A real jewel of the French Riviera, Nice is more than just nice. The glittering turquoise sea, loads of sunshine and a dash of that old-style glamour makes this place a Mediterranean evergreen. Nice is never boring, never out of style. Actually, you can never run out of things to do in Nice. You can spend a whole week enjoying its lovely charm, but even just a day in Nice will leave you with some really strong impressions. As a matter of fact, one day in Nice is actually just the right amount of time to indulge in its French-Italian cuisine, visit some of the greatest masterpieces of modern art and enjoy its Mediterranean lifestyle to the fullest.
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What’s the best time to visit Nice, France?
The best time to visit Nice depends much on your interests and preferences as a traveler. Even though Nice is popular as a summer getaway, it is a year-round destination. Thanks to its world-famous shoreline, crowds are bigger during the summer months, plus expect it to be overly hot during that period. If you’re fine with skipping the beach, months of March to June and September to November will be ideal as you can still enjoy some beautiful sunny weather with less crowds and more affordable hotel deals.
TIP: Need a transport from/to an airport? Pre-book your transfer with Welcomepickups. They offer the cheapest prices and most comfortable ride along with the possibility to pre-order essential travel products.
Since Nice enjoys mild winters, it can also be a great winter retreat for travelers from north Europe. One more reason to visit Nice in the winter is the famous Nice Carnival held in February. The colorful parade takes place all over the city with giant papier-mâché floats as the ultimate attraction.
A few facts about Nice, France
Nice was founded as a Greek settlement on the shore of the Mediterranean around 350 BC. In Roman times, Cemenelum – the neighboring settlement, today a part of Nice – served as the center of Roman dominion in the region. A strong Italian influence in Nice is a result of a centuries-long association with the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia. Finally, the city became a part of France for good in 1860 under Napoleon III. Around mid-18th century, English aristocrats interested in spending their winters in Nice initiated the construction of the seaside promenade later named Promenade des Anglais (Walkway of the English). In the 20th century, the city was a mecca for modern painters – Matisse, Chagall, Picasso and Renoir have all spent time in Nice and were inspired by its soft light and turquoise sea.
One Day in Nice Itinerary
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Follow this guide and make the most of your trip even if you’re short on time. These are the top sights and things to during on your one day in Nice.
Start your day at the Cours Saleya Market
Beat the crowds and visit this most famous market first thing in the morning. The Cours Saleya Market sells everything from fresh fruit and veggies to local delicacies and flowers. On Mondays, the place turns into a flea market selling secondhand trinkets, vintage jewelry and clothes. Skip your regular breakfast and sample the wide range of regional products from the food stalls instead. It is the perfect opportunity to try some of the Niçoise specialties like socca (chickpea flour crepe), tourte de blettes (chard, raisin and pine nut pie) or pissaladière (caramelised onion tart).
Stroll the Old Town (Vieille Ville)
After you finish with the Cours Saleya Market, you will be all set to start your Vieille Ville walking tour. Actually, you will already be in the middle of the charming Old Town, so pretty much any direction you choose will be a great choice. Follow your intuition and explore the cobblestone alleys, admire the colorful Italian-style architecture and charming 17th century squares. Don’t miss checking out the City Courthouse (Palais de Justice) and the square in front of it, and visit the Baroque Cathedral of Saint Reparata on the Place Rossetti Square.
The area is packed with street-side cafés, local shops and restaurants, so it’s a great place to enjoy your morning coffee. Besides coffee, you should also try the most delicious ice-cream at Fenocchio Glacier, with almost 100 flavors to choose from.
Explore the area around the main square Place Masséna
Super close to the Old Town, but something completely different, is the expansive area around Place Masséna with loads of city landmarks and popular sights all around. Start with the Sun Fountain and the statue of Apollo on the southern side and then continue your walk towards the central part of the square. Snap a few photos of the tile work and the seven statues of the Massena Square, find your bench and watch the kids play around the fountains at the Promenade du Paillon. On the opposite side, you’ll find the beautiful park of Jardin Albert 1er which is worth a quick stroll mostly because of the lush Mediterranean vegetation and the impressive monumental arch.
Take a lunch break
It’s time for a lunch break, but luckily you won’t have to go anywhere far. The nice pedestrian street Rue Massena, lined with restaurants, pizzerias and taverns offer plenty of options. Boccaccio is a great seafood restaurant, Flavio da Milano offers some amazing tapas, La Villa d’Este restaurant has numerous different Italian dishes and La Pizza Cresci, it’s easy to guess, has some great pizzas on its menu.
Do some shopping
The center of Nice is a perfect place for some retail therapy. Avenue Jean Médecin which goes from Place Massena all the way to the train station has plenty of international chains, French boutiques, the luxurious Galeries Lafayette department store and the vast Nice Etoile shopping mall. If you crave more shopping, you can find more retailers in the streets intersecting the main avenue. While strolling the Avenue Jean Médecin, don’t miss checking out the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Nice, a vast neo-Gothic church known for its imposing twin towers and stained glass.
Spend the afternoon at the beach
Cote d’Azur may be translated as the French Riviera, but it actually means Coast of Azure and when you see it for the first time, you’ll immediately see why. The strip of beaches along the coast may be super crowded, but at the same time, it is so alluring that it’s inevitable to at least take a dip into the glittering Mediterranean. You are going to enjoy it so much you’ll probably spend the whole afternoon at the beach.
