travel in nice

The Perfect 2 to 3 Days in Nice Itinerary

Last Updated on February 5, 2024

by Neota Langley

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. That means if you click a link and make a purchase, we may make a small commission. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, see our privacy policy.

Planning a 2 or 3 days in Nice itinerary is a wonderful experience when you consider all there is do in this beautiful city. The gem of the French Riviera , Nice is a vibrant beachfront city with bags of culture around every corner. Just a few kilometres away from Italy and Monaco , Nice is infused with its very own distinctive Mediterranean atmosphere.

France’s 5th largest city is packed full of charm, with a warren of narrow streets and bustling markets to explore. The beating heart of the Cotes d’Azur, Nice is a year-round destination, so grab your sunglasses and unwind to the sound of the lapping waves whilst sampling some of the finest regional Niçoise cuisine.

Table of Contents

How Many Days In Nice?

Known for its gorgeous beaches, vibrant nightlife, and rich cultural history, you may be wondering how many days to spend in Nice to make the most of this Mediterranean city.

You will need to spend a minimum of 2 days in Nice which will allow plenty of time to visit the city’s main attractions as well as discovering some hidden gems along the way.

However, why not enjoy Nice in 3 days? If you are lucky enough to have a full 3 days to spend in Nice, you could also take a day trip to visit some of the unique neighbouring towns and villages along the French Riviera .

You may even want to take a day trip to nearby Cannes , famous for the annual Cannes Film Festival. 

Getting To & Around Nice

Getting to Nice is relatively straightforward, thanks to its excellent transport links. The Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is located just a few kilometres from the city centre.

This airport offers a wide range of domestic and international flights all over the world. From the Nice airport, you can take either a taxi, bus, train or private transfer directly into the heart of the city. 

For those arriving by train, Nice is well connected to other parts of France and Europe. Gare de Nice-Ville is the city’s main train station, located in the heart of the city with regular services to cities such as Paris and Marseille .

There are also high-speed trains that can take you to a variety of major cities across Europe. You can view train schedules here.

Nice has an extensive bus and tram network that makes it easy to get around the city and covers all of the main attractions. Tickets can be purchased at ticket machines or directly from the driver as you board. If public transport isn’t your thing, you will also find several taxi companies including Uber, operating in and around the city.

Nice is a fairly compact city so you can walk from one corner to the other without much trouble. For example, the Old Town to the train station is only a 20-minute walk.

There is no need to hire a car to make the most out of your time in Nice. If you are travelling with a vehicle, there are several park-and-ride car parks along the tram route where you can leave your car for free whilst you explore.

2 to 3-Day Nice Itinerary

Nice is a vibrant and colourful city in the South of France that offers a perfect blend of French and Mediterranean culture. With its stunning seafront location, charming Old Town, and beautiful parks and gardens, Nice is a city that is full of surprises.

Whether you have 2 or 3 days in Nice, you’ll be able to soak in the must see sights as well as discovering some of the city’s hidden gems.

Day 1 – Promenade des Anglais & Vieux Nice

Promenade des anglais.

Start your first day by taking a leisurely stroll along the iconic Promenade des Anglais.

One of the most famous seafronts in the world, this iconic 7km-long promenade runs along the stunning Mediterranean coastline and the Nice Port and is lined with towering palm trees, grand hotels, and blossoming gardens. Take in the breathtaking views of the glistening azure sea, whilst you soak up the city’s history and architecture.

Walking not your thing? Nice offers a cheap bike hire called Velo Bleu — simply take a bike from one of the many stations throughout the city and return it when you are finished.

Whether you’re looking to go for a walk, a morning jog, enjoy a bike ride, or simply sit and enjoy the views, visiting and strolling along the Promenade des Anglais is one of the most essential things to do in Nice.

Cours Saleya

After your morning stroll, head into the Old Town of Nice (Vieux Nice), a charming and picturesque district with narrow streets and colourful buildings. Explore the Cours Saleya Market, a vibrant hub of activity, with an array of market stalls selling everything from fresh produce to handcrafted souvenirs and antiques. You can also organise a walking tour or food tour here.

For lunch, why not sample a Socca, a pancake made from chickpea flour that is a popular local specialty –  the best Socca stall at the market is Chez Theresa, they use traditional recipes passed down through the generations since 1925 to make delicious Socca.

Cours Saleya is also home to the famous Nice Flower Market, which is open every day except Monday. Here, you can find a dazzling display of flowers and plants, including local blooms such as mimosa, lavender, and sunflowers.

The market is a sensory feast, with the aroma of fresh produce and flowers filling the air. Whether you’re looking for a souvenir, a taste of local produce, or simply an opportunity to soak up the atmosphere of this lively square, Cours Saleya is an essential part of your itinerary for Nice and a lovely place to visit. 

Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art 

A must-visit destination for art lovers, The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (or MAMAC for short) showcases a diverse range of modern and contemporary art. The museum includes works by artists such as Yves Klein, Roy Lichtenstein, and Andy Warhol.

A work of art in itself, the museum is a striking modernist design that includes a glass and steel façade. Take in the stunning views of the city and the surrounding landscape alongside the world-class art exhibitions inside.

Russian Orthodox Cathedral

Perhaps one of Nice’s best-kept secrets, hidden off the beaten path, the Russian Orthodox Cathedral is the largest Orthodox cathedral in Europe.

As you round the corner this spectacular cathedral will stop you in your tracks, with six golden cupolas topped by golden crosses, this stunning ecclesiastical building stands out among the traditional Hausmmannian architecture you typically find in and around Nice.

Don’t miss the exquisite iconostasis surrounding the choir, made in Russia by the famous Khlebnikoff workshops. You can enter the cathedral free of charge and the detour from the city centre is well worth doing. If you don’t want to walk, the nearest bus stop is Parc Impérial / Gambetta.

Place Rossetti

Weave your way back through the old town to spend your evening in the Place Rossetti. An evening here is a magical experience, with its beautiful architecture, lively atmosphere, and charming restaurants and cafes.

The bustling square is particularly enchanting when illuminated at night, with street performers and other entertainers putting on shows throughout the evening and the Nice Cathedral overlooking it. Why not try some traditional regional Niçoise cuisine?

The Rossettisserie is an excellent restaurant if you want to try homely regional delights. Try the daube, a rich beef stew, or the salade Niçoise, a classic dish of fresh vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, and tuna. Nice’s cuisine pairs simplicity with excellent local ingredients. 

Day 2 – Musée Matisse, Cimiez & Castle Hill

Musée matisse.

Start your second day in Nice with a visit to the Musée Matisse, dedicated to the life and work of the famous French painter, Henri Matisse.

The museum is home to an impressive collection of Matisse’s original paintings, drawings, and sculptures as well as documents that give you a closer look into his life and inspiration.

Perched on Cimiez Hill, the museum is located in a beautiful 17th-century villa that was also once Matisse’s home.

Cimiez 

As you leave the museum, take a moment to explore the rest of Cimiez Hill. The Cimiez Monastery, Gardens and Museum of Archaeology are located a stone’s throw from the Musée Matisse.

Built in 1989, The Museum of Archaeology was inaugurated on the site of the remains of the ancient Roman city of Cemenelum. You can find a wide range of artefacts, archaeological evidence of the ancient history of Nice as well as ancient collections from other sites. 

The gardens are the real highlight, a former vegetable garden and orchard with its central well and pergolas completely covered with climbing roses. The paths are dotted with a variety of citrus fruit trees but don’t forget to wander through the vast olives groves that face the monastery.

Made up of thousands of olive trees more than 100 years old. Below lies a small, cosy terrace with a traditional fountain and pools. Enjoy a breathtaking view of Nice and the Paillon valley all the way down to the Mediterranean Sea. 

You could also opt to visit the Marc Chagall National Museum, which is filled with artwork by the eponymous Russian-born French painter.

Castle Hill

Despite the absence of the castle, the hilltop it once occupied remains one of Nice’s most popular destinations.

There are plenty of hiking trails to explore, with the grandest panoramic views over the city, its bay and the coast beyond. On a clear day you can even see whispers of the French Alps in the distance.

Castle Hill is best experienced at sunset when the scenery is at its most spectacular. For a romantic evening, pack a picnic and spend time atop the hill as day turns to night. 

Hotel Negresco 

As you come to the end of your 2nd day in Nice, it’s time to walk in the footsteps of celebrities and even royalty and head to the Hotel Negresco . This magnificent belle-époque building, standing proud on the Promenade des Anglais is instantly recognisable by its pink domed roof. 

Over a century ago, Le Negresco first welcomed guests through its grand doors and it soon became renowned for its unmistakably French art de vivre – and it is certainly one of the more upmarket places to stay in Nice.

Established in 1912 by Henri Negresco, the hotel changed ownership in 1957, when it was acquired by Madame Jeanne Augier. It was under her ownership that the hotel underwent a lavish transformation, with opulent decor and furnishings that continue to enchant guests to this day.

Now classified as a historical monument, you can indulge in a drink indoors or on the terrace and bask in the sophisticated atmosphere. The prices may be high but it’s definitely worth the splurge to embrace yourself in some of the glamour of the 60s Riviera.

If you only have 2 days or a weekend in Nice, this is the perfect way to round off your trip.

Day 3 – Antibes

If you have a full 3 days, why not take a day trip from Nice to the nearby town of Antibes, located just 20 kilometres west of the city?

Antibes is a charming town, typical of the French Riviera. Known for its beautiful beaches and culture, taking 1 day out of your Nice itinerary gives you the perfect amount of time to explore this beautiful town.

Antibes is easily accessible from Nice by either train or bus. Trains depart regularly from Nice’s main train station, Gare de Nice-Ville, and take just 20 minutes.

The bus to Antibes will take a little longer, between 30-40 minutes in total. You can also book a full-day tour that includes Antibes and some other spots on the French Riveria.

Marché Provençal

Start your morning in Antibes with a visit to the Marché Provençal, a bustling market perfectly representing the region of Provence , full of exotic sights and smells. Fresh meats, cheeses and vegetables alongside handmade crafts. The perfect place to pick up a souvenir to take home.

Enjoy a leisurely breakfast of croissants and coffee at one of the cafes in the market square.

Musée Picasso

One of the must-see attractions in Antibes is the Musée Picasso, a museum housed in a breathtaking chateau overlooking the sea. In 1946, the iconic artist Pablo Picasso spent a delightful year in Antibes, where he utilised the second floor of this magnificent chateau as his workshop.

At the end of his stay, he gifted several significant works to the city, including 44 drawings and 23 paintings, some of which are now among his most celebrated pieces. During his time in Antibes, Picasso experimented with a limited palette of only 12 colours, using the same paint that the local fishermen employed on their boats!

Visitors can admire the masterpieces he created during his stay and gain a deeper understanding of the artist’s creative process and the inspiration he found in the stunning surroundings of Antibes.

La Gravette

For lunch, head to La Gravette, a small beach just a short walk from the museum. Discreetly tucked away behind the mediaeval ramparts at the end of the port, this beach is perhaps the most beautiful beach in Antibes.

With its wide open sandy shores, La Gravette is the perfect spot to relax and take a dip in the crystal clear waters of the Mediterranean Sea.

Feeling peckish? Grab a table at one of the many seafood restaurants that line the shorefront and enjoy a delicious meal of locally caught grilled fish and crisp white wine. 

Cap d’Antibes

Finish off your day trip with a visit to the Cap d’Antibes, a picturesque peninsula complete with hidden coves and a lighthouse. You can walk the entire peninsula in 1.5 hours but make sure you are wearing suitable footwear as the path can be rocky in places.

Cap d’Antibes is the perfect place to enjoy the sunset before you head back into Nice.

Where to Stay in Nice

Nice Garden Hotel – A comfortable mid-range hotel located in the centre of Nice, this is a great option. They offer single, double and triple rooms along with a lovely garden so its great for everyone from single travellers to families.

Palais Saleya Boutique hôtel – A modern hotel at the entrance to the old town, this is an excellent luxe option in Nice. There are several chic rooms along with some apartments and an airport shuttle available to guests.

Aparthotel AMMI Vieux Nice – With a great location in the centre of Nice, this aparthotel offers several pet-friendly studios along with daily breakfast and other amenities.

Hostel Meyerbeer Beach – With plenty of dorm and private, this highly-rated hostel is a good choice for those on a tight budget in France . There are also excellent common areas, a cafe and a fantastic location.

Not quite what you’re looking for? Click here to browse more Nice hotels!

Whether you discover the delights of Nice in 2 days or spend an extra day exploring more of the Cotes d’Azur, we hope you use this itinerary to make the most of this magnificent Mediterranean city. 

Are you planning a trip to Nice? Have any questions about this itinerary? Let us know in the comments!

Related Posts:

One Day in Biarritz Itinerary: Day Trip from San Sebastian

10 Best Places to Stay in the French Riviera

The Perfect 1, 2 or 3 Days in Avignon Itinerary

About Neota Langley

Neota is a writer for The World Was Here First. Born and bred in Cornwall, she can usually be found with hiking boots on, ready to embark on an adventure. For the last 6 years, she has travelled throughout Europe in her self-built campervan with her trusty canine companion, Ivy. She loves exploring France, the Nordics and spending time in Alpine destinations.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

France Travel Blog

Nice Travel Guide

Nice offers a perfect blend of a thrilling seaside resort and the richness of a cosmopolitan European city. And if you are looking to experience the distinct blissfulness of the French Riviera, a vacation to its biggest city, Nice is primed for it all.

Boasting of a mild Mediterranean climate, a colorful culture, a vivacious Old Town district, and a flawless shoreline strip of terrific hotels. This Southeastern French city has been a popular travel destination since the 18th century. And though soft, Nice’s intense light, captivating architectural structures, and fanciful market centers have long been appealing to artists from all over the world. Artists like Matisse and Chagall have witnessed Nice’s artistic glory. As an art and history buff, the city will spoil you for choices as no other French city have more museums.

Nice is a big air transportation hub in Europe. Many low-cost airlines offer flights to the Côte d’Azur (the French part of Riviera) airport from London, Paris, and other places. Fast rail service also operates from Paris to Nice. The city’s public transportation is a tram system, transit service, and ferry service. From budget hotels to deluxe-class seaside resorts, there is a vast range of hotel accommodation available in and around Nice. 

Despite its strong historical profile that dates back to the 4th century BC, modernism is apparently not lost on it at all. There have been efforts to modernize the city’s infrastructure.

Here is a Detailed Travel Guide in this Blog for your Stay in Nice:

Best time to visit nice.

Nice, like most cities in the Mediterranean, experiences warm weather almost year-round with average temperature reaching 80s°F (around 26°C )  in the summer and as low as 40s°F (around 5°C )  in the winter. As such, spring is an excellent time to visit Nice and the Côte d’Azur. The best time to visit will be in late spring and early summer to enjoy Nice. 

Getting Around

You will find many shuttle buses and local bus services to Nice and other Riviera cities, and expensive cabs, to convey you to into the city when you arrive. Traveling by rail, be informed that Nice has three stations, but you will probably arrive in the main terminal at Nice Ville. It is expected that you will be only a few blocks north of the coastline.

In addition, are there many connections from Nice Railway station to other cities in France and to neighboring Italy too. The city’s bus system is called the  Lignes d’Azur , which works, in the city and also to and from the airport and other close towns. The system controls about 130 bus routes in the 49 municipalities that consist of the entire Métropole Nice Côte d’Azur area. 

You can buy a single ticket for a journey, which allows changes within 74 minutes for 1.50 euros. There are many other great value tickets for various lengths of stay. Nothing beats seeing the beautiful landscape of Nice while strolling the city on foot or in a car. As such, you can rent a car to cruise. However, it is good to check with your hotel if they have parking plans for guests and the costs too. 

Parking in Nice can be a challenging task. In the case that you are in Nice from another part of the country by far, consider leaving the car at one of the 5’Parc relais’ or stopover car parks outside the center. It is free to use. 

>> How To Get From Paris To Nice

Tourist Attractions

Cours saleya flower market ( marché aux fleurs cours saleya ).

Take a trip to the Cours Selaya for some fantastic culinary experience. This center is one of the major areas for dining, with restaurants, cafes, and bars all spread throughout the market. The open-air market center that used to be a park for the city’s richest people is shaded by trees and surrounded by 18th-century buildings. Many of these structures now house pubs and restaurants serving Niçois cuisine. At the end of Cours Selaya on Mondays, you will see antiques and collectibles been sold. For seafood lovers, here would particularly be an exciting spot to take on for the brilliant cuisines they would find. 

Place Massena

This is the cultural hub of Nice, and it is the city’s largest square and the primary gathering place for events and seasonal festivals. 17th-century architecture is ubiquitous in Place Massena, and it connects with Lyon’s commercial district. Also, you will find an art installation whose pieces are made up of sculptures on top of tall pillars scattered around the plaza. There is also a grand fountain that bears an Apollo statue- the square’s centerpiece. 

Promenade des Anglais

This is a seaside boardwalk that spans along the Baie des Anges was established by the British tourists who first popularized Nice as a vacation destination in the early 18th century. Lined with beach cabanas, cafes, and premium hotels, and palm trees, this area is one of the most well-known seaside promenades you will find on the Mediterranean. Though pricey, the seaside private restaurants/beach is a wonder you must not miss. You can also rent a chaise lounge a few feet from the shore, and let waiters serve you lunch and drinks. Your Riviera experience would not be whole until you completely take a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais.

>> Hotels Near Promenade des Anglais in Nice >> Is Nice Worth Visiting?

Vieux Nice (Nice’s Old Town)

Also known as Old Nice, Vieux Nice is next to the Cours Selaya Flower market. It has narrow streets to can walk while you discover gratifying shopping, dining, and some of Nice’s hippest bars. It spans from the foot of Castle Hill to the Place Massena, which is the city’s main square. Vieux Nice is very much marked with wide promenades, while the medieval quarter reminds of the time when the city was allied with Italian states. It is still one of the best places to taste Nice’s Niçois-style pizzas and pastries. As attractive as this destination is, be careful not to go alone, especially late in the day. Vieux Nice has dark alleys that can be covered for thieves and questionable characters.

Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain

Established in 1990, the museum of modern and contemporary art was built by architects Yves Bayard and Henri Vidal. It has four towers faced in Carrara marble from quarries in Carrara, an Italian town. The museum’s vast collection consists of a sample of the 60s and 70s fine arts that include minimalists, American abstracts, pop art, and new realism. More imposing works on display are by Nice native, Yves Klein, of the Nouveaux Réalistes movement. The museum shows his work in a room and on the roof terrace; a point that gives captivating views of the beautiful city. 

Cathédrale Orthodoxe Russe Saint-Nicolas

Built during the reign of Russia’s Tsar Nicholas, the Cathédrale Orthodoxe Russe Saint-Nicolas is said to be one of the most stunning Orthodox churches outside of Russia. The style is inspired by the Moscow’s own and has an incredibly decorated interior that comes in murals, carved woodwork, and ornamental icons. It is a virtual jewel box that has historical and religious objects. These were brought to France from Russia during a previous period of crisis. 

Tourists are allowed to see the structure and worship but are expected to abide by some rules. For example, men are not permitted in bare-chested or in shorts. And for women, miniskirts and shorts are not allowed, and shoulders are expected to be covered. A head covering is also preferred. So be prepared before you set out to visit the cathedral.

Parc de la Colline du Château (Castle Hill Park)

High above the Nice coastline, where the Castle Hill Park rests today was the first place to be inhabited by the Greeks about two thousand years ago. It used to be seen as unconquerable until King Louis XIV destroyed it in 1706. The city designed into a modern park today, and a charmingly simple site. It is a place you should visit for its shady trees, a pleasant oasis of greenery, and rushing waterfalls. 

Visitors can enjoy a leisurely stroll and take in the magnificent park views at the Castle Hill. And while having a great time at the park, you can always visit some great restaurants around where you can grab some bite. Other places worth checking out are boutiques and the ruins of two old churches. The Castle Hill Park is lit up with special lighting effects every night. Tourists and other visitors can arrive at the park by foot from the Old Town of Nice or take an Art-Deco lift or escalator from Place Garibaldi. 

>> Is Nice Safe?

How to Maximize your Stay in Nice

While it is about preference, an organized tour is a way to make the most of your stay in the city as you immerse yourself in its culture; without worrying about finding your way around. Indulging in tour agencies has many other benefits too. You get to save time because some of these tourist outfits include convenient pickup and drop-off at your hotel. Here are some tips for enjoying Nice at affordable prices:

Navigate the popular sites

As earlier mentioned, tours are great ways to see scintillating places in Nice. Tours would stop at top cultural attractions like Promenade des Anglais, the Musee d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain, the Russian Orthodox Church, and the Place Garibaldi. Tours also allow experiencing areas of the city that are usually difficult for tourists to add to their itinerary. 

Cycle around the city

You will hardly miss the great scenery on Nice’s streets when you go biking to take on the town. A three-hour trip around would be great as you see locals go hustling and bustling and of course, see the magnificence of the city. Even if you go solo, other tourist cyclists you will meet on the road will also be having an exciting time. 

Medieval hilltop towns and the glitzes of Cannes and Monaco are only a short trip from Nice, and a day trip tour is a perfect way to see them all. In the mountainous town of Eze, you can check out the excellent local perfumery and relish the breathtaking view of French Riviera. In enticing Monte Carlo, you can navigate the old town and see the palace as well as other top sites.

>> Day Trips From Nice >>

Where To Stay In Nice

Hotels are plenty in Nice for the comfort and luxury of visitors and locals alike. Nothing beats the feeling of having a proper rest after a long day of adventure. Indeed, a good Nice hotel will have comfort, tranquility, and the gratifyingly luscious cuisine to go with the calm. 

Hotel Windsor is a short walk to the beach. Walled with distinct murals, its rooms are gorgeously decorated by brilliant artists. Try to request a room with a balcony. The hotel Negresco is another excellent hotel, and it is probably the city’s most famous one. Magisterial around the Promenade des Anglais and the curving beach of La Baie des Anges, the ambiance of this impressive hotel is what every tourist should experience. And the great thing is, you won’t have to spend a fortune to book a room there. 

Its well-known cocktail bar allures the young people with DJ sets, live jazz and Latino bands performance at night. Even the bar staff make lovely cocktails, like the royal Negresco, with champagne, kirsch and raspberry juice. With a swelling number of hotels in Nice, you have lots to choose from.

>> Best Hostels in Nice , Hotels Near Promenade des Anglais in Nice

Is there anything you would add to this Nice Travel Guide? Leave your comments below.

>>Read: Things To Do In Nice

Peter is the editor of France Travel Blog. He has traveled to France many times and is ready to share the knowledge in this travel guide for France.

Related Posts

A Memorable Trip to Nice: Exploring the Gem of the French Riviera

Lyon Travel Guide

Gordes Travel Guide: Tips for Visiting Gordes

When Does Lavender Bloom in Provence?

Recent posts.

• Get Amazing Hotel in New York – Your Guide to Exclusive Deals
• The Gorges du Verdon: A Scenic Road Trip In Southern France
• Marseille Unveiled: Immerse Yourself in the Charm of the Mediterranean with a Captivating City Break
• A Beginner’s Guide to Road Cycling
• 5 Things to Look for When Buying Digital Cameras
• Entertainment
• Things To Do
• Travel Guides
• Travel Ideas

Social Links

Is Paris Expensive?

11 Best Ways to Celebrate Christmas in Paris

Best Beaches Near Marseille

What is Mont Blanc Famous For?

Is Toulon Worth Visiting?

Hit enter to search or ESC to close.

3 Days in Nice, France: ULTIMATE Nice Itinerary for First-Timers

Are you heading to the French Riverira soon and trying to figure out how to spend 3 days in Nice?

Situated along the Mediterranean, Nice is a destination that blends history, culture, and natural beauty together. I was lucky enough to spend time in Nice with my French family and got to experience this city from a local’s perspective. Now, I am sharing all the details on how to spend 3 perfect days in Nice!

In this guide, I’ll cover exactly how I recommend spending 3 days in Nice for first-time visitors. I’ll also cover all the important details you need to know before visiting Nice! This includes when to visit, where to stay, how to get around, and other frequently asked questions!

So whether you’re heading to Nice to immerse yourself in local French culture or just lay on the beach, this 3-day Nice itinerary will help you plan a fabulous trip!

Note: This post contains affiliate links. If you click an affiliate link or book through an affiliate program, I receive a small commission at no cost to you! 

The Best 3-Day Nice Itinerary and Guide for First-Timers: How to Spend 3 Days in Nice

Ahhh, Nice, where the sun kisses the turquoise Mediterranean Sea! Located along the famous French Riviera, Nice stands as one of the most beautiful and classy cities in the region. Nice is known best for its dazzling surroundings, beautiful beaches, and local charm.

Before we get into exactly how to spend 3 days in Nice, let’s cover some important topics like why you should visit Nice, where to stay in Nice, and more!

Why Should You Visit Nice? 

Whether you’re interested in art, culture, or soaking in the atmosphere, Nice has something for everyone to enjoy. Here’s a quick overview of the different things to do and see in Nice!

Beaches : Nice has many beautiful beaches with clear blue water, perfect for tanning, swimming, and relaxing by the Mediterranean Sea. This is the top reason people come to Nice!

History & Culture : Old Town (Vieux Nice) offers a glimpse into the city’s history and culture and makes for an incredible day of sightseeing. Here you’ll find palaces, churches, and historic squares!

Promenade des Anglais : The famous Promenade des Anglais is lined with palm trees and stunning views of the sea, making it a perfect spot for a romantic evening walk or a scenic bike ride.

Delicious Food : Taste the flavors of Provencal with fresh seafood, Mediterranean vegetables, and specialties like socca (chickpea pancake) and salade niçoise (tuna salad), paired with wines and pastries, obviously. 

Markets : Experience the Cours Saleya market, where you can sample fresh produce, flowers, spices, and artisanal products in a local environment!

Art & Museums : Discover the city’s artistic side with visits to museums showcasing masterpieces by artists against the backdrop of the French Riviera.

Day Trips : Explore popular villages and cities outside of Nice such as Èze, Antibes, Monaco, and Cannes. Nice is the perfect home base to embark on day trips to other areas along the French Riviera.

How Many Days Do You Need in Nice? 

You might be wondering how many days you need to spend in Nice to really experience all it has to offer.

For a simple exploration of Nice, 3 days is the perfect amount of time. This allows you to experience the city’s main attractions, eat the best local dishes, and soak up the atmosphere without feeling rushed. 

However, depending on your travel preferences and personal interests, you can certainly extend your stay to 5 or 7 days in order to see even more of Nice and its surrounding areas.

This additional time allows for more leisurely exploration, a few day trips, and a deeper look into the local lifestyle. Whichever you decide, Nice promises a memorable experience filled with French Riviera flair.

P.S. If you plan on extending your trip or starting your journey in Paris, make sure to check out my blog posts about the City of Love, like How to Spend 3 Days in Paris and 10 Things to Know Before Visiting Paris!

When is the Best Month to Visit Nice?

Thanks to its southern location along the French coastline, Nice is always a good idea! In my opinion, the best time to visit Nice, France, is generally during late spring (May) or early fall (September to October).

During these times, the weather is mild and pleasant, with temperatures ranging from comfortable to warm, making it ideal for outdoor activities such as sightseeing, beach-going, and exploring the city. 

Additionally, tourists and crowds are typically smaller compared to the peak summer months. Plus, you will find better deals on accommodations and activities during the shoulder seasons. 

If you are looking for the warmest temperatures and don’t mind the crowds, summer is still stunning in Nice! However, you can expect busy restaurants and higher hotel prices. This is especially true in the month of August when many Europeans take their long summer vacation!

How to Get to Nice

Getting to Nice couldn’t be easier! Your mode of transportation to Nice will depend on where you are traveling from . Here are some of the most popular and convenient ways to reach Nice!

By Plane : Nice Côte d’Azur Airport ( NCE ) is the main airport serving Nice. It offers numerous flights from major cities across Europe and beyond. From the airport, you can easily reach the city center by taking a taxi, bus, or tram.

By Train : Nice is well-connected to other cities in France and Europe by train. The city’s main train station is Nice-Ville , which is located in the city center and offers both domestic and international services. 

By Car : Nice is easily accessible by car. If you’re driving from within France or neighboring countries, you can follow the A8 autoroute , which connects Nice to cities like Marseille, Lyon, and Paris. Keep in mind that traffic can be heavy during peak travel times.

By Bus : Several bus companies operate services to Nice from various European cities. Eurolines and FlixBus are two popular options offering affordable and comfortable travel to Nice.

By Boat : If you’re coming from Corsica or Sardinia, you can also reach Nice by ferry. There are regular ferry services from the ports of Bastia and Ajaccio in Corsica, as well as from Porto Torres in Sardinia.

Where to Stay in Nice

Finding accommodation in Nice is easy, as there are a variety of neighborhoods and lodging options to choose from. Depending on the reason for your trip, personal preferences, and your itinerary, some locations and lodging options are likely better suited than others.

Below is an overview of different areas around the city, as well as a map with booking options!

Old Town (Vieux Nice): Known for its narrow streets, colorful buildings, and lovely atmosphere, Old Town is a popular choice for tourists. Here, you’ll find boutique hotels , guesthouses, and apartments tucked away in historic buildings. This area is ideal for those who want to be close to the beach, restaurants, and nightlife.

Promenade des Anglais : Stretching along the seafront, the Promenade des Anglais offers views of the Mediterranean Sea. This area is home to a variety of hotels, like the famous Le Negresco and Hotel Le Royal . Staying here puts you within walking distance of the beach and allows for easy access to attractions.

Port area : Le Port is a neighborhood known for its nightlife, trendy bars, and seafood restaurants. Here, you’ll find a mix of hotels, hostels, and vacation rentals catering to different budgets. Staying in this area offers a taste of local life and easy access to the port. 

Gare de Nice-Ville: If you’re looking for budget-friendly accommodation and convenient access to transportation, consider staying near the Nice Ville train station. This area offers a range of budget hotels, hostels, and guesthouses, making it a practical choice for money-conscious travelers.

3 Days in Nice: A Detailed Itinerary

Now that we’ve covered all the basics, let’s get into exactly how to spend 3 days in Nice. Of course, you can alter the activities or re-arrange the days in this 3 day Nice itinerary to suit your travel style and preferences!

Day 1: Market, Castle, and Old Town 

Today is the first of your 3 days in Nice! After arriving in Nice and dropping off your bags at the hotel, it’s time to start exploring!

Start your day with a visit to the Cours Saleya market . Here, you can browse through the many stalls that sell fresh produce, flowers, and local treats . Don’t miss trying some socca , a traditional chickpea pancake.

Once you’re done at the market, make your way to the Colline du Château, a gorgeous park that sits between the port and the Promenade des Anglais . After a quick climb up some stairs (or you can take the elevator), you’ll be greeted with incredible views of the Nice coastline!!

After you’re done relaxing at the park, you can head back down and continue strolling along the famous Promenade des Anglais. Grab a late lunch or drinks along the beach and enjoy the views!

In the evening, I recommend wandering through the streets of Vieux Nice (Old Town). Here, you can explore the narrow alleys, colorful buildings, and lively atmosphere. To finish off your day, grab dinner at a local restaurant to savor some authentic Niçois cuisine. 

Day 2: Cultural and Architectural Delights + Beach

Begin your second day in Nice with a visit to the Russian Orthodox Cathedral , also known as St. Nicholas. Recognized as a national monument of France, this cathedral stands out as a unique piece of architecture in Nice!

Next, head to the Marc Chagall National Museum to see the works of artist Marc Chagall. Here, you can explore the collection of his masterpieces, including his captivating biblical paintings.

If museums and churches aren’t your thing, I highly recommend taking a free walking tour of Nice instead! This is a great way to learn more about the city from a local.

Or, consider doing a perfume making workshop ! You can do this right in Nice or travel to Grasse, the perfume capital of the world!

In the afternoon, it’s time to hit the beach! There are many miles of Nice coastline. However, the most popular beaches in Nice are those right along the promenade like Plage des Ponchettes and Plage Beau Rivage Beach . You can keep walking until you find one that tickles your fancy!

However, if you are looking for sandy beaches, you’ll need to head outside of Nice to a nearby town like Villefranche. All of the beaches in Nice are made of pebbles!

