Overview
Nice's waterfront is defined by the Promenade des Anglais. The long seafront walk is a focus for coastal views and relaxed strolling.
Beach · Day Trips · Food · Architecture
Did you know?
- The Promenade des Anglais extends for more than 5 km along the waterfront.
- Villefranche-sur-Mer lies two train stops to the east.
- Socca is a chickpea flatbread associated with local cooking.
Why Go?
Nice is a large city on the French Riviera known for its beautiful Promenade des Anglais waterfront, ethnically diverse port atmosphere, and Mediterranean climate. In 2021, the waterfront and considerable parts of the city were listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites. The city offers museums dedicated to Matisse, Chagall, and modern art, plus a charming Old Town with baroque architecture and daily flower markets at Cours Saleya.
Getting In
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) is one of the busiest in France with frequent flights from Paris, major European cities, Istanbul, seasonal New York service, and connections to North Africa and the Middle East. The Central Railway station (Gare de Nice-Ville) connects to TGV high-speed trains from Paris (5-6 hours) and regional TER trains along the coast. Ferry services run from the Maritime Station to Corsican cities including Bastia, Ajaccio, Calvi, and L'Ile-Rousse.
Getting Around
Nice has an extensive tramway network (Lines 1, 2, and 3) plus Lignes d'Azur buses covering the city and surrounding areas. The city is walkable, with the main train station, old town, and promenade all within reasonable distance of each other. A special hotel shuttle bus serves hotels, and city bus #15 provides access to nearby coastal towns like Villefranche and Beaulieu-sur-mer.
When To Go
Nice has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters (5-8°C) and warm summers (20-27°C). Spring warms slowly and can still be cool into April. Summer offers consistent beach weather. Autumn is variable with September warm, October mixed, and November cool. Best travel times are April-June and September-October for pleasant weather and fewer crowds. July brings the famous Nice Jazz Festival.
Where To Stay
Convenient hotel locations are between the main station (Gare Nice-Ville) and the promenade, particularly below Boulevard Victor Hugo and east of Boulevard Gambetta. The old quarter (Vieux Nice) is mainly apartments with few hotels. Budget hostels include Villa Saint Exupery (free breakfast, party vibe) and Backpacker's Hostel Chez Patrick near the train station. Mid-range options like Hotel Canada offer doubles around €55-65. Hotels near the airport are 7km from the center.
Food And Drink
Nice cuisine includes socca (chickpea flatbread, €2.80-3), daube (Provençal beef stew), and salade niçoise. Lou Pilha Leva on Place Centrale serves excellent socca and daube pasta for €9.50. Fenocchio's ice cream shop offers 94 flavors including unusual options like lavender and cactus. Most restaurants accept credit cards. Wine in restaurants is expensive; order by the pichet (50cl jug) to save money. Local supermarkets like Carrefour have good wine selections with prize-winning bottles marked by medal stickers.
Things To Do
The Promenade des Anglais stretches over 5km along the waterfront, offering the iconic views painted by Henri Matisse. Colline du Château (castle hill) provides spectacular panoramas of Baie des Anges at 90m height, accessible by stairs or lift. The Old Town (Vieux Nice) features the Cours Saleya flower and produce market (Tue-Sat 06:00-17:30). Museums include Musée Matisse (€10), Musée Marc Chagall (€8), MAMAC for modern art (€10), and Musée des Arts Asiatiques (free). The Train des Pignes narrow-gauge railway offers scenic trips to mountain villages like Puget-Théniers and Annot.
Safety
Nice has the highest police officer density per capita in France, plus military patrols since the 2016 terrorist attack. Avoid the Arianne and Pasteur neighborhoods east of the city and la Trinité at night due to gang activity. The Thiers area near the train station has some unsavoury streets. Pickpockets operate in teams at buses, train stations, and tourist sites—be especially vigilant at the tram station and Gare Thiers. Theft from car boots is an issue, particularly under the old town. Personal safety concerns increase after 02:30.
Connectivity
As of 2021, Nice has 5G coverage from all French carriers (Orange, SFR, Bouygues, Free). WiFi is widely available in public places, transport, and cafes. French power outlets use Type E plugs (two round pins, 230V). For SIM cards, major carriers offer prepaid options at convenience stores and official shops.
