22 Top Things to Do
Nice Overall Appeal ★★★★★
| Name | Appeal | Type | Visit | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Old Town | ★★★★★ | Walking Around | Self | Free |
| 02 | Hilltop | ★★★★★ | City Park + Panoramas | Self | Free |
| 03 | Walking Tour | ★★★★★ | Walking Tour | Tour | Paid |
| 04 | E-Bike Tour | ★★★★★ | E-Bike Tour | Tour | Paid |
| 05 | Food Tour | ★★★★★ | Food Tour | Tour | Paid |
| 06 | Wine Tasting | ★★★★★ | Wine Tasting | Tour | Paid |
| 07 | Vineyard | ★★★★★ | Vineyard & Tastings | Tour | Paid |
| 08 | Food Markets | ★★★☆☆ | Food Markets | Self | Free |
| 09 | Masséna Square | ★★★☆☆ | Walking Around | Self | Free |
| 10 | Paillon Stroll | ★★★☆☆ | Walking Around | Self | Free |
| 11 | Seafront | ★★★☆☆ | Walking Around | Self | Free |
| 12 | Beaches | ★★★☆☆ | Beaches | Self | Either |
| 13 | Boat Cruise | ★★★☆☆ | Boat Cruise | Tour | Paid |
| 14 | Segway Tour | ★★★☆☆ | Segway Tour | Tour | Paid |
| 15 | Bike-Taxi Tour | ★★★☆☆ | Bike-Taxi Tour | Tour | Paid |
| 16 | St. Rita Church | ★★★☆☆ | Church | Self | Free |
| 17 | Nice Cathedral | ★★★☆☆ | Cathedral | Self | Free |
| 18 | St. François Tower | ★★★☆☆ | Panorama | Self | Paid |
| 19 | Marc Chagall Museum | ★★★☆☆ | Museum - Marc Chagall | Either | Paid |
| 20 | Perfume Workshop | ★★★☆☆ | Perfume Workshop | Class | Paid |
| 21 | Cimiez Monastery | ★★★☆☆ | Monastery + Garden + Museum | Self | Free |
| 22 | Sports Museum | ★★★☆☆ | Museum - Sports | Self | Paid |
01. Old Town
Appeal ★★★★★
Type Walking Around
Visit Self
Cost Free
Old Town, or “Vieux Nice,” is the historical heart of Nice, a vibrant maze of narrow streets lined with colorful buildings. This area has plenty of charm with its lively markets, charming boutiques, and local eateries, capturing the essence of Mediterranean culture. The Baroque architecture stands out, and the unique blend of Italian and French heritage is evident in both the architecture and the overall atmosphere.
02. Hilltop
Appeal ★★★★★
Type City Park + Panoramas
Visit Self
Cost Free
The hilltop of Nice, also known as Castle Hill, once housed a fortress that was destroyed in the 18th century.
Situated 93 m above sea level, it is a largely shaded park thanks to its trees, located between Old Nice, the seafront, and the marina. It offers panoramic views over these areas from its various viewpoints.
Access can be gained via the stairs or the elevator.
03. Walking Tour
Appeal ★★★★★
Type Walking Tour
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
Explore Nice on foot with a guided walking tour that takes you through the city’s history, art, and culture. Learn about local landmarks and hidden gems from an expert guide. It’s an immersive way to appreciate the charm and vibrancy of Nice.
04. E-Bike Tour
Appeal ★★★★★
Type E-Bike Tour
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
An e-bike tour lets you experience the scenic beauty of Nice while comfortably cruising around. You’ll cover more ground than walking, with stops at major attractions, viewpoints, and local highlights. Ideal for those wanting an active yet leisurely tour.
05. Food Tour
Appeal ★★★★★
Type Food Tour
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
A guided culinary adventure immerses you in the flavors of Nice, offering a delicious way to experience the region’s unique blend of French and Italian gastronomic heritage.
06. Wine Tasting
Appeal ★★★★★
Type Wine Tasting
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
Immerse yourself in the world of French wines by tasting and comparing local varieties. Perfect for wine enthusiasts looking to savor the local terroir.
07. Vineyard
Appeal ★★★★★
Type Vineyard & Tastings
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
Enjoy a visit to the vineyards in the upper part of Nice, where you’ll discover picturesque landscapes and local wines. These guided tours provide insights into grape cultivation, the winemaking process, and include tastings.
08. Food Markets
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Food Markets
Visit Self
Cost Free
There are three main food markets in Nice.
The Saleya Market, the most famous and touristy, is open from Tuesday to Saturday mornings. It also includes a section dedicated to flowers. On Mondays, it transforms into a flea market for the whole day.
