Why Visit Nice?
Nice captivates as the French Riviera's elegant queen, where the Promenade des Anglais curves along the Baie des Anges' pebble beaches, Belle Époque palaces paint pastel facades against impossibly blue Mediterranean waters, and year-round sunshine has lured aristocrats, artists, and sunseekers since the 19th century. This coastal capital of the Côte d'Azur offers distinct pleasures—meander Vieux Nice's ochre-walled lanes where washing hangs above shops selling socca (chickpea pancakes) and pissaladière (onion tart), climb Castle Hill for panoramic views stretching from Italy to Monaco, and explore the vast Cours Saleya market overflowing with Provençal flowers, olives, and fragrant herbs. The city's artistic heritage shines at the Matisse Museum housed in a Genoese villa, and Chagall Museum's biblical messages rendered in stained glass, while MAMAC celebrates Nice School and Pop Art.
Elegant promenades lead past the iconic blue chairs lining the beach, grand hotels like the Negresco with its pink dome, and yacht-filled harbors. Yet Nice rewards budget travelers too—swim from public beaches (free, though pebbles require beach shoes), picnic with market finds, and sip rosé at affordable bistros. Day trips reach Monaco's Monte Carlo glamour (20 minutes by train), medieval Èze perched on cliffs, perfumeries in Grasse, or Italian border town Ventimiglia's Friday market.
The climate pampers with 300+ sunny days, mild winters (8-14°C), and warm summers (25-30°C) perfect for swimming May-October. With efficient trams, walkable center, and French Riviera proximity to Cannes and Antibes, Nice delivers Mediterranean living, artistic legacy, and Côte d'Azur elegance.
What to Do
Promenade & Beaches
Promenade des Anglais
Iconic 7km seafront promenade with famous blue chairs facing the Mediterranean. Free to walk; public blue chairs are free to sit on, while loungers on private beach sections cost around $16–$27/day. Best times: early morning jog (7-8am), sunset stroll (6-8pm), or evening aperitif at beach clubs. The pebble beaches are public and free—bring a mat or rent a lounger. Swimming May-October. Promenade hosts events, festivals, and Carnaval parades (February).
Castle Hill (Colline du Château)
Climb for 360° panoramic views over Nice, the Baie des Anges, and Italian Alps. Free access via steps (213 steps from Old Town, good workout) or free elevator from Quai des États-Unis behind Bellanda Tower. Best at sunset or early morning. The hilltop park has waterfall, ruins of medieval château, and shaded picnic spots. Allow 45 minutes including climb and photos.
Vieux Nice & Markets
Vieux Nice & Socca
Maze of ochre buildings with narrow lanes, hanging laundry, and local life. Free to wander. Try socca (chickpea pancake, $3–$5) at Chez Pipo or Chez Theresa. Walk Cours Saleya market (mornings Tue-Sun, flowers Monday), browse shops, and see Rossetti Cathedral. Evening brings restaurants and bars. Get lost in the alleys—that's the point. Most authentic Nice experience.
Cours Saleya Market
Vibrant flower and produce market Tuesday-Sunday mornings (6am-1:30pm), Monday is antiques day. Free to browse. Provençal flowers, local olives, herbs, fruits, and vegetables at fair prices. Surrounded by cafés charging premium for terrace seating but perfect for people-watching. Go early (7-9am) for best selection and before heat. Try pissaladière (onion tart) from vendors.
Art & Day Trips
Matisse & Chagall Museums
Matisse Museum is part of Nice's municipal museums: a 4-day pass costs $16 and covers Matisse plus several other city museums. The Chagall Museum costs about $9–$11 depending on exhibitions, and is free for EU under-26s and everyone on the first Sunday of the month. Both closed Tuesdays. MAMAC is currently closed until 2028 for renovation, with only off-site programming. Allow 1.5-2 hours each for Matisse and Chagall. Take bus #15 or #22 to Cimiez.
