France

Nice

Give Nice three days: old town and seafront, the museums, then day trips to Èze, Cap Ferrat and Monaco. Below: 5 sights, 1 activity and 2 places to eat, plus how Nice fits into a longer trip.

Plan Nice with friends Browse 10 places

Places: 10
Curated routes: 1
Best season: May – Sep
Warmest month: August
Coolest month: February
Wettest month: November

Climate: NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages.

Things to do in Nice

10 places from our curated routes, grouped by what you will do there. Each one has its own page with the address and full notes.

See

5 sights worth building a day around across Vieux Nice, Cimiez and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

Photo: Gábor Csorvási · Google
See
Castle Hill
Park on the site of Nice's old fortress, with views of the Baie des Anges and harbor.
Tip Use the free elevator near Tour Bellanda or climb the stairs.
- Vieux Nice
- Free
- 60 min
- Late morning
Photo: Tubantia · CC BY-SA 3.0
See
Musée Matisse
Matisse's work in a 17th-century villa in the olive grove of Cimiez.
Tip Closed Tuesdays and briefly between exhibitions; check dates.
- Cimiez
- $$
- 1.5 hr
- Morning
Photo: Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild · Google
See
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Pink Belle Époque villa on Cap Ferrat with nine themed gardens.
Tip Gardens are the highlight; dancing fountains run regularly.
- Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
- $$
- 2 hr
- Morning
Photo: Le Jardin Exotique · Google
See
Jardin Exotique d'Èze
Cactus garden at the top of the perched village of Èze with sea views.
Tip Hike down the Nietzsche Path to Èze-sur-Mer and take the train back.
- Èze
- $$
- 1.5 hr
- Morning
Photo: Steve Hedin · CC BY-SA 4.0
See
Casino de Monte-Carlo
Belle Époque casino on Place du Casino in Monaco, 20 minutes by train from Nice.
Tip Dress code applies in gaming rooms; ID required.
- Monte-Carlo
- $$$
- 1.5 hr
- Evening

Do

1 activity for when the group wants to do more than look in Seafront.

Photo: Rade Spasovski · Google
Do
Promenade des Anglais
7-km seafront walk along pebble beaches and blue chairs.
Tip Rent a lounger at a beach club for an afternoon.
- Seafront
- Free
- 1.5 hr
- Late afternoon

Eat

Where we would book a table in Nice across Vieux Nice and Port.

Photo: Kevin Travel · Google
Eat
Lou Pilha Leva
Vieux Nice counter for Niçois street food: socca, pissaladière and petits farcis.
Tip Order and eat at the communal tables.
- Vieux Nice
- $
- 30 min
- Lunch
Photo: Chez Pipo · Google
Eat
Chez Pipo
Socca specialist since 1923, baking the chickpea pancake in a wood-fired oven.
Tip Evening hours only on some days; check before going.
- Port
- $
- 45 min
- Evening

Drink

Our picks for a drink in Nice in Vieux Nice.

Photo: Les Distilleries Idéales · Google
Drink
Les Distilleries Idéales
Old-town bar for apéro, with a wood-paneled room and sidewalk tables.
Tip Go at aperitif hour, around 6–8 pm.
- Vieux Nice
- $$
- 60 min
- Evening

Shop

Markets and shops worth the detour in Vieux Nice.

Photo: Albert Alfieri · Google
Shop
Cours Saleya Market
Morning flower and produce market in Vieux Nice; antiques on Mondays.
Tip Go before 11 am; Mondays it switches to an antiques market.
- Vieux Nice
- $
- 60 min
- Morning

How to fit Nice into a trip

Nice is stop 3 of 3 on our Paris to the Riviera route. Follow it as-is or lift Nice into your own plan.

Stop 3 of 3
Paris to the Riviera
Bistros, lavender country & the Côte d’Azur by TGV
Trip length
8 days
Best season
May – Sep
Pace
easy
- Before: Avignon
See the full itinerary

Getting here and onward

Avignon to NiceAvignon is about 199 km / 124 mi away in a straight line

Distances are straight-line estimates between destination centers, not road distances.

Nice month by month

Average daily highs run from 12°C / 54°F in February to 26°C / 78°F in August. November is the wettest month, with about 123 mm of rain. Outlined months fall in the best season on our routes.

Average daily highs, NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages. Nice weather and the best time to visit →

Near Nice

8 other destinations from our guides within about 400 km (249 mi), measured in a straight line.

Nice questions, answered

How many days do you need in Nice?

Our route notes suggest 3 days in Nice. On our Paris to the Riviera route it is stop 3 of 3 in a 8-day trip. The listed visit times for our 10 places add up to roughly 12 hours, before travel between them, so you will need to choose.

What is Nice best known for?

Give Nice three days: old town and seafront, the museums, then day trips to Èze, Cap Ferrat and Monaco. Standouts on our list: Castle Hill (Park on the site of Nice's old fortress, with views of the Baie des Anges and harbor); Musée Matisse (Matisse's work in a 17th-century villa in the olive grove of Cimiez); Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild (Pink Belle Époque villa on Cap Ferrat with nine themed gardens).

When is the best time to visit Nice?

Our Paris to the Riviera route is best May – Sep. NASA POWER 2001–2025 averages put the warmest highs in August (26°C / 78°F), the coolest in February (12°C / 54°F) and the most rain in November (about 123 mm).

What are the best things to do in Nice?

Start with Castle Hill, Promenade des Anglais, Musée Matisse, Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild and Jardin Exotique d'Èze. Our guide lists 10 places in all, from 5 sights, 1 activity, 2 places to eat, 1 bar or café and 1 shop.

Where should a group eat in Nice?

Our picks: Lou Pilha Leva (Vieux Nice); Chez Pipo (Port). Order and eat at the communal tables (Lou Pilha Leva).

What is near Nice?

The closest destinations in our guides are Avignon (about 199 km / 124 mi), Zermatt (about 259 km / 161 mi) and Florence (about 321 km / 199 mi). Distances are straight-line estimates, not road distances.

Plan Nice with your crew

Open the Paris to the Riviera route in TripsCircle, invite friends with a link, settle which of these 10 places make the cut with a quick poll, then split costs and share one packing list.

Get TripsCircle

Nice

Things to do in Nice

See

Castle Hill

Musée Matisse

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

Jardin Exotique d'Èze

Casino de Monte-Carlo

Do

Promenade des Anglais

Eat

Lou Pilha Leva

Chez Pipo