Budget
Budget accommodation in hostels runs €20-35 per night for dorms. Dorm accommodation at Villa Saint Exupery includes free internet and breakfast. Street food like socca costs €2.80-3, while restaurant meals range from €10-20 for main courses. Bus and tram tickets cost around €1.70 per ride. The Nice Museum Pass offers reduced entry to multiple museums. Budget €60-100 per day for accommodation, food, and local transport.
Day Trips
Villefranche-sur-Mer is two train stops east (€1.70 each way) with a quieter beach and relaxed atmosphere. Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat features Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, accessible by city bus #15 in about 40 minutes. Èze is a medieval hilltop village reachable by citybus #81 or a few-hour hike. Monaco and Menton are easily reached by train east along the coast. Ventimiglia in Italy hosts a huge open-air market on Fridays—take the train from Nice Gare Ville across the border for bargain shopping.
Go Next
West along the coast: Haute de Cagnes, Antibes, Cannes, and Saint-Tropez. East by train: Villefranche, Monaco, and Menton, with border town Ventimiglia in Italy. North into Provence: Vence and Saint-Paul de Vence for hilltop old towns. The Train des Pignes narrow-gauge railway travels through mountainous villages like Touët-sur-Var, Puget-Théniers, Entrevaux, Annot, and Verdon Gorge en route to Digne-les-Bains. Italian Liguria and Sanremo are just over an hour away via Ventimiglia.
Guide text adapted from Wikivoyage contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to start
Eat
7 Days
Amazing local pizza and lovely owner. The pizzas are amazing, very tasty and good size.
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Borghese Lust
The ambiance is great, contemporary, and the staff are friendly welcoming with genuine smiles. Very nice decoration.
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Chez Moi
The exceptional service and the atmosphere of the restaurant makes this place a memorable experience. A real treasure to stumble upon this hidden gem of a restaurant. Great decor and fantastic food.
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Chez Palmyre
French cuisine. Nice restaurant with very pretty decor. Very warm welcome and friendly. Excellent cuisine. You'll probably find yourself seating at the same table with other people, which makes the experience even better
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Chez Pipo
A good Mediterranean restaurant where you can taste specialties from Nice. The socca is good there and the other dishes too.
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Cok Bafa
Great typical Portuguese and Cape Verdean restaurant. Braised chicken formulas to die for. Great and beautiful restaurant.
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Dai Long
The feeling of a very familiar hometown restaurant. Good and authentic Chinese food.
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Fennocchio's
Serves ice creams and Italian-style ices. It's a tough choice to select just one or two of the 94 flavours, which include classics like chocolate or vanilla and less usual ones like thyme, cactus or lavender. 2 locations in the Old Town.
Price when recorded: €2.50 for glace
Before you go
Connectivity
5G available from all French carriers. WiFi widely available in cafes, transport, and public spaces. French power uses Type E plugs (230V).
Culture
Nice was part of Italy until 1860; the local Nissart language is dying out. French is the main language—making an effort is appreciated. The city has strong Italian cultural influences in cuisine and architecture.
Food
Try socca (chickpea flatbread), daube, and salade niçoise. Cours Saleya has daily food markets. Order wine by the pichet in restaurants to save money. Ice cream at Fenocchio's offers 94 flavors.
Money
Currency is the Euro (€). Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard, EC/Maestro) widely accepted. ATMs are numerous throughout the city. Duty-free shops at Nice airport are overpriced—buy cigarettes in Italy instead.
Safety
High police presence. Avoid Arianne, Pasteur, and areas north of airport at night. Pickpockets active in crowded areas, especially at Gare Thiers tram station. Personal safety concerns increase after 02:30.
Transport
Nice has an airport (NCE) with flights across Europe and seasonal long-haul routes. The central train station (Gare Nice-Ville) connects to TGV from Paris in 5-6 hours. Ferries to Corsica depart from the maritime terminal near Port de Commerce.
Weather
Mediterranean climate: mild winters (5-13°C) and warm summers (20-28°C). Spring warms slowly with possible winter-like temps into April. Summer is dry and sunny. Autumn months have variable temperatures.