***Please note that this Nice, France Guide will be updated and recirculated periodically to reflect the most up-to-date information. This travel guide was most recently updated as of May 2026.***

In March 2026, I decided a few weeks before my trip to France that I would go to Nice. Little did I know, I would fall in love with this incredible city in the South of France and the many towns that surround it! This Nice, France guide will walk you through the city’s history, what to know before you go, where to stay, where to eat, what to do, and more as you plan for your French Riviera adventure.

*Disclaimer: Please note that this post contains affiliate links, which means that if you purchase through one of my links, then I will receive a small commission. This commission is at no extra cost to you. Additionally, this post is not sponsored, and all opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting The Pink Chickadee.*

For more travel abroad inspiration, check out my exploring 50 Countries Expedition page.

Nice, France Guide

Table of Contents

Location

History

Where To Stay in Nice, France

Getting Around

What To Do in Nice, France

Where To Eat in Nice, France

Know Before You Go

Location

A city in the South of France about 930km from Paris, Nice is located on the Cote d’Azur aka the French Rivera in its Alps-Maritimes department near the border of Italy alongside the Mediterranean Sea. Nice acts as a central hub to nearby glamorous cities such as Cannes (where, yes, the Cannes Film Festival takes place!), Saint-Tropez (a luxurious yachting hub), and Monte Carlo, Monaco (which is one of the wealthiest countries in the world and a popular casino spot) – all of which are within an easy day trips’ reach. Given its geographic location and unique history (more on that in the next section!), Nice boasts English, Italian, and French influence and has an international presence within its population. Proudly, the people of Nice, France call Nice, France, the 5th most populous city in France, their home regardless of who they are, which is something I saw while visiting this gorgeous city. 

If traveling to Nice, France, the nearest airport is the Nice Cote D’Azur airport, which serves as a hub for the entire French Rivera and is an easy 10-15 minute drive/Uber ride from downtown as well as nearby spots. There are multiple seasonal direct flights to/from Nice Cote D’Azur airport during the Summer months on airlines such as United (such as my home base of Washington, DC) and several connecting flights from major European cities.

History

While Nice didn’t become a part of France until 1860 when it was handed over by the Treaty of Turin a year before the country of Italy was created and united into one, it has great pride in its French heritage and unique history before being a part of France to this very day. Nice’s earliest days of civilization date back to 400,000+ years ago, but as far as we know it was first established by the Phocaean Greeks as a trading post and then by the Roman Empire. For much of the Middle Ages, Nice was caught between competing powers, including those in Provence, Sardinia, and other Italian regions. During the 1700’s up until French annexation in 1860, Nice struggled to maintain its identity, as it was frequently captured by French and regional present-day Italian powers including a visit and and influences from Napoleon Bonaparte. During World War 2, Nice was a refuge for displaced foreigners, specifically Jews, and was liberated on August 30, 1944 when American troops entered the city. Today, Nice retains its pride in being a part of France, but also maintains Italian and specifically Sardinian influences given its history that makes Nice, Nice.

Dating back to the 1750s, Nice became a popular spot for wealthy English families to escape from the cold and enjoy the sunshine and coastlines. A fun fact is that during this era, doctors would prescribe English aristocrats with time in the South of France, due to the seasonal depression that came with frigid English winters. The popular Promenade des Anglais (‘the Walkway of the English’) alongside the coastline owes its name to Nice’s earliest visitors. Since its first English visitors, tourism remains a central part of Nice’s economy as well as the rest of the Cote D’Azur. 

For more information on Nice, France’s history, look no further than here.

Where To Stay in Nice, France

While there are several incredible hotels to stay at in Nice, I LOVED my stay at Pam Hotel – a California vintage-inspired hotel located nearby Old Nice and the Promenade des Anglais. Read my full review on Pam Hotel here.

 

Getting Around

While I mainly opted to use Uber and walk around when getting around in Nice, the city offers a vast public transit network via the Lignes D’Azur which offers easy access to other sights within the French Riviera, including Monte Carlo, Monaco. Check out this guide on public transportation in Nice, France. When it comes to Uber fares, Ubers on average will run you typically under 30 Euros each way to/from nearby towns including Monaco. The Uber app will work in France like it does in the United States and Canada. If you’re interested in visiting other nearby towns in a guided group setting, then look no further than my guide on day trips from Nice, France.

What To Do in Nice, France

Seaside strolls, cobblestone street strolls, and panoramic strolls, OH MY! When looking for what to do in Nice, France, there are seriously SOOOOO many opportunities to enjoy and take in some scenic views and stroll. And, beyond savoring a stroll (which I highly recommend doing every day when in Nice!), there are several things to do in Nice. Look no further than GetYourGuide to book some fun and unique activities in Nice and around the French Riviera. 

