Nice Travel Guide
Visiting Nice is, to use the old joke, nice. Located on the French Riviera, it’s the second-biggest tourist destination in the country. I’ve found the city a lovely place to stop on the way to smaller, even quainter Riviera towns. Nice has wonderful hilltop lookouts, restaurants, glamor, tons of scenery, and beautiful beaches.
While not known for its history, settlements here stretch back a whopping 400,000 years (Homo Erectus artifacts have been found here). The city as we know it today was likely established around 350 BCE by the Greeks. That settlement evolved into a large trading hub, which expanded through the Middle Ages into the city we know today.
These days, Nice is known for its upscale atmosphere. The city’s glitz means that there are very few budget options, but it’s worth a night or two to take in the sights and admire the fleet of yachts that usually dot the harbor. After a couple of days, head down to the nearby beach towns of the Cote d’Azur.
This travel guide to Nice can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in this gorgeous city.
Click Here for City Guides
Top 5 Things to See and Do in Nice
1. Walk the Promenade des Anglais
This seaside promenade is one of the main hubs of the city. It’s a 7-kilometer (4.3 mile) stretch of walkway with incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea along the entire thoroughfare. There’s a bike path and plenty of spots for outdoor activities. You’ll pass by a number of museums, parks, luxury hotels, casinos, and beaches along the way. Vendors sell fresh-made crepes and, best of all, there are nice (get it?) restaurants on the beach. Try Le Koudou for seafood or Les Jardins du Capitole for French classics like tartare. Watch for a metal structure jutting out of the water, which is what’s left of the Casino de la Jetée-Promenade that was destroyed during WWII.
2. Visit the Matisse Museum
Artist Henri Matisse moved to Nice at 48 and remained in the city until his death in 1954. It was during this time that Matisse painted some of his most famous works, including The Sheaf, Nu bleu, Sorrow of the King, and others. The museum is housed in a gorgeous Genoese-style villa from the 1600s and is only a few minutes’ walk from the Regina Hotel, where Matisse took up residence (it was the Hôtel de la Méditerrannée then). In addition to works by the artist, there are a number of items that were displayed in Matisse’s studio. Admission is 12 EUR.
3. Relax at the beach
The beaches of Nice aren’t great when compared to the surrounding area but there are still some noteworthy ones to visit. La Réserve is known as one of the best beaches in Nice. Plage Beau Rivage and Coco Beach are both quite lovely as well. Some of the beaches are private and attached to a resort where you can get food, drinks, and rent lounge chairs to spend a day relaxing near the water. There are plenty of public beaches, like Coco Beach, where you can bring your beach towel without going through a resort.
4. Wander Vieux Nice
Below the hill of the main city, the old town is a maze of streets and tight alleyways. There are numerous boutiques, markets, crêperies, and cafés. Nice was Italian until the signing of the Treaty of Turin in 1860, so Vieux Nice has a very Italian feel to it. The tall buildings provide shade during the warm days and you can find pretty much anything you want, from spices to souvenirs. There are beautiful historic churches and idyllic squares like the Place Messena, the city’s central square. You’ll also find the main marketplace, Cours Saleya, and the Opera House. It’s rumored that Queen Victoria of England used to buy her favorite chocolates at Patisserie Henri Auer, which has been in operation since 1820.
5. See the Nice Port
Port Lympia is a great spot to watch boats coming and going. In the summer, you can even take a free ferry, called Lou Passagin, across the harbor. You can definitely see the Venetian influence in the colorful buildings. Ferries to Corsica and Sardinia leave from this port. There are plenty of cafes, restaurants, and antique shops around. Some of the hippest bars are located here as well. Boston Bar and Ma Nolan’s are both excellent choices.
Other Things to See and Do in Nice
1. Visit the Cours Saleya Flower Market
Nice is known for its flowers. In 1897, it was the first city in the world to open a wholesale cut flower market. This tradition runs strong to this day, and the market is lined with cafes, shops, and aisles upon aisles of fresh flowers. While the market is known for its flowers, there are also many local produce stands as well. It’s open six days a week from 6am-5:30pm except for Monday and Sunday afternoons when there’s a flea and antique market instead (also cool to visit). Mornings are the best time to visit as the flowers are the freshest and the crowds the smallest.