Once you’re done at the beach, enjoy a sunset walk along the Promenade des Anglais or do some shopping at the boutiques along the waterfront. End your day with a dinner overlooking the sea!

Day 3: Eze and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

On your last day in Nice, I recommend taking a quick day trip to the nearby village of Èze ! Perched high above the sea, this tiny village dates back to the Middle Ages! It’s a quick 20-minute drive or 14-minute train ride from Nice.

Spend your morning exploring the enchanting, windy streets , visiting the gardens, and enjoying views of the French Riviera. There are places to grab lunch in Èze, but if you have a car, I recommend making a pit stop on the way back to Nice in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

The port of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is so picturesque, and there are plenty of places along the waterfront to enjoy a delicious, relaxing lunch.

As you make your way back to Nice, head towards Le Port! Here, you can grab a cocktail or beer at one of the many local bars. Spend time wandering around the marina and admiring the beautiful sailboats!

In the evening, make your way to Le Reserve Beach , a local swimming spot!

I highly recommend grabbing dinner at the luxurious Le Plongeoir . This restaurant is perched on a rocky outcrop in the middle of the sea. It’s an incredible place to watch the sunset! Just make sure to grab a reservation in advance!

Bonus Day: Day Trip to Monaco

If you’ve got an extra day to spend in Nice, or this itinerary just feels a little slow-paced for you, I highly recommend taking a day trip to Monaco during your time in Nice! Monaco is actually its own country, but it’s small enough to explore in one day!

And, it’s only 30 minutes away from Nice! You can visit by car, by train, by boat, or by organized tour! You can read more about the different options in my Nice to Monaco Day Trip Guide .

If I go back to Nice, I will definitely be booking this boat tour to Monaco – it looks breathtaking!

Other FAQ About Visiting Nice 

Before we wrap up this 3-Day Nice Itinerary, here are other tips to help finalize the details of your trip!

How do I get from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport to the city center?

To get from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport to the city center, you can take the tram, bus, taxi, or airport shuttle . The most convenient option is the tram, which connects directly to the city center and runs frequently. Alternatively, buses and taxis are readily available outside the airport terminal.

What are some recommended day trips from Nice?

Some recommended day trips include visiting the village of Eze, exploring Cannes, or taking a drive along the French Riviera coastline. Additionally, you can visit famous Monte Carlo casino in Monaco, venture into the countryside of Provence, or explore Calanques National Park near Marseille.

Is it safe to swim in the sea in Nice?

Yes, it is generally safe to swim in the sea in Nice. However, it’s always a good idea to check for any local warnings beforehand.

What are some popular local dishes to try in Nice?

Some popular local dishes to try during your 3 days in Nice include Salade Niçoise, Socca, Fougasse, Bouillabaisse, and Pissaladière. 

Are there any precautions I should take regarding pickpocketing or scams?

While Nice is generally safe, tourists can sometimes be subject to pickpocketing. Make sure to be aware of your surroundings and your belongings at all times!

How do I get around Nice?

Like most European cities, Nice has an excellent public transportation system! The tram is the most popular method, with 3 different lines serving the entire city at a low cost. This post dives into exactly how to use the tram!

Final Thoughts

That wraps up my guide on how to spend 3 days in Nice, France! As you can see, Nice is so much more than beautiful beaches and picturesque views. It’s the perfect addition to a week-long French adventure!

In my opinion, 3 days is the perfect amount of time in Nice to be able to see all the main sites. If you have more time in the French Riviera, consider adding a few other day trips onto this Nice itinerary. My top picks are a day trip from Nice to Monaco or a visit to Calanques National Park!

And if you are planning a broader trip to France, make sure to check out my 7 Day France Itinerary !

Don’t forget to pin this post for future planning!

Similar Posts

19 AMAZING Things to Do in Paris at Night!

Are you planning a trip to Paris and wondering what there is to do at night in the City…

A Perfect Packing List for Paris for Every Season!

Are you planning a trip to Paris and wondering what to include on your packing list? In my opinion,…

How Many Days in Santorini? 1, 2, and 3-Day Itineraries

Are you planning a trip to the islands of Greece and wondering how many days in Santorini you need?…

The Best Munich Itinerary for First Timers: One Week in Bavaria!

Welcome to my 7 day Munich itinerary! Munich, or München in German, is the capital city of the state of Bavaria….

The ULTIMATE One Week Greece Island Hopping Itinerary

Are you planning an island-hopping itinerary around Greece? Visiting Greece has always been on my bucket list! And after…

15 Photos to Inspire You to Visit the Greek Islands

Here are 15 photos to inspire you to visit the Greek Islands! In my opinion, a visit to the…

One Comment

• Pingback: Day Trip from Nice to Monaco: Perfect One-Day Monaco Itinerary - Adventures by Lana

Comments are closed.

Europe Chevron

France Chevron

Nice Chevron

An Essential Guide to Nice, Europe’s Original Resort Town 

All products featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. However, when you buy something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Nice’s standing as the ultimate getaway became official last summer, when it earned UNESCO World Heritage status as the “ winter resort town of the Riviera .” Citing the “exceptional universal value of the architectural, landscape, and urban heritage of Nice,” the designation memorializes the city’s international flair and air of opulence.

For seasoned travelers, the city’s alluring serenity and scenery has been an open secret since the 18th century. Back then, English aristocrats were drawn to the mild winter weather along this French-Mediterranean stretch, building lavish mansions with exotic gardens to suit their annual sojourns. By 1860, those early snowbirds even constructed the seaside walkway known as La Promenade des Anglais—the English Promenade—now an iconic global attraction.

But the real secret of Nice is its accessibility to modern travelers. From Vieux Nice (the old town) up to Cimiez Hill (Queen Victoria’s old neighborhood), visitors can make their way in luxury or on budget, and enjoy the same mesmerizing beauty of the French Riviera .

All listings featured in this story are independently selected by our editors. However, when you book something through our retail links, we may earn an affiliate commission.

Chateau le Cagnard

What to do in Nice—and where to stay

Enthusiasm for Nice begins with a panoramic descent into Nice Cote d’Azur Airport, which juts out into the crystal-blue Ligurian Sea. From there, a 15-minute taxi or swift tram ride puts you directly into central Nice. On and just off the commercial strip that is Avenue Jean Medecin, you’ll find a range of lodging options, including Hotel Boscolo Nice , which welcomes guests into its artful lobby illuminated by a giant skylight. Rooms are spacious and chic, as are its subterranean spa and two Italian-inspired restaurants. Reserve time for the hotel’s breezy rooftop lounge, where you can dip into the plunge pool by day, and sip cocktails during mellow DJ’ed evenings.

Hotel Boscolo is along Boulevard Victor Hugo, from which much of Nice’s main attractions are a pleasant walk or Vélo Bleu bikeshare ride away. Head down Avenue Medecin toward the Fontaine du Soleil and the giant statue of Apollo, then into Vieux Nice to soak up the city’s history. The 1885 neoclassical Nice Opera House marks the west end of the famous Cours Saleya daily market , with fresh flowers and seasonal produce. Visit the Theresa Socca stand to try the simply divine local snack that is socca, a savory crepe made from chickpea flour.

With so many historic sights in the old town, it’s an interesting turn to visit the decidedly modern Charles Nègre Photography Museum , located beside the market in Place Pierre Gautier. Expect to find a range of temporary photo exhibits housed in neighboring buildings. Better still, €15 buys admission here and at 10 more museums across town, including the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Matisse Museum, and Archaeology Museum of Nice/Cimiez, located on an ancient Roman archaeological site. The museum pass doesn’t include Nice’s splendid Marc Chagall Museum, though it’s well worth a visit.

Pass through the arches to walk along the Quai des États-Unis—the United States Wharf, so named to honor America’s World War I alliance with France. This café-lined boulevard parallels the famous Promenade, where you can hit the beach, or gaze upon it from waterside-terrace restaurants like Plage Beau Rivage . Stroll eastward towards the giant #ILoveNICE selfie spot, and on to the compact Port Lympia to check out the colorful wooden fishing boats docked beside million-dollar mega yachts.

Sardines on the beach 

Tanning under the stripped umbrellas

Local Nissarde cuisine

Fans of the Niçoise salad will enjoy diving deeper into unique local Cuisine Nissarde , a notably different style of gastronomy that reflects the region’s Ligurian (Northern Italian) influence. Based on seasonal ingredients that bring fresh salads and fruits in summer, and root vegetables and stews in winter, Nissarde cooking often involves eggs, olives, mushrooms, and deep-sea fish like tuna and sardines.

The Nice Cote d’Azur tourism board lists about two dozen restaurants as traditional “Cuisine Nissarde” establishments, eight of them in or near Vieux Nice. Family-run Chez Acchiardo is one of the oldest, open since 1927 in its stone-walled corner location on Rue Droite. Here’s you’ll be able to sample some of the city’s best traditional dishes, such as daube , beef stew made with red wine and Mediterranean herbs; and trouchia , a tasty frittata layered with baby Swiss chard.

On every Nissarde menu you’ll find merda de can, green gnocchi topped with pistou—pesto made without pine nuts, the Ligurian way. Lou Balico serves one of the best versions, in shareable portions, along with a superb Niçoise salad, made traditionally with anchovies, pickled vegetables, and artichokes, served over greens with fresh tuna, tomato, olives, and boiled egg. On any Nissarde menu you’ll also find pissaladière , a filling, focaccia-like flatbread topped with caramelized onions, anchovies, and olives.

Parfumerie Galimard

Along the Cote d’Azur

The 120-mile-long French Riviera stretches from shore to Alps, so it’s well worth a regional tour to explore small towns like Vence, a historic Roman-turned-medieval village about 45 minutes’ drive northwest from Nice. In the town square, dine al fresco at CheZ’elles, serving delicious Armenian food that’s pleasantly mistaken for classic Greek cuisine. Don’t miss a visit to Vence’s Rosary Chapel, commonly called the Matisse Chapel since Henri Matisse personally designed and decorated the bright, modest space during his later years. 

Take a quick jaunt from Vence to Cagnes-sur-Mer to lodge at Chateau le Cagnard , once a hilltop castle that’s now a luxury hotel with 29 unique guestrooms, many with picture-perfect balconies. Nearby, the serenity of the Renoir House and Museum reveals why many artists were drawn to this lovely, temperate corner of France.

Drive or take a train eastward from Nice to Eze to visit the spectacular Exotic Garden of Eze , a botanical garden perched high on a hill within a medieval fortress, planted with foliage from around the world. Stroll through the fortress’ winding pathways to find unique shops and cafés, and stop into ultra-grand Hotel Chateau de La Chèvre d’Or for an Aperol spritz overlooking the sea. For a delightfully different souvenir, join a fragrance-making class at Eze’s Galimard Maison de Parfums , where you can customize your own scent to bring home, while the studio keeps your recipe on file for future orders.

You can dine or lodge overnight at panoramic (and decidedly modern) Les Terasses d’Eze , or head back to Nice, perhaps via the maritime town of Villefranche-sur-Mer. This former fishing village is prime territory for fresh-caught, French-inspired seafood dishes at open-air spots like Le Cosmo .

That restaurant is located on a plaza that faces the 16th-century Chapel St. Pierre, a modest structure with an eye-catching Romanesque façade. Its interior is even more fascinating, every inch decorated with the original mid-century work of Jean Cocteau, who lived occasionally in the Welcome Hotel in Villefranche. There, Cocteau found both solace and inspiration in the everyday milieu of the Cote d’Azur. It seems the atmospheric nature of the French Riviera was as beguiling to him as it was for centuries of vacationers before him, and for today’s travelers eager to find their own time in the Nice sun.

Recommended

By signing up you agree to our User Agreement (including the class action waiver and arbitration provisions ), our Privacy Policy & Cookie Statement and to receive marketing and account-related emails from Traveller. You can unsubscribe at any time. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Nice Travel Guide

Last Updated: September 6, 2024

Visiting Nice is, to use the old joke, nice. Located on the French Riviera, it’s the second-biggest tourist destination in the country. I’ve found the city a lovely place to stop on the way to smaller, even quainter Riviera towns. Nice has wonderful hilltop lookouts, restaurants, glamor, tons of scenery, and beautiful beaches.

While not known for its history, settlements here stretch back a whopping 400,000 years (Homo Erectus artifacts have been found here). The city as we know it today was likely established around 350 BCE by the Greeks. That settlement evolved into a large trading hub, which expanded through the Middle Ages into the city we know today.

These days, Nice is known for its upscale atmosphere. The city’s glitz means that there are very few budget options, but it’s worth a night or two to take in the sights and admire the fleet of yachts that usually dot the harbor. After a couple of days, head down to the nearby beach towns of the Cote d’Azur.

This travel guide to Nice can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this gorgeous city!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• How to Stay Safe
• Where to Stay
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• How to Get Around
• Best Places to Book Your Trip

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in nice.

1. Walk the Promenade des Anglais

This seaside promenade is one of the main hubs of the city. Vendors sell fresh-made crepes and, best of all, there are nice (get it?) restaurants on the beach. Try Le Koudou for seafood or Les Jardins du Capitole for French classics like tartare.

2. Visit the Matisse Museum

Artist Henri Matisse moved to Nice at 48 and remained in the city until his death in 1954. It was during this time that Matisse painted some of his most famous works, including The Sheaf, Nu bleu, Sorrow of the King , and others. Admission is 10 EUR.

3. Relax at the beach

The beaches of Nice aren’t great when compared to the surrounding area but there are still some noteworthy ones to visit. La Réserve is known as one of the best beaches in Nice. Plage Beau Rivage and Coco Beach are both quite nice as well.

4. Wander Vieux Nice

Below the hill of the main city, the old town is a maze of streets and tight alleyways. There are numerous boutiques, markets, crêperies, and cafés. Nice was Italian until the signing of the Treaty of Turin in 1860, so Vieux Nice has a very Italian feel to it.

5. See the Nice Port

Port Lympia is a great spot to watch boats coming and going. In the summer, you can even take a free ferry, called Lou Passagin, across the harbor. Some of the hippest bars are located here as well. Boston Bar and Ma Nolan’s are both excellent choices.

Other Things to See and Do in Nice

1. visit the cours saleya flower market.

Nice is known for its flowers. In 1897, it was the first city in the world to open a wholesale cut flower market. This tradition runs strong to this day, and the market is lined with cafes, shops, and aisles upon aisles of fresh flowers. While the market is known for its flowers, there are also many local produce stands as well. It’s open six days a week from 6am-5:30pm except for Monday and Sunday afternoons when there’s a flea and antique market instead (also cool to visit). Mornings are the best time to visit as the flowers are the freshest and the crowds the smallest.

2. Head to La Colline du Château (Castle Hill)

The Castle of Nice (Château de Nice) was built in the 11th century, remaining an active citadel until the early 18th-century when King Louis XIV commanded that it be destroyed. Today, the area where the Chateau once stood is a popular green space and look-out, with one of the best panoramic views of Nice and the sea. You can take an elevator or hike up the stairs, but it’s a long, long walk. I usually take the elevator up and hike down. You can walk up from the promenade or via the town. (I prefer walking up via the old town as it’s more scenic.)

4. Tour the Museum of Asian Art

Located beside a man-made lake in Phoenix Park, Japanese architect Kenzo Tange designed the museum to be a meeting point between Asian and Western cultures. One of Nice’s newer museums, it opened its doors in 1998 and has a brilliant collection of Indian, Chinese, and Southeast Asian art. The India exhibit is exceptionally good. Entrance is free. There are also paid (10 EUR) weekend workshops on Asian art forms such as Japanese and Chinese calligraphy and origami. A traditional tea ceremony takes place every Sunday at 3pm (10 EUR).

5. Visit the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

Opening its doors in 1990, the MAMAC focuses on postwar pieces, with more than 1,300 works of art in its collection. The museum has four connected wings, each featuring modern and contemporary art. There is a great collection of sculptures, conceptual installations, and paintings, as well as temporary rotating exhibitions. Admission is 10 EUR.

6. Take a day trip to Monaco

Monaco is a small city-state known for its luxe atmosphere. Even if you can’t afford to stay in this luxurious city, you can still visit for the day. You can spend the day exploring the casinos, yachts, and chic restaurants lining the water. While you’re here, visit the Palace of Monaco, a castle built in 1191. As it’s the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco, tourists can only visit seasonally. You can visit the prince’s staterooms (8 EUR), see the royal collection of cars (8 EUR), or meander Monaco’s zoological gardens (6 EUR). The bus takes 45 minutes and costs 1.50 EUR. The train takes 20 minutes with tickets starting as low as 3.50 EUR. The Monaco F1 Grand Prix is held here annually in May or June, attracting thousands of visitors.

7. See St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral

This cathedral is the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Western Europe. When one of Tsar Aleksandr II’s sons died in Nice at the beginning of the 20th century after coming down with meningitis, this cathedral was later dedicated to him. Built in the Russian Revival style, the cathedral has teal and green-tiled domes topped with silver crosses. Inside there’s a golden altar and vibrantly painted walls. A dress code is strictly enforced so don’t wear shorts if you want to enter. Cameras are not allowed inside either.

8. Tour the Musée National Marc Chagall

A Russian-French artist of Belarusian Jewish descent, Chagall is known for his cubism and expressionism pieces. Located north of Vieux-Nice in the neighborhood of Cimiez, Musée National Marc Chagall features the artist’s religious works, particularly pieces depicting the resurrection, the sacrifice of Isaac, Adam, and Eve. The Fiddler and Bella with White Collar are among his more popular pieces. Built in 1973, Chagall was active in the museum up until his death in 1985. Admission is 8 EUR, with free admission on the first Sunday of the month.

9. Visit the Cimiez Hill district

If you visit the Matisse Museum, you’ll find yourself in Cimiez Hill district, located about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from Nice’s Old Town. But there’s even more to explore in this area, including the tranquil Cimiez Monastery Gardens, the Archaeological Museum (5 EUR), and the ruins of a Roman amphitheater.

10. Take the Wonder Train

The Train des Merveilles is a two-hour train journey from Nice to the picturesque mountain village of Tende. On this scenic ride, the train makes its way through the mountains, offering breathtaking views of gorges, valleys, and the sea. Take the 9:15am train so you can arrive by late morning, explore the town, have lunch, see the free museum, and then catch a train back to Nice in the evening. A round-trip ticket is 27 EUR, though there are often special discounted offers in the summer.

For more information on specific cities in France, check out these guides:

How to Stay Safe in Nice

Nice is very safe — even if you’re traveling solo and even as a solo female traveler. The risk of violent crime here is very low.

As in any destination, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). Avoid walking through unfamiliar areas alone at night and beware of pick-pocketing and petty theft. Pickpocketing is common in markets, on buses and trains, and other crowded areas. Always keep your valuables secure and out of reach just to be safe.

Avoid bringing valuables to the beach, as theft while you’re in the water can occur. Keep your valuables secure when eating out as bag snatching can occur.

The petition scam is quite popular, where someone asks you to sign a paper and while you’re distracted with the clipboard, they’ll pick your pockets or demand a “donation.” Politely decline anyone approaching with a clipboard or papers.

If you’re worried about getting ripped off you can read about common travel scams to avoid here.

If you do experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.

Always trust your gut instinct. Avoid isolated areas at night and be aware of your surroundings at all times. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.

Where to Stay in Nice

There is a handful of hostels in Nice to choose from, most of which are quite close to the city center. Here are my recommended places to stay in Nice:

• Antares Hostel
• Hostel Meyerbeer
• Hostel Ozz & Bar By HappyCulture
• Villa Saint Exupery Beach

Nice Travel Costs

Accommodation

• Hostel dorms – 15-25 EUR per night
• Hostel private rooms – 60 EUR per night
• Budget hotels – 50-65 EUR per night
• Airbnb private rooms – 40 EUR per night
• Airbnb apartments – 65 EUR per night
• Prix-fixe lunch – 15 EUR
• Pre-made sandwiches – 6-12 EUR
• Sit-down restaurants – 15-20 EUR
• Casual take-out places – 9-13 EUR
• Fast food (think McDonald’s) – 9 EUR
• Beer – 6-7 EUR
• Glass of wine – 4-9 EUR
• Cappuccino/latte- 3 EUR
• Bottled water – 1-2 EUR
• Groceries for a week – 50 EUR

Nice Suggested Budgets

Backpacker – 70 eur per day.

This budget covers staying in a hostel dorm, cooking all of your meals, limiting your drinking, taking public transit and walking to get around, and doing mostly free or cheap activities like enjoying the beach and wandering Vieux Nice.

Midrange – 140 EUR Per Day

A midrange budget covers staying in a private Airbnb or private hostel room, eating out for a few meals, enjoying a few drinks, taking the occasional taxi to get around, and doing more paid activities like visiting museums and day-tripping outside the city.

Upscale – 285 EUR Per Day

On a “luxury” budget, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink as much as you want, take more taxis or rent a car, and do whatever tours and activities you want. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

Nice Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Nice is built for the luxury traveler. Being on the French Riviera and so close to many expensive destinations, it’s a city people visit to spend money. But if you want to lower your costs, here are some ways to save money in Nice:

Bring a water bottle – Since the tap water here is safe to drink you should bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.

Do free stuff – Take advantage of all of the free sights including the beach, Vieux Nice, Jardin Albert I (the city’s central park), and the Promenade des Anglais, which fills up at night with music and street performers. You can see a lot here without spending a cent!

Get a French Riviera Pass – Available at the Nice Tourism offices, the Congress Centre, and various hotels around the city, the French Riviera Pass gives you free access to many of the main museums in Nice and the Côte d’Azur, as well as unlimited travel (including to the airport) during your chosen time frame. Passes are 26-56 EUR for 24, 48, or 72-hour periods. The pass also includes an Old Nice guided tour and Lascaris Palace.

Use the Nice Museum Pass – This pass gives you unlimited access to all of Nice’s museums for 72 hours. At 15 EUR, it’s a great deal if you love museums.

Get the set lunch menu – If you eat out, do so at lunch and get the prix-fixe menu. Restaurants throughout town offer this set menu during lunch, and with prices between 10-20 EUR, it’s a way better deal than the regular dinner menu!

Take the free walking tours – Free Walking Tour Nice has a free walking that’s a great introduction to the city. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!

Stay with a local – If you want to save money and get some local insight into the city, use Couchsurfing. Staying with a local is the best way to get a feel for the city and learn some insider tips.

How to Get Around in Nice

Public transportation – A single-fare ticket costs 1.50 EUR and allows for unlimited travel on both bus and travel for 74 minutes. You can also purchase a 10-trip pass for 10 EUR, a day pass for 5 EUR, and 7-day pass for 15 EUR.

There is also a free shuttle bus that goes down Victor Hugo Boulevard and loops around to the promenade and Old Town, before returning to the start. It’s a red electric bus that you just hop on and off.

Nice has several night-time bus routes which run from 9:10 pm to 10:10 am each day, making it easier to get around if you’re out late at night.

Bicycle – Vélobleu is a public bike-sharing system that lets you use bicycles around the city. There are 175 stations in the region and over 1,700 bikes. It is 1.50 EUR for a day pass (3 EUR for an e-bike), with the first 30 minutes free. If you have a bike out for more than 30 minutes, it’s 1 EUR for the second half-hour and 2 EUR for each additional hour.

You can also rent bikes for the entire day from local bike shops, such as Bike Trip or Booking Bikes. Day rentals are 10-20 EUR.

Taxi – Taxis are expensive in Nice, with a base rate of 3.50 EUR plus another 2.08 EUR per kilometer. This rate may increase in the evenings so skip the taxis if you can — they add up fast!

Ridesharing – Uber is available in Nice and is generally cheaper than taxis. For getting around the area (and the country) you can also use the ride-sharing app BlaBlaCar. It is a great way to travel around Europe on a budget.

Car Rental Car rentals can be found for as little as 27 EUR per day for a multi-day rental. Unless you’re planning to head out of the city, I would skip the car rental. Parking is expensive and you don’t need a car to get around the city.

When to Go to Nice

June-August are the hottest and most popular months to visit Nice. Temperatures average 30°C (86°F) and this is when the south of France is packed with locals and tourists who want to soak up the sun. Prices are also the highest and you’ll need to book well in advance.

The crowds in summer can be quite large at times, especially close to the beaches and in Old Nice. Prices in restaurants and hotels increase as well. To avoid crowds, venture into some of the local neighborhoods, such as Jean-Médecin or Carabacel.

In September and October, the average high temperature is 24°C (75°F). This is an ideal time to visit Nice. The crowds are considerably smaller, making it an ideal time to relax on the beach and wander through the streets of Old Nice and other popular areas.

December to April is considered the winter season and temperatures average around 12°C (55°F). Prices during this time are lower, and the streets are quieter. The exception to lower prices is during the Nice Carnival, which takes place for 14 days each February/March. A tradition since 1873, this is one of the best carnivals in Europe, known for its over-the-top colorful float parades during the day, a parade of lights at night, and beautiful flower parade.

The Nice International Film Festival occurs every May when the city is flooded with celebrities and more glitz and glamor than one can handle. Book in advance if you’re visiting during this time.

Nice Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
• Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
• FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
• BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!

GO DEEPER: Nomadic Matt’s In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!

There’s a lot of free information online but do you want to spend days searching for information? Prob not! That’s why guidebooks exist.

While I have a lot of free tips on Europe, I also wrote an entire book that goes into great detail on everything you need to plan a trip here on a budget! You’ll get suggested itineraries, budgets, even more ways to save money, my favorite restaurants, prices, practical information (i.e. phone numbers, websites, prices, safety advice, etc etc), and cultural tips.

I’ll give the insider view of Europe that I got from years of traveling and living here! The downloadable guide can be used on your Kindle, iPad, phone, or computer so you can have it with you when you go. Click here to learn more about my book on Europe!

GET YOUR  FREE TRAVEL STARTER KIT

Enter your email and get planning cheatsheets including a step by step checklist, packing list, tips cheat sheet, and more so you can plan like a pro!

• Where To Stay
• Transportation
• Booking Resources
• Related Blogs

36 Hours in Nice, France

By Chloé Braithwaite Updated July 24, 2024

• Share full article

By Chloé Braithwaite Photographs by Andrea Wyner

Chloe Braithwaite is an Australian writer and editor based in Nice.

A weekend in Nice, the French Riviera’s unofficial capital and a magnet for European aristocracy since Queen Victoria’s reign, could happily be spent simply enjoying its world-famous beach and promenade. But “Nissa la Bella,” or “Nice the Beautiful,” is more than sipping a floral Hugo spritz or splashing on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. France’s second-most visited city, declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021, brims with the unexpected, including a wealth of prehistory and ancient ruins and newer attractions like a summer-only bar hidden in the back of a church. What can be anticipated is a busier peak season, thanks to overspill from the Paris Olympics (listen for the roars of soccer fans coming from Nice Stadium ).

Recommendations

• Les Puces de Nice , a flea market near Nice’s port, offers an eclectic selection of vintage wares, from antique silverware to pre-loved Hermès scarves.
• Grotte du Lazaret , a prehistoric cave by the port, offers a glimpse into how early humans survived using fire and tools between 190,000 and 120,000 years ago.
• Zitto Speakeasy , a hidden bar, serves creative cocktails and mocktails in a cavern-like space.
• Musée Masséna , a museum in a typical 19th-century villa, shows the city’s evolution from an aristocratic winter resort to a vibrant cultural center.
• The Musée de Préhistoire Terra Amata , built over an archeological site of the same name, houses a replica of the prehistoric human settlement discovered there, along with artifacts and the remains of hearths made 400,000 years ago.
• The Musée d'Archéologie de Nice-Cimiez ​​ is a museum that displays artifacts from the Roman town of Cemenelum, whose ancient ruins can be seen within its grounds.
• Coco Beach is a tiny beach popular among locals near the Promenade des Anglais, Nice’s famous boardwalk.
• The Libération market , the city’s largest food market, sells local seasonal produce six days a week.
• Full Bloom is a woman-owned, L.G.B.T.Q.-friendly and vegan cafe, with exceptional plant-based croissants.
• Comptoir Central Électrique is a popular local bar in an old electrical goods store.
• Café Paulette serves wonderfully eclectic dishes based on seasonal produce.
• Peixes offers a fish-centric menu with flavors from South America, Asia and the Mediterranean.
• Marinette , in the center of Nice’s Old Town, has a quiet outdoor rooftop that is perfect for a sweet brunch.
• Bocca , a rooftop restaurant by Cours Saleya, a colorful square, serves lunch inspired by the Mediterranean; think paella and jugs of fruity sangria.
• Maison Joia , a restaurant that draws on Niçois cuisine, showcases small, French producers on its retail shelves as well as on its menu.
• Le Béthel is an open-air bar, open only in the summer, hidden behind an old church.
• l’Altra Casa , a cafe in the Libération neighborhood, is great for a light breakfast and overlooks the buzz of the open-air market.
• Déli Bo serves artisanal pastries and patisseries, like creamy eclairs and fruity mille-feuilles.
• Kiosque Tintin , a Niçois institution, sells local favorites, like fresh pan bagnat (salade niçoise, the classic tuna salad, in a roll) and pissaladière (a caramelized onion tart).
• Caprice Vintage sells pre-loved designer clothes and high-end streetwear.
• Maison Pampille sources colorful vintage homewares, including chinoiserie, polished cut-glass champagne buckets and Vivienne Westwood bone china.
• Maison Auer is a historic candy shop that once supplied visiting royalty and is known for its chocolates and traditional fruit jellies.
• Papeterie Rontani has offered beautiful maps and stationery for generations.
• Trésors Publics sources hand-made and traditional goods from all over France, like mustards from Dijon, perfumes from Grasse and espadrilles from Saint Tropez.
• Le Negresco , a landmark hotel on the Promenade des Anglais, is a symbol of the city and has been appearing on postcards of Nice for more than 100 years. It also offers a Michelin-starred restaurant and a beautiful spa . Prices are as grand as its lore: Rooms start at around €680, or around $737.
• Hôtel du Couvent , in the heart of Old Town, is a beautifully restored former convent originally established in 1604. The walled grounds include a Roman-inspired bath, two acres of gardens and a restored herbalist shop, once run by nuns, that provides tinctures and teas, as well as herbs for the kitchen. Rooms start at €450.
• The arty and modern Mama Shelter , complete with a rooftop bar, work spaces, pizza bar and restaurant, brings a youthful, eclectic vibe to the Riquier neighborhood. Rooms start at around €185.
• For short-term rentals , the port district of Riquier, as well as Jean Médécin, Massena and Old Nice, are popular areas and close to many of the city’s main attractions. For calmer neighborhoods, Libération and Le Carré d'Or are a little farther out, but highly accessible via public transit and offer a more local feel.
• It’s possible to explore much of Nice on foot . Several tram lines traverse its north-south and east-west axes (T1 and T2, respectively), as well as a network of buses . Ticket machines available at stops, €1.70 one way. Ride-hailing apps like Uber provide coverage throughout the city, and electric scooters (via Yego ) and bikes (via Lime and Pony ) are available for rent via their respective apps.

Nice, likely settled around 350 B.C. by Greek mariners called Phocaeans, has been a port town for thousands of years. Stroll the still lively waterfront to grab a quick coffee (from €2) at the vegan cafe Full Bloom , just off Rue Cassini, before a short walk south to Les Puces de Nice , the flea market. Thirty or so little stalls, once huts for local fishermen, are packed with curiosities and treasures like vintage Hèrmes scarves and antique silverware. The flea markets border on the Quartier des Antiquaires , the antiques district, with stores offering furniture, books, militaria, clothing and art. In the summer, a restored pointu (a traditional fishing boat) called Lou Passagin shuttles people for free across the port between 10 a.m. and 7 p.m. Hop on for a short ride to the east bank.

Before the aristocracy and even the Phocaeans, the French Riviera had inhabitants nearly 400,000 years ago or even longer. Explore a bit of the region's prehistory at the Grotte du Lazaret (free entry), a cave and now-museum where visitors can view animal bones and worn tools, as well as fragments of human bones from when the shelter was inhabited between 190,000 and 120,000 years ago. If time permits, complement the cave with a visit to the Musée de Préhistoire Terra Amata (entry €5), a short walk away, to see the remains of hearths made by Nice’s inhabitants nearly 400,000 years ago. Also not far is Coco Beach (free entry), a tiny spot to watch the sun go down over the Baie des Anges — perhaps once a favorite of prehistoric residents too.

