Ah, the French Riviera. Doesn’t the thought of that just induce a sense of relaxation in your soul?

Quiet beaches, cozy café chairs all facing the main street, the scent of lavender from the local flower market, and endless sunshine that warms your skin from the outside as a cappuccino warms you from the inside.

Sounds amazing right? Well, that’s Nice (pronounced: Niece; like that cool kid your brother/sister has to deal with that you don’t lol).

Why Visit Nice?

Nice is the town you should visit if you’ve done enough city breaks and you need someplace to lie low for a while; a place to blend in with the locals and relax.

It’s the place you go to when you’ve seen a gothic church for the thousandth time and you’re ready for something different.

Where Nice falls short in terms of nightlife, fancy shopping districts, high-end cars, and the ever-present sound of a police siren, it makes up for in ways that resonate with the relaxation chord in your body.

It’s here that you’ll overhear the conversation between a local and their favorite flower vendor set to the backdrop of small waves lapping against the shore. In other words, you can easily gauge the pace of life here simply by listening.

What to do in Nice

Nice embodies that of a relaxing, easy-going coastal town. So, I recommend taking your time doing the following!

1. Stroll along the boardwalk bordering the Ligurian Sea

When I first arrived in Nice after a wonderful four days in Barcelona, my soul was in need of a slower pace for a few days. I had had my fill of walking 20,000 steps in a day and eating tapas until I was ready to explode so the beach was the most logical answer.

As I meandered down to the end of the Flower March Market, the smell of the sea breeze increased with each step until I was only a few hundred feet away. Passing by a small courtyard and through some iconic archways, I was now face to face with the Ligurian Sea and ready to sit down and relax.

However, I saw the beautiful boardwalk along the beach’s edge and knew right away that I needed to go for a run instead lol. So, I turned around, grabbed my running shoes from my hostel, and went for a 5-mile run; clearly I was still in “go mode” from Barcelona lol.

It was sublime to say the least. The ocean breeze filled my lungs with each step and the sounds of seagulls and waves lapping against the shore provided the perfect soundtrack to help clear my head.

Maybe a run along the boardwalk isn’t for you, and that’s ok! However, don’t leave Nice without at least a stroll along this wonderful, soothing attraction!

2. Buy lavender-scented everything at the Flower March Market

If you search any other site for “what to do in Nice”, you’ll find the Flower March Market at the top of the list, and rightfully so! This incredible street market full of fresh produce, flowers, and gifts is perfect for an authentic Nice experience.

Located just a block north from the sea, you’ll find this venue to be well worth an hour of your time. In fact, if you’re looking for that perfect travel gift, you’ll be hard-pressed not to find it here. I bought lavender-scented soaps and lotions for my family back home and they absolutely loved them!

And because it was my first stop in France since having moved to from Korea to Germany, I promptly ate my weight in buttery croissants as well lol.

3. Catch a beautiful sunset from the Colline du Château Park

Prior to visiting Nice, I was convinced that sunsets were most enjoyable from the side of a mountain. Call me crazy but, I never thought sunsets over the ocean were anything to write home about! However, after climbing the stairs to the top of Colline du Château Park and catching the final remaining rays of light as our star set over the French Riviera, I now know why people rave about this part of the world.

The Colline du Château Park is as enjoyable during the day as it is the night. I loved visiting this little piece of heaven so much that I went twice during my visit! I guess I just loved being able to stand in one place and look out over the sea and city at the same time.

To make your journey extra incredible, bring a bottle of wine and sit on the ledges at the top of the Colline du Château Park during your sunset. Guaranteed to make you feel small and nostalgic at the same time!

4. Take a daytrip to Monaco

While I’m not a huge fan of any list that suggests ‘leaving a place’ as one of the top things to do lol, I’d be remorse if I didn’t suggest a daytrip to Monaco. Only a 30-minute train ride along the French Riviera’s coast, this tiny little nation is home to a handful of sites that are well worth one of your days spent in Nice.

Start your trip by visiting the Prince’s Palace of Monaco for amazing sights of the city; if the flag is up, the prince is home! Because it’s still a working and living space for the prince, you’ll not be able to visit the interior while the Prince is home. Don’t worry though! There’s more to see in Monaco than just the Palace.

After visiting the Prince’s Palace, head down the street to visit the Chapel of Mercy and Saint Nicholas Cathedral. Both beautiful, I actually preferred the quaint and scale of the Chapel of Mercy to that of the grandeur bestowed to the Saint Nicholas Cathedral.

From there, consider making your way over to the Casino de Monte-Carlo. Here you can witness where James Bond spent an evening gambling before saving the world! Although, because I’m not much of a gambler, I didn’t feel the need to visit the casino (let alone spend $10 just to get in) so, I ate lunch instead lol. However, I’ve read that it’s one of the top sights in Monaco!

5, 6, and 7. Visit Nice’s most majestic churches

Let’s face it: if you’re in Europe, you’re going to have to see some amazing churches at some point, right? The best part is that admission is free for all of these churches! So, here’s the top three churches I recommend seeing while you’re in Nice:

5. Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice

Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice comes in at #1 because of its uniqueness, both in architecture and background. At first glance, you can easily see that this church lacks buttresses and elongated windows stretching towards the heaven like traditional gothic architecture. That’ because it’s a Russian Orthodox style church; completely different! Be sure to take some time to walk around the grounds and admire the round cupolas (domes) from all angles.

