A complete, honest guide to Nice, France — where to go, what to eat, how to get around and the day trips worth your time. French Riviera capital — pebble beaches, palms & Provençal charm..
Nice is a highlight of Europe, and Nice is the capital of the French Riviera — a sun-soaked city of a pebbly seafront promenade, an old town and Mediterranean light. Whether you have a long weekend or a full week, this guide helps you plan a trip that balances the must-sees with the moments that make a place stick.
Top things to do in Nice
These are the sights most first-time visitors build their trip around. Tap each one to add it to your shortlist — it saves as you browse.
Perfect 2–3 days in Nice
A simple, unhurried plan you can shape around your own pace.
The essentials
Hit the headline sights first — Promenade des Anglais and Vieux Nice. Break for lunch and try socca, then spend the evening soaking up the atmosphere of Vieux Nice.
Go deeper
Go beyond the highlights: see Castle Hill (Colline du Château) and Cours Saleya market, then explore Promenade & Port at a slower pace. Leave time to sit in a café, browse a market and eat where the locals do.
Beyond the city
With a third day, head out of town — Èze & Monaco (a clifftop village and the principality) is the easy favourite, or swap in Antibes & Cannes (beaches and old towns).
Ready to book? Turn your Nice shortlist into reality
Skip-the-line tickets, guided tours and day trips for the sights you've saved — booked through Viator (a Tripadvisor company). We may earn a commission.
Book Nice experiences →Nice on a budget — costs & money tips
Nice is on the pricier side by global standards. Here’s roughly what to budget, per person per day, by travel style — these are indicative estimates to plan around, not fixed prices, and they exclude international flights. Use the currency selector near the top of the page to convert.
dorms/hostels, street food, public transport, mostly free sights
private room or 3★ hotel, a mix of cafes and restaurants, a few paid attractions
4★ hotel, restaurants, taxis when handy, tours and tickets
What things cost in Nice
- Accommodation£35–£120 / night
- Food£20–£55 / day
- Local transport£6–£16 / day
- Typical attraction£12–£35 / entry
See how Nice compares with 126 other cities →
Saving money in Nice
- Stay slightly outside the centre near a fast transit line — nightly rates drop quickly a stop or two out.
- Free museum evenings/days and city passes can offset the high cost of paid attractions.
- Self-cater breakfast and lunch; this is where a comfortable budget is most easily trimmed.
Estimates assume mid-2020s prices and a typical exchange rate; high season, festivals and last-minute booking push costs toward the upper end.
Local intelligence — Nice at a glance
A quick orientation for Nice. Sunrise and sunset are live for today; connectivity and nomad-friendliness are Wander360 estimates to set expectations, not precise scores.
Staying safe in Nice
Most visits are trouble-free. Use the same street sense you would in any busy city: keep an eye on belongings in crowds and on transport, use licensed taxis or a rideshare app, agree fares in advance where meters aren’t used, and be wary of unsolicited “help” at ATMs or stations. For up-to-date, authoritative guidance always check your own government’s travel advisory (UK FCDO · US State Dept) before you travel.
For getting around Nice specifically, see the Getting around section on this page.
Where to stay & neighbourhoods in Nice
Nice is really a collection of distinct districts, and where you base yourself shapes the whole trip. Here’s each main neighbourhood — what it’s like and who it suits:
Vieux Nice
The old town.
Promenade & Port
Seafront and harbour dining.
Cimiez
Roman ruins and the Matisse Museum.
Once you’ve picked an area, you can book tours & tickets in Nice further down the page.
Food & drink in Nice
Niçoise specialities — socca, pissaladière, salade niçoise and ratatouille.
Build your Nice food list — tap the dishes you want to try:
Getting around Nice
The centre is walkable with trams; the train links the whole Riviera coast.
🚇 Public transport
Usually the fastest and cheapest way around Nice. Grab a rechargeable travel card or use contactless where supported, and download the local transit app for live times.
🚶 On foot
The centre of Nice is best explored on foot — it’s how you stumble on the small things. Wear comfortable shoes and keep a map app handy.
🚕 Taxis & rideshare
For late nights, luggage runs or awkward cross-town hops, ride-hailing apps are usually cheaper and clearer than flagging a cab. Confirm the car and plate before getting in.
✈️ From the airport
Check the official airport transfer options before you land — there’s almost always a train or express bus into Nice that beats a taxi on price.
Best time to visit Nice
May–June and September for warm seas without peak crowds. Prices and crowds tend to follow the weather, so the shoulder seasons often give the best value.
Highlighted months are the sweet spot for visiting Nice.
Day trips from Nice
When you’re ready to venture beyond the city, these make for rewarding day trips:
- Èze & Monaco — a clifftop village and the principality
- Antibes & Cannes — beaches and old towns
Practical tips for Nice
🧭 Where to base yourself
For a first visit, Vieux Nice is a smart base — the old town. If that’s not your style, Promenade & Port works well too (seafront and harbour dining).
🍽️ Eat like a local
Don’t leave Nice without trying socca, salade niçoise, pissaladière or ratatouille. Skip the obvious tourist spots and eat where you see locals queueing.
✨ Don’t miss
Make time for Promenade des Anglais and Vieux Nice. With a spare day, Èze & Monaco (a clifftop village and the principality) is well worth the trip.
💰 Money & payments
Cards and contactless are widely accepted in Nice, but carry some local cash for markets, small cafés and tips. Tell your bank you’re travelling and check foreign-transaction fees.
📶 Staying connected
A local eSIM or SIM is cheap and makes maps, transport and translation effortless across Nice — set it up before you arrive or at the airport.
🛡️ Stay aware
Keep an eye on your belongings in crowds and on transport in Nice, as you would in any busy city, and keep a digital copy of your passport.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Nice?
Three to four days is enough for Nice’s highlights — the main sights plus time to wander Vieux Nice — with an extra day for a trip to Èze & Monaco if you can spare it.
What is the best time of year to visit Nice?
May–June and September for warm seas without peak crowds.
What food is Nice known for?
Niçoise specialities — socca, pissaladière, salade niçoise and ratatouille.
Where should I stay in Nice?
Vieux Nice is a great first-time base (the old town). Promenade & Port is another good option for seafront and harbour dining.
What are the best day trips from Nice?
Two rewarding day trips are Èze & Monaco (a clifftop village and the principality) and Antibes & Cannes (beaches and old towns).
How do you get around Nice?
The centre is walkable with trams; the train links the whole Riviera coast.
