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The iconic city of the French Riviera, Nice is very popular with foreign and local tourists alike. Every year, more than 4.5 million tourists come to visit this southern city. In July 2021, the city became a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with the title of “winter resort town of the Riviera”. Are you planning on coming for a weekend or a longer stay? Here is our selection of the 8 must-do things and must-see places in Nice.
🔝 Walks in Provence. If you are looking for the most picturesque places in Provence, we’ve got exactly what you need in this article.
🗒️ What you need to know before your trip to Nice
Before we dive into our list of must-do things in Nice, here are some quick tips for your upcoming trip.
How to get around in Nice?
Wondering whether to use your car or not? Fear not, the Nice metropolitan area is well-equipped with public transportation. Three tram lines crisscross the city (Line 1 to reach the city centre via Avenue Jean Médecin and Place Masséna; Line 2 serving the airport) and there are nearly 3100 bus stops spread across 49 metropolitan communities. So, you’re likely to find what you need. On match nights, there’s even a dedicated line for OGC Nice fans. The bus/tram ticket, valid for 74 minutes, costs 1.50 euros.
Which hotel to choose in Nice?
In Nice, you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to hotels. As you might expect in this beautiful part of France, some are particularly luxurious. For something practical and not too expensive, we recommend the Hotel Monsigny: centrally located, with comfortable rooms and a rooftop equipped with a pool, it’s an ideal base for exploring the city and getting well-rested.
Planning to make your Nice getaway unforgettable? Considering a luxury hotel? Then the Hotel Negresco awaits you. It’s a unique, historic place overlooking the legendary Promenade des Anglais, with furnishings and decor that span five centuries of history, from Louis XIII style to modern art. What more could you ask for?
And in between (price-wise), there’s the Hotel de France. Offering lovely services, this establishment is just a three-minute walk from the beach, right in the centre of Nice. The decor is modern – the hotel was renovated in 2019 – and the breakfast is hearty and very good.
Booking.com🔝 Top 8 must-do things in Nice
Let’s continue with the activities and places Nice offers. There’s a lot, but here are the ones you absolutely must experience, in our opinion.
Discover la Promenade des Anglais
La Promenade des Anglais – or the Prom’ as the locals call it – is a must-see. This famous avenue runs along the beach of Nice and is very popular with tourists, especially the English (hence its name). It stretches for 7 kilometres, between Nice airport and the hill of the Castle. You can take a leisurely stroll or take a bike, a segway or opt for rollerblades. You can do the whole thing at once or in small chunks. As you walk (or ride), you will be able to admire the sea, the beaches and the Port of Nice, the Quai des Etats-Unis, the Art Deco buildings as well as the luxury hotels.
🔎 But why is it called “la Promenade des Anglais”? This name runs from the 19th century. It was at this time that a strong English community developed on the Nice seaside. So all the Englishmen you see are not newcomers here, they have been here for over a century.
Getting lost in Vieux Nice
The Old Town of Nice is like a real-life postcard with its coloured houses that are typical for La Provence and its narrow and steep streets. You will love getting lost in here! Start your visit to Old Nice by walking through Cours Saleya, a lively alleyway with a fruit and vegetable market in the morning and a flower market in the afternoon. Make sure to visit the Place Rossetti and the Sainte Reparate cathedral, as well as the Lascaris Palace, a museum dedicated to ancient instruments housed in an old baroque mansion. In summer, eat an ice cream at the famous Fenocchio. And in winter, take a break in one of the many restaurants of Cours Saleya. Here are three we recommend (for any budget):
- Le Petit Écailler De La Douce | 26 cours Saleya, Nice
- King Marcel Nice | 20 cours Saleya, Nice
- Molo26 | 26 cours Saleya, Nice
Visit the Place Masséna
With its colourful buildings and chequered pavement, la Place Masséna is another must-see place in Nice. It is here that the Fontaine du Soleil and the Opéra de Nice are located. And if you’re looking for a place to shop, avenue Jean Médecin, which starts here at la Place Masséna, is your go-to place.
💡 One of the most emblematic places in Nice. La Place Masséna was named after Marshal of the French Empire André Masséna, originally from Nice. It was inspired by the Vittorio Veneto Square in Turin, Italy. Over the decades, it has become the center of life in Nice: it is ideally located between Old Nice and Avenue Jean Médecin. Plus, it is not very far from the Promenade des Anglais either!
Chill out on the Promenade du Paillon
The Promenade du Paillon is a green boulevard that stretches between Place Masséna and Place Garibaldi. Take a stroll here to admire trees, shrubs and plants from all continents. In summer, children love to cool off between the jets of the reflecting pool. And all year round, you can relax on the lawn in the public garden (because the weather is almost always nice in Nice). If by any chance it’s not, you can pass time in the Nice Contemporary Art Museum on the Promenade du Paillon.
📆 Opening hours of the Museum of Contemporary Art of Nice (Mamac) :
From November 1 to April 30 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. and from May 2 to October 31 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The museum is closed on January 1, Easter Sunday, May 1, and December 25.
Enjoy the sunset from the Castle Hill
The Castle Hill is the best place to admire the sunset over the Bay of Angels. You can get to the top by taking stairs at the end of the Promenade des Anglais or in the Old Town. The hill offers a breathtaking view of the sea, as well as of the whole city of Nice. On the top of the hill, take a moment to take a break before resuming your journey.
📚 A few words on the castle itself. The place takes its name from the strong fortress that was standing here before it got destroyed by Louis XIV in 1706. A few centuries before, the medieval city was entirely built around it. Later, though, the dwellings and local shops moved to the lower part of the hill. There are some remains of the castle in the park overlooking the city, although they are difficult to identify.
Visit the Cimiez district
Sometimes forgotten by tourists because it is far from downtown Nice, the Cimiez district is a must-see for culture lovers. You will find the Henri Matisse Museum, the Marc Chagall National Museum, the Nice Archaeological Museum, as well as the Roman Baths of Cimiez and the Arènes de Cimiez, the remainders of the district’s Roman past. The gardens of the Monastery of Cimiez are also magnificent and offer a beautiful view of Nice and the hill of the castle. A definite must-see.
Hike to Villefranche-sur-Mer
The Côte d’Azur has some of the most magnificent coastal paths in France. Nice too offers a great walking itinerary to the picturesque village of Villefranche-sur-Mer. The trail starts from Coco Beach and runs along the coastline, with its hidden bays and impressive cliffs. You should plan an hour and a half or two for this hike. Unless, of course, you want to stop for a swim in one of the bays on the coast! You can get back to the city by bus. If you want more information on hiking paths in the area, have a look at the Visorando site.
Discover the flavours of Nice
The Nice cuisine is recognized worldwide. Take advantage of your stay in Nice to taste its most representative dishes: the socca (a thin pancake made with chickpea flour and olive oil and cooked in a wood oven), the pissaladière (a kind of tart made from bread dough, onions, anchovies and black olives), or the surprising sweet chard tart.
Here you go! Hopefully, our small selection of 8 things to do during a trip to Nice will inspire you to really get to know this beautiful city. If you have other suggestions, do let us know in the comments!