Nice is a beautiful city as well as being the capital of the French Riviera. It’s a city worth visiting at any time of year! There are many museums waiting for you here, great scenery, green parks, and, of course, a 7 km long seaside promenade.

Nice is located on the French Riviera towards the Italian border and close to Monaco. This, the 5th largest city in France, is considered to be the capital of the Côte d’Azur. Every year, 10 million tourists from around the world visit Nice and the region. This is not surprising, because here the sun shines 320 days a year and the winters are mild.

Don’t miss our free Nice travel guide!

The attractions of Nice

There are a lot of things to do in Nice, but the most important of Nice’s attractions are in its center, which definitely makes sightseeing easier. They include:

  • Promenade des Anglais (Promenade of the English) – The most popular attraction in Nice is the 7 km long seaside promenade. You can stroll along here with the blue sea and beach on one side, and a string of palm trees on the other. It’s also the perfect place for morning jogging or rollerblading!
  • Castle Hill (la Colline du Château) – Castle Hill is a large municipal park situated on the place where a medieval castle once stood. The castle was demolished on the instructions of Louis XIV. Today there are views – you can admire the Old Town, the Promenade des Anglais, and the Old Port from here. It’s a wonderful place to spend a day lying here on a blanket in the shade of the trees and reading a book, or sitting at a cafe and watching the passing tourists.
  • Place Masséna – The main city square is a meeting place for residents as well as tourists and guides. Every year, the famous Nice Carnival takes place here. The square teems with life almost 24 hours a day, so it’s worth seeing it both during the day and at night.
  • The Old Town of Nice – Nice has the largest old town in the region, and it’s full of historic colorful tenement houses, narrow streets, delicious restaurants, and souvenir shops. It’s worth getting lost in its labyrinth of streets to get a feel for the real spirit of this place!
  • Old Port of Nice – The surroundings of Nice’s Old Port are ideal for a walk. Here you can admire the luxury yachts, colorful houses reflecting in the water, and the green hills in the distance. Around the port you will find many restaurants and bars with great cocktails.
  • Museums with interesting art collections – Nice has a dozen or so museums with interesting collections of the world’s greatest artists! Here you will find works by such artists as Marc Chagall, Matisse, Picasso, Dufy, Brea, Delacroix, Bonnard, Rousseau, Yves Klein, Francis Bacon, Sacha Sosno, Andy Warhol, and Dennis Oppenheim. Admission tickets cost €10 for 24 hours or €20 for 7 days.

These are the most important attractions in Nice. If you are able to see them, you will certainly get a feel for the unique atmosphere of this city. For your convenience, I’ve placed them all on the map below.

Weather in Nice

The weather in Nice is one of the main reasons to visit the Cote d’Azur. Here the sun shines on most days of the year, and rain falls only for a few days in autumn and winter. Summer temperatures oscillate around 30 degrees Celsius (86°F) during the day, while at night they are only slightly lower. July usually has the highest humidity, and the summer season runs from May through to the end of September. During these months, visiting the beautiful villages on the French Riviera can be a bit tiring – rather it’s the best time to relax on the beaches of the French Riviera.

The period from October to April is also worth visiting the region as it is an ideal time for hiking the cliffs and coastal walking routes, as well as for visiting the medieval villages. An autumn jacket will come in handy from November to March, while during the transitional period, a warm sweatshirt is enough during the day. Snow falls briefly in Nice only once every 10 years. In winter, there is practically no frost here.

Public transport in Nice

Public transport in Nice is provided by city buses and trams. The company is called Lignes d’Azure, and useful information can be found at lignesdazur.com, which is also in English. A single journey ticket (called a Solo) costs €1.50 and can be bought from the bus driver. There are ticket machines at all tram stops, from which you can also buy a Solo ticket. In addition, you can buy tickets for 10 trips for a total price of €10. This ticket is called a Multi 10. The company also offers daily tickets (1-day Pass), which cost €5, and a 7-day Pass for €15. These are the most popular tickets available for public transport in Nice.

Nice, France, French Riviera

Nice, France, French Riviera

The purchased ticket should be validated in the vehicle immediately after entry. Tickets are valid for 74 minutes and allow transfers, but not on the return journey. Always enter the bus by the front door and exit from the middle or rear. If you are waiting at the stop for bus, do not forget to wave your hand to stop the vehicle. If you want to get off the bus at the next stop, press the STOP button inside the vehicle.

Lines marked with 100 and higher numbers connect Nice with other cities on the French Riviera. The most popular of these are: 100 to Monaco, 200 to Antibes and Cannes, 400 to Saint-Paul de Vence and Vence, and 500 to Grasse.

Recommended for you: How to get from the airport to Nice city center?

Accommodation in Nice: hotels and apartments

The accommodation base in Nice is huge. You can find cheap tourist hotels, luxury hotels for the wealthiest guests, and private Airbnb apartments. Everyone will be able to find accommodation that will perfectly suit their tastes and their budget. The largest selection of hotels in Nice is in the city center. You can stay close to the beach or closer to the station, as well as around the airport. Prices per night vary depending on the standard and the location. The cheapest accommodation can be found for around €35 per night, but the average price is around €65 – €70 for 3-star hotels.

Promenade des Anglais in Nice (Walkway of the English), French Riviera

Promenade des Anglais in Nice (Walkway of the English), French Riviera

What to eat in Nice? – local food

Food in Nice is a combination of French, Italian, and regional cuisine. Here you can eat delicious pizza and pasta, seafood, and classic French dishes. Of course, light Mediterranean cuisine prevails, and pink wine is the most popular drink. Typical local dishes include:

  • Pissaladière – caramelized onion on a dough base resembling a pizza.
  • Petits Farcis – small meatballs in grilled vegetables.
  • Socca – pancakes made of chickpea flour with the addition of water and oil. Served with pepper. Can be bought at marketplaces.
  • Salad Nicoise – classic salad with fresh vegetables, egg, tuna and olive oil.
  • Fish Soup – served with croutons, grated cheese and mayonnaise with the addition of grated red peppers and garlic sauce (called Rouille). Spread the sauce over toast and add to the soup, then sprinkle with cheese.
  • Mussels with fries – served mostly in a metal pot.
  • Tapenade – a paste of green or black olives with the addition of garlic.

All these dishes can be tasted in any one of the many restaurants in the Old Town. Bon Appetit!

I hope that this short guide to Nice will encourage you to visit this wonderful city! If you have any questions, you can ask them below in the comments.