Prior to visit the city for the first time more than a decade ago, I often thought to myself how unfortunate—in a way—Nice’s name was. “Imagine if it was a dump in spite of this,” I remember wondering. “How sad would that be?”
Thankfully, of course, Nice (pronounced like your sibling’s daughter) is an extremely, well, Nice place, whether in terms of natural beauty, culture, cuisine or even the part of France around it (known, in French, as the Côte d’Azur). That’s the good news.
The better news? No matter where you’re currently at in terms of planning your Nice itinerary, the tips I’m about to share will take it to the next level.
Why You Shouldn’t Let the French Riviera Intimidate You
Before I visited Nice for the first time, I not only waxed poetic about the potential irony of its name. Frankly, I never imagined that I might be able to go there. The south of France has a reputation for being only for the upper crust, whether because of typical prices on Nice hotels, the association of nearby Cannes with its star-studded film festivals and…well, the glamour.
I’m here to tell you: Anyone can visit Nice and have a great time there, including you. This is true whether you’re a higher-end traveler browsing luxury France tours, or a backpacker (as I was, back when I visited Nice for the first time). Many of the best things in Nice are completely free, in fact, though you can of course pay for more exclusive ones if that’s your thing.
My Favorite Things to Do in Nice
Start with a higher perspective
Nice, like many other places along the Mediterranean, is delightfully hilly. While there are many places you can go to get a good view, my favorite one is also the easiest. Namely La Colline du Château, which is both the name of Nice’s castle as well as the one colloquially given to its viewpoint. This is just a few minutes from the heart of Nice, and offers a great view of the beaches.
Then, go back in time
And of Old Nice—which, to be, is probably what differentiates Nice vs Cannes as places to stay. Some of the reasons I like the Old Town are tangible, including the vibrant and gorgeous Cours Saleya fresh market. Others are more esoteric. There’s just a feeling you get when getting lost amid colorful houses down cobbled alleys that’s hard to describe until you feel it.
Eat the world’s best pizza
Notably, Old Nice does not appear to be especially “French,” which of course makes sense given the city’s proximity to Italy. In addition to how common it is to hear people speaking Italian (and, frankly, to see people who look Italian), Nice is where I’ve repeatedly enjoyed the best pizza of my life. There’s no need to go anywhere Michelin-starred or written-about, however. Just go somewhere crowded, but not inundated.
Discover the joy of pebble beaches
Beaches, not surprisingly, are a fixture of any South of France itinerary. In Nice, it’s easy to find a great beach. That’s because in spite of all the different names they have, all the city’s main beaches are right along the Promenade des Anglais, aka Nice’s main beach road. There are other beaches you can visit—I like sunning myself on rocks near the Old Port—but Nice’s sand-free pebble beaches are just so nice.
Pick a day trip, any day trip
The most common day trip from Nice is a two-in-one excursion to the principality of Monaco, stopping en route in the hilltop citadel of Eze. However, don’t feel like this is your only option—especially if you’re open to renting a car. If you are, you can head north into Provence (be it to the lavender fields of Valensole, or a city like Arles or Avignon), or along the coast to Cannes, Saint-Tropez or other oceanside idylls.
How Many Days Should You Spend in Nice?
Nice itself isn’t very big, especially when you consider that most travelers stay in the Old Town and spend more of their time at the beaches (which are all nearby, just minutes away by foot). You’d struggle to occupy two full days in the city center, even if you visit secondary attractions like the Marc Chagall National Museum, which are far off the tourist trail.
Indeed, the discussion of how many days in Nice you should spend really comes down to the day trips you want to take. If you plan to do a two-in-one excursion to Monaco and Eze, for example, you’ll want to add (at least) another day to your time in Nice. Likewise, you’ll want to add a day to explore nearby beach towns like Saint-Tropez and Cannes, and a day if you want to travel inland to Provence and its lavender fields.
Other FAQ About Planning a Trip to Nice
Is Nice a good base for the south of France?
Nice is probably my favorite base for exploring the south of France. From the fact that its Old Town is comfortable (and full of great accommodation), to the wonderful beaches, viewpoints and other attractions you can access by foot from where you’re staying, Nice simply feels like home.
Is it better to stay in Nice or Monaco?
I love visiting Monaco on a day trip, but to me it’s a bit too stuffy to use as a base. Additionally, while not quite as expensive as it’s reputed to be, the hotels there leave a lot to be desired, both in terms of availability (and, yes, price).
Is 5 days in Nice too long?
If you simply plan to stay within the city center, then I’d probably say that 5 days in Nice is too long. If, on the other hand, you avail the full variety of day trips and excursions on offer, than if anything you might want to spend even longer than five days exploring the south of France.
The Bottom Line
I hope you’ve found my Nice itinerary informative and inspiring—and, well, more than “nice” if at all possible. The hub of France’s Côte d’Azur is a wonderful place to find yourself in for a few days, whether as an à la carte beach break during a larger trip to Europe, or a deeper and more cultural affair in the south of France more specifically. You can even take a day trip to another country (Monaco), though this is certainly not the only optional excursion from Nice. Need personalized help putting your trip to France together? Consider hiring me as your Travel Coach!
