{"id":22332,"date":"2026-08-26T09:04:58","date_gmt":"2026-08-26T07:04:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.recalculandoviajes.com\/things-to-do-in-nice\/"},"modified":"2026-08-24T11:32:49","modified_gmt":"2026-08-24T09:32:49","slug":"things-to-do-in-nice","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.recalculandoviajes.com\/en\/things-to-do-in-nice\/","title":{"rendered":"20 essential things to do in Nice (with map and itineraries)"},"content":{"rendered":"[et_pb_section fb_built=\u00bb1″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

If you are looking for things to do in Nice<\/strong>, you’ve come to the right place: in this guide, we tell you the 20 must-see places in the capital of the C\u00f4te d’Azur, with verified hours and prices for 2026, 1, 2, and 3-day itineraries, a map, and our tips on where to sleep and how to get around. We have been to the area twice (once in summer and once in autumn), and Nice always ends up being the perfect base for touring the entire French Riviera.<\/p>\n

The first time, we stayed for 3 nights in Nice and rented a car to tour the surroundings. The second time, we returned with our own car and stayed for 10 days in Menton, so we went back and forth to Nice several times. Everything you are about to read here is told from our experience, with data checked this year.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=\u00bbads iati primeros parrafos 5off (2026) – EN\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_module=\u00bb15677″ saved_tabs=\u00bball\u00bb locked=\u00bboff\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

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Things to do in Nice Summary<\/h2>\n
\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Concept<\/th>\nDetail<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Best time<\/strong><\/td>\nMay, June, September, and October (mild weather and fewer crowds).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Recommended days<\/strong><\/td>\n2 days for the city; 4-5 days if including excursions along the C\u00f4te d’Azur.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Daily budget<\/strong><\/td>\nBetween \u20ac90 and \u20ac110 per person (accommodation, meals, and transport).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Urban transport<\/strong><\/td>\nTram and bus: single ticket \u20ac1.70; daily pass \u20ac7.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Museums<\/strong><\/td>\nMunicipal pass \u20ac15 (4 days). The Marc Chagall Museum and MAMAC (under renovation) operate under special conditions.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Must-sees<\/strong><\/td>\nPromenade des Anglais, Vieux Nice, Cours Saleya, Castle Hill, and Place Mass\u00e9na.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Typical gastronomy<\/strong><\/td>\nSocca, pissaladi\u00e8re, pan bagnat, and Ni\u00e7oise salad (no potatoes).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Airport connection<\/strong><\/td>\nTram line 2 direct to the port in 26 minutes (\u20ac3.70 using a rechargeable card).<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Key tip<\/strong><\/td>\nBring water shoes, as the beaches are pebbly (rocks) and not sandy.<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_image src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.recalculandoviajes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/playas-de-niza.webp\u00bb alt=\u00bbbeaches in Nice\u00bb title_text=\u00bbbeaches in Nice\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

Why Nice is unlike the rest of France<\/h2>\n

Before starting the list, it’s worth understanding something that explains everything you will see. Nice was founded by the Greeks in the 4th century B.C. with the name Nikaia, in honor of Nike, the goddess of victory. Later it was Roman, medieval, and for centuries it belonged to the House of Savoy and the Kingdom of Piedmont-Sardinia. It only became French in 1860, after a referendum.<\/p>\n

That is why the old town looks like Genoa, the food is more Italian than French, and many signs are still written in Ni\u00e7ois. Add to that the 19th century, when the British and Russian aristocracy began spending their winters here and left behind palaces, villas, an Orthodox cathedral, and a 7-kilometer seaside promenade. That mixture is precisely what UNESCO recognized in 2021.<\/p>\n

Having this in mind completely changes how you view the things to do in Nice. You are not in a French city with a beach: you are in an Italian city that became French and then turned into the winter resort for half of Europe.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

1. The Promenade des Anglais, the most famous walk on the C\u00f4te d’Azur<\/h2>\n

We start the list with the most iconic feature. The Promenade des Anglais is 7 kilometers of wide sidewalk facing the Mediterranean, with palm trees, the famous blue chairs looking out to sea, and people jogging, skating, and strolling at any time.<\/p>\n

It is, without debate, the first of the things to do in Nice. It is named that way because it was promoted by British tourists who spent the winter here at the beginning of the 19th century: Reverend Lewis Way was the one who raised the money to build it. Precisely because of that history as the Riviera’s \u00abwinter capital,\u00bb the city made it onto the UNESCO list.<\/p>\n

