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Villefranche-sur-Mer (Nice, France Riviera)

Cruise Port schedule, live map, terminals, news

Rating:
Villefranche-sur-Mer cruise port

Region
Mediterranean - Black Sea

Local Time
2026-08-31 12:35

min: 71 °F (21 °C) / max: 83 °F (29 °C) 78°F
25.5°C
Wind: 148°/ 3.6 m/s Gust: 2.7 m/sWind: 148°/ 3.6 m/s Gust: 2.7 m/sGentle breeze
3.6 m/s
Min / Max Temperature83 °F / 29 °C
71 °F / 22 °C
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Port Villefranche-sur-Mer cruise ship schedule shows timetable calendars of all arrival and departure dates by month. The port's schedule lists all ships (in links) with cruises going to or leaving from Villefranche-sur-Mer, Nice, France Riviera. To see the full itineraries (ports of call dates and arrival / departure times) and their lowest rates – just follow the corresponding ship-link.

DayShipArrivalDeparture
13 March, 2026
Friday
Viking Cruises Cruises cruise lineViking Mars
25 March, 2026
Wednesday
Viking Cruises Cruises cruise lineViking Star
25 March, 2026
Wednesday
Viking Cruises Cruises cruise lineViking Saturn
27 March, 2026
Friday
Silversea Cruises Cruises cruise lineSilver Shadow19:00
27 March, 2026
Friday
Hapag-Lloyd Cruises Cruises cruise linems Europa06:0023:00
31 March, 2026
Tuesday
Viking Cruises Cruises cruise lineViking Star

Villefranche-sur-Mer (Port de la Sante) is the cruise port for Nice (France) which by passenger traffic is ranked the busiest on the French Riviera. The town is part of France's Alpes-Maritimes department and has total area approx 5 km2 (2 mi2) and population around 6,000.

Other French Riviera (Cote d'Azur) ports include Antibes, Bandol, Cannes, Cassis, Marseille, Sanary-sur-Mer, St Raphael, St Tropez, Toulon (La Seyne-sur-Mer), Monte Carlo (Monaco).

Cruise companies arrange shuttle bus services between Port Nice and Port Villefranche (distance ~4 km / 2,5 mi), with travel time ~10 min.

The town's limits extend to the bay's surrounding hills reaching up to 520 m (1750 ft) above sea level (at Mont-Leuze). The three main roads that link Nice City to Italy pass through Villefranche. The town's main (largest) beach is Plage des Marinieres (at bay's northern coast) stretching for 1 km along the railway linking Nice to Italy. Plage de la Darse (pebble beach) is behind La Darse harbor's main jetty.

The local economy is heavily based on tourism and leisure industries, with numerous hotels and restaurants that employ most of the inhabitants. The most popular tourist activities are sailing and deep-sea diving. The port is located on one of the Mediterranean's deepest natural harbors. It serves ferries and cruise liners. A large marina serves mega-yachts and pleasure boats). Big-sized vessels anchor in the bay and ferry their passengers to the piers via tenders.

Villefranche-Nice cruise port is popular mainly as a call port on Western Mediterranean itineraries. It is often included in the summer schedules of major passenger shipping companies like Marella UK, P&O UK, RCI-Royal Caribbean, Celebrity, DCL-Disney, also the all-inclusive luxury brands Silversea, Azamara, Crystal. Windstar, Ponant, SeaDream.

On January 21st, 2025, Nice's Mayor declared a ban on the docking of large-size cruise ships exceeding 900 passengers or longer than 190 m/623 ft. Eventually (in July), a court in Nice annulled the Mayor’s decree, deeming it unlawful and beyond his jurisdiction.

Villefranche-sur-Mer cruise terminal

Port Villefranche-Nice handles over 0,5 million cruise ship tourists annually and is member ot MedCruise - industry association grouping the largest Mediterranean cruise ports. Villefranche-Nice has two passenger terminals serving separately smaller and bigger vessels.

Small-size ships (with LOA length under 180 m / 590 ft) dock in Nice at Bassin Lympia in Old Town (Vieux Nice Port). It is located right in downtown Nice (at Place de l'Ile-de-Beaute). Until January 2025, large vessels docked at Nice's second cruise terminal in Villefranche-sur-Mer. The distance to Nice is just 5 km (3 mi) by bus or train.

Nice Airport is located just 20-min drive from the cruise port. Tourists can use shuttle bus service or taxis. The cruise terminal provides passengers with free information at its Convention and Visitors Bureau.

The nearest train station is above the beach and accessed via a stairway. Regularly scheduled trains connect to Nice, Cannes and Monte Carlo. Rent-a-car offices near the cruise terminals are also available.