10 Places to Visit Nice – a Local’s Guide

What to visit in Nice? What to do in Nice? This week, I’m taking you on a two- or three-day tour of Nice! Nice isn’t nicknamed “Nissa la bella” (beautiful Nice) for nothing… And I’m sure that a weekend will be all it takes for you to fall under its spell! Wondering what to visit in Nice during your stay? Today, I’m offering you a 10-step tour to discover the capital of the French Riviera.

On the agenda: stroll through the narrow streets, taste delicious ice cream, discover the azure blue sea on the legendary Promenade des Anglais, sample local specialties, and admire the most beautiful view of the city and the Bay of Angels…

Tempted? Then follow me to the land of colors and sunshine! Here are 10 must-see attractions for visiting Nice in 2 or 3 days!

 

Read also The 5 prettiest Villages near Nice, France

   

 

BEST PLACES TO VISIT NICE – PRACTICAL TIPS

 

   

• How to get to Nice ?

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is one of the largest airports in France. Many low-cost airlines fly there from several cities in France. By car, Nice is 2 hours and 15 minutes from Marseille and 1 hour and 50 minutes from Toulon. The Italian border is 1 hour away by car and train. For those coming from Paris, the train takes 5 hours and 45 minutes.

If you want to get around the Nice area, you will need a car.

Compare car rentals to find the best price!

 

• Where to stay to visit Nice ?

Here are several accommodation suggestions, ranked according to your budget.

Find your accommodation in Nice at the best price!

 

3 recommended accommodations to visit Nice 

 

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• My top restaurants to eat

– La Rotonde – 37 promenade des Anglais: brasserie of the 2** Michelin restaurant at the Hotel Négresco

– La Socca d’or – 45 rue Bonaparte (closed Wednesdays and Sundays): for a quick bite, try the socca, pissaladière, or Swiss chard pie

– Le Safari – 1 Cours Saleya: Niçoise and Mediterranean cuisine

– Ice cream parlors: Fenocchio and Rossetti, Place Rossetti – Papilla, 3 Rue de l’Opéra.

   

• How much time do you need to visit Nice

The city center of Nice can be visited in one day if you don’t have much time. This will be enough to get a first glimpse of Old Nice, the Promenade des Anglais, the Castle Hill, and the port. However, I recommend visiting Nice over two or three days to enjoy the city’s different neighborhoods and to stroll and relax by the sea.

If you have a little more time, I recommend venturing into the surrounding area, which is full of beautiful villages and seaside towns. Discover them in my article The 5 prettiest Villages near Nice, France.

 

• Practical tips to visit Nice

The city of Nice offers a Museum Pass (€15 for 4 days), which gives you access to all the municipal museums and galleries: the Matisse Museum, Palais Lascaris, the Museum of Modern Art, the Archaeology Museum, and more.

 

 

• From to bring back from Nice ?

Olive oil and local products are the stars of the show in Nice. Tapenades, anchoïades, vinegars, oils… You’re sure to find something you like on Rue Saint-François de Paule at Alziari (No. 14) or A l’Olivier (No. 7). In Old Nice, the delicatessen Maison Brémond is also a great place to visit at 15 rue du Pont Vieux.

Other typical gifts include soap, lavender, perfumes, and spices, all reminiscent of Provence.

If you want to discover all the secrets of perfume with an artisan perfumer from Grasse and create your own fragrance, don’t hesitate to book a workshop! Fun and a change of scenery guaranteed! It also makes a lovely gift.

Book your workshop to create your own perfume!

     

 

 

#1 PLACES TO VISIT NICE : THE OLD TOWN

   

 

Let’s start by visiting Nice with a stroll through the historic heart of the city. A must-see when visiting Nice in 2 days, Old Nice has an unparalleled charm, reminiscent of small Italian towns. Its narrow streets are lined with tall colorful buildings in red, orange, and yellow.

Laundry hangs from the windows, and the green or blue shutters are often closed. But you can guess that behind the doors, little treasures are hidden. You can discover them by visiting the Palais Lascaris on Rue Droite.

This former 17th-century aristocratic residence is a jewel of Baroque art that hosts contemporary exhibitions. On the first floor of the palace, you can explore the state apartments with their frescoes, wood paneling, and period furniture. A beautiful collection of old musical instruments is also on display throughout the rooms.

