Where to Stay in Saint-Tropez for First-Timers

a large body of water surrounded by buildings

👉  Jump to:Best Places to Stay in Saint-Tropez |  Neighborhoods & Areas |  Tips |  FAQ

I’ve lived in Paris for ten years, and Saint-Tropez is one of my personal favorite cities in France to visit when I want a getaway. You’ll find fantastic seafood, great shopping, and exciting events in this small French town. 

So where should you stay when you’re visiting Saint-Tropez? Here are my favorite spots in this French Riviera favorite!

Notification: Travel Lemming is an independent reader-supported blog. You can support us by purchasing via the affiliate links on this page, which may earn us commissions. See our Advertising Policy for further explanation. Thank you!

Best Places to Stay in Saint-Tropez

If you are short on time, these hotels are my top picks: 

Next up, let’s do a deep dive into all the top areas and neighborhoods in Saint-Tropez: 

5 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Saint-Tropez

Saint-Tropez is fairly small at around five square miles. Within that area, there are five official quarters. These center around the coastline. The Old Town and northwest Saint-Tropez border the harbor. These are the main centers of activity.

The Old Town

motorcycles are parked in front of a building

👉 Best Area For Shopping | ✨ Best Old Town Hotels: Hotel la Ponche • Hôtel Le Y • Hotel B Lodge

Lovers of luxury shopping will delight in Saint-Tropez’s Old Town. This area has many pedestrian-only roads and is full of designer shops and one-of-a-kind boutiques. The warmly colored architecture lines narrow streets and alleyways. This makes for a picturesque visit.

You will also find excellent restaurants in the area. It’s worth taking a few hours to shop and walk around the Old Town, even if you don’t stay here. However, if you do stay here, the boutique Hôtel Le Y is only 200 meters from the beach and has an outdoor pool.

The densely populated Old Town gets lots of visitors, so it isn’t the best place to stay if you hate crowds. This is particularly true in summer when visitors flock to the city. I found it overwhelming on a Saturday morning during my last trip. 

Pros of Staying in the Old Town:

  • Tons of amenities
  • Beautiful old architecture
  • Great shopping and restaurants

Cons of Staying in the Old Town Neighborhood:

  • Hotels and restaurants can be pricey
  • Hard to drive
  • Very popular with visitors

đź“š The Old Town Mini Guide đź“š
Best Area to Stay for Shopping
Google Map

✨ Best Hotels – Hotel la Ponche • Hôtel Le Y • Hotel B Lodge

🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in the Old Town 

🍽️ Where to Eat – La Part Des Anges ($$$), Chez Clovis ($$), Le Girelier ($$$)

🍸 Where to Drink – Kelly’s Pub la Grotte,O Bar Saint-Tropez

🎟️ Top Attractions – Tour Portalet,Le Brigantin II Boat Tours,Église Paroissiale Notre Dame de l’Assomption

Northwest Saint-Tropez

people walking down a city street

👉 Best Area For First-Timers | ✨ Best Northwest Saint-Tropez Hotels: Hôtel de Paris Saint-Tropez • Hotel des Lices • Lou Cagnard

Northwest Saint-Tropez is a central area that borders the Old Town. Yet, it has a distinctly different feel. It begins at the Place des Lices to the southeast and the harbor to the north. You’ll find museums, shops, the harbor, and other attractions in this district. It’s easy to walk to the Old Town to see the attractions there, then return to see Saint-Tropez from its center. 

The market at the Place des Lices offers a variety of products. I’ve seen everything from locally farmed honey and jams to blue-and-white striped nautical shirts. I recommend paying a visit to the Gendarmerie Nationale museum to learn about the city’s links to cinema.

You won’t have to sacrifice luxury in Northwest Saint-Tropez. The sumptuous Hotel des Lices offers incredible rooms. On the top end, this includes a private villa with three bedrooms and bathrooms. It’s also only a few minutes’ walk from the beach.

