Nice in the rain: our 15 indoor outing ideas
Rain doesn't spoil Nice: museums, covered galleries, pool, cinema and Old Nice's arcaded alleys. 15 indoor ideas, with verified 2026 hours.
It's raining over the Baie des Anges? No panic: Nice is a city that can be visited very well under cover. Its arcaded alleys, museums and covered galleries absorb the showers — and rainy days are often the best for museums, finally empty. Here is the complete plan B, verified in 2026.
Museums: the first reflex
Nice's municipal museums are perfect for a shower, as long as you know their closing day:
- Matisse museum (Cimiez): €12, closed Tuesday, 10 am-6 pm;
- Lascaris palace (Old Nice): €5, closed Tuesday, 10 am-6 pm — the apothecary and musical instruments enchant children;
- Naïve art museum (Fabron): €5, closed Tuesday;
- Masséna museum (Rue de France): €10, closed Tuesday;
- Fine Arts museum (Baumettes): €10, closed Monday;
- Cimiez archaeology museum: €5, closed Tuesday — the Roman ruins are covered.
Free for under-18s, and the 4-day Museums Pass (€15) covers 9 museums. Note: the MAMAC is closed for renovation (since January 2024, no reopening date) and the Natural History Museum is under works.
Covered shopping
Avenue Jean Médecin concentrates the covered galleries: Galeries Lafayette (renovated) and the Nice Étoile centre, linked by a walkway. For a bigger loop, the Cap 3000 centre in Saint-Laurent-du-Var (one of the region's largest galleries) is a few minutes away by train or bus. Our shopping tips: Boulevard Victor Hugo and its arcaded shops.
Old Nice under the arcades
For light rain, nothing beats Old Nice: its narrow alleys and arcades (Cours Saleya, Rue Droite, Rue de la Préfecture) offer almost continuous sheltered passage, with artisan shops, confectionery workshops and cafés. The visit naturally continues at the Lascaris palace or Saint-Réparate cathedral.
Sport and relaxation
- Saint-Augustin indoor pool: the main municipal indoor pool, open all year (9 municipal pools in Nice);
- Pathé Masséna cinema (Avenue Jean Médecin): 7 screens, 1,342 seats, in the heart of the centre;
- Spas and hammams: the big hotels' spas (Absolu Spa, Le Méridien, Anantara, Boscolo) offer day access — the luxury of a rainy afternoon;
- No bowling in Nice itself: the closest are in Antibes and Mougins (Laser Bowling Antibes, Evolution Bowling Mougins).
Great tables when it rains
A rainy day is the perfect time for the addresses that aren't just about their terrace: La Merenda (Rue Raoul Bosio, traditional cuisine by chef Dominique Le Stanc, open Monday-Friday), Chez Acchiardo (Rue Droite, family since 1927) or a socca at Chez Pipo (Rue Bavastro). See our specialities guide for details.
The "grand" plan B: Monaco or Menton
If the rain doesn't last, the coast is sometimes sunny 20 minutes away: Monaco (Oceanographic Museum, Exotic Garden) and Menton (covered halls, old town) offer excellent dry refuges by train.
FAQ
What to do in Nice when it rains?
The museums (Matisse, Lascaris, Masséna), covered shopping (Galeries Lafayette, Nice Étoile, Cap 3000), the Saint-Augustin pool, the Pathé Masséna cinema and Old Nice under the arcades.
Which museums are open on Monday in Nice?
Most museums close on Tuesdays (Matisse, Lascaris, Masséna) or Mondays (Fine Arts, Photography). Check before you go out.
Is the MAMAC open?
No, the MAMAC has been closed for renovation since January 2024, with no announced reopening date.
Is there a bowling alley in Nice?
No, none in the city centre: the closest are in Antibes and Mougins.
Where can I shop under cover in Nice?
Galeries Lafayette and Nice Étoile on Avenue Jean Médecin, plus the Cap 3000 centre in Saint-Laurent-du-Var.
Does the rain last long in Nice?
Showers pass quickly (about 98 rainy days a year). The "train" plan B to Monaco or Menton often works very well.