Visit one of the famous museums in Nice
In case you’re not visiting Nice during summer months, you will still have plenty of spare time in the afternoon. Since Nice boasts some of the most famous museums in the country, it would be a shame not to visit at least one. Musee National Marc Chagall and Musée Matisse both house great collections of these remarkable modern art painters, but they can’t be reached on foot, so you may have to invest some extra time with the public transport.
Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, on the other hand, is located pretty central and therefore a great option for those spending only one day in Nice. The museum contains stunning collections of American and French avant-garde art, including Yves Klein. Not only are the exhibits impressive, but the contemporary museum building is itself very inspiring.
Climb the Castle Hill
In order to enjoy the spectacular panoramic city views, climb Colline du Château, or the Castle Hill. In case you want to skip the stairs, it’s possible to reach the site using the elevator you can easily find close to the main stairs. Just search for the orange structure with the Ascenseur du Château sign. Back in the days, Castle Hill was built as a citadel used for military purposes, but nowadays it’s the city‘s most famous public park. It’s best visited at dusk because of the most spectacular sunset over the Promenade des Anglais.
Spend an evening at the Promenade des Anglais
You‘ve probably already passed through the Promenade des Anglais a couple of times during the day, but at night it transforms into something completely different. Enjoy the evening walk admiring the Belle Époque architecture, check out the enchanting Le Negresco Hotel and later move on to the beach to one of the bars where you can order yourself a glass of wine and enjoy an intimate atmosphere with the sound of the waves in the background. In case you are looking for classic American food, Hard Rock Cafe Nice might be the best place for dinner.
Where to stay in Nice?
Hotel Negresco
37 Promenade Des Anglais, 06000 Nice
If you really want to live it up on the French Riviera, Hotel Negresco is the perfect place for your stay. This famous five-star hotel has its own private beach, high brow restaurants (Le Chantecler has two Michelin stars) and loads of pieces of art guests can enjoy. Each room has its own design, and the hotel’s location is on the Promenade des Anglais, so you will be right in the middle of all. Without a doubt, this is the definition of luxury.
Arome Hotel
65, Rue de la Buffa, 06000 Nice
Staying in Nice city center is also possible if you choose the Arome Hotel. This hotel was recently renovated, so you will have practically new rooms waiting for you, all of which are designed in a modern way. The location is fantastic – just a few minutes from the Promenade des Anglais and about a 15-minute walk to the Old Town. Be advised, to get to the hotel, you will need to use a staircase, which is something to consider for people with mobility issues.
Ibis Styles Nice Centre Gare
3-5 Avenue Durante, 06000 Nice
Ibis Styles Nice Centre Gare is a hotel that offers great value for your money. It is still located fairly close to the promenade and the Old Town, but slightly secluded in a very nice neighborhood. Well equipped and very comfortable air-conditioned rooms are designed with the beach in mind and provide everything you need. Oh, and the breakfast here is quite delicious.
La Maïoun Guesthouse
1er étage 50b rue gioffredo, 06000 Nice
Those of you who are just thinking about hitting the beach in Nice should definitely consider La Maïoun Guesthouse. This hostel is located just 500m from the sea, but is also right next to the old town, so you can be wherever you want to go in a jiffy. The rooms are huge and come with a variety of appliances (kettle, microwave, toaster, fridge), but the place also has a terrace where you can relax and enjoy the view of the garden.
Day trips from Nice
While in this beautiful city, you may want to explore its surroundings, too. Yes, day trips from Nice have a lot to offer, so here are some of the most popular choices.
French Riviera
Since you’re here, why not explore the French Riviera more thoroughly? The glamour of Cannes is very close, for example, so you can immerse yourself into luxury and the life of stars. Eze, a medieval village, is also very much worthy of a visit, especially because of its perfumery. But the whole Cote d’Azur is absolutely mesmerizing, so no matter if you’re looking for luxury, history or just some peace and quiet, you’ll find it easily.
Monte Carlo
Now, this is something truly special. Monte Carlo, the city of luxury and casinos will show you the very best of French Riviera. Not only will you drive along the streets which host probably the most famous Formula 1 event in the world, but you will get to see the princely palace, loads of very fancy boutiques and generally feel like a member of the elite. Oh, and if you ever feel hungry or just want to sit down, head to Cafe de Paris, a gathering place whose tradition spans more than 150 years!
Saint-Tropez
In the 1960s, Saint-Tropez became a favorite of not just French but international jet set as well and it has remained a place with spectacular nightlife to this very day. But due to its beauty, artists also adore it. You will see why when you board a boat front Saint-Maxime and sail along the beautiful coast to this illustrious destination surrounded by incredible mountains. Fantastic beaches also await you, in Saint-Tropez, while the nearby village of Port Grimaud is often compared to Venice because of its beauty and its waterways. Another incredible destination on this magical coast and a great addition to this day trip from Nice.
Extra tips for visiting Nice
If you are a type of person that likes to have everything in check before you arrive at your destination, then you’d probably like to have a pickup transfer from or to an airport booked in advance. Airport transfer Welcome Pickups gives you not only the best possible price for that but also few other options like pre-ordering travel essential products (which then waits for you once you arrive at the airport).
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Anca B.
Anca is a travel writer and the founder of One Day Itinerary - the biggest collection of travel itineraries for those who are time-limited or just want to maximize their time while traveling. Although she easily becomes homesick for Croatia, she thinks travel is essential to her happiness. She has traveled to more countries than she is years old and doesn’t plan on changing that fact. In her travel guides she aims to inspire people to travel whenever they have a spare day (or two).
What a great service for us travelers. Well done.
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