OVERVIEW
Sections
⭐ = Must-Sees
- ACTIVITIES
- 8 STROLLS
⭐ Old Nice - 4 PANORAMAS
⭐ Colline du Château Hilltop - 14 MUSEUMS / EXHIBITS
- 10 CHURCHES
- 6 GARDENS & PARKS
- 2 FOOD MARKETS
- 3 CRAFT MARKETS
- BEACHES
- 2 OTHERS
Map
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ACTIVITIES
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STROLLS
| Name | Appeal | Type | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Old Nice | ✦✦✦✦✦ | Old Town Center |
| 2 | Promenade des Anglais | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Seafront |
| 3 | Sentier du Littoral | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Coastal Path |
| 4 | Place Masséna | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Square |
| 5 | Promenade du Paillon | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Promenade + Fountain |
| 6 | Place Garibaldi | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Square |
| 7 | Port Lympia | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Marina |
| 8 | Dike | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Dike |
1. ⭐ Old Nice
Appeal ✦✦✦✦✦
Type Old Town Center
Full Name
Vieux Nice
Old Nice, the historic heart of the city, has that one-of-a-kind Mediterranean charm where French and Italian vibes mix perfectly. You’re in this maze of narrow streets, some buzzing with life, others totally quiet. Most of the buildings date back to the 17th and 18th centuries, with super colorful architecture: think golden yellow walls, red facades, classic green shutters, and those iconic louvered blinds.
Walking through Old Nice is all about wandering with no plan, just letting your eyes catch on a carved detail, an old wooden door, or some laundry hanging out a window. The shopping streets are full of little stores where the charming and the everyday mix in this totally Southern vibe. The neighborhood changes all day long, soft light in the morning, packed and bustling at midday, then full of energy in the evening.
With its contrasts and timeless feel, Old Nice is really the soul of the city, down-to-earth and full of life. It’s a must-see if you’re looking to get a true taste of Nice.
2. Promenade des Anglais
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Seafront
Full Names
Promenade des Anglais
Quai des Etats-Unis
This is basically the face of Nice. The Promenade des Anglais is the city’s symbol, running along the sea for almost five kilometers and bringing together everything the Côte d’Azur is all about: sunshine, the sea, palm trees, elegance, and that open-air stage feel. It’s like a ribbon hugging the bay, always alive with people: wide-eyed tourists, early morning joggers, locals out for a stroll, and old gentlemen walking slow.
The name goes back to the 19th century, when a group of wealthy English visitors, escaping their chilly winters, funded the construction of this walkway. Ever since, it’s been the go-to spot for anyone who loves a good stroll.
But it’s not just any avenue. It’s a string of moments, with those famous blue benches where you can just sit and stare at the sea, a mix of private and public beaches, grand old hotels, and iconic facades. You’ll spot the Negresco with its pink dome, a Belle Époque gem, and Castle Hill closing off the view to the east.
The show never stops: cyclists, skaters, families, couples, people-watching all day long. Every hour gives you a new vibe.
This is where Nice really shows its open, Mediterranean soul.
3. Sentier du Littoral
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Coastal Path
Full Name
Sentier du Littoral
This part of the coastal path starts at Coco Beach, at the far end of Nice’s port, and winds its way between rocks and pine trees all the way to the nearby town of Villefranche-sur-Mer. It’s one of the prettiest walks in the area, with steel-blue sea, quiet little coves, white cliffs, and the curves of the bay in the distance. The trail sticks close to the Mediterranean, sometimes narrow, sometimes steep.
4. Place Masséna
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Square
Full Name
Place Masséna
Right in the heart of Nice, Place Masséna totally captures the city’s architectural charm and buzzing city life. It sits at a key spot, where the old town, avenue Jean-Médecin, and the Promenade du Paillon all meet, so it naturally becomes a central point for both locals and visitors. You’ll especially feel that during the famous Nice Carnival, which takes over the square every year in February.
The buildings around it, with their red facades, that deep red-ocher color typical of Nice, give the place its unique vibe. The checkerboard ground design adds a modern touch to this historic square.
