Real Traveler Experiences

City guide / France

Nice, verdict by verdict

Nice is the Riviera's easy answer. Our verdicts cover Antibes, Castle Hill (Colline du Chateau) in Nice and Matisse Museum in Nice, the airport route and where to stay.

All 10 verdicts What to skip in Nice
Baie des Anges and the Promenade des Anglais in Nice
Photo: Cayambe, CC BY-SA 3.0 (source)

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Sights and tickets

2 verdicts
Cascade du Chateau waterfall on Castle Hill in NiceIs Castle Hill (Colline du Chateau) in Nice worth it?Go
Photo: Marco Del Torchio 95, CC BY 4.0 (source)
Musee Matisse villa in the Cimiez gardens, NiceIs the Matisse Museum in Nice worth it?It depends
Photo: kajikawa, CC BY 3.0 (source)

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Passes

1 verdict
Fontaine du Soleil fountain on Place Massena in NiceIs the French Riviera Pass in Nice worth it?It depends
Photo: Staeiou, CC BY-SA 3.0 (source)

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Tours

2 verdicts
Fruit and vegetable stalls at the Cours Saleya market in NiceIs a food tour in Nice worth it?Go
Photo: Mike is Michi, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
A perfumer's organ of essence bottles in GrasseIs a perfume workshop near Nice worth it?Go
Photo: Taco Ekkel, CC BY-SA 2.0 (source)

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Day trips

2 verdicts
Monte Carlo harbour and the Rock of MonacoIs a Monaco day trip from Nice worth it?Go
Photo: Evelyscher, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
Fort Carre and Port Vauban marina in AntibesIs an Antibes day trip from Nice worth it?Go
Photo: Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)

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Big choices

3 verdicts
Gare de Nice-Ville railway station facadeNice airport to the city: which way?Our pick: Tram line 2
Photo: CAPTAIN RAJU, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
Boulevard de la Croisette waterfront in CannesNice or Cannes?Our pick: Nice
Photo: Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
Rooftops of Vieux Nice old townWhere should you stay in Nice?Our pick: Vieux Nice (Old Town)
Photo: Baptiste Rossi, Public domain (source)

The review

Nice in short

Nice is the Riviera's easy answer: the Promenade des Anglais curving along the Baie des Anges, an Italianate old town behind the market at Cours Saleya, art collections that put [Matisse](/nice/matisse-museum-nice/) and Chagall in one city, and a coastal train placing [Monaco](/nice/monaco-day-trip/), [Antibes](/nice/antibes-day-trip/), Cannes and Eze inside day-trip range. It is a real city rather than a resort strip, so evenings belong to locals as much as visitors.

The catch is August and the beach itself: peak season packs the promenade and climbs restaurant prices, and the famous shore is pebbles, not everyone's idea of comfort. Old-town nights run loud on weekends, and anyone needing sand under their feet or quiet evenings should take that seriously.

Go in shoulder season and it all clicks: two days for the old town, promenade, Castle Hill views and museums, one or two for Riviera day trips by train rather than moving hotel. Base around Vieux Nice or the Carre d'Or, come May, June or September for warm sea and sane prices, and let tram line 2 do the thirty-minute airport run (see [Nice airport to city](/nice/nice-airport-to-city/)).

Go if

  • The promenade, Castle Hill views and the Cours Saleya market
  • Day trips by train: [Monaco](/nice/monaco-day-trip/), [Antibes](/nice/antibes-day-trip/), Cannes and Eze
  • Art collections that include [Matisse](/nice/matisse-museum-nice/) and Chagall in one city
  • A city break with real swimming on the doorstep

Skip if

  • Sand under your feet is non-negotiable; the beach is pebbles
  • Peak-summer crowds and Riviera prices would sting
  • You want quiet nights; the old town runs late and loud
When to go
May, June and September: warm sea, working city, sane prices. July and August are packed and hot; winter is mild and sunny but the sea is for walkers rather than swimmers.
How long
3 to 4 days: two for the old town, promenade and museums, one or two for Riviera day trips by train.
Getting around
The old town and promenade are walkable, trams cross the center and the airport, and the coastal train is the day-trip workhorse. Tram line 2 runs from the airport to the center in about 30 minutes (see [Nice airport to city](/nice/nice-airport-to-city/)).

Where to stay

Hotels that fit this trip in Nice

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In pictures

Nice, frame by frame

Fort Carre and Port Vauban marina in Antibesan Antibes day trip from Nice worth it
Photo: Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
Cascade du Chateau waterfall on Castle Hill in NiceCastle Hill (Colline du Chateau) in Nice worth it
Photo: Marco Del Torchio 95, CC BY 4.0 (source)
Musee Matisse villa in the Cimiez gardens, Nicethe Matisse Museum in Nice worth it
Photo: kajikawa, CC BY 3.0 (source)
Monte Carlo harbour and the Rock of Monacoa Monaco day trip from Nice worth it
Photo: Evelyscher, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
Gare de Nice-Ville railway station facadeNice airport to the city: which way
Photo: CAPTAIN RAJU, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
Fruit and vegetable stalls at the Cours Saleya market in Nicea food tour in Nice worth it
Photo: Mike is Michi, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)
Fontaine du Soleil fountain on Place Massena in Nicethe French Riviera Pass in Nice worth it
Photo: Staeiou, CC BY-SA 3.0 (source)
Boulevard de la Croisette waterfront in CannesNice or Cannes
Photo: Txllxt TxllxT, CC BY-SA 4.0 (source)

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