Things to do in Nice: the must-sees and our tips

In short: Nice is all about the sea and the old town. Walk along the Promenade des Anglais, get lost in the lanes of the Old Town (Vieux-Nice), climb Castle Hill for the view over the bay, and use the city as a base to explore the French Riviera by train.

The Promenade des Anglais and the Baie des Anges

The Promenade des Anglais runs along the whole Baie des Anges: perfect on foot, by bike or simply sitting on the famous blue chairs facing the sea. The beaches are pebbly, public or private. At the end of the day, the light over the bay is one of the highlights of a stay.

The Old Town and the Cours Saleya

Ochre façades and narrow lanes: Vieux-Nice is the historic heart of the city. The Cours Saleya hosts its flower and local produce market in the morning. Don’t miss Sainte-Réparate Cathedral and the Palais Lascaris, and try the local specialities: socca (chickpea pancake), pan bagnat and salade niçoise.

Castle Hill

Above the Old Town, Castle Hill (Colline du Château) offers the best view of the Baie des Anges on one side and the Port Lympia on the other. Walk up the stairs or take the lift. The park and its waterfall are a good spot for a shady break.

Place Masséna and the Promenade du Paillon

Place Masséna, with its chequerboard paving and red façades, links the old town with the 19th-century districts. It opens onto the Promenade du Paillon, a long green park with water features, popular with families.

Museums: Matisse, Chagall and Cimiez

• The Matisse Museum, on the Cimiez hill, in a villa surrounded by olive trees, next to Roman remains and the monastery garden.
• The Marc Chagall National Museum, dedicated to his “Biblical Message”.
• St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral, a reminder of the Russian presence on the Riviera in the 19th century.

The Port Lympia

Quieter than the Old Town, the port district lines up its colourful façades around the boats. A good place for dinner, and the starting point for walks towards the eastern coast.

Day trips from Nice

• Villefranche-sur-Mer, one of the most beautiful bays on the coast, very close.
• Èze, a hilltop village above the sea, and its exotic garden.
• Monaco and Menton, easy to reach by train.
• Antibes and Cannes, to the west, also by train.
• Saint-Paul-de-Vence and the hinterland villages, easier by car.

Getting around and planning

• The tram (line 2) links the airport with the city centre; the centre is easy to explore on foot.
• Trains run along the coast and serve most neighbouring towns.
• In summer, demand for accommodation is very high: book early and choose free cancellation.

To plan the rest of your trip, see our guide Travel in France.

Where to stay in Nice

The Old Town for atmosphere, the Promenade des Anglais and the Carré d’Or for families, the port for calm, the station area for train day trips and a tighter budget. Every area is detailed in our guide Where to stay in Nice.