Stroll the Promenade des Anglais – A promenade along the Mediterranean coastline extending about 7 kilometers from the Nice airport, the Promenade des Anglais, as previously mentioned, boasts several seaside views while paying tribute to its earliest visitors: the English. Be sure to stroll the Promenade des Anglais during multiple times of the day, including at 10am-12pm and especially during golden hour and sunset. If you’re an early riser, then be sure to catch the sunrise. While strolling, be sure to snap a photo in front of the iconic #ILoveNice sign!

 

Take a guided walking tour of Nice – One of my favorite activities that I booked while in Nice was a guided walking tour of the city, including the charming Viuex Nice aka Old Town Nice. I ended up being the only person in my tour group and had pretty much a private guided tour, which was wonderful! Truly, I enjoyed my guided walking tour of Nice, as it was an excellent way to get acclimated to the city, its history, and its many sights to see. Book your guided walking tour of Nice here.

Get some Vitamin D on the via strolling Promenade des Anglais & enjoy the views in one of the iconic blue chairs – In addition to strolling the Promenade des Anglais, one of the best and free ways to do so is to enjoy some seaside views in one of the several iconic blue chairs that lines the Promenade. These blue chairs are loved and enjoyed by visitors from all across the world and locals, alike. Read more about the story of the Promenade’s blue chairs here. 

Catch a scenic view at Castle Hill – A lush 95-meter-high hilltop park, Castle Hill offers panoramic city and seaside views. Castle Hill is completely free to visit and can be accessed by lift/elevator or by hiking the windy paths and staircases around town. Be sure to pack some snacks, water, and your camera. You’ll want to savor the moment (and views!). Several walking tours offer a stop at Castle Hill or are exclusively walking tours to Castle Hill. Book your walking tour of Nice including Castle Hill here and book your walking tour of Castle Hill only here. 

Stroll the streets and shops of Vieux Nice – Vieux Nice is the city’s Old Town, known for its enchanting narrow cobblestone streets, colorful buildings, as well as local shops, markets, cafes, and restaurants. This is indeed the perfect place to simply get lost and take in the moment, as you’ll get captivated by the cathedrals, squares, and everything in between. Many of the shops and restaurants I supported were located in this vibrant part of the city! Truly, you won’t want to leave this unique and historic city section. 

Take a sightseeing cruise to Villefranche Bay – Villefranche Bay is one of the deepest harbors in all of the Mediterranean and is located between Nice and Monaco on the French Riviera. It boasts turquoise waters, cliff side views, and colorful buildings. Several sightseeing cruises dock in/out of Nice, France for about an hour at a time, offering the perfect opportunity to catch some seaside views, enjoy the sunshine, and simply take it all in. It is worth noting that many sightseeing cruises do offer refreshments on board at an additional cost via a cash-only bar. Book your sightseeing cruise to Villefranche Bay here.

Support local vendors at the Marche aux Fleurs at Cours Saleya – Located in Vieux Nice, the Marche aux Fleurs at Cours Saleya is a flower market that dates back to 1897 when growers in the hills would bring their freshly cut flowers into town to sell and is the first wholesale flower market in the world. Visitors can also grab locally made fruits, vegetables, olive oil, soaps, and other locally made goods and even souvenirs. The hours are as follows: Tuesday, Thursday, Friday 6.00-17.30, Wednesday and Saturday 6.30-18.30.  Sunday 6.30-13.30, and closed Mondays. For more information on visiting Marche aux Fleurs at Cours Saleya, then check out this excellent resource to plan your visit. 

Browse & shop local vendors at the Marché à la brocante antique market at Cours Saleya (Mondays only) – Every Monday at Cours Saleya, Marche aux Fleurs transforms into the Marché à la brocante: an antique and flea market. Goods range from antiques of all kinds to vintage designer clothing, leather, and handbags. It is worth noting that vendors at this popular antique and flea market may only accept cash. For more information on visiting Marché à la brocante at Cours Saleya, then check out this excellent resource to plan your visit. 

Embark on a day trip (or a few!) to nearby towns – There are several including day trips that you can take from Nice, France along the French Riviera. Whether you decide to go to nearby French towns such as to do perfume making and explore the hilltop village of Eze, to take in cobblestone streets and artwork in the seaside Town known for the Picasso Museum of Antibes, or cross international borders to visit Monte Carlo, Monaco, there are truly SOOOO many things to do and places to see without leaving the region of Provence and the French Riviera! Check out my day trips from Nice, France guide here.

Where To Eat in Nice, France

When looking for where to eat in Nice, France, there are SOOO many incredible spots to choose from. While in the airport on the way there, the best advice I got about where to eat in Nice is that you will simply stumble upon so many delicious spots – many of which are locally owned and unique to the area.

