To get the most out of the city’s many treasures, here are our top 10 must-visits during your trip to Nice :
From 5-star hotels to tourist residences and youth hostels, Nice has a wide choice of accommodation.
Find the perfect accommodation for your holiday on the Côte d’Azur, according to your wishes and your budget.
You can’t visit Nice without visiting the legendary Promenade des Anglais. Running alongside the sublime Baie des Anges, this 7-kilometre avenue stretches from the Colline du Château to Nice airport and is now one of the most beautiful seafronts in the world.
Nicknamed the Prom’ by the people of Nice, the Promenade des Anglais offers a unique panorama of the French Riviera. Imagine yourself with an ice cream in your hand, surrounded by palm trees, sitting on one of the legendary blue chairs that line the pebble beaches, gazing out over the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean…
Just behind you are some of Nice’s most beautiful buildings, including two 5-star luxury hotels: Le Negresco and the Palais de la Méditerranée. One of the city’s most emblematic landmarks, the Prom’ is a popular spot for visitors and joggers, rollerbladers and Segway enthusiasts alike!
Matisse, Klein, Arman, Sasha Sosno, César, Ben Vautier… Over the years, Nice has inspired some of France’s greatest artists. Its cultural influence has given rise to a number of museums with inspirations from near and far.
Visit the Villa Masséna near the Promenade des Anglais to learn more about the history of Nice and its various cultural influences. Through its collections, this architectural gem evokes the art and history of the Riviera from the time Nice became part of France to the end of the Belle Epoque.
Other museums to visit in Nice :
● Musée d’Art Moderne et Contemporain (MAMAC)(closed for works until 2028 but its programming continues outside the walls)
● Musée Matisse
● Musée Marc-Chagall
● Charles-Nègre Museum of Photography
● Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules-Chéret
● Museum of Asian Arts
● Musée International d’Art Naïf Anatole-Jakovsky
In summer and winter alike, Nice is a city full of events. The festivities kick off in February with the famous Nice Carnival: a two-hour spectacle to thrill young and old alike! What makes it special? The Battle of the Flowers, a parade in which the confetti usually thrown at spectators is replaced by flowers grown in the Alpes Maritimes!
A not-to-be-missed musical event on the Côte d’Azur, the Nice Jazz Fest’ also brings the city to life in July. Since its creation in 1948, some of the biggest names have taken to the stage in Nice, including Jamie Cullum and R’n’B legend Ms Lauryn Hill. Don’t forget to book your tickets for the next edition!
Do you love the beautiful Christmas lights? Nice is your next destination for the festive season with the whole family! As well as its glittering illuminations, its huge Christmas market (spread out over Place Masséna and Jardin Albert 1er) is the place to be when you visit the city in winter! Come and celebrate Christmas in Nice!
In the heart of the city’s historic centre, discover the shady alleyways of Vieux-Nice and its colourful facades. You’ll love its Provencal atmosphere with a hint of Italy. Follow the scents of the Cours Saleya to discover the famous flower market and its variety of early produce.
This is your chance to sample some of Nice’s specialities before visiting the many Baroque palaces and churches nestling in the area.
If you’re looking for an unusual place to eat, head for Avenue Jean Médecin in the Libération district. At the end of this famous shopping street in Nice is the former Chemins de fer de Provence departure station.
Today it’s a gourmet market where you can sample local produce or simply sip a drink on the terrace.
Nice has always been cosmopolitan, and many places bear witness to the presence of the Russians who came to take refuge in Nice during the 1917 revolution. Saint-Nicolas Cathedral is certainly one of the most beautiful Orthodox buildings you can visit outside Russia!
If you want to go back in time to when Nice was just a county, visit the Fort du Mont-Alban. Situated on the Mont-Boron hill overlooking the bay of Nice and the harbour of Villefranche-sur-Mer, this visit will take you back to the daily life of soldiers in the 16th century.
Other historic sites to visit in Nice:
● Notre-Dame Basilica
● Cimiez Arena
● Chapelle de la Miséricorde
● Jeanne-d’Arc Church
● Sainte-Réparate Cathedral
If you’re an epicurean at heart, a visit to Nice during your trip to the Côte d’Azur is a must. Friendly and good-natured, the people of Nice will be delighted to share the secrets of Occitan gastronomy with you. Renowned for its art and history, Nice is not just about the Promenade des Anglais and its sublime Baie des Anges: there are many museums and historic sites waiting to be visited. The Côte d’Azur capital is alive with festivities all year round, so what are you waiting for?
Admire the view from the Colline du Château, taste Nice specialities at the Cours Saleya market, visit the various museums and historic sites, stroll along the legendary Promenade des Anglais, take part in water sports, hike along the footpaths… In Nice, there’s so much to do!
For your trip to Nice, here are the best districts to visit beyond the Promenade des Anglais:
● The Mont Boron district: for its spectacular views over the Villefranche roadstead and the Cap-Ferrat peninsula, Mont Boron is a great place to take a stroll.
● The Jean-Médecin district: ideal for shopping and eating at the Gare du Sud market hall.
● The Cimiez district: in the heart of nature, secluded on the Colline du Château, discover the Matisse and Marc Chagall museums.
● The Port district: nicknamed “Nice’s little marsh”, this is the perfect place to alternate between shops, bars and restaurants.
● Vieux-Nice: the city’s historic quarter, this is a must-visit!
The Côte d’Azur has no shortage of pretty towns to visit: Monaco, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Grasse, Menton, Antibes, Hyères… You’re spoilt for choice on the French Riviera.