We walked it several times and we tell you with total honesty: the best moment is sunset. The light turns orange, the Bay of Angels looks spectacular, and the promenade comes to life without the midday heat. Sit for a while in a blue chair, even if it’s for ten minutes. It’s free and it’s one of the things to do in Nice that is most enjoyed.<\/p>\n

Tip:<\/strong> if you don’t want to walk the 7 km, there are bicycle and electric scooter rentals along the entire promenade. With the bike, you can do it from end to end in less than half an hour.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.recalculandoviajes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/que-ver-en-niza-promenade-des-anglais.webp\u00bb alt=\u00bbthings to do in Nice Promenade des Anglais\u00bb title_text=\u00bbthings to do in Nice Promenade des Anglais\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

2. The Vieux Nice, the old town that makes you fall in love<\/h2>\n

The Vieux Nice is a labyrinth of narrow streets, ochre, yellow, and reddish facades, clothes hanging on balconies, and wooden shutters. It looks like a little Italian village tucked inside a French city\u2026 and it makes perfect sense after what we told you above.<\/p>\n

No itinerary is needed here. Just turn down any street and get lost. You will find small squares, Baroque churches, ice cream parlors, spice and olive oil shops, and those narrow passages where sunlight barely enters. The main streets to orient yourself are Rue Droite, Rue de la Pr\u00e9fecture, and Rue Pairoli\u00e8re.<\/p>\n

Within the old town are several points on this list: the Cours Saleya, Place Rossetti, the Lascaris Palace, the Opera, and plenty of churches. Also Place du Palais de Justice, which hosts book and antique markets almost every Saturday, and Place Saint-Fran\u00e7ois, with its small fish market in the morning.<\/p>\n

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Our TIP: explore it at least twice. In the morning, when the neighborhood is working and smells of bread and market flowers. And at night, when the warm lights turn on and everything completely changes. It looks like another place!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.recalculandoviajes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/que-ver-en-niza-casco-antiguo.webp\u00bb alt=\u00bbthings to do in Nice old town\u00bb title_text=\u00bbthings to do in Nice old town\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

3. The Cours Saleya and its flower market<\/h2>\n

If we have to choose a favorite corner of the old town, it’s this one. The Cours Saleya is a long esplanade, enclosed by colorful buildings, where one of the most beautiful markets we have seen in France operates.<\/p>\n

From Tuesday to Sunday morning, there is the market for flowers, fruit, and local products: mimosa bouquets, dried lavender, Nice olives, tapenade, cheeses, spices. It opens very early (from 6 in the morning) and starts to clear out around 1:30 PM. On Mondays, it changes completely and turns into an antiques and bric-a-brac fair, with about 150 stalls, from 7 AM to 6 PM.<\/p>\n

In summer, there is also a night craft market from June to September, usually from 6 PM to midnight. We went in the morning and it was a hit: the colors of the flower stalls are the kind that make you take fifty photos without realizing it. Go early, between 8 and 11 AM, because it gets quite crowded afterward.<\/p>\n

Tip:<\/strong> climb the stairs of the Ponchettes, facing Place Pierre Gautier, to have a view of the entire market from above. It completely changes the photo.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.recalculandoviajes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/mercado-niza.webp\u00bb alt=\u00bbNice market\u00bb title_text=\u00bbNice market\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

4. The Place Mass\u00e9na, the heart of Nice<\/h2>\n

The Place Mass\u00e9na is the point where the whole city intersects: the connection between the Vieux Nice, the modern area, and the Paillon park. And visually it is impressive, with its Pompeian red buildings with arcades and green shutters, the black and white checkerboard floor, and the Fontaine du Soleil with its enormous Apollo.<\/p>\n

What we liked most are the seven illuminated statues that are on top of very tall poles, the work of the Catalan artist Jaume Plensa. They represent the seven continents and change color at night. It is one of those things that in photos aren’t fully understood\u2026 until you see them live.<\/p>\n

The tram passes through here, and it is an excellent meeting point to start any route: in fact, it is where almost all the city’s tours and free tours depart. We ended up returning to this square almost every day without planning it.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.recalculandoviajes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/que-ver-en-niza-place-massena.webp\u00bb alt=\u00bbthings to do in Nice Place Massena\u00bb title_text=\u00bbthings to do in Nice Place Massena\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

