Saint-Tropez was my first real stop on the Côte d’Azur. Before visiting, I mainly pictured huge yachts, designer shops, Brigitte Bardot and people with a much bigger shopping budget than mine. That image is not completely wrong. Saint-Tropez is glamorous, busy and expensive. Still, behind the luxury boutiques and beach clubs, you will also find a colorful Old Town, a lively harbor, local markets and beautiful places nearby. So, is Saint-Tropez worth visiting? Yes, especially as a day trip or as one of the stops during a road trip along the French Riviera. I enjoyed seeing it for myself, although I would not necessarily choose Saint-Tropez as my base for a longer holiday.

What Is Saint-Tropez Known For?

Saint-Tropez was once a small fishing village. Its international fame grew during the 1950s and 1960s when artists, actors and other celebrities started visiting the area. Brigitte Bardot played an important role in this. The movie And God Created Woman was filmed in the area and helped put Saint-Tropez on the international map. The town is still closely connected to cinema, art and Bardot today. Saint-Tropez is now mainly known for its luxury yachts, beach clubs, designer boutiques and famous visitors. It is also a popular place for influencers who come here to photograph the more glamorous side of the French Riviera.

How to Get to Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez does not have a train station or a large airport. You can still reach it by car, boat or public transport.

Getting to Saint-Tropez by Car

In my opinion, driving is one of the best ways to explore the Côte d’Azur. It gives you the freedom to visit Saint-Tropez, Pampelonne Beach, Ramatuelle and other towns in the area at your own pace. A rental car is especially useful when Saint-Tropez is part of a longer French Riviera road trip. You can compare rental cars and current prices with Discover Cars before booking. The coastal roads are beautiful, but traffic around Saint-Tropez can be very busy. Parking near the center and harbor is mostly paid, and spaces fill quickly during the summer.

Arrive early when visiting Saint-Tropez by car. Traffic and parking are especially busy on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, when the market takes place.

Taking the Ferry to Saint-Tropez

The boat is not only for the rich and famous. It can actually be one of the easiest ways to arrive. You can park in Sainte-Maxime and take the ferry across the bay. The crossing takes around 15 minutes and brings you close to the center of Saint-Tropez. Boats also operate from places including Port Grimaud and Saint-Raphaël. During the high season, there may also be connections from Cannes and Nice. This is a good option when you want to avoid the traffic around Saint-Tropez. Check ferry prices here too!

Getting to Saint-Tropez by Train

The nearest practical train station is Saint-Raphaël-Valescure. From there, you can continue by bus, taxi or a seasonal boat service to Saint-Tropez. Toulon station also has bus connections towards Saint-Tropez. Always check the current timetable before traveling, especially outside the summer season.

Flying to Saint-Tropez

Toulon-Hyères Airport is the closest airport, approximately 50 kilometers from Saint-Tropez. Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is farther away but offers more international flight connections. You can compare flights to Nice and Toulon with Expedia to see which airport works best for your route and travel dates. From the airport, you can continue by rental car, taxi, shuttle or public transport.

Things to Do in Saint-Tropez

You can easily see the main highlights of Saint-Tropez in one day. Add Pampelonne Beach and Ramatuelle when you have a car and a little more time.

1. Explore La Ponche, the Saint-Tropez Old Town

La Ponche is the historic Old Town of Saint-Tropez. It is different from Le Vieux Port, although the two areas are next to each other. Walk through the narrow streets with pastel-colored houses, small boutiques, art galleries, restaurants and coffee shops. The atmosphere here feels more like the former fishing village than the luxury image around the harbor. It is a lovely area to explore without a fixed plan. Just walk around and see where the streets take you.

2. Walk Around the Vieux Port

The old harbor is the heart of Saint-Tropez. Large yachts, sailboats and traditional fishing boats are lined up along the quayside. I loved walking around the harbor and watching the crew working on the yachts. It felt like an endless episode of Below Deck Mediterranean, only without being invited on board. The cafés around the harbor are not the cheapest, but you are mainly paying for the location and the people-watching.

3. Visit the Market at Place des Lices

Place des Lices is the main square in Saint-Tropez. The Provençal market takes place here every Tuesday and Saturday morning. You can find fruit, vegetables, cheese, flowers, clothing, jewelry, antiques and regional products. It is one of the busiest times to visit the town, so arrive early when you want to combine the market with sightseeing. Even outside market days, Place des Lices is worth visiting. The square is surrounded by cafés, restaurants and boutiques, with locals playing boules beneath the trees.

4. Visit Pampelonne Beach Near Saint-Tropez

Pampelonne Beach is often called the beach of Saint-Tropez, but it is officially located in Ramatuelle. The long sandy beach helped create the glamorous image of Saint-Tropez when celebrities started visiting during the 1950s and 1960s. Today, you will find public beach areas, water sports and many famous beach clubs. I went to Club 55 for a coffee and some time in the sun. Lunch here can be expensive, but stopping for a drink gave me the chance to see the place and watch the jet set walk by. You do not need to book a beach club to enjoy Pampelonne. There are also public parts of the beach where you can bring your own towel.