Comptoir Central Électrique

Where Paris has Le Marais, that city’s L.G.B.T.Q. hub, Nice has the lively Place du Pin, a gay-friendly, pedestrian-only street and plaza, named for the stalwart pine tree at its center. A popular drinking hole is Comptoir Central Électrique , once an old electrical goods store; you’ll likely spot an aperol spritz on nearly every table. Café Paulette , another local favorite, has an eclectic menu: Housemade hummus (€11) and baked farmhouse Mont d’Or cheese (€29) sit alongside a Black Angus ramen in the style of a traditional pot-au-feu (€26). Reservations recommended. If fresh fish is more your vibe, Peixes is an excellent new addition. The light dishes fuse South American, Asian and Mediterranean flavors, like the prawn and sea bream ceviche with lychee, white pomelo and bergamot gel (€18).

Zitto Speakeasy

It’s time to seek out Zitto Speakeasy , a hidden bar in the port area that even frequent visitors insist on keeping the secret. To find it, send a message to the bar’s Instagram account to quickly receive a clue. Then the hunt is on (though cheaters can use Google Maps, which now lists the location). The reward is a dimly lit, cavern-like space with plush armchairs and dark woods that contrast with ethereal white drapes. It’s intimate even on weekends. Signature cocktails (from €14.50), come with unexpected details like mouth-numbing flower buds or cocktail-flavored gummies. Or — if you’re feeling adventurous — ask for a surprise concoction (including mocktail options) made just for you.

A view of Old Town from the Hôtel du Couvent.

Marinette reminds you you’re really in Europe, thanks to tables that spill out into a bright but narrow alleyway in the middle of Nice’s Old Town. Inside, charmingly mismatched lamps swing from the ceiling. The restaurant’s menu changes, but ever-present is a fresh selection of pastries and sugary little things behind glass display cases. Marinette is known for its giant, fresh-out-of-the-oven cookies, served warm in a cast-iron skillet (€12), with monthly flavors. On a recent visit, it was white chocolate and raspberry, with lashings of pistachio cream. Order your coffee, or perhaps an iced chai latte with a sprinkling of cinnamon (€5.50), and ask for an outdoor table upstairs, where you can watch the world pass by below.

Thus caffeinated, wander Old Town, where boutiques offer all sorts of treasures. Caprice Vintage on Rue Droite has a dedicated fan base for its hand-picked clothing and accessories, from luxury designers like Chanel and Escada to high-end streetwear, carefully repaired and well-maintained. Opposite is its men’s boutique. A few steps down is Maison Pampille , a purveyor of vintage and antique wares like colorful chinoiserie, polished cut-glass champagne buckets and Vivienne Westwood bone china. When Queen Victoria wintered in Nice, Maison Auer on Rue Saint-François de Paul delivered her sweets — it still sells hand-made chocolates and fruit jellies today — and Papeterie Rontani , around the corner at Rue Alexandre Mari, was her official stationer. Trésors Publics , on Rue de la Prefecture, features French-made goods like soap from Marseille, mustard from Beaune and glass blown in nearby Biot.

The draw at Bocca , a popular lunch spot, is its nearly 2,700-square-foot rooftop terrace offering a shady, alfresco view of the colorful square Cours Saleya. The menu of shared plates features flavors from all over the Mediterranean, such as a heaped platter of black-ink paella with fresh squid cooked in parsley and butter (€24 per person), or a delicate fried artichoke with raita, za’atar, basil and mint (€14). Enjoy them alongside a pitcher of fruity sangria de Cava (€45 for 1.5 liter).

Musée Masséna

After lunch, stroll Nice’s famous boardwalk, the Promenade des Anglais , built in the early 19th century by the English elite who made Nice their winter home and lovingly called “la Prom” by locals. Its blue seats — les chaises bleues — have become such a symbol of Nice that over the years they have been the subject of both pranks and protests, and its white pergolas, along with the picture-perfect Negresco hotel, are hints of a bygone era. Along the way, visit the Musée Masséna , a museum housed in a 19th-century Belle Epoque villa (entry €10) that covers Nice’s history, including its transformation into a tourist destination. Inside, artworks, furniture and other sumptuous décor are displayed over four fully accessible floors, giving a glimpse into how the wealthiest here once lived.

Maison Joia

Think of Maison Joia as a high-end delicatessen, inspired by Nice. Run by a husband-and-wife team, Julien and Laetitia Pilati, the restaurant and épicerie, or gourmet shop, showcases small, French regional producers on its shelves; local olive oils with pretty stems of rosemary and thyme, terrines of a rare wild boar from the Pyrenees and flavored vinegars from one of the oldest producers in France. The displayed items for sale are all used in the kitchen by Julien. Expect to delighted by dishes like a salade niçoise deconstructed and artfully arranged with tiny edible blossoms, and surprised by desserts like the “illusion of a lemon” (€13) — a mousse-and-marmalade confection that looks like real citrus served on a sprinkling of soil.

You would never guess that behind Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur de Nice , a church in Old Town, is a great place for a nightcap. The church opened a speakeasy, Le Béthel , in 2022 as a meeting place for locals and tourists alike. Despite feeling borderline sacrilegious, the open-air bar feels typically Niçois; the space is framed by potted olive trees and lit by twinkling fairy lights, with sweet little corners filled with candles and comfortable seating, and a chess board that is often the center of attention. The menu is low-key and low-cost, with a white, a red and one or two beer options (€4 per drink is a suggested donation, to help with the church’s upkeep). Open in the summer months only (check Instagram for updates on its seasonal closure).

Beach umbrellas lined up along the Promenade des Anglais.

Libération market

Libération, north of the main train station, is a quiet neighborhood with a produce market (open daily, except Mondays) that attracts residents from across the city. One particular stall is dedicated to the potato, with a dozen kinds all marked for different methods of cooking. For a typical French breakfast of a croissant, hot drink and orange juice, grab a table at l’Altra Casa , a great spot to watch the organized chaos of the market in the mornings. For a picnic later, head to Kiosque Tintin , a take-away kiosk for a pan bagnat (a salad niçoise in a fresh bread roll; €5.70) and a slice of pissaladière (a caramelized onion tart; €2.20). Or pick up a pastry from Déli Bo — like a tiny mille-feuille with vanilla cream and fresh raspberries (€6.50).

Musée Matisse

Henri Matisse wasn’t born in Nice, but the French painter spent much of his life here until his death in 1954. The Musée Matisse , in a 17th-century villa in the Cimiez neighborhood, has one of the world’s largest collections of his works. The museum sits in Arènes de Cimiez , a public park with ancient ruins of an amphitheater and bath complex — this part of Nice was once the Roman town of Cemenelum. The Musée d'Archéologie de Nice-Cimiez , next to the Musée Matisse, displays artifacts from Cemenelum, including vases, coins, jewelry and perfume bottles. A €12 ticket gives entry to both museums. Once through with the exhibitions, find a spot in the park among the ruins for your picnic lunch.

A previous version of this article misstated who built the pergolas on the Promenade des Anglais. They were added by the city of Nice, not the British.

An earlier version of this article misstated when the Promenade des Anglais was built. The promenade was built in the 19th century, not the 18th. It also misstated the entry price for the Musée Matisse. It is €12, not €10, and also includes entry to the Musée d’Archéologie de Nice-Cimiez.

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

D enver, Colo.: The city is undergoing a rebirth , with a newly refreshed Union Station and the gradual reopening of the mile-long, pedestrian-friendly 16th Street Mall to go along with views of the snow-capped Front Range.

La Rioja, Spain:  A drive through rolling vineyards will take you to 5 family-run restaurants  where you’ll find flavorful, affordable dishes you can linger over for hours.

Seattle, Wash.:  Today’s Seattle is ever evolving, filled with colorful neighborhoods that are emblematic of the Emerald City’s  natural beauty, vibrant street life ,  and commitment to both preservation and progress .

Stockholm-Helsinki Ferry:  The 16-hour trip between the two northern European cities is a festive summer ritual , with plenty of singing, gambling, limbo contests and maybe a bit too much to drink.

Swim in the Wild:  Looking to take a dip in or near a city center? Here are some European urban areas that have successfully opened up waterways for swimmers .

Advertisement

Explore the Riviera

The perfect one day in nice itinerary (by a local).

The beautiful city of Nice, located on the heart of the French Riviera (or Coté d’Azur, as the French call it), is the fifth largest city in France, an economic and cultural hub, and a fantastic base for exploring the region due to its extensive public transportation system.

With its stunning Mediterranean coastline, fabulous food, unique art, and vibrant culture, Nice is a favorite destination for travelers from all over the world and definitely one of the jewels of the Riviera.

So, you only have one day in Nice and want to make the most of it?

While we definitely think Nice is worth visiting for more than just a day (personally, I’ve been living here for months now and I am still in the honeymoon phase), it is possible to have a wonderful experience in 24 hours.

In this guide, you will find a complete itinerary with all the must-see attractions and things to do in Nice.

In addition, we have also added some excellent lunch spots, local markets, and other local secrets to fill your one day in Nice with wonderful memories. On y va!

Planning a trip to the South of France? Then make sure to join my Facebook group for the best tips, places, and hotels on the French Riviera.

Who is this one day in Nice guide for?

This itinerary was made with a first-time visitor in mind. We’ve included the most popular attractions and restaurants but also tried to add some local tips that you won’t find in regular travel guides. Read about why Nice is worth visiting here.

READ: 35 Best things to do in Nice, France

If you have been to Nice before and are looking for something more off-the-beaten path, we recommend you check out our selection of alternative activities here.

The Ultimate Nice in a Day Itinerary

What to see in nice france in one day: itinerary overview, morning: breakfast at la femme du boulanger + place massena + promenade des anglais + marché aux fleurs cours saleya + castle hill, afternoon: cathedrale ste-reparate + vieux nice + place garibaldi + beach time.

Evening: Dinner at Chez Pipo + Music in the Streets of Nice

Keep reading for a detailed explanation of the itinerary.

Start your day with an authentic French breakfast at La Femme du Boulanger, one of the city’s most popular bakeries. Then, wander around the majestic Place Massena and take some pictures of its opulent architecture before heading over to the world-famous Promenade des Anglais.

Take in the sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea as you walk along this historic avenue before stopping at Marché aux Fleurs Cours Saleya. This colorful outdoor market is filled with fresh produce, flowers, souvenirs, and more! (attention: the market is closed on Mondays.

Continue your journey up to the top of Castle Hill and marvel at the stunning views of Nice’s Old Town and Port.

La Femme du Boulanger (Adress: 3 Rue du Commandant Raffalli)

La Femme du Boulanger is a lovely rustic restaurant that uses locally sourced ingredients to prepare delicious French dishes. The restaurant is most famous for its delicious tartines (toasts), brunch, and french staples such as duck in orange sauce, lamb, and ratatouille.

Place Massena

Place Massena is the central square in Nice and a great spot for people-watching.

It’s surrounded by an array of grandiose buildings, most notably the imposing Palais Massena and the iconic Fontaine du Soleil.

Promenade des Anglais

The Promenade des Anglais is one of Nice’s most iconic attractions. Take a stroll along the seven kilometer (4.3 miles) long avenue that runs along the Mediterranean Sea and admire its stunning views and vibrant atmosphere.

Marché aux Fleurs Cours Saleya

The Marché aux Fleurs Cours Saleya is one of the best places to experience Nice’s lively atmosphere.

This picturesque outdoor market has been around for centuries and is filled with local produce, arts and crafts, flowers, and souvenirs.

Castle Hill

No visit to Nice would be complete without taking in the sweeping views of Old Town from atop Castle Hill (Colline du Château).

This hilltop park is a great spot to take photos or simply admire the wonderful architecture of the city below.

Now that you’ve seen some of the city’s most famous attractions, it’s time to explore its hidden gems.

Start by visiting Cathedrale Ste-Reparate, a beautiful baroque church nestled in Nice’s Old Town.

Then, stroll around Vieux (Old) Nice and take in its old-world charm as you wander through its narrow streets.

Next, stop at Place Garibaldi for a bite to eat (I recommend trying the local socca, pissaladiere, or one of the best pizzas in Nice ) before heading down to the beach for some relaxation and sunshine.

Spend the remainder of your afternoon soaking up the Mediterranean sun and enjoying the gentle sound of waves crashing along the shore or alternatively visit the wonderful Musée Matisse.

✈️ Need help planning your trip to the French Riviera?

Cathedrale Ste-Reparate:

Cathedrale Ste-Reparate is a stunning baroque church located in the heart of Nice’s Old Town. Inside, you’ll find an array of ornate paintings and sculptures that will transport you back to another era.

Vieux Nice:

Vieux (Old) Nice is the city’s oldest and most charming area. Wander around its narrow cobblestone streets and take in the sights, smells, and sounds of this vibrant neighborhood. You’re sure to find some hidden gems tucked away here!

Place Garibaldi:

Place Garibaldi is one of Nice’s main squares and home to a variety of restaurants, cafes ( read about the best cafés in Nice here! ), boutiques, and shops. It’s also a great spot for people-watching, as locals and tourists alike come to soak up the atmosphere.

Musée Matisse:

The Musée Matisse in Nice is a beautiful museum devoted to the work of French painter Henri Matisse.

It gathers one of the world’s largest collections of his paintings in the world.

Evening: Dinner at Chez Pipo + A glass of Rosé Wine

End your one day in Nice with a delicious dinner al fresco. We recommend visiting Chez Pipo, a local institution that serves up traditional Niçoise cuisine. Then, explore the cobbled streets of Nice in search of some live music and some good wine (the French Riviera is known for its rosé!).

Later, if you feel like partying, check out one of Nice’s many trendy bars or even go to a pub crawl (which I highly recommend especially if you want to meet new people).

BOOK: Riviera Bar Crawl Nice

Chez Pipo (address: 13 Rue Bavastro)

Chez Pipo is a local institution that has been serving traditional Niçoise cuisine for over 40 years.

Choose from an array of delicious dishes such as ratatouille, brandade de morue (salt cod), and pan-bagnat (Niçoise salad sandwich).

What About a Walking Tour of Nice?

A walking tour of Nice is one of the best ways to experience all that this beautiful city has to offer with the help of a local guide that knows all of Nice’s best-kept secrets.

Not only will you get to explore some of its most iconic attractions like Old Nice and Castle Hill, but also discover some hidden gems along the way.

BOOK: Walking Tour of Old Nice and Castle Hill

Looking for Some Other Options For Seeing Nice In a Day?

Nice walking food tour with local specialties & wine tasting.

Treat your taste buds to the flavors of Provençe on a walking food tour in Nice.

Explore the old town, or Vieux Nice, with a gastronomic guide, and enjoy different samples of regional favorites, including locally produced French wine.

Visit the finest markets, delis, and specialty food shops in town and learn how locals shop and prepare meals on a daily basis.

Nice City Segway Sightseeing Tour

Roll through the charming sights of the French Riviera on a fun Segway tour of Nice!

Ride a gyropode Segway past highlights of the beautiful seaside town, including the Promenade des Anglais, Place Massena, and the vibrant Cours Saleya flower market.

Learn about Nice’s rich heritage from your expert guide and its anecdotes. Appreciate the pleasure and the fun of riding on gyropode Segway! With the 2-hour tour, take the heights from Castle Hill and enjoy its spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea and the city.

BOOK: Nice City Segway Sightseeing Tour

1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise to Villefranche Bay from Nice

See Nice, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and Villefranche-sur-Mer on a sightseeing cruise along the French Riviera.

Admire the coastal towns, lush landscapes, and millionaire villas from the glittering sea.

BOOK: 1-Hour Sightseeing Cruise to Villefranche Bay from Nice

1 or 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Nice Bus Tour

Explore Nice according to your own schedule and interests with a 1-day or a 2-day pass for the open-top hop-on and hop-off sightseeing bus. J

ump off and on as often as you like to see sights such as Place Garibaldi, Promenade des Anglais and more.

BOOK: 1 or 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Nice Bus Tour

Where to Stay for One Day in Nice, France

If you are only staying in Nice for a day, then booking the right accommodation is key. There are plenty of excellent hotels to choose from, ranging from budget-friendly options to luxury stays.

These are some of my favorites:

If you are on a budget, then Hostel Villa Saint Exupery Beach might be a great choice for you. I stayed in this hostel during my first two nights in Nice and it was a great experience. The staff is friendly and helpful, and the location is ideal – just minutes away from the beach.

Also, they organize plenty of events and it’s a really good place to meet people.

Hôtel Nice Azur Riviera is located in the heart of Nice and offers modern, comfortable rooms. It’s within walking distance of the beach and has a wonderful rooftop bar with amazing views.

If you are looking to have a luxurious stay in Nice, you are in for a treat: this city has many wonderful luxury hotels to choose from. My favorite is, of course, the iconic Hotel Le Negresco .

This five-star hotel features some of the best amenities in town – from fine restaurants to a spa and fitness center. but Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée and Boscolo Nice Hotel & Spa are also extraordinary options.

READ: 15 Best hotels to stay in Nice, France

How to get around in one day in Nice

Getting around Nice is easy – the city has great public transportation and is connected by a tram system.

You can also rent a bike from one of the many rental shops around town.

However, my favorite way of getting around Nice is by simply walking. The weather around here is wonderful most days of the year and walking is a great way of finding hidden gems around town.

Where To Go After Your Day in Nice – Day Trips And More

One of my favorite things about Nice is how easy it is to explore the surrounding area. There are plenty of day trips and longer excursions that you can take from Nice, such as a visit to Monaco, Eze Village, Cannes, or even Italy.

Read: 24 Best things to do in Cannes

If you have time during your one day in Nice, I highly recommend exploring some of these other destinations:

St Tropez and Port Grimaud

Witness the stunning landscapes of the French Riviera on a day trip from Nice. Sail from Saint-Tropez , admire the fishermen’s houses on the canals of Port Grimaud, and see the Massif de l’Esterel.

BOOK: Saint-Tropez and Port Grimaud Boat Tour

Gorges of Verdon

Explore the largest gorge in France on a full-day trip from Nice to Verdon.

See the crystal clear blue waters of the Verdon River and admire the stunning rock formations that make this region so special.

BOOK: Gorges of Verdon and Fields of Lavender Tour

Èze, Monaco and Antibes

Èze, Monaco, and Antibes are some of the easiest places to visit from Nice as they are all located less than one hour away.

A guided tour is a great way of seeing all these places in one day.

BOOK: From Nice: French Riviera in One Day

Located near the Italian border, Menton is definitely worth visiting .

With its picturesque old town and stunning views of the Mediterranean, Menton is perfect for a day trip from Nice.

Saint Paul de Vence

Visit St. Paul de Vence, one of the oldest villages in France and home to some of the most beautiful views of the Côte d’Azur. Stroll through its cobbled streets, relax with a coffee at Le Petite Provence or marvel at the works in Galerie Maeght.

BOOK : Half-Day Saint Paul de Vence and Wine Tasting Tour from Nice

Conclusion: What To Do in 1 Day in Nice, France

That’s a wrap!

We hope this one-day itinerary helped you plan your trip to Nice. Remember, no two days in Nice will be alike—the city awaits with endless possibilities for discovery, exploration, and adventure.

I hope you love this wonderful city as much as I do. Happy travels!

Oh! And if you are visiting the South of France soon, join my Facebook group for more hidden gems and travel tips. Happy travels!

Plan the perfect trip to the French Riviera

🗺️ Book guided tours through Get Your Guide and Viator .

🛏️ Find the perfect hotel on Booking.com .

Continue reading:

• 15 Best Hotels in Nice, France for 2024
• 27 Best Things to Do in Nice, France
• 9 Best Walking Tours in Nice, France [2024]
• 24 Best Boutique Hotels in Nice in 2024
• 10 Best Wine Tours from Nice [2024]

Camila Neves

Nice to meet you! My name is Cami and I am a full-time traveler and foodie. I live in Nice in the South of France and this blog is where I share my impressions and travel secrets.

Recent Posts

• Search Please fill out this field.
• Newsletters
• More to Explore

Nice, France Travel Guide

Get All the Basic Info on a Riviera Vacation

Nice is a wonderful French Riviera city, and a popular destination for couples, honeymooners, and sun-worshipers. It is a large city, though, and it can be tough mastering it. Find out all the basics of a Nice vacation, including what to do , what to see, where to stay, great day-trips and how to get around.

Getting There 

Nice is well-served by the Nice-Cote d'Azur airport just west of the city. It's an international airport, so there are flights from over 100 destinations, including New York.

Check out my information guide on how to get from London, the UK, Paris, and the U.S.A.

Read my guide to traveling from London to Nice  by train in detail; it is a delightful journey and makes a great start to a holiday on the Cote d'Azur.

Getting Around

There are numerous shuttle buses and local bus services to Nice and other Riviera cities, as well as overpriced taxis, to take you into the city when you arrive. If you are traveling by rail, Nice has three rail stations but you will probably arrive in the main terminal at Nice Ville. This will put you a few blocks north of the coastline.

Train Station and Travel

There are many connections from Nice Railway Station to other cities in France, and also to Italy which is a very short distance away.

The major bus system in NIce is Lignes d'Azur which operates in the city and also to and from the airport and other nearby towns. They also operate over 130 bus routes in the 49 towns that make up the whole Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur area.

There are other regional buses to nearby cities, and most stop at the Gare Routiere just north of Place Massena. There are rail connections to most neighboring cities as well, with the most frequent stops at the Nice Ville station. 

In Nice there is also the Noctambus which operates 5 night time bus routes from 9.10pm to 10.10 am, but they are not very frequent.

There is also the tram. No 1, a 9.2 km line that goes from north to east and passes through the city centre along avenue Jean Medecin and through Place Massena daily from 4.25am to 1.35am. 

Cost of buses

Buy a single ticket for on journey which also allows changes within 74 minutes for 1.50 euros and various other very good value tickets for different lengths of stay. 

More Information

You can obtain a system map and a brochure listing timetables at the tourism office on the Promenade des Anglais , or at the main bus station in the Place Massena.

Nice by Car

You can rent a car, but check first to see if your hotel has parking and what the cost is. It can be quite difficult, if not impossible, to park a car in Nice. If you are in Nice from another part of France by car, then consider leaving the car at one of the 5 'Parc relais' or stop-over car parks outside the centre. It's free to use and you can then take the tram into the city centre. 

Top Nice Attractions

There are countless things to see and do in this city, whether in the heart of town (Nice Centre), beaches , or in the hills that stretch behind the main city ( les collines ). 

Here is a small selection of some favorite places to see and things to do:

• The Cours Selaya Flower Market is a must-see. This is also one of the main neighborhoods for dining, with restaurants, cafés and bars lining the outdoor market. If you want seafood, this is the spot to hit. There are also several souvenir shops, gourmet shops and other boutiques here.
• Vieux Nice (or Old Nice) is right next to the market. Wander these narrow streets and discover great shopping, dining and some of the city's most happening bars. This is also a great destination after-hours, but go with a group. Old Nice is filled with dark alleys, and lone wanderers can become a target.
• Nice Cimiez, about a 15-minute bus ride from Nice Centre up into the hills, has a small concentration of museums and attractions. The Musée Matisse contains a wonderful collection of the great local artist's work. The archeology museum next door is interesting, but what is more fascinating is the ruins of the Roman amphitheatre, public baths and paved streets.
• The Promenade des Anglais is something anyone visiting Nice is sure to see. Even though they are outrageously overpriced, hit one of the seaside private beach/restaurants at least once during your visit. Rent a chaise lounge a few feet from the shore, and let waiters (usually unbearably slow and inattentive) bring you lunch and drinks.
• The Pedestrian Zone ( zone pietonne ) is a bit of a tourist trap, but there's a good reason. This is a lovely area for a stroll, as cars are forbidden except for the early morning hours (and the rogues who scoot through here anyway during other times). The shops here are on the tacky-tee-shirt scale in most cases, although there are several great clothing store chains and nice shops like the gourmet boutique Ducs de Gascony. This is the ideal spot to sip a café au lait and watch the world go by.
• Check out the Top 10 Attractions in Nice  in details

Booking options

• There are countless hotels in Nice, and an unusually high number of four-star accomodations. But for a treat try the Hotel Windsor, a short walk to the beach and the pedestrian zone, and a slightly longer walk to the Cours Selaya and old town. The rooms are reasonably-priced, and the staff is the most helpful around. The rooms also have their own personality, most decorated by artists and unique murals. Be sure to request a room with a balcony. 
• The Hotel Negresco is probably Nice's most famous hotel. Almost any photo of the Nice shoreline will be punctuated by the hotel's Art Deco facade. A National Historic Monument, this seafront hotel is the epitome of Nicois elegance.​

There are several great towns and cities near Nice, usually just a few minutes away. Check out the guide to the best day trips from Nice , a fabulous centre for the area. 

Here is a guide to a 3-day itinerary in and around Nice . 

More for Food Lovers

 Nice for Food Lovers

Good Cheap Restaurants in Nice

Try a Cooking Class in Nice

Edited by Mary Anne Evans

Related Articles

More related articles.

Nice   Travel Guide

Courtesy of Guillaume CHANSON | Getty Images

Why Go To Nice

As the largest city on the French Riviera, Nice attracts beachgoers, history buffs and high culture seekers who come to vacation on its Mediterranean shores. There's definitely more to this attractive city than a pebbly waterfront, pastel-colored buildings and palm trees waving in the breeze. Baroque churches surprise you in the maze of the Old Town 's twisted streets; modern sculptures dominate the gardens as you stroll in the Place Masséna ; ancient Roman ruins provide the backdrop for grand art in Cimiez and the candy-colored onion-shaped domes of the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral  are seen from angles across the city. But Nice's cultural charms are often interwoven (and sometimes overshadowed) by its reputation for partying in the summer months. Be sure to leave a little energy for the vibrant nightlife along the Riviera.

Find Flight and Hotel Deals

Navigate forward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

Navigate backward to interact with the calendar and select a date. Press the question mark key to get the keyboard shortcuts for changing dates.

• # 3 in Best Places to Visit in France
• # 4 in Best Beaches in France

Best of Nice

Best hotels in nice.

• # 1 in Hotel Le Negresco
• # 2 in La Villa Calvi
• # 3 in Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Mediterranee

Best Things to Do in Nice

• # 1 in Place Masséna
• # 2 in Old Town (Vieille Ville)
• # 3 in Promenade des Anglais (English Walk)

Popular Tours

The Best of the French Riviera Small group Guided Tour from Nice

(431 reviews)

from $ 123.15

Monaco, Monte-Carlo and Eze Village Small Group Half-Day Tour

(359 reviews)

from $ 77.95

Provence Wine Tour - Small Group Tour from Nice

(142 reviews)

from $ 175.11

Nice Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Nice is in the shoulder season of September to October, or from mid-March to April when you can capitalize on sunny weather, fewer crowds and low room rates. In July and August, the city is extremely busy, especially on its beaches, public transport network and the main tourist streets of Place Masséna  and Old Town . You can take advantage of the Mediterranean weather year-round, but average high temperatures range from the mid-50s in the winter to the low 80s in the summer, and the city sees sunny days roughly 300 days of the year.

Weather in Nice

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

The Niçois are friendly France's stereotypically icy attitude regarding tourists seems to thaw in the ever-present sunshine. The Niçois are usually very accommodating to foreigners, especially if you make an attempt to speak French.

The Niçois are fashionable The Niçois dress more formally than Americans, so wearing baseball caps, flip-flops and sneakers will immediately label you as a tourist. Walking around in a swimsuit off the beach is also considered a fashion faux pas.

The Niçois keep 'em covered While topless beaches are common in France, it's a dying practice among the younger generations. Although you most likely won't get into trouble, you can expect to be the object of ogling.

How to Save Money in Nice

Be wary of private beaches Some sections of the beach are cordoned off as private beaches. These spots ban outside food and drink, expecting you to purchase refreshments from their nearby restaurants, as well as charge you upward of 20 euros (around $21.30) for a lounge chair. The public beaches might not come with chairs, but at least they're free.

Book smart Hotel  rates become more affordable from both mid-March to April and September to October. Smaller hotels in the Masséna neighborhood and towards the top end of avenue Jean Médecin tend to be more affordable as well.

Skip the cab Taxis in Nice are expensive. Plus, drivers in Nice are infamous for swindling both tourists and locals alike. Save yourself the hassle and take an Uber, a bus or a tram. Or, rely on your own two feet.

Culture & Customs

It is polite to greet everyone you encounter with a friendly bonjour ("hello") upon arrival, and an au revoir (goodbye) when leaving. Shaking hands is a common way to greet an acquaintance, while it is common amongst friends to double-kiss ( faire la bise ) when saying hello and goodbye. You will find that the French interact physically with close friends in the same way Americans do. If you are directly addressing someone you do not know well, do so formally by referring to them as monsieur or madame until told otherwise.

If you're dining out in Nice, you should note the French eat with both hands on the table and always with utensils. The only time you should use your hands is when you are eating bread (which is generally used to push food onto your fork). Never bite directly from a whole piece of bread, rip off bite-sized pieces instead. You can also use your bread to mop up sauce and wipe your plate clean.

Gratuity is generally included in the bill, but it is customary to round the total up or add an extra 5% for extraordinary service. A 5% tip is also acceptable for taxi drivers. For maid service, a few of euros per night is a sign of appreciation. The official currency in France is the euro, and one euro is equal to approximately $1.06. The euro to U.S. dollar rate often fluctuates, so check the latest exchange rate before you go. If you find yourself short on euros, almost all restaurants and hotels also accept major credit cards.

What to Eat

The food you find in Nice is lighter than in other French cities. Niçois cuisine is a mixture of traditional French ingredients, particularly vegetables – such as peppers, eggplants and zucchinis – and fish and meat but with a twist of Mediterranean flavor. Its location on the coast means that seafood is a staple as seen in the renowned salade niçoise , which combines fresh tomatoes, mixed greens, tuna, anchovies and green beans in a light olive oil dressing. Other local favorites include Italian-inspired pissaladières , small pizzas covered in anchovies and caramelized onions, and socca , a savory pancake made from chickpea flour and olive oil.

You can find the largest number of traditional Niçois restaurants clustered on the small streets of Vieux-Nice ( Old Town ). Some travelers recommend eating at one of the smaller, less expensive pubs or restaurants around the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate near Place Rossetti in Vieux-Nice.

When you're looking for a restaurant, be sure to explore. There are casual gems hidden in seemingly uninhabited alleyways, while fancier establishments sit along the Promenade des Anglais (Walk of the English).

Similar to many European hot spots, Nice is generally safe but also deals with its fair share of pickpockets. Experts suggest that you not carry anything valuable or difficult to replace in your pockets. Keep an extra watchful eye on your valuables in commonly targeted areas like buses and restaurants.

In recent years, terrorist attacks have become increasingly more common in Western Europe and Nice was the target of an attack in 2016 that took the lives of 86 people. According to the U.S. Department of State, terrorist groups continue to plot attacks, so increased vigilance is required in France. There is also increased risk due to civil unrest. Travelers should stay aware of their surroundings. Consider enrolling in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program to receive security messages and following local media to stay informed.

Getting Around Nice

The best way to get around Nice is on foot, especially if you plan on sticking close to the city's center. Like many other French cities, Nice is equipped with a reliable and convenient public transportation system. Buses and trams serve all major tourist attractions as well as the Nice-Ville train station and the Nice Côte d'Azur International Airport (NCE). Ride-hailing services, such as Uber, are also a popular option now because they are much cheaper and more convenient than traditional taxis. If you decide to take a taxi from the airport to the center of Nice, expect to pay a flat rate of 32 euros (around $34). Driving is not recommended as traffic can be frustrating and parking is limited.

Entry & Exit Requirements

A United States passport with at least three months remaining validity beyond your departure from France is required for you to leave the mainland and to re-enter the country. Travelers can enter France for up to 90 days without a visa. If you plan to stay longer, you must obtain the proper visa from one of the French consulates in America prior to departure. For more information concerning entry and exit requirements for France, visit the U.S. State Department's  website .

