Nice Hall is the capital of the French Riviera, a chic collection of towns and cities located on the south coast of France. The French Riviera, otherwise known as the C ডিte d’Azur, attracts visitors from all over the world, and Nisso is no exception.
A long stretch of beautiful coastline with magnificent views of the gorgeous Mediterranean Sea makes excellent pride. Couples that have shops, cafes, restaurants, plus an abundance of cultural and historical sights and you can see why Nice is one of the most scenic places in southern France.
Keep reading for the final list of things to do in Nice, France.
Here are some of our favorite things about Nice
No matter where you go or what you do, you will be constantly amazed at how beautiful Nice is.
1. Walking along the Promenade des Anglais
Promenade des Anglais is a sidewalk that stretches for 7 km along the beach. You can enjoy the view of the Mediterranean Sea while walking along the Promenade. Often, you will find musicians along the promenade and there are plenty of benches for you to sit and listen to performances.
Walking along the Promenade des Anglais, away from the city center, is a great way to find some peace and quiet and is one of the best things to do in Nice.
2. Take your picture at I Love Nice Sign
On the east end of the Promenade des Anglais is the “I love Nice” sign. The giant characters are a great place to take your selfie. But if this isn’t really your thing then this location is a great place to watch the promenade and sunset on the beach.
3. Walk up to Castle Hill
Castle Hill is a landscaped park located on a hill between Port Limpia and Nice Old Town. A fortified medieval town and fortress once stood on a hilltop, but after Louis XIV conquered the city in 1706, he ordered its destruction.
Castle Hill Park is a quiet place, full of shady spots under trees, perfect for a quick break after a walk around town. Here, you can enjoy some of the best views of Nice. From the park’s viewpoint, you can see the Old Town, the Promenade des Angles and the Mediterranean. Castle Hill has two cafes and a small children’s playground. One of the main attractions of Castle Hill is La Cascade, a beautiful man-made waterfall.
There is an elevator that will take you to the top of Castle Hill. To find the elevator go to Hotel Swiss (opposite the ‘I Love Nice’ sign) and ‘Chateau elevator‘Sign. The elevator is free, but you can walk if you feel energized!
4. Appreciate the luxury yachts in Port Limpia, Nice
Port Limpia is one of the major ports on the French Riviera. As well as the private luxury yachts that you will find at every port along the French Riviera, Port Limpiao uses ferries, tour companies and cruise ships. If you are in Nice for a few days, a boat trip is a great activity and there are several agencies that offer fishing tours, coastal sightseeing tours, sunset cruises and private boat rentals from Port Lampia.
If you prefer to stay on land, a luxury yacht is a perfect way to spend an hour or more wandering around the edge of the harbor. In addition to the port you will also find cafes, restaurants and antique shops.
Port Limpia Nice is just a short walk from Old Town and Castle Hill. There is also convenient underground parking if you drive to the port.
Related tours: Excellent: 1-hour sightseeing cruise in Villefranche Bay
5. Visit the Archaeological Crypt of Nice
An interesting and relatively new attraction in the crypt city of Nice. In 2006, remains of a medieval castle were discovered during construction for the city’s new tram system. Careful archaeological excavations were carried out to unearth the well-preserved ruins, and in 2012 the site was classified as a ‘historic monument’.
Today, you can go to the underground crypt, which covers an area of 2000 square meters. The site is open on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays at 2pm, 3pm and 4pm. Tickets are 6.10 and must be booked in advance.
6. Wander around the nice Old Town
Walking through the Old Town, admiring the beautiful architecture and historic buildings is a great way to spend a few hours and it is one of the best things about Nice.
There are some important sights to see in Nice Old Town:
St. Rita Church
Sainglise Sainte Rita has many beautiful frescoes and marble statues from the 1600s and Baroque interiors. Both tourists and worshipers are welcome to visit the church.
Location Massena
Place Massena is a popular focal point in Nice. The 19th century plaza is used for many public events and carnivals in the city. This is a great place to enjoy coffee in one of the cafes while you admire the architecture of the surrounding buildings.
Excellent cathedral
Sainte Reparate Cathedral is dedicated to the patronage of the city of Nice. The Baroque-style cathedral has a beautiful interior, with ornate carvings on the pillars and roof. There are also many fine paintings on display around the cathedral. You can visit the cathedral for free, but Flash photography is not allowed and remember it is quiet and reverential as a place of worship.
The place is Garibaldi
One of the oldest squares in Nice, Place Garibaldi is perfect for lunch or afternoon drinks. This lively square has lots of bars and restaurants centered around a large ornate fountain.