One of the coolest things here is the artwork by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa called “Conversation in Nice.” You’ll see seven huge resin statues sitting on 12-meter-high poles, all in a meditative pose. At night, they light up and slowly change colors.
5. Promenade du Paillon
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Promenade + Fountain
Full Name
Promenade du Paillon
This green stretch, the Promenade du Paillon, feels like a breath of fresh air between the Old Town and the more modern parts of the city. It’s been built over the old path of the Paillon river, and runs all the way from the National Theatre down to the sea. It’s perfect when you want a little break from the city rush.
You’ve got grassy lawns, Mediterranean trees, splash zones, mist sprays, and big wooden play structures that make it super popular with families, students, and anyone just strolling around. Everything here is designed to give you shade, chill vibes, and easy movement.
The heart of it all is the water jets that shoot up regularly, creating a big reflective area. In summer, kids run around barefoot, and adults cool off just by being near the water.
6. Place Garibaldi
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Square
Full Name
Place Giuseppe Garibaldi
Place Garibaldi is like an open-air drawing room with a Piedmontese feel, and it’s one of the oldest and prettiest squares in Nice. You’ll notice the yellow facades with green shutters, and arcades all around.
Right in the middle stands a statue of Garibaldi, cape flying, gazing into the distance. All around the square, cafés set up terraces under the arcades, it’s shady, relaxing, and always buzzing.
Because it’s right between the port, the old town, and Castle Hill, it’s also a key spot for city traffic and the tram. But even with all that movement, the square keeps its charm. It’s a perfect balance of history and everyday life.
7. Port Lympia
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Marina
Full Name
Port Lympia
Tucked away at the edge of the city, Port Lympia still feels authentic. You’ll see traditional colorful fishing boats bobbing alongside sleek yachts. The place is alive, sometimes you’ll even spot fishermen unloading their early-morning catch. A few quiet terraces give you the perfect spot to watch the light change on the buildings. It’s small, peaceful, and a world away from the busy seafront.
8. Dike
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Dike
The jetty at Nice’s port, leading up to the lighthouse, marks where the city ends and the open sea begins. It’s just a plain, straight pier, but the view over the bay is incredible. It’s not a touristy spot, which makes it perfect for quiet walkers, local fishermen, or anyone who just wants some peace. The small lighthouse at the end closes off the view. Go at sunrise or sunset if you want to catch the best moment.
PANORAMAS
| Name | Appeal | Type | € | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Colline du Château | ✦✦✦✦✦ | Hilltop Park | 0 |
| 2 | Tour St-François | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Bell Tower | €5 |
| 3 | Cimetière du Château | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Cemetery Hill | 0 |
| 4 | #ILoveNice | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Sign | 0 |
+2
Jardin du Monastère de Cimiez and Jardin Botanique also offer panoramas
(see GARDENS & PARKS section).
1. ⭐ Colline du Château
Appeal ✦✦✦✦✦
Type Hilltop Park
Price Free
Full Name
Colline du Château
Castle Hill is the best panoramic spot in Nice. It stands 90 meters above the city, and despite the name, there’s no castle left, it was destroyed in 1706 by Louis XIV’s troops. What you’ll find instead are ruins, shady paths, pine trees offering coolness, and a man-made waterfall.
You can get up there by foot from Old Nice, or just take the free elevator. Once you’re at the top, the view hits you right away, you’ve got the perfect curve of the Bay of Angels on one side, and Port Lympia on the other. It’s one of the few places where you can take in all of Nice at once, the hills, the sea, and the red rooftops of the old town.
People come here to picnic, relax, jog in the early morning, and above all snap some great photos. Morning light here is golden and low, and by evening, it turns soft and pastel, lighting up the warm tones of the city and the deep blue of the sea.