In 2025, the European Travel Information and Authorisation System , the European Commission's electronic vetting system, comes into operation. United States nationals will have to fill in a pre-arrival online form before traveling to France. Once approved, travelers will be able to stay up to 90 days in any of the 27 Schengen-zone countries. It costs 7 euros (about $7.50).

You'll spot the exterior of the monastery as you stroll its garden .

Explore More of Nice

Things To Do

Best hotels.

You might also like

# 14 in  Best Cheap European Honeymoon Destinations

# 2 in  Best Beaches in France

If you make a purchase from our site, we may earn a commission. This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content.

Recommended

The 26 Best Beach Resorts in the World

Marisa Méndez|Erin Vasta|Rachael Hood|Catriona Kendall September 5, 2024

30 Fun Fall Weekend Getaways for 2024

Holly Johnson August 29, 2024

The 19 Best Fall Family Vacations for 2024

Amanda Norcross August 27, 2024

The 28 Best Water Parks in the U.S. for 2024

Holly Johnson|Timothy J. Forster May 8, 2024

The 18 Best Napa Valley Wineries to Visit in 2024

Lyn Mettler|Sharael Kolberg April 23, 2024

The 25 Best Beaches on the East Coast for 2024

Timothy J. Forster|Sharael Kolberg April 19, 2024

The 50 Best Hotels in the USA 2024

Christina Maggitas February 6, 2024

The 32 Most Famous Landmarks in the World

Gwen Pratesi|Timothy J. Forster February 1, 2024

9 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in Florida for 2024

Gwen Pratesi|Amanda Norcross January 5, 2024

24 Top All-Inclusive Resorts in the U.S. for 2024

Erin Evans January 4, 2024

Visit Nice: The 17 Best things to do and see

Things to do in nice: the 17 best places to visit and highlights.

You’re planning to visit Nice during your next trip to France?

Between sea and mountains, Nice , the city where I was born and where I spent more than 20 years of my life is full of tourist attractions and great activities to do.

In order to help you plan your stay, I have created a guide of the best things to do and see in Nice and around.

At the end of the article, you will also find itineraries to visit Nice in 1, 2, 3 days or even a week as well as my list of the best places to stay in Nice depending on your budget.

So, what are the best things to do in Nice? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

1. The Promenade des Anglais

2. discover the old town of nice, 3. enjoy an italian ice cream, 4. have a go at nice local food, 5. nice castle hill, 6. going to the beach in nice, 7. cimiez neighbourhood, 8. nice russian orthodox cathedral,  9. nice carnival, 10. rest in the shades at park vigier, 11. do the nice coastal walk, 12. boat trip from nice, 13. nice walking tour: from the promenade des anglais to coco beach, 14. take a stroll at the mont boron, 15. go to the phoenix park, 16. visit nice museums, things to do in nice when it rains, things to do around nice, what to do in nice for a day, what to do in nice for 2 days, what to do in nice for 3 days, a week in nice, where to stay in nice, renting a boat in nice, nice tourist map, you’re traveling in france these articles will help you, visit nice: the 17 must-see attractions.

It’s impossible to talk about Nice without mentioning the famous Promenade des Anglais (English Promenade). Formerly a favourite resort for English people during winter months, it’s today the most famous tourist attraction of the city.

This world-famous 7km promenade runs from the Castle Hill (La colline du Château in French) to Nice airport.

If you are coming to Nice for the first time, I strongly recommend you to at least walk on the part that goes from the old town of Nice to the Negresco hotel , passing through the Jardin Albert 1er and the Palais de la Méditerranée.

If you want to do the whole Promenade des Anglais , it’s best to rent a bike or rollerblades!

And even better than biking or rollerblading, you can also enjoy a Segway tour on the Promenade des Anglais!

This 2 hours guided tour will allow you to discover the famous Promenade as well as wander through the streets of the old town and go to the top of the Castle Hill.

To book your guided visit of Nice by Segway , you just have to click on the button below:

Another must see in Nice is its old town with its shady alleyways, colourful facades and typically Mediterranean shutters.

Impossible to talk about Nice Old Town (le Vieux Nice) without mentioning the Cours Saleya , where is held almost every morning (except on Monday) the famous market and flower market .

On Monday morning, the Cours Saleya becomes a big open-air flea market! It’s also the ideal place to have a drink or eat something at one of the many terraces.

When you visit the Old Town of Nice , I also recommend you to see:

The Courthouse Square (Place du Palais de Justice) The Rossetti Square (Place Rossetti), where the magnificent Saint Reparata Cathedral is located. There is also the city’s best ice cream shop, I will tell you more about it below The Saint Francis Square (Place Saint François) and its small fish market.

It’s also possible to go to the Castle Hill through the Old Town. I will tell you more about it a bit further.

While you are in the Old Town of Nice , you should take advantage of it to enjoy a traditional Italian ice cream.

I recommend “Azzurro” , which is located on Rossetti Square, not far from another ice cream shop that is well known by tourists but less good, Fenocchio.

The quality of the products used is much better at Azzurro, and their cones are home made , it has absolutely nothing to do in terms of taste!

Needless to say that eating ice cream is one of my favorite activities when I come back to Nice 😋.

Visiting Nice also means discovering the local food specialities , the “cuisine Niçoise”, during your stay, which is the pride of the niçois (inhabitants of Nice)

• Socca: It’s one of the most famous culinary specialities of Nice and one of the most representative of the city.  Made from chickpea flour, you will find very good ones in the old town of Nice. Ideally, a good socca should’nt be dry, but slightly creamy inside.
• Panisse: Another speciality made from chickpea flour, most often fried. A delight!
• Pissaladière: A “pie with onions and anchovies”, that’s how we could sum up the pissaladière! Try it during your stay in Nice! (Available also in an anchovy-free version)
• Salade niçoise: The great classic of Nice: Tuna, tomatoes, salad and other raw vegetables, anchovies, hard-boiled eggs, olives niçoises and of course olive oil vinaigrette (from Nice too, otherwise it’s sinful).
• Pan Bagnat: This is a sandwich version of the niçoise salad: tuna and/or anchovies, raw vegetables, hard-boiled eggs, niçoise olives and olive oil, all in a round bread.
• Farcis niçois (Stuffed vegetables) , daube niçoise (Beef stew) etc. : In Nice, we like everything that is “Niçois”, so we have a Niçoise version of many dishes. It’s the same as the classics, but better. (Surely thanks to the “niçoise” olive oil ……. well, except for the stew, probably, or some people have been hiding things from me!)

You’re going to Nice?

You probably know it: the hardest part of planning your trip is to find an hotel offering a good value for money!

The closer you get to your travel dates, the harder it will be to get a good deal. Lots of people will be visiting Nice on the same dates as you , so you can be sure that the best deals are booked extremely quickly!

Hopefully, there is a pretty simple solution to this problem: do like me and book your hotel as early as possible!

So, my best advice is to take 5 minutes (now) to have a look at the list of travelers’ favorite hotels in Nice.

And if you see a good offer, book it!

Most hotels offer free cancellation, so it’s quick, easy, and you will avoid the the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the current best deals for your hotel in Nice, simply click on the green button below 😎:

Once you’ve booked your hotel, it will be time to continue reading this guide and find out more about the best things to do in Nice!

The Castle Hill park (le parc de la Colline du Château) is located on the hill overlooking Nice Old Town. It owes its name to the military fortress that overlooked the bay of Nice from the 11th to the 18th century.

You should go to this park for the stunning viewpoints it offers over the city, the Bay of Angels (Baie des Anges), the harbour and the mountains.

Here are the 5 best viewpoints of Nice Castle Hill:

• At the top , with a view of the airport and mountains
• Close to the children’s playground area , view of the harbour and the hill of Mont Boron,
• Bellanda Tower : View over the Bay of Angels
• Belvedere near the exit of the elevator
• Cascade du Château , an artificial waterfall, but still very pretty!

You can walk up and down the castle on foot or use the elevator. I recommend you to take the stairs for at least one of the way as this allows you to pass by the Bellanda Tower lookout I mentioned earlier.

If you go down on the other side of the castle, you should take a walk through the castle cemetery , which also offers a beautiful view of the city. It’s even better if you can do it at the end of the day to enjoy the sunset!

You understood it, the Castle Hill is really one of the best places to visit in Nice (and my favourite in the town center for its amazing view!).

Ohh, and one more thing: It’s also possible to go to the Castle by taking the Nice mini-train tour! The departure point is on the Promenade des Anglais , in front of the centenary monument of the Jardin Albert 1er.

Due to the Castle hill opening hours, it’s not possible to watch the sunset from there all year round.

Opening hours:

From 01/10 to 31/03: 8h30-18h From 01/04 to 31/09: 8h30-20h

So you will be able to watch the sunset from the Castle hill only the following months

– September, November, December, January and up to around 15th of February.

If Nice beach looks good in photo, with its big pebbles, it’s not necessarily the most comfortable beach in the world!

As far as swimming is concerned, it’s the same thing. In Nice, the water gets very deep very quickly, so it’s not really an ideal spot for snorkeling or playing in the water for example.

For this reason, I recommend you go to Villefranche sur Mer or Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. I will tell you more about theses cities later in this article.

And if you like to get a tan for hours on the beach, you can go to one of  Nice private beaches, like Castel beach (Castel Plage), located at the foot of the Castle Hill. Other beaches allow you to do nautical activities like parasailing, stand up paddle or tubing!

And speaking of nautical activities, here are the best water sports to enjoy during your trip to Nice.

Simply click on the links below to book them at the best price:

• Parasailing in the Bay of Angels, near Nice Old Town
• First dive , with 2 dives of 20 minutes or opt for a freediving class!
• 3-hour Snorkeling tour to go fish-watching
• Stand up Paddle
• Kayaking down the Var river
• Canyoning – Here are the best canyons to explore around Nice Cramassouri Canyon – Riolan Canyon – Canyon of the Riou de la Bollène – Gorges du Loup Canyon – Imberguet Canyon .

Cimiez neighbourhood is at first a residential place, so you will not find many shops or restaurants. Nevertheless, you have some nice points of interest to visit:

• Cimiez Arena Park (parc des arènes de Cimiez)
• The Cimiez arenas (les arènes de Cimiez), located at the entrance to the park
• Cimiez monastery gardens (jardins du monastère de Cimiez), from which you will have a panoramic view of Nice and the Bay of Angels.
• Cimiez archaeological museum and it’s Roman ruins.
• The Henri Matisse museum , which is located in the arenas park.
• Marc Chagall National Museum

To go to Cimiez, you can take the bus number 5, 33 or 70.

Nice Russian Orthodox Cathedral , listed historical monument, is the most important Orthodox worship religious building outside Russia. It thus clearly deserves its place in this list of the best places to visit in Nice!

Even if quite far from what you were expecting to do in Nice, it’s worth a look, even just to appreciate the contrast between the architecture and the Mediterranean vegetation, or even the palm trees just around the corner!

It’s also possible to visit the inside of the cathedral.

You can get there on foot or with bus number 8.

Nice Carnival , largest carnival in France and one of the world’s most famous, takes place every year in February for 2 weeks.

Every year, the festivities attract several hundred thousand of spectators, coming to enjoy the monumental floats and t he famous flower parade (also called flower “battle”) on the Promenade des Anglais.

Totally unknown by other tourists, the park Vigier , close to La Réserve and the “Coco Beach” restaurant is the ideal place to take a nap or read a book in the shade of palm trees, during the hottest hours of the day.

The right part of the park is always very quiet, as the children are mostly playing in the left part of the park.

This walk, that most tourists don’t know about is in 2 parts and allows you to walk from Nice to Villefranche sur Mer , while following the sea for 90% of the time.

• The first part starts from Coco Beach and takes you up to the Cap de Nice by a series of stairs, to bypass the cliffs of the Materlinck Palace (Palais Materlink).
• The second part of the coastal path begins with a descent down the stairs in the big turn after the Materlinck Palace . It allows you to reach the port of Villefranche Darse.

The walk isn’t very long, if you want to do it all the way from Nice, count about 1h30-2h depending on where you start from. It’s also possible to make only one of the 2 parts. If you only want to do the second (30-45 minutes), you can take bus number 100 from Nice harbor to the “English hospital” stop. The beginning of the coastal walk is about 200m further on, in the big turn.

To get back to Nice , take bus 15 or 100 in Villefranche sur Mer.

A section allowing passage through the cliffs was being studied, which would allow to walk from Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer entirely by the seaside, but it seems that the project is unfortunately at a standstill.

If you prefer, you can also discover the coast between Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer with a boat trip.

Starting from Nice, you will first sail to Villefranche and then continue to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, where you can admire superb villas from the sea.

The cruise to the bay of Villefranche needs to be booked by clicking on the button below:

And if you prefer to enjoy a small group boat tour (on a Zodiac) at sunset , you should rather book this excursion (click here).

In addition to the cruise to Villefranche bay I told you about, there are a few other great boat trips to do from Nice . (Simply click on the links to book them):

• An evening sea trip on a solar boat
• Boat trip from Nice to St Tropez , with free time in St Tropez to visit the town
• Boat tour to the Lerins Islands , with a visit to Sainte-Marguerite island (walking tour of the island, swimming, picnic)
• A round trip transfer Nice-Monaco by boat
• A 4-hour fishing trip.

For more details about these boat trips, you can read my detailed article: The 8 best boat trip from Nice

In addition to these boat tours, you have 2 other options that will allow you to discover Nice surroundings by boat, away from the other tourists.

To enjoy a VIP experience , you can:

1) Book a private boat trip from Nice

In my opinion, this is the best way to make the most of your day at sea in Nice!

You will rent a boat with an experienced skipper that will take care of showing you the most beautiful places of the French Riviera .

Motorboat, sailboat, catamaran or even yacht: choose the boat you want to spend a dream day!

As you can imagine, this type of VIP day at sea is extremely popular, so you should rent your boat with skipper as soon as possible. It would be a shame to miss this day because all boats are already rented!

You can find all boats with skipper in Nice by clicking on the button below:

2) Rent a boat to discover Nice’s surroundings

If you have a boat license, your second option for a great day at sea is simply to rent a boat!

To do so, it’s very simple: you just have to click on the button below:

For those who wish to discover the city on foot, here is an itinerary that will allow you to pass by the must-see places in Nice.

Start your Nice walking tour in Nice Old Town and the Cours Saleya , then continue on the Promenade des Anglais to the Negresco Hotel and Villa Massena (which houses the excellent Massena Museum ). Go back for about 300m and take the Congrès street (rue du Congrès). Then, take the first street on the right, and you will arrive in the pedestrian zone , a good place to shop, have a drink, or eat in one of the many restaurants.

At the end of the street, you will reach Place Massena , with the Sun fountain (fontaine du soleil) located at its south, in the centre of which is a 7m high statue of Apollo. On your right is the Jardin Albert 1er with its monumental arch of 115.5 degrees.

Continue along the Promenade du Paillon , where the Nice water mirror is located. This park leads you directly to Garibaldi Square.

As it will certainly be lunch time, if you would like to taste a Niçoise speciality like socca , I recommend you to briefly go back to the old town of Nice located 2 steps away to fill your stomach! And why not finish with a good ice cream from Azzurro , on Rossetti Square?

After the meal, go back to Garibaldi Square and head toward the port of Nice by Cassini street .

Go around the harbor by the Quai des Deux Emmanuels and take Boulevard Franck Pilatte , which will lead you to La Réserve (it’s on this beach that Brice de Nice lives, in case you know the movie!), Parc Vigier and Coco Beach , in that order.

From Coco Beach , you can continue along the coastal path , and even reach Villefranche sur Mer . In this case, you will need to take the bus number 100 to go back to Nice.

Finally, at the end of the day, you can go to the Nice Castle Hill , walking up the stairs or using the elevator, in order to enjoy the sunset!

Other itineraries are available on the city of Nice website (in french).

Mount Boron is a Mediterranean forest located on the east of Nice.

It’s also the place where you can find the very photogenic Fort Mount Alban . It offers many walks with beautiful views of the Bay of Angels and the Bay of Villefranche .

You should really go to the Mount Alban Fort , at the top, the view is amazing! For me the best place in Nice. Going there is a great activity with a rewarding view!

To get to Mont Boron, take the city bus number 30 from Nice.

The Phoenix Park (Parc Phoenix), also called “Nice Floral Park” is a botanical and zoological garden located near Nice Airport, in the Arenas district.

On 7 hectares, you will find a very high biodiversity, both fauna and flora, with aviaries, marsupials, porcupines, otters and a pond.

One of the major attractions of the site is the large greenhouse , which has several tropical climates with tropical plants and various bird specimens including pink flamingos.

In the park, you will also find a children playground area. Phoenix park is a great place to spend an afternoon with your family in Nice!

The entrance fee for the Phoenix Park is 5 euros per person. Discounts are available for families and students.

To get there, you will need to take the Tramway line 2 and stop at “Parc Phoenix” station.

I have already talked about a few of Nice museums , especially in the paragraph about the district of Cimiez, but there are many others worth seeing. Here are my 5 favorites!

• Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art of Nice , called MAMAC, near the Garibaldi Square.
• Asian Arts Museum , located right next to Phoenix Park
• The Museum of Art and History of the Massena Palace, a superb “Belle époque” style mansion on the Promenade des Anglais.
• The Palais Lascaris , in Nice old town, has a very beautiful collection of musical instruments, and some of them are really unusual!
• Jules Chéret Fine Arts Museum , located in the magnificent setting of Villa Thompson, on Baumettes hill.

And as a bonus, if you like photography, I recommend the Charles Nègre photography museum , which is small, but offers high quality exhibitions. Moreover, it’s located in the Nice old town, so you don’t need to need to go far away to find it!

Good to know: In Nice, it’s not possible to pay museum’s admission fees one by one, you have to buy the “Nice Museums Pass” , which gives you access to all the municipal museums:

• 24h pass: 10 euros
• 7 days pass: 20 euros

You can find more information about the museums included in the Nice Museums Pass on the official Nice museum website .

Us, Niçois (inhabitants of Nice), don’t dare to talk too much about it, but sometimes… it’s raining in Nice . Yes, for real! Well, that’s not what you’ll see on postcards.

If, in a pure moment of bad luck, this happens during your vacation on the French Riviera, I have prepared a list of activities to do in Nice if the weather isn’t good:

• Visiting one of the many museums in Nice: When it rains, it’s certainly the first thing that will come to your mind. I’ve made you a list of the best ones a little higher up in the article. Don’t forget to take the Nice Museums Pass.
• Bowling: There is a quite large bowling alley in Nice, which also has a few arcade video games: the Nice Acropolis bowling alley, here is the address: 5 Esplanade Kennedy, 06000 Nice
• Ice skating: head for the Jean Bouin ice rink, close to the Acropolis and bowling for a short gliding session! There is also a swimming pool in the same building. All equipment can be rented, gloves included.
• Play an escape game: it’s a fun experience to do with family or friends. There are several in Nice, including “I Lock U” and “Fox in a Box”, which are in the city centre. A great activity to do in case of bad weather.
• Going to Monaco and visiting the Oceanographic Museum : it’s simply one of the best museums in the region.
• Play laser tag: The only laser tag game of Nice is located in the plain of Var (Plaine du Var), at the Lingostière shopping center
• Cinema: There are 3 cinemas in Nice city center : The Pathé Masséna, the Pathé Paris and the Varieties. The first two are located on Avenue Jean Médecin, and the third on a perpendicular street, the Avenue Victor Hugo.
• Experience video games in virtual reality: It’s raining? Well, this is a great opportunity to try out virtual reality. A VR playground,”Game Over”, opened in Nice. Here is the address: 14 boulevard de Riquier – 06300 Nice
• Go to the fair: If you are in Nice in December, you will have the opportunity to go for a walk in Luna Park, a temporary amusement park. As most of it is located indoor, in the exhibition center (Palais des Expositions), it’s a great activity to do when it’s raining in Nice

If you’re going to Nice, I strongly recommend that you go for a trip around Nice , as the area around the city is full of beautiful places to discover. Here are someone of my favourite places to see around Nice:

• Villefranche-sur-Mer: A very pretty little Mediterranean town. Don’t miss: The Villefranche Old Town, the darse (it’s port) and most important, the citadel St. Elmo (Citadelle Saint-Elme), also simply called “Villefranche citadel”.
• Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: The peninsula of billionaires, with incredible luxury villas like the villa Ephrussi de Rothschild . To do: the coastal walk tour of the Cap Ferrat, which starts from the beach “Passable”. You can also swim in one of the pretty little coves along the way!
• Eze village: This small village perched above the sea is one of the most beautiful villages in France. Also worth a visit: the exotic garden of Eze.
• Menton: A small town on the Italian border, known for its lemon festival and sunshine. The old town of Menton is quite pretty.
• Antibes: Known first and foremost for its Square fortress (Fort Carré), a 16th century military fort by the sea, the old town of Antibes is also worth a visit, with excellent restaurants. Another thing to do in Antibes: the Cap d’Antibes tour and its magnificent residences.
• Cannes: The city where the famous film festival takes place every year. Don’t miss: The walk on the famous “Croisette”! and the visit of Lerins islands
• The Principality of Monaco: Monaco , famous for it’s luxury lifestyle! To see: The palace , located on Le Rocher, the Casino de Monte-Carlo , the Oceanographic Museum and if you like beautiful cars, Prince Rainier III old car collection. You can read my guide about Monaco here: The 25 best things to do in Monaco
• Beautiful villages to visit around Nice: Peille , Saint Agnès (highest perched village on the coast), Coaraze and its sundials, and the ruins of Châteauneuf-Villevieille .
• Enjoy a boat trip to admire Nice and the bay of Villefranche from the sea. You need to book it here!
• The wineries around Nice, where you can taste excellent wines of the PACA region. You will find the list of all the wineries offering visits near Nice by clicking here!

If you want to discover the best of the French Riviera in one day such as Eze, Monaco, Antibes and Cannes , you can opt for an organized day trip.

It needs to be booked my clicking here:

There are of course many other things to do around Nice, this being a non-exhaustive list, which should nonetheless keep you busy for a good week.

If you only have one day to visit Nice , I recommend that you take a walk around the area, with the itinerary I describe at #12 of this top. Nice is not very big, so a walking tour is clearly the best way to discover the city!

And if you don’t want to walk all day, you can in the afternoon:

• Go to the beach
• Visit some museums in the city centre , such as the MAMAC, the Palais Lascaris or the photo museum, very close to each other.
• If you choose to visit museums, don’t miss the Masséna Museum in the morning, as you will pass by!

No matter which itinerary you choose, go to the Castle Hill at the end of the day, you won’t regret it, it’s a must see in Nice.

In 2 days in Nice , you will have the time to visit the surroundings! In addition to the first day described above, here is one of my favorite itinerary, very little known to tourists:

• Start in the morning with the coastal path ( #11 ), which goes from Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer . It’s a really beautiful stroll by the water!
• Visit the Villefranche old town , its port, its pretty beach, the magnificent St-Elmo citadel and its free mini-museums.
• As it will certainly be lunchtime, you can eat in one of the seaside restaurants or in the old town.
• Then, I recommend that you climb up the hill of Mont Boron , a very beautiful pine forest with many amazing viewpoints on Nice on one side, and on the bay of Villefranche on the other.
• From Villefranche-sur-Mer , start by going to  l’escalier de verre ( Google map link – Glass stairs, it’s just a name, it’s not made of glass!), about 15 minutes walk.
• Then go to the Fort of Mont Alban , for the great view over the bay of Villefranche, then turn back to the southern part of Mont Boron, which overlooks Nice.
• To return to Nice , you can walk down (30 to 45 minutes) or take bus 30 from the Plateau du Mont Boron.

To easily plan your 2 days in Nice, you should read my dedicated article: The best 2-day itinerary in Nice.

To be done in addition to the 2 previous days. Spending 3 days in Nice is having time to make another unforgettable excursion in the surroundings: a superb itinerary that will take you from Eze village to Monaco , passing by Menton . Make sure you have good shoes, as the paths are quite rocky.

• First, take the bus 82 from Nice to Eze village.
• Visit this magnificent perched village and the exotic garden of Eze
• To go back down to sea level, take the Nietzsche Trail , which offers a magnificent view of the sea and surrounding cities. It will take you to Eze Beach.
• Then take the bus number 100 of the “lignes d’Azur” to Menton.
• Visit the old town , and grab something to eat!
• Then, walk around Cap Martin along the seaside trail.
• Continue with the Promenade Le Corbusier , which will take you from Roquebrune to Monaco
• Visit Monaco , and to finish, take bus number 100 from Monaco bus station to go back to Nice.

Another busy day around Nice!

You have a week in Nice ? You’re really lucky! You will be able to visit a lot of things around Nice , and discover the majority of the places presented in this guide. In addition to the previous days, here is an itinerary:

Day 4: to avoid the impression of running everywhere, make this day a little more tranquil: In the morning, head to the Hill of Cimiez with its park and museums ( #7 ). For the afternoon, you can go to the beach in Nice , stroll again in Nice Old Town, have a drink on the Cours Saleya or shop on Avenue Jean Medecin .

Day 5 : let’s go to Antibes with the bus 200 or by train from Nice, to see the Fort Carré, the old town and the Cap d’ Antibes . To mix once again with swimming for a successful day!

Day 6: a day trip to Cannes (bus 200 or train), coupled with a boat expedition on the Lérins islands.

Day 7: take the 15 bus from Nice to Saint-jean-Cap-Ferrat , do a tour of the Cap (in part or in full) and, most important, relax in one of the small coves, the beach of Passable or the one of Les Fosses.

This itinerary of one week on the French Riviera is the best way to get a good overview of the region!

• Hôtel Ozz by Happyculture : Located about 15 minutes from the beach on foot. Nice place, very friendly staff, great location and comfortable beds. Only 20€ per night in dormitory. Double room at 55€. This is the best hostel for a budget stay in Nice!
• Hôtel Brice Garden : Located in the hear of Nice, 5 minutes walk from the beach and Promenade des Anglais. Very well furnished and clean room from 80€ per night. Excellent value for money. Friendly and welcoming staff. The best value hotel if you want to stay in the city center! Needs to be booked as soon as possible, lots of demand.
• Hôtel le Saint Paul : Located 50 meters from the Nice harbor, in a quiet area, with an amazing sea view. Large bright room from 95€ per night, buffet breakfast for 12€. Plus: free private parking. My favorite in Nice!
• Hôtel Le Royal Promenade des Anglais : Located right on the Promenade des Anglais in a historic building. Prestigious room decorated in a classic style, very bright, from 135€ per night, breakfast at 15€.
• Hôtel Negresco: Located on the Promenade des Anglais, this exceptional hotel is simply the best in Nice. The rooms are magnificent, the view is stunning, the staff is amazing and the restaurant is one of the best in town. It’s the best choice for a luxury stay in Nice!

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day at sea during your stay in Nice, you should book it with Samboat.

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental!

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip in Nice? 😊

I have made for you a tourist map of Nice , listing all the must see attractions and activities as well as the 2 itineraries I talked about. You can display the map legend by clicking on the top left button, the one with a little arrow on it.

You’re going to travel to Nice? What do you plan to visit?

France travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet France guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the Rick Steves France guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

Discover all our articles about France: All Voyage Tips articles about France are listed here. French Riviera

• French Riviera: Top 25 best places to visit and activities
• Itinerary: 1 Week in French Riviera – the definitive guide for your 7-8 days trip
• Antibes: Top 20 best places to visit
• Cannes: The 20 best things to do and activities
• Monaco: 25 Best places to visit
• Nice: 15 things you must do and see

Other French Cities

• Annecy: 12 things to do and see
• Honfleur: Top 15 things to discover
• La Rochelle: Top 15 things to do and must-see attractions
• Lyon: 21 Best things to do
• Marseille: Top 33 best things to do and see
• Nantes: The 15 best things to do
• Reims: Top 15 things to do and see
• Rennes: The 15 things you must do!
• Strasbourg: The 25 must-see attractions

You’re using Pinterest? Here is the picture to pin!

Creator of the Voyage Tips blog, travel and photography lover. I give you all my best tips to plan your next trip.

Related Stories

3 Days in Athens: The Perfect Itinerary (First Time Visit)

2 Days in Athens: The Perfect Itinerary (First Time Visit)

4 Days in Athens: The Perfect Itinerary (First Time Visit)

Discussion 72 comments.

I am planning to go to France in June and I think I will spend a few days in Nice.

It’s funny how I can really tell you love your hometown when reading this article.

By the way, do you think it’s worth spending a few days in Cannes too?

Ahahahah yes, I love my hometown, Nice is a very beautiful city for sure. For Cannes, honestly it’s not worth it, there is nothing to do except a bit of (expensive) shopping there. There are much more beautiful places to see around Nice. If you would like to visit a “luxury” city, I would rather recommend Monaco, it’s a lot more interesting! When you will be around Nice, I strongly recommand you to visit Villefranche sur Mer, Saint jean Cap Ferrat, Eze village, Menton and Antibes. They are really the Top 5 places you shouldn’t miss on the French Riviera!

My boyfriend and I are going to Nice in May (19-22). We have 4 whole days, but two of them is on public holidays. What would you recommend to do these days? So far we’ve planned the coast walk to Villefrance-sur-mer/Mont Boron and we also want to visit Monaco, but we haven’t decided which days we do what. So what should we plan for the two days 20/21st, where most shops are closed?

Best regards Simone

Hello Simone,

For your trip to Nice, i suggest you the following visit planning: (random days order)

1) the Villefranche/Mont Boron day. Can be done during the public holidays, the shops in Villefranche sur mer aren’t super interesting. 2) the problem is this second day where the shops are closed. You can go to Saint Jean Cap Ferrat for a walk along the see, grab some sandwiches (in Nice before going, there is not much there) and eat the in a cove. Another option is to go to Italy, as the 21st of april is a working day there. There are direct trains to Ventimiglia, it takes less than 1h. you can also go to San Remo, a bit bigger city. you will need to change train, takes around 1h30 total. Just be careful, in Italy, shops are usually closed from 12h30 to 16h (nap time!) 3) if you like hiking, you should go to Eze village by bus, and then from up there you can go down all the way to monaco. It is a superb small hike (going down and flat, easy), and a great way to make the most out of your day. Try to leave Nice not too late (around 9am is fine) 4) 1 day in Nice to visit the city by foot, do some shopping etc…

Let me know if you need more info for your stay in Nice!

Hey.. My fiancé and I are planning our honeymoon in Nice end of November and starting December for 4 days.. and would like to understand if it would be a good time to visit the town and would it be possible to do day trips at that time of the year. We do not mind the cold weather.. 🙂 Btw, your article is very interesting and full of insights.. 🙂

I am glad my article about Nice is helping you to plan your trip!

You can visit Nice and the towns around at any time of the year, the weather in this area is one of the best in France.

End of November/December is still really enjoyable, especially if you get a few sunny days (it’s not too cold like january/february). You can do everything I mentionned in this article without problem! (Just no swimming, unless you are warriors :p)

Enjoy your honeymoon!

Nice article. Im planning to visit Nice next month.

Just a question, walking around old town, is it stroller friendly? My baby is 3months old 🙂

Yes, Nice old town is 100% stroller friendly. There are no mandatory stairs, you can go everywhere by just walking in the alleys. In addition, the ground is flat, (no cobblestones), so it is very easy to navigate with a stroller or a wheelchair.

Enjoy your stay in Nice!

Thanks for the very nice article.

Me and my boyfriend are planning a one week visit to Nice and surrounding areas in December (21st-28th). I want to ask you about the Christmas traditions and also for the days of 24,25 and 26th is everything closed? What do you suggest to do during those days?

In Nice, there is a (quite small) Christmas market that takes place every year on the Place Massena. The illuminations in the street at nights are also quite nice!

The only official holiday is on the 25th of December, the other days, everything should be open, so no problem for this.

On the 25th, you should probably opt for a walk, for example you can take the bus #14 and go to the Mont Boron and Mont Alban fort ( #13 of this guide). You will love the view from there! You can spend around 2 hours up there, and then if you feel like it, go back to Nice on foot. It just goes down so it’s pretty easy.

Hi thinking of visiting Nice and the surrounding area at the very end of March next year. Not expecting beach weather but would it be pleasant enough for walking around?

