It has been a while since our last travel guide (and a while since my last travels!) so I thought it was time to a) travel again, although I’m staying in France this time and b) share one of my trips with you, and what better place to start than with what to do and see in Nice on the French Riviera?

What to do and see in Nice – the jewel of the French Riviera

what-to-do-and-see-in-nice

With all-year round warm weather, stunning architecture, beautiful beaches, a gorgeous old town, colorful local markets, delicious mediterranean food and mesmerizing views, Nice is a must-visit destination in the South of France, and here are my top tips for what to do and see in Nice.

Getting around the centre of Nice is straightforward, as there is a great public transport system, but you can also rent bikes, and you can easily walk around most attractions in the City Centre. 

Here are a few ideas for what to do and see in Nice

Stroll along the iconic Promenade des Anglais

It was during the Belle Epoque period (from the 1870s to the First World War) that Nice started evolving into the stunningly beautiful luxury resort it is today. 

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During this ‘Golden Age’, (literally translated as ‘Beautiful Age’),  Nice became a ‘Winter resort’ for the rich and the aristocracy, due to its temperate climate. 

‘The ‘Promenade des Anglais’ was built by the wealthy English aristocracy who came to spend the Winter in Nice and it takes its name from these English (Anglais) tourists, who would ‘promenade’ along the sea-front with their parasols.

They liked to wander along the seafront, and yet, they wanted to avoid spoiling their long, elegant dresses and their delicate silk shoes and so they built a walkway.

The Promenade des Anglais (the English Walk)  is one of the most famous roads in France. It starts at Nice airport in the east and extends all the way around to the headland at Castle Hill in the west.

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Stop off at the Hotel Negresco and admire the Belle Epoque Architecture

If 7km seems a bit of a challenge then I recommend you at least walk the part that goes from the old town to the Negresco hotel, passing through the Jardins Albert 1er and the Palais de la Méditerranée.

what to do and see in Nice

The Negresco hotel, with its iconic pink dome, perches majestically on the Promenade des Anglais, and I recommend dropping in for a coffee or a cocktail. The Rotonde brasserie is currently open but the Chantecler restaurant doesn’t reopen until December.

Visit the Old Town

Take some time to wander around the narrow streets of the ‘Old Town’, stop to taste some of the local delicacies and savour the incredible atmosphere.

The narrow alleys, colorful houses, and cobblestone streets are a treat to explore, and as well as the the touristy souvenir shops, you’ll also find shops selling leather goods, hand-crafted jewellery, local Provencal products, including soaps, perfumes, lavender sachets, local cheeses, fresh bread and wine.

There are also a large number of bars and restaurants here, so you can enjoy the local Mediterranean and Niçoise food in picturesque surroundings.

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You should also visit the Place Masséna, which is the main square of the city and strategically located between Old Nice and the newer parts of the city, at the crossroads of several main boulevards and just a two minute walk from the Promenade des Anglais.

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Wander around the flower market

The main markets take place in the “Cours Saleya”, a beautiful pedestrian square in the heart of the Old Town, which is home to the “Marché aux Fleurs” (Flower Market) a large flower and food market, every day from Tuesday to Sunday.

It’s a lovely market to walk through and admire the beautiful flower displays, and in the shade of pretty striped awnings, you can see hundreds of brightly coloured flowers, and breathe in the delightful fragrances from the multicolored geraniums, orchids, pansies, fuschias and dahlias, as well as more exotic plants. 

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Visit the Museum of Modern Art

MAMAC, what-to-do-and-see-in-nice
MAMAC

Nice is also home to many museums, including the ‘Musee Matisse’, The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, called MAMAC, The Museum of Art and History and The Palais Lascaris, in the Old Town, with its collection of musical instruments 

Climb up Castle Hill for a Panoramic View over the town

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If you’ve seen photos of Nice, then you’ve almost certainly seen  pictures from the “Colline du Château”. It’s called “Castle Hill”, as there was once a medieval castle situated here, but it was destroyed by Louis XIV in 1706.

It is well worth the trip to the top, as it offers glorious, panoramic views over the city.

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On your walk up you will pass some beautiful views, such as the iconic waterfall and the Bellanda Tower viewpoint with stunning views over the Bay of Angels (Baie des Anges).

what to do and see in Nice

Once you reach the top, make sure to take in the 360° panoramas, then you can relax in the lovely castle park, and there’s also a kids playground with a huge rope climbing tree, slides and climbing frames. 

Chill on the beach

One of the reasons to visit Nice is its all year round warm weather. It’s blessed with an amazing Mediterranean climate, which means mild, short winters, and long, warm summers.  

It has, on average, 300 days of sunshine per year and very few days of rain, which means most activities take place outdoors.   

