Oh, the French Riviera…one of my favorite vacation destinations. With electric blue waters, glamorous ocean front patios, an abundance of sunshine, and ridiculously good food, what’s not to love? While there are several coastal towns that make up the French Riviera, Nice has to be my favorite. I personally think that Nice offers more culture and authenticity than some of it’s glitzy and glamorous neighbors (for example, Cannes and St. Tropez). Plus, with a selection of sandy beaches, a lively bustling old town and port, and a wide array of restaurants and market vendors…there’s plenty to do and see in the area. Check out my weekend guide to Nice below!
When to Visit Nice
With over 300 sunny days a year and a mild Mediterranean climate, there really is no bad time to visit Nice! However, my recommendation would be to plan a visit during the shoulder season (typically mid-September through the end of October; or March through late April) to take advantage of cheaper hotel rates and flights (which can be double the price during peak season!). We visited Nice in early October – the weather was magnificent (think short-sleeve shirts and summer dresses), and the city was not overrun with tourists.
Where to Stay in Nice
For a no-frills but still ’boutique’ hotel experience, check out Hotel La Villa Victor Hugo. We liked that the hotel was located in a quiet area but still within walking distance of all the sights (for example, the Place Massena and the beachfront were only a 10-minute walk away). Plus, it was located 5-minutes away from the central train station which was very convenient for taking day trips to the various neighboring villages.
Related Post: 15 Photos to Inspire You to Visit Menton, France
If you’re visiting Nice on a romantic getaway, or are looking for a luxurious stay….look no further than the iconic Hotel Negresco. Situated on the Promenade des Anglais, this hotel features a private beach, a Michelin-starred restaurant (Le Chantecler), and lavish rococo furnishings. Even if you can’t afford to stay here (we certainly couldn’t!), it’s worth making a stop here to check out the hotel’s famous bright pink dome, and it’s quirky and colorful interior design.
What to Do in Nice
Place Massena
Stop by Place Massena, the largest square in Vieux Nice. Place Massena features a checkered floor bordered by colorful pink facades and is worth a pretty picture (if you follow me on Instagram, you’ll know that I have a slight obsession with pink buildings…so you can imagine my delight/husbands embarrassment when I ran into the square with a big, happy squeal). From there, the Albert I Garden is just a short walk away, and features a spectacular fountain display (also known as the Triton’s Fountain) and a tropical garden.
Marches au Fleurs
Visit one of the most famous markets in France, the Marche au Fleurs (flower market) in Cours Saleya. This bustling market offers a huge selection of flowers, as well as fresh produce, dried goods, handmade crafts, and local snacks. It’s a great place for people-watching, or enjoying a glass of chilled rosé from one of the surrounding cafes.
TIP: Make this a morning/early afternoon stop on your itinerary. The flower market is open for most of the day (closes at 5:30pm) but the food stalls are only open in the mornings.
Castle Park
Afterwards, head towards Castle Park (Parc de la Colline du Chateau) for panoramic views of the town, beaches, and Old Port. Here, the ruins of the former Chateau de Nice can be found, along with a couple of snack bars, cafes, and public lookout points.
TIP: There are several walking paths that you can take to get to Castle Park, but all of them require walking uphill. For those who prefer not to walk, there is a free elevator (called Ascenseur du Chateau) near the beach end of the hill.
Beach Promenade
Stroll along the Promenade de Anglais (beach boulevard), an iconic stretch along the coast where private and public beaches, and several restaurants line the boulevard. Relax under one of the famous blue umbrellas with a beverage in hand, and let the world go by!
Visit a Museum
For those who love art history, there are several famous art museums including the Musee Matisse (dedicated to Matisse and several of his Nice-based creations), Musee Marc Chagall, and Musee Renoir (Renoir’s former home).
Old Town
We spent several hours roaming the streets of the Old Town, finding delight in the colorful doors and narrow alleys. At night, the Old Town comes alive. It’s an ideal place to wander, check out the shops, and enjoy the general buzzing atmosphere.
Day Trip to Menton
If you have time, take a day trip to a neighboring city. Menton (a sleep seaside town) is only a 40-minute train ride away (check out my related post here), and Monte Carlo is only a 20-minute train ride away.
Related Post: 15 Photos to Inspire you to Visit Menton, France
Where to Eat in Nice
Heart-shaped Pizza
The best pizza I ever had was in Nice, at a little place near the Old Port called Les Amoureux. This restaurant serves Neapolitan-style pizza, featuring fresh local ingredients and a whole lot of love (so much love in fact, that females get their pizza in the shape of hearts!). The pizza was divine, and only made better by the warm (but no-frills) atmosphere of the restaurant and hospitality of the owners. We didn’t make reservations and had to wait in a queue for 20-minutes…but the owner was nice enough to bring out free glasses of prosecco for the wait. We even got a free shot of limoncello and a spoonful of pistachio cream for dessert!
Street Food
You can’t visit Nice without trying one of it’s famous local dishes, socca. Socca is essentially a baked chickpea pancake – it sounds simple, but it’s absolutely delicious. There are several socca stands located next to the morning flower market so be sure to check it out!
TIP: In Nice there is a special certificate given to restaurants who specialize in local, traditional cuisine. Look for the signs with the label “Cuisine Nissarde” (there are only a handful of restaurants that have this special designation), if you’re looking for a gourmet local dining experience.
Ice Cream
Fenocchio in the Old Town is famous for their assortment of ice cream (they have over 90 different ice cream flavors)! Of course, Kevin went for his normal ‘go-to’ Gjandujia (chocolate hazelnut), and I went for an adventurous grapefruit-basil and avocado combo!
Tuna Nicoise
If you want to experience fine dining (but still get a good value), check out La Rotonde Brasserie in the Hotel Negresco. Although dinner can get quite expensive, the lunch menu is reasonably priced. They offer a stellar Tuna Nicoise salad (when in Nice right?) and cheese plate. Best of all, the restaurant is designed to mimic a carousel with bright colorful wooden horses and a whimsical look-and-feel.
Crepes
Confiserie Ballanger located close to Place Massena specializes in crazy dessert concoctions to satisfy any sweet tooth craving. Choose from an assortment of crepes, donuts, waffles, churros, shakes, and ice cream – we ordered a salted caramel and white chocolate crepe and I’m still dreaming about it.
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I will be visiting Nice this summer for a week with my husband and 2 adult children. I just google earthed an apartment that I liked. As I made my way to the beach, it just seemed as if there was a walking path. Is there a public beach on the other side of that promenade?
Hi Ida. Yes! There are a combo of public and private beaches along the promenade that you can take advantage of. One option is Beau Rivage Public Beach which is one of the more popular public beaches. Hope that helps!