2. Head to La Colline du Château (Castle Hill)
The Castle of Nice (Château de Nice) was built in the 11th century, remaining an active citadel until the early 18th-century when King Louis XIV commanded that it be destroyed. Today, the area where the Chateau once stood is a popular green space and look-out, with one of the best panoramic views of Nice and the sea. You can take an elevator or hike up the stairs, but it’s a long, long walk. I usually take the elevator up and hike down. You can walk up from the promenade or via the town. (I prefer walking up via the old town as it’s more scenic.)
4. Tour the Museum of Asian Art
Located beside a man-made lake in Phoenix Park, Japanese architect Kenzo Tange designed the museum to be a meeting point between Asian and Western cultures. One of Nice’s newer museums, it opened its doors in 1998 and has a brilliant collection of Indian, Chinese, and Southeast Asian art. The India exhibit is exceptionally good. Entrance is free. There are also paid (10 EUR) weekend workshops on Asian art forms such as Japanese and Chinese calligraphy and origami. A traditional tea ceremony takes place every Sunday at 3pm (10 EUR).
5. Visit the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
Opening its doors in 1990, the MAMAC focuses on postwar pieces, with more than 1,300 works of art in its collection. The museum has four connected wings, each featuring modern and contemporary art. There is a great collection of sculptures, conceptual installations, and paintings, as well as temporary rotating exhibitions. Admission is 10 EUR, but the museum is temporarily closed for renovations.
6. Take a day trip to Monaco
Monaco is a small city-state known for its luxe atmosphere. Even if you can’t afford to stay in this luxurious city, you can still visit for the day. You can spend the day exploring the casinos, yachts, and chic restaurants lining the water. While you’re here, visit the Palace of Monaco, a castle built in 1191. As it’s the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco, tourists can only visit seasonally. You can visit the prince’s staterooms (10 EUR), see the royal collection of cars (10 EUR), or meander Monaco’s zoological gardens (6 EUR). A combined ticket for the staterooms and car collection is 17 EUR. The bus takes 45 minutes and costs about 2.50 EUR. The train takes 20 minutes with tickets starting as low as 5 EUR. The Monaco F1 Grand Prix is held here annually in May or June, attracting thousands of visitors.
7. See St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral
This cathedral is the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Western Europe. When one of Tsar Aleksandr II’s sons died in Nice at the beginning of the 20th century after coming down with meningitis, this cathedral was later dedicated to him. Built in the Russian Revival style, the cathedral has teal and green-tiled domes topped with silver crosses. Inside there’s a golden altar and vibrantly painted walls. A dress code is strictly enforced so don’t wear shorts if you want to enter. Cameras are not allowed inside either.
8. Tour the Musée National Marc Chagall
A Russian-French artist of Belarusian Jewish descent, Chagall is known for his cubism and expressionism pieces. Located north of Vieux-Nice in the neighborhood of Cimiez, Musée National Marc Chagall features the artist’s religious works, particularly pieces depicting the resurrection, the sacrifice of Isaac, Adam, and Eve. The Fiddler and Bella with White Collar are among his more popular pieces. Built in 1973, Chagall was active in the museum up until his death in 1985. Admission is 8-10 EUR, with free admission on the first Sunday of the month.
9. Visit the Cimiez Hill district
If you visit the Matisse Museum, you’ll find yourself in Cimiez Hill district, located about 2 kilometers (1.2 miles) from Nice’s Old Town. But there’s even more to explore in this area, including the tranquil Cimiez Monastery Gardens, the Archaeological Museum (5 EUR), and the ruins of a Roman amphitheater.
10. Take the Wonder Train
The Train des Merveilles is a two-hour train journey from Nice to the picturesque mountain village of Tende. On this scenic ride, the train makes its way through the mountains, offering breathtaking views of gorges, valleys, and the sea. Take the 9:15am train so you can arrive by late morning, explore the town, have lunch, see the free museum, and then catch a train back to Nice in the evening. A round-trip ticket is 30 EUR, though there are often special discounted offers in the summer. Note: The train line is under construction until the end of 2025 which may impact availability.
How to Stay Safe in Nice
Nice is very safe — even if you’re traveling solo or as a solo female traveler. The risk of violent crime here is very low.
As in any destination, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.). Avoid walking through unfamiliar areas alone at night and beware of pick-pocketing and petty theft. Pickpocketing is common in markets, on buses and trains, and other crowded areas. Always keep your valuables secure and out of reach just to be safe.
Avoid bringing valuables to the beach as theft while you’re in the water can occur. Keep your valuables secure when eating out as bag snatching can occur.
