Your Ultimate Guide for Nice! By reading this guide you will learn everything you need to know if you are travelling to Nice! Let's get started!
Swaying palm trees, blue gatorade waters, and a vibrant cultural scene – welcome to the breathtaking city of Nice in the heart of the French Riviera! Whether you're a seasoned traveler or a first-time explorer, Nice offers a harmonious blend of history, luxury, and seaside charm that is sure to captivate your senses.
One of the jewels of the Cote d’Azur, Nice , in my opinion should be your go-to stay place if you are visiting the French Riviera. Nice is approximately in the middle of Cote d'Azur therefore, it has the easiest access to the rest of the beautiful towns of the French Riviera. I'm sure everybody has heard and seen countless photos of Cote d'Azur so without any further ado let's get into it!
Important General Information and what to expect
General Information about Cote d'Azur:
The Cote d'Azur, also known as the French Riviera, is a stunning stretch of coastline along the southeastern corner of France, touching the Mediterranean Sea. It's famous for its glamorous beaches, vibrant blue waters, and picturesque towns like Nice, Cannes, Antibes, Monaco, Menton and Saint-Tropez. This region is a hotspot for luxury, with chic cafes, high-end shopping, and a lively nightlife scene. Plus, it's a favorite getaway for celebrities and artists. Whether you're into lounging by the sea, exploring charming old towns, or enjoying world-class cuisine, the Côte d'Azur has something for everyone.
General Information about Nice:
Nice is a beautiful city nestled on the French Riviera, known for its stunning Promenade des Anglais along the Mediterranean coast. Nice has become very popular to tourists and locals due to its perfect location along the Cote d'Azur. In the city , there are approximately 350.000 residents and that makes it the 5th city in France.
Nice has the perfect blend of history and modern vibes, with its colorful Old Town (Vieux Nice) featuring narrow streets, vibrant markets, and charming cafes.
How to get to Nice, France:
Travelling to Nice is a straightforward and seamless process, with the city being home to an international airport that serves as a gateway to the French Riviera. The airport offers multiple direct daily flights to/from Europe as well as other destinations throughout France. The low cost carriers EasyJet, Wizz Air runs many of these routes, therefore getting to Nice would not be that expensive (opposite to the other activities you will be doing there). As mentioned earlier, due to the fact that Nice has the only airport in Cote d'Azur, it is the most convenient place to have your "base" and move to other towns as well. Arriving at the airport, there are multiple ways to get to the center of the town. Using the public transport for example, trams and busses are the most convenient and cheapest ways.
Additionally, high-speed train connections from major cities like Paris and Marseille make reaching Nice both accessible and convenient. The train station in Nice, is easy to locate and is within a walking distance from the center of the town.
Transport: How To Get Around On Nice
Public Transport: Navigating Nice is convenient and efficient, thanks to its well-connected public transportation system. The city offers an extensive network of buses and trams that provide easy access to key attractions and neighborhoods. In addition, the high speed trains which are available allow you to visit other towns on the French Riviera as well.
Bike: Additionally, renting a bike along the picturesque waterfront promenade are popular ways to explore the city at a relaxed pace.
Walking: If you are visiting just Nice, then a nice way to explore the city is by walking at your own pace. This is the most convenient and most common way especially if you want to explore the narrow streets of the old town!
Renting a car: Renting your car in Nice is always a good idea. It’s the biggest city on the Riviera and has an international airport and busy train station. If you want to save some time, be sure to look at rentals in the city center.
Tip: During summer, which are the busiest months, public transport is overloaded and overfilled with tourists. Therefore, if you are using public transports it is suggested to start your day early to avoid all the congestion and chance of missing the train due to no more capacity.
Ideal Duration and Safety in Nice:
To truly immerse yourself in the beauty of Nice and explore its attractions, consider dedicating at least 2-3 days to your visit. This duration allows ample time to experience the city's highlights, relax on its stunning beaches, and savor the delicious cuisine it has to offer.
In terms of safety, Nice is generally considered a safe destination for travelers. As with any city, it is advisable to practice caution and be mindful of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas and tourist hotspots.
7 Best Things To Do In Nice
1. Walk Promenade des Anglais:
The Promenade des Anglais in Nice is like the heartbeat of the city, stretching for seven kilometers along the sparkling Mediterranean coast. Promenade des Anglais it's Nice main attraction! It's an iconic boulevard where you can stroll, jog, bike, or simply soak up the sun and sea breeze. Lined with palm trees and beachfront cafes, it's perfect for people-watching or catching a sunset to enjoy a relaxing vibe and stunning views. While locals can't do a week without and must-attraction for tourists, Promenade des Anglais it's a must visit.
You are probably wondering, why it is named like this since we are in France? No? Well, at least I did! Its name comes from the English aristocrats who came to Nice in the 18th century to enjoy the area for its pleasant climate and stunning coastal views.. At that time, the shoreline was not so famous, and because the lords and their wives wanted to walk comfortably, a seaside promenade was built.
The Promenade des Anglais is also where many events are organized. If you are lucky enough, you will enjoy the famous Nice Carnival, as well as sporting events and exhibitions.