👀 Google View 360° – Panorama West
2. Tour St-François
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Bell Tower
Price €5.50
Full Name
Tour Saint-François
Tucked into the maze of Old Nice, you’ll spot a tall white-and-ochre bell tower, that’s the Saint-François Tower. It’s the only piece left of a Franciscan convent destroyed during the Revolution. At 40 meters high, it once kept time for the city with its clock. These days, when it’s open to the public, you can climb it for one of the best views over Nice, the rooftops, Castle Hill, and the sea. A bit hidden, but definitely worth the effort.
3. Cimetière du Château
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Cemetery Hill
Price Free
Full Name
Cimetière du Château
Up on Castle Hill, the cemetery overlooks the sea. Some well-known names are resting in the calm breeze. With tall cypress trees, white marble, and a view over the bay, it’s a peaceful stop above the buzz of the city.
4. #ILoveNice
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Sign
Price Free
The giant #ILoveNice sign has become one of the city’s most iconic photo spots. You’ll find it on the Rauba-Capeù esplanade, right where the Promenade des Anglais meets Castle Hill. Behind the letters, the sea is a bold blue, and the bay curves out like a postcard. It’s a favorite spot at sunrise or sunset, when the light makes everything look magical.
MUSEUMS / EXHIBITS
| Name | Appeal | Theme | € | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marc Chagall | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Marc Chagall | €8/10 |
| 2 | Musée National du Sport | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Sports | €8/10 |
| 3 | Matisse | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Henri Matisse | €12 |
| 4 | MAMAC | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Contemporary Art | Closed |
| 5 | Beaux Arts | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Fine Arts | €10 |
| 6 | Art Naïf | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Naïve Art | €5 |
| 7 | Palais Lascaris | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Decorative + Music | €5 |
| 8 | Villa Masséna | ✦✦✧✧✧ | House Museum & Garden | €10 |
| 9 | Arts Asiatiques | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Asian Arts | 0 |
| 10 | Lympia | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Art Exhibits | 0 |
| 11 | Charles Nègre | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Photography | €7 |
| 12 | Cimiez | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Roman | €7 |
| 13 | Terra Amata | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Paleontology | €7 |
| 14 | Crypte Archéologique | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Ruined Fortification | €8 |
| 15 | Grotte du Lazaret | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Prehistoric Cave | 0 |
1. Marc Chagall
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Theme Marc Chagall
Price €8 / €10
Full Names
Musée National Marc Chagall
Musée du Message Biblique
The Marc Chagall National Museum holds the largest collection of the artist’s works in one place. What’s really special is that Chagall himself helped design it, so everything feels very intentional. The heart of the museum is his Biblical series: colorful paintings filled with dreamlike symbols and deep spiritual energy.
You’ll also see sketches, stained glass, and some of his later pieces. The building is calm and simple, letting in natural light that really brings the art to life.
Outside, a Mediterranean garden with cypress and olive trees adds to the peaceful vibe.
2. Musée National du Sport
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Theme Sports Museum + Exhibitions
Price €8 / €10
Full Name
Musée National du Sport
The National Sports Museum is dedicated to the history of sports. It’s packed with gear, posters, videos, trophies, showing how sports evolved in France and around the world.
You’ll walk through time and themes, iconic athletes, Olympic highlights, football, cycling, skiing, plus how sports relate to culture, politics, and media.
There’s a ton to see: signed jerseys, Olympic torches, champion bikes, and historic medals. It’s made for both hardcore fans and curious visitors. Super easy to explore, fun for kids too, and a reminder that sport is more than just performance, it’s part of our culture.
It is possible to combine a visit to the Sports Museum with a paid guided visit of the Allianz Riviera, the home stadium of the Nice football club.
3. Matisse
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Henri Matisse
Price €12
Full Name
Musée Matisse
Up in the Cimiez neighborhood, the Matisse Museum takes you through the life and work of one of the greats of modern art. It’s set in a beautiful 17th-century villa surrounded by ancient olive trees, in the very area Matisse lived.
Thanks to donations from the artist and his family, the collection covers his whole career, paintings, sculptures, drawings, illustrated books, even personal objects. You’ll see how his style evolved, from Fauvism to the famous paper cut-outs.
Color, line, rhythm, and that strong Mediterranean light, are at the heart of everything here.