Hello Carolyn,

At the end of March, you have good chances to have a nice weather in Nice. Not super hot (probably around 15-17°C during the day), but good enough for walking around and enjoying the French Riviera.

If you have any other questions about your stay in Nice, don’t hesitate 🙂

Hi! We are planning to be in Nice in April 16 and after that we going to Monaco for a cruise on April 20 . Will you please give us your recommendations how to spend this time ? rent a car or not?

Renting a car isn’t mandatory in Nice as public transportation is pretty good in the French Riviera. You can easily go to every place I have mentioned in this guide by bus or train.

For your stay in Nice, you should do the activities I mentioned: in the “Visit Nice in 1, 2 or 3 days” part of the article. If you don’t want to walk too much, you can also take the bus. From Nice:

– Bus #82 to go to Eze Village – Bus #100 to go to Villefranche Sur Mer – Bus #14 to go to the Mont Boron – Bus #200 to go to Antibes (or train if you prefer, it’s faster)

In addition to the visit of Nice, these are really the 4 best places to see around.

Hello, I am going to Nice end of May 2019 for 4 days. it will be 4 adults. I red all your recomendations, its very well informative. I prefer to have a private guid with a mini van for 2 days to see some places. Do you know anyone or how and where to find this option.

Hello Jane,

The best way to find a private guide to visit Nice and the French Riviera is to ask your hotel. They usually know drivers and/or guides and can recommend you someone.

Have a great trip!

Hello Vincent,

Hope you’re well!

I’m surprising my boyfriend and taking him to Nice for the weekend this Friday for his birthday (my birthday is also next week, so two birds with one stone!) and just wanted to say what a lovely article with great inspiring ideas and full of information. Love the map as well! Wish I could download it as a PDF on my phone though. I can’t wait to explore the beautiful places! Fingers crossed it doesn’t rain!

Many thanks again!

Hello Irina,

I am great thanks, and you?

I am really glad my Nice city guide is helping you to plan your trip in and around the city.

If you have any specific question, don’t hesitate, I will gladly help you.

Have a great day!

I’m going for 3 days is it best to visit both Cannes and Monaco or just one of them and can you get around without knowing any french.

There isn’t much to do in Cannes except walking on “La Croisette” next to the sea. And you can do the same in Nice on “La promenade des Anglais”.

So it will be better to visit Nice and maybe do a day trip east of Nice, to Monaco and Menton (the old town of Menton is very nice).

Don’t worry if you don’t speak French: the hotels staff always speak English and can help you to organize your day trips, telling you which bus to take and where to take it.

As it’s quite touristic city, you shouldn’t have too much trouble to find an English speaking person in the street neither!

If you have more questions about your trip to Nice and the French Riviera, don’t hesitate to ask me.

this list of things to do in Nice is wonderful and well written from the heart. I’m excited that a few of us are going to be there late May. Your article is Magnifique.

I am glad you like my article about Nice and find it useful!

If you have any specific question, don’t hesitate to ask me. Enjoy your stay in Nice!

Hi Vincent,

Great Page! I will use your weekly guide.

I have a question on buses and trains. I may get a bus or train to visit Cannes and Monaco. How do the tickets work?

Thanks for your help.

Hi Richard,

For the bus tickets, you can buy them directly in the bus. No matter where you go, it’s 1.50 euros one way.

When going to Monaco with the bus, the scenery is really nice, so try to sit on the right side of the bus if you can 🙂

About train tickets, you can get them at the automatic machines at the train station. Else, you can also book them online in advance on Oui Sncf , the official french railways website.

Enjoy your trip in Nice and around the french Riviera!

Thanks Vincent Must say that its pretty good article. Liked the way everything is described. I am sure you love your city. Same as we, so we plan to visit the French Riviera for 4 full days at end of June.

We are family of 4 with 2 adults and 2 young kids (One is 6 yrs and another 10 months baby). Wanted to check some suggestions for family friendly places to see and things to do. and also if will there be problems with stroller ? We are staying at Nice and plan to visit Nice and the nearby places these 4 days. Can you plz suggest a good itinerary?

Many thanks in advance.

I am glad you found this article about Nice useful!

You can really go everywhere in town with your family, even in the old town, there is no stairs, so it’s quite stroller friendly 🙂

For the itinerary with your family, you can do the following (adapted for young kids compared to the one in the article, no walking on non-stroller friendly paths)

– Day 1: Follow the “visit Nice on Foot” itinerary suggested in the article ( here ). You can go up to Garibaldi square, or if you are motivated, also go on the harbor up to Coco beach.

If you decide to go up to Coco beach, you can do it at the kid’s pace, and maybe take bus 38 to come back to city center, if the kids are tired. Visiting Nice on foot is the only way to visit the heart of the city, as it’s quite small!

You can go to the Castle Hill around 3 or 4pm, there is an elevator that will take you up there. It’s located in “Rue des ponchettes”.

– Day 2: Go to Menton with the bus #100 or train (faster). Visit the old town, then take bus #100 to Monaco. Visit Monaco Take Bus #100 or train to get back to Nice. If you still have the time, you can stop by Villefranche sur Mer, but the old town is quite steep and it’s stairs only.

You should take the bus for at least 1 way, as the #100 ride offers a quite nice view over the French riviera coast.

– Day 3: I would do something more relaxing, as “day 2” was a big one. For example, go back in the old town, enjoy an ice cream, take bus #14 to Mont Boron and walk around in the pine forest, up to the “Fort du Mont Alban”. It’s a great viewpoint!

– Day 4: Take the bus #200 or the train (a lot faster – recommended) to Cannes. Visit the “Croisette” and maybe take the boat to Lerins islands! If you don’t take the boat, you can then take the train to Antibes to visit the old town or enjoy a good lunch in one of the numerous restaurants located there. You can also skip Cannes and head directly to Antibes from Nice, as you prefer!

Enjoy your stay in Nice and its surroundings 🙂

Love the site, so much useful information!

We’re a couple travelling to the Provence area in September 2019 and we really want to visit Nice and the Riviera whilst we’re here. We’re hiring a car for around Provence and I wondered if you had any tips for safe parking in Nice please? We’re happy to park at a smaller town and travel in by train or bus but we’re not sure of the options.

Do you have any advice please?

Thanks Jane

I am glad my blog helps you to plan your trip in Nice and the French Riviera!

For safe parking, you have a few underground parkings in Nice city center, they are however a bit expensive (25 euros per day or 90 euros for 5 days). You can find the rates and parking location on this website . It’s unfortunately all in French, but the cheapest and most central are Corvesy and Palais Massena, the 2 firsts of the list.

If you are looking for a relatively cheap option to leave your car for a few days (about 10-12 euros per day), your best bet is to go to the “low cost” parking of the airport. From there, you can take the tram to reach Nice city center easily.

You can click here (website in English) to have a look and book it. It needs to be booked in advance.

Enjoy your trip!

Thanks so much for your helpful suggestions!

Kind regards Jane

Hi, thank you very much for your suggestions. I would just like to point out that Castle Hill closes before the sunset (about an hour or more before) so it is not possible to view the sunset from the top. Just thought I would let you know so you can edit your post 🙂

Yes thank you for this comment! My girlfriend and I were traveling in Nice for 5 days. This was going to be the highlight of our trip and we spent all day awaiting the sunset and the perfect moment to hike up. However, upon arrival, we were told it was closed at 8:00 as it does every night, and the sunset does not occur before 9:00 at least!! What a disappointment!!

Yes, that’s right, the Castle Hill closes too early in summer to be able to enjoy the sunset.

As it’s not possible to watch the sunset from there all year round, I have edited the post to include the opening hours and the months when it can be done. It will be clearer now 🙂

I just wanted to thank you for this fantastic article. I used it consistently through my 4 days holiday in Nice. It was super useful, informative and spot on. Thanks again! 🙂

Hi Umberto,

Thank you for taking the time to post this kind comment. I am glad my article about Nice helped you during your stay in Nice! And I am also very happy you had a good time.

Maybe see you soon on the blog for another destination 🙂

What a lovely article about a beautiful city.

My husband Tony and I fell in love with Nice on our first visit in 2007 and have been very lucky to visit 2-3 times a year since.

We will soon be back in Nice for our 5th of 6 trips this year. I have to say though, I don’t get Monaco, it is far too crowded for us.

We have visited all the places you have mentioned and some you have not. We love to get on a bus and visit the hilltop villages such as Vence, Ste. Jeannet and Biot.

Thank you for a lovely article.

Bonne chance, A bientot Nice

Hello Linda,

Thank you for your kind comment!

I am really glad you enjoy traveling to Nice and the French Riviera, it’s a very nice place for sure, and there is a lot to discover around the city.

The small villages you talk about are very beautiful, and there are many in the region. The bus network is pretty good there, so that’s one more reason to go explore Nice surroundings.

Enjoy your stay and I wish you to discover many hidden places!

Hi my wife and I are going to nice the end of the month, how easy is it to get on the tram from cote d Azur to rue de belgique

Hello Jason,

I am not 100% sure, but I think you are talking about going from Nice Cote d’Azur airport to rue de Belgique?

In that case, as the “rue de Belgique” is located just a few meters away from the SNCF train station, you have 2 solutions:

1 – Take the tram line 2 at the airport, get out at “Jean Médecin” station and go to rue de Belgique on foot (about 10 minutes walk) 2 – Take the tram line 2 at the airport, get out at “Jean Médecin” station and take tram line 2 to “Gare Thiers” (1 stop, will make you save maybe 5 minutes waking). You tram ticket is valid for 74 minutes, so you can take both trams with just 1 ticket.

Hello, first congrats on this amazing blog . I know that writing something like this is not easy every time 🙂 I am going in Nice this month and following your blog and some other things on the internet i made this plan: 26.12.19 Old Town of Nice -cours Saleya -courthouse Square -rossetti square – Saint Reparata Cathedral+ ice ceam at Azzuro  -the saint Francis square Castle Hill (the castle Hill Park) with views from: -at the top – childrens playground area -Bellanda Tower -Belvedere near the exit -Cascare du Chateau – waterfall On the way back – castle cementery Working time 8:30-18 h 27.12.19 Cimiez neigboirhood: -cimiez arena park+cimiez arenas -cimiez monastery gardens -cimiez archaeological museum -Matisse museum 28.12.19 -Modern art musum -Palais Lascaris -Photogpraphy museum -Massena museum -Musee des Beaux – Promnande des Anglais – with rent a bike  + Jardin Albert 1 + promenande du Paillon + Place Massena 29.12.19 Eze Monaco + Monte carlo

30.12.19 Observatory Mont Boron Notre Dame de Nice Ortodox church

D you think it is possible to do this? Or i should change something? Thank you, and again very nice blog 🙂

Hello Veronika,

Yes, your itinerary seems perfect, you can do it!

However I prefer to warn you that it will be quite busy, especially for the 28/12 and also 30/12 if you don’t have a car.

I would just change a small thing: while you will be in the old town on the 26/12, you might want to visit Palais Lascaris on that day, it order to make 28/12 a bit less busy.

In your itinerary, maybe you wanted to put all the museums in a 24h timeframe in order to benefit from the 10 euros 24h Museum Pass? If it’s the case, i am afraid it will unfortunately be a bit too short to do all you mentionned, and you will have to take the 7 days all Nice museum Pass anyway (20 euros).

Enjoy your trip to Nice, and if you have other questions, don’t hesitate!

Yes i was thinking the same about the pass (that it will be better with the weekly one) and it is okey it is not a big difference ! Thank you very much again 🙂 Have a nice Chrtismas Holidays 🙂 Greetings from Bulgaria 🙂

You’re welcome!

Thanks and enjoy your Christmas holidays too 🙂

Thanks for taking the time to write this! Very helpful article. I am going to Nice for a week 29th March – 5th April.

I wanted to ask if you think Saint Tropez is worth a day-trip , since it will be off-season so was thinking that it is better to use the time for places like Menton etc.

Also, is there a weekly bus pass or I would have to buy tickets each time in the bus?

Hope you have a great holidays 🙂

Hello Aleks,

Thanks! I’m glad my blog is helping you to plan your trip to Nice.

Yes, I think it’s better to visit Menton, Eze, Monaco etc… Saint-Tropez is a bit too far for a day trip and there is not so much things to do.

For the bus, you can buy a weekly pass for about 15 euros. You will get unlimited bus and tramways rides for 7 days. You can buy it at any tram station.

Have a great stay in Nice!

My husband and I are visiting in late April. It’s our first trip to Europe and unfortunately we are only going to have a half day in Nice when we arrive and one more half day in Nice right before we leave to go back to the states.

What is the best way for us to maximize our time here?

Thanks in advance for your time!

Hello Michelle,

If you only have 2 times half a day to visit Nice, I would suggest you to do the following:

– First half day: Visit the old town (and try some local specialties!), Massena Square and take a stroll on the Promenade des Anglais. As the castle Hill closes at 8 pm in April, you can also go there for 1 hour or so before closing time, as the view is really great! – For your second half day, it will depend on what you enjoy doing: – Option 1: If you have a car (or check the #14 bus schedule carefully, as there aren’t many), and want to walk a bit in the nature and enjoy great views over Nice and Villefranche sur Mer, you should go to the Mont Boron, up to the “Mount Alban Fort” – Option 2: You can spend more time in the city, doing a bit of shopping and stroll around the port, up to “Coco beach”.

Enjoy your trip to Nice!

My family are booked to go to nice 19/7/20 for 1 week, staying air band b in old town. We are wondering whether to come or not given COVID-19. Is much open? Do you have to wear mask everywhere? Is public transport running as normal? thank you Andreas

Hello Andreas,

All the museums and tourist sites have reopened in Nice. Most of the bars, restaurants and shops have also reopened.

You will need to wear a mask in public transport, shops and museums.

Public transports will be using their normal summer schedule from the first of July.

That’s the plan for now, however, no one knows how it will evolve in a few weeks time.

What a great post. I’m going to use it to enjoy my visit to Nice. Thank you for your effort!

Hello! Thanks for such an informative article! I am coming on 02.06.21 and have not really understood whether it is possible to go to Monaco now and, if so, under what conditions. Do travel restrictions in France also apply to tourists? Is there anything important I could definitely know when traveling to Nice?

Hello Diana,

Thanks! I am glad my article is helping you to plan your visit to Nice!

If you want to go to Monaco during your stay, here are the COVID related things you should know (at the moment): – For all travel to Monaco from France, it’s mandatory to present a negative PCR test less than 72 hours old. – Non-residents are not allowed to enter restaurants in Monaco.

In Nice and in Monaco: – A 9pm to 6am curfew is in place – Wearing a mask is mandatory in public spaces, both indoors and outdoors, on public transport and in shops.

Hope you are doing very well.

I am planning for 4.5 days trip to Nice during the second week of July. I have planned out like below. Could you please suggest if this is possible to cover.

Also, Could you please provide your guidance regarding the recent travel restrictions to Nice, Cannes, Monaco etc.

Do you think taking a trip to Monaco is possible if I am completely vaccinated.?

– Nice Castle Hill – The Promenade des Anglais – Discover the Old Town of Nice – Nice Russian Orthodox Cathedral

– Start in the morning with the coastal path , which goes from Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer. Take bus number 100 from Nice harbor to the “English hospital” stop. Do the coastal walk To get back to Nice, take bus 15 or 100 in Villefranche sur Mer.

– Visit the Villefranche old town – Visit the hill of Mont Boron, – From Villefranche-sur-Mer, start by going to l’escalier de verre – Then go to the Fort of Mont Alban, for the great view over the bay of Villefranche, – To return to Nice, take bus 30 from the Plateau du Mont Boron

– First, take the bus 82 from Nice to Eze village. – Visit this magnificent perched village and the exotic garden of Eze – To go back down to sea level, take the Nietzsche Trail, which offers a magnificent view of the sea and surrounding cities. It will take you to Eze Beach. – Then take the bus number 100 of the “lignes d’Azur” to Menton. – Visit the old town – Then, walk around Cap Martin along the seaside trail. – Continue with the Promenade Le Corbusier, which will take you from Roquebrune to Monaco. We can also take bus #100 to Monaco – Visit Monaco, take bus number 100 from Monaco bus station to go back to Nice.

Day 4: – a day trip to Cannes (bus 200 or train), coupled with a boat expedition on the Lérins islands.Visit the “Croisette” and maybe take the boat to Lerins islands! – take the train to Antibes to visit the old town – take the 15 bus from Nice to Saint-jean-Cap-Ferrat,

Awaiting your response.

Warm regards, Raj

Hope you’re doing well too!

For your 4-5 days trip to Nice, it’s possible to do day 1, 2 and 3.

For Day 3, keep in mind that it’s a long day: you will need to take the bus to Eze around 8h30-9h in the morning. The full day as detailed in this guide is about 20km walking in total. As you mentioned, if you want to walk less (8-10km in the day I would say), you can take the bus #100 from Menton to Monaco instead of walking around Cap Martin and taking the Promenade Le Corbusier.

For Day 4, it’s not really possible to do all this in a day, because Cannes and Antibes are located West of Nice while Saint-jean-Cap-Ferrat is on located East of the city.

In my opinion, you should go to Cannes, visit the city and do the boat trip to the Lérins island. If you are not too tired, you can stop by Antibes in the evening and maybe have diner there before returning to Nice (by train probably).

For Saint-jean-Cap-Ferrat, you should plan another day!

About the Covid restrictions, to go to France (Nice has the same as the rest of France at the moment), it will depend on the country you come from. For Monaco, even if you are vaccinated, I think you will need a PCR test unfortunately, so that’s not very convenient.

In That case, you might want to do Eze and Saint Jean Cap Ferrat on day 3!

Enjoy your trip to Nice and the surroundings,

Thank you for your quick response and all your valuable suggestion. Just to mention, I am a french resident living in Paris and my starting point is Paris itself. Also, I am vaccinated in France and have also completed 15 days after the second shot of the vaccine.

So, for Monaco, Do I still need a RT PCR before travelling. Please suggest.

Warm Regards, Raj

If you’re a French resident, that’s perfect then, no problem to come to Nice (at least for the moment!)

For Monaco, I have checked again and 2 websites are saying contradictory things:

The French government website stipulates that you need a PCR test and doesn’t mention vaccination: French Government website Monaco government website says that you don’t need a PCR test if you are fully vaccinated: Monaco Government website

I believe the French gov website isn’t up to date!

Enjoy your trip 🙂

Thank you so much for providing all the details. It was indeed very helpful. 🙂

Regards, Raj

Hello Vincent, Thank you for your article, it is super helpful. I will be going to nice and I know that it is not very famous for sandy beaches, but if I am going to chose a beach for laying down and swimming a bit in nice or its outskirts, what would be your recommendations ( not in Cannes please, because this will be another trip following Nice’s). Thank youuuuu, Mariam

Hello Mariam,

I am glad my article about Nice is helping you to plan your stay!

If you want to go to the beach, the closest to Nice that is relatively nice is “Marinières beach”, located in Villefranche sur Mer.

You can take bus #100 to get there and stop at Villefranch sur Mer main bus stop. You will then need to cross Villefranche old town on foot, it’s pretty nice even if quite steep when going back up.

Another option is to take the train, that stops just above the beach.

Enjoy your beach day!

Hi Vincent, I’m so glad to find your website and it’s full of info. I’m planning to travel to Nice in early October this year and I have the following questions. I will be grateful if you could give me a bit of advice.

1). Is it safe for a woman to go around in Nice especially in the evening? 2). Where will be the best area to stay for convenience , like buses , walking distance for major places? 3). Is it recommended to take a French Riviera one day trip?

Many thanks and bonne journée .

Thanks, I am really glad my website is helping you to plan your stay in Nice!

1) Yes, it’s safe, especially in the touristy areas. Just like in all big cities, be careful for pickpockets and don’t leave your stuff unattended (Yes, even on the beach if you have something valuable). Also, if possible, avoid the district around the train station at night. 2) Around Place Massena is the best for sure. If you give me your budget per night and the dates of your stay, I can try to find you an hotel that will suit your needs. 3) If it’s your first time on the French Riviera and have a tight schedule, that trip ( click here to see it and book it ) is a great option to see a maximum of places!

Have a great day too and let me know if you need more help!

Morning Vincent,

Thanks for the reply and info. I am planning to be in Nice between 11/10-15/10/2021. So, I have at least full three days in Nice. Do you think I will have enough time to do the full day boat trip? I would really like to though. My budget is up to 60euros per night. I will be taking a train from Beziers to Nice. So, would like to know is it just one train station in Nice?

Look forward to hearing from you.

Regards Jennifer Wong

Hello Jennifer,

1) I am not sure about which boat trip you are talking about, because the French Riviera day trip I mentioned is not by boat. You can plan 2 days in Nice and 1 day for the French Riviera excursion yep!

2) I have found a few hotels that might fit your budget. They are located near the city center, so you can visit on foot or to get around by tram/bus. You can click on the links for details and prices, and see if it’s what you want: – Hotel Ozz by Happyculture – It’s a hostel with dorm beds but it’s cheap and it’s the best hostel in Nice – EasyHotel Nice Palais des Congrès – Old Town – Trocadero – Hotel 66 Nice – Hotel Esprit d’Azur

3) From Béziers, the train stops at Nice-Ville Gare Thiers which is the main train station.

Enjoy your stay!

I’m visiting Cote D’Azur the next 4 days. I’ll stay 3 night in Nice and 1 night in Marselhe. I’m going with my husband and 2 couples more. Could you recomend me some nice restaurants in Nice, to have dinner? Our budget is around 40/45 eur p/person.

Hello Maria,

Please excuse me for my late reply, your comment was in the spam folder and I just saw it today.

I know it’s too late but I hope you had a great stay in Nice and found good restaurants.

Salut Vincent, Thank you for this really interesting and clear article! We’re looking to visit Nice for a week in late November for my birthday and wondered if you could recommend any romantic restaurants in the area? Thank you! Kathryn

Hi Kathryn,

You’re welcome, I am glad my article is helping you to plan your stay in Nice! For romantic restaurants, I would suggest:

– Having a drink at “Le Plongeoir” and then dining at “La Réserve”, the restaurant just next to Le Plongeoir. – La Chèvre d’Or, in Eze – 2 Michelin stars, one of the best gastronomic restaurant of the French Riviera – Le Mayssa Beach, in Villefranche sur Mer – Le Boudoir (Nice) if you like truffles – Jan (Nice) – 1 Michelin star restaurant located on the port of Nice

Enjoy your stay and have a nice birthday!

Thanks again Vincent, we will definitely be looking at these!

Hi there, love how much thought that has been put into this article! I am coming for the first time to France on 19th april, Was wondering if you have any recommendations are on where to get the best local dishes? I see that only Azzurro was mentioned for the ice cream but do you have recommendations for the best places to try socca, etc ? Thank you ♡

Thank you! To taste the best specialities of Nice, I recommend you: – For the Socca: “Chez Theresa” in the old town – Address: 28 rue droite. – For the pissaladière: “Lou Pelandroun” – Address: 4 Boulevard Joseph Garnier. The best pissaladière ever, with the real “Nissart” dough. I hope it will be open when you go to Nice because for the moment they are closed for renovation. – For the dishes (panisses, daube niçoise…): “L’Acchiardo” in the old town. Address: 38 rue droite. You really need to book in advance for this one.

Thank u so much!! I have a couple more questions if you have the time!

I plan to do the eze, menton, monaco day trip. And for monaco i definitely want to take our time there. (Oceanographic museum, monte carlo casino, palace, f1, etc) So do you have any idea to roughly how much time to spend in Eze and how much time to spend in Menton ? We will take buses in between to save time. Also is there anything in particular in both towns that is A MUST SEE before we go to Monaco? Just so I can make sure we dont miss it!

I also would like to ask if you have any knowledge on if we will need anything extra to enter Monaco. We are fully vaccinated with booster shots too. It’s okay if you dont know, I just wanted to ask just in case for some reason you knew 😅😂

Also is it worth visiting the notre dame cathedral? 🙂

Haha sorry for all the questions!

Hello Vasha,

You can spend about 1 hour in Eze village: walking through the tiny historical centre and visiting the exotic garden. If you want to visit the Fragornard perfume factory, allow another half hour.

In Menton, you can walk around the old town to see the Basilica of Saint-Michel, the Halles market and the Herbin jam factory. It’s quite small too so an hour is enough, maybe 2 hours if you plan to eat there.

To enter Monaco, no need for anything special if you’re vaccinated. And for the cathedral: the entrance is free and it the visit just takes 5 minutes so you can go and see it quickly.

Enjoy your stay on the French Riviera!

Thank you so much Vincent! Take care ♡!

Leave A Reply Cancel Reply

Your Name (required)

Your Email (required)

Your Website (optional)

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Middle East
• North America
• Cheap car rentals: my best advice
• Back to Homepage

NICE TRAVEL GUIDE with Sample Itinerary & Budget (South of France)

The French Riviera, in general, has made a reputation for being the favorite playground for the rich and famous. For over a century, it was the go-to destination for Russian and British aristocrats including Queen Victoria. It has also inspired artists like Pablo Picasso and Henri Matisse. Today, it remains highly associated with celebrities and wealthy personalities. From the prestigious film festival in Cannes to the yacht vacations in Saint-Tropez (hello, Leo!), the French Riviera is almost synonymous with glamor and luxury.

But is it possible to explore the region on a budget? Of course!

WHAT'S COVERED IN THIS GUIDE?

UNDERSTANDING NICE AND THE FRENCH RIVIERA

The French Riviera refers to the coast of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, tucked in France’s southeast corner, facing the Mediterranean Sea. Its coastline is dotted with several picturesque cities and small towns, all easily accessible from each other, including Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Antibes, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, and the Principality of Monaco, which is a completely separate country.

The most ideal base in the region is Nice, dubbed the Jewel of the French Riviera. From here, most of the area is easily accessible. Although Nice is the second most visited city in France today, next only to Paris, it wasn’t always French. It was the Greeks of Marseilles who founded the city in 350 BC and named it Nikaia, after the Greek goddess of victory, Nike. But for many centuries, it was part of the Duchy of Savoy.

Nice’s location and history explain why a strong Italian influence is undeniable in the city today. Ventimiglia, the closest Italian city, is less than an hour away. For a time, it was also under the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia until it rejoined France in 1860. So yes, Nice has only been a part of France for around 150 years!

Here are more bits about Nice:

• Location : Nice is in the Alpes-Maritimes department of France’s Provence-Alpes-Côte region.
• Time Zone : UTC+1 (Central European Time). Nice is 7 hours behind the Philippines, Singapore or Malaysia; and 8 hours behind Japan. However, daylight saving time is in effect from the last Sunday of March until the last Sunday of October, which puts it at UTC+2, only 6 hours behind PH, SG, and MY.
• Language : French. Before re-annexation by France, Nice spoke Niçard, a dialect of the Occitan language, not commonly spoken today. But you can easily get by using English.
• Currency : Euro (EUR, €). €1 is roughly USD 1.18, SGD 1.61, PHP 57.23 (as of August 2020)
• Modes of Payment : Many establishments accept credit cards, but most still prefer cash.

WHERE TO STAY IN NICE

Best area to stay.

Nice’s city center is composed of several districts, but these four will interest tourists the most:

• Vieux Nice (aka Vieille Ville or Old Town). The historical and cultural core of the city in the shadow of the castle hill. Its narrow medieval alleys are lined with old buildings and punctuated by local restaurants. Its southern edge is hemmed by Promenade des Anglais (“Walkway of the English” or English Promenade), the city’s popular beach area. It harbors several relatively cheap hostels and apartments.
• Jean Médecin. It generally refers to Avenue Jean Médecin, but in this article, let’s also use it for the area surrounding it. The avenue runs from the railway (a short walk from the main railway station) to Place Massena (at the entrance to the Old Town). A tram line (T1) runs the entire length of the avenue, which means staying near it gives you easy access to other parts of the city.
• Thiers. Situated west of Jean Médecin, this neighborhood is suitable for backpackers. Cost of lodging and dining here is significantly cheaper than the Old Town and Jean Médecin, but it remains accessible. It’s also suitable if you’re planning on visiting other cities in the French Riviera because it fronts the main railway station (Gare de Nice Ville).
• Le Carré d’Or (Golden Square). Straddling Boulevard Victor Hugo and the Promenade des Anglais, it is probably the most upmarket side of the city. While it is possible to find less expensive options especially as you go Thiers-ward, it is well-known for several high-end hotels. Golden Square, indeed.

If you’re a budget traveler, the first three would be the most ideal. They’re easily accessible and dotted with numerous points of interest. They also have the most options that won’t bankrupt you.

Top Hostels in Nice

Luckily, we were able to book the last room at Antares Hostel , which is near the train station and just a block away from Avenue Jean Medecin.

Here are other hostels in Nice, as ranked by Booking.com customers.

• Hôtel Ozz by Happyculture. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Meyerbeer Beach. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Backpackers Chez Patrick. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Villa Saint Exupery Beach Hostel. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Nice Art Hotel. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Antares hostel. Check Rates & Availability! ✅

Top Budget Hotels

Here are top-ranking but relatively inexpensive places to stay in Nice, as scored by Agoda customers:

• Residence Lamartine – Nice. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Ibis Styles Nice Centre Gare. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Apart’hotel Ajoupa. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Boutique Hotel Neptune Nice. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• L’Alcove Hotel. Check Rates & Availability! ✅
• Hotel The NAP hotel by HappyCulture. Check Rates & Availability! ✅

Search for more Nice Hotels!

HOW TO GET TO NICE

Nice and the French Riviera are served primarily by Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) , often shortened to Nice Airport . Welcoming almost 14 million passengers per year, it is the third busiest airport in France, next only to Paris’s Charles De Gaulle (CDG) and Orly (ORY).

Nice Airport is used by over 60 airlines (around 20 seasonally), connecting the region to numerous European cities and a few outside the continent.

Nice Airport to City Center

Nice Airport is located roughly 6 km from the city center of Nice, around 20 minutes away. Most online sources suggest taking Bus 98 or Bus 99 to the city center, but they are no longer operational.

Instead, the newly opened Tram Line 2 (T2) links the airport to the city center. Both Terminal 1 and Terminal 2 have tram stops on this line. If your hotel is in the Old Town, Jean Medecin or in the area near the Nice Ville Station, here’s how to get there from the airport.

• Buy a ticket from the machines at the station. One-way fare is only 1.50€. The machine accepts euro coins and credit card only. No change given.
• Take the tram to Jean Médecin. The tram operates from 5:19 am until 12:15am (24:15). But note that there are fewer journeys in the early morning (5-7am) and late night (9pm-12:15am).
• Validate your ticket upon boarding. The validation machines are positioned by the door of the vehicle. Insert your ticket with the arrow down into the small box and wait for it to stamp your card.
• Get off at Jean Médecin stop. This stop is located near the corner of Boulevard Victor Hugo and Avenue Jean Médecin.
• Make your way to your hotel. Depending on your hotel’s address, you can either transfer to Tram Line 1 (T1) or just walk if it’s not too far.

For more detailed instructions, READ: NICE AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER!

By Train and By Bus

Gare de Nice-Ville is the city’s main railway station. It’s located in the Thiers area, just a short walk from the northern end of Avenue Jean Medecin. Here are the train companies operating here and the cities they connect Nice to:

• TGV (French high speed train): Paris, Marseille, Cannes, (Nice); Lyon, Avignon, Cannes, (Nice)
• Thello (EuroCity): Milan, Genoa, Savona, Ventimiglia, Monaco, (Nice,) Cannes, Marseille
• Russian Railways: Moscow, Minsk, Warsaw, Vienna, Innsbruck, Milan, Monaco, (Nice)
• TER Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (Regional): Marseille, Toulon, Cannes, (Nice)
• TER Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur (Local): Cannes, Antibes, (Nice,) Monaco, Menton, Ventimiglia; Tende, Breil-sur-Roya, (Nice)

If you prefer the bus, FlixBus also has trips to Nice from various cities in Europe including Milan, Genoa, Aix-en-Provence, Marseilles, and even as far as Paris and Barcelona.

To search for bus rides to Nice, visit this page: FIND AFFORDABLE BUS HERE! ✅

HOW TO GET AROUND NICE

The best way to get around Nice is by walking! The city is pretty pedestrian-friendly, and most of the key attractions are within spitting distance of each other. But if you can’t travel on foot, you can take the public transportation.

