What are the best things to do in Nice?
Top picks in Nice include Promenade des Anglais, Old Town (Vieux Nice), Castle Hill (Colline du Château), Matisse Museum. See the full list and itinerary on this Nice travel guide.
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Nice Travel Guide
Things to do in Nice — Explore Nice
Photo: Alexander Migl · CC BY-SA 4.0
Why visit Nice
thumb|Nice Nice's origins can be found among the Gallo-Roman ruins of Cimiez, in the hills up the boulevard de Cimiez from downtown. Cimiez also contains a monastery and some museums, but nowadays, most of the city's inhabitants live closer to sea level. Nice was part of the Italian Duchy of Savoia and then the Kingdom of Sardinia until it was ceded to France in 1860. The ancient local language is Nissart, and some of the street signs are bilingual. However very few people speak Nissart, and even the elderly know… (Source: Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA.)
Nice is a stop in France, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 3 days. If time is short, prioritise Promenade des Anglais, Old Town (Vieux Nice), Castle Hill (Colline du Château) instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 110–240 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds
Weather
Temperate, with warm summers and cool winters
Experiences
Things to do in Nice
1
Promenade des Anglais
2
Old Town (Vieux Nice)
3
Castle Hill (Colline du Château)
4
Matisse Museum
5
Marc Chagall National Museum
6
Cours Saleya market
7
Monaco or Èze day trip
8
Place Masséna
Budget travel
Free things to do in Nice
Promenade des Anglais
Old Town (Vieux Nice)
Cours Saleya market
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Plan your trip
Nice itinerary (3 days)
- 1
Day 1
Icons & landmarks
- Visit Promenade des Anglais
- Visit Old Town (Vieux Nice)
- Visit Castle Hill (Colline du Château)
- 2
Day 2
Culture & neighborhoods
- Visit Matisse Museum
- Visit Marc Chagall National Museum
- Visit Cours Saleya market
- 3
Day 3
More highlights
- Visit Monaco or Èze day trip
- Visit Place Masséna
Prefer a full 6-day trip with costs and FAQs? Read the Nice itinerary guide.
Budget
Nice trip cost
Budget
USD 50–85
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 110–240
per person / day
Luxury
USD 275–455+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Nice, France. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Trip budget estimator
Typical mid-range for Nice
Estimated total (USD)
$3,090
≈ $1,545 per person · $441 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $180/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Nice mid-range ground costs (budget 50–85 · mid 110–240 · luxury 275–455+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Where to eat
Local favourites
- $
Fennocchio's
Serves ice creams and Italian-style ices. It's a tough choice to select just one or two of the 94 flavours, which include classics like choc
Lou Pilha Leva
Local dishes including the best tasting Socca, which only costs €2.80 (April 2019). Locals (and the lots of French tourists) seem to love th
L'americano
Friendly welcome, fast service, excellent pizza. Very good food, variety of dishes
Chez Palmyre
French cuisine. Nice restaurant with very pretty decor. Very warm welcome and friendly. Excellent cuisine. You'll probably find yourself sea
Nomad Bar
The best staff, and amazing food. A welcoming, authentic and pleasant place.
Le Barbecue
Succulent Portuguese cuisine. Great portions and divine food. In addition to the friendliness and kindness of all the staff. The terrace is
Where to stay
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Villa Saint Exupery
An amazing hostel with a great party vibe, includes free internet and free breakfast. Situated a short way to the north of the town centre i
- $
Hotel Riviera Nice - Best Western Collection
Hotel in an Art Deco building.
Hotel Anis
Swimming pool, restaurant.
Hotel Canada
Quaint would be too nice to describe this place. Is not the best. But it is in the middle of Nice, good friendly staff too. €55/65 a night f
PV-Holidays Résidence Maeva Nice Les Palmiers
A renovated three-floor residence, located in a private garden in the heart of the Fabron district. 500 m from the shops, 800 m from the bea
Shopping
- Flower Market
- Marché aux Fruits et Legumes
- Antique Market
- Confisserie Florian
Nightlife
- Ma Nolan's
- Akathor Pub
- Wayne's
- L’Essenciel Bar Panoramique
- Le Blue Whales
Museums & culture
- Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art
In pictures
Nice gallery
Photos: Alexander Migl, Spike, Myrabella, Magali M from Nice, France, Aeris06, Frédéric Oropallo — via Wikimedia Commons
Good to know
Nice travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Nice?
May–June & September–October for mild weather and thinner crowds.
How many days do I need in Nice?
Plan at least 3 days in Nice for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Where should I stay in Nice?
Popular stays in Nice include Villa Saint Exupery, Hotel Riviera Nice - Best Western Collection, Hotel Anis. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
How much does a trip to Nice cost?
On the ground in Nice (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 50–85 per person per day, mid-range about 110–240, and luxury about 275–455+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Nice, France. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
Keep exploring
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