NICE: 28 best things to Do & places to visit (South of France)

There’s something about great that makes one joyful.

Our spirits were down before we arrived in Nice. Vins lost his phone to a group of scammers in our previous stop, so we were looking forward to a much-needed and much-deserved change of scenery. We just wanted things to be, well, nice. This trip delivered that, alright. but what we got was a lot more.

Nice is one of those cities that can instantly put a smile on your face. even ideal now, as I’m typing this and remembering my time, I can’t help beaming. Whether it’s the sunny weather, the laidback atmosphere, the picturesque shores, or the combination of all of these — great is absolutely a lot more than nice. It’s wonderful.

Here are some of the best things to do and places to visit in this sunny corner of France.

WHAT’S covered IN THIS GUIDE?

NICE OLD town walking TOURPlace Masséna
Cours Saleya
Chapelle de la Misericorde
Le Palais de Justice
Place Rossetti and the great Cathedral
Galerie Le Container
Saint-François Bell Tower
Place Saint-François
Musée du Palais Lascaris
Opéra de Nice

BAIE DES ANGES (ANGELS’ BAY)The beaches of Nice
Promenade des Anglais
Neuf Lignes Obliques
Castle hill Park
Quai Rauba Capeu
Port Lympia

FRENCH RIVIERA TOURSMonaco Tour
Coastal Tour
Countryside Tour

NICE FOOD TRIPLocal restaurants in Nice
Street Food in Nice
Ice cream in Nice
Nice Guided Food Tour

OTHER ATTRACTIONSVilla Kerylos
Avenue Jean Medecin
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Nice
Parc Phoenix
Biking

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NICE OLD town walking TOUR

Locally called Vieux great or Vieille Ville, the Old town is the historical center of the city, situated at the base of Castle hill and fronted by the Promenade des Anglais. Its narrow medieval alleys wind in between old buildings and hide several cultural and gastronomic gems.

The area is pedestrian friendly, so it is entirely possible to explore on your own on foot. but if you want to appreciate the statues and corners of the town, you may join a complimentary walking tour. We booked with Riviera Bar Crawl Tours. The 2-hour excursion took us around the area, stopping at some interesting landmarks along the way.

Here are some of the structures and spots within the Old Town.

Place Masséna

Place Masséna serves as one of the main entrance to the Old Town. It is Nice’s main square, named after André Masséna, a military commander under Napoleon Bonaparte.

Designed by Joseph Vernier in 1834, it is surrounded by red ochre buildings that create a delightful view, wherever you look. The square connects Avenue Jean Medecin and the Old Town, which is guarded by a fountain overlooked by a statue of a nude Apollo, the Greek god of the sun, medicine, prophecy, music, and poetry. It is my favorite spot in the city!

Cours Saleya

Cours Saleya literally translates to “beating heart”, which is apt because this lively market street is one of the busiest and a lot of lively spots in the Old Town.

Cours Saleya is best known for Marché aux fleurs (flower market). great has a long-held affinity for flowers. For over a century, farmers would come down and gather in great to sell flowers to wholesalers who would then transport them to other parts of the country. great also holds the Bataille de Fleurs, a flower parade which is part of the great Carnaval festivities. The flower market is open from Tuesday-Sunday, 6am-5:30pm.

Side by side with the flower market is the Marché aux fruits et legumes (fruits and vegetables market), where you can sample fresh produce from the region and neighboring Provence. It’s open from Tuesday-Sunday, 6am-1:30pm.

Both markets are closed on Mondays, when the street is taken over by an antiques and flea market, open from 7am-6pm. There’s also a night market from June-September.

Chapelle de la Misericorde

Designed by architect Bernardo Vittone, the Chapelle de la Misericorde (Chapel of Misericorde/Mercy) is a Gothic church built in 1747. It is one of the most eye-catching structures along Cours Saleya.

Le Palais de Justice

Opposite the market street, across the Courtyard Square, you’ll find Le Palais de Justice, the city’s Hall of Justice. It was completed in 1892 at the spot where a Dominican convent used to stand.

Place Rossetti and the great Cathedral

Place Rossetti (Rossetti Square) is a small square fronting the great Cathedral (Basilique-Cathédrale Sainte-Marie et Sainte-Réparate de Nice) and surrounded by a dozen ochre-housed restaurants and stemming into narrow alleys.