 

 

The best way to visit Nice is to get lost in the narrow streets of its historic center. You’re bound to come across pretty deserted streets, a church, or steps leading up to the castle. It’s very pleasant to walk around, especially in summer when the high walls keep the streets cool.

In the middle of the historic center is Place Rossetti, with the beautiful Sainte Réparate Cathedral. It is Baroque in style, like many churches in the Nice area. Place Rossetti is also the perfect place to take a break, even if it is very touristy.

Enjoy a delicious ice cream before continuing to stroll through the colorful streets. There are two places to go: Fenocchio is well established and offers an unbeatable selection of delicious ice creams at rather high prices. That doesn’t stop them from having an endless queue! But just opposite, at Gelateria Rossetti, the ice creams are just as good and cheaper.

     

 

 

#2 PLACES TO VISIT NICE : COURS SALEYA

 

   

Located on the edge of Old Nice and a stone’s throw from the Promenade des Anglais, the Cours Saleya is the center of Nice’s tourist activity, with its market and restaurants. It really looks like a large village square with its brightly colored houses, church, and courthouse. I really like the lively atmosphere there! It is also known for its colorful flower market, which takes place every morning (except Mondays). I highly recommend Cours Saleya if you come to visit Nice: the stalls are magnificent!

You will also find food products, but at high prices because there are many tourists. However, this does not detract from the charm of this unique place. And on Mondays, the flower market gives way to antique dealers who take over the square. This is an opportunity to hunt for beautiful items if you know how to haggle a little.

When it comes to restaurants, Cours Saleya offers a wide range of establishments of varying quality, from touristy and mediocre to very good. I recommend trying Le Safari: with its little blue shutters and local menu, you’re sure to be impressed. The pasta and fish are very good, and for dessert, try the delicious tarte aux blettes, a sweet and savory specialty of Nice (yum!).

From the Cours Saleya, the Promenade des Anglais is just next door.

     

 

 

#3 PLACES TO VISIT NICE : PROMENADE DES ANGLAIS

 

   

You can’t visit Nice in two days without discovering the legendary Promenade des Anglais! The promenade stretches for seven kilometers along the Baie des Anges. You can easily walk along the most interesting part on foot, between the Hôtel Négresco and the castle hill.

But while the Promenade is very pleasant for strolling, it’s not ideal for swimming… In fact, the beach is made up of large pebbles and the seabed drops off quite quickly, making it impractical. However, the almost turquoise color of the water (especially on windy days) makes up for these minor inconveniences, which don’t prevent you from enjoying the mild Mediterranean temperatures! There are also many private beaches for hotels, where you can have a drink with your feet (almost) in the water.

All along the promenade, you’ll also see beautiful hotels and buildings with architecture typical of Nice. The legendary Hôtel Négresco is worth a visit in itself. This 5-star hotel, a symbol of the Riviera, is home to a Michelin two-star restaurant and the brasserie “La Rotonde”. It’s the perfect place to sample refined dishes worthy of a palace, but at a very reasonable price! The chefs and the quality are the same, only the ingredients, which are a little less luxurious, change. The food is delicious and the decor—a reconstructed old carousel—will transport you to another world! (More info in the Practical Tips section)

You can also enjoy a drink in the evening on the rooftop of one of the hotels on the Promenade, where the view is magnificent (as are the prices, however).

     

 

 

#4 PLACES TO VISIT NICE : THE CASTLE HILL

 

   

At the end of the Promenade des Anglais, the castle hill overlooks Old Nice and the port. You can climb it by stairs or by the elevator (free) located at the end of the Promenade des Anglais. It is one of the best places to visit Nice !

This rocky hill was once home to a fortified citadel built in the 11th century. Today, it is a beautiful wooded park, ideal for taking a break or cooling off near the large waterfall. You can even picnic or take a nap in the shade in summer.

This is a must-see spot, as the hill offers incredible views of Nice, the Baie des Anges, and the Alps in the distance! I recommend going up there in the morning, when the light illuminates the Promenade des Anglais and the old town. You’ll be treated to a real festival of colors with the turquoise sea and the red roofs of old Nice! In my opinion, it’s one of the most beautiful places to visit in Nice.

     

 

 

#5 PLACES TO VISIT NICE : THE HARBOUR 

   

 

From the castle hill, you can go down to the old town or the port. The port is very cute, with all its red and yellow houses. It is home to both luxurious yachts and small fishing boats. It is very pleasant to stroll along the east side among the small boats of all colors with the castle hill in the background.

