15 lovely things to do in Nice, France

Nice is one of the loveliest cities on the French Riviera, with colourful streets, sparkling Mediterranean views and easy day trips along the Côte d’Azur.  If you’re planning a visit and wondering about the best things to do in Nice, France, you’re in the right place.

We visited for a long weekend to relax, explore the French Riviera, and enjoy some early summer sunshine.  Although Nice is the 5^th largest city in France, many of the main sights are close together, so you can happily explore on foot. And when you do need to go further, the buses, trams, and trains make day trips incredibly easy.

In this guide, I’m sharing our favourite things to do in Nice, with all the top sights, the places we loved and a few fantastic day trips to help you make the most of your visit.

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Nice is on the southeast coast of France, known as the French Riviera.  It is at the foot of the French Alps on the Mediterranean Sea near to the border with Italy.

No trip to Nice is complete without a walk along the palm-tree lined Promenade des Anglais.

Stretching for 7km along the Baie des Anges, this iconic seafront is one of the most famous Nice attractions and is always buzzing with walkers, cyclists, joggers, and holidaymakers.

First established in the early 19^th century, it became the place to be for the wealthy English visitors escaping the cold winters back home.  Today, the promenade is lined with elegant hotels, parks, and grand villas, but still has the relaxed Riviera charm.

You can walk, cycle, or simply sit on one of the famous blue chairs and watch the world go by.  We stayed at the Hotel Suisse right at the end of the Promenade and could see it from our window, which was a pretty amazing view to wake up to.

We loved exploring Vieux Nice and getting lost in the little backstreets.  This colourful Old Town is a maze of narrow lanes, pastel buildings, and lively squares and one of the most charming areas in Nice

You’ll find tiny boutiques, gelato shops, cafés, and baroque churches tucked around every corner.  It’s one of the best places to visit in Nice and an area you’ll come back to time after time.

One of the best things to do in Nice is spend time on the long stretch of beach along the Baie des Anges.  Its location right next to the Old Town makes it incredibly convenient, and most of the beaches are free.

Just be prepared, as the beaches are pebbly rather than sandy and not as comfortable as you might expect.  Bring water shoes or hire a lounger at one of the private beach clubs.  However, the water is beautifully clear, and on a hot day there’s nothing better than a dip in the Mediterranean.

If you prefer a bit more comfort, head to one of the private beach clubs.  For a fee, you’ll get a lounger, parasol, and access to facilities and a bar (food and drink are extra).

Our hotel offered a discounted rate for the beach club, so it’s worth checking this when choosing where to stay.

You’ll easily spot the free public beaches – just look for the towels spread out on the pebbles.

One of the must-see attractions in Nice is Castle Hill (Colline du Château).  Located at the edge of the Old Town, this hilltop park offers panoramic views over Nice Old Town, the port and bay.  Despite the name, there’s no castle anymore (Louis XIV destroyed it in 1706), but there is an impressive water cascade.

To reach the castle, we walked up the steps, a tough climb in the heat, that takes about 20 minutes.  It’s worth it for the views and you can stop along the way for photos.  If you prefer an easier way, there is lift, though you can expect queues on a summer’s day.  The lift is open from 10am to 5.25pm and is free.

Once at the top, there’s no fixed route, but you can see the cascade or stop at the café.  This is a lovely spot to cool off for a while.

Best of all, admission to Castle Hill is completely free.

Right in the heart of the Old Town, Cours Saleya Market is full of colour, fragrance, and local flavour. It’s one of the best places to visit in Nice if you want to see everyday life in action or pick up a souvenir to take home.

From fresh fruit and flowers to Provençal soaps and spices, the stalls are lovely to wander around.

The market is busiest in the morning, so arrive early if you want to experience it at its best. On Mondays, the whole area transforms into a huge flea market, perfect if you like browsing vintage treasures.

With its striking red buildings, checkerboard paving and modern art installations, Place Masséna is one of the most recognisable places to go in Nice.  This lively square links the Old Town with the shopping streets and the Promenade.

At one end you’ll see the impressive marble statue of Apollo, the “Fontaine du Soleil” (Sun Fountain), which is a popular photo spot.  It’s especially pretty in the evening when the lights come on.

Connecting Place Masséna with the Promenade des Anglais, Jardin Albert 1er is one of the oldest public gardens in Nice.  With palm trees, lawns and shady paths, it’s a peaceful place to relax.

It’s also one of the best places to visit with in Nice with kids, thanks to the water fountains that shoot up from the pavement on the Promenade du Paillon, providing endless fun on a sunny day.  There are also several play areas with swings and climbing frames.

For the best views across the park, head to the rooftop terrace at the Anantara Plaza Hotel.

Nice is extremely bicycle-friendly, with 125 km of cycle lanes around the city and along the seafront.  There are 175 Vélo Bleu docking stations where you can hire a bike by the hour.

If you prefer a guide, you can book an e-bike city highlights tour to see Nice on two wheels, a fun way to get around and cover more ground.