5. Take a Short Trip to Ramatuelle

After a long day in Saint-Tropez, it was only a 10 to 15-minute drive to Ramatuelle. A friend had recommended the village, and it turned out to be one of my favorite stops in the area. Ramatuelle is a medieval hilltop village surrounded by vineyards and views towards the coast. The narrow streets are filled with colorful houses, flowers, small galleries and local craft shops. The village is small and easy to explore on foot. Free parking was also available just outside the center, which felt like a small miracle after Saint-Tropez. Ramatuelle was calmer and had more of the atmosphere I personally enjoy.

6. Go Shopping in Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez is a serious shopping destination. Many international luxury brands have boutiques here, alongside smaller fashion stores, galleries and local shops. Jacquemus has a boutique and café near Place des Lices. Dior also combines fashion with dining in its Saint-Tropez location. Even when you are not planning to buy anything, the shops and window displays are fun to see. I managed to leave without a new designer bag, which was probably better for the rest of my road trip budget.

Where to Stay Near Saint-Tropez

Accommodation in Saint-Tropez can be expensive, especially during July and August. Booking early gives you more choice. You can check current accommodation prices and availability on Booking.com before your trip. It is also worth comparing hotels outside Saint-Tropez itself. Traveling without a fixed schedule gives me plenty of freedom. It can also mean fewer options and higher prices, especially in a popular area such as Saint-Tropez.

The renovated ibis Golfe de Saint-Tropez in Cogolin was one of the more affordable options available on the day of arrival. Cogolin is a practical base when you have a car. The hotel offered free parking, comfortable rooms and an extensive breakfast buffet. From here, Saint-Tropez, Ramatuelle and Pampelonne Beach are all easy to reach. Staying outside Saint-Tropez is worth considering when you want easier parking and a more realistic hotel price. Compare accommodation in Cogolin, Grimaud, Gassin and Sainte-Maxime as well as Saint-Tropez itself. You can also find campsites around the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.

Book your accommodation in advance during the summer. Staying in Cogolin, Grimaud, Gassin or Sainte-Maxime can be more affordable than staying in Saint-Tropez itself.

Where to Eat in the Saint-Tropez Area

The Côte d’Azur is not the cheapest place for a holiday. Still, you can find everything from famous beach clubs to bakeries and smaller restaurants in the surrounding villages.

Club 55 at Pampelonne Beach

Club 55 is one of the most famous places on Pampelonne Beach. The natural setting and relaxed design are a big part of its appeal. Dining here is expensive, but you can also stop for a coffee or drink to experience the setting. That was enough for me to see why the club has become part of the Saint-Tropez story.

Atelier de la Forge in Ramatuelle

I loved the setting of Atelier de la Forge on Rue Victor Léon in Ramatuelle. The street is steep, so the restaurants have created small level platforms for their tables. Staff walk across the narrow street to serve the terraces, which gives the area a fun and lively feeling. The food was delicious and offered good value compared with many places around Saint-Tropez.

Try a Tarte Tropézienne

You will find La Tarte Tropézienne pastry shops throughout the Saint-Tropez area. The original pastry was created by Alexandre Micka in the 1950s. Brigitte Bardot discovered the cream-filled brioche during the filming of And God Created Woman and is said to have suggested the name Tarte Tropézienne. The pastry has a soft brioche base, a creamy filling and crunchy sugar on top. I really liked it, although it is quite filling. The shops also sell other pastries, bread and popular baguettes.

Order a small piece or a quarter of the round pie first. It may look light, but the cream and brioche make it surprisingly filling.

Can You Visit Saint-Tropez in One Day?

One day is enough to see the Old Town, harbor, Place des Lices and shops. Start early in La Ponche before walking towards the Vieux Port. Continue to Place des Lices and have lunch or try a Tarte Tropézienne. When you have a car, spend the afternoon at Pampelonne Beach and finish your day in Ramatuelle. Stay for two days when you want more time at the beach, enjoy a beach club or explore other villages around the Gulf of Saint-Tropez.

Is Saint-Tropez Worth Visiting? My Honest Opinion

Saint-Tropez was great to see once. I enjoyed the colorful Old Town, the harbor, Pampelonne Beach and my visit to Ramatuelle. Would it be my base for another holiday? Probably not. Perhaps my budget was too small to experience the complete Saint-Tropez lifestyle. I did not arrive by yacht, reserve an expensive beach bed or buy a designer bag. Still, you do not need to be rich or famous to visit Saint-Tropez. Walk around, have a coffee, watch the yachts and enjoy the contrast between the former fishing village and the luxury destination it has become. For me, Saint-Tropez works best as an interesting and glamorous stop during a wider road trip along the Côte d’Azur.

Continue your journey with my Cannes, Grasse and Antibes road trip, or read why I loved Nice before taking the ferry to Corsica. Planning a longer trip? See my complete French Riviera and Corsica road trip itinerary.