How to Spend One Day in Saint Tropez Itinerary & Travel Guide

Last Updated on 26th February 2025 by Sophie Nadeau

This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.

Life is good on the Côte d’Azur, a sun-kissed coastline blessed with French glamour and beautiful sunsets. Saint-Tropez is nicknamed “the pearl of the Mediterranean” for good reason: a melting pot of art, cultures, gourmet cuisine and an old-time charm. Here’s your guide on how to spend one perfect day in Saint-Tropez, as well as top tips and what to know before you go!

What is Saint-Tropez known for?

Saint-Tropez is a chic coastal paradise buzzing with popular beach clubs and glitzy resorts, lavish villas and a harbour area filled with yachts owned by the rich and famous; while all of these things might sound unappealing to an adventurer in search of history and culture, St Tropez is far more than just a playground for the wealthy.

Saint-Tropez is renowned for its laidback atmosphere. Cradled by rolling green hills which face out to the sparkling blue bay, this corner of France has stolen the hearts of some of the world’s most notable artists. From the likes of Picasso, Signac and Matisse; today, a museum houses some of their most vivid and impressive landscapes.

Suggested one day in Saint-Tropez itinerary

You only need one day to fully get to know St Tropez as it’s fairly small, and so can easily be explored over a few hours. You’ll want to plan to cover most of this itinerary on foot, so comfortable shoes are advised.

Get the boat from Sainte Maxime to Saint Tropez 

Park in Sainte Maxime and take one of the Bateaux Verts to reach the port of Saint Tropez. In doing so, you’ll get a unique look at St Tropez’s sheltered harbour before reaching the port, while also saving a lot of money and stress in terms of parking.

Admire the boats in the harbour and stroll around the port

As the mooring point for some of the richest people on the earth, you can probably imagine that this is one of the best ports to see yachts. Brimming with luxury yachts and superyachts, this port exudes wealth like no other, and you may even spy a celebrity or two hosting a private boat party in the sun of Saint-Tropez!

Head to the market at Place des Lices

Situated beneath the shade of 100-year-old Plane trees is a quaint market square which dates back to the 1800s. This area hosts a twice-weekly market, pétanque courts and a few small cafés.

If it happens to be a market day during your visit, then you’re in for a real treat! Every Tuesday and Saturday morning, the square comes to life with the typical Provençal-style market selling a huge variety of regional produce. The market stalls overflow with bread, pastries, cheeses of all smells, meats, herbs & spices, as well as olives, flowers, fruits and vegetables.

Locals are known to visit the market as early as possible with a chance to purchase the freshest produce!

Grab a coffee at Dior des Lices

Even if window shopping is the extent of your shopping in Saint Tropez, it’s still possible to enjoy experiencing the high-end brands that inhibit the town. The DIOR building has a café situated in its courtyard, here you can enjoy un petit café!

Parish Church of Notre-Dame de l’Assomption

One of the more interesting buildings in town and most recognisable landmarks is that of the Italian baroque-style church topped by a bell tower. Built-in 1784, though restoration works have been made since, this ochre-coloured place of worship is the town’s emblem.

Head up to the Citadel 

La Citadelle, as it’s known in French, is situated on the hillside on the eastern outskirts of the town. Thanks to its location, it’s here that you’ll be greeted with some of the best views of Saint-Tropez and its sparkling bay.

The 17th-century fortress, which at one time was essential for the town’s defence, houses a fascinating maritime museum which focuses on local history and Saint Tropez’s relationship with the sea.

Stroll around the Old Town 

One of the best ways to soak up Saint-Tropez is to simply get lost down the little cobbled lanes that intersperse and weave between the settlement’s Old Town.

Situated just below the Citadel, Saint-Tropez’s Old Town is referred to as La Ponche, which is the historic centre of the former fishing village. Wandering around you can admire the traditional and colourful facades of the town’s architecture.

Go shopping!

Something has to be said for the infuriating yet hypnotising side of Saint-Tropez’s over-commercialised glamour. However, one of its biggest draws (particularly for those with money to splash) is its wealth of high-end fashion brands and luxury boutiques.

