Nestled on the French Riviera in between Monacco and Cannes, Nice offers the perfect location in which to explore the French Riviera. Nice is well known for its fantastic climate, fabulous beaches and beautiful coastline with mesmerizing views. With the most museums after Paris and year-round festivals, it offers both a beach destination and an art and cultural hub.
Originally part of Italy the Nice’s mixed heritage can be seen all around from its architecture, cuisine and lifestyle. There is so much on Nice’s doorstep, it’s no wonder it has been a tourist hub for over 400,000 years. It’s central location on the Côte d’Azur make Nice the perfect destination to explore all the wonders of this fabulous coastline.
- Nice Harbour
Take a stroll one of the most glamourous harbours in Europe, with small fishing boats, yachts and large ships sharing the port.
- Grande Roue De Nice
A beautiful area perfect for the perfect holiday picture! Traditional buildings surrounding the Fountain du Soleil.
- Visit an Art Museum
There are simply too many to mention them all heres our top selection! Fondation Maeght St Paul de Vence, Picasso Museum, Antibes or Chagall Museum.
- Stroll around an Opulent Houses
There are so many houses of architectural importance most with the most beautiful landscaped gardens. Here are a few. Ephrussi Villa and Gardens (Rothschild villa), Villa Kerylos, Beaulieu or Eileen Grays Modernist House, Roquebrun St Martin
- Eat in the Old Town
No visit to Nice is complete without a visit to the picturesque Old Town of Nice. With its maze of narrow alleyways and cobblestone streets, it has a lively ambience. With an abundance of market stalls selling everything from fresh flowers, to fish to fruit to art, personally we recommend you get a gelato ice cream from one of the many ice cream venders with over 100 flavours to choose from!
- Cycle the Promenade du Anglais
The most symbolic street in Nice, the Promenade des Anglais is a gorgeous pedestrian area that follows the curve of the Baie des Anges beaches. This legendary seaside road is lined with planted palm trees and filled with elegant gardens. Velos blues are popular in Nice, there are nearly 2000 of them to hire, and 175 bike stations. You needn’t be a cycling pro, as the promenade provides a flat and enjoyable cycle! Here’s a tip- the first 30 minutes are free, so unlock it and return it back to a stand half an hour later and get another one out!
- Parc de la Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill Park)
On a hill overlooking the Nice coastline, the site of Castle Hill was the first area of Nice to be inhabited by the Greeks two millennia ago. This shady oasis features leafy palms, a waterfall, and winding paths that invite leisurely strolls. Several spots offer incredible panoramic views of the Baie des Anges, the Vieille Ville, and Nice harbour.
- Cathedrale Orthodoxe Rusee Saint-Nicolas
Built in 1912 by Tsar Nicholas, the Cathédrale Orthodoxe Russe Saint-Nicolas is considered one of the most beautiful Orthodox churches outside Russia. Designed in the Muscovite style, the cathedral’s richly decorated interior has the appearance of a jewel box with its ornamental icons, murals, and gilded iconostasis. The cathedral is still used as a place of worship. Visitors are admitted but must respect certain rules.
- Have a Beach Day
Sit back, relax and enjoy the finest beaches on the French Rivera, don’t forget to dip your toes in the Med! A helpful tip is to wear beach shoes if you are swimming in the sea, as the pebbles can be hard on your feet. Castel Plage and Beau Rivage are the two private beaches we would particularly recommend, offering sunbeds/Wi-Fi/changing rooms/showers/hessian carpets to beach and bar/food service to your sunbed etc. They do deals for half day usage.
- Relax and Enjoy the Ocean Waves with a Boat Trips
A ferry service is available from Nice Port to a number of destinations including:
St Tropez; La Corniche d’Or (between Cannes/St Raphael); San Remo (Italy); Various ports in Corsica. We can particularly recommend the one hour boat trip around Villefranche bay which leaves from the Cote d’Azur office at Nice Port and also the Lerin Island /Corniche trip which leaves at 9am and returns at 7pm. The islands are unspoilt, wildlife spots with nice swim and picnic spots, but take your beach shoes as there are pebbles.
