Nice
Nice
Short overview
A sunny Riviera city where a pastel old town meets a long pebble beach and the bright blue Baie des Anges. Come for markets, sea swims and easy day trips — and expect busy summers and stony beaches.
Best times to go
May – June
Warm sea, sunny days and lively terraces before the July and August peak.
September – October
The sea is still warm, crowds drop away and hotel prices ease off.
Good for
beach lovers who also want a real city, foodies and anyone keen on day trips along the coast.
Skip if
you want soft sandy beaches or a quiet escape — the beaches are pebbly and summer gets very busy.
Things to do
Promenade des Anglais
Walk, cycle or rollerblade along seven kilometres of seafront, stopping for a swim along the way.
1–3 hours
Free
Promenade des Anglais
Walk, cycle or rollerblade along seven kilometres of seafront, stopping for a swim along the way.
1–3 hours
Free
Promenade des Anglais
Walk, cycle or rollerblade along seven kilometres of seafront, stopping for a swim along the way.
1–3 hours
Free
Castle Hill
Climb above the old town for the best views over the bay, the port and the rooftops.
1–2 hours
Free (lift also free)
1–2 hours
Free (lift also free)
Day trip to Èze and Monaco
A hilltop medieval village and the glitz of Monte Carlo, both a short bus ride away.
Full day
€2–4 by bus
Full day
€2–4 by bus
Cheapest
€
40
/week
Beaches, Castle Hill, the markets and bus day trips along the coast.
Best value
€
180
/week
The Matisse and Chagall museums, a boat trip and a few paid beach days.
Splurge
€
800
/week
A private boat day, beach club loungers and a night at the Monte Carlo casino.
Cheapest
€
40
/week
Beaches, Castle Hill, the markets and bus day trips along the coast.
Best value
€
180
/week
The Matisse and Chagall museums, a boat trip and a few paid beach days.
Splurge
€
800
/week
A private boat day, beach club loungers and a night at the Monte Carlo casino.
Cheapest
€
40
/week
Beaches, Castle Hill, the markets and bus day trips along the coast.
Best value
€
180
/week
The Matisse and Chagall museums, a boat trip and a few paid beach days.
Splurge
€
800
/week
A private boat day, beach club loungers and a night at the Monte Carlo casino.
Food and drink
Niçois cooking is sunny and simple: olive oil, vegetables, seafood and chickpea snacks. The Cours Saleya market is the place to start.
Breakfast
Cheapest
Croissant and coffee
From a boulangerie in the old town, eaten on the way to the market.
€
4
Best value
Market fruit and pastries
Fresh figs, peaches and pastries from the Cours Saleya stalls.
€
7
Splurge
Café terrace breakfast
Eggs, fresh juice and coffee with a view of the sea.
€
16
Breakfast
Cheapest
Croissant and coffee
From a boulangerie in the old town, eaten on the way to the market.
€
4
Best value
Market fruit and pastries
Fresh figs, peaches and pastries from the Cours Saleya stalls.
€
7
Splurge
Café terrace breakfast
Eggs, fresh juice and coffee with a view of the sea.
€
16
Breakfast
Cheapest
Croissant and coffee
From a boulangerie in the old town, eaten on the way to the market.
€
4
Best value
Market fruit and pastries
Fresh figs, peaches and pastries from the Cours Saleya stalls.
€
7
Splurge
Café terrace breakfast
Eggs, fresh juice and coffee with a view of the sea.
€
16
Lunch
Cheapest
Socca
A crisp, peppery chickpea pancake cooked in a wood oven, sold by the slice.
€
4
Best value
Pan bagnat
A round sandwich packed with tuna, egg, olives and vegetables soaked in olive oil.
€
8
Splurge
Beach restaurant lunch
Grilled fish or a salad at a restaurant right on the pebbles.
€
28
Lunch
Cheapest
Socca
A crisp, peppery chickpea pancake cooked in a wood oven, sold by the slice.
€
4
Best value
Pan bagnat
A round sandwich packed with tuna, egg, olives and vegetables soaked in olive oil.