In the heart of the Old Town, Nice Cathedral (Cathédrale Sainte‑Réparate) is a beautiful example of baroque architecture.  Go inside for a quick look as the interiors are stunning, with marble columns and ornate chapels.

Nice cathedral sits on Place Rossetti, a lively square that’s perfect for a drink and watching the world go by.

Fennochio’s, the famous gelato shop is right here.  It offers 90 different flavours and has become somewhat of a legend, though be prepared to queue.  We ate very tasty ice cream a little further up the street!

Port Lympia is Nice’s main port and a lovely place for a relaxed walk.  You can admire the super yachts or stop at one of the bars and cafés around the harbour.

You’ll also pass this way if you’re catching the tram or joining the one hour sightseeing cruise to Villefranche Bay.

The #ILoveNice sign is one of the most popular viewpoints in the city.  Painted in the colours of the French flag and set against the backdrop of the seafront, it’s a fun stop for photos and selfies.  You can visit here after your climb up Castle Hill.

Art lovers will enjoy the Cimiez district, home to several of the top Nice art museums.  Don’t miss the Matisse Museum, set in a beautiful 17th‑century villa and dedicated to the life and work of Henri Matisse.  Even if you’re not usually a museum person, the buildings and gardens here make it a lovely area to explore.

Just a short walk away is the Musée Marc Chagall.  Another top choice for museums in Nice is the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC), near the Old Town.

One of the best things about staying in Nice is how easy it is to explore the surrounding Riviera. Its location and excellent transport links make it a convenient base for visiting nearby towns on the Cote d’Azur, like Cannes, Antibes, and Monaco.  If  you want to go further, you could head for a day out at the breathtaking Verdon gorge!

The train line runs along the coastline, making it a convenient option.  We’d read lots of advice about sitting on the side nearest the sea for the best views, but the train was so busy it was standing room only!

Here are two of the most popular Nice day trips:

Just a short bus ride or drive from Nice, Èze is a stunning medieval hilltop village with some of the best views on the Côte d’Azur.

I’d highly recommend a visit, as it’s absolutely gorgeous.  You can wander through its cobbled lanes, visit the exotic garden at the top and enjoy lunch with a view.  We loved it, though I’d recommend going early before it gets busy.

Èze is one of the most unique places to visit near Nice, especially if you love photography or pretty villages.  We travelled by bus, but there’s also guided tours if you don’t fancy public transport.

For a complete change of pace, hop on the train to Monaco.  This small municipality needs no introduction, as it’s world-famous for its fast cars, super yachts, and casinos.  It also has its own royal palace on the top of the hill.  You can easily explore Monaco in a day, making it one of the easiest, but most glamorous Nice day trips.

Another exciting way to get to Monaco is on the ferry, which will let you explore the French Riviera from the water.  It takes about an hour each way, and if you’re lucky you might spot some dolphins.

With so much to see, you might prefer to take a guided tour in Nice

• Mala Caves, Villefranche & Snorkelling Boat Tour
• French Riviera in One Day
• Half-day trip to Nice, Eze & Monaco
• Full day trip to the Gorges of Verdon and Fields of Lavender

Yes, it’s easy to get to and easy to get around.  It has a beautiful Old Town and is located on the beach.  Plus, Nice is a fantastic base for visiting other villages and towns along the Côte d’Azur.

• Luxury Accommodation:  Hotel le Negresco is an elegant, 5-star spa hotel in the centre of Nice
• Mid-range Accommodation:  Boscolo Hotel & Spa is a Belle Époque-style hotel with an indoor swimming pool
• Budget Accommodation:   Hotel Busby is a clean, comfortable hotel in a central location

We stayed in Hotel Suisse, at the end of the Promenade des Anglais.  It has an excellent location and the buffet breakfast was superb!

Three days is perfect for seeing the main sights, relaxing on the beach and taking a day trip or two.  If you want more time on the beach and to explore more of the Riviera, stay four or five days.

Yes, Nice is very walkable and it is easy to see the main attractions by foot.  Much of the Old Town is pedestrianised, making walking around both safe and enjoyable. While we were there, we noticed the guided bike tours were really popular.

If you like to explore beyond the city, public transport in Nice is excellent and cheap.  Buses, trams, and trains run frequently and connect to all the mains attractions and towns on the French Riviera.

Although some things can be pricey, there are plenty of free things to do.  Wandering the Old Town, going to the beach and climbing up to Castle Hill are all free.  Food wasn’t particularly expensive compared to other European cities.  You just have to choose somewhere that suits your budget.

Here is a map of Nice, with all the best attractions, things to do and day trips.  You can use this when planning your own itinerary.

To save the map to Google Maps on your phone or computer, click on the star next to the title. Once you do this, you’ll be able to find the map in your “saved maps” list on your phone.

To see a list of all the items on the map, click the box with arrow on the left. To enlarge the map, click the box on the right.

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