Enjoy a meal of a lifetime on a cliff at Le Plongeoir (60 Bd Franck Pilatte) – Le Plongeoir Nice is a well-acclaimed and well-known cliff side restaurant along the Mediterranean. Personally, I enjoyed one of the best meals of my life at Le Plongeoir!! It is worth noting that reservations must be made in advance to dine at Le Plongeoir. For more information on dining at Le Plongeoir, check out my detailed review and recap of my experience dining at this notable spot here. 

Grab a drink and California-style eats at Pamela’s Bar & Restaurant (26 Rue Smolett) – Located within Pam Hotel (check out my review on staying there here) aka a hotel known for its vintage, California-dreaming vibes, Pamela’s Bar & Restaurant brings those vibes to life with its Californian cuisine that’ll keep you California dreaming! 

Savor a glass of wine at the unique Bay Side Wine Bar (32 Rue de France) – A wine bar with a vast array of wines, beers, cocktails, and charcuterie options, Bay Side offers happy hour, live music, and an elevated ambience. 

Le 1913 (37 Prom. des Anglais) – When in Nice, you’ll want to grab a drink and a small bite in one of the luxurious Le Negresco Hotel’s bars: Le 1913. Le 1913 is in an elegant and opulent environment which honors Le Negresco’s unique history as a hotel as well as the history of Nice, while evoking the discreet allure of English clubs. Check out Hotel Le Negresco’s additional dining options here.

Enjoy a beachfront meal at Plage Beau Rivage (107 Quai des États-Unis) – Located on the beach of the Promenade des Anglais, Plage Beau Rivage offers refined cuisine made from fresh and local seasonal ingredients in a relaxed seafront setting.

Grab a bite of pizza at Milo’s Pizza (Multiple locations) – Offering affordable pizza delights with excellent and friendly service, Milo’s Pizza is an excellent spot to grab a Mediterranean-inspired bite of pizza at any hour of the day (or night).

Take in cathedral views and savor Italian cuisine in the heart of Old Town at Restaurant la Claire Fontaine (Pl. Rossetti) – Centered in the middle of all the action within a town square in Vieux Nice, Restaurant La Claire Fontaine offers exquisite Italian cuisine and views.

Enjoy the vibrant music and delicious bites at Les Copains (8 Rue Lascaris) – Whether you dine solo or with others, you’ll be sure to leave as a friend as Les Copains: a cozy restaurant celebrating classic French flavors with a few twists.  

Look out over the harbor and enjoy delicious eats at La Vigna (1 Quai des Deux Emmanuels) – An elegant restaurant, La Vigna offers classic French dishes boasting panoramic harborside views.

Grab a bite of gelato at Gelateria Garibaldi (54 Avenue de la République) – Just a few steps away from Garibaldi Square, Gelateria Garibaldi brings a variety of rotating and traditional gelato flavors made with locally-sourced and fresh ingredients. 

Have the ultimate girl dinner (or just a glass of wine/cocktail!) at Pompette (2 Rue Bonaparte) – Pompette is an adorable wine bar with a list of wines, cocktails, and small plates (including charcuterie!). 

Savor a sweet treat at the adorable Angea ( 6 Rue de la Poissonnerie) – Specializing in macarons, pastries, ice cream, coffee, and tea, Angea brings it all in the most adorable and girly setting – all dolled up in all-things pretty and pink!

Overlook a beautiful Old Town square and enjoy local delicacies at Bozzi (12 Rue Alexandre Mari) – Bozzi is across from the Palais de Justice in Vieux Nice and has several indoor and outdoor dining options – all of which allow guests to savor delicious local cuisine.

Enjoy the good vibes and a great cocktail at Vibes (22 Rue Francois Guisol) – Come for the drinks, stay for the vibes at Vibes Cocktail Bar which boasts live music, a daily rotating cocktail menu, and small plates.

Indulge in local French cuisine at Jadis (24 Rue François Guisol) – Jadis is a bistro and wine bar in an elevated and elegant setting offering all-things French cuisine and wine. 

Know Before You Go

Before you take off for Nice, France, these are a few things to keep in mind:

• French is the common language spoken in Nice, however, lots of locals speak English
• The common currency used is the Euro
• Cards and Apple Pay are widely accepted across Nice and the French Riviera
• If you do use cash abroad, be sure to only withdraw cash from an ATM inside a bank in order to reduce credit card fraud

Wrap-Up

This Nice, France guide gives you a glimpse into all that this amazing city in the South of France has to offer. From traditional French cuisine, a distinct history with French and Italian influence, and beautiful seaside views at every corner, Nice truly has something for everyone!

XOXO – Katie <3