Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Montpellier?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Montpellier?
Many visitors spend one to three days in Montpellier during their visit. If you're not sure how much time you might need here, we have the answers because there's so much to see and do. This city offers a number of attractions to explore, including the historic old town, the beaches, the museums and landmarks, and the beautiful scenery.
Montpellier is a town that's slightly inland from the southern French coast. The town is known for its cathedrals and and grand boulevards. It has a laid back atmosphere that makes a perfect place to explore for a day or two.
Do you have one or two days to visit Montpellier? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Montpellier?
With only one day, you might feel a bit pressed for time when it comes to exploring the main attractions. After all, Montpellier, a small city offering numerous sights and attractions, is fairy popular with visitors. To fully embrace Montpellier, a longer visit is better. Most travelers tend to plan one to three days to experience the historic old town, the beaches, the museums and landmarks, and the beautiful scenery. Nevertheless, if your schedule is limited, we can provide some suggestions to maximize your visit.
How to spend a day in Montpellier
The charming atmosphere and history of the old town area is worth exploring, so spend the day learning about the history and culture of the area. Known as L'Écusson the town's old town dates back to the Middle Ages. It is a pedestrian area that is filled with boutiques, restaurants, and churches.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private 2-hour Walking Tour of the Historical Center of Montpellier ($164)
- Highlights of Sète : history, food and wine experience ($177)
Montpellier is known to be such a beautiful destination, so just exploring and taking it all in should be one of the top things to do on your list. With it's long history and beautiful architecture, this is a beautiful town.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Private 2-hour Walking Tour of the Historical Center of Montpellier ($164)
Montpellier is a very walkable city. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble exploring the local sights. Many of the sights and attractions are easily accessible on foot and can be enjoyed as part of a self-guided walking tour.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Montpellier?
A weekend in Montpellier is often considered ideal, as many tourists spend approximately one to three days here. This amount of time is perfect to admire the historic sights, relax at the beach, browse the museums, and admire the wonderful scenery. Further down, you'll find our recommendations to kick off your adventure.
Montpelllier, France
How to spend 2 days in Montpellier
With a weekend (two to three days) in Montpellier, you'll have a bit more time to enjoy everything that the city has to offer.
The beautiful beaches await you in Montpellier, so spend the day (or several, if you can) relaxing on the sand or swimming in the water. The coastline near Montpellier feels pristine and beautiful. You can also visit Villeneuve-lès-Maguelone to the southwest of town, which is a protected area.
A few tour suggestions include:
- 3 Hour Sea Kayak Trip in the Canals of Sete ($55)
- 3 Hour of Sea Kayak Trip in the Creeks of Sete ($55)
- Bike ride to the beaches ($40)
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. The dishes are made with fresh ingredients produced in the agricultural areas just outside of town. The area is known for its seafood and fish stews.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Small-Group Half-Day Châteaux of Montpellier Wine Tour ($85)
- Small-Group Half-Day Languedoc Pic Saint-Loup Wine Tour from Montpellier ($85)
- Small group half day Camargue and rosé wine tour from Montpellier ($83)
Public transit in Montpellier is easy and efficient. In just a few days, you should be able to get around the city quite easily. There are a number of options for getting around town including the tramway, bus, and tourist train.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Montpellier, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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