4. MAMAC
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Modern and Contemporary Art
Price €12
Full Name
Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain
The museum is currently under renovation, with its reopening scheduled for 2028.
The MAMAC stands out right in central Nice, between the old town and the Promenade du Paillon. The bold design: four white towers connected by walkways, grabs your attention. It focuses on post-war art to today, with a special love for New Realism, Pop Art, and conceptual movements.
The permanent collection features Yves Klein (born in Nice) with his famous blue works, plus pieces by Niki de Saint Phalle, Arman, César, Martial Raysse, and Andy Warhol. You’ll find huge sculptures, recycled materials, and art that challenges the norm.
5. Beaux Arts
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Fine Arts
Price €10
Full Name
Musée des Beaux Arts Jules Chéret
The Nice Fine Arts Museum is inside a grand Belle Époque villa and holds a rich collection from the 16th to the 20th century, a mix of academic tradition and eclectic styles.
You’ll start with baroque works, Italian and Flemish schools, then move on to 19th-century French painters. It’s more classical than the city’s modern museums, focused on form, detail, and elegance.
The building itself, with its high ceilings and ornate decor, adds to the charm. It’s a quiet spot that really lets you explore the long artistic history of the city.
6. Art Naïf
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Naïve Art
Price €5
Full Name
Musée International d’Art Naïf Anatole Jakovsky
Tucked away in the Fabron neighborhood, this museum is in a lovely 19th-century villa surrounded by gardens. It holds one of the world’s biggest collections of naïve art, thanks to Renée and Anatole Jakovsky.
You’ll see works by self-taught artists from around the globe, with bold colors, quirky perspectives, and vivid imagination. There are paintings, sculptures, toys, models, even giant outdoor pieces.
It’s peaceful, original, and offers a totally different take on art, outside the usual academic or conceptual styles.
7. Palais Lascaris
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Decorative Art + Music
Price €5
Full Name
Musée du Palais Lascaris
Right in the heart of Old Nice, the Palais Lascaris is a baroque gem. This 17th-century noble mansion gives you a glimpse into the grand life of Nice’s old aristocracy: painted ceilings, ornate staircases, rich decor everywhere.
The palace isn’t just a beautiful space, it also houses one of France’s top collections of historic musical instruments. Strings, winds, harpsichords, and rare oddities show how music evolved over centuries.
If you love decorative arts or music history, this place is a must.
8. Villa Masséna
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme House Museum & Garden
Price €10
Full Names
Villa Masséna
Musée Masséna
Villa Masséna is one of Nice’s most elegant museums, right on the Promenade des Anglais. This Belle Époque villa from the late 1800s now tells the story of Nice and the French Riviera.
Inside, you’ll find Napoleon’s personal items, 19th-century art, vintage posters, photos, and everyday objects, all tracing the city’s history through royalty, empire, and early tourism.
The Italian neoclassical style is gorgeous, and the formal gardens are open to the public, peaceful and green. It’s a stylish place that captures the city’s evolution in both art and urban life.
9. Arts Asiatiques
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Theme Asian Arts
Price Free
Full Name
Musée des Arts Asiatiques
Out in western Nice, this sleek modern museum shows off art from China, India, Japan, Southeast Asia, and the Himalayas. The layout is both by region and theme, focusing on rituals, beliefs, and Eastern aesthetics. You’ll see serene Buddhas, elegant calligraphy, colorful ceramics, costumes, and swords. Surrounded by water and filled with natural light, the place feels incredibly calming.
More
10. Lympia
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Theme Art Exhibitions
Price Free
Full Name
Espace Culturel Lympia
In the old prison building at the port of Nice, Galerie Lympia now hosts temporary exhibitions in a striking setting: vaulted cells, stone walls, and dramatic lighting. You’ll find photography, contemporary art, outsider art, or design.
11. Charles Nègre
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Theme Photography Museum
Price €7
Full Name
Musée de la Photographie Charles Nègre
In the heart of Old Nice, this museum is all about photography. Named after Charles Nègre, a pioneer in the field, it features rotating exhibits from historical archives to cutting-edge contemporary work. Think original prints, multimedia installations, and deep dives into social themes, all in a sleek space that blends modern design with old town charm.