Pros of Staying in Northwest Saint-Tropez:

  • Lots of attractions
  • Great luxury hotels
  • Access to the harbor and beaches

Cons of Staying in Northwest Saint-Tropez:

  • Hotels can be pricey
  • Streets can get crowded
  • Parking is difficult to find

đź“š The Northwest Saint-Tropez Mini Guide đź“š
Best Area to Stay for First-Timers
Google Map

✨ Best Hotels – Hôtel de Paris Saint-Tropez • Hotel des Lices • Lou Cagnard

🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Northwest Saint-Tropez

🍽️ Where to Eat – La Pause de Saint Tropez ($$), Hatsuke Saint Tropez ($$$), Le Petit Cabanon ($$)

🍸 Where to Drink – Saint-Tropez Lounge Club,Les Toits Lounge 

🎟️ Top Attractions – Market at Place des Lices,Annonciade Museum,Gendarmerie Nationale

Ramatuelle

a man standing on top of a lush green hillside

👉 Best Area For Relaxation | ✨ Best Ramatuelle Hotels: Hôtel L’Escalet • La Villa d’Andrea

Ramatuelle isn’t in Saint-Tropez proper, but it’s my favorite place to stay in the city. On my last trip, we rented a villa in this semi-rural suburb. Yet, it was only a 13-minute drive into the center of Saint-Tropez!

It’s easy to walk to the beaches from Ramatuelle. The village itself is charming, with several restaurants and shops providing everything you need. 

And despite the luxurious, peaceful surroundings, it can be cheaper to stay here than in Saint-Tropez’s center. La Villa d’Andrea, for example, offers a five-night stay in peak season for less than $1,700 as of the time of this writing. This is far less than you’d pay in the city.

Pros of Staying in Ramatuelle:

  • Beautiful countryside surroundings
  • Short drive to Saint-Tropez’s center
  • Reasonably priced accommodations

Cons of Staying in Ramatuelle:

  • Roads can be narrow and hard to navigate
  • You’ll need a rental car to get around

đź“š Ramatuelle Mini Guide đź“š
Best Area to Stay for Relaxation
Google Map

✨ Best Hotels – Hôtel L’Escalet • La Villa d’Andrea

🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in Ramatuelle

🍽️ Where to Eat – Les Moulins de Ramatuelle ($$), L’Olivier ($$)

🍸 Where to Drink – Cafe De L’Ormeau

🎟️ Top Attractions – Plage de Tahiti,Plage de Pampelonne

South Saint-Tropez

a large tree in front of a large building

👉 Best Area For Sea Views | ✨ Best South Saint-Tropez Hotels: Airelles Château de la Messardière • Villa Cosy • Hotel La Garbine

South Saint-Tropez lies below the Old Town. It begins just south of the Place des Lices. This hilly area is the perfect place to stay when you want great views of the sea but don’t want to stay in the bustle of downtown. This area is far more residential than the Old Town or the neighborhoods around Les Lices. 

Hotels in South Saint-Tropez can provide more options than you’ll find in other parts of the city. At Villa Cosy, for example, the heated swimming pool and private terraces take up more space than many Old Town hotels can offer.

Pros of Staying in South Saint-Tropez:

  • Lovely views of the sea from the hills
  • Easy to walk to downtown
  • Great hotel selection

Cons of Staying in South Saint-Tropez:

  • Restaurants and shops are scarce and far apart
  • You’ll need to walk or drive to most attractions

đź“š South Saint-Tropez Mini Guide đź“š
Best Area to Stay for Sea Views
Google Map

✨ Best Hotels – Airelles Château de la Messardière • Villa Cosy • Hotel La Garbine

🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in South Saint-Tropez

🍽️ Where to Eat – Cucina Byblos($$$)

🍸 Where to Drink – B. at Byblos Lounge Bar Saint-Tropez

🎟️ Top Attractions – Chapelle Sainte-Anne

East Saint-Tropez

a sandy beach next to a body of water

👉 Best Area For Luxury | ✨ Best East Saint-Tropez Hotels: Hôtel La Tartane Saint-Tropez • La Bastide des Salins •  Le Pre de la Mer

East Saint-Tropez is a luxurious area east of the Chemin du Pinet. It’s popular with celebrities and the very wealthy. 

This is especially true near Les Parcs de Saint Tropez, a gated estate full of enormous villas. You’ll see why when you witness the huge houses and beach access in this area. There aren’t a ton of restaurants, bars, or amenities away from the beaches, though. 