€
8
Splurge
Beach restaurant lunch
Grilled fish or a salad at a restaurant right on the pebbles.
€
28
Lunch
Cheapest
Socca
A crisp, peppery chickpea pancake cooked in a wood oven, sold by the slice.
€
4
Best value
Pan bagnat
A round sandwich packed with tuna, egg, olives and vegetables soaked in olive oil.
€
8
Splurge
Beach restaurant lunch
Grilled fish or a salad at a restaurant right on the pebbles.
€
28
Dinner
Cheapest
Pissaladière and wine
Onion, anchovy and olive tart with a glass of local rosé in the old town.
€
15
Best value
Niçois bistro dinner
Stuffed vegetables, daube stew and a carafe of Bellet wine.
€
38
Splurge
Seafood dinner at the port
A platter of oysters, langoustines and fish with a harbour view.
€
110
Dinner
Cheapest
Pissaladière and wine
Onion, anchovy and olive tart with a glass of local rosé in the old town.
€
15
Best value
Niçois bistro dinner
Stuffed vegetables, daube stew and a carafe of Bellet wine.
€
38
Splurge
Seafood dinner at the port
A platter of oysters, langoustines and fish with a harbour view.
€
110
Dinner
Pissaladière and wine
€
15
Onion, anchovy and olive tart with a glass of local rosé in the old town.
Niçois bistro dinner
€
38
Stuffed vegetables, daube stew and a carafe of Bellet wine.
Seafood dinner at the port
€
110
A platter of oysters, langoustines and fish with a harbour view.
Cheapest
€
170
/week
Socca, pan bagnat and market picnics with the occasional bistro dinner.
Best value
€
360
/week
Beach lunches, bistro dinners and rosé on the terrace.
Splurge
€
900
/week
Beach club lunches, seafood dinners and a starred meal.
Cheapest
€
170
/week
Socca, pan bagnat and market picnics with the occasional bistro dinner.
Best value
€
360
/week
Beach lunches, bistro dinners and rosé on the terrace.
Splurge
€
900
/week
Beach club lunches, seafood dinners and a starred meal.
Cheapest
€
170
/week
Socca, pan bagnat and market picnics with the occasional bistro dinner.
Best value
€
360
/week
Beach lunches, bistro dinners and rosé on the terrace.
Splurge
€
900
/week
Beach club lunches, seafood dinners and a starred meal.
Don't leave without trying
Don't leave without trying
Salade niçoise
Tomatoes, boiled eggs, anchovies or tuna, black olives and raw vegetables dressed in olive oil — locals insist it never contains potatoes.
Salade niçoise
Tomatoes, boiled eggs, anchovies or tuna, black olives and raw vegetables dressed in olive oil — locals insist it never contains potatoes.
Where to stay
The old town is lively and central, the area around Place Masséna is the most convenient and Mont Boron is calmer with sea views.
Cheapest
Hostel near the train station
Simple dorms a short walk from the beach and the station for day trips.
€280/week
/night
€
40
Cheapest
Hostel near the train station
Simple dorms a short walk from the beach and the station for day trips.
€280/week
/night
€
40
Best value
Boutique hotel near the old town
Bright rooms a few blocks from the sea and the Cours Saleya market.
€910/week
/night
€
130
Best value
Boutique hotel near the old town
Bright rooms a few blocks from the sea and the Cours Saleya market.
€910/week
/night
€
130
Splurge
Belle Époque hotel on the Promenade
A grand seafront landmark with a private beach and balconies over the bay.
€3,640/week
/night
€
520
Splurge
Belle Époque hotel on the Promenade
A grand seafront landmark with a private beach and balconies over the bay.
€3,640/week
/night
€
520
Unique stay
Villa room in Villefranche-sur-Mer
A hillside villa overlooking one of the Riviera's deepest, bluest bays, 10 minutes from Nice.
€1,680/week
/night
€
240
Unique stay
Villa room in Villefranche-sur-Mer
A hillside villa overlooking one of the Riviera's deepest, bluest bays, 10 minutes from Nice.