⚙️ Hours (Official Website – Fr)
12. Cimiez
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Theme Roman + Ruined Romans Bath
Price €7
⚙️ Hours & Prices (Official Website – Fr)
Museum
Full Name
Musée d’Archéologie de Nice-Cimiez
This museum is located on the Cimiez Hill, once a Roman town known as Cemenelum.
It showcases ancient Roman Nice. You’ll see mosaics, everyday objects, statues, and gravestones from local digs. The layout is clear and educational, helping you picture Roman life: with baths, forums, and homes.
Ruined Roman Baths
Full Name
Thermes Romain de Cimiez
Behind the museum you can walk through the remains of real Roman baths.
13. Terra Amata
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Theme Paleontology
Price €7
Full Name
Musée de Préhistoire de Terra Amata
Up on Terra Amata hill, this museum reveals a prehistoric site dating back 400,000 years. You’ll find early human shelters, stone tools, fire pits, and extinct animal bones. It’s big on reconstructions: scenes of daily life, models, and fun panels. Designed with families and school groups in mind, it shows just how long humans have been living in Nice.
14. Grotte du Lazaret
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Theme Prehistoric Cave
Price Free
Full Name
Grotte du Lazaret
The Lazaret Cave, at the base of Mont Boron, was home to early humans about 200,000 years ago. Archaeologists have found human remains, tools, and signs of social life. There’s a small interpretation center where you can learn why it’s such a key site. A look into the deep prehistory of the Riviera.
CHURCHES
| Name | Appeal | Status | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nice Cathedral (Ste-Réparate) | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Cathedral |
| 2 | Ste-Rita | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Church |
| 3 | Cimiez | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Monastery + Garden + Museum |
| 4 | Gésu | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Church |
| 5 | St-Martin St-Augustin | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Church |
| 6 | St-Nicolas | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Russian Cathedral |
| 7 | Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Church |
| 8 | Notre-Dame de l'Assomption | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Basilica |
| 9 | St-François de Paule | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Church |
| 10 | Ste-Jeanne d'Arc | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Church |
1. Nice Cathedral (Ste-Réparate)
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Cathedral
Full Name
Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate
Right in the heart of Old Nice, on Place Rossetti, you’ll find Sainte-Réparate Cathedral. It’s a beautiful example of Piedmontese baroque style. Built in the 17th century and dedicated to the city’s patron saint, the place is full of gold, stucco, and charm. There are ten side chapels and the relics of the saint inside. The painted dome and the altar really catch your eye. The façade was redone in the 19th century, but the whole building still looks very harmonious.
2. Ste-Rita
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Church
Full Names
Église Sainte-Rita
Église de l’Annonciation
Chapelle Sainte-Rita
Chapelle Saint-Jaume
Chapelle Sainte-Giaume
Tucked away in a small alley in Old Nice, Sainte-Rita is one of the most beloved churches around. The outside looks pretty modest, but step in and you’re surrounded by baroque decor, with frescoes, statues, and ex-votos everywhere. People come here all the time to pray to the “saint of hopeless causes”. And every year, the celebration of Sainte Rita brings a big procession through the streets.
3. Cimiez
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Type Monastery + Museum + Cemetery
Monastery
Full Name
Monastère de Cimiez
Up in Cimiez neighborhood, there’s an old Franciscan monastery that houses one of the baroque churches in Nice. The inside is quite simple, but it holds three masterpieces by Louis Bréa, a key 15th-century painter from the area. The place keeps a calm, spiritual feeling, true to its roots.
⚙️ Hours (Tourist Office Website)
Museum
Full Name
Musée Franciscain
There’s a little museum next door showing what daily life was like for the Franciscans.
Cemetery
Behind the monastery is the small Cimiez cemetery, where notable figures such as the French artist Henri Matisse are buried.
