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About Nice
Nice is the capital of the French Riviera and the prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes, a sunlit city on the Baie des Anges backed by green hills. Its Promenade des Anglais runs for about 7 km along a pebble beach, while Vieux-Nice (the old town) packs baroque churches, ochre façades and the daily flower-and-produce market of the Cours Saleya into a few walkable lanes. The Colline du Château gives the best free panorama, Cimiez holds the Matisse Museum and Roman ruins, and the Musée Marc Chagall and the Russian Orthodox Cathedral add art and architecture. Nice is also the home of socca, pissaladière, salade niçoise and stuffed vegetables, and its tram, train and bus links make Villefranche-sur-Mer, Monaco, Menton, Antibes, Cannes and Èze easy day trips without a car.
- Capital
- Paris (national capital); Nice is the prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes department, while Marseille is the regional capital of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Largest city
- Marseille (largest city of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur); Nice is the second largest city of the region
- Population
- About 350,000 (commune of Nice, recent INSEE estimates); about 550,000 in the Métropole Nice Côte d'Azur
- Languages
- French
- Currency
- Euro
- Time zone
- Europe/Paris (UTC+1, summer UTC+2 CEST)
Explore Nice by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Nice
The 13 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Promenade des Anglais
Vieux Nice and Cours Saleya Market
Musée Matisse
Musée national Marc Chagall
Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Nice Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Nice, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Nice
- Days 1-2Nice city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Nice
- Days 1-3Nice comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Nice, departure
Where to stay in Nice
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget EUR 95 (~$109)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range EUR 210 (~$242)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury EUR 520+ (~$598+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Hôtel Negresco
Belle Époque palace on the Promenade des Anglais, opened in 1913 and listed as a historic monument, with a pink dome, an art collection throughout the public rooms and the Chantecler restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comLe Méridien Nice
Promenade hotel at the western end of the old-town side, with a rooftop pool and terrace, sea-view rooms and a short walk to the Cours Saleya and the Jardin Albert I.
Check rates on Booking.comHyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée
Hotel behind the restored 1929 Art Deco facade of the Palais de la Méditerranée on the Promenade des Anglais, with a spa, a pool and sea-view rooms.
Check rates on Booking.comHôtel Westminster
Family-run Belle Époque hotel on the Promenade des Anglais with period interiors, sea-view rooms and a restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Nice
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
Acchiardo
La Merenda
Chez Pipo
Lou Pilha Leva
Chez Thérésa
Chez René Socca
Book a food tour in Nice We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Nice
Transportation options in Nice include local buses, taxis, and rental cars. Check local conditions before planning your travel.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in EUR, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | EUR 50 (~$58) | EUR 130 (~$150) | EUR 330 (~$380) |
| Food (per day) | EUR 25 (~$29) | EUR 50 (~$58) | EUR 120 (~$138) |
| Transportation | EUR 4 (~$5) | EUR 10 (~$12) | EUR 30 (~$35) |
| Activities | EUR 16 (~$18) | EUR 20 (~$23) | EUR 40 (~$46) |
| Daily total | EUR 95 (~$109) | EUR 210 (~$242) | EUR 520+ (~$598+) |
Best time to visit Nice
Weather through the year in France
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for France.
Spring and early autumn combine warm sea-side weather, open terraces and manageable crowds.
Nice has a mild Mediterranean climate with about 300 sunny days a year: summer highs reach about 27-29C (81-84F) and the sea is warmest in August, winters are mild at about 12-14C (54-57F) by day. Autumn brings the heaviest rain, and storm alerts (vigilance orange) can close parks and the Promenade. Major events include the Nice Carnival (February), the Menton Lemon Festival nearby (February), and the Nice Jazz Festival (July).
Essential travel tips
- Buy a rechargeable La Carte (EUR 2) or use the Lignes d'Azur app; paper bus and tram tickets are no longer sold
- The French Riviera Pass (frenchrivierapass.com) bundles entries to many museums and attractions for 24, 48 or 72 hours
- Many museums close on Tuesday, and some on Monday, so check hours before travelling; the municipal museums list hours at nice.fr
- A train day trip to Villefranche-sur-Mer, Monaco, Menton, Antibes or Cannes needs no car; summer traffic on the coast road is heavy
- Book restaurants for Friday and Saturday dinner, and expect a tourist tax (taxe de séjour) of a few euros per person per night added by hotels
Safety information
Keep phones, passports and wallets in zipped inner pockets in Vieux Nice, on Avenue Jean Médecin, at Gare de Nice-Ville and on crowded trams, where pickpockets work in pairs
Hold the phone away from the kerb on the Promenade des Anglais and the seafront, because thieves on scooters and e-bikes snatch phones from hands and tables
After dark, stay on the main lit streets (Promenade des Anglais, Avenue Jean Médecin, Place Masséna, Cours Saleya) and avoid the streets around Gare de Nice-Ville and the north side of Vieux Nice late at night
Do not leave bags unattended on the pebble beach while swimming; leave valuables at the hotel or take turns watching belongings
Use official taxis from ranks (Gare de Nice-Ville, Place Masséna, the airport) or order through a taxi or ride-hailing app that shows the price
Look both ways for cyclists and e-scooters before stepping onto the Promenade des Anglais cycle path, which runs between the pavement and the beach
Check the Météo-France vigilance map (vigilance.meteofrance.fr) in autumn and avoid river beds, underpasses and the Paillon and Var corridors when an orange or red rain alert is issued
Follow the beach flags: swim only when the flag is green or yellow, as the pebble beach shelves steeply and currents can be strong
Carry a copy of the passport and keep the original and spare cards in the hotel safe
Dial 112 for any emergency and report thefts at a police station to obtain a récépissé de dépôt de plainte needed for insurance
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Nice?
Entry follows France/Schengen rules. EU citizens need only a national ID card or passport; visitors from many non-EU countries may stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 days; others need a Schengen visa. Requirements vary by nationality, so check france-visas.gouv.fr or the nearest French embassy before travelling.
What currency is used in Nice?
Nice uses the Euro (EUR). ATMs are widely available around Place Masséna and Nice-Ville station. Cards and contactless payments are accepted almost everywhere, but carry a little cash for market stalls and small bakeries.
What language is spoken in Nice?
French is the main language, with the Niçois (Nissart) dialect heard among older locals and in street names. English is widely understood in hotels, museums and restaurants; greeting people with 'Bonjour' is expected.
What are the top attractions in Nice?
The top attractions are the Promenade des Anglais, Vieux-Nice and the Cours Saleya market, the Colline du Château, the Musée Matisse, the Musée Marc Chagall, Place Masséna and the Russian Orthodox Cathedral.
How do I get from Nice airport to the city centre?
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) is about 6 km west of the centre. Tram T2 runs from Terminals 1 and 2 to the city in about 25-30 minutes (single fare about EUR 1.70 on La Carte, or the EUR 10 return L'Aéro ticket from airport machines). Taxis charge a regulated flat fare of roughly EUR 35-40; Taxi Riviera is tel. +33 4 93 13 78 78. Details at nice.aeroport.fr and lignesdazur.com.