The petition scam is quite popular, where someone asks you to sign a paper and while you’re distracted with the clipboard, they’ll pick your pockets or demand a “donation.” Politely decline anyone approaching with a clipboard or papers. For more information on other tourist scams, you can read about common travel scams to avoid here.
If you do experience an emergency, dial 112 for assistance.
Always trust your gut instinct. Make copies of your personal documents, including your passport and ID. Forward your itinerary along to loved ones so they’ll know where you are.
The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past.
Where to Stay in Nice
There is a handful of hostels and budget hotels in Nice to choose from, most of which are close to the city center. Here are my recommended places to stay in Nice:
Nice Travel Costs
Accommodation
- Hostel dorms – 25-50 EUR per night
- Hostel private rooms – 75-100 EUR per night
- Budget hotels – 75-100 EUR per night
- Luxury hotels – 250+ EUR per night
- Airbnb private rooms – 45-65 EUR per night
- Airbnb apartments – 60-75 EUR per night
Expect prices 30% to 50% higher during the summer.
Food
- Prix-fixe lunch – 15 EUR
- Pre-made sandwiches – 6-12 EUR
- Sit-down restaurants – 15-20 EUR
- Casual take-out places – 9-13 EUR
- Fast food (think McDonald’s) – 9 EUR
- Beer – 6-7 EUR
- Glass of wine – 4-9 EUR
- Cappuccino/latte- 3 EUR
- Bottled water – 1-2 EUR
- Groceries for a week – 50 EUR
Nice Suggested Budgets
Backpacker – 80 EUR Per Day
This budget covers staying in a hostel dorm, cooking all of your meals, limiting your drinking, taking public transit and walking to get around, and doing mostly free or cheap activities like enjoying the beach and wandering Vieux Nice.
Midrange – 175 EUR Per Day
This midrange budget covers staying in a private hotel/hostel room, eating out most of your meals, enjoying a few drinks, taking the occasional taxi, and doing more paid activities like museums and day trips outside the city.
Upscale – 400+ EUR Per Day
On this budget, you can stay in a 4* hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink as much as you want, take taxis, and do whatever tours you want. This is just the ground floor though. The sky is the limit!
Nice Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips
Nice is built for the luxury traveler. Being on the French Riviera and so close to many expensive destinations, it’s a city people visit to spend money. It’s not super easy to visit on a budget but, if you want to lower your costs, here are some ways to save money in Nice:
Bring a water bottle – Since the tap water here is safe to drink you should bring a reusable water bottle to save money and reduce your plastic use. LifeStraw is my go-to brand as their bottles have built-in filters to ensure your water is always clean and safe.
Do free stuff – Take advantage of all of the free sights including the beach, Vieux Nice, Jardin Albert I (the city’s central park), and the Promenade des Anglais, which fills up at night with music and street performers. You can see a lot here without spending a cent!
Redeem hotel points – Be sure to sign up for hotel credit cards so you can use those points when you travel here as there are number of chain hotels here. Most cards come with 1-2 nights free, which can significantly reduce your costs in this city. This post will help you understand the basics.
Get a French Riviera Pass – Available at the Nice Tourism offices, the Congress Centre, and various hotels around the city, the French Riviera Pass gives you free access to many of the main museums in Nice and the Côte d’Azur, as well as unlimited travel (including to the airport) during your chosen time frame. Passes are 28-59 EUR for 24, 48, or 72-hour periods. The pass also includes an Old Nice guided tour and Lascaris Palace.
Use the Nice Museum Pass – This pass gives you unlimited access to all of Nice’s museums for 72 hours. At 15 EUR, it’s a great deal if you love museums.
Get a transit pass – The Lignes D’Azur system has more than 140 bus routes and three tram lines that cover Nice and the surrounding area. You can purchase unlimited passes for one, two, seven, or fourteen days. Prices ranging from 7-36 EUR. If you want to do a lot of exploring around the area, this can save you a lot over the 1.70 EUR single ride fare.
Get the set lunch menu – If you eat out, do so at lunch and get the prix-fixe menu. Restaurants throughout town offer this set menu during lunch, and with prices between 10-20 EUR, it’s a way better deal than the regular dinner menu!
Take the free walking tours – Free Walking Tour Nice has a free walking that’s a great introduction to the city. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!
Stay with a local – If you want to save money and get some local insight into the city, use Couchsurfing. Staying with a local is the best way to get a feel for the city and learn some insider tips.
