This is THE French City You Should Plan a Vacation Around in 2026

Welcome to the jewel of the French Riviera, where the relaxed Mediterranean vibe effortlessly blends with impressive architecture, palm-lined streets, and expansive sea views.

This is Nice, the beautiful, bucket list city in France that has one of the best old towns I’ve ever visited.

Nice is full of hidden squares, colorful hues, tiny streets, and cafes and restaurants everywhere. The beaches stretch on forever in Nice – kilometer after kilometer of wide open beaches for lounging or sea bathing.

Plus, Nice makes for the perfect home base for exploring the French Riviera, as the trains quickly and easily take you up and down the coast.

I’ve explored Nice on three separate occasions, spending more than two weeks soaking up the vibes. And while I’ve crisscrossed the French Riviera and explored many regions of France, Nice holds a special place as one of my favorite spots in the whole country.

The city’s laidback ambiance offers a refreshing departure from the bustle of many big cities – the vibes are intoxicating! I hope you love it too!

11 Spots You Can’t Miss in Nice

1. Stroll The Promenade Des Anglais

A beach seen from the coast of Nice with palm trees looking out towards a sidewalks and deep blue water.

The Promenade des Anglais is one of the most iconic spots in Nice – this extensive coastal walkway stretches for miles along the sea and is lined by palm trees and beautiful buildings.

The promenade is very wide, with plenty of space to stroll, sit, relax, and indulge in the greatest of all pastimes: people-watching. There’s also a dedicated bike path that is used by many bikers.

A white wood restaurant and gazebo on the beach. The sky is pink, yellow, and blue with reflections on the water.

You can access all the beaches directly from the stairs leading down from the promenade – making the area a central hub for seaside enjoyment.

For a more fast-paced experience, hop on a city bike, easily accessible through the Velo Bleu app. Download the app in advance, input your personal details, and then all you need to do is scan the QR code at one of the many bike stations around the city.

Make sure you walk right to the eastern edge of the Promenade, right under Castle Hill. Here, you’ll get an incredible view back over the Promenade, the sea, and the city, and you can snap a picture with the I Love Nice sign.

A red, white, and blue #I love Nice sign on the boardwalk next to the beach.

Walking the promenade is one of my absolute favorite things to do in Nice – there’s just such a great vibe and the views can’t be beat.

2. Castle Hill

Castle Hill is a tall hill that looms over Old Town, on the far eastern edge of the Promenade des Anglais. While the castle itself is long gone, the hill still offers several interesting things to do.

The view of the Nice coastline.with hundreds of colorful buildings, and row of palm trees on the coastline. This coastline is by far one of the best activities to do in Nice.

To start, there are incredible, sweeping views over the Promenade des Anglais on one side and the Port on the other. There’s a waterfall in the middle of the hill, as well as archeological ruins, a children’s playground, walking trails, and a large Christian and Jewish cemetery at the back of the hill.

A rock waterfall with the white water streaming down with a pool of rocks.

The view of coral buildings inside a rectangular port with hundreds of ships and one giant yacht

3. Port Lympia

A row of rainbow buildings on the coastline next to a sheer rock cliff with green shrubs and a port with around 50 boats.

The Port of Nice, also known as Port Lympia, is one of the most important harbors on the French Mediterranean.

I love a leisurely stroll through the port – it’s a charming combination of speedboats, fishing boats, sailboats, and larger yachts against the painted background of the colorful buildings surrounding the port.

A row of buildings with lots of windows next to lots of row boats. There are lots of gray clouds in the sky covering the water.

When you finish exploring the port, swing back west via the Promenade and see an impressive war memorial carved into the hill cliff. The Monuments aux Morts (or the Monument of the Dead) is dedicated to the fallen of World War I.

4. Place Massena

A statue of a king with blue horses and water streaming into a pool next to black and white checkered ground and red buildings.

Place Massena is a central square between the Jardin Albert I and Old Town. It boasts gorgeous neoclassical architecture and the prominent Fontaine du Soleil, which features a statue of Apollo.

Red and ochre buildings surround the expansive square, and the ground is adorned with a distinctive black and white checkerboard pattern. It’s a unique and absolutely stunning square!

A red square with black and white checkered floor with railroad tracks and red-yellow buildings all around the square.