5. The Place Rossetti and the Sainte-R\u00e9parate Cathedral<\/h2>\n

In the heart of Vieux Nice, this square suddenly opens up, and it is one of those lovely surprises the city gives you. Yellow and ochre facades, a fountain in the middle, caf\u00e9 tables everywhere, and the Sainte-R\u00e9parate Cathedral dominating the scene with its colorful tiled dome.<\/p>\n

The cathedral was built between 1650 and 1699 and is dedicated to Saint Reparata, the patron saint of Nice, a 3rd-century martyr whose relics are kept inside. It is Baroque with clear Italian influence and has ten side chapels, each dedicated to a different saint or brotherhood. Entrance is free, and it is worth popping in for at least five minutes: the contrast between the sober facade and the ornate interior, with marble and gold everywhere, is very striking.<\/p>\n

The square is also famous for its artisanal ice cream parlors, with very strange flavors that you won’t find anywhere else. It is a good place to take a break in the mid-afternoon.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

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Did you know\u2026? <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
UNESCO declared Nice a World Heritage Site in 2021, recognizing it as the \u00abwinter capital of the Riviera\u00bb. <\/div>\n
Source: UNESCO World Heritage Centre <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

6. The Baroque churches of Vieux Nice<\/h2>\n

Here is one of the must-sees in Nice that almost no guide in Spanish expands on, and which we think is the best of the old town. In addition to the cathedral, the Vieux Nice concentrates a handful of spectacular Baroque churches, and entrance to all of them is free.<\/p>\n

The most impressive is the church of Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur<\/strong>, known as \u00c9glise du Ges\u00f9, on Rue Droite. The Jesuits built it between 1607 and 1650, imitating the Church of the Ges\u00f9 in Rome, and inside it is pure theater: frescoes on the vault, colored marbles, side chapels loaded with decoration. It is one of those churches where you enter out of curiosity and stay for twenty minutes.<\/p>\n

A few meters away is the church of Saint Rita<\/strong> (officially the Annunciation), the most beloved by the locals, dedicated to the patron saint of impossible causes. It is open every day from approximately 9 AM to 12 PM and 2 PM to 5 PM. And there are also the Mercy Chapel, on the Cours Saleya itself, and the church of Saint-Fran\u00e7ois-de-Paule, next to the Opera.<\/p>\n

In these years of traveling, we have visited many churches, and we tell you without exaggeration: the Ni\u00e7ois Baroque is different from the French and Italian, it has something all its own. If you like architecture, spend a morning on this.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

7. The Lascaris Palace, one of the most surprising things to do in Nice<\/h2>\n

Continuing along Rue Droite, you arrive at the Lascaris Palace, and this is a rare case: from the outside, it is just another facade in the old town, with nothing that grabs your attention. Inside, it is a 17th-century Genoese palace with a monumental staircase, frescoes, gilded stuccoes, tapestries, and period furniture.<\/p>\n

It was the residence of the Lascaris-Vintimille family, one of the most powerful in the region, and today it functions as a museum with one of the most important collections of musical instruments in France: harps, violins, harpsichords from the 18th century.<\/p>\n

Practical data 2026:<\/strong> admission costs \u20ac5, it is free for children under 13, and it is included in the municipal museum pass. It is open every day except Tuesdays, from 10 AM to 6 PM. The Cath\u00e9drale-Vieille Ville tram stop is less than 100 meters away.<\/p>\n

We did not enter (you know we aren’t big on museums unless they are essential or free), but it is the interior that travelers who have been there recommend the most, and for \u20ac5, it is one of the cheapest things in the city.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=\u00bbads iati Middle seguro de viaje (2026) – EN\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_module=\u00bb15701″ saved_tabs=\u00bball\u00bb locked=\u00bboff\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

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8. Castle Hill, the best viewpoint in Nice<\/h2>\n

The Colline du Ch\u00e2teau is the classic city viewpoint: a 19-hectare park at 93 meters high, between the Vieux Nice and the port, from where you can see the entire Bay of Angels with the orange roofs of the old town below. Almost nothing remains of the medieval castle because Louis XIV ordered it destroyed in 1706, but the views remained.<\/p>\n

It is free to climb, and there are three options: the stairs from the Vieux Nice, the softer zigzag climb, or the free elevator<\/strong> which is at the end of the Quai des \u00c9tats-Unis and takes less than a minute. Watch out, the elevator doesn’t always work. The park is open every day, generally from 8:30 AM to 8 PM from April to September and until 6 PM the rest of the year.<\/p>\n