Galerie Le Container

This small gallery showcases various pieces of street art. The establishment is called such because for lots of years, it traveled from one city to another, bringing street art closer to a lot more curious souls. For now, they have made a historic building at the end of Cours Saleya their home.

And oh, this building was the former residence of French painter Henri Matisse, who spend much of his life in Nice.

Saint-François Bell Tower

A dominant structure in the Old Town, the Saint-François Bell Tower is what remains of the old Franciscan convent that once stood here. At 50 meters above sea level, the top of the tower also serves as an observation deck, using an unobstructed, 360-degree view of the city.

Place Saint-François

This small square near the 16th-century Baroque-style town hall hosts the fish market, which takes shape every morning from Tuesday to Sunday. You can also see the Saint-François Bell Tower standing tall in the background.

Musée du Palais Lascaris

This 17th-century palace was built for the Vintimille-Lascaris family, an aristocratic clan at the time. Today it houses a museum showcasing Antoine Gautier’s collection of a lot more than 500 historic musical instruments.

Opéra de Nice

The building’s history can be traced back to 1776 when a wooden theater was constructed at the site. It has undergone major changes since. Today, it is the main venue for the city’s operas, classical concerts, and ballet performances, and serves as the home of the great Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ballet great Méditerrannée.

BAIE DES ANGES (ANGELS’ BAY)

The beaches of Nice

Nice is best known for its coast. Although it is not strewn with fine sand, this pebbly strip has been the favorite kicking back ground for Europeans for centuries. even today, the beach remains as popular as ever, with tourists having a swim, sun-bathing, or simply lounging.

The stretch is divided into several beaches, some public and some private. At private beaches, you can rent a lounge chair for around 20€ per day.

For a list of beaches in Nice, check out this page by great Tourism.

Promenade des Anglais

The Promenade des Anglais is a beachfront walkway hemming the coast of Nice. The name literally indicates the “Walkway of the English” because it was the English who funded its construction. In the 18th century, great was a favorite vacation among English nobles escaping the wintertime cold.

Neuf Lignes Obliques

Nice has been a part of France for only 150 years! It used to belong to the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia until it rejoined France in 1860. To honor the 150th anniverary of the annexation, the Neuf Lignes Obliques was erected in 2010. It is a massive steel monument made of nine 30-meter beams joining together at the top. Neuf Lignes translates to “nine lines”.

Castle hill Park

When you think of Nice, the first image to pop up in your head is probably that of the beach stretching to the horizon splitting the view into two: the cerulean waters of the Mediterranean on the left and the red-tiled roofs of the Old town on the right. If you want to take pleasure in and capture that breathtaking view, climb to the top of the Castle Hill.

This used to be crowned with the Castle of great but it was destroyed by the forces of Louis XIV in 1706. Today, it is a public park where you can take pleasure in the best view of the city. You can also bring some snacks — maybe some fruits you gotten at Cours Saleya — and have an afternoon picnic.

Most tourists take the flights of stairs to the top. but if for whatever reason you can’t climb on foot or you’re feeling a bit lazy, there is a complimentary elevator. You’ll find it hidden at the end of the tunnel. The entrance is on your left-hand side if you’re facing the hill with your back towards the sea.

Quai Rauba Capeu

Skirting the foot of the Castle hill is Quai Rauba Capeu. connecting the Promenade des Anglais and Quai Lunel, it juts out to the sea, using a good view of the cerulean Mediterranean waters. part of it faces west, so you can also take pleasure in enjoying the promenade against the golden sunset in the background. You’ll also find a war memorial honoring the 4000 locals who sacrificed their lives in the world wars.

Port Lympia

On the other side of Castle hill lies Port Lympia, the city’s main port area. While a lot of tourists come here to catch a boat or the Bus 100 (I’ll describe this bus later), it is an exceptionally picturesque area too with colorful buildings lining the horseshoe-shaped port.

FRENCH RIVIERA TOURS

Nice is a compelling city on its own, but what makes it even a lot more appealing is that it also serves as the jumpoff point to other destinations in the French Riviera like Monaco, Antibes, Villefranche-sur-Mer, or Cannes.

It is possible to go around by taking the public transportation. The bus and the train can take you effortlessly. If you wish to take the train, You can also join a group tour.

