Nice Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Nestled on the French Riviera, Nice offers a blend of old-world charm and modern allure. Explore the vibrant Cours Saleya market, stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, and visit the stunning Matisse Museum. Don’t miss the panoramic views from Castle Hill.
With 289+ hand-picked places to explore, Nice rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Here's our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for.
Must-See Attractions in Nice
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with Promenade des Anglais — ideal for couples and families looking to enjoy scenic strolls along the coast. Just as worthwhile is Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas: a stop for those exploring Nice, this cathedral features striking Russian architecture and cultural significance. Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur completes the picture: ideal for history enthusiasts and architecture lovers, this church showcases stunning Baroque design.
Promenade des Anglais
Nice • Famous Landmarks
Ideal for couples and families looking to enjoy scenic strolls along the coast.
Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas
Nice • Monuments & Statues
A stop for those exploring Nice, this cathedral features striking Russian architecture and cultural significance.
Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur
Nice • Historic Architecture
Ideal for history enthusiasts and architecture lovers, this church showcases stunning Baroque design.
Basilique Notre-Dame de Nice
Nice • Historic Architecture
This church features remarkable Neo-Gothic architecture and is the largest in Nice.
Museums & Culture in Nice
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate: experience the rich history of Nice with a visit to this stunning Baroque cathedral in the Old Town. Locals will also point you to Fort du Mont Alban — ideal for history enthusiasts and families seeking a cultural outing in Nice. And for something different, there's Villa Kérylos: ideal for culture enthusiasts and families, Villa Kérylos presents ancient Greek lifestyle in a coastal setting.
Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate
Nice • Historical Sites
Experience the rich history of Nice with a visit to this stunning Baroque cathedral in the Old Town.
Fort du Mont Alban
Nice • Historical Sites
Ideal for history enthusiasts and families seeking a cultural outing in Nice.
Villa Kérylos
Nice • Historical Sites
Ideal for culture enthusiasts and families, Villa Kérylos presents ancient Greek lifestyle in a coastal setting.
Cimetière du Château
Nice • Historical Sites
Perched on a hill, this cemetery offers sweeping views of Nice and the Mediterranean Sea.
Best Things to Do in Nice
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Nice Lawn Tennis Club — located on Avenue Suzanne Lenglen, this historic tennis club offers a rich sporting experience in Nice. Azur Kayak Mer earns its reputation too — guided kayak tours provide an active way to explore the Mediterranean coast near Nice. Round out the shortlist with Canyon Forest — ideal for families and groups seeking outdoor adventure in the Nice area.
Nice Lawn Tennis Club
Nice • Sports
Located on Avenue Suzanne Lenglen, this historic tennis club offers a rich sporting experience in Nice.
Azur Kayak Mer
Nice • Sports
Guided kayak tours provide an active way to explore the Mediterranean coast near Nice.
Canyon Forest
Nice • Outdoor
Ideal for families and groups seeking outdoor adventure in the Nice area.
Promenade du Paillon
Nice • Family-Friendly
A green space in Nice with interactive play areas and fountains ideal for families.
Where to Eat in Nice
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with Fenocchio Glacier — perfectly fits into a summer day in Nice, offering creative gelato flavors after exploring the Old Town. Just as worthwhile is Jan: a fusion of South African and French cuisine awaits in a cozy, intimate environment. La Merenda completes the picture: located on Rue Raoul Bosio, this eatery emphasizes traditional Niçoise dishes crafted with local ingredients.
Fenocchio Glacier
Nice • Street Food
Perfectly fits into a summer day in Nice, offering creative gelato flavors after exploring the Old Town.
Jan
Nice • Fine Dining
A fusion of South African and French cuisine awaits in a cozy, intimate environment.
La Merenda
Nice • Local Cuisine
Located on Rue Raoul Bosio, this eatery emphasizes traditional Niçoise dishes crafted with local ingredients.
Le Séjour Café
Nice • Fine Dining
A culinary spot known for its distinctive take on Mediterranean and French cuisine using local produce.
Nice After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Beer District: located on Rue de la Buffa, this bar is a focal point for craft beer enthusiasts in Nice. Locals will also point you to Jazz Club Etoile — an elegant setting for live jazz and blues performances in Nice, perfect for music lovers seeking an intimate experience. And for something different, there's La Chope des Artistes: a craft beer bar that complements an evening in Nice with local brews and live music.
