has one of the deepest natural harbors in the Mediterranean Sea which enables safe anchorage of the large cruise ships. The cruise ships cannot dock: instead, they drop the anchor in the bay and tender boats are provided to take the cruise ship passengers ashore. The tender boat ride lasts around 10-15 minutes, and upon docking at the Port de la Santé the passengers need to pass through a small terminal building equipped with facilities such as a tourist information desk, restrooms, an ATM. 
If you are joining the shore excursions, the tour operators normally wait for you outside the terminal building, and the buses are located approximately a hundred meters away from the meeting place. 
The town of Villefranche is located right behind the terminal, so if you decide to stay, there are several things you can do. The first things you’ll notice are numerous street sellers and local cafes serving French coffee and delicious pastry – a great way to start your day! 

The town is a typical French Riviera town with centuries-old fishing tradition and a lot of colorful houses scattered across the hill overlooking the bay. There is a beautiful beach within a 10-minute walking distance from the port – Plage Villefranche-sur-Mer, that you can reach if you turn right from the terminal building and follow the seafront promenade overlooking the bay and marina. 

As most of the cruise passengers coming to Villefranche-sur-Mer choose to take the shore excursions to Nice, Monaco, or visit other popular cities on Côte d'Azur, the town of Villefranche is never too crowded and is quite a relaxing place to spend the day in. If you want to explore some historical sights, you can start with Chapelle Saint-Pierre, located right across from the terminal building. Nestled at the foot of the old town, the chapel originally dates from the 16the century and is dedicated to St. Peter, the patron saint of the town and protector of fishermen. The chapel is known for the works of Jean Cocteau, who completely restored the chapel and decorated it in the Romanesque style in the 20th century. 

Other places of interest are the Citadel (a 5-minute walking distance from the terminal) dating from the 16th century that nowadays houses a Town Hall, convention center, and exhibition area, and St. Michael’s church, built in the 18th century, located in the heart of the old town. You can choose to stroll through the gardens of the Citadel and admire the views of the bay, take a dip in the warm Mediterranean Sea, or explore the old, narrow streets of the old town. 
The town is gorgeous and has something to offer for everyone’s taste!

Read more about cruise ports in France at Adventour Begins

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