By Tram and Bus

When traveling within Nice, the two primary modes here are the tram and the bus, both operated by Lignes d’Azur .

Another bus company is the TAM (Transport Alpes-Maritimes), which operates regional buses. But because their routes overlap with some of Lignes d’Azur’s within Nice, their ticket systems are integrated.

Fare is only 1.50€ , valid for both the tram and the bus, regardless of the distance. However, the ticket is valid only for 74 minutes. You are allowed to make a transfer as long as it’s within the 74-minute period.

Aside from solo tickets, you can also purchase a tram and bus pass, which comes in three variants:

• 1-day pass , unlimited. Valid for 24 hours. Price: 5€ .
• 7-day pass , unlimited. Price: 15€ .
• 10-trip pass . Valid for 10 trips only. Can be used simultaneously by multiple travelers. Price: 10€ .

These passes are also accepted by the TAM but only within the common ticket zone, which covers mostly Nice and up to Monaco. When traveling beyond this area, you will need to buy another ticket even if you have a pass.

By Hop-on Hop-off Bus

If, for whatever reason, you don’t want to take the public bus or tram, another option is to travel by HOHO bus. This is ideal if you want to be seated comfortably while sightseeing. An audio-guide is provided, which shares information about each stop. You may also get off if you want to explore a stop further, but you will need to wait for the next bus to get to the next site.

By Bike or E-Bike

You can rent a regular bike or an e-bike. There are multiple bike lanes that allow you to weave in and out of the beautiful alleys and buildings of Nice. Experience the fetching squares and boulevards on two wheels, and make your way to a quaint part of the city called Vieille Ville. You can rent a bike via Klook.

NICE & FRENCH RIVIERA TOURS

In this section, instead of discussing the tourist spots one by one, we’re grouping them in tours. This way, you’ll get to visit places close to or accessible from each other. You can either do these tours on your own or you can join organized group tours. We’ve provided both the links to sites where you can book such tours and, if you prefer to pull a DIY, the instructions on how to get there by public transportation.

For a specific list of places to visit and things to do in and around Nice, check out our more detailed post here: NICE ATTRACTIONS!

FREE Walking Tour of Nice Old Town

We booked with Riviera Bar Crawl Tours . This 2-hour tour will take you around the Old Town, stopping at some interesting landmarks along the way. Because it’s a guided tour, you’ll have a better appreciation of each site as you learn along the way.

Here are a few of the key stops:

• Place Massena , the meetup point. Just look for the guide in a red T-shirt with a red umbrella near the fountain and statue of Apollo. Place Massena is the city’s main square, designed by Joseph Vernier in 1834.
• Cours Saleya , a market street within the Old Town best known for Marché aux fleurs (flower market) and Marché aux fruits et legumes (fresh produce market). Both markets are closed on Mondays.
• Le Palais de Justice , the city’s Hall of Justice completed in 1892.
• Place Rossetti (Rossetti Square), a small square fronting the Nice Cathedral (Basilique-Cathédrale Sainte-Marie et Sainte-Réparate de Nice) and surrounded by a dozen restaurants and narrow alleys.

These are just some of the stops. After combing the Old Town, you’ll be marching towards Promenade des Anglais. The tour ends at the Castle Hill, where you can spend your time after the tour.

It’s FREE in theory. But you are expected to tip the guide. How much you should tip depends on how much you liked the tour. I usually tip 5€ to 10€. But I add more if the tour is exceptional.

Although it is free, you are encouraged to register beforehand. You can do that here .

Operating days: Tuesday-Sunday (unavailable on Mondays) Meetup point: Place Massena fountain Meetup time: 11 am Duration: 2.5 hours

Monaco Tour

The second smallest country in the world, the Principality of Monaco is an independent microstate on the Riviera, but it’s easily accessible from Nice. Some of the key attractions are the Palais du Prince, the Oceanographic Museum, Jardin Exotique, and Larvotto Beach. It also hosts one of the most prestigious racing events in the world — the Monaco Formula One Grand Prix.

How to get to Monaco: You can take the scenic Bus 100. Fare: 1.50€. Travel time: 45 minutes. Alternatively, you may take the train from Gare de Nice-Ville. Fare: 4.10€. Travel time: 20 minutes.

For a better appreciation of Monaco, we recommend joining a guided tour instead. The tour starts at Gare de Nice-Ville, where you’ll meet the guide who will lead you by train to Monte Carlo. The guide will take you around Monaco, sharing information about each attraction along the way. You can book this tour on Klook.

French Riviera Tour

Aside from Monaco, Nice is the usual jumpoff point to other destinations in the French Riviera including Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Cannes. You can take either the bus or the train, or join a group tour.

• By Bus. The TAM (Transport Alpes-Maritimes) operates intercity buses within the region, from Cannes to Menton. The most popular bus route is the Bus 100 , which can take you from Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer to Monaco to Menton. The journey is considered one of the most scenic bus rides in the world. Bus 200 will take you to Antibes and Cannes. Fare is only 1.50€, valid for the next 74 minutes. See schedule here!
• By Train. The TER Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur can take you to other cities and villages in the region. The main station is the Gare de Nice-Ville. Fares are 1.90€ for Villefranche, 4.10€ for Monaco, 4.80€ for Antibes, 5.50€ for Menton, and 7.20€ for Cannes. Check schedule here!

If you want to see much of the Riviera in a day or you need a guide, a good option is to join a group tour. You’ll find dozens of them, each with their own itineraries. The tour available on Klook ticks most of the boxes: Mont Boron, Villefranche, Eze, Monaco, and Cannes.

Alpes-Maritimes Countryside Tour

While it’s easy to understand why most tourists flock towards the seaside cities, one must not dismiss the quaint and cozy villages farther inland. Three of the most notable communes in Alpes-Maritimes are Grasse , the world’s perfume capital; Opio , where you can learn the process of making olive oil; and Gourdon , home to the Saut du Loup waterfall and Loup Gorge.

Nice Food Tour

French food is globally celebrated. That alone is reason enough to stuff your face in Nice. But there’s one more reason: Niçoise cuisine is distinct, utilizing the fresh ingredients readily available in the region, with a dash of Italian influence. Some of the dishes you shouldn’t miss are:

• Salade Niçoise , composed of mesclun (a mix of fresh, young greens like arugula lettuces and chevril), black olives, tuna, anchovies, hard-boiled eggs, and olive oil.
• Pan bagnat , which is, in a nutshell, salade Niçoise as a sandwich.
• Socca , a type of thin pancake made from chickpea flour.
• Pissaladière , a pizza-like treat made of bread dough topped with onions, black olives, and anchovies.
• La Daube Niçoise , beef slowly stewed with cremini mushrooms, cayenne pepper, and brandy.
• Les Petits Farcis (also called farçis Niçois), veggies stuffed with ground meat then baked.
• Ratatouille , layered stew of vegetables like zucchini and eggplant, which originated in Nice!

When choosing a place to eat, look for the “Cuisine Nissarde” sign. This label is awarded to restaurants that serve quality Niçoise specialties and provide warm service.

Oh! Don’t forget to treat yourself to a scoop or two of refreshing ice cream, especially if you’re visiting in summer. Try special regional flavors like lavender (yep!), thyme, black olive, and tomato!

If you want to learn more about each dish — how they are prepared, where they originated, and more — join a guided food tour! The food tour on Klook features pan bagnat, socca, farçis niçois, and pissaladière. You also get to try artisanal macarons and gelato (Italian ice cream).

Other Places to Visit in Nice

• Promenade des Anglais (literally means the “Walkway of the English”), a beachside walkway hemming the city. Although the beach here isn’t sandy, this popular beach still attracts tourists who wish to swim, sun-bathe or simply pass the time. You can rent a lounge chair for around 20€ per day.
• Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill) , used to be crowned with the Castle of Nice before it was destroyed by Louis XIV in 1706. Today, it is a public park where you can enjoy the best view of the city, Baie des Anges (Angels’ Bay), and Port Lympia. You can also bring some snacks — perhaps some fruits you bought at Cours Saleya — and have an afternoon picnic. To get to the top, you can either climb the winding staircase or take the FREE elevator.
• Avenue Jean Medecin , Nice’s primary shopping street. Many locals simply call it “the Avenue”. Pulsating with life, this energetic street is flanked by restaurants, bars, stores, and the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Nice.

DAY TRIPS FROM NICE

Although it is possible to visit multiple Riviera destinations in one day, you could also take it slow by visiting just one or two and spending more hours there. Aside from Monaco, you could visit Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Menton, Eze, and Cannes.

We created a separate post for this. READ: DAY TRIPS FROM NICE!

SAMPLE NICE ITINERARY

Below is a sample Nice itinerary that you may use as a model in building your own. Feel free to make changes as you see fit.

DAY 1 – ARRIVAL, JEAN MEDECIN 01:35 pm – Arrival at Nice Airport/Station 02:19 pm – Tram to Jean Medecin, 1.50€ 02:50 pm – Walk to hotel 03:10 pm – Hotel check-in, rest 05:00 pm – Explore Avenue Jean Medecin 07:00 pm – Dinner, 15€ 09:00 pm – Back to hotel

DAY 2 – NICE TOUR 10:00 am – Quick brunch, 10€ 10:30 am – Walk to Place Massena 11:00 am – Free Walking Tour – Tip tour guide, 5-7€ – Buy snacks at market, 7€ 02:00 pm – Chill at Castle Hill Park 03:30 pm – Walk along Promenade des Anglais 05:00 pm – Buy gelato from Azzurro/Fenocchio, 5€ 05:30 pm – Explore other parts of Old Town 07:30 pm – Dinner, 20€ 09:00 pm – Walk back to hotel

DAY 4 – DEPARTURE 08:30 am – Pack up 10:30 am – Early check out, leave bags 11:00 am – Early lunch, 10€ 12:00 pm – Leave for airport/train station, 1.50€

If you’re able to book a bed for 40€ per night, the above itinerary will cost you at least EUR 365 (USD 430, SGD 588, PHP 21,000) per person excluding airfare and airport taxes but including some allowance to cover incidental expenses, future price movements, and other possible expenses we might have missed.

You can insert this into a greater European itinerary. We didn’t include airfare in the budget because many travelers visit Nice on a multi-city tour of Europe and may be coming from various cities, some by train.

You can significantly reduce the cost by skipping the French Riviera group tour and doing it on your own by taking public transportation instead.

MORE TIPS FOR THE POOR TRAVELER

• Walk when you can. The greater part of Nice is pretty pedestrian friendly. You can explore on foot if you’re fit or up for it.
• Toilets in the Cours Saleya area charge 35 cents. When walking around the Old Town and you need to heed the call of nature, you can use these restrooms.
• Most good restaurants are not open the whole day. They only operate during lunch hours (11:30 am – 1:00 pm) and dinner hours (7:00 pm – 9:00 pm).
• Hit the supermarket. A meal at a cheap restaurant plays within the EUR 10-12 range. Drinks not yet included. At mid-scale restaurants, you’ll find set meals for EUR 16-22. The best way to save on food is to buy from the grocery or supermarket and just eat it in your hotel. If your hostel has a microwave oven, you can use it to reheat food.
• Ask for tap water. Tap water in Nice is safe to drink. At a restaurant, ask for “un verre d’eau” or “un carafe d’eau.” When you’re asked if you want flat or sparkling, just say you want tap water.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Do i need a visa to visit nice.

If France is the only country you are going to visit or if you’re traveling to multiple countries but staying in France the longest, you will need to apply for a visa via the French Embassy.

For more information about how to get a visa from the French Embassy, READ: FRENCH SCHENGEN VISA!

Is Nice safe?

Always keep an eye on your valuables, especially if you’re lounging on the beach, having a meal outdoors, or taking public transportation. Someone might secretly or swiftly steal them.

You might also encounter some of the common scams in Europe. The posts below might help.

✅ HOW TO AVOID SCAMS IN EUROPE

When is the best time to visit Nice?

Nice has a mild climate that is sunny for most of the year. However, it can get really crowded and hot during the peak summer months of July and August.

The ideal seasons to visit the country are during autumn and spring with the weather just a right mix of comfortable and sunny.

What is the tipping policy in Nice?

At restaurants, you can round up the bill or leave 5-10% if you truly enjoyed the service.

At FREE walking tours, most participants leave 5€ if it’s a big group and 10€ if it’s a rather small group (fewer than 10 guests).

Is tap water safe to drink in Nice?

At a restaurant, ask for “un verre d’eau” or “un carafe d’eau.” When you’re asked if you want flat or sparkling, just say you want tap water.

If you really want bottled water, buy big bottles from a supermarket. It’s much much cheaper than buying small bottles at restaurants. Just buy big bottles, leave them in your room, and refill the small bottle before going out.

What type of power plug / socket is used in Nice?

2020 • 8 • 28

More Tips on YouTube ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Is this post helpful to you?

Related Posts:

• PARIS ON A BUDGET: Travel Guide & Itinerary
• 10 DAY TRIP DESTINATIONS FROM NICE, FRANCE
• NICE AIRPORT TO CITY CENTER: Old Town, Jean Médecin, Nice Ville Station
• NICE: 28 Best Things to Do & Places to Visit (South of France)
• NICE TO MONACO: By Train, Bus or Group Tour?
• NAGOYA TRAVEL GUIDE with Budget Itinerary
• NAGSASA COVE: Travel Guide & Budget Itinerary
• PARIS: 30 Best Things to Do & Places to Visit

• Recent Posts

• 2024 Cebu Pacific Promos & PISO SALE with Number of Seats Available - 7 September 2024
• U.S. VISA APPLICATION Requirements & Interview Questions in the Philippines - 4 August 2024
• WHERE TO SHOP IN BANGKOK • Top 8 Shopping Centers and Malls - 29 July 2024

What a nice article base on france travel guide :) thank you so much bros!

This is so NICE! I’ve been to France but only for less than 24 hours in Paris. I was supposed to go back to France this year but got cancelled because of the pandemic. Thanks for this comprehensive guide!

Featured On

We heard you!

Your comment is now queued for moderation! We’ll try to get back to you soonest. While waiting, follow us on these channels.

Subscribe on Youtube! Follow us on Instagram!

Travel Europe on a Budget

The Savvy Backpacker

City Guides .\33 a132798-3f3b-4585-954d-7e70cf863447{fill:#231f20}

Nice travel guide | best things to do in nice, france.

What to see, do, eat and where to stay while visiting Nice, France on a budget.

It’s easy to see why people flock to Nice. First, the weather is amazing (hello 300 days of sunshine) and we love how the city is a great blend of France and Italy (i.e. lots of great food). Its large beach and cute old town are perfect for people-watching. Nice also has a lot of solid shopping and museums to check out. Additionally, Nice is the perfect home-base for exploring the smaller cities and towns of the French Riveria or if you’re just stopping by as part of a larger tour of France.

In this Nice Travel Guide, we’ll cover the best things to do in Nice and help you find what to do, where to eat, where to stay, and how to get around while traveling on a budget.

How Much To Budget For Nice

The words “budget” and “French Riveria” usually don’t go together but Nice can still be a budget destination with a bit of planning.

We recommend budgeting around €35-€60/day if you’re on a backpacker’s budget. You can easily spend more, and you might be able to spend less, but this is a good range for planning purposes. Our Nice, France Travel Price Guide has a more in-depth breakdown of travel costs if you want to learn more.

How Long To Visit Nice

The highlights of Nice can be seen in about two days but you can easily add a few more days to explore the multiple day-trips from Nice that dot the coast of the French Riveria — like Monaco, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cap Ferrat, and Eze. There are also a number of inland cities that can be easily reached via Nice. A lot of travelers include Nice as part of a bigger trip through Southern France/Provence.

We spent six nights in Nice but traveled at a fairly leisurely pace and explored a few of the surrounding towns. However, if you’re in a hurry, you can explore Nice itself in about two days and then add an extra day or two for the surrounding areas.

The Good and Not-So-Good of Nice

We always like to cover the good and the bad of every city to help give you a quick idea of what you’ll experience when visiting Nice.

• Weather: Nice gets 300+ days of sunshine.
• Food: Nice is near Italy so there is a lot of good Italian food as well as good French food. And, of course, there are some tasty local specialties.
• Nature and Views: One of the main draws to Nice (and the rest of the French Riveria) are the beautiful natural views. There’s a reason so many artists lived and worked in Nice and the French Riviera throughout the years (Pablo Picasso, Claude Monet, Paul Cezanne, Henri Matisse, etc.)
• Beaches: Nice has a long stretch of beach that draws both tourists and locals.
• Hiking: The French Riviera offers plenty of leisurely hiking opportunities — most of which don’t require anything other than a sturdy pair of shoes.
• Gateway To The Riviera: Nice makes an excellent home base to explore the rest of the French Riviera — most of which are easily connected by buses or trains.

The Not-So-Good

• Summer Crowds: Like most towns in Europe, Nice does get a bit busy during the summer so you might have to fight the crowds. Make sure to make dinner reservations.
• Rocky Beach: The beach is great but you’ll want shoes/sandals if you plan on walking along the beach. Additionally, the water gets deep quickly so you can’t venture too far from the beach. That said, there are plenty of sandy beaches in the nearby towns.
• Summer Heat: Nice can get pretty toasty in the middle of summer — which is great for the beach but it not ideal for doing hikes and long walks.
• Lack Of A/C: The summers can be hot but not all hotels and rental apartments have air conditioning. Furthermore, the Old Town can be a little noisy at night so keeping your windows open can make it hard to sleep.
• Tourist Prices: Nice’s main industry is tourism so you have to seek out the good deals if you’re traveling on a budget (but that’s what this guide is for).

Get Orientated

Here is some practical information to help you plan your trip to Nice.

Getting Into Nice

The Nice-Ville Train Station is located in the northern part of the city. The Nice Tram is about a five-minute walk from the train station — which will take you to the old town and fairly close to the beach. It’s about a 20-minute walk to get to the old town. There will also be taxis or you can call an Uber.

The Nice Airport ( Aéroport Nice Côte d’Azur ) is only a few miles from Nice.

• A taxi ride should be a fixed rate of €32 (including luggage) if you’re going into the city center (be careful of drivers who don’t charge the fixed fare).
• The #98 and #99 express airport buses  connect the airport to the city center for €6/ticket ( Aéro Ticket ). There are a number of city buses that connect the city with the airport for €1.50/ticket but it’s slower and not super convenient with luggage.
• Uber is also popular in Nice. Expect to spend around €20-€25.
• There is currently a tram being constructed from the airport to the city center but delays have pushed back the opening date to sometime in 2019.

Getting Around Nice

The bus and the tram are the main ways to get around Nice via public transportation. Single tickets are €1.50 per ride and you can buy them directly from the diver or automated machines. You can also buy a €5 unlimited day ticket from the machines.

Of course, Nice is a fairly compact city so we pretty much walked everywhere without much trouble. For example, from the Old Town to the beach is about a five-minute walk and the Old Town to the train station was a 20-minute walk.

Taxis and Uber  are also plentiful — although taxis are very expensive. For example, our 10-minute Uber ride from the Old Town to the Chagall Museum was around €10 but a taxi would have been about double.

You won’t want to use a car to get around Nice.

Nice also has a cheap  bike sharing program called  Velo Bleu — simply take a bike from one of the many stations throughout the city. That said, lots of visitors find it difficult to use (especially if you don’t speak French) because of the service’s quirks, finicky stations, and broken bikes.

Where To Stay in Nice (Neighborhoods)

Nice is roughly divided into four main areas — the Old Town (Vieux Nice), City Center, the Beach Front (which spans the Old Town and the City Center), and the Port. Ok, there are a few more neighborhoods but we’ve only listed the ones most popular with visitors. You’ll find a variety of accommodation options in each neighborhood at all price ranges.

Old Town ( Vieux Nice )

Nice’s 16th century Old Town (Vieux Nice) is the cute, largely pedestrian-only part of town that’s packed full of restaurants, bars, cafes, markets, etc. The area is safe and lively so expect a bit of noise as people enjoy these narrow winding streets. You’ll find a handful of small hotels and a plenty of rental apartments in this area. [ See On Google Maps ]

City Center/New Town

The area roughly east of the Old Town is considered the City Center. Here you’ll find plenty of modern shopping, wider streets and sidewalks, “newer” buildings (well, when compared to the 16th century Old Town), and plenty of restaurants, cafes, and nightlife. There are a lot of budget-friendly options in the neighborhood but the area around the train station does feel a bit seedier but prices there are more affordable. [ See On Google Maps ]

Beach Front

Naturally, the areas close to the beach (i.e. along the  Promenade des Anglais ) tend to mostly be luxury hotels. Most budget travelers probably won’t be staying here but there are still a handful of fairly affordable rental apartments in the area. Luckily Nice is fairly compact so you’re never very far away from the beach. [ See On Google Maps ]

To the west of Old Town is Nice’s port neighborhood. The port is lively and has plenty of hip bars, restaurants, and nightlife. This area doesn’t attract a ton of tourists so it’s a nice spot if you want to get a more local feel of Nice — plus the accommodation and food is cheaper. That said, getting to the beach is a little more difficult since there is a large hill separating the port and the rest of Nice. [ See On Google Maps ]

Best Hostels In Nice

Nice only has about 15 hostels but many of them are well-rated and affordable. Nice does get busy in the summer so you might want to book in advance to get the best price. We recommend checking out Hostelworld to see the most current review and rates.

• Hostel Meyerbeer Beach
• Villa Saint Exupery Beach
• Antares Hostel
• Hostel Baccarat
• Hostel OZZ By Happyculture

Looking for a budget hotel? We suggest checking out  Booking.com  to see hotel prices for your dates since they’re always changing.

Best Things To Do In Nice

Let’s take a look at some of the top things to do in Nice, France.

Promenade des Anglais

The star of the show in Nice is its long Promenade that winds along its white pebble beach. Enjoy a stroll along this four-mile promenade and get your fill of people watching. The eastern side of the promenade offers some great city views and views of the harbor. Head back at night and listen to the street musicians as you stroll along.

Or rent a bike for a few hours! The promenade has dedicated bike lanes and it’s a pretty easy ride. We got our bikes (€4/hr or €10/day) from a place on promenade called Roller Station . It took us about an hour to bike from end to end and back.

You can’t visit Nice without spending some time on its white pebble beaches . Word of caution, the pebbles are painful to walk on so bring sandals or beach shoes. Also, bring a beach towel because are a little painful to sit on and the salty film will rub off on your pants. Also, the water becomes deep very quickly so it’s not ideal for swimming.

All the beaches are open to the public but there are a few private sections with lounge chairs and umbrellas that can be rented for about €20/day (€15 for a half day) — you can also just rent a towel for around €5. These are usually run by hotels but anyone can rent a spot — but you might want to snag one early in the summer. Waiters will also walk around to serve you food/drink.

TIP: Visit the nearby Farmers Market to pick up some goodies for a cheap beach picnic.

Explore Old Town ( Vieux Nice )

Nice’s Old Town dates back to the 16th Century so it’s fun to spend the day wandering its narrow streets. We wouldn’t say there are many “must see” sighs within the Old Town so just explore, get lost, and enjoy the ambiance. Stop at one of the many sidewalk cafes for a drink or stroll around with some gelato. [ See On Google Maps ]

Castle Hill

Castle Hill is perched along the eastern edge of the Old Town and towers above Nice so it’s a great place for some amazing views and photo-ops of the city and the port. At the top, you’ll also find a nice park, a waterfall, and the castle cemetery. There is a free elevator to the top or you can walk up its steps [ See On Google Maps ].

Tip: Visit during the sunset.

Farmer’s and Flower Market

There is a Farmers and Farmer’s market (Cours Saleya Market) every day in Nice’s Old Town — except Monday when its a flea market. It’s full of meat, cheese, fresh produce, and sweets. You can also buy prepared food. Be sure to try the local traditional snack called  Socca (basically a large chickpea pancake) that are served fresh all day — the best Socca stall at the market is Theresa Socca (you can’t miss her). [ See On Google Maps ]

Ave Jean Medecin

Avenue Jean Medecin is a long boulevard that stretches from the old town to the train station. The avenue is lined with tons of shopping (mostly big name brands) and some restaurants. Note: There is an excellent gelato place on the avenue called  Cesar Milano — it’s 100% worth the walk.

Promenade de Paillon

The Promenade de Paillon is a long walkway/greenway that essentially separates the Old Town and New Town. It’s a nice stroll and you find lots of children enjoying the water fountain park during warm weather.

Nice has a few great museums but the best is the Chagall Museum that features the largest public collection of Chagall works. It’s a fairly small museum and we found the audio guide to be very helpful and informative — highly recommended. Tickets are €8 for adults and the audioguide is €2.

The other two popular museums in Nice are the Matisse Museum (the largest collection of Henri Matisse) and the  Museum of Modern Art and Contemporary Art (which also has great city views from the roof).

Nice also has a number of smaller museums. Check out the  French Riviera Pass as it covers multiple museums and other sighs/attractions in Nice and the surrounding towns. It’s available 1, 2 or 3 days for €26/€38/€56. There is also a Nice Museum Pass that gives 7-day access to municipal museums for €20. Check out the Nice Tourism Office for more information on all of Nice’s museums.

Fort Mount Alban

This 16th-century fort is perched in the hills above Nice, Villefranche, & Cap Ferrat. Make your way to the top for gorgeous panoramic views of the towns and the coast. It’s a fairly leisurely hour-long walk from Nice (there are some steep steps/slopes but it’s mostly paved) or you can take the #14 bus. Not many people make the journey so it’s a good way to escape the tourist crowds.

Russian Orthodox Cathedral

Nice has an impressive Russian Orthodox Cathedral that was completed in 1912. It’s a bit outside the city center but it’s worth a visit if you have the time.

Coastal Walk To Villefranche

Hiking lovers can make the two-hour trek from Nice to Villefranche — which is almost most entirely along the coast. It’s a nice walk if you’re in Nice for more than a few days.

Other Things To Do In Nice

Check out the upscale  Cimiez Neighborhood  in the northern part of Nice as it’s home to Roman ruins, beautiful monastery gardens, thermal baths, and a nice park. It’s also home to a few museums — notably the Musée Matisse and Marc Chagall National  Museum.

Take a cruise around Nice to get a beautifully unique perspective of theCôte d’Azur. Trans Côte d’Azur cruise company offers an hour-long cruise along the coastline for €18. They also offer longer cruises to Monaco, Cannes, ST-Tropez, and a few other locations.

For amazing views of Nice , we suggest Castle Hill, the rooftop of the Modern Art Museum, and the Nice Observatory (two-hour walk or an hour bus ride).

Looking for something a bit bizarre? Check out Cunégonde et Malabar — home of conceptual artist Ben Vautier. He decorated the outside of this home in signs, gnomes, toilets, and other found objects. That said, it’s not the easiest place to get to [ See On Google Maps ]. Here are his directions to his place.

Tours and Activities

There are a number of tours and other activities available in Nice and in the area. Check out Viator  to book a wide range of activities. Here are a few highlights:

• Nice City Bike Tour
• French Riviera Electric Bike Tour from Nice
• Half-Day E-Bike Vineyard Tour with Wine Tasting from Nice
• Small-Group Nice Food Tour: Provencal Specialties
• Nice Segway Tour
• Provence Countryside Small Group Day Trip

French Riveria Pass & Nice Museum Pass

Looking to fill your days while visiting the French Riviera? Take a look at the newly introduced  French Riviera Pass as it includes admission to multiple museums and activities in Nice and the neighboring towns. The pass comes in three versions 24h(€26), 48h(€38), and 72h(€56). So take a look to see if this pass could save you money on the sites you were probably going to see anyways.

A few of the highlights are:

• Oceanographic Museum in Monaco
• Picasso Museum
• Museum of Modern Art (MAMAC)
• Marc Chagall Museum
• Renoir Museum
• Rothschild Villa and Gardens
• Double-Decker Bus Tour
• Segway Tour
• Bike Rental
• 1-Hour Ocean Cruise

There is also a Nice Museum Pass that gives 7-day access to municipal museums for €20. Check out the Nice Tourism Office for more information on all of Nice’s museums.

Where & What To Eat In Nice

Since Nice is so close to Italy you’ll find that a lot of the food is a mix of French and Italian (there’s plenty of international food as well). Tourism is the main industry in Nice so food prices tend to be a bit on the high side. Luckily, there are still a handful of places serving up quality meals for a fair price but you’ll want to do your research — furthermore, the budget-friendly places fill up quickly so reservations are highly recommended.

Traditional   Cuisine

Want to try traditional Nicoise cuisine ? Look for restaurants that have earned the certification Cuisine Nissarde . These restaurants will have an official sticker posted on their window to let you know they use traditional local recipes made with fresh ingredients. Here’s the official list of the fewer than 30  Cuisine Nissarde Certifies  Restaurants in Nice.

Local Dishes

• Socca: Socca is essentially a thin, slightly crispy chickpea pancake. This traditional street food is a popular on-the-go snack and is often consumed with a cold beer on a sidewalk cafe. You can find Socca at the Nice Farmers Market (the best is  Chez Thérésa ) or at a few restaurants around town (we recommend  Chez Pipo ).
• La Daube Niçoise:  This hearty tradition beef stew is made from red wine, bacon, tomatoes, carrots, mushroom, onions, garlic, and celery and is traditionally served over gnocchi.
• Ravioli Niçois: You can often find the Daube Niçoise in ravioli form as well.
• Salade Niçoise: This traditional Nice salad has lettuce, hard-boiled eggs, tuna, tomatoes, olives, anchovies, and olive oil.
• Le Pan Bagnat: This is basically a Salade Niçoise on a sandwich. This is a nice takeaway food.
• Ratatouille: This classic French vegetable dish was invented in Nice.
• Pissaladière: Caramelized onion tart that is often topped with anchovy.
• Petits Farcis: Vegetables (usually eggplant, tomatoes or zucchini) stuffed with meat and vegetables.
• Panisse: Fries made of chickpea flour.
• Tourte de Blettes:  This dessert dish is a bit unusual but it was actually very tasty. It’s made of Swiss chard (a leafy green kind of like spinach), apples, raisins, pine nuts, and brown sugar in a pie crust. Then it’s all topped with powdered sugar. We know, it sounds weird but it was pretty good.

Budget-Friendly Restaurants & Street Food

There are a number of takeaway restaurants where you can order a sandwich, panini, pizza, or other simple street foods. Additionally, you can also find a handful of affordable sit-down restaurants throughout the city — we always recommend making a reservation if possible. And of course, there are a number of grocery stores (like Monoprix ) throughout the city.

Places to Checkout:

Illia Pasta : It’s a small barebones restaurant but the owner/chef serves up fresh, affordable, and tasty pasta. There isn’t much ambiance inside so snag one of the outdoor tables for some lovely al fresco dining. You can also get your pasta to go. Great Old Town location.

Chez Palmyre : An excellent place to get a traditional, home-style French cooking. We recommend their €18 three-course menu. Reservations encouraged.

Creperie Le Trimaran : A nice little crepes place. You can get a savory and dessert crepe for under €10.

L’Atelier de Julien : Friendly pizza joint but it’s a bit outside Old Town.

Made in Sud Pizzeria : Neopolitian pizza place near the Port.

Chez Pipo : The most popular place to get socca.

A Buteghinn : A small restaurant in the middle of Old Town serving up traditional “ certification Cuisine Nissarde” dishes. The restaurant is run/owned by three sweet French women. Mostly outdoor seating. They also have preprepared takeaway food if you’re on the go. Reservations recommended. Cash only.

Lou Pilha Leva : Outdoor picnic style seating at this takeaway restaurant in the heart of Old Town. Stop by for a quick traditional snack and cold beer. The chicken and fries for €8.50 is a solid deal.

Chez Rene Socca : A chaotic and no-frills place in Old Town that serves up local street food at affordable prices. There are tables outside available but you’re required to buy a drink. There is always a line but service is quick.

Badaboom Bistro And BeJuice Bar : Hip hole-in-the-wall restaurant serving organic vegan food and juices. Nice owners. It’s a bit expensive but the quality is solid.

Tartine et Galinette : Another fairly barebones spot serving up cheap but tasty pizza, sandwiches, and other simple meals.

