Nice
Save32 hand-picked places in 10 lists. Tick the categories you want to see on the map.
Only have a day? See 3 ready-made day plans ↓10 places on the map
Rainy day
- 1
Matisse collection in a Genoese villa in Cimiez
- Must know: Closed Tuesdays
2 tips
- Combine with the Archaeology museum
- Walk through the olive grove park
📷 Photos
- 2
Biblical Message museum with large Chagall works
- Must know: Closed Tuesdays
2 tips
- See the stained glass
- Allow 1 hour
📷 Photos
- 3
Modern and contemporary art museum with a rooftop terrace
- Must know: Closed Mondays
2 tips
- Visit the rooftop for free views
- Free first Sunday of month, check
📷 Photos
- 4
17th-century Baroque palace and museum in the old town
3 tips
- Admire the staircase
- Cheap entry
- Allow 45 minutes
📷 Photos
- 5
Fine arts museum in a Genoese-style villa
- Must know: Closed Mondays
2 tips
- Free entry
- Quiet visit
📷 Photos
- 6
Belle Époque villa museum of Nice's history
3 tips
- Garden is lovely
- Cheap entry
- Next to Negresco
📷 Photos
- 7
Roman baths and ruins of ancient Cemenelum
- Must know: Closed Tuesdays
2 tips
- Combine with Matisse museum
- Allow an hour
📷 Photos
- 8
Prehistoric site of one of Europe's oldest dwellings
- Must know: Closed Mondays
2 tips
- Small museum
- Check opening hours
📷 Photos
- 9
Russian Orthodox cathedral with onion domes
- Tip: Dress code
2 tips
- Admission fee small
- Beautiful interior icons
📷 Photos
- 10
Baroque cathedral with a colourful tiled dome
3 tips
- Free entry
- Quiet escape
- Look up at the dome
📷 Photos
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Before you go: Nice tips
Transportation
- Take tram line 2 from the airport: The tram connects Nice Airport to the city centre and port, a cheap alternative to taxis.
- Ride the coastal trains: TER trains run along the coast to Villefranche, Monaco, Antibes and Cannes, ideal for easy day trips.
- Use Lignes d'Azur buses: The Lignes d'Azur network reaches hill villages like Eze; buy tickets on the app or validate a card when boarding.
Security
- Guard your bags: Pickpockets work crowded trams, trains to Monaco and the Promenade des Anglais, so keep valuables zipped.
- Watch belongings on the beach: Do not leave phones and bags unattended on the pebble beaches while you swim.
- Beware of petition scams: Decline people asking you to sign petitions or offering bracelets, as these can be distractions for theft.
Saving
- Climb Castle Hill for free: Colline du Chateau offers free panoramic views of the Baie des Anges and old town.
- Picnic from Cours Saleya: The Cours Saleya market sells fresh fruit, cheese and local produce for a cheap seaside picnic.
- Use public beaches: Skip the paid private beach clubs and spread a towel on the free public beaches along the Promenade.
Weather/Clothing
- Bring water shoes: Nice's beaches are pebbly, so water shoes or sandals make swimming and sunbathing more comfortable.
- Pack for sunny summers: Summers are hot and sunny; light clothing, a hat and sunscreen are essential for days on the coast.
- Layer up in winter: Winters are mild and often sunny, but evenings are cool, so a light coat and sweater are useful.
Cultural
- Taste socca: This crispy chickpea pancake is a Nice street-food classic, best eaten hot from vendors in Vieux Nice.
- Try authentic nicoise dishes: Sample pan bagnat, pissaladiere and a true salade nicoise, made locally without potatoes or green beans.
- Say bonjour first: Greeting staff with bonjour before ordering or asking a question is expected and earns friendlier service.
Local Hacks
- See the Carnival: Nice's Carnival in February features parades and the flower battles, a lively time to visit; book ahead.
- Hike Mont Boron: Trails on Mont Boron offer quieter walks and views over the port and Villefranche bay.
- Visit the morning flower market: Cours Saleya's flower and produce market is liveliest in the morning, before the afternoon crowds.
1-day itineraries in Nice
Only have a day? Each one keeps you in one area, from morning to late afternoon, with lunch nearby.
Day 1 of 3
Place Masséna and around
🕘 9:30–16:45📍 6 stops
- 1Jardin Albert 1er
- 2Place Masséna
- 3Cours Saleya
- 4Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate
- 5Colline du Château
- and 1 more
Day 2 of 3
Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas orthodoxe and around
🕘 9:30–17:00📍 4 stops
- 1Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas orthodoxe
- 2Musée Marc Chagall
- 3Musée Matisse
- 4Musée d'Archéologie de Nice Cimiez
Day 3 of 3
Promenade des Anglais and around
🕘 9:30–13:30📍 3 stops
- 1Promenade des Anglais
- 2Hôtel Negresco
- 3Musée des Beaux-Arts Jules Chéret
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