Things to Do in Nice: 20 Best Experiences for Your Trip
Nice is the capital of the French Riviera and one of the most rewarding cities in France: a sunny old town, a 7 km seafront, great museums and the best food on the coast, with Monaco and the hill villages a short train ride away. Here are the 20 best things to do in Nice, from classic sights to local favourites and easy day trips, with practical tips for each. For the wider region, see our French Riviera travel guide.
Short on time? The top 5 things to do in Nice
1. Walk the Promenade des Anglais at sunset
2. Explore Vieux Nice and the Cours Saleya market
3. Climb Castle Hill for the view over the Baie des Anges
4. Eat socca, the local chickpea pancake
5. Take the train to Villefranche, Èze or Monaco for a day
Things to do in Nice: the old town and the seafront
1. Walk the Promenade des Anglais
The 7 km seafront promenade is the symbol of Nice and part of the city's UNESCO World Heritage listing as a winter resort town of the Riviera. Walk, run or cycle it from the old town towards the airport, grab one of the famous blue chairs, and come back at sunset when the whole Baie des Anges turns gold.
2. Get lost in Vieux Nice, the old town
A maze of narrow, ochre-coloured lanes full of bakeries, galleries and tiny restaurants. Look into the baroque Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate on Place Rossetti and the Palais Lascaris, a 17th-century palace with a collection of historic musical instruments. It is at its most atmospheric early in the morning or in the evening.
3. Browse the Cours Saleya market
Every morning except Monday, the Cours Saleya fills with flower, fruit and vegetable stalls, local olive oil and Provençal soaps. On Mondays it becomes an antiques and flea market. Come before 10 am for the best produce, then have a coffee on one of the terraces.
4. Climb Castle Hill for the best view in Nice
Colline du Château rises between the old town and the port. There is no castle left, but there are shady gardens, an artificial waterfall and the classic postcard view over the Promenade and the Baie des Anges on one side and Port Lympia on the other. Walk up the steps from the end of the Promenade or take the free lift.
5. Stand in Place Masséna at night
Nice's grand main square, with its red-ochre buildings and checkerboard paving, links the old town to the modern city. After dark, the seven figures of Jaume Plensa's sculpture on their tall poles light up in changing colours. From here, stroll through the Promenade du Paillon park and its water mirror fountains.
6. Eat by the colourful Port Lympia
On the other side of Castle Hill, the port is lined with Italian-style facades in yellow, red and orange. It is a local favourite for seafood and apéritifs, and the starting point of the coastal walk around Cap de Nice towards Coco Beach and Villefranche-sur-Mer.
Museums and culture in Nice
7. See Matisse's work where he lived
Henri Matisse spent most of his last 37 years in Nice. The Musée Matisse in a red Genoese villa in the hilltop district of Cimiez traces his whole career. Around it are olive groves, Roman ruins and the cemetery where Matisse is buried.
8. Visit the Marc Chagall National Museum
A short walk down the hill, the Musée National Marc Chagall was designed with the artist himself to house his great cycle of paintings on the Biblical Message, set in a peaceful Mediterranean garden.
9. Wander the Cimiez monastery gardens
Next to the Matisse Museum, the Franciscan monastery of Cimiez has a free, beautifully kept rose garden with lemon trees and a panoramic view over Nice to the sea. It is one of the most peaceful spots in the city.
10. Visit the Russian Orthodox Cathedral
Its green and gold onion domes, completed in 1912, are a surprise in the middle of a residential district and a reminder of Nice's history as a winter resort for Russian aristocrats. It is one of the largest Orthodox cathedrals in Western Europe, and a short walk from Nice-Ville train station.
Good to know: most museums in Nice close on Tuesdays, so plan Cimiez for another day. The Matisse and Chagall museums are both on the bus route up from the city centre.
Food and markets: the tastiest things to do in Nice
11. Eat socca, hot from the oven
Nice's signature street food is a thin, crispy chickpea pancake baked in a wood-fired oven and eaten with lots of black pepper. Buy it in the old town or near the port, and eat it straight away while it's hot.
12. Try real Niçois cooking
Beyond socca, order pan bagnat, pissaladière, petits farcis (stuffed vegetables) and a proper salade niçoise. Look for restaurants displaying the official "Cuisine Nissarde" label, which guarantees traditional local recipes. More ideas in our French food and wine guides.
13. Taste unusual ice cream flavours
The old town's famous ice cream makers around Place Rossetti serve dozens of flavours, from lavender and violet to tomato-basil and olive. Pick a scoop and eat it on the cathedral steps.
14. Shop like a local at the Libération market
For fewer tourists and lower prices than the Cours Saleya, head north by tram to the Libération market, where locals buy fruit, vegetables, fish and cheese every morning except Monday.