     

 

#6 PLACES TO VISIT NICE : PLACE GARIBALDI

 

   

From the port, you can cross the Antiquaires district to reach Place Garibaldi. In the neighborhood, the restaurant La Socca d’Or is an unpretentious place where you can enjoy (or take away) a delicious slice of socca (a Niçoise galette made with chickpea flour), pissaladière, or sweet Swiss chard tart.

A little further on, you will arrive at Place Garibaldi, dressed all in yellow. Its recently renovated arcaded buildings arranged in a square are magnificent. It is one of the few squares in Europe to be decorated with trompe l’oeil on all four sides!

     

 

 

#7 PLACES TO VISIT NICE : PROMENADE DU PAILLON

   

 

Right next to Place Garibaldi, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and the National Theater mark the beginning of the Promenade du Paillon. This is a pretty greenway that separates Old Nice from the newer neighborhoods. It is very pleasant and has lots of games for children as well as a water mirror.

   

 

 

#8 PLACES TO VISIT NICE : PLACE MASSÉNA

   

 

At the end of the Promenade du Paillon, you will arrive at Place Masséna. I love its checkerboard floor and the red buildings that surround it, giving it a very classy feel. It is also the starting point of Avenue Jean Médecin, which is the shopping street. If you fancy a second ice cream or haven’t yet been to Place Rossetti, head to Papilla, between Place Masséna and the Promenade des Anglais. Their ice creams are just as delicious, and you can enjoy them right by the sea!

   

 

 

#9 PLACES TO VISIT NICE : THE ORTHODOX CATHEDRAL

 

   

Visiting Nice also means discovering its hidden gems ! So if you come to visit Nice and have a little time to spare, don’t hesitate to visit the Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, located behind the central train station. The exterior architecture is incredible; you’ll feel like you’re in Russia.

The blue interior is adorned with many icons dear to the Orthodox religion. It is one of the most important Orthodox buildings outside Russia, as Nice is home to a large Russian community.

     

 

 

#10 PLACES TO VISIT NICE : CIMIEZ HILL

   

One of the most beautiful and hidden places to visit Nice is Cimiez Hill!

Located in the hills above Nice, this neighborhood is full of treasures. The archaeological site surrounded by olive trees dates back over 2,000 years! You can still see the ruins of the ancient Roman city with its thermal baths and amphitheater nicknamed the “Arènes de Cimiez.” You can see them from the outside, but to get a closer look at the thermal baths, you’ll need to go inside the archaeological museum.

On the same hill, you can visit the beautiful collections of the Matisse Museum, housed in an elegant red building surrounded by olive trees. Right next door is the Cimiez monastery with its pretty gardens, which are very popular with the locals on Sundays. On your way back down to the city center, you can admire the old palaces on Boulevard de Cimiez and Avenue Reine Victoria, whose architecture is definitely worth a detour.

     

 

 

WHAT TO DO AROUND NICE ?

 

   

ALSO READ: The 5 prettiest Villages near Nice, France!

Whether by the sea or in the Nice hinterland, there is no shortage of charming little villages: Villefranche sur Mer, Eze, Antibes, St Paul de Vence…

Less than twenty minutes from Nice, the Cap Ferrat peninsula is home to some of the most expensive villas in France. The coastal path that runs around it is a true haven of peace and offers magnificent views. Right next door, two unusual villas are worth a visit: the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, with its Mediterranean palace and gardens, and the Villa Kerylos, a stunning residence inspired by Ancient Greece.

The Moyenne Corniche road between Nice and Monaco is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful roads on the French Riviera, with its incredible views of the sea.

 

Antibes (40 minutes away): Antibes has it all, with its old town on the Mediterranean coast, its huge marina, and its artistic soul. Check out my blog post for Visit Antibes : 8 Things to See

Grasse (45 minutes away): famous for its perfumers, Grasse is above all a charming, sun-drenched town perched on the heights of the French Riviera, a few kilometers from Antibes. It is full of secrets that have made it the perfume capital of the world over the centuries! Discover The Ultimate Guide to the Top Things to See in Grasse!

 

And if you’re still wondering what to visit in Nice, you can also take a look at the Nice tourist office website!

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