French Riviera Travel Guide

Nice, France Travel Guide: What to Do, Where to Eat & Best Day Trips

Nice is one of the smartest gateways to the French Riviera, combining coastal beauty, Old Town charm, Mediterranean food, and easy access to nearby Riviera destinations.

Explore Nice Vacation Packages Build your Own Vacation

2–4 Days Ideal city stay

Under 1 Hour Easy Riviera day trips

No Car Walk, tram, train

Nice France and French Riviera coastline

Nice is the practical Riviera base Stay once, then explore Monaco, Cannes, Antibes, Èze, Menton, and nearby coastal towns.

Overview

Why Nice is one of the best bases on the French Riviera

Nice gives travelers a complete Riviera experience in one place: a colorful Old Town, seaside walks along the Promenade des Anglais, local markets, beaches, strong transportation, and easy access to nearby cities. Unlike smaller Riviera towns, Nice works both as a destination and as a base for wider exploration.

Apollo statue at Fountain of the Sun in Nice

Vieux Nice colorful streets and church tower

Getting Around

Getting Around Within Nice

Nice is highly walkable, especially around Vieux Nice and the Promenade des Anglais. For longer distances, the tram connects the airport, city center, and train station. Regional trains make nearby Riviera day trips easy without needing a car.

Walk the city center Old Town, markets, restaurants, the promenade, and many key areas are easy to explore on foot.

Use the tram Nice’s tram system connects the airport, city center, and train station efficiently.

Take regional trains Monaco, Cannes, Antibes, and Èze-area connections are practical by rail.

Skip the rental car For most visitors, public transportation is easier than parking and driving along the Riviera.

Where to Stay

Where to stay in Nice: choose the area by travel style

The original guide uses the Nice map as a decision tool. For the redesigned post, this section gives travelers a quick editorial summary of the key areas before they choose hotels or build a package.

Vieux Nice Best for atmosphere, markets, restaurants, narrow streets, and classic Old Town character.

Promenade des Anglais Best for sea views, beachfront hotels, walking, and a more scenic Riviera stay.

Centre Ville Best for convenience, shopping, tram access, and easy connections to the train station.

Port Area Best for restaurants, local energy, harbor scenery, and a slightly less touristy feel.

Local Food

What to eat in Nice: must-try local dishes

Nice has one of the most distinctive food scenes on the French Riviera, blending Mediterranean flavors, Italian influence, Provençal traditions, fresh markets, and seaside dining.

Socca traditional chickpea pancake from Nice

Must Try Socca A traditional chickpea pancake, crispy on the outside and soft inside.

Salade Niçoise traditional dish from Nice

Must Try Salade Niçoise A Mediterranean salad with tuna, eggs, olives, and fresh vegetables.

Must Try Pissaladière A savory onion tart topped with anchovies and olives.

Ravioli Niçois traditional stuffed pasta from Nice

Must Try Ravioli Niçois Fresh stuffed pasta served with rich sauces and local flavor.

Fresh seafood in Nice and the French Riviera

Must Try Fresh Seafood Daily Mediterranean catches served across the coast and promenade.

Top Experiences

What to do in Nice

Nice combines coastal scenery, historic neighborhoods, markets, viewpoints, beaches, and an easy Mediterranean rhythm. These are the core experiences that define the city.

Promenade des Anglais and Nice coastline

Coastal Classic

Walk Along the Promenade des Anglais

One of the most iconic experiences in Nice, offering Mediterranean views, beach access, cycling, walking, and relaxed seaside energy.

Old Town

Explore Vieux Nice

Discover narrow streets, vibrant markets, local restaurants, colorful facades, and the historic heart of the city.

Best Viewpoint

Visit Castle Hill

Climb to one of the best viewpoints in Nice for sweeping views over the coastline, Old Town, port, and Mediterranean.

Local Life

Visit Cours Saleya Market

Experience fresh produce, flowers, regional specialties, and one of the most atmospheric market areas in Nice.

Near Nice

Best day trips from Nice

Nice is one of the best bases for exploring the French Riviera because travelers can reach coastal cities, hill towns, medieval villages, and glamorous destinations without changing hotels.

Medieval Village

Saint-Paul-de-Vence

A picturesque hilltop village known for medieval charm, art galleries, fortified walls, narrow streets, and scenic Riviera views.

Luxury Coast

Monaco & Monte Carlo

Luxury, casinos, yachts, dramatic coastal scenery, and one of the easiest classic day trips from Nice.

Glamour

Cannes

Known for its film festival, sandy beaches, shopping, and polished Riviera atmosphere.

Coastal Town

Antibes

A quieter coastal alternative with a historic center, marina, beaches, and a relaxed Mediterranean atmosphere.

Hilltop Views

Èze Village

A stunning hilltop village with medieval streets, scenic walking paths, and panoramic views of the Mediterranean.

Near Italy

Menton

A colorful coastal town near the Italian border, known for gardens, relaxed atmosphere, and pastel architecture.

FAQ

FAQs about visiting Nice

These answers help travelers choose where to stay, how long to visit, whether they need a car, and how to use Nice as a French Riviera base.

What is the best area to stay in Nice? +

The best area depends on your travel style. Promenade des Anglais is ideal for beachfront views, Centre Ville offers convenience, and Old Town is best for atmosphere, restaurants, and historic charm.

How many days do you need in Nice? +

Most travelers spend 2 to 4 days in Nice. This allows enough time to explore the city and take day trips to nearby destinations like Monaco, Cannes, Antibes, Èze, or Menton.

Is Nice walkable for tourists? +

Yes. Nice is very walkable, especially around the Promenade des Anglais, Old Town, and Centre Ville.

Do you need a car in Nice? +

No. A car is not necessary for most travelers. Trams and regional trains make it easy to explore Nice and the French Riviera.

What is the best time to visit Nice? +

April to June and September to October are especially good because the weather is pleasant and crowds are smaller than in peak summer.

Is Nice a good base to explore the French Riviera? +

Yes. Nice is one of the best bases on the French Riviera because it has strong transportation, many accommodation options, airport access, and easy day trips by train.

Plan your Nice and French Riviera vacation

Nice is one of the best gateways to the French Riviera, with beachfront promenades, Old Town atmosphere, regional trains, local food, and easy access to nearby destinations like Monaco, Cannes, or the Italian Riviera.