Nice

All About Nice

A Phocaea-Greek settlement in 350 BCE, it wasn’t until the Romans took over Nice in 1CE that it grew into a vital trading hub. The city, thereafter, changed hands several times during the 17th and 18th centuries until the French took control over it in 1860. Located in south-eastern France, at the foot of the Alps, Nice is now the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department and among the top tourist destinations in the French Rivera.

What started as a summer playground for aristocrats in the 18th century is presently a year-round holiday destination famous for its cultural attractions and beaches. The city nowadays welcomes over four million tourists every year. Further adding to its ever-growing appeal, Nice recently received the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the ‘winter resort town of the Rivera’.

Routes and Ferries to Nice

One of the best ways to reach Nice is by sea. Multiple boats, operated by Corsica Ferries, arrive here during the week from Corsica and Sardina in particular. Ferryscanner can help you book the best possible ferry connections from Bastia and Porto Vecchio. Depending on the season, three to five vessels typically sail these routes per week. However, there is only one boat a week from some destinations like Ajaccio, Ile Rousse, and Golfo Aranci. Therefore, tourists should book their ferry tickets to Nice from these ports well in advance.

Nice Côte d’Azur is among the busiest airports in all of France. Flights from across Europe arrive here on a daily basis throughout the year. The number of connections further increase during the summer months. The airport is roughly 6km from the city. Taxis, buses, and trains are available near the airport’s departure gates. Trains connect Nice to the rest of France and other major cities in Europe. Daily TGV fast trains between Paris and Nice take six hours to complete the journey.

Port of Nice

The Port of Nice is an important tourist and commercial hub. Inaugurated in 1857 by Maria Alexandrovna, the Empress of Russia, the harbor was previously known as Port Lympia.

Catering to cruise ships, ferries, fishing boats, and leisure yachts, it welcomes over 500,000 seafaring tourists every year. For passengers arriving with ferry tickets to Nice, the harbor is conveniently adjacent to the city center. Additionally, the port’s modern-day marina can accommodate up to 530 recreational boats.

Well-developed with shops, restaurants, bars, and hotels, the neighborhood around the port is in itself a lively attraction of the city. Also worth noticing upon arrival are the earthy-colored buildings alongside the harbor. Architecturally beautiful, they exhibit classic Italian Renaissance construction style.

Best Beaches

Nice has a gorgeous coastline dotted with some of the most intimately stunning beaches, accessible quickly from the city’s center. Although sandy beaches are a hard-to-find luxury in this part of the world, Nice’s rocky shoreline still attracts local and foreign sunseekers who want nothing but to enjoy the many spoils of the Mediterranean.

Plage de La Réserve

An idyllic spot in town to watch passengers with ferry tickets to Nice arrive, La Réserve is a tiny urban beach near the port. The free pebble beach is a favorite with residents and gets crowded on sunny days. Until recently, it had a multi-floor diving board from where daredevils would jump into the water below. Now, though, the area is a fine dining restaurant, a romantic location for a memorable dinner. Adventurous souls can nevertheless jump from some of the cliffs nearby. Although there aren’t any facilities on the beach, the water is clean and calm, perfect for a swim and a snorkel.

Coco Beach

Coco Beach is another small alcove near the port, only known to locals. This hidden gem is primarily a rocky shoreline with a few places to lay your towels and sunbathe. Not ideal for families, access to the water is via ladders or by jumping straight into the sea. The only facilities at Coco are a few showers and one restaurant. The family-owned eatery has been in business for 80 years serving fresh seafood to ravenous beachgoers. Coco Beach has lifeguards during the summer months.

L’Opéra Plage

Owned by the Maiffret family, Opéra Plage is iconic for being the oldest beach in Nice, operational since 1889.  Located on Promenade des Anglais, the dog-friendly beach has a top-class terrace restaurant and offers massage facilities upon prior request. Opening up to the blue waters of the Mediterranean, the beach club has over 250 deck chairs for enthusiastic sunseekers. Renting a lounger with parasol at Opéra Plage costs €22 per day.

Plage des Marinières

Situated roughly 20 minutes by car from the center, Plage des Marinières in Villefranche-sur-Mer is the closest you’ll find a sandy beach near Nice. There are, in fact, two sections of this free-to-use seaside. The one with grainy sand is non-smoking, whereas the pebble waterfront is for smokers. Marinières offers plentiful facilities, from cafes, bars, toilets, and showers to water sports like kayaking and paddleboarding. The shallow waters make it a safe choice for families with little children. However, because the beach is easily reachable by public transport, it stays busy during the summer months.

