The Ultimate City Guide to Nice, French Riviera
I’ve been lucky enough to call it home for over 15 years, and every time I wander its streets or stroll along the Promenade, I discover something new – a new feeling, living it differently each time. This city is a mix of colors, scents, and light — a place where the sea meets history, and every corner has a story. Over the years, I’ve learned the best ways to get around and to get the best from it. In this ultimate city guide to Nice, here’s what I think you should know before falling in love with my city.
Things to Know
How to Get There
Nice is the main gateway to the French Riviera. Thanks to its international airport, you can fly in directly from Paris, Europe, or even further abroad. From here, the whole Côte d’Azur opens up to you.
– By train: Fast TGVs connect Nice to Paris in about 6 hours, and Marseille in just over 2 hours.
– By plane: Nice Côte d’Azur Airport has flights from Paris (1h15) and many international destinations.
How to Get Around
Nice has a very easy-to-use public transport system.
– Tramway: Two lines cross the city, one links the airport to the Port (under 30 minutes) and the other one Center to North. (A tip : If you take the tramway from the airport don’t wanna pay the 10€ ticket way/return just go to the first station (Arenas, it’s free till this station) and buy a single ticket.
– Bus & train: Perfect for hopping between towns along the coast. Trains are very quick and convenient. Reaching Monaco in 20 minutes and Cannes in 35 minutes(though trains can be very busy in summer).
– Car: Parking is a nightmare and summer traffic is intense — not my top choice.
– Scooter: If you’re comfortable on two wheels, renting a scooter is a beautiful way to live the full Riviera vibe!
When to Visit
The beauty of Nice is that it’s enjoyable all year round. Winters are mild and sunny, while summers are hot — sometimes with heatwaves — but you always have the sea breeze (and the sea itself!) to cool off.
My favorite time is September. The crowds are gone, the weather is still warm, and the sea is at its best temperature. Basically, all the advantages with none of the drawbacks!
How Long to Stay
A long weekend is enough to fall in love with Nice itself. But… if you want to explore its magical surroundings (and you really should!), give yourself 4–5 days minimum. The day trips are truly worth it — for me, skipping them would be a crime.
Things to Do
Nice has its must-do spots, but this isn’t just a checklist of places to tick off. In this guide, I’ll show you how to experience Nice like a local — wander the colorful streets of the old town, savor a socca, soak up the sun, and really live the Riviera vibe. In this article you’ll find the biggest innevitable places to visit and see Nice through the eyes of a local.
(Also check my guides on [how to avoid the crowds] and [best beaches near Nice])
Climb Castle Hill (Colline du Château)
Probably the best view in town (check out my “7 Stunning Viewpoints in Nice”). Walk — or take the elevator — up to La Colline du Château for sweeping panoramas over the Old Town, the Port, and the Baie des Anges. I love coming here early in the morning, when the city is just waking up, the sunlight hits the rooftops perfectly, and the air is calm enough for a little yoga session — it’s my personal moment of zen above the hustle. Sometimes I come back at sunset, and the whole bay glows orange and pink; it just feels so magical.
Explore the Old Town (Vieux-Nice)
The Old Town is the heart of Nice, perfect for wandering around with an ice cream and no strict plan. The streets are narrow and colorful, full of small shops, cafés, and baroque churches. You can really feel the Italian influence, since Nice used to belong to Italy. If you get lost in the side streets, you’ll find fewer people than on the main roads. Not far from the famous ice cream shop : Fenochio, there’s a sloped street with very few cafés (RU.A) and restaurants, but it’s all so charming.
Why Fenochio that famous ? Fenocchio is famous for its incredible variety of unique, homemade gelato flavors, from classic chocolate and pistachio to unusual ones like lavender or rose. It’s been a beloved institution in Nice since 1966, attracting both locals and tourists for it’s creativity, quality and fun (so many flavors).
Visit the Markets
Cours Saleya is the biggest : you’ll find flowers, fresh fruit, spices and local products like olive oils, cheese or a piece of Socca to take away. The atmosphere is just so lively — buy some flowers and get some fruits or socca (local chickpea pancake with olive oil and pepper) and soak it all in. I have to admit, I have a weakness for flowers. They’re just incredible—I’d buy them all if I could, but I wouldn’t even have enough space at home! On Mondays Cours Saleya will turn into a flea market from 7am to 6pm where you can find vintage treasures.
The Place du Palais de Justice Market happens every Saturday and is a treasure for vintage lovers. Stalls are filled with old books, vintage cameras or vintage jewelry. The atmosphere is relaxed and nostalgic, with collectors and locals browsing, chatting, and discovering unique finds. I like this local and unique vibe you get on this market.
Explore the Museums
If you’re into art, Nice definitely won’t disappoint. I always make time to explore the city’s museums, and each one has its own vibe.
– MAMAC is great for modern art and the building itself is really striking. Walking through the exhibitions always makes me stop and think.
– Musée Matisse is perfect if you love bold, colorful art. The setting is calm and peaceful, which makes it easy to really enjoy the paintings.
If you have a bit more time, there are a few amazing places just outside Nice that are worth a day trip:
– Fondation Maeght in Saint-Paul-de-Vence — a lovely place for art and sculptures, surrounded by nature and its beautiful garden. Oh and if you’ve been to Mallorca, you might recognize that the same architect designed both.We ended our visit around lunchtime, so we had lunch at the restaurant in the garden of the fundation. The dishes were refined and made with local ingredients — absolutely delicious! This restaurant is called : Sous les Pins. You can also just go for a drink in this lovely environment.
– Musée Picasso in Antibes — small but full of incredible works, and the town itself is so charming to explore afterwards.
Wander Around the Port & La Réserve
The Port of Nice is a lively mix. On one side, you’ll see luxury superyachts, and on the other, small fishing boats floating in the water. Around La Réserve, there are great spots to swim, relax, or just watch the sea sparkle. I often take a walk along the harbor and head to La Réserve for the sunset and a picnic.
Enjoy the Beaches
Nice has its famous pebbly beaches, but if you want to find the best spots, you’ll need to go a little further using your car or the train. Here are my favorite one :
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat : beautiful coves with turquoise water.
Antibes : sandy beaches and a charming old town.
Théoule-sur-Mer (if you’ve got a car) : my absolute favorite, with red rocks diving into the sea.
Take a Tour (Perfect for a First Day)
If you’re short on time or want to get a big overview of the Riviera, a day tour can be a great idea. It can also be a great idea to discover many places in a short amount of time, yes, you’ll def tick off the highlights, but then you can decide what you want to explore further on the next days or keep your time to explore others location (Saint Paul de Vence, Grasse …)
My Final Thoughts about Nice
That’s the end of my City Guide to Nice! After living here for 15 years, I can tell you this city always has something new to offer and you never get bored of those views — from the sea views to the flower markets on Saleya and sunsets at la reserve. My best tip would be to not rush through the sights. Take your time, walk around, try the food, and live it like a local. Try it and you won’t regret!
