Nice travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
Top attractions
The most popular and significant attractions in Nice.
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1
Castle Hill (Colline du Château)
Tip: Use the free lift at the Tour Bellanda to save the climb, then walk down by the stairs. · Go late afternoon for warm light on the bay, or early morning to avoid crowds. · Bring water in summer; shade is patchy and the stairs are steep. · Check the posted closing time, which changes between April-September and October-March. · Combine the visit with a stroll through Vieux Nice below.
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2
Promenade des Anglais
Tip: Walk at sunrise for empty paths or at sunset for the best light on the bay. · Keep to the pedestrian walkway; the cycle lane is used by fast bikes and scooters. · Hire a city bike or e-scooter to cover the full length without tiring. · Bring sandals for the pebble beach, which is hard on bare feet. · Expect closures and crowds during Carnival and other summer events.
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3
Vieux Nice and Cours Saleya Market
Tip: Arrive before 10:00AM Tuesday to Sunday when the market stalls are fullest. · Try socca from a local stall and eat it hot, standing or at a counter. · Compare prices; terraces directly on the Cours Saleya are usually dearer than side streets. · Keep bags and phones secure in crowded stretches. · Use the stairs at the eastern end to continue up to Castle Hill.
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4
Musée Matisse
Tip: Arrive at opening on a weekday to avoid tour groups. · Buy tickets on the museum's official website to confirm hours and exhibition closures. · Combine with the Archaeology Museum and monastery gardens next door. · Take the Lignes d'Azur bus rather than climbing the hill on foot. · Check photography rules at the entrance, since temporary exhibitions often restrict it.
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5
Musée national Marc Chagall
Tip: Visit in the morning, when the stained-glass hall is bright on sunny days. · Use the free first Sunday of the month, but expect larger crowds. · Check the closing day and midday break on the official site before travelling. · Pair with the Musée Matisse and the Roman ruins on the same Cimiez trip. · Allow time to sit in the garden and look at the mosaic.
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6
Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas
Tip: Dress modestly with covered shoulders and knees, and remove hats inside. · Visit in the morning for the best light on the domes. · Confirm entry fees and hours on arrival, since sources differ. · Avoid walking around during services, which the cathedral holds as a place of worship. · Ask about the crypt treasury when buying a ticket.
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7
Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate
Tip: Visit mid-morning outside Mass for a quiet interior. · Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees. · Avoid the midday closure, which usually runs from about noon to 2:00PM. · Use flash-free photography and keep voices low. · Combine with Place Rossetti's cafés and the nearby Old Town sights.
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8
Place Masséna and Promenade du Paillon
Tip: Visit in the evening to see the sculptures lit up. · Bring children in warm weather to use the water jets. · Use the gardens for a shaded break between sights. · Keep belongings secure in the evening crowd. · Check the events calendar, since parts may be closed for Carnival and concerts.
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9
Villa Masséna (Musée d'art et d'histoire)
Tip: Go on a weekday morning for the quietest rooms. · Check the closing day, usually Tuesday, before travelling. · Allow time for the gardens after the museum. · Bring ID or proof for reduced or free entry. · Combine with a walk on the Promenade des Anglais.
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10
Palais Lascaris
Tip: Book a guided visit in advance if wanted; it costs extra. · Visit on a weekday morning for the quietest rooms. · Remember it is closed on Tuesdays. · Look for the street number, as the facade is easy to miss. · Combine with the cathedral and Cours Saleya nearby.
Attractions by category
Explore by your interests.
Landmarks
Promenade des Anglais
The 7 km seafront boulevard along the Baie des Anges
Castle Hill (Colline du Château)
Free park with the best panorama over the bay and the port
Place Masséna
Chequerboard square at the hinge of old and new Nice
Port Lympia
Pastel-fronted harbour east of the Old Town
Museums_and_palaces
Musée Matisse
Paintings, cut-outs and sketches in a 17th-century villa on Cimiez hill
Musée national Marc Chagall
The Biblical Message cycle and stained glass
Villa Masséna
Belle Époque villa on the Promenade des Anglais telling the story of Nice
Palais Lascaris
Baroque palace with 17th-century apartments and an old pharmacy
Musée d'Archéologie de Nice-Cimiez
Roman baths and amphitheatre of Cemenelum
Religious_sites
Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas
Six-domed church opened in 1912
Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate
Baroque cathedral of the Old Town
Chapelle de la Miséricorde
Baroque chapel on Cours Saleya with limited opening
Nature_and_views
Castle Hill (Colline du Château)
Cascade, gardens and viewing terraces
Parc Phoenix
Botanical park with a giant tropical glasshouse
Parc du Mont Boron
Pine-covered hill with walking paths and sea views
Markets
Cours Saleya
Flower, produce and seafood market Tuesday to Sunday; antiques on Monday
Practical information
What you need to know before you go.