Beer District
Nice • Craft Beer Bars
Located on Rue de la Buffa, this bar is a focal point for craft beer enthusiasts in Nice.
Jazz Club Etoile
Nice • Live Music Venues
An elegant setting for live jazz and blues performances in Nice, perfect for music lovers seeking an intimate experience.
La Chope des Artistes
Nice • Craft Beer Bars
A craft beer bar that complements an evening in Nice with local brews and live music.
La Terrasse du Plaza
Nice • Rooftop Bars
Ideal for couples and groups seeking a stylish rooftop experience with stunning Mediterranean views.
Where to Stay in Nice
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Villa Kilauea B&B — a tranquil bed-and-breakfast in the hills that complements a day exploring Nice's coastal beauty. Hotel Boscolo Exedra Nice earns its reputation too — the Belle Époque façade stands out as a defining feature of this luxury hotel in Nice. Round out the shortlist with Hotel La Pérouse — a hilltop hotel with stunning views of the Baie des Anges and the Mediterranean Sea.
Villa Kilauea B&B
Nice • Bed & Breakfast
A tranquil bed-and-breakfast in the hills that complements a day exploring Nice's coastal beauty.
Hotel Boscolo Exedra Nice
Nice • Luxury Hotels
The Belle Époque façade stands out as a defining feature of this luxury hotel in Nice.
Hotel La Pérouse
Nice • Luxury Hotels
A hilltop hotel with stunning views of the Baie des Anges and the Mediterranean Sea.
Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée
Nice • Luxury Hotels
Set along the iconic Promenade des Anglais, this hotel features striking Art Deco architecture and coastal views.
Shopping in Nice
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Chanel Boutique Nice — exclusive access to Chanel's latest high fashion collections in a sophisticated setting. Just as worthwhile is Caprice Vintage: explore curated vintage collections at this boutique on Rue de la Liberté in Nice. Marché Aux Puces de Nice completes the picture: start your weekend in Nice with a stroll through this lively flea market, perfect for antique enthusiasts.
Chanel Boutique Nice
Nice • Luxury Shopping
Exclusive access to Chanel's latest high fashion collections in a sophisticated setting.
Caprice Vintage
Nice • Vintage & Thrift Shops
Explore curated vintage collections at this boutique on Rue de la Liberté in Nice.
Marché Aux Puces de Nice
Nice • Markets
Start your weekend in Nice with a stroll through this lively flea market, perfect for antique enthusiasts.
Nice Étoile
Nice • Malls
A central shopping destination on Avenue Jean Médecin, blending high-street and luxury brands for a varied retail experience.
Parks & Green Spaces in Nice
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Jardin des Arènes de Cimiez: explore a botanical garden surrounded by ancient Roman ruins in Nice's Cimiez district. Locals will also point you to Réserve Biologique des Monts d'Azur — experience the wild side of the French countryside while immersing in nature's beauty near Nice. And for something different, there's Sentier de la Brague: chemin de la Brague offers a tranquil hiking experience along a scenic river path in Antibes.
Jardin des Arènes de Cimiez
Nice • Botanical Gardens
Explore a botanical garden surrounded by ancient Roman ruins in Nice's Cimiez district.
Réserve Biologique des Monts d'Azur
Nice • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
Experience the wild side of the French countryside while immersing in nature's beauty near Nice.
Sentier de la Brague
Nice • Hiking Trails
Chemin de la Brague offers a tranquil hiking experience along a scenic river path in Antibes.
Jardin Botanique de la Serre de la Madone
Nice • Botanical Gardens
Ideal for nature enthusiasts and families looking to explore botanical diversity in a historic setting.
78 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Nice that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Nice list:
- Le Jardin Exotique d'Èze· Hidden Neighborhoods
- Le Plongeoir· Secret Foodie Spots
- La Rossettisserie· Secret Foodie Spots
- Nice Food and Wine Tours by A Taste of Nice· Guided
- Le Negresco Bar· Secret Bars & Speakeasies
Planning where to stay in Nice?
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