Nice tours and tickets
Nice is easy to book. Its museums sell tickets at the door, the old town and the promenade are free, and the market runs every morning. What fills is a beach lounger in July and August, and a restaurant table on weekends. Monaco, Èze and Antibes are quick day trips by train or bus, and need no ticket in advance.
Book these first
- Beach loungers
- 1 to 2 weeks ahead in July and August. Private beaches fill early, while the public beaches are free.
- Dinner at weekends
- a few days ahead. Good restaurants in the Old Town fill on Friday and Saturday.
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Museums and galleries
Musée Matisse
A museum in a red villa in the Cimiez park, with paintings, cut-outs and studio objects. Tickets are sold at the door, and it is free on the first Sunday of the month. Allow an hour.
Which to pick. Buy at the door in the morning. Visit the nearby Roman ruins in the same park for a calm afternoon.
A few days ahead in summerVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorMusée Marc Chagall
A museum built around Chagall's biblical paintings, with stained glass and a mosaic outside. Tickets are sold at the door, and audio guides are available. A visit takes an hour.
Which to pick. Buy at the door and see the blue room of the glass windows. Combine it with a stroll up the hill.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Monuments and landmarks
Colline du Château
A hilltop park above the old town with a waterfall, ruins and the best views over the bay. Entry is free. A lift runs from the foot of the hill, and steps lead up the other side.
Which to pick. Go at sunset. Take the lift up and the steps down, and bring water. The light on the bay is best then.
Not needed, entry is freeVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorCours Saleya market
A market in a long square in the old town, with flowers, fruit and vegetables in the morning and bars in the evening. Food stalls sell socca and pissaladière. It is closed on Mondays for the flea market.
Which to pick. Go before ten for the best choice. Eat socca from a stall and pick up fruit for the beach.
Not needed, entry is freeOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorPromenade des Anglais
A seafront walk of about seven kilometers, with blue chairs, a pebble beach and palms. It is free at all hours. Bikes and scooters can be rented along it.
Which to pick. Walk or cycle at dusk. For a quieter stretch, go east toward the port. Rent a bike if you want to cover all of it.
Not needed, entry is freeOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
On the water
Beach loungers
Private beach clubs along the promenade rent loungers, with food and drinks. Public beaches are free, but pebbly. A lounger is a comfortable day in July and August.
Which to pick. Book a lounger a week or two ahead in high summer, and choose a club on the western end for more space.
1 to 2 weeks ahead in July and AugustTours and tickets on ViatorBoat trip along the coast
Boats leave from Port Lympia for trips along the coast, to the bay of Villefranche, to Monaco or to the islands off Cannes. Trips last from an hour to a day.
Which to pick. Take a short trip for the views and a longer one if you want a swim. Check the timetable, since service is seasonal.
A day or two ahead in summerTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Monaco
A principality about 25 minutes by train, with a palace, a casino and a harbor. Guided day tours also visit Èze. Entry to most sights is cheap or free.
Which to pick. Take the train and walk the rock in the morning. Book the Oceanographic Museum in summer only.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorÈze
A medieval village on a cliff above the sea, with a cactus garden and a perfume maker, about 20 minutes by bus. The walk up from the coast is steep.
Which to pick. Take the bus up and walk down. Go early, before the lanes fill. Bring water for the steep stretch.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorAntibes
A walled town with a market, a fort and a Picasso museum, about 25 minutes by train. The old harbor is lively, and the ramparts give a walk with views.
Which to pick. Take the train, walk the ramparts and eat at the market. Book nothing ahead. The Picasso museum is worth an hour.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
City and museum passes in Nice
- French Riviera PassA pass for a set number of days with free entry to many museums and sights along the coast, and public transport on some lines. It pays off with several paid visits. Check that it covers your places first. Official page
Booking tours and tickets in Nice
Is the Matisse Museum free?
On the first Sunday of the month, yes, with a queue. Other days it costs a small fee. Some city museums are always free, so check each before you go.
Do I need to book a beach lounger?
In July and August, yes, a week or two ahead at the better clubs. Outside high summer you can usually find one on the day. Public beaches are free.
Can I swim in Nice?
Yes, from late spring to autumn. The beaches are pebble, and the water is clear. Wear water shoes for comfort, and watch the flags.
Is the French Riviera Pass worth it?
It is if you plan several museums or tours in a few days. For free sights and a couple of paid ones, single tickets are cheaper. Compare before you buy.
Is the train the best way to the villages?
Yes, for Monaco, Antibes and Menton. For Èze, take a bus. A train ticket is cheap, and the coast line has views.
What can wait until I arrive?
Museums, the market, the castle hill and the day trips can all be done on the day. Book a beach lounger in summer and a weekend dinner first.