Up there, in addition to the viewpoints, there is a 10-meter artificial waterfall fed by the old V\u00e9subie canal, with a small bridge that passes behind it; ruins of the medieval Sainte-Marie cathedral; a historic cemetery and playgrounds for children. Budget an hour for the basic tour and two if you want to see everything.<\/p>\n

We tell you this honestly: we didn’t climb it. Our itinerary was packed between the beaches and trips along the coast, and we left it for next time. But it is the spot most recommended by travelers who have been there. If you have to choose only one viewpoint, make it this one, and go first thing in the morning or near sunset: at noon the sun beats down hard and there is little shade on the balconies.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

9. The beaches of Nice and the Bay of Angels<\/h2>\n

Watch out for this because it surprises many people: the beaches of Nice are not sandy, they are pebbly. Round, large stones that are great for the clear water they generate\u2026 but walking barefoot can be complicated if you are not used to it.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.recalculandoviajes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/playa-niza-francia.webp\u00bb alt=\u00bbNice France beach\u00bb title_text=\u00bbNice France beach\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

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Practical TIP:<\/strong> bring water shoes or rubber sandals. If you can, add a foam mat or a thick towel, because the stone can be a bit uncomfortable. We spent several hours on the beach here and the water is an incredible blue, with that transparency that makes the C\u00f4te d’Azur famous.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.recalculandoviajes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/que-ver-en-niza-playas.webp\u00bb alt=\u00bbthings to do in Nice beaches\u00bb title_text=\u00bbthings to do in Nice beaches\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

Public and free beaches<\/h3>\n

Along the Promenade des Anglais, you have several with free access and showers: Plage des Ponchettes<\/strong> (the most central, next to the old town), Plage du Centenaire<\/strong>, Plage Magnan<\/strong>, and Plage de Carras<\/strong>, the latter two further west and much less crowded.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.recalculandoviajes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/playa-publica-niza.webp\u00bb alt=\u00bbpublic beach Nice\u00bb title_text=\u00bbpublic beach Nice\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

Private beaches<\/h3>\n

These are the ones that have lounge chairs, umbrellas, and restaurant service, and they are interspersed with the public ones. Expect to pay between \u20ac20 and \u20ac30 per day. For us, it is not necessary to pay: the public ones are perfect and the sea is exactly the same.<\/p>\n

Tip:<\/strong> if you want something quieter, take the tram or bus and get off at Villefranche-sur-Mer or Beaulieu-sur-Mer. They are 10-15 minutes away and the coves are much nicer than those in the center of Nice.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

10. The Promenade du Paillon, the city’s green lung<\/h2>\n

It is one of the things to do in Nice that almost nobody has on their radar and that we loved. The Coul\u00e9e Verte is a linear park built over the covered bed of the Paillon river, which runs from the area of the old National Theater to the Jardin Albert Ier, next to the sea.<\/p>\n

It has water mirrors with jets where children go to play, giant games shaped like sea animals, grass, palm trees, and plenty of shade. In summer, it is a lifesaver at noon.<\/p>\n

Important novelty that still doesn’t appear in most guides: in October 2025, the extension (they call it \u00abseason 2\u00bb) was inaugurated on the land where the Acropolis and the National Theater stood, and the park went from 12 to about 20 hectares, with urban forest areas, new play areas, and sectors designed for rest. We haven’t toured that part yet, but if you go now, you will find it open.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

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Did you know\u2026? <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
Nice was founded by the Greeks in the 4th century B.C. under the name Nikaia, in honor of Nike, the goddess of victory. <\/div>\n
Source: City Hall of Nice <\/a> <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

11. The Albert I Garden, where the park meets the sea<\/h2>\n

It is the southern end of the Promenade du Paillon and deserves its own place among the sites to see in Nice because it is the oldest public park in Nice, from 1852. It is right between Place Mass\u00e9na and the Promenade des Anglais, so you will pass through here no matter what.<\/p>\n

It has huge palm trees, ornamental fountains, an open-air theater (the Th\u00e9\u00e2tre de Verdure) that hosts concerts in summer, and the Venet Arch, that 30-meter curved steel sculpture that can be seen from the entire square. It is the place where the ice skating rink and a good part of the Christmas market are held in December.<\/p>\n