€1,680/week
/night
€
240
Unique stay
Villa room in Villefranche-sur-Mer
A hillside villa overlooking one of the Riviera's deepest, bluest bays, 10 minutes from Nice.
€1,680/week
/night
€
240
Getting around
Nice is walkable, and trams, buses and coastal trains make day trips easy and cheap.
Public transport
Coverage
Trams cross the city and run to the airport, and buses and TER trains connect the coast from Cannes to Monaco. Tickets are cheap and cover connections.
Single ticket
€
2
Weekly pass
€
15
Which modes are available?
Trams
Lignes d'Azur buses
Coastal TER trains
Public transport
Coverage
Trams cross the city and run to the airport, and buses and TER trains connect the coast from Cannes to Monaco. Tickets are cheap and cover connections.
Single ticket
€
2
Weekly pass
€
15
Which modes are available?
Trams
Lignes d'Azur buses
Coastal TER trains
Car rental
Car usefulness
Not needed in town, but useful for perched villages, the Gorges du Verdon or Provence. Coastal roads are slow in summer.
Price
€
50
/day
Young driver fee
€
25
/day
Parking
€
25
/day
Paid street parking and underground garages cost about €20–30 a day in the centre.
Car rental
Car usefulness
Not needed in town, but useful for perched villages, the Gorges du Verdon or Provence. Coastal roads are slow in summer.
Price
€
50
/day
Young driver fee
€
25
/day
Parking
€
25
/day
Paid street parking and underground garages cost about €20–30 a day in the centre.
Cheapest
€
15
/week
A weekly city pass, plus buses for coastal day trips.
Best value
€
45
/week
City pass plus train trips to Monaco, Antibes and Cannes.
Splurge
€
400
/week
Car rental for Provence and taxis around town.
Cheapest
€
15
/week
A weekly city pass, plus buses for coastal day trips.
Best value
€
45
/week
City pass plus train trips to Monaco, Antibes and Cannes.
Splurge
€
400
/week
Car rental for Provence and taxis around town.
Cheapest
€
15
/week
A weekly city pass, plus buses for coastal day trips.
Best value
€
45
/week
City pass plus train trips to Monaco, Antibes and Cannes.
Splurge
€
400
/week
Car rental for Provence and taxis around town.
Total costs
Everything you’ll spend once you’re there, per person. Getting there isn’t included.
Cheapest
Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Food costs
€25–€35
Accommodation
€35–€50
Getting around
€4–€6
Activities
€5–€10
Miscellaneous
€5–€10
PER DAY
€74–€111
PER WEEK
€520–€780
Per person in shoulder season. July, August and events like the Monaco Grand Prix can add 30–50%.
Cheapest
Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Food costs
€25–€35
Accommodation
€35–€50
Getting around
€4–€6
Activities
€5–€10
Miscellaneous
€5–€10
PER DAY
€74–€111
PER WEEK
€520–€780
Per person in shoulder season. July, August and events like the Monaco Grand Prix can add 30–50%.
Cheapest
Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Food costs
€25–€35
Accommodation
€35–€50
Getting around
€4–€6
Activities
€5–€10
Miscellaneous
€5–€10
PER DAY
€74–€111
PER WEEK
€520–€780
Best value
Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Food costs
€50–€70
Accommodation
€110–€150
Getting around
€6–€10
Activities
€20–€35
Miscellaneous
€10–€15
PER DAY
€196–€280
PER WEEK
€1,370–€1,960
Per person in shoulder season. July, August and events like the Monaco Grand Prix can add 30–50%.
Best value
Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Food costs
€50–€70
Accommodation
€110–€150
Getting around
€6–€10
Activities
€20–€35
Miscellaneous
€10–€15
PER DAY
€196–€280
PER WEEK
€1,370–€1,960
Per person in shoulder season. July, August and events like the Monaco Grand Prix can add 30–50%.