Plage d’Eze-sur-Mer

Situated alongside the beautiful village of Eze-sur-Mer, about 30 minutes from the center, Eze is one of the best beaches in Nice. What’s unique about Eze is that it has both public and private areas. The central part of the beach is free. However, there are private beach clubs with restaurants on both ends of the strand. Sun-bed rentals from either of the clubs cost €20 per day. Since the water next to the beach stays calm, Plage d’Eze-Sur-Mer is excellent for water sports like snorkeling, kayaking, and windsurfing.

Things To Do

Pull yourself away from the temptations of the Mediterranean Sea, and you’ll immediately discover that Nice has plenty more to offer. From cultural and culinary enticements to shopping, hiking, photography, and a thriving nightlife, the city is full of awe-inspiring surprises.

Walk the Promenade des Anglais

Arguably the most famous promenade along the Mediterranean, the construction of this seafront dates back to 1822. The boardwalk gets its name from the English nobles who came to Nice in the 18th century and helped sponsor the path’s construction. The palm tree-lined walkway extends the entire 7km length of Baie des Anges (Bay of the Angels). It now has separate lanes for skaters and cyclists. Visitors spending their day at one of the public or private beaches bordering the promenade can rent skates, bicycles, or a Segway. The boulevard is the location of the annual Nice Carnival and has shops, restaurants, and many luxury hotels along its length.

Explore Old Town Nice

Still maintaining its vintage appeal, Vieille Ville (Old Town of Nice) lies close to the port. You can visit this neighborhood within minutes of arriving at the dock with ferry tickets to Nice in hand. Wandering around the Old Town’s atmospheric streets while admiring ancient architecture is an excellent way to spend a day in the city. Although packed with several magnificent sights, such as the 17th-century Cathedral, the Old Town is, in particular, known for its outdoor markets. The world-famous flower market, Marché aux Fleurs, takes place here from Tuesday to Sunday. Besides flowers, the market also has stalls selling fresh fruits, vegetables, and artisanal products like cheese and honey. While the fruit market closes by 13:00, the flower market stays open till evening. On Mondays, though, the Old Town hosts a flea market where you can find vintage jewelry, books, and all types of household items.

Visit Musée Matisse

Although the Matisse Museum is slightly out of the way, it is a must-visit attraction in Nice for art lovers. Occupying a 17th-century villa, the gallery, open since 1963, features exceptional works by the famous artist who resided in this region from 1917 to 1954. Of the 400 drawings, 31 paintings, numerous paper cut-outs, and 57 sculptures on display, most are from the late 19th to mid-20th century. The museum also showcases furniture and tools used by Matisse in his studio. Matisse Museum regularly holds temporary exhibitions featuring artists from across the globe. The museum stays closed on Tuesdays, is reachable by public transport, and has a gift shop. Entry tickets for Matisse Museum cost €10 per adult.

Hike up to Castle Hill

The ruins of Château de Nice look over the city from a height of 92 meters, providing visitors with an idyllic destination for a hike and a picnic. Lying on the eastern side of the Old Town, Castle Hill is the highest point of Nice. Although not much still remains of the military battlement, destroyed in 1706, the hill is a spectacular vantage point to capture panoramic vistas of the bay and the city. You can either take the steps or an elevator to reach the top. Once there, you’ll find a playground, a park, a cemetery, and the Belanda Tower. Cascade Dijon, an artificial and refreshing waterfall, is another Castle Hill attraction that draws in large crowds daily.

Shop at Avenue Jean Médecin

Avenue Jean Médecin is the ultimate destination in Nice for shopaholics. The city’s most famous street extends from the train station to Place Massena. Along the way, you’ll find shops ranging from small clothing boutiques and brand outlets to restaurants and souvenir stores. First constructed in 1868, the street has had several name changes over the years. Today, some of the noteworthy buildings on Avenue Jean Médecin are the Basilica of Notre Dame, the 100-year-old department store Galeries Lafayette, and Centre Commercial Nicetoile, a mall with over 100 shops. A tram line cuts the street in two, and thus, one needs to be careful when crossing from one side to the other.

Transportation Around Nice

Most tourist attractions in Nice are within the city’s central district. Consequently, you can walk from one location to another with ease. Nevertheless, the city does have a comprehensive public transport system. Buses travel around Nice and its suburbs, with tickets costing roughly €1.50. The town also has trams that stop at 22 stations, some of which are in the central district.

Unlike other coastal cities in France, renting a car is not advisable if staying primarily within Nice. Traffic and parking are troublesome, leading to time wastage and extra expenditure. Similarly, be a little cautious when using the local taxi network. Agree on a fare, including luggage, if any, before heading towards your destination. When arriving at the harbor with ferry tickets to Nice or the local airport, taxis typically have a fixed rate mentioned for hotels in the city center. Nice does have taxi apps, which are a better option, time permitting.