Nice is so much more than just ‘nice’ it’s fab!
Nice is one of my favourite destinations in Europe, this city is a great place to visit and there are also so many amazing day trips and places to visit nearby.
Nice offers a delightful mix of classical and chic in a stunning location on the Riviera coast, but there is more to a Nice city break than sun and shopping. Away from the seafront the baroque mansions of the old town lead to lively restaurants and bohemian bars and the chateau with its stunning panoramic views.
Nice boasts more museums than any other French city outside Paris and is home to outstanding Chagall and Matisse collections.
Nice city breaks are perfect for anyone looking for a mix of sun, sea, sand and sophistication. With a stunning location on the shores of the Mediterranean, Nice is one of the best south of France destinations and it known as the gateway to the Cote d’Azur and within reach of the iconic resorts of St Tropez, Cannes and Monaco.
When to Go
Nice is gorgeous whatever time of year you choose to visit – the summer months can be extremely hot and busy so we recommend spring and autumn as the best time to visit.
Getting There
There direct flights to Nice from numerous UK, Irish and European airports, although many operate during the summer months only. Find cheap flights with Skyscanner.
Where to Stay
Nice is known for the high standard of its hotels and as long as you check reviews, most are recommend to stay.
If you are looking to treat yourself I must mention the 5 star Negresco Hotel for the ultimate luxury experience or the clean and comfortable 3 star Gounod Hotel which is known for its great location and friendly welcome.
Search the best accommodation. deals on Booking.com.
What to See and Do
The first place you will likely see in Nice is the Nice Côte d’Azur airport, the second largest airport in France after Paris. It is located on the stunning Mediterranean Sea.
On the way out, the famous Promenade des Anglais opens to you with its long, lively beach that borders the blue sea that has inspired so many painters. From morning to night, it is the ideal place to get some fresh air, swim or have fun.
Stroll down the Promenade des Anglais or people watch from a café on the front – don a swimsuit and bathe in the clear waters of the Med and lounge in comfort on the beach whilst sipping a cocktail! Explore the beautiful and fragrant flower market or load up on souvenirs in the pedestrian zone.
Head for the Vielle Ville (Old Town) and wander around the narrow streets; it’s an eclectic mix of shops selling traditional Provencales herbs and spices and modern fashion boutiques by day, and by night transforming itself into a popular meeting place full of cosy restaurants, bars and night clubs.
The Old Town’s narrow streets to protect the pedestrian and the inhabitants from the sun have kept their authenticity. Authentic restaurants are side-by-side with all kinds of shops and also everyday places for the local inhabitants such as bakeries, pasta shops and butcher shops that are always full on the weekend.
As you walk through the historical Old Town, you will be able to admire the Cathedral of Sainte-Réparate, patron saint of the city, as well as other beautiful Baroque churches, the Lascaris Palace, now a museum dedicated to music, and the famous market located on the Saleya Court along the sea.
Founded by the Greeks and later Romans, Nice has traces of its ancient past. It is recommended to visit the Arena and its museum in Cimiez. Next to it, a beautiful monastery and the museum dedicated to Matisse, a genius of Modern painting who spent a large part of his life in Nice, will complete the visit of this district.
Other artists are linked to the city and are exhibited in other museums such as Marc Chagall with a dedicated museum, but also many others at the Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Contemporary Art.
Art lovers should not also not miss the Matisse Museum which holds many of his most famous paintings, drawings, sculptures and photos. Also well worth seeing is St Nicholas Orthodox Church, built thanks to the generosity of Russian Tsar Nicholas II whose son died in Nice after failing to recover from tuberculosis, it is the largest Orthodox cathedral in western Europe.
No visit to Nice is complete without a visit to La Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill), which gets it’s name from a fortress that once stood here and is widely recognised as the origin of the first settlement of what is now Nice.
These days it is a wonderful park with a playground, a historic site and above all superb panoramic views of the city and the Mediterranean beyond. There is a lift for those unable to make the 200 or so steps to the top and there are plenty of benches in the park to sit and relax before returning down.
As entertainment, at the end of the south of France’s short winter, the Nice Carnival launches the tourist season. Along with Rio de Janeiro and Venice’s carnivals, it is one of the most famous and popular in the world.
In summer, you can enjoy all sorts of music festivals (classical, jazz, rock, electro,…) according to your taste and mood!
Sports are also big events open to everyone such as the famous Nice – Cannes marathon.
Best Places to Visit Near Nice
As gateway to the region, Nice is a perfect base to explore the Cote d’Azur by land or by sea – both Cannes and Monaco are less than an hour away.
The really beautiful towns of Villefranche-sur-Mer and Beaulieu-sur-Mer are both worth visiting and located in-between Nice and Monaco.
Food and Drink
Fish and seafood are very popular and Provencal cooking majors on olive oil and herbs. Be sure to try a famous Salade Nicoise.
Fenocchio in Nice is a glaciers with a strong focus on local, fresh ingredients – and I’m not just talking freshly picked fruits or local creams. You’ll find some of the most prominent flavours of the south of France, including lavender, rosemary, basil, black olives and pink peppercorn.
It’s definitely a great place to have fun with your ice cream flavours and try something new.