5. Relax in the Jardin Albert I and the Promenade du Paillon

Nice has a long street of gardens that runs north from the Promenade des Anglais, and separates Old Town from the Carré d’Or neighborhood of New Town.

This area has a little bit of everything and is an absolutely delightful greenspace in Nice.

The Jardin Albert I sits between the sea and Place Massena and has walking paths, manicured lawns, flowers and plants, and several large sculptures.

A shallow pool with multiple tin fountains with the water reflecting the orange yellow sunset.

Just north of Place Massena is the Promenade du Paillon. This part of the park is long and skinny, and has a lot of fun features.

Don’t miss the Fontaine Miroir d’Eau – a shallow reflecting “pool” with a grid of fountains that are turned on and off throughout the day. Essentially an elevated splashpad, this area is open for visitors to walk and play in.

A brown rusty sculpture with green grass and a very skinny sidewalk. There are colorful buildings next to mountains.

We also love the imaginative playground with play structures shaped like sea creatures, and the various sculptures throughout the garden.

There is also a wide variety of plants, from flowers to palm trees, both local and exotic, and lots of benches to sit down and relax, or enjoy a picnic lunch.

6. Hit the Beach

A private beach with 15 pinstripe umbrellas and beach chair stations. There is also a small boardwalk leading to the teal blue water. These beaches are one of the best things to do in Nice.

Spending time at the beach is a top activity in Nice no matter when you visit, and Nice has some of the best beaches on the French Riviera.

Of course, the water feels great in the hot summer months, but even in cooler weather, there are always still people enjoying the sunset or evening waves, sharing drinks, or having a picnic.

A white sand beach next to the teal beach with a cobblestone wall leading up to the buildings.

There are miles and miles of beaches to choose from along the coastline, with private beach clubs interspersed with public beach areas. Anyone can rent a sun lounger + umbrella or eat at one of the beachside restaurants at the beach clubs along the shore.

Stephanie’s Pro Tip: Except for one tiny section, the beaches in Nice are rocky – which means that if you want to lay out, a good thick towel is very helpful, and you DEFINITELY need some sturdy sandals or water shoes, even for wading. Those rocks do not feel good on your bare feet, trust me!

7. Explore Old Town

The old town part of Nice with classic colorful building styles leading up the mountain.

Old Town is the soul of Nice – one of the most historic parts of the city, a labyrinth of narrow, winding streets that invite exploration.

I love Nice’s old town so, so much. I’ve explored so many old towns in France and Europe in general, and Nice’s is just top-notch – so cute and charming, and actually pretty large.

As you wander, you’ll stumble onto numerous beautiful squares and historic churches. The buildings, painted in golden, orange, pink, and red hues create picture-perfect moments around every corner.

A tiny sidewalk next to buildings leading to a small square.

Old Town is also home to many top-rated restaurants and cute boutiques or specialty shops, with small wicker tables spilling out onto the streets, and enticing smells layering in every alley.

A yellow and orange building with a large french flag.

A white stone church next to a red restaurant with lots of tables and chairs.

Place Rossetti is my personal favorite of the many charming squares in Old Town – I love the fountain, the little cafes, the Saint Reparate Cathedral, and the plethora of delicious gelato stands.

Stephanie’s Pro Tip: Fenocchio has dozens of flavors and is a popular gelato shop at Place Rossetti, (and I do like their gelato), but you can’t miss the creme brulée gelato at Azzurro, just a few steps from the cathedral.

8. The Marché Aux Fleurs Flower and Produce Market

Tons of bouquets of different colored flowers with lots of different wrappings covering the flowers.

This charming flower market was first established to sell flowers to perfume makers in the region, but today has blossomed into a sprawling, bustling market selling all kinds of delectable food products.

The Marché aux Fleurs is located on the Cours Saleya, in the Old Town close to the sea. In addition to flowers, you can find fruit, vegetables, and lots of local food specialties.

Think rows of olives, candied flowers, cheese and dried meats, local honey and jam, nougats and candies, and even some hot Provencal dishes prepared for immediate consumption.

The market is popular with locals and tourists alike and is a great place to pick up some local specialties to bring home with you.

Lots of greens separated in different wood boxes.

A market with an array of colorful tomatoes in different stall.

The market is open every morning except for Mondays. On Mondays, the Cours Saleya hosts an antique market, filled with all sorts of fascinating antiques, old dishes and china, jewelry, art, and cute little French trinkets. The last time I was in Nice, I was absolutely enamored with all the old tea sets!

