Looking for best things to do in Nice, in France? This guide is for you! Whether you want to lay in the beach, or do museum hopping, Nice has plenty of interesting things to do.
Nice is a perfect gateway whether you want to explore French Riviera, or Provence region. Having two international borders (Italy and Monaco) less than 30 miles away, the possibilities of day trips are endless. Read our post to know more.
Nice – more than just a beach destination
Nice is nice. Actually better than nice. Nice is one of the most beautiful and popular Mediterranean city along Côte d’azur region in France. Nice boasts of not just one or two, but thirty azure beaches.
While the city itself is charming, the warm Mediterranean climate makes it the most compulsive beach holiday destination. Thanks to the mediterranean coast, Nice receives good sunshine (with some rains, of course!) and makes a great choice for winter sun destination in Europe.
Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links. I receive a small commission at no cost to you when you make a purchase using my link. For more information, please check our privacy policy
The city gets soaked with tourists during summer months, but if you prefer quieter time, early spring and autumn are perfect. Winter isn’t any bad here. We went to Nice during end of winter, we were still able to enjoy and explore the city!
In this post, we have handpicked some of the best things to do in Nice. We have also recommended best places to stay, where to find vegan food, tour recommendations and best day trip ideas from Nice.
Where is Nice?
Located in the south east coast of French Riviera, at the foot of Alps, Nice is the capital city of Cote d’ Azur region, and fifth largest city in France. So you get a perfect combination of mountains and beach.
Nice is located 30 kms away from the Italian border, and only 13 kms away from Principality of Monaco. Making it a perfect gateway to exploring the Mediterranean coast and French Riviera in particular.
How to get to Nice?
There is an impressive rail network that connects Nice to many French cities. A TGV from Paris to Nice takes roughly 6 hours.
Alternatively, Nice’s Cote d’Azur Airport is the third largest airport in France and has numerous flights that connects to the rest of the world.
Eurolines are the low cost bus service that operates throughout Europe connecting 1000 destinations.
Nice Airport to town centre is only 7.5 kms and is connected by tram line T2. The duration of the rides are 35 minutes. Alternatively, book this – Private Transfer between Nice Airport and Nice City
Public transport in Nice
Public transport in Nice is very good and reliable. There are bus and tram service that takes you to most of the top attractions in Nice. Main bus stations are Parc Phoenix and Vauban. There are three tram lines T1, T2 and T3 that connects all parts of Nice and surrounds, including airport.
Tickets can be purchased at the vending machines or from the driver. You can buy a single ticket (costs €1.50), multi ticket, or one day or seven day passes. You can purchase the ticket in advance from the app Nice Ticket Lignes d’Azur.
If you want to explore the surrounding towns and cities in French Riviera, it is convenient to take buses, and tickets costs only €1.50 one way. There are buses to Menton (bus #100), Cannes (bus #200 from Parc Phoenix), Monaco (bus #100 and #112), Eze village (#82 and #112), Grasse (bus #500) and surrounding regions.
Best things to do in Nice
1. Promenade des Anglais
This is the most celebrated promenade in France. During the later 18th Century, a lot of English people started to spend the winter in Nice to escape the harsh winter in UK.
The idea of building a walkway was proposed by English, and hence it got it’s name Promenade des Anglais(Path of English). It is 7kms long and runs from city centre to the airport.
This promenade is a boon for joggers/walkers, skaters and cyclists. There are 24 hour self-hire bicycle service available all through the year in the promenade which eases the work for tourists like us.
Facing the promenade are modern buildings and holiday apartments with numerous cafes and restaurants.
2. Vieille Ville of Nice
What impressed me the most was the Old Town (Vieille Ville) that had pastel colored buildings (some bright and some tanned) which reflected old Mediterranean architecture and baroque churches.
We navigated effortlessly through the maze of tiny lanes enjoying the cool breeze and watching the houses that had clothes hanging in the washing line.
The place was lively with lots of small shops that sold boutique, souvenirs, provencial fabrics, olives, spices, flowers (a lot of them), fresh fruits, vegetables, bread, fish market and was totally buzzing with people.
There were plenty of traditional restaurants and cafes that makes this place a food-lover’s paradise. Taste the local culinary specialty La Socca, a crepe/pancake kind made with chick pea flour.
3. Fenocchio Ice cream Parlour
Visit Fenocchio Ice Cream Parlor that’s famous for its collection of 94 flavours, 59 ice-creams and 35 sorbets – Yes, we had like 10 flavours – salted caramel butter, rose and lavender combo, chocolate ginger, Jasmine, Tiramasu.. and I don’t remember the rest of the names, but everything i had, tasted heavenly! The price was nominal too. So, don’t miss out this place if you’re in Nice.