Best value
Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Food costs
€50–€70
Accommodation
€110–€150
Getting around
€6–€10
Activities
€20–€35
Miscellaneous
€10–€15
PER DAY
€196–€280
PER WEEK
€1,370–€1,960
Splurge
Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Food costs
€120–€190
Accommodation
€350–€600
Getting around
€30–€70
Activities
€80–€160
Miscellaneous
€25–€40
PER DAY
€605–€1,060
PER WEEK
€4,240–€7,420
Per person in shoulder season. July, August and events like the Monaco Grand Prix can add 30–50%.
Splurge
Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Food costs
€120–€190
Accommodation
€350–€600
Getting around
€30–€70
Activities
€80–€160
Miscellaneous
€25–€40
PER DAY
€605–€1,060
PER WEEK
€4,240–€7,420
Per person in shoulder season. July, August and events like the Monaco Grand Prix can add 30–50%.
Splurge
Nice, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France
Food costs
€120–€190
Accommodation
€350–€600
Getting around
€30–€70
Activities
€80–€160
Miscellaneous
€25–€40
PER DAY
€605–€1,060
PER WEEK
€4,240–€7,420
Good to know
What to expect, what to avoid, and what nobody tells you before you go.
Reputation vs reality
Loved for
Sunshine, the sea, markets, food and easy day trips.
Catches visitors off guard
Pebble beaches, summer crowds and Riviera prices.
Common misconception
It's not just a glitzy resort — Nice is a real working city with an old-town soul.
Reputation vs reality
Loved for
Sunshine, the sea, markets, food and easy day trips.
Catches visitors off guard
Pebble beaches, summer crowds and Riviera prices.
Common misconception
It's not just a glitzy resort — Nice is a real working city with an old-town soul.
Watch out for
Pebble beaches
The beaches are stony, not sandy. Bring water shoes and a thick towel or rent a lounger.
Bag snatching
Keep phones and bags close on the Promenade, on trains and in the old town.
Summer crowds
Trains to Monaco and buses to Èze get packed in July and August. Travel early.
Watch out for
Pebble beaches
The beaches are stony, not sandy. Bring water shoes and a thick towel or rent a lounger.
Bag snatching
Keep phones and bags close on the Promenade, on trains and in the old town.
Summer crowds
Trains to Monaco and buses to Èze get packed in July and August. Travel early.
Common questions
How many days do I need?
Four to five days lets you enjoy Nice and take day trips to Monaco, Èze and Antibes.
How do I get from the airport?
Tram line 2 runs from the airport to the city centre in about 25 minutes for €10.
Can I swim in the sea?
Yes, from May to October. The water is clear and deep quickly; free public beaches sit between the private ones.
Is Monaco worth a day trip?
Yes. The train takes about 20 minutes and costs around €4, and you can see the highlights in half a day.
Common questions
How many days do I need?
Four to five days lets you enjoy Nice and take day trips to Monaco, Èze and Antibes.
How do I get from the airport?
Tram line 2 runs from the airport to the city centre in about 25 minutes for €10.
Can I swim in the sea?
Yes, from May to October. The water is clear and deep quickly; free public beaches sit between the private ones.
Is Monaco worth a day trip?
Yes. The train takes about 20 minutes and costs around €4, and you can see the highlights in half a day.
Money and payments
Currency
Euro (€). Monaco also uses the euro.
Cards vs cash
Cards work almost everywhere. Carry some cash for socca stalls, markets and small cafés.
Tipping
Service is included. Leave a few euros or 5–10% for good service at restaurants.
Tourist tax
€0.90–5 per person per night depending on hotel category, added to your bill.
Money and payments
Currency
Euro (€). Monaco also uses the euro.
Cards vs cash
Cards work almost everywhere. Carry some cash for socca stalls, markets and small cafés.
Tipping
Service is included. Leave a few euros or 5–10% for good service at restaurants.
Tourist tax
€0.90–5 per person per night depending on hotel category, added to your bill.
Ready to pick your next destination?
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Ready to pick your next destination?
Browse every destination in the Passage catalogue and find the one that fits your trip.
Ready to pick your next destination?
Browse every destination in the Passage catalogue and find the one that fits your trip.