4. Gésu
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Church
Full Names
Église du Gésu
Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur
Le Gésu, in Old Nice, is a real baroque jewel. Built in the 1600s by the Jesuits, it has a pretty discreet façade, but once you’re inside, it’s impressive: richly decorated, twisted columns, a theatrical altar. It’s dedicated to Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur and still active, with regular masses and concerts. The solemn atmosphere inside really contrasts with the busy streets just outside.
5. St-Martin St-Augustin
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Church
Full Name
Église Saint-Martin Saint-Augustin
Tucked away in the maze of Old Nice, Saint-Martin–Saint-Augustin is one of the city’s oldest churches. It was rebuilt in the 17th century in a restrained baroque style. The light, unadorned façade contrasts with the clean lines and discreet side chapels inside.
6. St-Nicolas
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Russian Cathedral
Full Name
Cathédrale Orthodoxe Russe Saint-Nicolas de Nice
This one’s a real surprise, Saint-Nicolas Cathedral is the biggest Orthodox church outside Russia. Built in the early 1900s for the Russian community, it has red bricks, colorful onion domes, and richly decorated iconostases. Inside, you’ll smell incense and see soft light everywhere. It feels like you’re stepping into a different world. It’s still in use today, with services and visitors all year round. It’s a strong symbol of the old ties between the Riviera and the Russian aristocracy.
7. Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Church
Full Name
Église Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice
Notre-Dame Auxiliatrice is a modern, low-key church from the 1920s. The architecture is simple and the atmosphere is peaceful. Inside, it’s bright and minimalist, a big contrast from the baroque churches in the old town.
8. Notre-Dame de l'Assomption
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Basilica
Full Name
Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption
Built starting in 1864 this basilica is inspired by the great French cathedrals, it has a neo-Gothic style, with two tall spires and a large rose window in the center. Inside, the high nave, ribbed vaults, and stained glass windows fill the space with soft, colorful light. It was built after Nice became part of France, symbolizing its integration into the country.
9. St-François de Paule
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Church
Full Name
Église Saint-François-de-Paule
Near the Opera, this 18th-century church has a simple baroque style. The front is clean and elegant, and the inside feels intimate and balanced, with a nice altarpiece and light stucco work.
More
10. Ste-Jeanne d'Arc
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Church
Full Name
Église Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc
Built in the 1930s, Sainte-Jeanne d’Arc has a totally modern design: white domes, parabolic arches, and futuristic shapes. Inside, the natural light and clean lines make it feel open and very contemporary. It’s an example of 20th-century religious architecture.
GARDENS & PARKS
| Name | Appeal | Type | € | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jardin Botanique | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Botanical Garden | 0 |
| 2 | Phœnix | ✦✦✦✧✧ | Botanical Garden | €5.50 |
| 3 | Jardin du Monastère de Cimiez | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Garden | 0 |
| 4 | Albert 1er | ✦✧✧✧✧ | City Park | 0 |
| 5 | Vigier | ✦✧✧✧✧ | City Park | 0 |
| 6 | Jardin des Arènes de Cimiez | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Park | 0 |
+1
Colline du Château is also a park (see PANORAMAS section).
1. Jardin Botanique
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Botanical Garden
Price Free
Full Name
Jardin Botanique de la Ville de Nice
Out on the western side of Nice, up on Fabron hill, the botanical garden stretches over 3.5 hectares and gives you over the surroundings. It was created in 1983 as a scientific and educational garden, and it’s home to over 3,000 plant species, mostly from regions like Provence, California, South Africa, Australia, and the eastern Mediterranean.
The path slopes gently and is lined with info panels and themed zones by geography. You’ll come across collections of aromatic, medicinal, succulent, and aquatic plants. The focus is really on biodiversity.
It’s a peaceful, low-key place where you can really take your time and learn about nature, all while staying above the city’s hustle and bustle.
2. Phœnix
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Botanical Garden
Price €5.50
French Name
Parc Phœnix
Right by the airport, on the west side of town, Parc Phœnix is a big garden that blends relaxation, exotic animals, and plant collections. Its huge tropical greenhouse features species from five continents: orchids, palms, carnivorous plants, and tree ferns.