2. Lose yourself in the Old Town (Vieux Nice):
Lose yourself in the narrow cobblestone streets of the Old Town, where you'll discover bustling markets, charming cafes, and the vibrant atmosphere of daily life in Nice. Take your time wandering around, listen to your instincts, and pop in anywhere that strikes you (try to avoid any sort of maps application and feel the freedom of travelling without purpose and getting lost in the streets).
Tip: Enjoy an ice cream cone while wondering into the streets.
3. Climb to the top of Castle Hill:
Castle Hill is this awesome spot in Nice that offers killer views of the city and the Mediterranean. It’s a must-visit if you love a good panorama and mesmerizing sunrises and sunsets. You can either hike up from the stairs, which will take you around 20-30 minutes or take an elevator if you're not feeling too sporty.
Once you're up there, you'll find some cool ruins, lush gardens, and even a waterfall. It's perfect for a picnic, just chilling out or even hang out with dogs as there are a lot of them playing around . Plus, it's a great spot to snap some Instagram-worthy pics of Nice and the coastline. It is definitely worth the trek up!
My recommendation is to start up early in the morning ,especially during the summer months before it is too hot and always carry with you some bottles of water. In addition, I would suggest to spend a good amount time there (3-4 hours) as to enjoy every moment and search for every cool spot, where you can admire the spectacular views.
4. Walk Place Massena
Place Massena is one of the most prominent and historically significant squares in Nice. It is situated in the heart of Nice, connecting the old town (Vieux Nice) with the newer areas of the city. The square features a distinctive checkerboard pattern on its pavement which is hard to miss!
At the southern end of the square, there is the iconic Fontaine du Soleil (Fountain of the Sun), featuring a grand statue of Apollo surrounded by five smaller bronze statues representing various planetary deities.
In addition, if you feel like shopping, Place Massena is the start of the high street in Nice, where all high brands and shops are situated.
5. Relax and swim on the beach
The beaches in Nice are a major attraction, drawing visitors with their unique and stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. Unlike the sandy beaches found in other parts of the French Riviera, the beaches in Nice are primarily covered with pebbles and they are rocky, so take your water shoes!
The waters cannot be described with words but let me give it a try! They are clear, having a blue gatorade color , making them perfect for swimming and various water activities.
There are several public beaches, such as Plage Beau Rivage and Plage Opera, where visitors can enjoy the sea for free. If you need a more organized setting though, there are many private beach clubs, like Castel Plage and Blue Beach, offer amenities such as sun loungers, umbrellas, restaurants, and bars for a fee.
6. Visit other towns
As I mentioned earlier, Cote d'Azur has a lot to offer and Nice is only a fraction of this. You can easily visit the following places along the Riviera from Nice using the public transport for example train or by renting a car . Some of the towns and villages which are worth visiting:
Cannes
Monaco
St. Tropez
Eze village
Menton
Antibes
Villefrance-Sur-Mer
Cap-Ferrat
7. Enjoy some good food and deserts!
This Nice travel guide would not be complete without recommending some places to eat! Since one of my favorite food is croissants I will mention some places, where you can enjoy some original famous French croissants!
Patisserie Cappa
Boulangerie Patisserie Victor (my favorite)
Patisserie Lenoir
Gelato Ice-cream! What? Yes, Nice is famous as well for their gelatos! I live in a country which is 45 degrees in the summer and ice-cream is a must! Believe me, when I tell you then that you should try some of the gelatos in Nice as they are delicious! One gelateria worth visiting is Fenocchio. Literally, it offers unlimited flavors for all tastes!
Enough with the treats and desserts and let's jump to the food! Here is a list of some traditional and not places where you can enjoy your meals!
La Merenda
Acchiardo
Bistrot d'Antoine
Peixes
The Best Time to Visit Nice
The magic of Nice can be experienced throughout the year. It all depends on your activities. If you want to discover the town, the best time to visit is during the spring and fall seasons. From April to June and September to October, the weather is mild, and the streets are less crowded, allowing visitors to enjoy the city's charm without the peak tourist influx.
If you want to relax and enjoy the sea and the sun then the best time to visit Nice is from June to August.
Other Nice Tips:
Credit Cards: In most of the places you will be able to pay with credit cards but it is always a good idea to carry with you some cash. The official currency of France is Euros.
Sockets: Nice and France in general have 2 socket connection, so remember that you might need an adapter. If you forget you can buy from the town's electronic shop.
Language: The local language in Nice is obviously French , but since this is a touristic place almost everyone can speak and understand English as well.
Water: Always carry a bottle of water with you especially during summer months, since it is very hot. It's better to drink bottled water which can be found at any mini market.
Public transport: Especially during the summer months, trains are full of tourists. It is better to get up early and go wherever you are planning to avoid all the "suffering".
Where to Stay/ Accommodations
There are many incredible but quite expensive accommodations to stay in Nice. I'd totally recommend to stay in the center of the town, since it is easily accessible to all the activities you can do. I also suggest if you are planning to visit Nice, to book your hotels early since they can get really expensive in no time!
Some options you have are:
Hotel Florence Nice
Doubletree By Hilton Nice Centre Iconic
Hotel restaurant Oasis
Le Windsor, Jungle Art Hotel
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