Nicknamed Nice la Belle, i.e. “Nice the Beautiful”, Nice, France is one of the largest and most beloved cities on the French Riviera and a great starting point for your summer European holiday (and where my friends, Courtney, Kristen, and Stephanie, and my boyfriend, Tim, and I started ours!). With so many things to do in Nice, three days is the perfect amount of time to get a feel for some of what this great city has to offer.
Read on to learn more about how to get to Nice, France, what to do in Nice, France, where to stay in Nice, France, the weather in Nice, France, and more.
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A Quick Intro to Nice, France
Located on the French Riviera, on the southeastern coast of France, Nice is the second-largest city in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region (after Marseille).
Nice is known for its stunning coastline, charming old town streets, and rich artistic heritage. It’s also where notable painters like Marc Chagall, Henri Matisse, and Niki de Saint Phalle, and writers like Frank Harris, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Anton Chekhov, called home.
The city has a strong Italian influence, and examples of Belle Époque and Art Deco architecture can be found throughout the city. This is especially true along the Promenade des Anglais, which is one of the top things to do in Nice.
Nice is also known for its popular Nice Carnival, which is one of the largest and most famous carnivals in the world, dating back to the 13th century. Other notable events hosted in Nice include the Nice Jazz Festival, the Ironman France, the Nice Book Festival, the Nice Côte d’Azur Tennis Open, and the Nice Christmas Market, making Nice a great city to visit year-round!
Currency in Nice, France
Nice, France uses the Euro (€) as its currency. Though it’s always a good idea to carry some cash for small purchases or places that are cash-only, credit and debit cards are widely accepted.
Languages of Nice, France
The official language of Nice, France is French, but Italian and English are also widely spoken. Niçard, a regional dialect of Occitan, is also still spoken by some residents of Nice and the surrounding villages.
Weather in Nice, France: Best Time to Visit
Nice has a Mediterranean climate, with hot, sunny summers and mild winters, making it a great European destination all year-round.
Spring (March – May) is one of the most beautiful times to visit Nice, with blooming flowers, warm temperatures, and fewer tourists compared to the busy summer months.
Summer (June – August) is peak tourist season in Nice, which means more crowds but also fun events like the Nice Jazz Festival and the Ironman France. The weather in Nice is hot and sunny this time of year, making it the best time of year to lay on the beach and to be out on the water.
Fall (September – November) is probably the best time to visit Nice, since the weather is still warm, the Mediterranean Sea is a perfect temperature for swimming, and there are fewer crowds. This time of year is also great for hiking, exploring vineyards, and attending the Nice Wine Harvest Festival.
Winter (December – February) in Nice is mild compared to many other European cities, and the Nice Christmas Market, Monaco Christmas Village, and Nice Carnival make winter an especially fun time to visit.
A Broad Recommendation: We were in Nice at the end of August and the beginning of September, and it was still very warm—I can’t imagine visiting during the heat of the summer! It also rained one of the days, so don’t forget to pack your rain jacket.
How to Get to Nice, France
Getting to Nice is easy. You can drive, take the train, or fly to Nice, France, depending on where you’re coming from.
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is the main airport in Nice, and Nice-Ville, the main train station, is located in the city center. If you’re coming from Paris, the cheapest way to travel to Nice is by bus.
We flew from Houston to Nice on an overnight flight with a layover in London. Once we arrived, we took the 30 minute or so tram ride from the airport to the city center. Tram 2 runs every 10-20 minutes between the airport and the city center, and it’s free to ride from the airport terminals to Grand Arénas, the first tram station outside the airport.
A Broad Recommendation: Don’t buy your tram ticket at the airport, as they’re more expensive. Hop on Tram 2 and ride to Grand Arénas. Get off here, buy your ticket, and hop back on. A one-way ticket from here to the city center will cost you around €3,70.
Once you’re in Nice, you can walk to many of the city’s attractions. If you’d prefer not to walk, there are other options for getting around the city like taking the tram or using a rideshare.
How Many Days to Stay in Nice, France
There are lots of things to do in Nice, and three days in Nice is the perfect amount of time to get a feel for what this great city has to offer!
Three days in Nice allows you to experience Nice’s main attractions, to try some local dishes, and to soak up the city without feeling rushed. You may even have time for a day trip to Monaco!
Of course, if you have more time, you can spend a week or more in Nice and use it as a home base to explore other parts of the French Riviera.
Where to Stay in Nice, France
We chose to stay at two different Airbnbs during our time in Nice, as we used Nice as our home base between the US and Greece during our summer European vacation.
Our first Airbnb, Downtown Nissa la Bella, is located right off of Jean Medecin, the main avenue of Nice, and is walkable to Nice-Ville train station, the Promenade des Anglais, and lots of Nice attractions.
Our second Airbnb, Le Matisse Old Town, is located directly in Old Nice, a historic area with narrow, winding streets, and vibrant markets, and is also walkable to lots of attractions and restaurants. Unfortunately, it rained most of our second visit to Nice, so we didn’t get to take advantage of this area’s walkability as much as we would’ve liked to.
Other neighborhoods to consider for your stay in Nice include:
- Promenade des Anglais – this area has easy access to the beach, stunning views of the Mediterranean, and is close to many attractions
- Cimiez – this quiet, upscale neighborhood is known for its Roman ruins, museums, and green spaces
- Liberation – this bustling market district has a mix of residential areas, shops, and restaurants
Nice is a compact city, so no matter where you decide to stay, you’ll likely be able to walk to some if not all of the city’s main attractions, and transportation is easily accessible throughout the city if not.
3-Day Nice, France Itinerary
Now that we have all of the logistics out of the way, here’s the itinerary we followed during our three days in Nice! I’ve also included the day we arrived in Nice (day 0) and the day we departed Nice (day 4).
Note that we followed this itinerary over two different visits to Nice, with a week in Crete, Santorini, and Athens, Greece in between. Also note that it rained a lot during our final day in Nice, so we weren’t able to see as much that day.
We felt that our 3-day Nice itinerary gave us a taste of some of what this great city has to offer—literally, since we tried lots of Nice restaurants while we were here, haha—and we were even able to fit in a day trip to Monaco! Of course, you can modify this 3-day Nice itinerary to fit your own interests, but hopefully this will give you a good starting point.
Day 0:
- Arrive at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (we arrived in the evening)
- Take the tram to your hotel or Airbnb
- Check into your hotel or Airbnb
- Have dinner at Chez Moi
Day 1:
- Grab coffee or breakfast at Le Grand Café de Lyon
- Have lunch at Le Grand Café de France
- Walk along the Promenade des Anglais
- Head down to the beach & dip your toes in the Mediterranean
- Have gelato at Amorino Gelato Al Naturale
- Stop at the Place Messena & Fountaine du Soleil
- Explore Old Nice
- Grab drinks at the Hôtel du Couvent
- Walk up Castle Hill
- Have dinner at Peixes
Day 2:
Day 3:
- Have brunch at Maison Mariass 1901 or Maranna (we had an extra morning in Nice & tried the first one before flying to Crete, Greece)
- Explore more of Old Nice & walk along the Promenade des Anglais again
- Have dinner at Le Panier
Day 4:
- Have breakfast at Le Sunset-Nice
- Check-out from your hotel or Airbnb
- Take the tram to the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport
- Fly home or to your next destination
Nice, France Attractions: Things to Do in Nice
Now it’s time to check out some of the best things to do in Nice! Here’s what we did during our time in Nice.
#ILoveNice Sign
First things first, when you arrive at the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, you’ll want to grab a photo in front of the iconic #ILoveNice sign! This is a quick and fun thing to do in Nice, and can be done on your way in or out of the city.
Chez Moi
If you arrive late in the evening like we did, Chez Moi stays open later than other restaurants in the area and offers a delicious 2- or 3-course menu with large portions for each course.
I got the sardines for my starter and the chicken for my meal, and both were delicious. I also tried some of the serrano ham that Tim ordered, and that was also yummy!
Le Grand Café de Lyon
The next morning, Tim and I made our way to Le Grand Café de Lyon for some coffee and to do some people watching. They have a large patio, where we sat and enjoyed the view of the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Nice and the beautiful morning weather.
Le Grand Café de France
Once our friend, Stephanie, arrived in Nice later that morning, we made our way to Le Grand Café de France, another yummy restaurant with outdoor seating and a nice vibe. I had the mussels and some local wine, and both were delicious!
La Promenade des Anglais
After lunch, we made our way to the Promenade des Anglais, i.e. the Walkway of the English. The Promenade des Anglais is a famous seaside boulevard with gorgeous views of the Mediterranean and one of the top things to do in Nice, France.
Originally constructed in the 1820s, the promenade got its name from the English aristocrats who came to Nice to vacation during the winters and helped fund the promenade’s development. Today, the 4.3-mile walkway is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike. It’s used for walking, cycling, rollerblading, etc. and is lined with palm trees, hotels, cafes, and restaurants.
Along the way, keep an eye out for the miniature Statue of Liberty, the Nice Opera House, and the Neuf Lignes Obliques, which commemorates the 150th anniversary of the annexation of Nice by France. You may also see a metal structure out in the water (across from the Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée). This is all that’s left of the Casino de la Jetée-Promenade, which was built during La Belle Époque period. Sadly, the casino didn’t survive the two World Wars and was never rebuilt.
Nice Beaches
While walking along the Promenade des Anglais, you’ll likely want to dip your toes into the Mediterranean!
Nice has lots of public and private beaches, some of which have areas for water activities and others that are strictly for swimming, and relaxing on the beach is one of the best ways to spend one of your three days in Nice.
If you have a full day to relax on the beach, consider checking out one of Nice’s fun beach clubs. Or you can just grab a towel and hang out on one of Nice’s pebbly beaches, like Plage Beau Rivage or Plage Castel.
We were originally planning to do a full beach day during our last day in Nice, but it ended up raining all day, so unfortunately, we’ll just have to do that next time!
Amorino Gelato Al Naturale
No visit to Nice (or the French Riviera) is complete without trying some gelato. After dipping our toes in the sea, we popped into Amorino Gelato Al Naturale, a gelateria with yummy, non-traditional gelato flavors, milkshakes, and other cold and hot drinks.
Amorino Gelato Al Naturale is unique in that they only use carefully sourced ingredients, all of which are free of preservatives, artificial flavors, and flavor enhancers. Customers can select the size of their cone or cup, choose one or more flavors, and even add a gelato-filled macaron to the top of their treat.
Place Masséna
Just a two-minute walk from the Promenade des Anglais, the Place Masséna is a historic square in Nice, named for André Masséna.
The square is lined with palm trees, fountains, and statues and has striking red buildings and distinctive checkerboard pavement. It’s used for concerts, summer festivals, the Nice Carnival in February, the military procession on Bastille Day, and other events and celebrations throughout the year.
A main feature of the square (and one of the most popular attractions in Nice) is the Fontaine du Soleil, i.e. the Fountain of the Sun.
The fountain features a 23-foot-tall statue of Apollo, the Greek sun god, surrounded by five bronze statues, representing the planets Earth, Mars, Venus, Mercury, and Saturn. French sculptor Alfred Janniot positioned these in a circular formation around the statue of Apollo to symbolize the solar system.
Unveiled in 1956, the statue was not initially well-received and was eventually removed in 1970. But, it’s since been restored and can now be visited during your trip to Nice!
Old Nice
Next, we made our way through Old Nice, which is a vibrant, historic, and picturesque part of the city. The Old Town is situated at the foot of Castle Hill and has narrow, winding streets, colorful Mediterranean buildings, lots of local shops, boutiques, cafes and restaurants, and more!
While exploring Old Nice, we popped into the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate, a beautiful Baroque cathedral, stopped by the Cours Saleya Market, a bustling open-air market that’s known for its flowers, fresh produce, and local specialties, and of course, did some souvenir shopping.
A Broad Recommendation: If you’re visiting Nice on a Monday, the Cours Saleya transforms into an antiques market, where you can search for vintage furniture, artwork, collectibles, and other secondhand treasures. We were lucky enough to see this during our last morning in Nice!
Hôtel du Couvent
After exploring Old Nice, as we started making our way up to Castle Hill, we stopped at Hôtel du Couvent for some drinks.
A former convent of the 17th century, much of the hotel’s structure has been restored and refreshed. The hotel’s courtyard is surrounded by a large poppy garden and orange trees, making this the perfect spot for an afternoon drink.
Between our group of five, we tried the Rinquinquin, Convent Spritz, Espresso Martini, French 75, and Dolin Chambéryzette, and can report that they were all delicious! Plus, the bartender brought each of us a complimentary glass of champagne, which was very kind.
Castle Hill
Situated atop a hill, overlooking the bay of Nice, the Castle of Nice was used as a military citadel from the 11th to 18th century, when it was destroyed by French troops by command of Louis XIV.
Now, Castle Hill, the hill on which the Castle of Nice once stood, is the most popular public park in Nice and one of the top things to do in Nice. Castle Hill offers incredible, panoramic views of Nice Port, the Promenade des Anglais, and everything in between. The area also features an archaeological site, lovely gardens, and a man-made waterfall.
We spent about an hour here walking up the hill, stopping to take photos, and exploring the area.
A Broad Recommendation: To get to the top of Castle Hill, you’ll have to climb several sets of stairs, so be sure to wear comfortable walking shoes like these Women’s Weekends or Sabrina Women’s Sandals, and bring some water with you. Or, you can opt to take the elevator if you don’t want to hike all the way up.
Peixes
After visiting Castle Hill, we’d all worked up quite the appetite and made our way back down to the Old Town to find a spot for dinner. Our Airbnb host recommended Peixes, a restaurant known for its innovative seafood dishes with a South American twist, and when we arrived, we could tell it was popular—the line was out the door and there was a 45 minute wait!
Luckily, we were able to split a bottle of wine while we waited outside.