Pylon walking
Promenade du Pylon is a narrow formal garden that separates the Old Town of Nice from the new, modern city. The fountain flowing through the center connects the tree-lined Promenade Place Garibaldi to the Place Massena.
Related tours: Nice Old Town and Castle Hill: Guided Cultural Walking Tour
7. Visit the Cimiez District Art Museum
Cimiez District is the most glamorous area in Nice. Most residential areas include the Matisse Museum and the Mark Chagall National Museum. The Matisse Museum is housed in a beautiful villa, set in a landscape garden and exhibits a collection of Matisse works, most of which were painted in Nice.
At the Mark Chagall National Museum, visitors will find a collection of paintings, sculptures, ceramics, stained glass and tapestry. The museum showcases the various talents of artists created during their lifetimes.
Both museums are open daily except Tuesdays and € 10 to visit.
8. Take a day trip from Nice
Nice itself is a great place for a day trip, but if you are in Nice for a few days, take a day trip to another town on the French Riviera.
Antibus is a great choice for a day trip from Nice. The city is known for its medieval castles that surround the 16th century old town. Another option is the shiny Monaco, where you can admire luxury yachts and super cars! For a little seclusion somewhere, Menton, located on the border of Italy and France, is a beautiful city to visit for the day.
The best way to explore the French Riviera is by train. However, if you like to plan everything for yourself, there are many organized day trips to travel by car or coach from Nice.
Related tours: From Nice: One day French Riviera
How to get nice
There are three main ways to get to Nice in France:
On the plane
Nice Cote d’Azur International Airport is just 7 km from the center of Nice. From the airport, you can catch a tram to the center of Nice for 1.50 euros. The tram takes 25 minutes and is the cheapest way to travel between Nice and Nice airports. If you prefer to travel by taxi, you will have to pay around € 35.
On the train
Nice Central Train Station (Gare de Nice Villa) connects Nice with other major French cities, such as Paris, Lyon and Bordeaux. The station connects Nice with the rest of the French Riviera via the TER network. If you have been in the French Riviera for a few days, buy a Zou! Train passes for cheap, unlimited train travel on your chosen route. The best way to get around the French Riviera is by train.
By car
If you do not have to drive, public transport to Nice is easier and less stressful. Roads along the French Riviera can be busy and parking charges are very high. If you are driving in Nice, plan your route and check out the toll booths. There are many toll booths on France’s main highways, which means long-distance travel can be costly. Parking Garages are the safest place to park your car but spaces are often small, so remember if you rent a car!
Excellently expensive?
Although accommodation is not as expensive as in Monaco or St. Tropez, Nice can be an expensive place to stay. If you travel on a budget, consider staying away from the city center (Hôtel Amaryllis is a great option), and use the public bus and tram network.
If you visit Nice for the day and don’t have to consider the cost of accommodation, Nice isn’t really that expensive. It is a very walkable city, which means you can visit many major sights for free!
For food and drink, prices may be higher in main squares like Place Massena or Place Garibaldi, but as soon as you enter some small, secluded streets, you can find more reasonable prices. If you’re on a budget, don’t worry – one of the best things about staying in France is the delicious bakery and the dry days, Enjoy sitting at Promenade des Anglais with a fresh baguette and takeaway coffee.l Many times there is a happy time in the early evening, which is a great way to end your day in Nice.
Read related: C ডিte d’Azur: French Riviera on a budget
A nice place to stay while visiting the French Riviera?
Nice is centrally located along the French Riviera, between Monaco and the popular city of Antibes. The location makes it a great place to base yourself while exploring the French Riviera – with all the incredible things to do in Nice. From here, you can take the train in both directions along the coast.
Nice is a vibrant, busy city with lots of places to stay and eat, so if you are looking for a place to stay with nightlife and more, Nice is a great choice. However, if you are looking for something a little more peaceful, you may want to consider the neighboring town Villefranche sur Mer.
Another consideration when choosing where to stay on the French Riviera is the beach. There is a nice pebble beach which is not the most comfortable if you expect to be lazy in the sunlight for a few hours. For the best sandy beaches on the French Riviera, visit Juan Les Pines, a small resort west of Antibes. Here you will find long stretches of soft, sandy beaches to enjoy.
Curious goose
I am Helen, a British travel-addict with a curious streak who loves to explore, hike and explore new places. I have always loved traveling and at the age of 20 I moved to the United States for a year of work placement, which further ignited my passion. Since then my desire to travel to new places has increased.