Nice is a beautiful seaside city that’s nestled between the stunning town of Antibes and the principality of Monaco on the French Riviera.
It’s a perfect base to explore the surrounding towns but there’s plenty to do and see in the town its self. What are the best things to see and do?
I’ve been visiting Nice every year for 8 years and I know the city and the surrounding areas very well. My guide contains the best things to see and explore in the town.
14 Things to See & Do in Nice
From exploring the old town to relaxing on the beach and enjoying the beautiful azure water in the Baie des Anges, there’s a lot of great things to do in Nice! Read on to discover what not to miss during your stay.
Walk Along the Promenade des Anglais
The main seafront boulevard of the city is called the Promenade des Anglais and stretches over 7km in length. It’s where locals come to exercise, socialise and of course, relax on the beach.
Named after the English aristocracy who visited on their grand tours in the 17th and 18th century, it’s become one of the most prominent features of the city.
Walking along the Promenade gives great views across the Bay des Anges where you can take in the beautiful turquoise water.
Good to Know: There are some shaded areas to sit down for a break on the Promenade but these few and far between. During the summer it can hit 35c/95f so I’d advise that you take a stroll during the early morning or around sunset!
Explore the Old Town
The old town of Nice, despite the mass of touristy shops, is very beautiful and definitely worth a visit. It’s picturesque and has plenty of Niçoise charm.
I’d advise wondering around, exploring the streets, looking up and taking in the area. You can count on around 45 minutes to properly explore the old town.
Tip: If you’re a foodie then I’d recommend going on this walking food tour. They do some great tours in Paris and their tour in Nice is fantastic.
Past the Old Town, you’ll find the Massena square which is worth a visit. Beyond the place, down Avenue Jean Médecin, you’ll find plenty of boutiques and shops.
Visit the Marché Cours Saleya
Between the Old Town and the Promenade des Anglais is a fantastic little market – the Marché Cours Saleya. Open from Tuesday-Sunday from 6am to 1:30pm, there’s a fantastic array of stands to check out.
Part of the market is dedicated to flowers (the Marché aux Fleurs) and the other side you’ll find local fruit and vegetables. If you’re renting an apartment I’d definitely recommend picking up some local produce and cooking with them!
Try Niçoise Cuisine at Le Meranda
Niçoise cuisine is incredible and there’s no better place to try it than Le Meranda. It’s a restaurant that I first heard about 8 years ago I’ve been going every year since.
It’s a small, intimate family restaurant ran by ex. 2 Michelin star chef Dominique Le Stanc. A Niçois native, Dominique is passionate about authentic Niçoise cuisine.
During tomato season they serve an incredible tarte à la tomate. Coming out of tomato season? You’ll find a superb, and truly authentic, Pissaladière – a caramelised onion and anchovy tart. Don’t forget to try their fantastic Pistou pasta (a Provençal pesto) and their Daube (a beef stew) served with Panisse.
Read More: Looking for more restaurants recommendations? Check out my guide to the best restaurants in Nice.
Go on a Parasailing Adventure and See Nice from Up High
Feeling adventurous? Check out the parasailing that’s on offer in Nice. You can spend 12 minutes rising 50-100m above the sea giving incredible views over the city and beyond.
Tip: Reserve your parasailing experience in advance here to beat the queues.
Walk Around the Old Port
The Old Port, or Port Lympia, is just around the corner from the Old Town and past the Colline du Château.
It’s a rectangular port for pleasure craft, ferries and small cruise liners that dates back to 1748. It’s a lovely walk to go around the port and see some of the super yachts moored up.
There are some cafés on the western edge which is a perfect spot to grab a coffee or drink.
Explore the Puces de Nice
On the eastern side of the Old Port is a little known but great little permanent flea market, the Puces de Nice. Inside you’ll find different, separated antique and flea market stands.
There’s photographs, furniture, tableware and plenty of smaller items that you can take back as a small souvenir from your trip to the South of France.
Relax in a Private Beach Club
Nice can get really hot in the summer and even though there’s a huge public beach, it’s admittedly not the comfiest. For me there’s no better place to do relax (in comfort!) on the beach that than in one of the city’s many private beach clubs.
My favorite beach club in Nice is Hotel Amour Plage. You can rent a sunlounger for €35 per day. It’s on the larger side the beach service is friendly and rapid. For lunch they serve simple Mediterranean food – it’s the kind of food you want to eat on the beach!
Otherwise Plage Beau Rivage is a great option. It has a lovely retro feel but with a recent refurb, it’s bang up to modern standards. The food is great although a little bit pricy.
Read More: Want recommendations on which beach club to visit? Read my guide to the best beach clubs in Nice.