The only drawback (for me) is that beaches in Nice are pebbly beaches, which can be a little uncomfortable (although some people prefer pebbly beaches as you don’t get ‘sandy’).

If, like me, you prefer comfort, I would recommend paying for a lounger at one of Nice’s private beaches, which you will find all along the Promenade des Anglais. 

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Alternatively, you can head off to Villefranche-sur-Mer or Menton for a more sandy beach with great restaurants and shops close by. 

Try some of the local delicacies

Unsurprisingly, Mediterranean food is the heart of the food culture in Nice and the French Riviera, and is fresh, healthy, and absolutely delicious. 

Nice has a selection of local dishes, some of which I’m sure you have already heard of, and others which I urge you to try when you visit Nice!

Some of the key local specialities include:

  • Salade niçoise: The great classic of Nice, comprising tuna, salad, tomatoes, other raw vegetables, green beans, anchovies, hard-boiled eggs and olives
  • Farcis Niçoise: The word ‘Farci’ means stuffed, and this dish is  made from vegetables such as tomatoes, zucchinis and mushrooms- all stuffed with breadcrumbs and ground meats. And I definitely recommend giving it a try! It’s delicious!
  • Socca is a traditional local fast food: a sort of pancake,  made from chickpea flour, olive oil, and water and cooked in copper pans over a very high heat. It’s a really delicious street food and at about 3€ a slice, there’s no reason not to enjoy it! 
  • Pissaladière: So, this is a sort of pizza, but without tomatoes and cheese. It’s an open tart/pizza base, topped with caramelized onions, olives and anchovies. It’s also available without anchovies. 
  • Pan-bagnat: this is essentially a salad niçoise served on a large country roll.
what to do and see in Nice

Drop into the “Gare du Sud”, the old train station which has been renovated and converted into a food hall, housing a number of restaurants and food stalls. There are also small galleries and shops with local products and clothing. it reopened on June 2nd, but check their site for the latest updates.

Day Trips

Nice is centrally placed along the Côte d’Azur, and good transport links make it easy to explore neighbouring towns, such as Menton, Monaco, Antibes and Cannes, or across the Italian border to San Remo. 

There are many day trips to choose from, but here are a few of my recommendations:

what to do and see in Nice
Menton
what to do and see in Nice
  • Menton: This is a smaller town, very close to the Italian border, with a pretty port, a charming Old Town and a great selection of restaurants along the sea-front.
  • Eze village: This small village perched above the sea is one of the most beautiful villages in France, and the exotic gardens are well worth a visit.  
what to do and see in Nice
Villa Ephrussi
  • The Villa Ephrussi :the winter residence of the Baroness Ephrussi de Rothschild, with its spectacular gardens and incredible views..
  • Cannes: The city where the famous film festival takes place every year. Don’t miss the famous “Croisette”!
  • The Principality of Monaco: Monaco is famous for its luxury lifestyle, make sure to visit the Palace, the Monte-Carlo casino, the Harbour and the exotic gardens. 

Where to stay

The Hotel WindsoR, Nice

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Hotel Windsor

The Hotel WindsoR  is situated just behind the Promenade des Anglais and is an oasis of calm right in the centre of Nice.  

what to do and see in Nice

This four star belle époque hotel (built in the 19th Century) is just a stone’s throw from the historic centre of Nice, from the beach and from the renowned ‘Promenade des Anglais’.

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If you’re looking for an oasis of calm in the centre of Nice and close to all the main attractions, then this is the place for you. To find out more about the Hotel WindsoR, you can have a look here.

Other hotels you might want to consider when you visit Nice are shown below.

The Hotel Westminster

Hotel Westminster, Nice
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If you prefer to be right on the sea-front, then The 4 star Hotel Westminster is set on the Promenade des Anglais and is perfectly located for exploring the city. 

The hotel style is an eclectic blend of old and new, with the snazzy seafront lounge and recently renovated Le Duc restaurant giving way to Belle Epoque moulded ceilings and frescoes in the Reception rooms. 

The Hotel Aston La Scala 

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The Hotel Aston La Scala is also a 4 star hotel, located in the heart of Nice, and just 200m from Place Massena. 

The rooftop pool is a particular highlight, with beautiful views of Nice’s Old Town and the sea. 

Have a look below for some more places to stay in Nice.

Booking.com

I hope you have enjoyed this article on what to do and see in Nice and I hope it has given you a few ideas as the basis for planning a trip to this beautiful European City, once lockdown is over !

With its ease of accessibility, the wonderful culture and the incredible day trips that you can make from a base in Nice, you will soon see that Nice has everything you need for the perfect stay.