Things to Do in Nice, France (2026)

Why Nice works as a Riviera base

Most travelers underestimate Nice and over-estimate Cannes and Monaco. Nice is the only major Côte d'Azur city with a real, lived-in old town, a working port, an international airport, and direct coastal trains every 15–30 minutes to all the famous neighbors. You can spend a week here, never rent a car, and see most of the Riviera at a relaxed pace.

The 8 things to actually do in Nice

1. Get lost in Vieux Nice

The old town is a tangle of ochre lanes between the Promenade and Castle Hill. No must-see — just wander. Stop for socca at Chez Pipo or René Socca. Visit the baroque Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate. Buy a glass of pastis at any cave à vin.

2. Cours Saleya morning market

Tuesday–Sunday mornings the long pedestrian square fills with flowers and produce stalls — Provençal tomatoes, lavender bouquets, candied fruit, local olive oil. Mondays it switches to an antique market. Get there before 10:30 AM for the best stalls.

3. Climb Colline du Château (Castle Hill)

Free, open daily, the postcard view of Nice. Either climb the staircase from Vieux Nice or take the free elevator from Quai des États-Unis. The actual castle was demolished in 1706 — what's up there now is a peaceful park with a waterfall, ruins and the city's most photographed viewpoint.

4. Walk the Promenade des Anglais at sunset

Seven kilometers of Belle Époque waterfront, lined with palms and the iconic blue chairs. Walk it from the old town toward the Negresco hotel as the sun drops. Bring a bottle of rosé from a corner caviste.

5. Marc Chagall and Matisse museums

Two of France's best small museums, both in the Cimiez neighborhood (15 minutes by bus). The Chagall museum (€10) houses his Biblical Message cycle in a building designed for the paintings. The Matisse museum (€10) sits in a 17th-century villa surrounded by olive groves.

6. Eat at the Port

The Port (Le Port) area is where locals eat away from tourists. La Réserve de Nice for a splurge seafood lunch with the bay view, Le Bistrot du Port for honest plates of fish, Lou Pilha Leva in the old town for the cheapest socca and pissaladière in the city.

7. Take the bus 100 to Villefranche or Monaco

The €1.50 bus 100 runs along the coast road every 15 minutes — possibly the most scenic local bus in Europe. Get off at Villefranche-sur-Mer for a sandy bay swim or stay on to Monaco.

8. Day-trip the rest of the Riviera

Train to Eze (medieval cliff village), Antibes (old town and Picasso),Cannes (the Croisette and the old quarter Le Suquet), Menton (lemon-yellow houses on the Italian border) or Monaco (the casino and the palace).

Where to stay

• Vieux Nice: Best for atmosphere, food and walkability. Loud at night.
• Carré d'Or / Promenade: Grand Belle Époque hotels, beach access, 5 minutes from the old town. Most expensive.
• Le Port: Quieter, more local, excellent seafood. 15-minute walk to old town.
• Cimiez: Residential, hilly, near the Chagall and Matisse museums. Quietest.

Avoid the immediate area around Gare Nice-Ville after dark.

Budget breakdown

• Hotel (3-star, central): €110–€180/night off-season; €200–€340 in July/August.
• Casual lunch (socca + drink, or pan bagnat): €8–€14.
• Bistro dinner: €30–€50 with wine.
• Single bus/tram ticket: €1.50; day pass €5; 10-ride pass €10.
• Castle Hill, Promenade, beach: Free.

Realistic total: €130–€200/day per person off-season, €200–€320/day in peak summer.

Practical tips

• The beach is pebbles. Bring water shoes if you have sensitive feet.
• Buy a Lignes d'Azur 10-ride pass (€10) for buses and trams — covers airport bus 12 too.
• Cours Saleya is closed Mondays for produce; antiques only that day.
• Tipping: Not required, round up a euro or two for good service.
• Salade niçoise. The real version has no potatoes and no green beans. Tuna, anchovies, olives, eggs, raw vegetables. Argue politely.