Saint-Tropez is home to brands like CHANEL, Louis Vuitton, DIOR, Saint Laurent, and many more, which are all within walking distance from one another.

Sample La Tarte Tropézienne

Also known as “la tarte de Saint-Tropez”, this brioche-filled bun is a double dreamy delight wherein two types of cream are used to fill a pastry. Pastry cream and buttercream are loaded in and the dessert is finished off with a light dusting of pearl sugar.

The popular dessert is said to come from a recipe from a Polish grandmother of the pâtissier Alexandre Micka, who, in the 1950s, served it to locals in the heart of Saint-Tropez from the patisserie, La Tarte Tropézienne found on the Place des Lices. This remains the go-to spot today to sample the town’s delicious delicacy.

Check out the beach

When visiting The Jade Coast of France, one of the ultimate activities to do is check out the beautiful beaches. The village of Saint-Tropez itself is officially home to just three beaches: La Glaye, La Ponche and La Fontanette. These in-town beaches are tiny, but beautiful nonetheless.

Luckily, there are several beaches to check out within proximity of the town. The most famous is Pampelonne Beach, which is often considered part of the town. Indeed, this 4.5 km sandy stretch is the longest and busiest beach of the area. It’s also one of the main reasons for Saint-Tropez’s popularity.

Pampelonne Beach is set within a sheltered bay, a long white sanded beach with crystal clear aquamarine waters that gently lap at the shore. Situated along the beach are several glitzy beach clubs and resorts where you can enjoy sipping on a refreshing beverage in the sunshine.

Where to eat in Saint Tropez

If visiting the right places, dining in Saint Tropez offers visitors an experience like no other. From trendy new eateries on the scene to traditional bistros serving timeless bouillabaisse. However, it’s worth pointing out that at most places you’ll pay a small fortune for the most modest of French dishes that you may find are indeed half the price in other towns of the area.

Here are a few suggestions of where to eat (or not to) in Saint Tropez:

Restaurant Caprice des Deux – A romantic restaurant which serves refined classic French cuisine, homemade desserts and fine French wine. Described a “both authentic and modern”, this delightful establishment is a passion project brought to life by brother and sister, Stéphane and Sonia Avelin. 

Restaurant le Patio – Le Patio is part of the hotel Le Yaca and has made its way onto the MICHELIN guide. Serving sophisticated Italian cuisine, the restaurant prides itself on using produce directly imported from neighbouring Italy.

L’Aroma – One of the more budget-friendly on the list, this casual pizzeria serves delicious wood-fired pizzas in a cosy setting. Takeaway options are available, too.

Senequier – A recent customer reviewed Senequier: “If you want to feel rich, then this is the perfect place.” While it’s true this was once the most fashionable and bustling spot in the port area, nowadays I would suggest stopping here for drink, at most a light bite to eat.

The Red café of Saint Tropez, Café Senequie, dates back to 1887 and is instantly recognisable thanks to its red-painted terrace that overlooks the bay. However, recent reviews suggest its not quite what it once was.

Where to stay

A dazzling delight of the French Riviera, Saint-Tropez is a particularly popular place to stay for those who enjoy a lively party scene and vibrant nightlife. It’s for this reason that Saint-Tropez is one of the pricier destinations to stay. Here are a few suggestions of where to stay (based on web reviews):

(Budget) La Bastide Du Port – Hôtel de Charme: Overlooking Saint-Tropez Bay and just 300 metres from the town centre, this cost-friendly hotel (for its location at least) serves a continental breakfast every morning and is an easy, casual place to stay. Check prices and availability here.

(Mid-range) Hôtel Lou Cagnard: Set within a gorgeous Provençal-style house with a garden for guests to relax in. This down-to-earth hotel is an 8-minute walk from the Port de Saint Tropez. Check prices and availability here.

(Luxury) Hôtel La Tartane Saint-Tropez – Between the beaches and town centre, this five-star luxury hotel offers its guests A-lister treatment with its world-class service. Some rooms boast private terraces, and there’s an outdoor pool and bar to enjoy. Check prices and availability here.

Enjoyed reading our guide on how to spend one day in St Tropez? Pin this article now, and read it again later: