Holidays to Nice
Nice highlights
Wander through history
Take a trip into the past on your city break in Nice, where you’ll wander by medieval walls and baroque palaces on cobblestone lanes. Admire ceiling frescoes at the Lascaris Palace and see painted cherubs inside the Church of Saint Jacques le Majeur. At Grotte du Lazaret, discover a cave with remnants of prehistoric humans at the foot of Mont Boron.
Taste Provence
Before a lunch of zucchini blossom beignets and saucy ratatouille, sip anise-flavoured ‘pastis.’ Then say ‘sante’ (cheers) to Provence-Cote d’Azur cuisine with a glass of rosé. Along with its famous nicoise salad, Nice specialises in ‘pan bagnat’, sandwiches usually filled with olives, tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs and tuna drenched in olive oil. For dessert, deep-fried ‘ganses’ pastries will melt in your mouth.
Explore the French Riviera
Holidays to Nice put you on the doorstep of medieval villages and seaside towns that epitomise Rivieran glamour. Catch a train from Nice-Ville station to stroll around Menton’s Serre de la Madone Garden or walk the Nietzsche Path to Plage d’Eze. Linger in Cannes for celebrity-spotting with sunset drinks along Promenade de la Croisette.
Nice: Know before you go
| Language | French |
|---|---|
| Currency | Euro (€) |
| Time zone | UTC+1 (CET) and UTC+2 (CEST) |
| High season | July – August |
| Low season | January – February |
Find the best time to go to Nice
Weather in Nice
March – April: Spring days are usually warm enough to lie in the sun or take a dip in the sea. Pack a jacket for chillier evenings, but expect to be comfortable dining al fresco.
May – August: Nice’s peak summer season is hot and humid. The near-constant sunshine makes it the perfect time to enjoy the city’s beach and famous Promenade des Anglais.
September – October: Warm, pleasant autumn weather lets you relax on the beach without having to deal with crowds.
November – February: A bit chilly for beach days, Nice’s winters are generally mild with temperatures hovering around 15°C.
Events in Nice
Carnaval de Nice (February or March): A 15-day pre-Lenten festival, this historic Carnival features parades, floats, live music and fireworks.
Festin des Cougourdons (March): Local folk traditions and decorated gourds take centre stage at this annual spring festival. Live music, dancing and food round out the celebrations.
La Fête de Mai (May): Set in the Jardins des Arènes de Cimiez, this spring festival celebrates local language and culture. Don’t miss traditional dances, music and vendors selling local food specialities.
Nice Jazz Festival (July): Started in 1948, this music festival showcases established and emerging jazz musicians, as well as neo soul, electronic pop and classic rock concerts.
The best neighbourhoods in Nice
Quartier Jean-Medecin
If you love shopping along grand boulevards and sipping cocktails on ritzy rooftops, Jean-Medecin is the best area to stay in Nice. Gaze at the fountains and statues dotting the checkerboard paving of Place Massena, the city’s central square. After filling your shopping bags and dining at chic French restaurants, relax in Promenade du Paillon park.
Good for: Shopping, restaurants, rooftop bars
Vieux Nice
Wondering where to stay in Nice for a history fix on your way to markets and museums? Consider the Old Town, where the 1700s are still on fine display. Pick up foodie treats at Cours Saleya and rummage for vintage treasures at the Monday flea market. Keep your camera ready for Baroque wonders like the ornate Sainte Reparate Cathedral, the religious heart of the city for more than 400 years.
Good for: Museums, markets, churches
Riquier
Planning on taking day trips around the French Riviera? Stay within a few steps of the train station in Riquier. The leafy neighbourhood is refreshingly residential and rests behind the upmarket port. And hotel prices here won’t break the bank for cheap holidays to Nice. It’s a quick walk down to the harbour, where yachts bob on the water and Place Garibaldi hosts sunset aperitifs.
Good for: Train station, parks, harbour
Things to do in Nice
Family friendly things to do
You’ll always find fun things to do with family in Nice along the Prom. Pick up electric bikes and cycle to a new ice cream shop each day. For an easy day trip, drive about 15 minutes to the beaches and cobbled stairways of Villefranche-sur-Mer. Rainy day? The indoor playground at Kid City Nice has you covered.
Shopping
Pack your comfy shoes for shopping in Nice because once you start, it’s hard to stop. Avenue Jean Medecin is worth dedicating at least a day to, with Galeries Lafayette, designer stores and Centre Commercial NICETOILE. You’ll be spoilt for choice with markets, including book and antique vendors, at the Place du Palais de Justice market.
Take in the culture
It’s worth getting a Nice Museum Pass for discounts to museums in Nice. Art fans flock to the Matisse Museum to marvel at the master’s paintings and sculptures. MAMAC is home to a trove of contemporary art, while Massena Museum lets you peer into the opulent lives of French nobility. To learn everything you need to know about Olympic Games history, check out the Musee National du Sport.
Nightlife
The nightlife in Nice is some of the best in the French Riviera. Dress up for an evening of classical music at the sumptuous Opera de Nice. If casual is more your thing, join pub crawls in the Old Town for pints with live music. You’re never far from a trendy bar between Port Lympia and Place Garibaldi. Ready to dance all night? High Club on the promenade hosts celebrity DJs.
Places to eat
You’ll need to book early to dine at the best restaurants in Nice, including Michelin-starred Flaveur and Restaurant JAN. Otherwise there’s a traditional bistro for ‘socca’ (chickpea pancakes) around most corners in the Old Town. From seafood restaurants in Quartier du Port, watch the yachts glide by. Find upmarket international cuisine in the hip Liberation neighbourhood.
Beaches
Beaches in Nice don’t get more glamorous than the private Opera Beach. Iconic white-and-blue parasols shade holidaymakers while diners eat grilled prawns on the restaurant terrace. Take the kids to Blue Beach for watersports in front of the famous hotel Le Negresco. It’s best to arrive early for a spot on petite La Reserve beach with its photogenic diving platform.
Get ready for Nice
Budget
Despite the city’s glitzy reputation, a cheap holiday in Nice is doable. This is especially true if you can manage to avoid the peak summer season. Expect to pay around 20 euros (€) for an inexpensive meal and under €5 for a coffee. Walking or using public transport will save you money. But if you need a taxi, a short ride should cost less than €12.
Day Trips from Nice
If you’re craving more French Riviera glamour, you’ll want to check out Cannes, half an hour from Nice by train. Prefer a more relaxed scene? You can reach Menton in the same amount of time.Nestled between the Alps and the Mediterranean, the picturesque town is known for its old port, pastel-coloured houses and annual lemon festival.
Getting Around Nice
Hop on the tram for a 20-minute ride from the airport to the city. The local public transportation network is run by Lignes d’Azur, and daily and weekly passes are available. There’s not much point having a car in walkable Nice, though it’s great for day trips. Otherwise, trains depart from Nice-Ville, Nice-Riquier and Nice Saint-Augustin stations.
