Things to do in Nice: the complete guide
Nice is a walking city: a seafront listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, an old town of colourful lanes, first-rate museums and a sea at 25 °C in September. Here is how to plan your stay, with detailed guides for every step.
“What to do in Nice?” The answer depends on how much time you have, the season and what you feel like at the time. This page gathers the essentials and points to our detailed guides: for each section, a link to explore further.
The highlights
If you were only to see six things, these would be them.
The Promenade des Anglais: seven kilometres of seafront, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site together with the French Riviera. Our guide to the Promenade
The Old Town (Vieux Nice): lanes, ochre façades, the market and the smell of pissaladière. Visiting the Old Town
Cours Saleya: flower and fruit market in the morning, terraces in the evening. Cours Saleya
The Castle Hill (colline du Château): the best view over the bay, free of charge. Castle Hill Park
Place Masséna: the large square with its red and black chequered pattern, between the Old Town and avenue Jean Médecin. Place Masséna
The marina (port de plaisance): boats, restaurants and the starting point for sea excursions. The port of Nice
Museums and monuments
Nice has a density of museums rare for a city of this size, and most are free for the permanent collections.
- Matisse Museum and archaeology museum, in the Cimiez arenas;
- MAMAC, modern and contemporary art, and its terrace;
- Jules Chéret Museum of Fine Arts;
- Villa Masséna, Palais Lascaris, Russian church;
- Natural History Museum, Photography Museum, Museum of Naive Art.
Opening hours, closures and up-to-date prices: all the museums of Nice.
Neighbourhoods: where to base yourself
Your choice of neighbourhood completely changes the experience. Between the seafront, the Old Town, the port, the shopping centre and the heights of Cimiez, the atmospheres are worlds apart, and so are the prices.
Where to stay in Nice: recommended and avoided neighbourhoods. For two specific areas: Victor Hugo (centre, young and lively) and Cimiez (calm, Belle Époque).
Beaches and swimming
Nice has pebble beaches along almost the entire seafront, a few rare sandy stretches, and private beaches with sun loungers and parasols.
Markets and shopping
Nice's markets set the rhythm of the week: fruit and vegetables and flowers, flea market, antiques depending on the day.
Nice's markets: days and opening hours · Where to go shopping in Nice
Where to eat
From socca to Michelin-starred restaurants, Nice covers every budget. To understand what is eaten here: Nice's local specialities.
Depending on the weather and the time of day
- With children: 15 activities for the whole family;
- When it rains: 15 indoor outing ideas;
- In the evening: bars, rooftops and where to go out;
- In winter: Christmas and the mountains 90 minutes away.
How many days, what budget, which period?
| Duration | Typical programme | Not to be missed |
|---|---|---|
| 24 h | Promenade des Anglais, Old Town, Castle Hill | The view from the Château, the day you will want to come back for |
| 48 h | + Cours Saleya, Cimiez, a beach day | The market in the morning, Matisse and the arenas in the afternoon |
| 3 days | + museums, the Old Town by night, a first train excursion | Chagall or Matisse, then Èze or Villefranche |
| 1 week | The whole Côte d'Azur without a car, at a relaxed pace | Monaco, Cap Ferrat, Saint-Paul-de-Vence |
Each row unfolds in the detailed guides on this page, and you can work out the stages with our daily budget.
- 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 easy to explore on foot, and the tram covers longer journeys for 1.70 €. From the airport, everything is detailed in our transfer guide.
Nice tram and bus: routes 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, sightseeing train and open-top bus.
If you are chaining visits together, compare before you buy: is the French Riviera Pass worth it?
For a different way to discover Nice and meet local people, English in Nice organises free Walk & Talk meetups, combining a stroll through the city with a friendly exchange between French and English speakers. It’s a lovely opportunity to experience local life and practise both languages in a relaxed atmosphere.
Bus, Segway or e-bike: choose your sightseeing tour →
Around Nice
The Côte d'Azur is very 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 · walks without a car.
For more inspiration when exploring the region beyond Nice, discover French Moments’ guide to the French Riviera, featuring destinations, cultural highlights and ideas for discovering the Côte d’Azur.
When to come: the big events
The calendar of major events in Nice lists the year: Carnival in February, Nice Jazz Fest in July, marathon and half-marathon in the autumn. For gardens, the Parc Phoenix is open all year round.
A hotel for exploring Nice on foot
Central areas and places near the tram make this itinerary easier. Compare availability, then check the hotel’s address.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need to visit Nice?
Two days are enough for the highlights; three to four days let you add the museums and an excursion. Our 1, 2 or 3-day planner builds the itinerary to suit your pace.
What is there to do in Nice when it rains?
Museums, galleries, covered markets and cooking workshops: our Nice when it rains guide lists 15 indoor outings.
What is there to do in Nice in the evening?
Cocktail bars in the Old Town, rooftops with views over the bay and dinners on terraces: see our Nice at night guide.
Can you visit Nice without a car?
Yes. The tram, buses and regional train cover the city and most excursions. See Nice tram and bus.
What is the best neighbourhood for a first stay?
The Old Town for atmosphere, Les Musiciens for a balance between centre and calm, the port for the seafront without the crowds. See where to stay in Nice.
Do I need to book entry tickets in advance?
For Chagall, the Villa Ephrussi and guided tours, yes in high season: the morning slots go quickly. Municipal museums can be visited without a reservation.
What can I do in Nice in just one day?
In the morning at Cours Saleya, in the afternoon in the lanes of the Old Town, and at the end of the day on Castle Hill. Our 1, 2 or 3-day planner details the itinerary.
New guides published
- Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: tickets, hours and access;
- Marc Chagall National Museum: tickets and hours;
- The exotic garden of Èze: access and tickets from Nice;
- The Menton Lemon Festival: dates and access;
- Cannes beach clubs: Croisette and Juan-les-Pins;
- The Monte-Carlo Masters: tickets and access from Nice;
- Brunch in Nice: addresses and prices;
- Water activities: kayaking, paddleboarding and snorkelling;
- The Opéra de Nice: programme and tickets;
- The Monte-Carlo Casino: visit and dress code;
- The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco: tickets and access;
- Sainte-Réparate Cathedral: visit and opening hours;
- The Allianz Riviera: OGC Nice, concerts and access.
Where to stay and how to get around
- Where to stay in Nice: neighbourhoods, hotels, rentals and campsites;
- Renting an apartment in Nice: platforms, neighbourhoods and regulations;
- Car rental in Nice: agencies, pick-up and tips.
Staying connected during your stay
- eSIM France and Europe: which travel SIM card to choose;
- Prepaid SIM card in France: prices and operators;
- SIM card and eSIM in Nice: where to buy in town.
Three guides to see Nice differently
- Viewpoints and photo spots in Nice: Castle Hill, Rauba-Capeu, Mont Boron, the water mirror;
- Notable churches and chapels: Nice baroque, opening hours and free entry;
- Illusion Nice: the illusion museum on rue Masséna, tickets and opening hours.
