Looking for the best things to do in St Tropez, France? If you want to plan a getaway to St Tropez, I’ve compiled a handy travel guide with everything you need to know before you set foot in this charming town.
Imagine yourself making your way through the colorful winding alleyways lined with cobblestones or strolling along the beaches of the coast while soaking in the gorgeous surroundings. Sounds like a scene from a postcard, right? Well, St Tropez is just that beautiful!
With sandy beaches, art galleries, restaurants, museums, and chic bars, you’ll find no shortage of things to do in Saint Tropez. This small town boasts a laid-back atmosphere and a thriving nightlife scene, making it an ideal getaway in the south of France.
Here’s the ultimate guide to St Tropez!
About St Tropez
As soon as you hear the words “St Tropez,” pictures of chic beach clubs, celebrities, and sleek yachts likely pop into your head. This glitzy locale is famous for its exclusive beach clubs, high-end dining establishments, and multimillion-dollar yachts. Apart from the glitz and glamour, St Tropez is also home to beautiful beaches, rugged coastal hikes, charming olive groves, winding cobblestone alleys, and pastel-colored houses.
How to Get to St Tropez
While much of the south of France is well-connected by trains, St Tropez is bit harder to reach than most places. That’s not to say it’s impossible and it’s definitely worth the trip!
If you’re coming from outside of southern France, the best option is to fly into either Nice Cote d’Azur or Marseille Provence airports.
From Nice:
If you are traveling from Nice, the drive will take you approximately 1.5 – 2.5 hours (depending on traffic). Another option is to take the train to St Raphael Valescure and then take a taxi or rent a car to drive to St Tropez (about 45 minutes), or take the bus (line 7601) which takes about an hour and 15 minutes. A third option is to take a ferry from Nice to St Tropez, which takes about 2.5 hours and leaves daily during the peak summer months — this could be a great way to avoid traffic!
From Marseille:
Similarly, you can take the train from Marseille St Charles to St Raphael Valescure and take a car, taxi or bus to St Tropez from there. Or you can drive directly from Marseille to St Tropez, which takes around 1 hour and 40 minutes.
The Best Time to Visit St Tropez
Most people choose to visit St Tropez in July or August to take advantage of the warm weather and relax on the sandy beaches. It’s also the peak season, so visitors can expect to see plenty of crowds with hotel rates being the highest.
If you want to visit Saint Tropez but don’t want to deal with the crowds, noise, traffic, or high prices in peak season, the best times to go are in the shoulder seasons of May, June, and September.
Winter in St Tropez is pretty much a ghost town! Many hotels and restaurants are closed for the season, as well as beach clubs and night clubs. While I probably wouldn’t go out of my way to plan a visit during winter, it could be worth a stop on a road trip (if you’re in the area), just to see the town without the crowds for an hour or two.
I planned a last minute trip to St Tropez in August and found that many hotels rooms were booked up and the rates were definitely quite high. That being said, we were able to find a charming hotel that we loved and, while we experienced plenty of crowds in town, we didn’t have any issues at the beaches or beach clubs. So, if you’re planning a trip in peak season, my advice would be to book in advance if you can!
How Many Days Will You Need in St Tropez?
Many people visit on a day trip just to see the picturesque town, the mega yachts in the harbor, and perhaps have lunch at a beach club.
In my opinion, if you’ve made the effort to get all the way to St Tropez, you may as well spend a night or two in the area. I spent a few days in St Tropez and felt like it was a good amount of time to see all that St Tropez has to offer and experience a bit of the glamorous lifestyle here!
However, if you have more time, say a week, to spend in the South of France, and want a really luxurious and relaxing vacation… this could be it. I definitely wouldn’t say no to a week in St Tropez spent lounging on the beach, sipping on espressos in town, dining at one of the gourmet restaurants, and partying at chic beach clubs.
Once you set foot in this dreamy destination, you won’t want to leave the luxuriousness and beauty it offers!
How to Get Around St Tropez
Due to St. Tropez’s tiny size, the city does not have a train system, and the number of buses and taxis is limited. For this reason, having your own car to get around the area is ideal. You might experience some delays due to traffic, but once you get there, you won’t have any trouble finding parking at most of the hotels, restaurants and beach clubs.
Things to do in St Tropez
From shopping at upscale boutiques to lounging the day away at a fabulous beach club, these are some of the best things to do during your visit.
Relax at the Beaches
Of course, no travel guide with the best things to do in St Tropez won’t be complete without mentioning relaxing on one of the many spectacular beaches. Celebrities who arrive on holiday make these beaches even more famous year after year.
Tahiti Beach and Pampelonne Beach are some of the most renowned beaches in St. Tropez, where you can relax in the sun and check out the area’s trendy restaurants and beach clubs.