Since 2015, Peixes has been modernizing seafood by combining flavors and textures from both South America and the Mediterranean. Their menu offers oysters, ceviche, carpaccio, tartare, tataki, and more (don’t worry, there are non-seafood options too!), and everything is absolutely delicious.
Boulangerie la Clémentine
The next morning, we grabbed some pain au chocolat and quiche from the Boulangerie la Clémentine, a bakery close by to our Airbnb. This spot is easy and convenient if you’re looking for a quicker breakfast option, and the food is good.
Day Trip to Monaco
After breakfast, we embarked on an awesome day trip to Monaco from Nice, France.
Monaco, officially the Principality of Monaco, is the second smallest country in the world, after Vatican City, and is less than 10 miles away from Nice, France, making it an easy day trip during your three days in Nice.
Monaco is known for its infamous Monte-Carlo Casino, prestigious Formula 1 races, luxury yachts, and lavish hotels, and a day trip to Monaco from Nice is a great way to see some of what this luxurious country has to offer!
Le Lodge
After our adventure-packed day in Monaco, we made our way back to Nice for dinner at Le Lodge, another yummy restaurant in Old Nice.
Le Lodge features a seasonal menu, along with authentic Italian pizzas, and uses fresh local products, most of which are imported from Italy.
Our food was tasty, but I will note that the service was slow, especially at the end of the evening when we were trying to order an entrée to go and to pay our bill.
Maison Mariass 1901
On the last day of our first visit to Nice, we had brunch at Maison Mariass 1901, a quaint breakfast spot near our Airbnb, before flying to Crete, Greece, the next stop of our summer European holiday.
Maison Mariass 1901 has a charming atmosphere with outdoor seating, offers a fixed brunch menu with a couple of options, and has impeccable service. If you have an extra morning in Nice, you should definitely consider eating here.
Maranna
That being said, if you only have time for one brunch spot in Nice, Maranna is a must!
Located in the heart of Old Nice, Maranna was founded by two sisters from Nice, who were inspired by their grandmother’s love of cooking. Their refined, gourmet menu reflects flavors inspired by their travels, and the restaurant has a cozy, cave-like setting.
We tried the pancakes, salmon, eggs, salad, coffee, and some specialty juices, and everything was delicious. Between the yummy food and the charming setting, we really can’t recommend this popular Nice brunch spot enough.
A Broad Recommendation: Get here early! Maranna is popular, and you’ll likely have to wait a while, especially if you have a larger party (of 4 or more) like we did.
Le Panier
Unfortunately, our last day in Nice was very rainy, so after brunch, we spent some time inside watching Netflix. Once the rain let up, we were able to explore more of Old Nice and walk along the Promenade des Anglais again for a bit.
However, the highlight of our last day in Nice was our dinner at Le Panier. Le Panier is a French restaurant in Old Nice that offers a 5- or 7-course blind tasting menu, influenced by flavors from Chef Aurélien Martin’s travels. Each course is precisely crafted, and the menu changes monthly, so you’ll have a different experience each time you visit.
Le Panier was our favorite dinner spot in Nice! We highly recommend a visit if you’re looking for an impressive culinary experience to round out your trip to Nice, France. Just be sure to make a reservation in advance, as this is another popular Nice restaurant.
Other Things to Do in Nice, France
If you have more than three days in Nice, France, the options are truly endless! Here are some other things to do in Nice that we’d like to try next time.
- Check out one of Nice’s beach clubs and have a beach day
- Situated on the hill of Cimiez in a 17th-century Genoese villa, the Musée Matisse houses a vast collection of works by the famous French artist Henri Matisse
- Dedicated to the works of the renowned 20th-century artist Marc Chagall, the Musée Marc Chagall features biblical-themed paintings, sculptures, and stained glass windows
- Set in a beautiful, 19th-century villa, the Museum of Fine Arts of Nice is one of the city’s most prestigious art museums and houses an extensive collection of European art from the 16th to the 20th centuries
- Known for its striking, contemporary architecture, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art showcases—you guessed it!—modern and contemporary art, featuring movements such as Pop Art, Minimalism, New Realism, and American Abstraction
- The Promenade du Paillon is a long green space that stretches from the Promenade des Anglais to the National Theater and features fountains, playgrounds, sculptures, and more
- The Russian Orthodox Cathedral is the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Western Europe and boasts some stunning architecture
- Just a short drive or bus ride away, Èze is a medieval village perched on a hill with stunning views and charming streets, and is a great day trip from Nice
- Known for its historic old town, Antibes is a picturesque town with beautiful beaches, home to the Picasso Museum, and another a great day trip from Nice
Well, there you have it! Three days in Nice, France is the perfect amount of time to explore this Mediterranean gem, and if you have more than three days, there are lots of other things to do in Nice too! What will you be doing first?
XOXO Sara at Travel A-Broads
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