St. Tropez is a dream destination and every time I visit, I always say that I want to retire here! Let’s be real, if I could retire here next month, I would! St. Tropez is the epitome of the chic, laidback French Riviera lifestyle. C’est la vie! St. Tropez has long been the luxury destination in the south, with French locals, celebrities, and tourists alike flocking here for the ultimate vacation experience. The picture perfect streets are lined with the best places to shop designer brands, eat decadent meals and enjoy a glass of rosé wine. St. Tropez’s beach area, Ramatuelle, is pristine with turquoise blue water, soft sand and trendy beach clubs. Not to mention, the hotels are extremely posh and the views over the bay are sublime! If you want to treat yourself and experience the ultimate French Riviera destination, Saint-Tropez is calling your name.
While you can travel to St. Tropez on a budget, this town is all about indulgence. I recommend living the full experience here and choosing more budget-friendly options in other towns along the riviera. If you’re planning a trip to the French Riviera, check out my guide to the 13 Most Best Towns in the South of France !
HOW TO GET TO ST. TROPEZ
St. Tropez is a small coastal town, so unfortunately there is not an international airport or train station. If you are arriving internationally, the closest airports are:
- Toulon-Hyères, 50 minutes drive and services regional flights
- Nice, 1h30 minutes drive and services international flights
The easiest way to complete this journey is to rent a car or hire a driver (local taxi, Uber or private driver). I recommend renting a car so that you can explore the area and take day trips nearby to the beaches at Ramatuelle, rosé vineyards or to the nearby village of Grimaud. If you want to travel by train, the closest train station to St. Tropez is Saint Raphael, which is located about 1 hour away by taxi.
Once in St. Tropez, most places are walking distance and the town is easy to get around on foot or by bike rental. Another option to explore other towns is to rent a vespa, but be warned: the roads can be winding!
WHAT TO DO IN SAINT TROPEZ
There are plenty of things to do in Saint-Tropez. Although it is a small town, it’s scene is rather cosmopolitain and there isn’t much that you can’t find here! Saint-Tropez has great shopping, amazing beaches, buzzing nightlife and an extremely picturesque old town that will keep you entertained!
DAY 1
EXPLORE THE OLD TOWN
Arrive in St. Tropez after your trek to get here, check in at the hotel and refresh! Take some time to relax and spend the afternoon walking around the streets of the old town. The old town is referred to as “La Ponche” and it encompasses the area of the old fishing village located next to the harbor and the citadel. Saint-Tropez’s humble beginnings are why this village has so much charm. It’s hard to believe that it is now a worldwide destination for luxury travelers!
If you love quaint towns, colorful buildings and lots of flowers, Saint-Tropez is the perfect town to get lost in. Every street here is pure magic! I loved wandering around and finding hidden alleyways, giant hydrangea or bougainvillea blooms and LOTS of photo spots!
My favorite square in the old town was at the Place de l’Ormeau. This perfect place looks like a movie set from one of Brigette Bardot’s films. If you’re into history, check out the history of Saint-Tropez at Musee d’Histoire Maritime located in the impressive former citadel. If you’re more of a modern art lover, the Annonciade has a beautiful modern art collection in a former chapel.
WATCH THE SAINT-TROPEZ SUNSET
Sunsets in St. Tropez are the finest in the riviera and the marina is a great place to watch the sun set over the rows of beautiful yachts (a girl can dream, right?!)
Next to the marina, there is a small jetty with large rocks where you can set up camp with a bottle of wine and take in the views of the sunset dipping under the rolling hills of the riviera in the background. Sunsets during the summer are long and late, so head to the outdoor bars with the best sunset views at Le Tigrr or Les Toits Saint-Tropez for that last glimpse of dusk afterwards!
Another great spot for a sunset view is at the small picturesque cove at Place du Revelen next to the old town. (pictured below)
DAY 2
DESIGNER BREAKFAST, PLEASE!
St. Tropez is the luxury shopping destination of the French Riviera. Dior has made an outpost here with a very extra café located next to their store. I love a good overpriced cappuccino with a designer logo in it, so of course I wanted come here for the experience! I mean, how often do you get to dine at the ultimate French fashion mecca, Dior? Dior des Lices is a great once-in-a-lifetime spot to enjoy your breakfast and take a picture of it too!
Tip: Make sure to call ahead to reserve in advance because this small café gets super full
SHOP ‘TILL YOU DROP
The best shopping streets are at Rue Gambetta, Rue François Sibilli and Rue Georges Clemenceau. In this little circle, you will find all of your favorite designer brands plus a few unique local shops like Sandals Tropéziennes for beautifully hand-crafted and oh-so-comfy sandals and Chapellerie Victor for the perfect sun hats.