Outside the greenhouse, you’ll find themed zones like a zen garden, palm grove, grass garden, and a lily pond. The park also has aviaries, turtle ponds, and small exotic animals and birds. It’s a fun mix of botany and wildlife, perfect for families or a quiet stroll.
3. Jardin du Monastère de Cimiez
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Garden
Price Free
Full Name
Jardin du Monastère de Cimiez
Right behind the old Franciscan monastery in Cimiez, this garden follows a historic, medieval-style layout. It blends roses, medicinal herbs, and geometric paths in perfect harmony. It’s peaceful and quiet, the kind of place where you just stop and breathe. Everything’s super well-kept, and there’s this timeless vibe, like you’ve stepped out of the city for a while. The view over Nice and the nearby hills just adds to the charm.
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4. Albert 1er
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type City Park
Price Free
Full Name
Jardin Albert 1er
Between Place Masséna and the sea, Jardin Albert-Ier is a big green space right in the heart of the city. It’s lined with palm trees and gives you a nice break from the busy streets around. People walk through it, but it’s also great for just sitting and relaxing.
In summer, the open-air theater hosts concerts and shows. Close to the Promenade du Paillon, it’s part of a whole green corridor through the city. Central, lively, and handy.
5. Vigier
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type City Park
Price Free
Full Name
Parc Vigier
Just past the port, this small garden overlooks the sea and is full of palm trees. It’s the perfect little escape when you want a quick break from the city, especially in summer when you’re looking for some shade.
6. Jardin des Arènes de Cimiez
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Park
Price Free
Full Name
Jardin des Arènes de Cimiez
Set around the ancient Roman ruins in Cimiez, this big public park is known for its calm and cool atmosphere. It’s lined with old olive trees and shaded paths, perfect for walking, reading, or letting kids play. The lawns are great for families, musicians, or picnic lovers. You’ll also see joggers and people playing boules.
FOOD MARKETS
| Name | Appeal | Opening | Setting | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Saleya | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Tue > Sun a.m. | Outdoor |
| 2 | Libération | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Tue > Sun a.m. | Outdoor |
1. Saleya (Food & Flowers)
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Opening Tuesday to Saturday mornings
Setting Outdoor
Full Name
Marché de Saleya
The Saleya Market, the most famous and touristy, fills the street with colors, smells, and lively chatter. It’s a mix of a classic food market, think fresh fruit, vegetables, cheese, olives, herbs, and local specialties.
It’s also one of the oldest flower markets in France. Even though it’s small, people come here as much to buy as to just stroll around.
On Mondays, it transforms into a flea market for the whole day.
Food
⚙️ Hours (Tourist Office Website)
Flowers
2. Libération
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Opening Tuesday to Saturday mornings
Setting Outdoor
Full Name
Marché de la Libération
On the wide Malausséna Avenue, the Libération market is Nice’s most local and down-to-earth. There’s no touristy vibe here, just a real neighborhood market, loud, colorful, and full of character.
⚙️ Hours (Tourist Office Website)
In the background, the old train station, now the stylish Gare du Sud hall, houses cafés and restaurants.
Right next to the round square, there’s a little covered market.
CRAFT MARKET
| Name | Appeal | Opening | Setting | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Puces de Nice | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Tue > Sat | Covered & Outdoor |
| 2 | Saleya | ✦✦✧✧✧ | Mon | Outdoor |
| 3 | Marché des Antiquités | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Sat | Outdoor |
1. Puces de Nice
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Opening Tuesday to Saturday
Setting Outdoor
Full Name
Puces de Nice
Facing the port, you’ll find Nice’s permanent flea market. It’s a small space with a mix of fixed stalls and specialty shops. You can dig through vintage dishes, old prints, knick-knacks, books, records, and sometimes beautiful furniture or retro design pieces. Low-key but loved by collectors, it’s the place to find something rare or just wander through local history.