Beaches, parks and events
15. Spend a day at the beach
Nice's beaches are pebbles, not sand, so bring water shoes and a thick towel. Public beaches along the Promenade are free; private beach clubs rent loungers and parasols and serve lunch. The water is clear and calm from June to October.
16. Hike Mont Boron for views over Villefranche
East of the port, the wooded hill of Mont Boron has shaded trails and viewpoints over both the Baie des Anges and the bay of Villefranche, crowned by the 16th-century Fort du Mont Alban. Allow half a day, or take the bus up and walk down.
17. Explore Parc Phoenix
Near the airport, this botanical park has one of Europe's largest greenhouses, with tropical plants, birds and butterflies, plus lakes and play areas. A good option with children or on a rare rainy day.
18. Time your trip for the Carnival or the Jazz Festival
The Nice Carnival in February is one of the biggest in the world, with parades of giant floats and the famous flower battles along the Promenade. In July, the Nice Jazz Festival brings international artists to the city centre. Book accommodation early for both.
The best day trips from Nice
19. Day trip to Villefranche-sur-Mer and Cap Ferrat
Just 7 minutes by train, Villefranche has one of the most beautiful bays on the Mediterranean and a sandy beach. Continue on foot around Cap Ferrat, past luxury villas and hidden coves, to the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and its gardens.
20. Day trip to Èze and Monaco
Take the bus up to the medieval village of Èze, perched high above the sea, walk down the Nietzsche Path to the coast, then take the train to Monaco for the Prince's Palace, the Oceanographic Museum and Monte-Carlo. More ideas in our French Riviera travel guide.
Free things to do in Nice: walk the Promenade des Anglais · explore Vieux Nice · browse the Cours Saleya market · climb Castle Hill (the lift is free too) · Place Masséna and the Promenade du Paillon · the Cimiez monastery gardens · the public beaches · the coastal walk from the port to Coco Beach
How to spend 2 days in Nice
Day 1: Cours Saleya market and Vieux Nice in the morning, socca for lunch, Castle Hill in the afternoon, then the Promenade des Anglais at sunset and dinner at the port.
Day 2: Matisse Museum and the Cimiez gardens in the morning (not on a Tuesday), the Chagall Museum after lunch, a beach break in the late afternoon, and Place Masséna lit up at night.
Where to stay in Nice
For a first visit, stay in or near Vieux Nice for atmosphere, around the port for restaurants and a local feel, or in the Carré d'Or between Place Masséna and the Promenade for easy beach access. The area around Nice-Ville station is cheaper and handy for day trips. See our full guide to where to stay in Nice, area by area. Compare prices on our hotels page, and book early for summer and Carnival week.
Getting around Nice
Central Nice is easy to walk. Tram line 2 runs from the airport to the city centre and the port, and tram line 1 connects the Libération market, Place Masséna and the old town. For day trips, regional trains from Nice-Ville and Nice-Riquier stations run along the coast to Villefranche, Monaco and Menton, and west to Antibes and Cannes.
Things to do in Nice: FAQ
How many days do you need in Nice?
Two to three days is enough to see Nice itself. Add two or three more for day trips to Villefranche, Èze, Monaco and Antibes. Five days in total, based in Nice, is ideal.
Are there free things to do in Nice?
Yes. The Promenade des Anglais, the old town, Castle Hill (including the lift), Place Masséna, the Cimiez monastery gardens, the markets and the public beaches are all free.
When is the best time to visit Nice?
May, June and September give you warm weather, a swimmable sea and fewer crowds. February is great for the Carnival, and winter is mild and sunny for sightseeing. See the best time to visit France.
Do you need a car in Nice?
No. The centre is compact and walkable, trams link the airport, the port and the city, and trains reach the rest of the Riviera. A car is only useful for inland villages.
What is the best day trip from Nice?
Èze and Monaco together are the classic choice: bus up to the hilltop village of Èze, walk down the Nietzsche Path and take the train to Monaco. Villefranche-sur-Mer is perfect for a half day, and Antibes, Cannes and Menton are all easy by train.
What language do they speak in Nice?
French. English is widely understood in hotels, restaurants and shops in the centre, and a few words of French are always appreciated. In the old town you will also see street signs in Niçard, the traditional local dialect.
Is Nice expensive?
Nice is cheaper than Cannes or Monaco but pricier than most French cities in July and August. Save money by staying near the station or in the Libération district, eating socca and pan bagnat from market stalls and using the cheap buses and trams.
Ready to discover Nice?
Nice airport is 20 minutes from the old town by tram. Compare flights, then book a central hotel early for summer.
Planning the whole coast? Read our French Riviera travel guide, or official information from Nice Côte d'Azur tourism.
Photos from Wikimedia Commons: Cours Saleya by Zil (CC BY 3.0); Place Masséna by Mona (CC0); Villefranche-sur-Mer by Rundvald (public domain).