Eat Tarte Tropezienne at La Tarte Tropézienne
Tarte Tropezienne is a must-try delicacy that instantly transports you to heaven… kidding, but not really! It’s a brioche that’s filled with a combination of two creams and topped with crunchy sugar; it’s airy and buttery with a touch of orange flower water. This is one of the must-do things to do in St Tropez, and if you’re a foodie and you find yourself in St Tropez, then simply drop by La Tarte Tropézienne to learn what the fuss is about.
Explore La Ponche
La Ponche, the historic center of the old fishing village, can be found just below the Citadel. There is no better area to soak up St Tropez’s rich history and culture than in this one particular neighborhood. The exquisitely designed, winding alleyways and lanes lined with charming stores, opulent boutiques, elegant cafés, and traditional restaurants add to La Ponche’s allure, making it one of the best things to do in St Tropez.
Walk Along the Old Port
Walking along the Old Port is something you should definitely do if you’re exploring La Plonche. Around the Old Port, there are fishing boats, yachts, vibrant homes, and many cafes with outdoor terraces that look out over the Mediterranean Sea. Taking a leisurely walk down the promenade along the water’s edge will allow you to take in the breathtaking vistas of the stunning coastline and its environs.
Grab Coffee at the Iconic Dior des Lices
If you’re a fan of haute couture and need a quick pick-me-up, the Dior des Lices café is the place to go. Fashionistas who wish to pamper themselves with something extra should definitely add this to their bucket list of things to do in St Tropez. You can relish a fashionable breakfast at Dior de Lices with a Dior-stamped cappuccino coffee.
Shop at the Place des Lices Market
The Place des Lices Market is an outdoor market in a well-known plaza that sells a wide variety of fresh goods as well as locally made crafts and gifts. This market provides a glimpse of everyday life in St Tropez. And it’s a great spot to fill up on just about anything you need while immersing yourself in the local culture!
Spend the Day at a Beach Club
There are several bustling beach clubs in St Tropez, some of which date back to the ’50s. By visiting a popular beach club like Le Club 55, Les Palmiers, or Bagatelle, you’re sure to bump into an A-List Hollywood actor or actress who visits them during the summer months.
Party at a Nightclub
If you’re looking for nightlife, you won’t want to miss check out one of the swanky nightclubs. St Tropez boasts some of the most illustrious nightlife in Europe, making this activity one of the top things to do in St Tropez. Enjoy the nightlife coming to life at a renowned nightclub like L’Opera or Les Caves du Roy.
Where to Stay in St Tropez
From 5-star luxury resorts to cute and charming hotels, there are plenty of options for lodging in and around town.
- La Bastide de Saint Tropez: La Bastide is a luxurious Mediterranean house located within a short drive from the town and the Ramatuelle beaches. This magnificent house welcomes you to relax in the midst of its paradisiacal garden, rich with exotic aromas.
- Hotel Byblos: With its opulent decor and prime position between Provence and the French Riviera, the Byblos Palace Hotel in St Tropez promises a vacation that feels both modern and timeless.
- Hotel Le Yaca: Your stay at the five-star Hotel Le Yaca will be one of the most enjoyable experiences of your life, and you will be able to enjoy the utmost in refined tranquility while you are there.
- Lily of the Valley: The Lily of the Valley is a five-star hotel in France with a wellness-focused concept that immerses guests in the worlds of nutrition, fitness, and relaxation.
- Airelles Saint-Tropez, Pan Dei Palais: Pan Dei Palais is a secluded haven that has an extravagant fine-dining restaurant and a gorgeous garden with a pool and sun loungers perfect for soaking up the Mediterranean sun.
- Hotel la Ponche: La Ponche is a five-star hotel, within a few minutes’ walk of town, providing guests with a tranquil oasis in which to relax, reflect, and refocus before rejoining the vibrant spirit of the city.
The Best Restaurants in St Tropez
From cute little cafes on the harbor to Michelin starred restaurants, this town has a lot to offer when it comes to dining!
- Salama: Salama is distinguished from other restaurants by its distinctive architecture and tasteful design, making it the ideal place to savor and learn about the nuances of real, homemade Moroccan food.
- La Verdoyante: Pitched on a hillside above the town of Gassin, La Verdoyante was formerly a rustic farmhouse with a breathtaking panorama over the surrounding vineyards and sea.
- Villa Azur: Villa Azur is a sophisticated and stylish restaurant that specializes in authentic French cuisine and offers an extensive list of champagnes to complement the meal and contribute to the ambiance.
- La Vague d’Or: Celebrating a special occasion or just want to treat yourself to an incredible fine dining experience? With three Michelin stars, La Vague d’Or will transport you to another world when you dine on the restaurant’s expansive patio at the lux Cheval Blanc hotel.
- Senequier: The Senequier is a chic and lively café on the harbor that is ideal for enjoying a coffee or a small aperitif while watching the yachts come in to dock for the night.
- La Petite Plage: Serving Mediterranean fare by the seaside, La Petite Plage is a chic spot for a delicious lunch.
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