We crossed it a bunch of times going from the center to the beach and it was always full of people sitting in the shade. It is a short stop, ten minutes, but it is a perfect breath of fresh air between walks.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row column_structure=\u00bb1_3,1_3,1_3″ admin_label=\u00bbads FILA 3 imagen EN\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_module=\u00bb16396″ saved_tabs=\u00bball\u00bb locked=\u00bboff\u00bb collapsed=\u00bboff\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb1_3″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.22.2″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_image src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.recalculandoviajes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/travel-insurance-discount-iati.webp\u00bb alt=\u00bbtravel insurance discount iati\u00bb title_text=\u00bbtravel insurance discount iati\u00bb url=\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.recalculandoviajes.com\/iati-seguros-en\u00bb url_new_window=\u00bbon\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb border_radii=\u00bbon|20px|20px|20px|20px\u00bb box_shadow_style=\u00bbpreset1″ global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\u00bb1_3″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.22.2″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_image src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.recalculandoviajes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/booking-genius-discount.webp\u00bb alt=\u00bbbooking genius discount\u00bb title_text=\u00bbbooking genius discount\u00bb url=\u00bbhttps:\/\/recalculandoviajes.com\/booking-off\u00bb url_new_window=\u00bbon\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb border_radii=\u00bbon|20px|20px|20px|20px\u00bb box_shadow_style=\u00bbpreset1″ global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=\u00bb1_3″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.22.2″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_image src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/recalculandoviajes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/01\/internet-esim-Holafly-OFF.jpg\u00bb alt=\u00bbInternet eSIM – Holafly Discount\u00bb title_text=\u00bbInternet eSIM – Holafly Discount\u00bb url=\u00bbhttps:\/\/recalculandoviajes.com\/holafly-off\u00bb url_new_window=\u00bbon\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb border_radii=\u00bbon|20px|20px|20px|20px\u00bb box_shadow_style=\u00bbpreset1″ global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

12. The Hotel Negresco, an icon of the Belle \u00c9poque<\/h2>\n

On the Promenade des Anglais is the most famous hotel in Nice: the pink dome of the Negresco is practically the city’s logo. It opened in 1912 and has been a historical monument since 1974.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.recalculandoviajes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/hotel-le-negresco-niza.webp\u00bb alt=\u00bbHotel Le Negresco Nice\u00bb title_text=\u00bbHotel Le Negresco Nice\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

Inside, it has an impressive art collection and a hall with a giant Baccarat crystal chandelier, although we didn’t enter: it is a luxury hotel in operation and access to common areas is at the discretion of the staff, so we don’t promise anything.<\/p>\n

What is 100% free and worth it is seeing it from the outside, paying attention to the doormen in period uniforms, and taking advantage of the fact that you are on the seaside promenade. It is one of the things to do in Nice that best tells the history of the city as a winter destination for the European aristocracy.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=\u00bbhttps:\/\/www.recalculandoviajes.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/08\/que-ver-en-niza-negresco.webp\u00bb alt=\u00bbthings to do in Nice Negresco\u00bb title_text=\u00bbthings to do in Nice Negresco\u00bb _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

13. The Nice Opera and the Rue Saint-Fran\u00e7ois-de-Paule<\/h2>\n

A few meters from the Cours Saleya is the Nice Opera, a beautiful 1885 building with an Italian-style facade, gold details, and more than 1,000 seats. It was inspired in part by the Opera Garnier in Paris and continues to operate with an opera, ballet, and concert season.<\/p>\n

The street where it is, Rue Saint-Fran\u00e7ois-de-Paule, is short but concentrates a lot: historical olive oil and jam shops that opened in the 19th century, the opera facade, and the constant coming and going between the old town and the sea.<\/p>\n

We saw it from the outside, walking, and were left wanting to return to see a performance. If you like the subject, check the program before traveling because tickets for specific performances sell out quickly.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

14. The Basilica of Notre-Dame de Nice<\/h2>\n

On Avenue Jean M\u00e9decin, the most important shopping street in the city, this neo-Gothic basilica suddenly appears, which seems to have been taken from northern France. It is the largest church in Nice, built starting in 1864 inspired by the great French Gothic cathedrals, and its two 65-meter twin towers can be seen from several blocks away.<\/p>\n

We went in and really liked the contrast: from the outside, it is imposing and light-colored stone, and inside it has huge stained-glass windows that fill everything with color. It has something different because of how unexpected it is in the middle of a modern avenue full of businesses.<\/p>\n