Check out the HĂ´tel La Tartane Saint-Tropez if you want to stay in this luxurious setting at a reasonable price. The hotel has an outdoor pool and charming rustic-chic decor. But if you want to live like a celebrity for a day, look for villa rentals between the Plage des Salins and the Bay of Canoubiers.

Pros of Staying in East Saint-Tropez:

  • Luxurious, beautiful buildings
  • Access to famous beaches
  • Tons of green spaces and gardens

Cons of Staying in East Saint-Tropez:

  • Hotels and rentals can be very pricey
  • You’ll need a rental car to navigate easily

đź“š East Saint-Tropez Mini Guide đź“š
Best Area to Stay for Luxury
Google Map

✨ Best Hotels – Hôtel La Tartane Saint-Tropez • La Bastide des Salins •  Le Pre de la Mer

🏠 Apartments – Browse Top Rentals in East Saint-Tropez 

🍽️ Where to Eat – Restaurant @ Hôtel Saint Amour La Tartane ($$$), Ti Camion des Salins ($$$)

🍸 Where to Drink – Club Tropicana

🎟️ Top Attractions – Plage de la Moutte,Château de la Moutte,Brigitte Bardot Statue

Tips for Staying in Saint-Tropez

Bring Money – Or Budget Carefully

a table topped with lots of different types of food

I knew Saint-Tropez had a reputation for being expensive when I went there. Most places on the French Riviera do! But I didn’t realize how expensive it would be even for daily necessities. The honey and jams at the market ran between 16 and 18 euros a jar. That’s $18-19!

Visit During a “Shoulder Season”

I was surprised to find how crowded Saint-Tropez was on a weekend in April. It gets even more crowded during the summer, but winters aren’t usually warm enough to swim. Aim for April-May or September-October for the perfect balance of crowds and access. 

Stay Central or Rent a Car

a car driving down a street next to a crowd of people

Saint-Tropez is a small city, so you may not think you need a car to get around. You don’t if you stay in the Old Town and around Les Lices. Once you get a bit farther afield, it makes sense to rent a car. This is particularly true if you are staying in a nearby village like Ramatuelle. Be sure to brush up on driving in France first. 

đź“š Related Reading: How to Get Around France

Dress in Layers

Saint-Tropez’s gorgeous weather draws visitors from around the world. But it can still get chilly at night. To avoid going back to your accommodations to change before dinner, dress in layers that you can remove or add easily. Read my guide to find out more about packing for France!

👉 Get a free, printable version of my France packing list here! 

Prepare for Crowds

a crowd of people standing around a food truck

If you’re coming to Saint-Tropez any time but in the winter, you’ll find lots of other visitors in the Old Town and near the harbor. It’s easy to stay further afield to avoid them. However, be prepared for lots of people in the summer and on weekends. This is particularly true for popular attractions like the beaches. 

Read my guide on the best time to visit France for more information. 

FAQs

What are the best areas to stay for first-timers?

The best areas to stay in Saint-Tropez for first-timers are Northwest Saint-Tropez or the Old Town.Northwest Saint-Tropez has tons of amenities and is centered around the harbor. Meanwhile, the Old Town has lots of charm and hotels.

What are safe areas to stay in Saint-Tropez?

All of Saint-Tropez’s areas have fairly low crime rates ( Source). The most common crimes by far are theft and burglary. Keep a close eye on your belongings. Violent crimes are rare.

What are the best parts of Saint-Tropez to stay on a budget?

The best parts of Saint-Tropez to stay on a budget are away from the harbor, like the Sainte-Anne neighborhood. However, Saint-Tropez is generally expensive. Consider accommodations just outside the city in nearby villages like Ramatuelle.

What are the best parts of Saint-Tropez to stay for a weekend trip?

The best parts of Saint-Tropez to stay for a weekend are in the Old Town or Les Lices neighborhoods. These contain the main attractions in the city, including beach and harbor access. This way, you won’t lose time commuting.

***

Now that you’ve figured out where to stay during your Saint-Tropez trip, why not check out other areas? Check out my list of my favorite towns in France next!

Leave a Comment

about me

ComfyUI_00005_

Welcome to my travel website! I’m Mary Howard, an American who has been exploring the world full-time for 8 years.

Together with my husband, Intan, we often find ourselves in our second home, Bali, but our adventures take us to exciting destinations all over the globe.

Join us on our journey!

Search