Quick Answer
Nice is the French Riviera at its most accessible. The Promenade des Anglais runs four miles along the pebble beach, the Old Town's ochre streets hold socca (the local chickpea pancake) and rose markets, and Monaco, Cannes, and Eze are 30 minutes away. Hotels start from $125/night. May, June, and September have the best weather without the August chaos.
Explore Nice in Detail
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Top Tours in Nice
Monaco, Monte-Carlo and Eze Half-Day Tour
Coach along the Corniche cliffs to Eze (medieval hilltop village), Monaco for the Casino and Prince's Palace, and Monte-Carlo's harbor.
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Cannes, Antibes and Saint-Paul-de-Vence Tour
Coach trip to Cannes (Croisette and palace), Antibes (Picasso Museum), and the perfect hilltop village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence with free time at each.
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Nice Old Town Food Tour with Socca and Wine
Walking tour through Vieux Nice tasting socca, pissaladiere, candied citrus, olive oil, and rose wine. Six stops with a local guide.
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The experiences travelers come back to Nice for, year after year.
Itineraries for Nice
Day-by-day plans built by travelers who actually went.
Nice in 3 Days
The essential first-time itinerary — the must-sees you came for, plus the local moments you came home talking about.
Nice for Couples
Quiet mornings, slow dinners, and the views the brochures don't show. Built for two.
Nice with Kids
Activities everyone enjoys, restaurants that welcome little ones, and downtime built into the plan.
Getting Around Nice
Renting a car is one of the best ways to explore Nice at your own pace. Compare rates from all major suppliers in one search.
Best Time to Visit Nice
Best months to visit Nice: April–June and September–October offer mild weather and fewer crowds. July–August is peak season. December–February is coldest but cheapest.
Why Visit Nice?
Nice is the practical capital of the French Riviera. Cannes is for the film festival, Monaco is for the cars, and Saint-Tropez is for the beaches with the right person spotting you. Nice is where you base yourself to see all three.
The Promenade des Anglais curves along the Baie des Anges for four miles, lined with palms and the iconic blue chairs you’ve seen in photos. The beach itself is pebble (not sand) but the swimming is clean and warm from June through September. Vieux Nice is a tangle of pastel buildings and rose-colored alleys with Cours Saleya’s flower market every morning and socca vendors selling the local chickpea pancake right off the griddle. Castle Hill (a 30-minute climb or a free elevator at the eastern end of the Promenade) gives you the postcard view. The Matisse Museum and Marc Chagall Museum are both in the upper city. For day trips, the train along the coast hits Monaco in 20 minutes, Eze in 25, Cannes in 35, and Antibes in 30. Saint-Paul-de-Vence (a perfect hilltop village) is 25 minutes by bus. You can use Nice as a base for a week and never repeat a town. The cuisine is Nicoise and excellent: salade nicoise the right way, pissaladiere, ratatouille, and the daubes you came to France to eat.
Frequently Asked Questions — Nice
How much do hotels in Nice cost?
Budget hotels start from $80/night. 3-star hotels run $125-$220. 4-star hotels are $220-$420. Luxury 5-star hotels like Hotel Negresco or Le Meridien are $500-$1,000/night. August rates spike 50-100%.
When is the best time to visit Nice?
May, June, and September deliver the best weather without August's heat and crowds. July and August are peak French Riviera season but expect 90F days and pebble beaches packed by 9am. February is Carnaval de Nice.
How many days do I need in Nice?
Three days for Nice itself. Five to seven days lets you use Nice as a base for Monaco, Cannes, Antibes, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and either Eze or Villefranche-sur-Mer. The train along the coast makes the Riviera trivial to explore.
Is Nice safe for tourists?
Nice is generally safe. Pickpocketing happens on the Promenade des Anglais and in Vieux Nice during peak season. The area around the train station gets sketchier at night. Standard precautions and you'll be fine.
What area should I stay in?
Vieux Nice for first-timers who want pastel buildings and walking distance to everything. Promenade des Anglais for beach hotels with views. Le Port for a hipper neighborhood feel with restaurants. Avoid the area immediately around Nice Ville station.
How do I get around Nice?
Walking covers the city. The tram is efficient for getting from the train station to Place Massena. The TER train along the coast costs 4-7 euros to Monaco, Cannes, or Eze. Skip the rental car unless you're heading inland into Provence.
What food should I try in Nice?
Socca at Chez Pipo, salade nicoise (the real version with tuna and anchovies, no potatoes) at Le Petit Plat, pissaladiere at any boulangerie, bouillabaisse at Le Plongeoir, and rose wine from any cafe on Cours Saleya.