Things to Do in Nice
Prices, opening hours, best times to visit and the stuff nobody tells you, everything you need for a first trip to Nice, France, plus one pigeon's opinions on all of it.
Right, Nice. Glamorous coastline ahead, try to look like you belong, the genuine heart of the French Riviera, a pebble-beach promenade built partly by wealthy English visitors wintering here in the 1800s, and an old town easily confused with Marseille's if you're not paying attention. This is the proper, no-nonsense guide to things to do in Nice: what things actually cost, when to go, what to skip, and which bits are worth the walk. Four main stops below, plus a quiz elsewhere on this site to see if you were paying attention.
The French Riviera
Nice sits on the French Riviera, a glamorous stretch of Mediterranean coastline famous for its resort towns and a major film festival nearby, even I'll admit the sea here is a good colour, a genuinely striking, deep turquoise-blue that's shaped the whole region's identity and appeal for well over a century.
Nice serves as a good, more affordable base for exploring the wider Riviera, Cannes, Monaco, and the smaller coastal villages are all within reach for day trips, worth building in extra time if you want to see beyond just Nice itself.
The Promenade des Anglais
A long pedestrian promenade, running along Nice's pebble beach, is named after an English aristocratic community that funded it, the Promenade des Anglais, built partly by wealthy English visitors wintering here in the 1800s, explains the name, if not the pebbles, a genuinely elegant, sweeping seafront walk, worth a proper stroll or bike ride along its full length, particularly at sunset.
The beach itself is genuinely pebbled rather than sandy, worth knowing this before you pack, water shoes or a proper beach mat make the experience considerably more comfortable.
Best time Late afternoon into sunset
Address Promenade des Anglais, Nice
Vieux Nice
Nice's old town, a maze of narrow pastel-coloured streets, is known locally as Vieux Nice, Le Panier is Marseille's old town, just up the coast, getting the two confused out loud here is a fast way to offend a local, a genuinely charming, atmospheric quarter, worth a slow wander through the narrow lanes, the Cours Saleya market (flowers in the morning, antiques on Mondays) is a local institution worth timing a visit around.
The wider old town is worth exploring beyond just the market, small independent shops and restaurants tucked into the pastel-coloured buildings, worth an unhurried afternoon rather than a quick pass-through.
Best time Morning for the market; evening for dining
Address Vieux Nice
Castle Hill (Colline du Chateau)
A hilltop park, once the site of Nice's medieval castle (now demolished), offers genuinely sweeping views over the old town, the harbour, and the whole curve of the bay, worth the climb (or a lift for those who'd rather skip the stairs) for the view alone.
It's free, and a good, shaded escape from the busier streets below, worth combining a Castle Hill visit with a wander through Vieux Nice, both sit right next to each other.
Best time Late afternoon into sunset
Address Colline du Chateau, Nice
Best time to visit Nice
May through September gives the most comfortable weather for the amount of beach and walking time this list involves, and it's the full Riviera season if that's a priority.
July and August bring the biggest crowds and highest prices, worth targeting May, June, or September specifically for a calmer, more affordable version of the coast with similarly good weather.
Getting around Nice
Nice's trams cover the city well, and central areas, including the Promenade des Anglais and Vieux Nice, are genuinely walkable. Trains connect Nice to Cannes, Monaco, and other Riviera towns for day trips.
Frequently asked questions
- Is Nice worth visiting?
- Yes, easily, the French Riviera's genuine glamour, the Promenade des Anglais, and Vieux Nice's atmospheric old town all offer real appeal, and it's a good, more affordable base than Cannes or Monaco.
- How many days do you need in Nice?
- Three days covers the Promenade, Vieux Nice, and Castle Hill comfortably; add days for Cannes or Monaco day trips.
- Is Nice expensive?
- Moderate, generally cheaper than Cannes or Monaco for accommodation and dining, though still reflects the wider Riviera's reputation for higher prices.
- What is Nice famous for?
- Being the heart of the French Riviera, the Promenade des Anglais, its pebble-beach seafront walk, and Vieux Nice, its atmospheric old town.
That's everything I've got.
A note before you plan around this: prices, opening hours, booking requirements and admission details in this guide were correct at the time of writing, but venues change these often and sometimes without notice. Always check directly with the attraction or its official website before you travel or build a schedule around a specific time or price.
Before travelling to any destination featured on this site, please also check your government's latest travel advice, as safety situations, entry requirements and travel warnings can change.