Travel Tip: Designer prices are much cheaper in France than in the rest of the world. Plus you don’t have to pay the duty tax (VAT) if you’re from outside of the EU. If you’ve been eyeing a designer piece, this is the place to buy it! I saved around $600 on my Gucci Dionysus bag here when the exchange rate was favorable
SPEND THE AFTERNOON AT A FAMOUS BEACH CLUB
Beach clubs and Saint-Tropez go hand-in-hand. The main beaches here are actually in the town located next to Saint-Tropez, Ramatuelle on the Pampelonne beach. During the summer, the beaches are crowded, so you will definitely want to reserve a spot at a beach club.
Chair reservations are 30-60 Euros, but the experience is well worth it to dine and drink beachside. My favorite beach clubs with the best vibes, cool people and yummy food are at Cabane Bambou or Les Palmiers.
EXPERIENCE THE NIGHT LIFE
After a day at the beach, get some R&R at the hotel before heading out for the night. Saint-Tropez has the best nightlife in the riviera, so perk up, put on your best beach-y night-out look and hit some of the luxe hot spots! The streets are cobblestone, so definitely opt for a lower heel or a chic flat sandal.
The best spots to go out in Saint Tropez are at Les Caves du Roy for a club experience or White 1921 Saint-Tropez patio and Le Petit Bar for a cocktail.
TAKE A DAY TRIP TO GRIMAUD
If you’re looking for a bit of an adventure, a day trip is an easy way to explore the surrounding towns with Saint-Tropez as your home base. My favorite place nearby is the incredibly charming village of Grimaud, historically linked to the Grimaldi family (hint: the prince of Monaco)! This hillside town is only a 20 minute drive from the center of Saint-Tropez.
Grimaud is St. Tropez’s next door neighbor and a great day trip to make if you’re staying in St. Tropez for a few days. Grimaud is made of two parts: the old town perched atop the hillside and Port Grimaud along the coast that is often referred to as a “little Venice”. I loved this charming town and have put together all of my recommendations for a day trip to this spot below!
This village is classified as a Ville Fleurie or a floral town and it has plenty of it! Grimaud is very small, but the colorful alleyways are covered in floral blooms! You can easily walk the entire town in an hour or so and maybe stop for a coffee or a snack along the way.
The village of Grimaud is a great place to hang out, wander the streets and move at a slower pace of life (plus there are TONS of pretty photo spots for the ‘gram!)
After you explore the medieval town, hop back in the car and head down to Port Grimaud. Situated along the coast away from the hillside village is the port or “little venice” as the locals refer to it. This colorful coastal fishing village is only a 7 minute drive downhill.
Port Grimaud is full of small canals that can be explored by a taxi boat or on foot and there are a few cute cafe’s you can grab lunch at like Lily’s, Via Marine, or Restaurant La Marée.
WHERE TO EAT IN ST. TROPEZ
St. Tropez has plenty of amazing places to eat! With every type of cuisine and budget, I’ve picked out a few of my favorites below:
- La Tarte Tropézienne for a taste of Brigette Bardot’s favorite desert: a cream filled brioche! It is heavenly
- Napoleon Saint-Tropez or Au Vieux Gassin for exquisite French food in a cozy outdoor setting
- Le Pescadou for the best seafood with a rooftop view!
- Les Moulins de Ramatuelle for a trendy outdoor vibe in the countryside
- La Pomme de Pin or La Part des Anges for the best Italian and Mediterranean
WHERE TO STAY
St. Tropez is a luxury French Riviera destination, but it is also one of the most frequented spots for summer travel, so there are plenty of über-luxe options as well as more reasonably priced AirBnb alternatives:
HOTELS
- Stay in a hillside 19th-century chateau with panoramic views overlooking Saint-Tropez at the Chateau de la Messardière
- For chic interior design and an outdoor pool in a lush garden, stay at Le Yaca or Hotel Lou Pinet
- Opt for a luxe boho vibe at Hôtel Le Tartane Saint Amour or Muse Saint-Tropez located in between the town center and the beaches at Ramatuelle
- Overlook the bay at a luxurious hilltop retreat with an outdoor pool and provençal garden at the secluded and super chic Hôtel Villa Marie Saint-Tropez or panoramic hilltop views at the Althoff Villa Belrose
- Stay at a world-class design hotel with celebrity-style services for a super luxurious treat at Sezz Saint-Tropez
- Unwind in the city center at the famous Hotel Byblos, known for it’s world class cuisine, chic clientele and nightlife
- Stay in a Provençal-style house with panoramic views of the Saint-Tropez Bay at La Bastide d’Antoine
AIRBNB
- Stay in a chic rustic flat located in the Old Town a minute from the beach
- Enjoy your privacy at a secluded countryside cottage with a private pool, hammock and outdoor entertaining space
- Stay at a small bed & breakfast with an outdoor pool and garden
- Relax in a chic and cozy townhome in the center of Saint-Tropez
- Enjoy the sea view at a modern seaside retreat with a thoughtful interior design
Ready for a trip to the Côte d’Azur? Me too! Check out my other guides to plan a full trip: 13 Most Instagrammable Towns in the South of France and How to Spend 2 Days in Nice & Villefranche-sur-Mer