4. Place Garibaldi
Just around old town is the Place Garibaldi, one of the oldest and largest squares in Nice. It’s a great place to sit and chill, watch people and trams that cross through the square. You will never feel lonely here; be it day or night, there’s always people around.
This place is famous for its Saturday flea markets. The hotel where we stayed was close to this square, so we spent a lot of our time here either having lunch or sipping coffee/tea, or drinking beer.
5. Place Massena
Just around old town is the Place Garibaldi, one of the oldest and largest squares in Nice. It’s a great place to sit and chill, watch people and trams that cross through the square.
You will never feel lonely here; be it day or night, there’s always people around.This place is famous for its Saturday flea markets.
The hotel where we stayed was close to this square, so we spent a lot of our time here either having lunch or sipping coffee/tea, or drinking beer.
6. Castle Hill (La Colline Du Chateau)
The view of Nice coastline was overwhelming when we saw it at the bird’s eye from the Castle Hill (La Colline Du Chateau). You can either climb the hill by footsteps or take the elevator which charges 1 Euro.
As you climb, you will find the dimensions of Nice in an entirely different view, all of which you want to capture in your camera saying “wow”. It gives the view of the coastline, old town, harbour and surrounded mountains.
7. Museums in Nice
Nice is the city with largest number of museums outside of Paris. That’s over 15 museums in arts, archeology, sports. Musee Massena, Musee des Beaux-Arts de Nice, Asian Arts Museum all of which are dedicated to arts.
Other museums in Nice include Musee du Palais Lascaris, Musee D’Archeologie, Musee National du Sport, Grimaldi Castle Museum, Musee Matisse, Galarie Lympia, Musee Franciscain. You can choose to get Nice Museum Pass which works out better.
8. Beaches in Nice
Nice has one of the most beautiful 4 mile long stretch (Promenade Des Anglais) of beach in Cote d’Azur region. There are private and public beaches, most of which are pebbled. During the summer months, it gets super crowded, so it is advisable to opt for private beaches.
Some of the popular beaches include Coco Beach, Florida beach, Plage de Carres. A short bus ride to next town will take you to the pristine and popular Villafrance-sur-mer.
Conclusion
Nice is not all about beaches and museums. Nice gives us a bunch of alternatives for everyone – there are music theatres, spa and wellness centers, shopping areas, and Nice boasts of a great night life. It also has some beautiful mountains and French alps at the vicinity.
Day trips from Nice
Nice is located so strategically in the French Riviera that it makes for an excellent base to explore the French Riviera or Cote D Azur region. Visit the hilltop village of Eze, catch the glamor in Cannes, play casino in Monaco, or enjoy the beach days in Villafranche-sur-Mer.
Book your stay in Nice
Whether you want to explore Nice, or the entire French Riviera, Nice is a great choice for base location. Many of the attractions are only less than 30 minutes away from Nice, hence it only makes sense to stay in Nice while you do day trips to the surrounding attractions.
Nice is packed with accommodations that range from luxury, boutique to simple apartments and humble abodes. Choose Splendid Hotel & Spa, Best Western Plus Hôtel Massena, La Malmaison for luxury splurge, or search and book your choice of stay here.
Vegan restaurants in Nice
KOKO Green, 1 Rue de la Loge, 06300 Nice: An all vegan and organic cafe in Nice offering delectable meat free and gluten free food ranging from nasi goreng, vegan egg, pizza, tacos, spegetti, meatballs salads, soups, pies – the options are endless!
Alounak Mediterranean Restaurant, 3 Rue d’Alsace-Lorraine, 06000 Nice: Vegan and vegetarian options available serving Mezze platter, tagine, ratatouille, couscous and lot more.
Utopia, 35 Rue Bonaparte, 06300 Nice: A perfect vegan Italian restaurant. Some of the signature dishes include Mozzarella sticks, Carbonara, Salads, spaghetti, ravioli and more. Don’t miss out their Tiramasu!
| CHECK OUT OUR TOP TRAVEL RESOURCES BELOW ✈️ Find the best flights flights with SkyScanner or Jet2 🏡 Find affordable accommodations on Booking.com and Tripadvisor 🚙 Book your car with EuropCar Rentals 🚆Book your train journeys with Eurail or Interrail 🚌Check out the best bus fares in MegaBus 💚Get reliable travel insurance from World Nomads 📷Search tours from GetYourGuide or Viator 🏖️Book your all inclusive holidays with Jet2Holidays, Lastminute or Logitravel Check out the latest adventure travel deals on G Adventures 💻Check your visa requirement on iVisa |
Don’t Miss A Thing!
Subscribe here and keep updated with our latest travels, new posts, travel tips, destination guides and plenty of travel inspiration!
Like it? Pin It!