Also, and this really blew my mind while I was there, the cathedral is actually property of Russia! Russian imperialists frequented Nice during the winter months in the mid-1800s so, Tsar Alexander II had this church built to welcome the vacationing families.

Fast forward to a French court ruling in 2006 that conferred the cathedral to the Russian government on the basis that the church was on private grounds owned by the Imperial Government during the Russian Revolution.

In other words, the Kremlin owns this church, and they even paid for renovations as recently as 2015! Maybe turn your cell phone off when you visit 😉 lol.

6. The Nice Cathedral

Adorned with a beautiful mosaic of tile on its cupola, The Nice Cathedral stands out like a rose almost the city’s monochromatic skyline.

I thoroughly enjoyed my visit to the Nice Cathedral for the opportunity to sit in a pew and gaze at the magnificent arches and paintings inside. As you cross the threshold into the cathedral, you’re instantly overtaken by the sheer size and glamor of the building. Once past the impressive organ above, you’ll find the balance between the white-washed walls and gold-plated capitals adorning the columns is so intricate and perfect here.

As sunlight filters in through the stained-glass windows beneath the dome, you’ll also be amazed at how light the building feels for being so rigid and massive. Take a moment to appreciate the stillness here before heading out into the small courtyard and enjoying a gelato or cappuccino!

7. Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption

I bet you wouldn’t believe that the Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption was actually modeled after a church other than the famous Notre-Dame in Paris. But it’s true! Though this cathedral and the epitome of gothic architecture look strikingly similar, this church was based on a monastery in Angers, France. Finally built in 1879, this is the largest church in Nice, and is well worth a visit.

While visiting the Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, be sure to take advantage of the surrounding area! This basilica is located along a rather vibrant main street full of restaurants and boutique shops. So, it’s a perfect place to rest and reflect if you’re out exploring Nice for the day!

Where to Stay in Nice

Because of Nice’s rather small boundaries, it’s hard to say that one location in the city is better than another. However, I found that the closer you are to Cœur de Nice and Old Nice, the better off you are in terms of sight-seeing, shopping, nightlife, and dining.

Cœur de Nice

I recommend Cœur de Nice simply because it’s in the heart of Nice, meaning shopping, dining, and nightlife are only a few steps away. Plus, there’s an amazing little trolley that runs up and down the Avenue Jean Médecin; perfect for getting you to/from the beach and the Flower March Market!

Anywhere along the Av. Jean Médecin is ideal but you’ll also be paying for it. For that reason, I recommend a few blocks east or west of the iconic street to save yourself a few bucks!

Old Nice

If nightlife is what you’re after, Old Nice is where you want to set up your basecamp. With wine bars and restaurants at your fingertips, you won’t have to walk more than a few hundred feet before you’re right where you want to be.

A stay in this neighborhood guarantees you’ll also be close to the Colline du Château Park for those amazing sunsets I talked about earlier. Additionally, you’ll also be close to some amazing little boutique stores selling quality products!

Le Carré d’Or

Picture this: you’re casually watching people go about their vacations as you enjoy a glass of French wine under an awning while the rain comes down. Sound like the perfect spot for your Nice vacation? Then Le Carré d’Or is where you want to be.

Off the beaten path (but not by much!), you’ll find cozy cafes and museums as the main attraction in this neighborhood. You’ll also be only steps away from two beautiful parks and of course, the boardwalk along the sea.

Nice France FAQs

1. When to visit Nice France?
   • Visit Nice when the weather is nice and the crowds are low, ideally April through June and September through October. July and August will bring high crowds but great sunbathing weather
2. How many days to visit Nice France?
   • Three days is more than enough to visit Nice France. I was there for only 2 and still managed to see all of the major attractions and still squeeze in my trip to Monaco
3. What is Nice France known for? Why is Nice so famous?
   • Nice is known for its incredibly sunny weather, relaxing atmosphere, warm population, and of course, the top attractions of the Flower March Market, the Nice Cathedral, and the many museums. Plus, it rests on a perfect part of the French Riviera, so it has an incredible energy and vibe to accompany the many sights!
4. Does Nice France have good nightlife?
   • Compared to the larger cities of, say, Rome, Barcelona, Paris, etc., Nice’s nightlife is smaller. However, what Nice may lack in size, it makes up for in character. Nice has dozens of great bars with varying themes that are perfect for hopping between for a late night!
5. Is Nice France Expensive
   • Expensive is a relative term but, I would say yes lol. As someone who’s not used to paying $15 for an omelet, I would say Nice is expensive.
6. Is Nice France safe?
   • Nice is perfectly safe for solo travelers! I walked up and down the alleys of Nice at night and I never felt threatened. The population in Nice is extremely warm and inviting!
7. Can you surf in Nice France? Can you swim in Nice?
   • Surfing seemed next to impossible given the small, relaxing waves that lapped against the shoreline. However, swimming is definitely possible given the calm seas!
8. How to get to Nice France?
   • To get to Nice, you can either take a train from one of the surrounding cities, or fly into the airport like I did!
9. Is Nice France walkable
   • Nice is absolutely a walkable town. Due to its location along the sea, the entire city is basically at one elevation. The only difficult part might be visiting the Colline du Château Park for a sunset.