By Bus. The TAM (Transport Alpes-Maritimes) operates intercity buses within the region, from Cannes to Menton. the most popular bus route is the Bus 100, which can take you from great to Villefranche-sur-Mer to Monaco to Menton. The journey is considered one of the most picturesque bus rides in the world. See schedule here!

By Train. The TER Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur can take you to other cities and villages in the region. The main station is the Gare de Nice-Ville. Fares are 1.90€ for Villefranche, 4.10€ for Monaco, 4.80€ for Antibes, 5.50€ for Menton, and 7.20€ for Cannes. check schedule here!

Here are some of your other options.

Monaco Tour

The second smallest country in the world, the Principality of Monaco is an independent microstate on the Riviera, but it’s easily easily accessible from Nice. It is best known for the formula One Grand Prix, the Casino Monte Carlo, and one of the most spectacular night views in the world.

Other attractions include the Palais du Prince, Jardin Exotique, and Larvotto Beach. It’s also a tax haven (no income taxes for residents).

How to get to Monaco: You can take the picturesque Bus 100. Fare: 1.50€. travel time: 45 minutes. Alternatively, you may take the train from Gare de Nice-Ville. Fare: 4.10€. travel time: 20 minutes.

For a better appreciation of Monaco, we recommend joining a guided excursion instead. The excursion starts at Gare de Nice-Ville, where you’ll meet the guide who will lead you by train to Monte Carlo. The guide will take you around Monaco, sharing information about each attraction along the way. You can book this excursion on Klook.

✅ RESERVE A SLOT HERE!

Coastal Tour

Antibes. image supplied by Klook.
Tourists make their way to this part of France because of its white shores and turquoise waters. This trip goes to well-known destinations like Mont Boron, Villefranche, Monaco, and Cannes.

The excursion also covers a stop at Eze village where you’ll learn about the perfume and cosmetics industry of the country.

✅ RESERVE A SLOT HERE!

Countryside Tour

Image courtesy of Klook
You can also go on a day excursion to see the beautiful countryside of Alpes-Maritimes. This excursion allows you to see the natural and man-made appeal of this region. See Saut Du Loup, a fetching waterfall before heading to Gourdon, Mougins and Tourettes-su-Loup to see old world architecture. These villages are like time warps supplying a look of a bygone era.

✅ RESERVE A SLOT HERE!

NICE FOOD TRIP

France, in general, is widely known for its gastronomy. but if you think you’ve seen and tasted French food in Paris, you shouldn’t pass up an opportunity to pig out in Nice. It’s far from the normal French food that you see in other cities.

Thanks to the complicated history of this region, Niçoise cuisine is special and eclectic. It takes advantage of the abundance of fresh, quality ingredients with a sprinkle of Italian influence.

Local restaurants in Nice

When choosing a place to eat, look for the “Cuisine Nissarde” sign. This label is awarded to restaurants that serve quality Niçoise specialties and supply warm service.

Some of the dishes you must give a try are:

Salade Niçoise, composed of mesclun (a mix of fresh, young greens like arugula lettuces and chevril), black olives, tuna, anchovies, hard-boiled eggs, and olive oil.

La Daube Niçoise, beef slowly stewed with cremini mushrooms, cayenne pepper, and brandy.

Les Petits Farcis (also called farçis Niçois), veggies stuffed with ground meat then baked.

Ratatouille, layered stew of vegetables like zucchini and eggplant, which originated in Nice!

Street Food in Nice

If you’re in a hurry or just up for a quick bite, get hold of a local snack. here are some options:

Socca, a type of thin pancake made from chickpea flour.

Pissaladière, a pizza-like treat made of bread dough topped with onions, black olives, and anchovies.

Pan bagnat, which is, in a nutshell, salade Niçoise as a sandwich.

Ice cream in Nice

When touring great gets too hot to handle, treat yourself to a scoop of gelato! As the most checked out summer destination in France, great has several ice cream shops. two of the most popular are Gelateria Azzurro and Fenocchio. They offer a variety of both tried-and-tested and unusual regional flavors like lavender, black olive, tomato, and thyme!

Nice Guided Food Tour

Image courtesy of Klook
If you want to learn a lot more about each dish — how they are prepared, where th