CONNECT WITH US | FACEBOOK| INSTAGRAM| PINTEREST | YOUTUBE| TWITTER
You will love reading these posts too!
- Best things to do in Strasbourg
- Explore Cassis, a hidden gem in French Riviera
- Things to do in Eze Village, French Riviera
- 48 hours in Marseille, France
This article is now available as a mobile app. Go to GPSmyCity to download the app for GPS-assisted travel directions to the attractions featured in this article.
Himanshu Nagpal
Thats' lovely…. 94 flavours, 59 ice creams? I so envy you… lol
Cheers!
countryhoppingcouple
Don't Himanshu..I cursed myself for only tasting 10 flavors…wish I had more 🙁
Kusum Sanu
I assume the anniversary was as wonderful as this place 🙂 And many many many more to come!
Love those beaches and ice cream part is nice too!
countryhoppingcouple
Kusum, yes the anniversary was ek dhum superb!
Rajesh K
I wonder how the beach water shown in the first pic gets the bluish-green colour? The second one is normal – blue. Is this place in France or UK? The view from the top of the hill is nice. 17C is warm? We have 40C here and we are suffering!!!!!!! 🙂
Destination Infinity
countryhoppingcouple
It was that aqua bluish/green color..Moreover when I took that 1st pic, it was getting cloudy. This place is in Southern France. Unfortunately (fortunate for us) 17 deg C is warm, considering the average of scottish summer which is 12 degrees. And you know, when we left UK, it was all snow and weather dropped down to 2 degs. So I guess 17 was good, isn't it?
rama
Nice way to spend your anniversary. Lovely pictures too.
countryhoppingcouple
Thank you Rama ..the time we spent in Nice was scattered over 3 days, mostly before our anniversary. We ventured out to a hilly place on the day of our anniv..more of it in next post 😀
Saru Singhal
WOW! Belated Happy Anniversary Anu. You know we are planning a trip to Europe and I want to explore places like you, not through some travel agent. I want to spend at least 10 days in Italy. I will ask you or refer to your blog whenever we go ahead with it. And will surely hit that ice-cream parlour. 🙂
countryhoppingcouple
Thank you Saru…Oh sure..I have been to a lot of places in Europe exploring them by ourself. I too don't like and don't recommend going through travel agent. They only hit the top "must see" places, and at somepoint it will just be "I've been there, done that" types…You have very less opportunity to explore!
evanescentthoughts
Never knew there was town named Nice. Such colorful buildings! Wow.. And so many icecream flavours! You made my mouth water 🙂
countryhoppingcouple
Even I was unfamiliar with this city until I came to Europe.
D.Nambiar
For a long time I thought Nice was pronounced nice haha. And I didn't know it was this nice until these pictures and your write up on it. Love the old-world charm that these buildings hold.
Belated anniversary wishes, Anu. I wish every anniversary sees you some exotic place like this. 🙂
Oh, and there's something else — Do you have your pre-digital age pics with you? If yes and you'd like to do this: http://myyatradiary.blogspot.com/2013/04/one-picture-from-my-photo-album-contest.html, I've nominated you. http://www.dnambiartravelblog.com/2013/05/one-picture-from-my-photo-album-rowing.html
countryhoppingcouple
Yeah,,I used to pronounce it as nice instead of Niece. Thank you for the wishes Divya.
And thanks for tagging me on the contest. I would love to take it up..Just hunting for my non-digital photo now 😀
Arti
Wow, what a charming little city to spend your anniversary. I love the stepping back in time quality your pictures exude, would so love to explore this town someday and dig into some flavors from the ice cream parlor too 🙂
countryhoppingcouple
Thank you Arti. I wouldn't mind revisiting this town again and again..just to get lost in the crowd with the smell of sea, and to have those icecreams 😀
Kalyan P
beautiful colours & composition….lovely!
countryhoppingcouple
Thank you Kalyan.
aliasgarmukhtiar mukhtiar
Nice one,
countryhoppingcouple
Thanks Aliasgarmukhtiar!
kala
This pics stole my heart sply 3rd one!!
countryhoppingcouple
Thank you Kala.
Pinoy Fashion Bloggers
If there's one place I have been in France, luckily it was Nice! The beach was amazing… The ship's emergency drill was done there when I was still one of the shipcrew and I hate drills but having the seaview of Nice's shores, I enjoyed every minute of it.
countryhoppingcouple
Oh Wow! That must've been altogether a different experience! Welcome here Pinoy!
grace
Love love love this blog Anu. Great descriptions and I love the how to get there parts and things to do. Will definitely visit your blog for infos!
countryhoppingcouple
Thank you Grace for your comments, and welcome here 🙂
Ofcourse, you can refer here or write to me if you need any info.