2. Saleya
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Opening Mondays
Setting Outdoor
Full Name
Marché à la Brocante Saleya
Every Monday, Cours Saleya swaps food and flowers for a big open-air flea market. You’ll find everything from vintage furniture to old dishes, paintings, jewelry, books, etc. The vibe is relaxed, with collectors and casual strollers all on the lookout for that special find. The colorful façades all around add to the charm.
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3. Marché des Antiquités
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Opening Saturdays
Setting Outdoor
Full Name
Marché des Antiquités
Marché de la Place du Palais
Smaller than the Saleya flea market, this little antiques or book market, depending on the week, sets up every Saturday on Place du Palais.
BEACHES
| Name | Appeal | Length | Type | € | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | STRETCH OF 22 BEACHES | ✦✦✦✧✧ | 4.5km (2.8mi) | Pebbles | Public/Private |
| 2 | Bains Militaires | ✦✧✧✧✧ | 30m (100ft) | Pebbles | Public |
| 3 | Réserve | ✦✧✧✧✧ | 45m (150ft) | Pebbles | Public |
| 4 | Coco | ✦✧✧✧✧ | 25m (80ft) | Rocks | Public |
| 5 | Plateforme | ✦✧✧✧✧ | 60m (200ft) | Cement (Nudist) | Public |
Stretch of 22 Beaches
Appeal ✦✦✦✧✧
Length 4.5km (2.8mi)
Type Pebbles
Ownership Public and Private
The famous stretch of beaches in Nice runs all along the Promenade des Anglais, from Castle Hill all the way to the airport. It’s a long ribbon of smooth pebbles, with a mix of public and private spots, and that deep blue Mediterranean as your backdrop.
Public beaches are free, usually without equipment. Private beaches offer lounge chairs, umbrellas, food, and service right to your sunbed.
⚠️ The shore drops off quickly and those pebbles aren’t the comfiest. Bring beach/water shoes to make things easier.
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For the other 4 beaches, refer to the map at the beginning of the page, the table above, and the first link below the table.
OTHERS
| Name | Appeal | Type | € | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Petit Train | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Tourist Train | €12 |
| 2 | Arènes de Cimiez | ✦✧✧✧✧ | Ruined Arena | 0 |
Petit Train
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Tourist Train
Price €12
Full Name
Petit Train Touristique de Nice
The little tourist train in Nice is a fun, easy way to explore the city without walking too much. It comes with audio guides in several languages and takes you past all the main sights in a relaxed, breezy ride.
Arènes de Cimiez
Appeal ✦✧✧✧✧
Type Ruined Arena
Price Free
Full Name
Arènes de Cimiez
Right in the middle of the Cimiez neighborhood, you’ll find Roman ruins from the ancient city of Cemenelum. The amphitheater that could hold up to 5,000 spectators was once used for public shows and combat.
HIKES & PANORAMAS
| A |
1. Mont-Boron
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Forest Hill
Full Name
Mont Boron
Mont Boron gives you stunning panoramic views over the city and the bay of Villefranche. You can get there on foot or by car, and the whole area makes for a walk, think pine forests, well-marked trails, and above all breathtaking lookout points.
At the top, you’ll find Fort Mont Alban, a 16th-century military fortress sitting 220 meters above sea level.
2. Vinaigrier
Appeal ✦✦✧✧✧
Type Forest Hill
Full Name
Parc du Vinaigrier
The Vinagrier, overlooking Nice from the east, is a natural area with amazing views of the surrounding. It’s quieter than Mont Boron and has a more wild, untouched feel. It’s perfect if you want a peaceful hike, surrounded by Mediterranean plants and some open views of the coast.
OTHER THINGS TO DO IN FRENCH RIVIERA
Things to Do in Bormes-les-Mimosas Village
Things to Do in Gassin Village
Things to Do in Grimaud Village
Things to Do in Port Grimaud Village
Best Things to Do in Monaco Principality
Unusual Things to Do in Monaco Principality
Best Things to Do in Nice City
Unusual Things to Do in Nice City
Things to Do in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin Village
Things to Do in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat Headland
Things to Do in Saint-Paul-de-Vence Village