Walk up to the Love Nice Sign
If you walk up past the Tour Bellanda and towards the Old Port, you’ll find the the I Love Nice sign. With some epic views behind it, it makes for a perfect photo spot! It varies appearance depending on certain events (Olympics, Tour de France etc).
Climb Up the Colline du Château
On the western side of the Promenade des Anglais is a large hill called the Colline du Château or the Castle Hill. It’s a bit of a climb but you’ll be rewarded with incredible views across the city.
You can access the colline from the town (Rue Catherine Segurane) or the coastal side (which I prefer). The entrance to the park is just next to I Love Nice sign.
Good to Know: It’s quite a climb – an entire 93m to the summit! If you’re visiting in the summer, I’d avoid going up in the middle of the day.
The first stop is the Tour Bellanda which is a circular viewing platform. If you don’t fancy going all the way up to the top, this is a great halfway house!
Further up you’ll find a man made waterfall and a cemetery. Don’t expect to find an actual Castle or Château at the top – this was destroyed in 1706 by the armies of Louis XIV.
Visit the Musée Matisse
The French post-impressionist painter and sculptor Henri Matisse is considered to be one of the fathers of modern art. He lived and worked for many years in Nice and eventually died in the city.
The Musée Matisse houses the biggest collection of his work in the world. There’s many of his paintings on show as well as little known pieces such as sketches and sculptures.
It’s well worth a visit but note that it’s around a 45 minute walk from the old town. You can also get the Bus 33 from Place Garibaldi which takes around 15 minutes.
Entry costs €12 and the museum is open every day apart from Tuesdays.
Have a Sun Set Cocktail at Babel Babel
One of my absolute favorite spots to eat and drink in Nice is Babel Babel. Located just in the front of the Old Town on the Promenade des Anglais, they’ve got a fantastic terrace and balcony giving superb views over the Baie des Anges.
They serve excellent speciality coffee, great food, craft beer and natural wine. Their cocktails are killer and definitely worth stopping by for one!
Visit the Church of Gesù
The Church of Gesù is a stunning baroque church located in the heart of the Old Town. Dating back to the 1600s, the church has an incredible amount of beautifully ornate moldings on the ceiling and walls.
It’s very small but worth a visit if you appreciate ecclesiastical buildings and architecture.
There’s also the very pretty Église Sainte Rita nearby which is also worth visiting.
Take a Day Trip To Villefranche-sur-Mer
One of the benefits of staying in Nice is that it’s so easy to visit the many beautiful villages nearby. Just around the headland, to the east of Nice, is a picturesque old fishing village called Villefranche-sur-Mer.
You can reach Villefranche by taking a local train (TER) from Nice’s train station which takes just under 10 minutes.
The pretty little village has a lovely old town to explore. There’s also a few beaches around the bay and some great cafés and bars next to the water.
I’d recommend eating at La Mère Germaine which serves superb locally caught fish. They have a €35 2 course menu which includes their delicious rock fish soup (think bouillabaisse!) and a fillet of market fish. Eat out next to the water on their terrace and enjoy the view over to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat – it’s a great place to enjoy dinner!
Where to Eat & Drink in Nice
Nice has plenty of great restaurants to eat at. If you’re looking to try some of the regions excellent specialities go to Le Meranda or Chez Davia. Both restaurants serve up great Niçoise classics made with local, seasonal produce.
Tip: Beware of restaurants with menus directly in English and photos of the food. There’s plenty of tourist traps in the Old Town so make sure to do your research – badly done French food is just bad!
If you’re in the mood for Italian food check out Epiro. They serve up fresh pasta dishes made with modern techniques and paired with great wine.
Read More: For more in-depth recommendations check out my guide to the Best Restaurants in Nice.
FAQ: Visiting Nice
When’s the Best Time to Visit?
The best time to visit Nice really depends on what you want to do in the city. Personally I think May, June and September are the best months to visit Nice. It’s not as hot as July and August and there are a lot less people.
Temperatures are pleasant during most of the year. You can expect (from experience) around 18-20c/64-68f late winter/spring. It can really hot in July and August with consistent heat waves hitting the city. One thing to bare in mind is that it’s also a very humid area which can make some days peak summer rather unpleasant!
Is Nice Safe?
Nice is generally a safe city to visit and, if you keep your wits about you, you’ll generally feel very safe.
There is, just like other French cities, pick pockets and grab and run robberies (especially on trains) but violent crime is very low.
How Long Does it Take to Visit Nice?
You can visit Nice and its surrounding villages easily in a week. 2 days would suffice to visit the main attractions but 5 would be ideal to be able to relax and have at least 1 beach day.