Le Falafel : An authentic family-run middle eastern restaurant serving up fresh falafel and shawarma dishes. Quick and friendly service.

Oliviera : Ok, Oliviera is slightly too expensive to be considered “budget” but the food gets rave reviews and the jovial owner is super welcoming and passionate about olive oil. Everything is homemade by the owner and his wife. Located in the Old Town. Open for lunch only. Reservations strongly suggested.

Farmers Market : The Farmers Market is a great place to get all kinds of fresh produce and prepared food — from cheese and bread to bruschetta and fruit. Open every day, from 6 am to 5.30 pm except Mondays, Sunday afternoons and public holidays.

L’Autre Part : This hip and welcoming wine bar run by a nice couple is a great place to escape the tourist crowds. They serve organic wines as well as excellent charcuterie and cheese. Located in the Port neighborhood.

Ice Cream and Gelato

There are quite a few gelato/ice cream places around Nice but our friend from Nice (she’s Italian so she knows her gelato) gave us a few of her favorite spots.

Cesar Milano: Our friend’s favorite gelato place in Nice was easily Cesar Milano in the New Town. We literally tried about 10 different flavors — each was excellent. The owner/chef is usually on-site and he’s happy to suggest flavor pairings. He makes both classic and a few more creative flavors so don’t be shy about asking to sample a flavor you might normally shy away from.

Oui, Jelato : Our friend also recommended Oui, Jelato in the Old Town. They have mostly classic flavor offerings. We both enjoyed our gelato.

Fenocchio Glacier : Fenocchio is easily the most popular ice cream shop in Nice — there is always a crowd of people jostling for a spot to get their scoops. They have a ton of flavors. We both got ice cream here and enjoyed it. Located in the Old Town.

Nice Day Trips

Nice is surrounded by a number of small cities and towns which make great day trips. Even better, each is easily connected to Nice via bus or train — both of which are very inexpensive. You can also take a ferry from Nice to a few of the towns (it’s a bit more expensive but the views are priceless).

French Riveria Seaside Towns

Below is a list of the most popular cities to visit from Nice — each is located along the coast of the French Riveria.

To the east of Nice , there’s Villefranche-sur-Mer , St. Jean  Cap Ferrat , Eze-le-Village , Monaco , and Menton . To the west of Nice , there’s Antibes and Cannes . There are a few other small towns but these are the most popular destinations.

Villefranche-sur-Mer and Cap Ferrat

Villefranche-sur-Mer is a laid-back port town that’s less than a 10-minute train or a 20-minute bus ride (#81 or #100 / €1.50) from Nice. A separate village, Cap Ferrat, is a short bus ride away and are often seen on the same day.

Villefranche-sur-Mer is a small seaside postcard-perfect French fishing village with a picturesque port. The cute old town is very small so it takes less than an hour to wander through all its tiny streets (maybe a little more if you get a drink down by the harbor). Perched above the city is an old citadel with thick, imposing walls that you’re free to explore. But the harbor is Villefranche-sur-Mer’s main attraction. Its super deep waters make it a favorite parking spot for mega-yachts. There are a number of restaurants along the port so it’s a great place to have a quiet drink or bite to eat.

If you’re feeling adventurous, you can take a 45min-60min hike up to F ort   du   Mont – Alban — an old fortification that has great views of Nice, Villefranche and the rest of the Cote d’Azur. You can also take a bus/uber if you’re feeling lazy.

From Villefranche-sur-Mer, you can take a 15-minute bus ride (Bus #81 / €1.50) to the peninsula of  Cap Ferrat . There isn’t too much to see in the town of St. Jean Cap Ferrat. That said, there are a few fun seasides walks around the peninsula — a walk around the entire peninsula will take a little under 3 hours or a smaller walk (which we took) will take about an hour at a leisurely pace.

The main reason for most people visit is to see the impressive Rothschild Mansion and Gardens . Some people go straight from Villefranche-sur-Mer to Rothschild Mansion (~10minute via bus from Villefranche) and skip the town. The grounds of the Rothschild Mansion are very beautiful and it’s easy to spend a few hours soaking in the views.

Eze-le-Village

Eze is actually separated into two parts — Eze-le-Village and Eze-Bord-de-Mer. We only visited Eze-le-Village (which is perched high in the hills over the ocean) because we were told Eze-Bord-de-Mer (which is located along the coast) doesn’t offer much to see.

From Nice, take bus #82 or #112 and enjoy the views on this 30-minute ride (sit on the righthand side of the bus) to Eze-le-Village. Be sure to check the bus schedule. There is supposed to be one or two buses every hour but for us, it was only once every two hours — which was kind of annoying (maybe since we went off-season).

In Eze-le-Village head up to the Old Town of the village — specifically the Eze Gardens. The views from gardens are well worth the €6 entrance fees. There is a super expensive restaurant/bar (Chateau Eza) with world-class Cote d’Azur views or there are a few cheaper options as well.

There isn’t much more to see in Eze-le-Village (other than two touristy perfume shops) so after getting a quick bite we hopped on the quick bus ride to Monaco.

Monaco is the playground to the ultra, ultra-wealthy so spend a little time looking at the megayachts and fancy cars. From Nice, it’s a quick and cheap 20-minute train ride to Monaco. You can also take the bus but the train is easier, faster, and only a bit more expensive.

Monaco is basically split up into three parts — the Palace Square, the Old Town/Port, and the Monte Carlos Casino. The country is tiny so all the neighborhoods are within walking distance (but there is also a city bus).

• Palace Square:   The palace/Palace Square overlooks the Port and Old Town. The neighborhood also has a nice cliffside garden. The famous Monaco Oceanographic Museum is also in the area.
• Old Town/Port: This is the place to do a little shopping or get something to eat/drink at one of the many sidewalk cafes. Take a look at the yachts.
• Monte Carlos Casino: Blow all your cash for your entire vacation at the Monte Carlos Casino… or win a ton of money and never stop traveling. After 7 pm you probably won’t get into the casino unless your we’ll dressed — i.e. blazer and dress pants for guys. From 2-7pm normal-dressed people can walk around the atrium free-of-charge but it’s a pretty quick visit.

To the east of Monaco is the lovely French seaside town of Menton (which is near the border of Italy). Not many tourists venture to Menton so the town feels much less commercialized than many of the other towns. Spend an hour exploring the pastel buildings of the hilly, medieval Old Town. Have a drink at a quiet sidewalk cafe. The  Jardin botanique exotique du Val Rahmeh is a lovely exotic garden that’s worth a wander. Menton also has a nice sandy beach.

Menton, thanks to its close proximity to Italy, offers quite a few restaurants serving up quality Italian food.

Monton a quick bus or train ride from Monaco and it also has frequent trains to Nice.

Antibes and Cannes

Antibes and Cannes are both located to the west of Nice. It’s a quick 20-minute train to Antibes and a 30-minute train ride to Cannes. There is also a bus but it takes quite a bit longer so the train is recommended.

Antibes has a number of beaches — everything from soft sand to painful pebbles. The beaches can get pretty crowded during the summer. Most of the beaches are public there are a few private beaches if you’re looking for a little more luxe experience.

After you soak in the sun, head to Antibes’ charming Old Town and stroll around the city’s 16th-century ramparts that offer amazing views of the sea. Many people check out the Picasso Museum (€6). Don’t forget to check out Port Vauban — the largest port in the Mediterranian and home to many of the biggest yachts in the world.

If you’re rich and famous then feel free to visit Cannes — otherwise, we suggest skipping it. It’s expensive and there isn’t a huge amount to experience if you don’t have deep pockets.

How To Visit These Seaside Towns

All these cities are located very close to each other and are well-connected via public transportation and tickets are cheap — although it can be a bit tricky since there are multiple bus lines. You can easily visit 1-3 towns in a day.

Via Car/Bus (Corniche Roads)

There are three beautiful scenic “Corniche” cliff-roads that run along the coast from Nice to Monaco/Menton. Bus routes connect the cities (listed below) but they’re less frequent than the train and they take a little longer — but you get beautiful coastal views (if you’re on the righthand side of the bus). That said, the Nice to Monaco bus (which is essentially the longest route) will take about an hour.

Note: All bus tickets cost €1.50 and can be purchased on the bus.  Check the bus schedules since they can change. The Nice Tourism Office should have up-to-date schedules. For example, when were visited, the #82 & #112 bus from Nice to Eze toMonacoo was only running once every two hours.

• The Lower Corniche (Inférieure Corniche) runs along the coast but doesn’t offer great views and is often congested with traffic. It’s served by #81 and #100 bus.
• The Middle Corniche (Moyenne Corniche) has beautiful views of the cliffs/ocean and it’s connected via the #82 and #112 bus.
• The Higher   Corniche (Grande Corniche) is considered one of the most beautiful roads in Europe — which is best explored via car since public transportation isn’t really available.

The train is the easiest/fastest way to get from town to town but you miss out on most of the French Riviera views. For example, the train from Nice to Monaco takes 20 minutes and costs around €4. Also, not all the towns are accessible by train (so you may have to transfer from train to bus for some locations).

More Nice Travel Tips

Trésors Publics is a fun concept store in the Old Town that only sells products made in France. They put a little label on each product to show where in France its made. It’s not exactly budget-friendly but it’s still a fun place to pick up some unique gifts. [ See On Google Maps ]

Head to  La Maison Auer to feed your sweet tooth. This confectionery and chocolate shop has been serving up goodies since 1820. We highly recommend the caramels. And chocolate. And everything else. Located in the Old Town. [ See On Google Maps ]

Take a Free Walking Tour of Nice . The company Beach Riviera Bar Crawl and Tours offers 11:00 am tours every Tuesday till Saturday morning from March 1st to September 30th. Don’t forget that the tour guides work on tips. See their Tripadvisor Reviews .

Meet the locals . Nice is full of friendly locals who are proud of their town and there are a few local volunteers who are happy to show visitors around for two or three hours. Simply request at least a week before arrival and they’ll do their best to pair you up with someone depending on availability. Visit  http://en.nice-greeters.com for more information.

Visit the Nice Tourist Office  for city maps, bus times, and brochures on things to do & see in Nice — plus they have free wifi. The Nice Tourism Website also has a lot of information what’s going on in Nice.

The  Negresco Hotel is Nice’s most high-end hotel and it has a beautiful cocktail bar with authentic walnut woodwork dating back to 1913. The drinks are expensive (€20 for cocktails, ouch) but it’s still a fun way to pretend like you’re living the jet-setter lifestyle for an hour.

The Best Time To Visit  Nice is probably March/Mid-May or September/October as the weather is still nice but the crowds are smaller. The summers can get pretty hot but that’s perfect if you’re spending most of your time at the beach.

For a less-touristy beach experience , we recommend checking out La Réserve or Coco Beach. They’re both a bit outside of town (20-minute walk or a short bus ride). Again, these are rocky beaches so bring proper footwear.

A big breakfast isn’t really a thing in Nice so do like the locals do and head to a boulangerie for croissants, pain aux chocolate, and coffee .

More European Travel Resources

• We’re big fans of Travel Guidebooks and we highly suggest both Rick Steves’ Provance and French Riveria Guidebook & Lonely Planet Provence & the Cote d’Azur . We found that both books had a lot of great information and self-guided walking tours.
• Traveling Europe by train ? Check out our guides to Train Travel In France and Train Travel in Italy .
• Need some packing tips? See our list of the Best Travel Backpacks check out our Europe Packing List .
• Don’t forget to pick up some Travel Insurance .
• Check out our popular  Europe City Price Guides to help estimate your travel costs.

No Funny Business

The Savvy Backpacker is reader-supported. That means when you buy products/services through links on the site, I may earn an affiliate commission—it doesn’t cost you anything extra and it helps support the site.

Thanks For Reading! — James

Questions? Learn more about our Strict Advertising Policy and How To Support Us .

Related Reads

Nice price guide | how much it costs to visit nice, france.

The daily travel costs to visit Nice, France. How to estimate your budget for food, hostels, hotels, attractions, alcohol & more.

The Backpacker’s Guide To The Best Hostels in Nice, France | Our Favorite Nice Hostels

Our picks for the best hostels in Nice, France. The ultimate list of the best places to stay when visiting Nice on a budget.

City Guides

Choosing travel insurance, travel packing lists, budget travel newsletter.

The best budget travel tips sent straight to your inbox.

Join My Journey

Europe travel tips, advertising & privacy policies.

TheSavvyBackpacker.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com.

© 2010 - 2024 The Savvy Backpacker

Website Design by FHOKE

• South Africa
• Afghanistan
• North Korea
• Adventure + Outdoors
• Amusement Parks
• Backpacking Trips
• Boating + Cruises
• Budget Travel
• Bus + Train Travel
• Coasts + Islands
• Country Trips
• Fall Vacations
• Family Vacations
• Green Travel
• Heritage + History
• Honeymoons + Romance
• Inspiration + Guide
• Landmarks + Attractions
• LGBT Travel
• Markets + Bazaars
• National Parks + Reserves
• Nature + Wildlife
• Parks + Gardens
• Pets + Animals
• Photography
• Airlines + Airports
• Budgeting + Currency
• Business Travel
• Celebrity Travel
• Customs + Immigration
• Deals + Rewards
• Family Travel
• Hotels + Resorts
• Luggage + Packing Tips
• Offbeat News
• Photography Tips
• Responsible Travel
• Solo Travel
• Tech + Gear
• Travel Etiquette
• Travel Warnings
• Bars + Clubs
• Celebrity Chefs
• Restaurants + Cafés
• Wine + Vineyards
• Beach Hotels
• Boutique Hotels
• Hotel Openings
• Hotel Reviews
• Luxury Hotels
• Mountain + Ski Resorts
• Spa Resorts
• Vacation Rentals
• Asia Cruises
• European Cruises
• Festivals + Events
• Museums + Galleries
• Style + Design
• Travel’s Best
• Hotel with Agoda.com
• Hotel with Booking.com

Kuala Lumpur itinerary 5 days. How to spend 5 days in…

What to buy in Zhangjiajie? 15+ top Zhangjiajie souvenirs & best…

Seoul autumn foliage 2024 forecast — The timeframe & 13+ best…

Busan fall foliage forecast 2024 — When & 6+ best places…

The complete Seoul subway guide: How to use, lines, fares for…

How much does it cost to travel to Korea? Tips on…

The ultimate guide to NETS FlashPay Card: What is it, how…

How much will it cost to go to Singapore? Tips on…

13 best, most famous & popular bubble tea in Taiwan

Where to eat in Penang? 17 best places to eat &…

Best bubble tea in Taiwan — Top 11 most famous &…

29+ must-try foods in Thailand

11+ best homestays in Kuala Lumpur near famous tourist attractions

Mövenpick Resort Kuredhivaru Maldives reviews. The detailed review of my vacation…

Hyatt Regency Danang Resort and Spa reviews. The resort is highly…

+7 luxury resorts you must stay in Danang, Vietnam

10 must-know things for your best first time European river cruise

Top 3 best luxury cruises in Halong Bay, Vietnam

Cherry blossom festival Korea 2024 — Top 5 cherry blossom festivals…

Ghibli museum blog — The fullest Ghibli museum guide for first-timers

Kyoto festival — Top 10 best events & most famous festivals…

National Palace Museum Taipei blog — What to see in National…

Japanese waterfall — Top 10 most beautiful waterfalls in Japan in…

19+ most beautiful towns in Europe every tourist need to visit…

Georgia travel photos — 20+ captivating photos show Georgia is heaven…

Explore Damnoen Floating Market — The oldest floating market of Thailand

Visiting Fenghuang Ancient Town — One of the most charming ancient…

Mekong Delta travel blog — Beyond rivers of Southwestern Vietnam

14 reasons why you should travel when you are young

Shigaraki Tanuki – An animal symbol of good luck in Japan

Living in the charms of cave houses in Andalucia, Southern Spain

20+ jaw-dropping tiny homes around the world

Nice france travel blog — the fullest nice travel guide for first-timers.

Nice is a beautiful coastal city located in the South of France and is the second largest tourist city in France after only Paris with many interesting tourist attractions. It is known as the Queen of Côte d’Azur (The French Riviera). Nice attracts visitors by its perfect blend of tradition and modernity with its beautiful mountains, amazing hills, charming landscapes, stunning beaches, unique local culture, unique cuisine, etc. Are you planning a long-awaited trip to Nice but don’t know where to start? We are here to help. So, what to do in Nice France? Let’s check out our Nice France travel blog (Nice France blog, Nice blog, Nice travel blog) with the ultimate Nice France travel guide (Nice city guide, Nice France guide, Nice travel guide, Nice guide, Nice tourist guide) from how to get there, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit and things to do in Nice France to find out the answer!

• What to buy in Paris? — 25+ must buy souvenirs, gifts & best things to buy in Paris
• What to buy in France? — 25+ must-buy souvenirs, gifts & best things to buy in France
• Paris travel blog — The fullest Paris travel guide for first-timers
• Avignon travel blog — The fullest Avignon travel guide guide for first-timers
• Toulouse travel blog — The fullest Toulouse travel guide guide for first-timers

Not only crowded, vibrant, bustling, beyond the beautiful appearance, Nice also owns hidden ancient beauty, romance, a wonderful mixed culture. Any visitor also want to come here once to experience walking barefoot on the long pebble beaches, enjoy the beautiful hilltop views, soak in the cool waters of the Mediterranean sea or explore the vibrant flower market color.

Nice France travel blog: Overview of Nice

The city of Nice is located in the coastal province of Alpes-Maritimes, in the Provence–Alpes–Cote d’Azur administrative region of the Southeastern France. Nice is the 5th most populous city in France after Paris, Marseille, Lyon and Toulouse. Favored by nature with a mild and fresh climate, a long stretch of beach with bright golden sunshine, every year Nice attracts a large number of tourists from all over the world.

Nice was once part of Italy’s Savoia and then the Kingdom of Sardinia until Nice was ceded to France in 1860 by a huge vote, against the will of the population. Therefore, in Nice, there are many scenes that still retain the colors of poetic Italy. Incorporated into France in 1860, Nice at that time, with a population of 500,000 people, was still imbued with Italian architecture along the Riviera, especially the old town. Nice has the river Var flowing to the west, overlooking the beautiful Bay of Baie des Anges to the south and leaning against the Alps to the north.

This French Riviera destination always makes a special impression in the hearts of tourists. Therefore, this place always welcomes a large number of tourists to explore annually. For those who have a great passion of travel, the attractiveness of Nice is second only to Paris. Thus, the city of Nice is always the French most attractive tourist destination today. This place has fresh air and pleasant weather, so traveling will be very comfortable and pleasant. The beach here is very beautiful with clear blue water and long pebble beach.

This city is divided into 2 different areas: The old town and the new town. In addition, this old town is also called Vieille Ville. This is the most beautiful place in the city of Nice. When visiting this place, you will always feel the closeness and familiarity of this place. Today, Nice has become the world’s leading resort town.

Many tourists visiting Nice have the same feeling that this place has the beauty of a charming and gentle girl in her twenties. Here lies mystery and infatuation. Therefore, anyone who comes here does not want to return.

Nice France travel blog: When should you visit Nice?

The city of Nice is located in the Mediterranean climate zone, so the weather is mild and warm all year round, the atmosphere is extremely pleasant, suitable for sightseeing and travel leisure.

Spring (March to June): Spring is the best time to visit Nice. The weather in this season is pleasant and mild. Temperatures range from 8°C to 20°C.

Summer (June to August): With 300 days of sunshine, nice climate and mild sunshine. Temperatures range from 17°C – 27°C. This is a very ideal time for a beach trip in Nice, which attracts a lot of tourists from all over Europe every year. Therefore, the summer in Nice is very crowded, and the price of the service is also higher. One thing to note is that the weather can be a bit hot, it will be a bit tiring if you visit and walk around the city.

Autumn (September to November): Autumn is the best season to visit Nice. Temperatures range from 17°C – 24°C in September and drop to 8°C – 16°C in November, with an average rainfall of about 50 mm. The streets are also sparser with tourists at this time. In the autumn, visitors can easily book good hotels and resorts at affordable room rates.

Winter (December to February): Although it is winter, the climate is still warmer and more comfortable than other French cities. Coming to Nice at this time, visitors will have the opportunity to participate in the Nice Carnival, one of the biggest events in the city held in February every year. As well as enjoy the exciting Christmas atmosphere here.

Nice France travel guide: Getting to Nice

Visitors can reach Nice by plane, train, bus or self-drive.

The airport in Nice is Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) airport, located in the southwest of the city, about 6km from the city center. If flying from European cities, you can fly with Air France, Luxair, Finair, Easy Jet,… To find the suitable routes as well as good airfares from your departure point, you can access Google Flights or SkyScanner .

From Nice airport, you can take bus (No. 98, 99), taxi/uber, airport shuttle service to getting to the city center.

From many French or European tourist cities, visitors can reach Nice by train such as TGV, EuroStar, etc. There are direct train lines but there are also train routes that have to transfer trains. You can use online multimodal transport search engines such as Rome2rio , Google Maps, etc. to find the train route you need.

Bus routes from European cities to Nice also operate daily, making it easy for visitors to find and book a bus to Nice. Famous and popular bus companies are Flixbus, Eurolines, Lignes d’Azur,…

Rome2rio or Google maps are convenient tools to search for buses for your journey.

Self-driving

Self-driving car services are very popular in Europe, you can rent a self-drive car to get to Nice from European cities if you meet the European driving requirements. Self-driving car rental companies in Europe can be mentioned such as Avis, Hertz, Budget, Europcar, and Sixt.

Nice France guide: Getting around Nice

To explore Nice or travel between attractions visitors can choose to walk both saving money while see many interesting things along the way. The tourist attractions in the central area of ​​Nice are basically close to each other, so walking is also convenient.

The public bus system called Lignes d’Azur which operates routes in the city, airport and surrounding areas. The bus operates from 7am to 9pm.

I think to admire the beautiful scenery of Nice is to take a bus up on some high roads in the mountains, when looking down at Nice, you can see the sea and the city. This is the most beautiful scene that I like in Nice, coming to Nice without seeing the scenery from above is really a pity, so you definitely try at least once.

There is Bus 82 (towards Eze Village) going from Palais des Exposition Tram Station (this is the starting point of bus routes to Eze, Monaco…). Every hour and a half with a trip, so the first day we waited for the bus, but on the next day of travel, we took odd trips. That means on the route of Bus 82, there will be Bus 14 and 84 passing by.

We took Bus 14 first because it’s a regular bus, runs every 15 minutes, so we can take advantage of the time when we wait for the bus to stop on the side of the road to admire the scenery, which is more convenient than just standing in one place and waiting for the bus, which is very time consuming.

Bicycle/Scooter

In Nice, there are also many bicycle or scooter rental services for visitors to use for travelling and sightseeing. The rental price is also quite reasonable, but you need to ask carefully about the deposit policy by credit card, cash, etc. Currently in Nice there is also a shared bike service called Vélo Bleu – visitors can easily rent one for themselves and return bike at the stops of Vélo Bleu.

Mainly used when tourists want to go to Corsica. There are two companies serving this ferry route.

Taxis in Nice are not chosen by many tourists to travel because of the expensive price and basically it is not necessary to take a taxi to travel in Nice. In case you need to go, you can call Uber instead of taxi because the price is cheaper.

Nice’s tram system passes through many areas of the city and its vicinity. The tram in Nice has been open since 2007, operating every day from 4:25 a.m. to 1:35 a.m. the next morning. Visit http://tramway.nice.fr for more details on tram routes.

Nice France travel blog: Where to go & what to do in Nice France?

The city of Nice can be divided into four main areas: The old town (Vieux Nice), the city center, the beach area and the port area (there are a few more but the four above are popular with tourists).

Promenade des Anglais Coastal Road

The Promenade des Anglais is a coastal road for walking along the sea about 7km long in Nice, it is a great place to stroll, watch the sea, cool off, relax for locals and tourists. The place attracts a lot of domestic and foreign tourists to visit. You will be immersed in the fresh, pleasant natural space, enjoy the sea breeze, watch the waves from afar, …

Along this road are restaurants, cafes, shops, hotels, etc. From the Promenade des Anglais, visitors can also easily navigate the direction of attractions. The locals call this street is Promenade or La Prom.

Old Town (Vieux Nice)

Vieux Nice is a small old quarter loved by both tourists and residents in Nice. The old town captivates visitors with its cobblestone streets, typical Mediterranean houses, unique local markets, etc. They bring with historical values as well as distinctive cultural features.

Like Italy and Spain, Nice has narrow Mediterranean-style streets surrounded by tall houses painted in warm colors like red, yellow, pastel and ocher. These Mediterranean-style poetic old streets will remind you of the streets of Hanoi built in the French era.

Place Massena

It is the Nice’s main square, located between the Old Town and New Town. The fountain in the middle of the square depicts stories from Greek mythology, with a 7-meter-tall statue of Apollo in the center. Around the square are old buildings painted red with blue windows typical for the Mediterranean region.

Massena Square (Place de Massena) is a place that visitors can go back and forth many times when visiting Nice because the location of the square is almost in the center compared to the sightseeing areas, this is also the main square. Place Massena is the site of many major events in Nice such as the Christmas market and the French Independence Day parade.

Castle Hill (Colline du Château)

Inhabited by the Greeks two millennia ago, Castle Hill has now become a park with beautiful natural scenery and extremely romantic. When coming here, in addition to admiring the natural beauty of Castle Hill, you can also discover many other interesting and attractive landscapes such as: Baie des Anges, Vieille Ville and the harbour.

Castle Hill (Colline du Château) is a hill facing the sea. Most of Castle Hill’s original structures have been largely destroyed, and now it’s a park with trees, waterfalls, and some remains. However, it is a very interesting spot to visit.

Matisse Museum (Musée Matisse)

Address: Palais Fénelon, Pl. du Commandant Edouard Richez, 59360 Le Cateau-Cambrésis, France Hours: 10AM–6PM/Tuesday: Closed Established: 1952

The Matisse Museum is located in the Cimiez neighborhood of ​​Nice, close to the Regina hotel, where the painter Henri Matisse once lived. Matisse lived in Nice from 1918 to 1954. The building where the museum is housed is the Villa des Arenes, a 17th-century building in the Genoese style. This residence is also known as Gubernatis Palace after its owners and is set in a peaceful olive grove in Cimiez Gardens. This collection is one of Matisse’s largest in the world and shows the evolution of his art over time.

Henri Matisse draws inspiration from the vibrant colors and lines of the city of Nice to create masterpieces of art. Just look at a sketch of his balcony window, and you will surely see the Mediterranean coastline. The Musée Matisse is an art museum that houses many valuable collections. Currently, this museum has about 70 paintings, 56 sculptures, 236 designs and many very interesting sketches.

This large museum displays Matisse’s works from the early days to the end of his career. It can be said that this place bears the imprint of Henri Matisse. Art-loving visitors to Henri Matisse can get their hands on some of the artist’s masterpieces, as the museum’s souvenir shop sells numerous photographs of Matisse’s artwork.

Pathé Masséna Cinema

Address: 31 Av. Jean Médecin, 06000 Nice, France

The cinema is a house displaying photographic artworks, a separate building from the busy Avenue Jean Medecin. The museum specializes in global works, such as a portrait exhibition of famous Hollywood artists over the decades or a photo exhibition of American Indians. Free admission.

Archaeological Museum of Cimiez

Address: 160 Av. des Arènes de Cimiez, 06000 Nice, France

The Russians are not the first to devote themselves to the alluring beauty of Nice. The ancient Romans also considered this place as their homeland. Visitors to the museum can admire the ruins of the Colosseum, pedestrian streets and even very old public baths of the Roman period. The Archaeological Museum is a blend of the history and archeology of the region. The museum is located in the Nice Cimiez area (right next to the Matisse museum).

Rue De France Pedestrian Zone

Nice’s pedestrian zone is considered a “trap” to tourists. Because the shops here have many attractive forms, from the unique store layout, music, discounts, fashion products, to the cute service of the sales staff. Therefore, visitors who miss coming here cannot help but buy things for themselves or souvenirs for their loved ones.

This is a center of leisure and entertainment activities. Street performances are always take place in this area. For locals and tourists, this is an area for walking, skateboarding, rollerblading because there is no traffic. And of course eateries, cafes, clothing stores, book stores are indispensable. Enjoy a latte or munch on crêpes and watch the people pass by, or stop by the Rue de France for a hearty Italian meal. This is truly an ideal place for tourists.

Port of Nice

Nice’s port is an interesting place to visit. Just standing at a corner of Nice’s old town, near the Quai des Etát Unis street, visitors can watch the Corsian ferries leave. Although it is always busy with ships coming in and out, the boats anchored here are very orderly, neatly. Around the port are very crowded night clubs, busy shops and traffic.

The St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral

Address: Av. Nicolas II, 06000 Nice, France Hours: 10AM–6PM/Sunday: 12–6PM Architectural style: Russian Revival architecture

In the mid-19th century, the Russians came to Nice to travel, trade and live. They needed a place to pray and that’s why the St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral was built in Nice (French name: Cathédrale Orthodoxe Saint-Nicolas de Nice). It is the largest Russian Orthodox church in Western Europe.

The beach is one of the main attractions in Nice. Currently in Nice there are about 15 private beaches and 20 public beaches. There is a fee to enter the private beaches, guests are not allowed to bring in food or drinks. Public beaches are free but have no amenities.

Nice’s mild weather with clear blue skies and clear sea are what captivate and keep visitors. Nice has a coastline stretching 7km and in particular this coast is not made of sand but by pebbles and pebbles from the Var and Paillon rivers. With its emerald-green waters, Cote d’Azur beach looks like a landscape from a fairy tale.

Cours Saleya Flower Market

Address: Cr Saleya, 06300 Nice, France Hours: 6AM–5:30PM/Sunday: 6:30AM–1:30PM/Monday: Closed

Saleya Square is located parallel to the US harbor (Quai des Etats Unis). In the past, this was the residence of the rich in the city of Nice. The Palace of the Kings of Sardinia is also located in this square. When visiting the Saleya flower market, you can admire the colorful flowers and freely to choose, interspersed between the rows of flowers are stalls selling fresh vegetables and tubers with colorful trays of chili, fresh squash trays, not only that, here visitors can also enjoy the specialties of the region. This place is rated by visitors as a paradise of macarons and lavender.

Eze Village

This is the scene on my way to Eze Village, stopped at Bus 14 to play and wait for Bus 82 to continue to go, so I took this photo. But in my opinion, you should take Bus 84, get off at La Leopolda station, the scenery is very beautiful. You can stand here and wait for Bus 82 to continue.

Eze Village is an ancient village, up here you will see ancient French architecture, houses close together, like a castle with many families living together. Here, locals sell lavender flowers and perfumes, food and all kinds of things. Actually, I still prefer the scene by the roadside than the old village.

La Leopolda Station

That day, we took Bus 14 from Galibadi station to Col de Villefranche station, then got off to admire the scenery for a while and then took Bus 84 to continue to La Leopolda stop and waited for Bus 82 to go to Eze Village (this station is far from Eze Village only 3 stops, but the distance between 3 stops are long so it’s impossible to walk).

Especially the scene at La Leopolda station is very, very beautiful. I see a lot of cars stop at this station to take pictures and admire the scenery. Unfortunately, we didn’t notice that day, we went more than 1 station because we couldn’t find the stop button on Bus 84 (This bus has the same form as auto). So the two of us got lost on the highway and still had decided to walk back, because it took 30 minutes to wait for Bus 84 to return to the old place, so we risked going. Fortunately, going about 200m, me and my friend were transported to Eze Village by a local.

Nice France travel blog: What to eat?

Nice is quite close to Italy, so the dishes are also a fusion and influence between French and Italian cuisine.

Some popular dishes:

Salade Nicoise: Almost you go into any restaurant, any eatery, on their menu will have this wonderful dish. Salad with tomatoes, radishes, onions, black olives, hard-boiled eggs, tuna and anchovies mixed with olive oil. The recipe is quite simple, using this dish with a little wine will be much more attractive.

Coq au vin (French chicken stew): Coq au vin means “rooster in wine”. This is a delicacy in Nice that is loved by both locals and visitors. The dish is prepared quite elaborately, using delicious pieces of chicken marinated with spices and wine, so that the meat infuses the rich flavor. Then stewed with ingredients such as: Onion, garlic, butter, mushrooms, … to make the dish more attractive. This dish should be served with a special sauce to increase its attractive.

