Nice travel guide: the Promenade, the Old Town and Riviera trains
Nice is a seafront city you can cross on foot in under an hour. The Old Town, the Promenade des Anglais and the Colline du Château fill a first day, and the tram and regional trains reach Monaco, Antibes and Menton for the rest. Little needs booking, apart from a beach lounger in summer and the better restaurants at weekends.
The short answer
- First trip
- Stay near the Old Town or the Promenade, give it three days, and use the trains for day trips along the coast.
- Where to stay
- Vieux Nice for atmosphere, the area near the Promenade des Anglais for the sea, Port Lympia for quieter evenings.
- How many days
- Two days covers the city. Three or four lets you add Èze, Monaco and Antibes.
- Best time to go
- May, June and September are warm and sea-swimmable. July and August are hot and crowded. Winter is mild but quiet.
- Book ahead
- A private beach lounger in July and August, and dinner at weekends. Museums rarely need booking.
- From the airport
- Nice Côte d'Azur airport has tram line 2 to the center in about 30 minutes. The tram runs from both terminals.
Where to stay in Nice, in brief
Vieux Nice
atmosphere, markets and evenings out
Narrow streets, the Cours Saleya market and the best bars. It can be loud at night, so ask for a quiet room.
Promenade des Anglais and Jean-Médecin
the sea, shops and the tram
Wide streets, the pebble beach and easy tram links. Some blocks near the station are tired, so choose nearer the sea.
Port Lympia
quieter evenings and local restaurants
A colorful harbor on the east side with fewer visitors and good restaurants. It is a 15-minute walk to the Old Town.
Cimiez
a calm hillside with museums
A residential hill with Roman ruins and the Matisse museum. It is quiet and green, but a bus or taxi ride from the sea.
Things to do in Nice
Promenade des Anglais
A long seafront walk, best in the morning or at sunset. Hire a bike for the full length.
Colline du Château
A hill park with views over the bay. Climb the steps or take the lift from the Old Town.
Cours Saleya market
Flowers and produce in the morning, and a flea market on Mondays.
Musée Matisse
Matisse's paintings and cut-outs in a villa in Cimiez. Pair it with the Roman ruins next door.
a few days ahead in summer
Vieux Nice walk
Baroque churches and tiny squares. Go early and eat lunch in a side street.
Port Lympia
Fishing boats and cafes. A calm place for an aperitif.
Musée Marc Chagall
A small museum with a series of biblical paintings.
Train to Villefranche-sur-Mer
A 10-minute ride to a pretty bay and a swim.
What to book before you go
These sell out. Most of the rest of Nice can be decided on the day.
Every tour and ticket in Nice, and which to pick- Beach loungers1 to 2 weeks ahead in July and August
Private beaches fill early, while the public beaches are free.
- Dinner at weekendsa few days ahead
Good restaurants in the Old Town fill on Friday and Saturday.
What to skip in Nice
- Restaurants on the Cours Saleya terraces
They suit a drink, but the food is mediocre and overpriced. Walk a few streets back.
- Casino-lined side streets near the Promenade
Mostly tourist traps. Eat in the Old Town or at the port instead.
Best time to visit Nice
May, June and September are the best: warm, bright and sea-swimmable without the peak crowds. October stays mild, and the water is still pleasant.
July and August are hot and busy, with high prices. Winter is mild and quiet, and some small places close between November and February.
- From Nice airportTram line 2 runs to the center in about 30 minutes. Taxis have fixed fares to the center.
- Tram and busThree tram lines and many buses cover the city. Buy a ticket at the stop or tap with a bank card.
- By train along the coastRegional trains run to Monaco in 20 minutes, Antibes in 25 and Menton in 35. They are cheap and frequent.
- On footThe Old Town, the Promenade and the port are all within 30 minutes of each other.
Nice in three days
- Day 1
Cours Saleya market, the Old Town and the Colline du Château. Swim in the afternoon and dinner in Vieux Nice.
- Day 2
Train to Villefranche-sur-Mer and Èze village, back for a walk on the Promenade at sunset.
- Day 3
Matisse museum in Cimiez in the morning, then Port Lympia and a seafront dinner.
Day trips from Nice
- MonacoAbout 20 minutes by train. Walk up to the old town and the palace, and see the casino square.
- ÈzeAbout 25 minutes by bus. A medieval hilltop village with sea views.
- AntibesAbout 25 minutes by train. A walled old town, a market and a good beach.
Nice: questions people ask
How many days do you need in Nice?
Two days covers the city. Three or four lets you add day trips to Monaco, Èze and Antibes.
Where should I stay in Nice?
Vieux Nice for evenings, the Promenade for the sea, or Port Lympia for a quieter base.
What is the best time to visit Nice?
May, June and September. It is warm and the sea is pleasant, with fewer crowds than July and August.
Is Nice good for a beach holiday?
Yes, though the beaches are pebble and the water is deep. Private beaches rent loungers, while public beaches are free.
How do I get from Nice airport to the center?
Tram line 2 runs from the airport to the center in about 30 minutes. Taxis have set fares.
Can you visit Monaco from Nice?
Yes. The train takes about 20 minutes and runs all day.