- Hours
- Most municipal museums are closed on Tuesday (confirm each); Castle Hill is open daily 8:30AM to 6:00PM from 1 October 2026; Cours Saleya markets run Tuesday to Sunday with antiques on Monday; the Musée Matisse reopens on 21 October 2026 after a short closure
- Fees
- Castle Hill, Promenade des Anglais, Old Town, Cours Saleya, Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate and the Cimiez archaeology museum are free; Musée Matisse EUR 10 (~$11.50); Musée Chagall EUR 10 (~$11.50); Villa Masséna EUR 10 (~$11.50); Palais Lascaris EUR 5 (~$5.75); Parc Phoenix EUR 5.50 (~$6.30). All prices converted at 1 EUR = 1.15 USD
- Best Times
- April to June and September to October are mild and less crowded; July and August are hottest and busiest; Nice Carnival in February fills the Old Town
- Passes
- Municipal museum pass EUR 15 (~$17) for 4 days covers the Matisse, Masséna, Lascaris and other municipal museums but not the Chagall museum; French Riviera Pass EUR 30 (~$34.50) for 24 hours, EUR 45 (~$52) for 48 hours, EUR 65 (~$75) for 72 hours, covering 60+ sites; Nice residents have a free museum pass
- Getting Around
- The tram (lines T1, T2 and T3) and Lignes d'Azur buses use the same tickets: single journey EUR 1.70 (~$2), 1-day pass EUR 7 (~$8); validate the ticket on every boarding. The Old Town, Cours Saleya and Promenade des Anglais are best covered on foot
- Tourist Info
- Nice Côte d'Azur tourist office: explorenicecotedazur.com (sells the French Riviera Pass)
- Closures Note
- The MAMAC modern art museum has been closed for renovation since January 2024; the Terra Amata prehistory museum closed for works on 15 April 2026 with reopening announced for autumn 2026
- Rates Note
- Prices and hours were checked in October 2026 on official tourism and museum listings and may change; confirm before visiting
Tips for visiting attractions
Make the most of your sightseeing time.
Group sights by area: Old Town (Cours Saleya, Sainte-Réparate, Palais Lascaris, Castle Hill), seafront (Promenade des Anglais, Villa Masséna) and Cimiez hill (Matisse, Roman ruins, monastery)
Take the free lift at Tour Bellanda to reach Castle Hill without climbing the stairs
Buy the EUR 15 municipal museum pass if visiting three or more municipal museums; it does not cover the Chagall museum
Chagall is free on the first Sunday of each month, but queues are longest then
Cours Saleya flower market is closed on Mondays and replaced by an antiques market
Cover shoulders in the churches and wear a shirt in the Russian cathedral; men are refused entry shirtless
Frequently asked questions
Is Castle Hill in Nice free?
Yes. Entry to Castle Hill is free and so is the lift at Tour Bellanda. The park is open 8:30AM to 6:00PM from 1 October 2026 to 31 March 2027, and 8:30AM to 8:00PM from 1 April to 30 September.
How much is the Musée Matisse?
Admission is EUR 10 (~$11.50), free under 18. It is at 164 Avenue des Arènes de Cimiez; tel. +33 4 93 81 08 08. It is closed until 20 October 2026 and reopens on 21 October.
Is there a museum pass for Nice?
Yes. The municipal pass costs EUR 15 (~$17) for four days and covers the municipal museums but not the Chagall museum. The French Riviera Pass costs EUR 30, 45 or 65 for 24, 48 or 72 hours.
Is the Nice modern art museum (MAMAC) open?
No. The MAMAC has been closed for renovation since January 2024, and part of its collection is shown elsewhere under the banner MAMAC near you.