Steak Tartare: This is minced raw beef, mixed with onions, pepper, sauce and egg yolk, then served with rye bread. This is a rather picky dish, because if you are not used to it, it will be difficult to eat, but there are many people who eat it once and want to come back to enjoy it again.

Crepe: Referring to French cuisine in general and Nice in particular, it must be mentioned Crepe cake. Although it is just a simple cake made from flour, barley mixed with eggs, milk, butter, then thinly coated black, golden brown and served with cold cream, chocolate sauce, caramel,… but the taste of this cake will easily conquer the taste of diners.

Socca: A type of thin, unleavened pancake made from chickpea flour – a fairly popular dish in Nice.

Le Pan Bagnat: A sandwich filled with garlic, tuna, anchovies, sliced.

Pissaladière: A pizza-like pie but with onions, anchovies and olives on the ingredients.

La daube niçoise: Beef stew in red wine with onions, carrots and herbs.

Ratatouille: A vegetables stew dish, originally from Nice.

Soupe au pistou: A famous bean soup of Provençal.

The cost of dining in Nice is quite expensive, the average price for a regular meal will range from 9-13 EUR, dessert on the menu is 5-10 EUR, wine around 4-9 EUR/glass.

Nice France blog: Shopping

The shops in Nice are many: From small shops to large shopping malls, from souvenirs to high-end and luxury fashion brands. What to buy as a gift in Nice? Handicrafts, extra virgin olive oil and handmade soaps… are items often chosen by tourists. You can “get” them from anywhere: markets, souvenir shops in the old town… Or if you want to buy famous high-end appliances, you can go to the shopping places below.

Popular shopping places:

• Market: Selling many things from crafts, postcards, books, etc. The old town is full of shops.
• Cours Saleya Flower Market as mentioned above.
• Centre Commercial NICETOILE (Address: 30 Av. Jean Médecin, 06000 Nice, France)
• Galeries Lafayette Nice Masséna (Address: 6 Av. Jean Médecin, 06000 Nice, France)
• Polygone Riviera Shopping Center (Address: 119 Av. des Alpes, 06800 Cagnes-sur-Mer, France)
• Carrefour Nice Lingostière Shopping Center (Address: 202 Rte de Grenoble, 06200 Nice, France)
• Nice TNL shopping center (Address: 15 Bd Général Louis Delfino, 06300 Nice, France)

Nice France travel blog: Where to stay?

Traveling to Nice, visitors can stay at hostels, motels, budget or high-class hotels. Depending on the type of accommodation, the price will vary, for example, if staying in a hostel, the cost for a dorm bed is about 14 EUR/night, in a guesthouse or budget hotel, the price ranges from 35-40 EUR/room/night.

Below we recommend more best budget, mid-range and upscale hotels with good ratings and reviews you can refer to.

• Hotel Monsigny ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Hotel Le Negresco ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Mediterranee ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• easyHotel Nice Palais des Congres Vieux Nice ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Hotel La Perouse ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )
• Hotel Aston La Scala ( Agoda.com or Booking.com )

Check out more top and best hotels in Nice on Agoda.com or Booking.com .

Nice France travel guide: Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Nice you can refer to

• French Riviera Full Day Tour from Nice
• The Best of the French Riviera Day Tour From Nice or Cannes
• Nice Segway Tour
• French Riviera Countryside Full Day Tour from Nice
• The Historical Nice City Half Day Tour from Nice, Cannes, or Monaco
• French Riviera Art de vivre 4-Hour Tour from Nice

Read more Paris travel guide here and France here .

Related articles

RELATED ARTICLES MORE FROM AUTHOR

Kuala lumpur itinerary 5 days. how to spend 5 days in kl with friends, seoul autumn foliage 2024 forecast — the timeframe & 13+ best places to see autumn leaves in seoul, busan fall foliage forecast 2024 — when & 6+ best places to visit in busan during autumn.

Jeju fall foliage forecast 2024 — The timeframe & 6+ best places to visit & top things to do in Jeju autumn foliage season

Taiwan fall foliage forecast 2024 — When & 9+ best place to see autumn leaves in Taiwan

Japan fall foliage forecast 2024 — The timeframe & 41+ places to visit in Japan during autumn

Tokyo fall foliage forecast 2024 — When & 13+ best place to see autumn leaves in Tokyo

Hokkaido autumn travel blog — 15+ top things to do & best places to visit in Hokkaido during autumn

Kyoto fall foliage forecast 2024 — The timeframe & 15+ best place to see autumn leaves in Kyoto

Editor picks.

Kuala Lumpur itinerary 5 days. How to spend 5 days in...

What to buy in Zhangjiajie? 15+ top Zhangjiajie souvenirs & best...

Seoul autumn foliage 2024 forecast — The timeframe & 13+ best...

Popular posts.

What to buy in USA? — 17+ must buy in USA...

What to buy in Korea? — Top +23 cheap, famous &...

Must buy souvenir in Taiwan — Top 17+ most famous, cheap...

Popular category.

• Inspiration + Guide 1530
• Trip Inspiration 468
• Food + Drink 223
• Thailand 217
• Coasts + Islands 202
• South Korea 179
• Vietnam 172
• Travel Photos 144
• Work for Us
• Terms & Conditions
• Privacy Policy

Nice Travel Guide: Tips for this French Riviera City

Looking for a nice Nice travel guide? (Get it? I know, I’m clever.) Since I just planned a weekend here, I’m putting all my best advice below!

Back when I was planning my big Asia and Europe trip, I knew my friend, Elissa, and I would want to plan at least one weekend in May for travel. She wanted to go somewhere in southern France, and we, luckily, ended up in Nice!

I say luckily because one of the other places we considered was Cannes, which would’ve coincided with the Cannes Film Festival and been a crowed nightmare. And if we had booked one weekend later, we’d have been competing with the Grand Prix in Monaco , which would’ve also been a crowded nightmare.

Anyway, I really didn’t have many expectations for Nice besides knowing I just wanted to walk around and relax, which is pretty much exactly what I did. It wound up being so lovely! Full of buildings designed to be French but colored to be Italian, there’s quite a bit to do, see, and eat, making it the perfect introduction to the French Riviera. If you’re planning some Nice travel, here’s all you need to know below.

Nice Travel Tips for First Time Visitors

A Brief History of Nice

Nice as we begin to know it first came about around 350 BC. Colonists from Phocaea in Greece began settling here and gave it the name Níkaia after Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. Given its prime location on the Ligurian coast, it became a bustling port city.

Despite being French now, much of Nice’s history during the Middle Ages actually has much more in common with the chaotic formation of Italy. It’s during these times that things like the Castle of Nice (Castle Hill) were built. From 1388 through 1860, Nice was tied to the Duchy of Savoy and even adopted Italian as its official administrative language in 1561 when the Duke abolished Latin.

This mix of Italian and French histories is most evident in the architecture! If you take a look at many of the buildings, you’ll notice the pastel colors are more reminiscent of other Italian Riviera cities. However the designs are still very much French.

This all ended with the Treaty of Turin in 1860, when the area was ceded to Napoleon III. Nice was again a part of France which also caused something called the Niçard exodus, where a many Nice locals left the city for other parts of Italy.

For the early part of the 1900s, Nice was pretty quiet. Two notable events happened when the Tramway de Nice was built and then when the city hosted Formula Libre, Formula One’s predecessor.

As with other European cities, Nice felt the effects of World War II in 30s and 40s. During the early, pre-Vichy Regime years, it provided a bit of a safe haven for Jews fleeing Nazi occupation. Later it would deal with both Mussolini’s Italy and Nazi Germany. Even during these takeovers, two men, Angelo Donati and Friar Père Marie-Benoît, helped thousands of Jews escape.

Post-World War II, which happened when American troops liberated the city in 1944, Nice began to grow more into the French Riviera resort town we know it as today. Jean Médecin, followed by his son Jacques, each held mayorship from 1928 to 1990. Although Jacques was later arrested for corruption, for the most part under their leadership the city grew and modernized.

It recently became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021 and sees thousands of visitors yearly.

When to Visit Nice

You know, Elissa and I visited in May when the weather sat around 70-80F and was really pleasant with just a touch of humidity. She learned from her tour that the weather is pretty lovely year round. The coldest months of January – March rarely drop below 50F and sometimes get as warm 70-80F. All that’s to say:

Plan your visit in the off season.

Elissa’s tour guide warned her that the city’s population quadruples in size during the summer months, which I think would make it a pretty unpleasant place to be. You’re not really going to want to relax on the beach here as there isn’t sand but full on rocks, so there’s no need to come in the hottest, most humid, and most crowded months of the year! Save Nice for the off season or even a shoulder season like we did with May, and you’ll have good weather and walk around without feeling claustrophobic.

Where to Stay in Nice

This really depends on which way you come into town and how much you want to lug your luggage around. Luckily Nice has pretty smooth pathways, so even if you have a kilometer to walk, you don’t have to worry about picking up your suitcases or breaking a wheel on cobblestone streets.

To figure out your ideal location, I want you to first imagine Nice on a map with the sea at the bottom and the train station at the top. The stretch along Avenue Jean Médecin is about a 15-minute walk.

If you come by train and want to walk as little as possible, then I’d stay somewhere along close by the station. Thinking we’d both take the train in, we picked the Hotel du Cent r e , which is a really cute little hotel with the most incredible view of the Notre-Dame de Nice. It’s maybe 5 minutes from the Gare de Nice-Ville.

However , we actually both flew in, which means we took the tram in from the airport. In this case, the drop off point is actually closer to the seaside in the south, so you’d be better off finding a hotel around there instead.

How to Get into Nice

If you come in by plane, you’ll arrive at the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport . It’s a pretty small airport and easy to navigate out of. From there, you can take the tram into town, and the whole thing should take around 30-40 minutes.

Pro Tip: Download the Nice Ticket app and just buy a ticket as needed there. Saves time and paper! Wish Paris had adopted something similar.

Like I mentioned above, Nice does have its own train station, the Gare de Nice-Ville , and it sits on the northern side of the main downtown area. It’s easy to walk to wherever you’re staying or need to go from there. You can book on SNCF’s site and if it’s showing sold out, try Omio . My friend found some open seats there when we were looking for another train in France.

How to Get Around Nice

For the most part, the best way to get around Nice is to simply walk. Nearly all of the main things to do and see are within walking distance, and, in fact, a car or the tram/bus would maybe save you 2-3 minutes max.

By tram/bus

For the few things right outside downtown Nice, you may want the tram or pus to get to. Use the same app, Nice Ticket, to buy a ticket and then use Google Maps to figure out your route.

If you want, Nice also has a public bike system known as vélobleu . I’m not familiar with it as we never rented them, but they seem pretty easy to use! Just download the E-vélobleu app .

Notable Sightseeing Places in Nice

If there’s one area that’s the core of what makes Nice charming, it’s the pastel facades of Vieux Nice (or Old Nice). The streets are narrow, the buildings pretty, and the restaurants and cafes abundant. The best way to enjoy it is to just stroll and snap away.

Apollo Fontaine & La Place Massena

If you ever get lost, this is the place you want to look for. Place Massena sits right before you get to the Promenade Anglais and the beaches. Its checkerboard-esque flooring is hard to miss. Though if you do somehow miss them, there’s still the Fountain of the Sun which features a statue of the Greek god, Apollo.

Castle of Nice

When it comes to Nice travel, this is the *main* sightseeing thing to do in Nice. The name, Castle of Nice, is a bit deceiving as it’s not really a castle but more of a park with the best aerial views over the city. Don’t let the stairs scare you – there’s a free elevator that’ll take you right to the top!

The Beaches

While the beaches in Nice aren’t exactly the best for sunbathing, they are still lovely to hang out at. The free beach has nothing in the way of rentals (missed business opportunity if you ask me), but there are two paid beaches that have loungers, umbrellas, and towel rentals. We booked a day pass at Castel Plage , which I’d recommend!

Just a warning, you’ll probably want actual water shoes if you plan on swimming. Getting in and out of the water is no joke.

Cours Saleya Market

Just look for the brightly striped tents of Cours Saleya in Vieux Nice for a fun, outdoor market! Everyday except Monday, you can find a flower and food market and then on Mondays, you can find an antiques market.

Get whatever fruit is in season and enjoy the fresh snack down by the beach! Also most stalls take credit card, which I was pleasantly surprised by.

Port Lympia

Another notable spot in Nice is Port Lympia , the city’s main port. It’s cool to see, though it loses some charm with all the modern looking yachts and boats.

Where to Eat in Nice

I admittedly did not eat very locally in Nice. By the time I got there I’d already spent about a week in France and was craving Asian food as well as quick, easy food (I caved and got a cheeseburger at McDonald’s on my way back to my hotel). French dining is lovely, but sometimes you don’t want to sit and relax for hours while you eat, ya know?

Anyway here’s where I ate and also wanted to eat but didn’t wind up visiting.

TIP: Honestly my favorite meal was when Elissa and I got some picnic supplies and carried them over to where the #ILoveNICE sign is. It’s on a cape, there’s seating all around, and you can’t beat the view. We went to the market to pick up cheese and strawberries, and then we found a boulangerie for a fresh baguette and waters. Absolute perfection!

Restaurants for Lunch or Dinner

Note that I found all the service at these spots friendly! If anyone sucked below, I would’ve probably just left and written a warning about going to the place lol.

• Maido (near Vieux Nice) – Cute spot for Japanese street food-esque dishes like okonomiyaki . Very casual and lively.
• Bistrot d’Antoine (Vieux Nice) – French bistro with really good food. Recommend getting the meat of the day, I’m dreaming about that duck breast. Elissa got the braised pork cheeks casserole and gave it her stamp of approval too – it reminded me a lot of my favorite bo kho in Saigon!
• La Langouste (near Notre Dame) – I went here on my last night when I was alone and after my first pick was full! Very delightful surprise as the seating is in the back patio and the food was delicious. Another spot I got duck breast and am salivating remembering it.

Other Places I Didn’t Go:

• Lavomatique – Really wanted to go here but was just too tired to walk back to Vieux Nice on my last night. It’s set in an old laundromat and the food looks incredible. Two reviews mentioned it would probably be a Michelin star restaurant someday.
• Fournil Zielinska – Sourdough lovers rejoice! We happened to walk by this sourdough bakery when it was closed, but it had to save it because it looked so nice.

Cafes & Dessert Stops

• AZZURRO Aristan Glacier – Busy gelato spot. It was pretty good! Not sure if you’d want to wait in line for it, though.
• Hug Cafe – this cafe was attached to our hotel, so we got breakfast here. The hotel breakfast is okay but the actual food the cafe has looked really good, so next time I’d just get that.
• cafe fino – Trendy cafe on the same street as Maido. I remember breakfast was nice and Elissa liked her egg mcmuffin, though she ordered it with skepticism.
• The Service Course Nice – A bike shop/cafe in Vieux Nice. They offer up milk alternatives, so I got a nice iced almond milk latte and vegan banana bread while sitting outside and relaxing.

Didn’t Go:

• Clay – Cafe near Quartier du Port. Looks like a nice breakfast spot!
• Cafés Indien – Elissa stumbled across this when she was wandering (I was tired and sleeping lol).
• Marinette – Another cute cafe in Vieux Nice that looks like it has some nice breakfast and sweet options.

Day Trips from Nice

If you want to explore more of the French Riviera, there are plenty of cool day and half-day trips you can take from Nice. I wanted to relax, so I didn’t go anywhere, but Elissa did a half-day trip to Monaco, which she said she liked. Monaco itself was kinda bleh, but the tour was cool and she learned a bit more about Grace Kelly on it.

Here are some other tours you could do:

Italian Dolce Vita & Menton

I actually forgot about Menton until it was too late! It’s been on my colorful places bucket list for ever, so I’ll just have to save it for a future riviera trip. Book Here

Gorges du Verdon & Fields of Lavender

This full day tour is for anyone who comes in June and wants to try and see the lavender fields. The Gorges of Verdon are these incredible canyons with aquamarine waters and, of course, the lavender fields of southern France are pretty much photo famous these days. Book Here

French Riviera in One Day

If have limited time and want to see as much of the Côte d’Azur as possible, this tour will go from Nice to Èze, Monaco, Antibes, Saint-Paul de Vence, and then Cannes in one very full day. Book Here

Éze, Monaco, & Monte Carlo

For something a little less intense and only half the day, you can do Éze, Monaco, and Monte Carlo. Book Here

Saint Tropez & Port Grimaud

If you’ve always been curious about the glamorous Saint Tropez, than this should be a cool tour (actually one I’d consider on a future visit if I don’t just go straight there myself). You’ll actually take a boat trip to Port-Grimaud before going to Saint Tropez! Book Here

Shopping in Nice

This is one of those moments where I wished I lived in France and also had an expendable bank account so I could just shop to my heart’s content. There are a ton of cute boutique shops and, of course, the antique market on Monday is every vintage lover’s dream.

I did manage to snag a cute boater hat after Elissa found a nice shop for hers but otherwise didn’t buy anything as I purposely left myself very, very limited space.

There’s also, of course, a ton of regular shopping. Along the main avenue you can find a giant H&M and Sephora; plus all the pharamacies for those of you who want to pick up some iconic French skincare products!

Safety & Health in Nice

I found Nice to feel pretty safe over all, and I walked around at all times of day and all over both with Elissa and totally by myself. Naturally, as it’s more of a city than a town, you’re going to still want to keep an eye on your belongings and not get too cavalier with it all.

One thing that’s that’s really annoying with Nice travel but is endemic in all of France is the casual smoking everywhere outside. I think it’s one of those things that’s slowly improving, but just know that if you eat outside, you also risk being in someone’s smoke path, which is incredibly annoying.

And that’s all my best advice for some nice Nice travel (get it, haha). Let me know if you have any questions below, and I’ll do my best to help!

For more France travel, read these next:

• Visiting Colmar Feels Exactly Like Entering a Storybook
• A Weekend in Paris is ALWAYS a Good Idea if You Follow this Guide
• 16 Splendid Things to Do in Strasbourg
• 13 Magical French Pharmacy Skincare Products You’ve Gotta Try

SHARE THIS ON PINTEREST

want to support?

I’m always grateful when friends and readereach out wanting to support There She Goes Again . Truthfully, I’m just happy my posts are helping people travel! If you’d like to support the blog, here are some companies and brands I’m affiliated with. Simply click the links, and I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you!

• Booking (Hotels)
• Sixt (Car Rental)
• Klook (Tours)
• Viator (Tours)
• Get Your Guide (Tours)
• Trazy (Korea Tours)
• Tiqets (Entrance Tickets)

BLOGGING / SOCIAL MEDIA

• WPX Hosting (Advanced)
• Bluehost (Beginners)
• Lezé the Label (Clothing)
• Printfresh (Pajamas, etc)
• Promptly Journals
• Encircled (Clothing)
• Girlfriend Collective (Athleisure)
• Birkenstock (Sandals)
• Bookshop (For Local)
• Amazon Books

Thank you for all your helpful travel tips for Nice. I am traveling 7 May to 14. I have a day trip to Cannes, Monaco, perfumery etc. My question is where can I get cool boater hat there. My hotel is Hotel de Suede, on Avenue de Suede. Kind regards,

Hi Lisa! I wish I could remember the exact store but my friend and I found ours at one of the shops near Cours Saleya Market. When I googled I found La Chapellerie which looks like where we went! Hope that helps!

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

How to enjoy Nice on a budget: the best transportation tickets, meal deals, and cheap experiences

May 4, 2022 • 6 min read

From hitting the beach to staying somewhere on the cheap, you can have a fun time in Nice on a budget © Carol Yepes / Getty Images

The French Riviera might be known for its glitz and glam, its old-world opulence and its elegant villas, but Nice needn’t be an expensive destination to visit.

Getting around is easy and inexpensive, entry to the main sights and attractions doesn’t cost much (if anything at all), with plenty of free things to see and do. You can also dine on delicious Mediterranean and Niçoise cuisine without breaking the bank. Follow our tips to make the most of your visit to Nice on a budget.

Avoid traveling to Nice in peak season or during carnival

Summer – August especially – is the worst time to visit Nice if you want to remain budget conscious. Most of Europe is on vacation, and prices for flights and accommodations tend to skyrocket. Popular tourist spots get very crowded, and even the heat can get too much. You should also avoid visiting during carnival season in February (unless you’re specifically visiting to see Nice’s rightly famous Carnaval ) – flights might seem affordable but accommodations get booked up fast and prices tend to rise accordingly.

Visiting Nice in May, June, or September is a safer bet, with pleasant weather, fewer crowds and more wallet-friendly flight, food, and accommodation costs.

Consider staying in a hostel or self-catering apartment

Let’s be honest, hotels in Nice are seldom cheap, but there are ways to save. If your budget can stretch a little, there are many worthy boutique hotels and lovely hip places to stay – although a double room will often cost you at least € 50–100 per night at best.

Travelers on a tighter budget (think €20–40 a night) should opt for a cozy guesthouse such as La Maïoun Guesthouse , a stylish hostel like Ozz Hostel or Villa Saint Exupéry Beach Hostel , or a self-catering apartment with Airbnb .

Buy the transportation or sightseeing pass that’s right for you

Buy your pass wisely, factoring in how long you’re going to be in the city for, how you’re planning on getting around, and what sort of attractions you’re going to visit.

For example, if you’re only in town for 2 or 3 days and are thinking of packing in as many cultural attractions and activities as possible, you should consider getting a French Riviera Pass (1 day €26, 2 days €38, 3 days €56), which gives free access to many of the city’s top sights, including the MAMAC , the Musée Matisse , the Palais Lascaris and more – from walking tours to electric scooter hire. For an extra €4 per day, the pass can also cover unlimited travel on the city’s trams and buses. Alternatively, the Pass musées Ville de Nice is a steal, at only €15 for 3 days of unlimited access to the city’s museums and galleries.

If you're not much of a culture vulture and want to spend your time shopping or laying on the beach, you'll want to buy the €10 for 10 rides transport ticket from Lignes d’Azur . It's valid for transportation to and from the airport, as well as travel between different parts of the city using the local bus and tram network. If you’re staying for longer, then the €15 7-day transport pass is better value, with unlimited travel on the bus and tram network for a week.

Browse the stalls at local food markets for the perfect picnic

Head to the city’s famous Marché du Cours Saleya or Marché de la Libération to cobble together a tasty lunch for under €10. From colorful fruits and vegetables, to creamy cheeses, olives and breads, find the best local produce and treat yourself to a gorgeous picnic on the beach or in one of the city’s many green spaces.

At both markets, you can also buy cheap and delicious Niçois street snacks (under €5 a pop), including socca (chickpea-flour pancakes), pissaladière (caramelized onion and anchovy tart), and pan bagnat (round-shaped sandwich filled with tuna, raw veggies, eggs, and olive oil). Try Chez Thérésa at Cours Saleya and Kiosque Tintin at Libération.

Choose restaurants wisely

Generally, avoid restaurants in busy, touristy spots with lengthy menus and eye-watering prices. Prefer places favored by locals and anywhere with a Lonely Planet sticker. Lunch menus can often offer excellent value, too.

For a special treat, here are a few places with excellent grub and reasonable prices that are definitely worth checking out: Olive & Artichaut in the old town (excellent 3-course menu for €34), La Maison de Marie in the city center (3-course Niçois menu: €27.90; 2–3-course lunch menu: €17.90–21.90), and L’Uzine near the port (go at lunchtime for the great-value, 2–3-course lunch menu: €18–23).

Make the most of discounted happy-hour drinks

Most pubs and bars in Nice, especially those in the old town, by the beach, near place Garibaldi and in the port district, offer discounts on pints, bottled beers and cocktails during “happy hour”, which is usually between 5pm and 8pm (sometimes from 6pm to 9pm in summer). That’s a whole three hours to enjoy an “apéro” drink or three in the sunshine for around €5 a pop. We’ll cheers to that!

Avoid Nice’s private beaches

Nice’s seafront is split between 15 private beaches and 20 public ones (including two that are wheelchair accessible). The rows of perfectly lined comfy sun loungers on the private beaches may look appealing, but they will set you back a good €20 a day. If you’re budget-conscious, they’re not worth splashing your cash on.

Nice’s beaches are all pebbles, with the exception of a sandy beach-volleyball court at the eastern edge of the seafront. Our tip? Bring along a beach mat or a fold-up mattress. You can ask your accommodation if they could loan you one (hostels and hotels often do), or buy one for next to nothing in a tourist shop near the beach, most supermarkets or a sports store like Decathlon. Jelly shoes might come in handy too!

Make the most of Nice’s free sights and scenery

Nice is a lovely city to explore on foot, and taking in all the beautiful scenery along the way is of course completely free.

Stroll along the palm tree-lined Promenade des Anglais , climb up to the Colline du Château for unparalleled views of the city and the azure sea, explore every corner of the quaint old town and relax in the city’s many free parks and gardens.

Daily costs in Nice

Hostel room: €20–30 (dorm bed) Basic hotel room for two: from €50–60 Self-catering apartment (including Airbnb): from €30–40 Public transport ticket: €1.50 for 1 ride, €10 for 10 rides, €5 for 1-day pass, €15 for 7-day pass Coffee: €2–4 Sandwich: €4–5 Dinner for two: €40–60 Beer/pint at the bar: €7–8 (around €5 during happy hour)

You might also like: 7 of the best day trips from Nice: see more of the Côte d'Azur    14 places to go to enjoy the best of France    First-time France: where to go and what to do   

Explore related stories

Destination Practicalities

Aug 16, 2024 • 9 min read

From wandering the ancient streets of the old town to where to eat and sleep, we've got everything you need to know before your first trip to Genoa.

Jul 29, 2024 • 5 min read

Jul 8, 2024 • 8 min read

Jun 13, 2024 • 7 min read

Jun 7, 2024 • 6 min read

Jun 6, 2024 • 8 min read

May 18, 2024 • 7 min read

May 14, 2024 • 10 min read

May 7, 2024 • 5 min read

Apr 15, 2024 • 7 min read

or with email

15 Things to do in Nice, France

Updated September 7, 2023

Nice is a gem of a city that sits along the French Riviera. It is a gateway to the sparkling Mediterranean Sea as well as to the Alps. And while some regard Nice as a great resort town (and it is that) it is also home to 300,000 inhabitants, making it the fifth largest city in France and full of life. That means that while on the one hand, you can have a pampered getaway, you can also find games of chess in the park, daily shopping in the markets, and French gossip over lunch. So whether you’re wandering Nice’s beautiful old town or people-watching with a glass of wine in hand, you’ll find there is plenty to get excited about. Here are 15 of the best things to do in Nice to jumpstart your trip planning.

Sample a socca

Like so much of France, there is amazing food to discover in Nice. From a classic salad nicoise to a socca (a type of pancake), you’ll have no shortage of delicious dishes to try. Here are some other local specialties which you should be sure to sample:

• Ratatouille
• Pissaladière

Check out the St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral 

An Eastern Orthodox Cathedral, the St. Nicholas Cathedral is an impressive and slightly unexpected site in Nice, and it is in fact the largest Russian Orthodox place of worship outside of Russia. The building is gorgeous both inside and out, so make sure not to miss any part of it. You should note though that it is not allowed to take photos once you go inside.

Chill in Place Massena

Massena square is the central square in Nice, and it is a great place to sit outdoors at a cafe on a sunny day with a glass of wine or a coffee and read a book or simply people-watch. Honestly, people-watching is one of the best things to do in all of France. If there is a festival happening in Nice, it is likely centered here – such as the parade on Bastille Day.

Wander the Monastère and Jardin Notre-Dame-de-Cimiez

These gardens are a short way outside of central Nice and are slightly elevated so you can look out across the city. The gardens overflow with colorful plant life and actually belong to the monastery on site. You can enter the building and see more of the design of the gothic, 16th-century church, there is also a cemetery on the premises which you can explore.

Climb up Castle Hill

High atop a hill, Castle Hill has played an important role in Nice’s history and defenses. It was originally built as a military citadel and was attacked numerous times throughout history. Though it is still referred to as Castle Hill, there is in fact no longer a castle here as it was demolished in the 18th century. Now it is home to a very popular park visited regularly by tourists and locals (there are many great parks and gardens to visit in France). The park encompasses a perfect overlook which also provides amazing photo opportunities across the city and the sea.

Wander Old Town

As one might guess, the old town of Nice is where the history of the city is best preserved. Once where it all happened, you can now wander the narrow, cobblestone streets and uncover gorgeous restaurants, quaint cafes, buzzing bars, and shops that offer all sorts of goods – from spices to clothing. The area is maze-like and you very well may get turned around and a bit lost, but that’s part of the fun of uncovering this part of town. Put your map down and enjoy the feeling of not quite knowing what’s around the corner.

Promenade along The Promenade des Anglais

In English, promenade is most commonly used as a noun. But in French, to promenade is one of the most important activities of the day. It is so important that this promenade extends for more than four, uninterrupted miles of Nice’s coastline. It is the place to catch a bit of sun while getting in your steps, the place to pick up on a bit of Nice’s street style, and to spot small events or local buskers. 

Uncover works of art at Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain

MAMAC, for short, the full name translates to Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, which is exactly what you can expect to find here – over a thousand pieces of artwork from the 1960s onwards. Amongst the permanent collection are pieces by Niki de Saint Phalle and Yves Klein , to name a few, and then rotating exhibitions are always listed on their website. While you can spend quite a while exploring the phenomenal art housed here, it’s also worth noting the remarkable building that does the housing. The architecture of the museum was planned to reflect that of Nice at large.

Get to know the artist at The Musée Matisse

As you might have guessed, this museum is dedicated to the life and work of Henri Matisse, who lived much of his life and created much of his work in Nice. The works on display here are not always the same, and the Matisse exhibits are regularly changing. Because the space is small, you may find that it is closed for a time in order for an exhibit to be changed over. So do check the website before planning your visit. 

Ogle wealth in the old port

Officially named Port Lympia, the old port is still in full operation. If you arrive or leave Nice by ferry, you will very likely go through here. But even more exciting than the ferry boats are all of the privately owned crafts which dock here. While you likely won’t be invited on board, you can wander the docks and take a look at what yachts are in town.

Go to the beach

You can walk right out onto the beach in Nice, it’s one of the city's main attractions, and the reason why a visit to the French Riviera is a must-do in France. Some of the closest beaches which are worth visiting are Plage de la Réserve and Plage publique de l’opera. If you’re ready to go farther afield, you can find so many more options within an easy day trip. Regardless of how beautiful a beach you may find, you won’t spot a bit of sand in this area, all of the beaches are pebbly instead. 

Stop and smell the flowers at Cours Saleya market

One of the must-stop spots in Old Town is the Cours Saleya market . It’s a gorgeous open-air market most well known for the plethora of flowers it sells. You’ll have to catch the market in the mornings though, as most of the stalls are packed up by about 12:30. And the entire space is closed every Monday. 

Learn about instruments at Lascaris Palace

This gorgeous, 17th-century building, which was once a single-family home, has been repurposed into a musical instrument museum that shows off more than 500 individual instruments. The opulence of the palace remains, so even if you are not particularly interested in the instruments, seeing how the aristocrats of Nice once lived is very worth the visit.

Snap a picture at the #ILOVENICE sign

Sometimes it’s ok to be a bit over-the-top touristy and take the generic, posed photo! You can find the sign at the east end of the city beaches, along the water, you surely can’t miss it with plenty of other people around taking their snaps as well. But, beyond that easily accessible sign, you can also find one at the summit of Blainon, about 60 miles inland from the city.

Fill up at Liberation Market

Another exquisite food market, Liberation Market  is in a huge, multilevel hall and has a vast array of vendors; from fruit and veggies to cheese and fish and everything in between. If you have access to a kitchen, this is one of the best places to come to in Nice for the freshest groceries to cook with.

Leave a comment:

Select Account Type

Sign-up with

Almost there!

Find booking.

Promotional Title

How should we contact you?

Thank you! We'll get back to you as soon as possible!

Click to register and track your question !

If you would like to follow up with us:

+1 (855) 782-3006

Forgot your password?

Enter your email address below and we'll send you a reset link: