Things to do in Nice: the complete guide

Updated on 15 September 2026

“What is there to do in Nice?” The answer depends on how much time you have, the season and your mood. This page gathers the essentials and links to our detailed guides: every section points to the next step.

The must-sees

If you only saw six things, these would be them.

• The Promenade des Anglais: seven kilometres of seafront, listed as UNESCO World Heritage with the French Riviera. Our Promenade guide
• Old Nice: narrow lanes, ochre facades, market smells and socca. Visiting Old Nice
• Cours Saleya: flower and produce market in the morning, terraces in the evening. Cours Saleya
• Castle Hill: the best view over the bay, and it is free. Castle Hill park
• Place Masséna: the big red-and-black chequered square between the old town and avenue Jean Médecin. Place Masséna
• The port: boats, restaurants and the departure point for boat trips. Nice harbour

Museums and monuments

Nice has an unusual density of museums for a city this size, and most permanent collections are free.

• Matisse Museum and the Archaeology Museum, in the Cimiez arenas;
• MAMAC, modern and contemporary art, with its rooftop terrace;
• Fine Arts Museum Jules Chéret;
• Villa Masséna, Palais Lascaris, the Russian church;
• Natural History Museum, Photography Museum, Naive Art Museum.

Up-to-date opening times, closures and prices: all Nice museums.

Districts: where to stay

The district you choose changes everything. Seafront, old town, port, shopping centre or the heights of Cimiez: the atmospheres have nothing in common — and neither do the prices.

Where to stay in Nice: recommended districts and ones to avoid. For two specific areas: Victor Hugo (central and lively) and Cimiez (quiet, Belle Époque).

Beaches and swimming

Nice is pebbly along almost the whole seafront, with a few sandy stretches and private beaches offering sunbeds and parasols.

• Nice beaches: which one to pick;
• Private beaches: sunbed prices and tips.

Markets and shopping

Nice markets set the rhythm of the week: produce and flowers, flea markets and antiques depending on the day.

Nice markets: days and times · Where to go shopping in Nice

Where to eat

From socca to Michelin-starred tables, Nice covers every budget. To understand what people eat here: Niçois specialities.

• Eating on a budget;
• Vegetarian and vegan.

Depending on weather and mood

• With children: 15 activities for the whole family;
• When it rains: 15 indoor ideas;
• In the evening: bars, rooftops and nightlife;
• In winter: Christmas and mountains 90 minutes away.

How many days, what budget, which season?

• Visiting Nice in 1, 2 or 3 days: our itinerary planner;
• What budget to plan for a stay in Nice;
• Nice on a small budget;
• When to visit Nice (weather and climate).

Getting around

Nice is very walkable, and the tram covers longer hops for €1.70. From the airport, everything is detailed in our transfer guide.

Tram and bus in Nice: lines and PDF maps · Nice airport: transfer, tram, taxi and shuttle

Guided tours and activities

To understand the city differently: guided tours of Nice, boat trips, tourist train and panoramic bus.

If you plan several visits, compare before you buy: is the French Riviera Pass worth it?

Around Nice

The French Riviera is easy to visit by train or bus, without a car. Our guides by destination:

• Èze · Monaco and Monte-Carlo · Menton;
• Villefranche-sur-Mer · Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat · Cannes;
• Saint-Paul-de-Vence · Vence · Cagnes-sur-Mer;
• Vésubie valley · Verdon Gorge · hikes without a car.

When to come: the big dates

The calendar of major events in Nice covers the year: Carnival in February, Nice Jazz Fest in July, marathon and half-marathon in autumn. For gardens, Parc Phoenix is open all year.

Frequently asked questions