China teacups and teapots. There are intricate designs of flowers and gardens.

9. Villa Massena Museum

A small white shingled museum with an awning surrounded by palm trees.

The Villa Massena is my favorite type of museum – where the building itself is grand and beautiful, and an exhibit in its own right.

André Masséna was born in Nice and became a high-ranking military officer during the French Revolutionary Wars and the Napoleonic Wars. In fact, he was one of Napoleon’s most trusted commanders throughout his reign.

Villa Massena was purchased by his grandson, and dedicated to the city in remembrance of the famous French commander. The park around the manor is free and open to the public.

A Victorian dining room with light green chairs and a glass chandelier.

A wood oval room with tile floor and intricate wall carvings.

The main level is full of opulent and luxurious historical grand rooms. You can walk through the dining room, library, entry hall, as well as a few sitting rooms. Marble columns, chandeliers, large paintings, mosaic floors, carved friezes, decorative accents, and sculptures adorn the rooms

Upstairs is more like a true museum, with several rooms about the nobility of Nice, as well as exhibits about Napoleon and Josephine, including their clothing, death masks, paintings, and some personal items.

There are also some exhibits and a lot of pictures of what Nice used to look like and how it used to function in the 1700-1800’s, which I found fascinating.

10. Russian Orthodox Cathedral

A Russian influenced church with multiple steeples ( circular and rectangular)

Also known as the Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice, this cathedral is an unexpected glimpse of Russia in the heart of Nice. It was built for the sizeable Russian community that had settled in Nice by the beginning of the 20th century (the church was completed in 1912).

The outside has the striking onion domes associated with the Russian Orthodox churches, and the inside is ornately decorated with colors, gold leafing, and paintings on the walls and ceilings.

11. Sample Nicoise Cuisine

A salad with hard-boiled eggs, vegetables, assorted greens, and pork in a wood bowl on top of a white napkin and blue tablecloth. — Salade Nicoise

Nicoise cuisine reflects the city’s coastal culture, as well as the historical influence of trading routes, which introduced many foreign ingredients that are now a staple in Nice’s food culture.

A few dishes you absolutely must try in Nice include:

Salade Nicoise, a refreshing green salad featuring tuna, olives, and anchovies
Socca, a thin savory chickpea pancake, often eaten as street food
Pissaladiere, a pizza-like dish with anchovy paste, onions, and olives
Pan Bagnat, a sandwich brimming with tuna, vegetables, and a hint of garlic

A crisp pancake like dish with chickpea flour and caramelized sugar.

Beyond these iconic dishes, Nice’s culinary scene heavily involves fresh seafood, aromatic herbs, and locally sourced produce, creating a wide variety of delicious foods to try.

Get aaaalll the details about the foods you need to try and the best restaurants in the city in my guide to what to eat in Nice.

Or, book your spot on my favorite food tour to sample a huge selection of high-quality regional specialties.

Where Should You Stay When Visiting Nice?

Choosing where to stay in Nice can influence what type of trip you have in the city, depending on whether you want to be oceanside, right in Old Town, farther away off the tourist track, or if you want to stay at a hotel with a pool in Nice.

Both of these guides (linked in the paragraph above) highlight the best areas and hotels in Nice for all types of travelers, but these are my overall top picks:

Palais Saleya Boutique Hotel: Lovely and right in Old Town
Hotel Suisse: Upscale, with incredible views over Promenade and sea
Hotel Florence: Central location between train & beach, budget-friendly

How Many Days in Nice is Enough?

I think that two full days is a perfect amount of time to hit up all the fun things to do in Nice, although you can see many of the top sites with just one day in Nice. I would plan for another 1-3 more days for day trips to nearby cities and villages! Check out my suggested 3-day in Nice itinerary!

Nice is great any time of year, but each season has its different pros and cons. Read more about the best time to visit the French Riviera.

👉Need more information? Get all the details for what to see and do in Nice here.

The Wrap Up

Is Nice worth visiting? My answer is a resounding HECK YES. After traveling extensively through France, Nice and the French Riviera remains one of my favorite places in the country.

Whether you visit for the beaches, the architecture, the food, the laid-back vibe, or the access to other points in Provence, you will not be disappointed with all that Nice has to offer.