How to Get Around in Nice
Public transportation – A single-fare ticket costs 1.50 EUR and allows for unlimited travel on both bus and travel for 74 minutes. You can also purchase a 10-trip pass for 10 EUR, a day pass for 5 EUR, and 7-day pass for 15 EUR.
There is also a free shuttle bus that goes down Victor Hugo Boulevard and loops around to the promenade and Old Town, before returning to the start. It’s a red electric bus that you just hop on and off.
Nice has several night-time bus routes which run from 9:10 pm to 10:10 am each day, making it easier to get around if you’re out late at night.
Bicycle – Vélobleu is a public bike-sharing system that lets you use bicycles around the city. There are 175 stations in the region and over 1,700 bikes. It is 1.50 EUR for a day pass (3 EUR for an e-bike), with the first 30 minutes free. If you have a bike out for more than 30 minutes, it’s 1 EUR for the second half-hour and 2 EUR for each additional hour.
You can also rent bikes for the entire day from local bike shops, such as Bike Trip or Booking Bikes. Day rentals are 10-20 EUR.
Taxi – Taxis are expensive in Nice, with a base rate of 3.50 EUR plus another 2.08 EUR per kilometer. This rate may increase in the evenings so skip the taxis if you can — they add up fast!
Ridesharing – Uber is available in Nice and is generally cheaper than taxis. For getting around the area (and the country) you can also use the ride-sharing app BlaBlaCar. It is a great way to travel around Europe on a budget.
Car Rental Car rentals can be found for as little as 27 EUR per day for a multi-day rental. Unless you’re planning to head out of the city, I would skip the car rental. Parking is expensive and you don’t need a car to get around the city. For the best deals, I use Discover Cars.
When to Go to Nice
June-August are the hottest and most popular months to visit Nice. Temperatures average 30°C (86°F) and this is when the south of France is packed with locals and tourists who want to soak up the sun. Prices are also the highest and you’ll need to book well in advance. Nice doesn’t get much rain this time of year, but it’s still smart to pack an umbrella.
The crowds in summer can be quite large at times, especially close to the beaches and in Old Nice. Prices in restaurants and hotels increase as well. To avoid crowds, venture into some of the local neighborhoods, such as Jean-Médecin or Carabacel.
In September and October, the average high temperature is 20-24°C (69-75°F). This is a wonderful time to visit Nice. The crowds are considerably smaller, making it an ideal time to relax on the beach and wander through the streets of Old Nice and other popular areas. It does cool off at night with low temperatures between 13-17°C (56-63°F), and October is the rainiest month of the year. You’ll want to pack layers and rain gear.
December to April is considered the winter season, and high temperatures average between 12-17°C (54-62°F). Though it doesn’t snow in Nice, you’re likely to encounter rain. It’s a good idea to pack warm and waterproof layers. Prices during this time are lower, and the streets are quieter. The exception to lower prices is during the Nice Carnival, which takes place for 14 days each February/March. A tradition since 1873, this is one of the best carnivals in Europe, known for its over-the-top colorful float parades during the day, a parade of lights at night, and beautiful flower parade.
The Nice International Film Festival occurs every May when the city is flooded with celebrities and more glitz and glamor than one can handle. Book in advance if you’re visiting during this time.
Nice Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources
These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.
- Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
- Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
- Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
- HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
- Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
- The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
- Trainline – When you’re ready to book your train tickets, use this site. It streamlines the process of booking trains around Europe.
- Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
- FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
- SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
- LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
- Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
- Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!
- BlaBlaCar – BlaBlaCar is a ridesharing website that lets you share rides with vetted local drivers by pitching in for gas. You simply request a seat, they approve, and off you go! It’s a cheaper and more interesting way to travel than by bus or train!
- Take Walks – This walking tour company provides inside access to attractions and places you can’t get elsewhere. Their guides rock and they have some of the best and most insightful tours in all of France.
GO DEEPER: Nomadic Matt’s In-Depth Budget Guide to Europe!
There’s a lot of free information online but do you want to spend days searching for information? Prob not! That’s why guidebooks exist.
While I have a lot of free tips on Europe, I also wrote an entire book that goes into great detail on everything you need to plan a trip here on a budget! You’ll get suggested itineraries, budgets, even more ways to save money, my favorite restaurants, prices, practical information (i.e. phone numbers, websites, prices, safety advice, etc etc), and cultural tips.
I’ll give the insider view of Europe that I got from years of traveling and living here! The downloadable guide can be used on your Kindle, iPad, phone, or computer so you can have it with you when you go.
Click here to learn more about my book on Europe!