The Libération Market, the largest in the city, takes place from Tuesday to Saturday mornings.
The St. Roch Market, located farther from the center, also operates from Tuesday to Saturday mornings.
09. Masséna Square
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Walking Around
Visit Self
Cost Free
Masséna Square is a central hub in Nice, known for its striking architecture and lively atmosphere. Surrounded by arcaded buildings painted in vivid reds and oranges, it serves as a popular meeting point and a gateway to the rest of the city.
10. Paillon Stroll
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Walking Around
Visit Self
Cost Free
The Paillon Promenade is a pleasant, tree-lined walkway with fountains that follows the course of the River Paillon, offering a green escape in the heart of Nice. The promenade connects the city’s Old Town with the more modern areas.
11. Seafront
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Walking Around
Visit Self
Cost Free or Paid
Nice’s seafront, known as the Promenade des Anglais, (“Walkway of the English” in French) is an iconic stretch of coastline where the city meets the Mediterranean, extending for 5 km (3.1 mi). Lined with palm trees and grand Belle Époque buildings, it’s a favorite spot for leisurely strolls.
12. Beaches
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Beaches
Visit Self
Cost Free
The beaches of Nice are closely connected, forming one long continuous stretch of beach that extends for 5 km (3.1 mi), running parallel to the seafront.
Some sections are private, requiring you to purchase something in order to access them and enjoy additional services.
These beaches are not made of fine sand but rather small pebbles.
To the east of the port, there are also a few very small beaches, more like secluded spots nestled between the rocks.
13. Boat Cruise
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Boat Cruise
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
A boat cruise along the Mediterranean coast from Nice offers stunning views of the city’s skyline, the French Riviera, and the azure waters. It’s a relaxing way to experience the beauty of the region from a different perspective, away from the bustling streets.
14. Segway Tour
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Segway Tour
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
For a fun and efficient way to explore Nice, take a Segway tour. Glide along the city’s streets, covering more ground than walking while hearing insights from a knowledgeable guide. It’s a modern and enjoyable way to sightsee.
15. Bike-Taxi Tour
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Bike-Taxi Tour
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
Hop on a bike-taxi for a relaxing and tour of Nice. Your guide pedals through the city’s highlights, offering commentary on landmarks. Ideal for those who want a laid-back but informative tour.
16. Nice Cathedral
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Cathedral
Visit Self
Cost Free
The Nice Cathedral, also known as St. Réparate Cathedral after the city’s patron saint, was built in the 17th century with numerous changes made over the following two centuries.
It features Baroque style and houses several paintings.
17. St. Rita Church
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Church
Visit Self
Cost Free
St. Rita Church (technically a chapel), also known as Notre-Dame de l’Annonciation Church, dates back to the 17th century. It features Baroque style with a colorful interior, including marble and frescoes.
18. St. François Tower
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Panorama
Visit Self
Cost Paid
This 13th-century tower originally served as the bell tower of a church. It became a clock tower in the 19th century and was renovated in the 20th century.
Standing 50 meters tall and accessible by approximately 200 steps, it offers a 360° panorama of the city and its surroundings.
It is open only a few days a week.
19. Marc Chagall Museum
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Marc Chagall Museum
Visit Self or Guided
Cost Paid
The museum is dedicated to the works of the renowned French-Belarusian 20th-century artist Marc Chagall, known for his paintings and stained glass windows. The museum was inaugurated by the artist himself in 1973.
The site also features a garden.
20. Perfume Workshop
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Perfume Workshop
Visit Class
Cost Paid
Create your own signature scent in a hands-on perfume workshop, a unique experience for fragrance lovers.
21. Cimiez Monastery
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Monastery + Garden + Museum
Visit Self
Cost Free
The original monastery, dating back to the 9th century, was rebuilt in the 16th century and belongs to the Franciscan religious order. The interior is richly decorated and includes several paintings.
There is also a small cloister.
The beautiful French-style garden on the site, featuring trees and flowers, being located in the upper part of the city, it offers a panoramic view of the city and the sea.
The site also includes a small museum dedicated to the history of the Franciscan order in Nice and worldwide.
Behind the monastery is the small Cimiez cemetery, where notable figures such as the French artist Henri Matisse are buried.
22. Sports Museum
Appeal ★★★☆☆
Type Sports Museum
Visit Self
Cost Free
The Sports Museum offers a comprehensive look at the history and evolution of sports, with a focus on both local and international achievements. It features exhibits on various sports and also hosts temporary exhibitions.
The museum is away from the center, located at the western end of the city within the football stadium.
It is possible to combine a visit to the Sports Museum with a tour of the Allianz Riviera, the home stadium of the Nice football club.
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