Monaco Day Trip
20 minutes by train ($4–$6 one-way). Visit Monte Carlo Casino ($11 entry, dress code), Prince's Palace, Oceanographic Museum ($22), and walk the harbor. Trains run every 20 minutes. Combine with Èze medieval village perched on cliffs (bus #83 from Nice or #112 from Monaco, $2). Half-day or full-day works. Return trains run late.
Antibes & Cap d'Antibes
30 minutes by train ($5). Picasso Museum in Old Town ($9), medieval ramparts, market, and sandy beaches (rare on Riviera). Walk Cap d'Antibes coastal path (Sentier du Littoral) for villa views and swimming coves—2 hours round trip. Billionaire's Bay and Plage de la Garoupe are highlights. Easy half-day trip.
Gallery
Travel Information
Getting There
- Airports: NCE
Best Time to Visit
May, June, July, August, September
Climate: Warm
Weather by Month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Condition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 14°C | 6°C | 2 | Good |
| February | 15°C | 7°C | 1 | Good |
| March | 14°C | 8°C | 7 | Good |
| April | 18°C | 11°C | 5 | Good |
| May | 22°C | 15°C | 9 | Excellent (best) |
| June | 24°C | 17°C | 6 | Excellent (best) |
| July | 27°C | 21°C | 2 | Excellent (best) |
| August | 28°C | 21°C | 4 | Excellent (best) |
| September | 25°C | 18°C | 5 | Excellent (best) |
| October | 19°C | 11°C | 8 | Good |
| November | 17°C | 10°C | 7 | Good |
| December | 12°C | 6°C | 12 | Good |
Weather data: Open-Meteo Archive (2020-2024) • Open-Meteo.com (CC BY 4.0) • Historical avg. 2020–2024
Budget
Excludes flights
Visa Requirements
Schengen Area
💡 🌍 Traveler Tip (November 2025): Best time to visit: May, June, July, August, September.
Practical Information
Getting There
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) is 7km southwest. Tram #2 runs to city center every 8 minutes ($2 25 min). Airport buses #98/#99 also available. Taxis cost $35–$38 fixed rate. Nice-Ville station serves TGV trains from Paris (5h30min), Marseille (2h30min), and Italian Riviera. Regional trains connect Monaco, Cannes, Antibes.
Getting Around
Nice has efficient trams (Lines 1, 2, 3). Single ticket $2 (74 min), 10-ride $16 day pass $8 The center and Promenade are very walkable—Old Town to beaches is 10 minutes. Buses serve hills and suburbs. Rent bikes via Vélo Bleu. Taxis metered but expensive. Avoid rental cars—parking is nightmare and expensive ($3–$4/hr).
Money & Payments
Euro (EUR). Cards widely accepted. ATMs available. Exchange $1 ≈ $$1. Tipping: service included, but round up or leave 5-10% for excellent service.
Language
French is official. English spoken in hotels, tourist restaurants, and by younger Niçois, though less than Paris. Italian also common due to proximity. Learning French basics (Bonjour, Merci, S'il vous plaît) is appreciated. Niçois dialect exists but standard French dominates.
Cultural Tips
Lunch 12-2:30pm, dinner 7:30-10pm. Try Niçoise specialties: socca (chickpea pancake), salade niçoise, pissaladière. Beach is pebbles, not sand—bring beach mat or rent loungers. Topless sunbathing is normal. Book restaurants with sea views well ahead. Many museums close Tuesdays. August sees crowds and high prices. Promenade des Anglais perfect for sunset strolls. Day trips easy by train.
Perfect 3-Day Nice Itinerary
Day 1: Vieux Nice & Beach
Day 2: Art & Hills
Day 3: Riviera Day Trip
Where to Stay in Nice
Vieux Nice (Old Town)
Best for: Markets, narrow lanes, authentic restaurants, budget stays, atmosphere
Promenade des Anglais
Best for: Beach access, luxury hotels, sea views, iconic walk, Belle Époque
Cimiez
Best for: Museums (Matisse, Chagall), Roman ruins, residential calm, hills
Port/Garibaldi
Best for: Authentic dining, antiques market, local life, morning fish market
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