Safety Score
6.3/10
Currency
EUR
Language
French
Timezone
UTC+1
About Nice
Nice is a Riviera city with beaches, markets, and pleasant weather. The city offers a relaxed French‑Mediterranean lifestyle. Colorful streets and sea views invite slow walks.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Nice is from May to September when the beaches and promenade are most enjoyable.
Things to Do in Nice, France
Best Things to See & Do in Nice
Promenade des Anglais
The iconic 7km seaside walkway along the Baie des Anges, lined with palm trees and blue chairs.
Vieille Ville (Old Town)
A honeycomb of narrow streets, pastel buildings, and baroque churches dating back to the medieval era.
Colline du Château (Castle Hill)
A hilltop park offering the definitive panoramic view of the Old Town and the Port of Nice.
Cours Saleya Market
The famous open-air market in the Old Town, selling flowers, local produce, and antiques.
Musée Marc Chagall
A national museum dedicated to the works of Marc Chagall, featuring his large-scale biblical message paintings.
Musée Matisse
A museum housed in a 17th-century Genoese villa, showcasing a huge collection of Henri Matisse’s works.
Promenade du Paillon (Extension)
A massive green "urban forest" park featuring water mirrors, misting jets, and the new 2026 botanical additions.
Le Negresco Hotel
A legendary pink-domed hotel on the Promenade, an emblem of Belle Époque luxury and art.
Monastère de Cimiez
A 16th-century Franciscan monastery with a stunning rose garden and views of the Paillon valley.
Nice Cathedral (Sainte-Réparate)
A 17th-century Baroque cathedral with a stunning tiled dome, located in the heart of the Old Town.
Port Lympia
The historic port of Nice, known for its colorful Venetian-style buildings and luxury yachts.
Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain (MAMAC)
A stunning museum of modern art featuring the "Nice School" (Niki de Saint Phalle and Yves Klein).
Phoenix Parc Floral de Nice
A large botanical garden and zoo near the airport, featuring one of the largest greenhouses in Europe.
Russian Orthodox Cathedral
The largest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Western Europe, featuring colorful onion domes.
Villa Masséna Museum
A Belle Époque villa on the Promenade documenting the history of Nice and the Napoleonic era.
Place Masséna
The city's main square, featuring red buildings, black-and-white tiles, and the Jaume Plensa "Scribes" statues.
Observatoire de la Côte d'Azur
A historic observatory designed by Gustave Eiffel, offering science tours and incredible views.
Palais Lascaris
An 18th-century aristocratic palace in the Old Town, home to a collection of historic musical instruments.
Mont Boron Forest Park
A wooded hill with 11km of hiking trails, offering views of both Nice and the Bay of Villefranche.
Grotte du Lazaret
A prehistoric cave site where evidence of early human life (Terra Amata) was discovered.
Confiserie Florian
A traditional confectionery where you can watch the transformation of local flowers and fruits into candies.
Opera de Nice
A historic opera house in the Old Town known for its red and gold interior and world-class acoustics.
Cremat Castle (Château de Crémat)
A historic wine castle in the hills of Nice, famous for its Land Rover tours and the "Coco Chanel" legend.
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
A magnificent rose-colored palace with nine themed gardens, located on the Cap Ferrat peninsula.
Parfumerie Molinard (Nice Workshop)
A boutique of the famous Grasse perfumery offering interactive workshops to create your own scent.
Things to Do in Nice - Top 25 Attractions
Planning a trip to Nice? Discover the 25 best things to do in Nice, France. From iconic landmarks and historic sites to local markets and outdoor adventures, our guide covers the top attractions and must-see sights that make Nice one of the most popular destinations in France.
Top things to see in Nice include Promenade des Anglais, Vieille Ville (Old Town), Colline du Château (Castle Hill) and 2 more incredible sites. Each offers a unique glimpse into what makes Nice special for first-time visitors and seasoned travellers alike.
Whether you're visiting Nice for a weekend break or a longer stay, there are things to do for every type of traveller — cultural experiences, historic sightseeing, outdoor activities, and local food markets. Most visitors recommend spending at least 2–3 days to cover the main highlights of Nice.
Browse the full list of Nice attractions below, save your favourites, and build a personalised itinerary that matches your pace and interests. Our free Nice travel guide is updated regularly so you always have the most current recommendations.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nice
What are the must-see attractions in Nice?
Nice offers numerous iconic attractions. Our curated list includes top-rated landmarks, museums, and hidden gems. Browse our recommendations above to plan your perfect sightseeing itinerary.
How do I skip the lines at popular attractions in Nice?
To avoid long queues, visit popular attractions early in the morning or book skip-the-line tickets online. Weekdays are generally less crowded than weekends.
Are there free attractions in Nice?
Yes, Nice has many free attractions including parks, historic neighborhoods, and sometimes free museum days. Check our tips section for money-saving advice.
Explore More of Nice
About Nice, France
Nice is one of France's most visited destinations, celebrated for Beaches, Markets, Riviera, Food. The city draws travellers who come to experience its unique blend of history, culture, and modern life — a character shaped over centuries that few destinations in Europe can match. Whether you're planning a short city break or a longer trip, Nice has enough depth and variety to reward every type of visitor.
Our free Nice guide covers 25 attractions and points of interest, from iconic landmarks and historic sites to local markets, parks, and neighbourhood highlights. The city's top attractions span a broad range of interests — museum lovers will find world-class collections and gallery spaces, while those who prefer open-air exploration can discover historic quarters, waterfront districts, and green spaces that reveal Nice's everyday character. Most major sights are reachable on foot or by public transport, making it easy to combine several stops in a single day without needing to hire a car or join an organised tour.
The food scene in Nice is one of the city's enduring draws. Our guide features 25 handpicked restaurants and dining spots, ranging from street food stalls and neighbourhood eateries serving authentic France cuisine to mid-range bistros and higher-end dining with atmosphere and views. Eating well in Nice doesn't require a large budget — some of the most memorable meals come from simple local places that most visitors walk straight past. Taking the time to explore different areas and neighbourhoods quickly reveals how Nice's food culture reflects the broader personality of the city and its people.
Choosing where to stay shapes the entire experience of a Nice visit. Our guide includes 25 vetted accommodation options across the city's main districts, covering budget-friendly hostels, mid-range hotels, boutique properties, and apartments suited to longer stays or families. Staying centrally puts the main sights within easy walking distance, but choosing a quieter neighbourhood a little further out often delivers better value and a more authentic local feel. The right area depends on what matters most to you — whether that's access to key attractions, good public transport links, proximity to the best restaurants, or simply finding a part of Nice that fits your pace.
A few practical details worth knowing before you travel: the local language is French; the currency is EUR; the best time to visit is The best time to visit Nice is from May to September when the beaches and promenade are most enjoyable.. Getting around Nice is generally straightforward — most cities in France offer a reliable mix of metro, bus, and tram networks, with central areas compact enough to cover on foot. Local customs, tipping etiquette, safety advice, and money-saving strategies are all covered in the dedicated Nice travel tips section of this free guide, which is updated regularly to reflect current conditions on the ground.