Admission is free and it usually opens from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 AM to 12 PM and 4 PM to 7 PM, and on Mondays only in the afternoon. It is a five-minute walk from Place Mass\u00e9na, so you have no excuse not to pop in.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

15. St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral<\/h2>\n

This is another of the must-sees in Nice that we didn’t get to see, and we regret it: it is the largest Russian Orthodox cathedral outside of Russia, with colorful onion domes, pink brick, and tiles. Czar Nicholas II ordered its construction and it was inaugurated in 1912, in memory of Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich, who died in Nice in 1865.<\/p>\n

It exists because since 1860, the Russian imperial family chose Nice to spend the winters, and behind them came a whole community of aristocrats, military personnel, and artists. Inside, it is decorated with icons, frescoes, and a repouss\u00e9 metal iconostasis. Many travelers point to it as the most surprising building in the city.<\/p>\n

Practical data 2026:<\/strong> admission is free (be careful, because several guides still say it is paid). Guided tours cost \u20ac10 per adult, although there is a free guided tour every day between 3 PM and 5 PM. It is open from 9 AM to 12 PM and 2 PM to 6 PM between April and October, and from 9:30 AM to 12 PM and 2 PM to 5:30 PM the rest of the year. There is a strict dress code: shoulders and knees must be covered. It is in the Tzarewitch neighborhood, about a 15-minute walk from the train station.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

16. Lympia Port, another must-see in Nice<\/h2>\n

The port of Nice is one of those areas that completely changes the idea one has of the city. They excavated it into the rock in the 18th century, and it is one of the oldest on the C\u00f4te d’Azur. It is a real port, with sailboats, fishing boats, yachts, and ferries that leave for Corsica, surrounded by red and ochre buildings that give it a very different air from the tourist seaside promenade.<\/p>\n

Nearby is Place Garibaldi, the oldest square in Nice, with white and yellow arcades and a statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi, who was born right here in 1807. The surrounding neighborhood is more local and less touristy, with bars where city residents have a drink.<\/p>\n

It is a good plan for the end of the day, when the sun hits the facades of the port from the side. You can get there by tram without any problem (line 2 ends at Port Lympia).<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

17. A boat trip around the Bay of Angels<\/h2>\n

From Port Lympia, boat trips along the coast depart, and it is, for us, the best way to understand the geography of the Riviera. From the water, you see Castle Hill, the entire Promenade des Anglais, the villas of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and the bay of Villefranche, which is one of the most beautiful in the Mediterranean.<\/p>\n

There are basically three formats: the short one-hour cruise around the bay, the half-day excursion that reaches the coast of Monaco, and the sunset cruise with a glass of wine included, which is the one that sells out most in summer.<\/p>\n

We toured the coast by land, by car, so this is one we have noted for next time. If you travel in July or August, book days in advance because the good times fly.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\nSee boat trips from Nice<\/a>\n<\/div>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

18. Cimiez, one of the quietest things to do in Nice<\/h2>\n

Above the city, about 15 minutes by bus from the center (lines 5, 16, 18, 33, 40, or 70), is Cimiez: the residential neighborhood where the rich who wintered in Nice settled, and where the ruins of Cemenelum remain, the Roman city that rivaled the Greek Nikaia.<\/p>\n

An amphitheater, quite complete thermal baths, and remains of roads and dwellings are preserved. The visit to the ruins is free<\/strong>, something almost no one mentions. The Archaeological Museum, which houses the mosaics and sculptures found there, is paid separately and is included in the museum pass.<\/p>\n

A few meters away is the Franciscan monastery of Cimiez<\/strong>, with a garden of olive trees and flowers and a very nice view of the Mediterranean. Matisse and Dufy are buried in its cemetery. Entrance to the garden is free and it is one of the quietest places in the whole city.<\/p>\n

We did not go up to Cimiez and it is one of the things we left pending. If you are interested in the Roman part or the museums, dedicate half a day to it: between the bus, the ruins, and the monastery, the whole morning goes by.<\/p>\n[\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_column type=\u00bb4_4″ _builder_version=\u00bb4.24.0″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb][et_pb_text _builder_version=\u00bb4.27.6″ _module_preset=\u00bbdefault\u00bb global_colors_info=\u00bb{}\u00bb]\n

19. The museums of Nice: Matisse, Chagall, and the pass that is worth it<\/h2>\n

Nice has one of the best museum offerings in France outside of Paris, so here is its own section with updated numbers, because this is where guides in Spanish are most outdated.<\/p>\n