Nice
On this page:
This French city, located close to the Italian border, can easily be reached from the Cinque Terre. It takes about 5 hours by train or even less by car.
Visitors to Nice are attracted not so much by what there is to see in this city, which can be done in a day, but by its proximity to the Principality of Monaco, which is close by. For this reason it’s best to spend a few days in Nice and from here you can visit Monaco, capital of the Principality, and the city of Monte Carlo. The cost of accommodation in Monaco is sky-high but you can take a look at the prices of the hotel just out of curiosity. We recommend choosing a hotel in Nice, where it is decidedly cheaper.
The Hop-on hop-off bus is very convenient, as it does a complete tour of the city of Nice in an hour and a half (the route is marked on the map in blue). You can get off at any stop and see the places of interest described below (only the first stop is indicated on the map). The Audio guide is available in eight languages, so take advantage of that! The tour costs 25 euro for the day.
Places of interest in Nice
Open this page from your mobile phone and you can start the navigator for any point of interest or monument described here.
Parc du Chateau
You can wander for hours in this area which covers about 3 hectares: stroll along the pathways, admire the flowers and artificial waterfalls. Located in the part of the old town which is set on the rocks, the Parc du Chateau rewards visitors with its picture-perfect panorama of Nice, the Bay of Angels (Baia degli Angeli) and the port. There are observation points here which are well worth a visit, not only during the day but at night too! In particular we recommend that you climb to the top of the Parc du Chateau to Castle Hill (Collina del Castello). There are 365 steps (214 to reach the first panoramic area), but you will find a free elevator near the steps (marked on the map). There are usually long queues to access it.
The old town (Vieille Ville)
The old town of Nice dates back to the '700s. Today it is made up of a charming market square with flower shops, food outlets, cafes, bars and restaurants; in the narrow alleyways between the colored houses, you will find boutiques and shops selling the local delicacies. People who love the Baroque style will appreciate Piazza Rossetti in the old town of Nice, where you will find an architectural gem: the Cathedral of Santa Reparata, patron saint of Nice, with its bell tower.
Promenade des Anglais (Avenue of the English) and beaches
This is a celebrated promenade along the seafront in Nice that stretches along the Mediterranean for 4 km, from the airport in the west to the Bay of Angels. It is lined with large palm trees and is an ideal place for an evening walk and a good view of the great sculptures which line it. Along the “Avenue of the English”, you will see many landmarks, including the luxurious Hôtel Negresco, the art-deco Palais de la Méditerranée (1929) and the giant iron sculpture ‘La Chaise de Sab’ (The Chair) of 2014 by Niçoise sculptor Sabine Géraudie, which pays homage to the city’s famous blue-and-white beach chairs. When you get tired of walking along the avenue, you can go down to the pebble beach. The cost of a deck chair with umbrella for a day is about 35 euro (discounted if rented for less than a day). Not far from the Promenade des Anglais you will find the Monument to the Fallen, in the form of an arch carved into the rock. It is marked on the map with number 3; the seafront promenade is marked with an orange line.
Piazza Massena and the avenue (Promenade du Paillon)
The construction of this avenue was completed in October 2013; it is located close to Piazza Massena and is a fantastic array of lush green plants, playgrounds and fountains. It is the city’s favorite place for afternoon and evening walks at the moment. Along this avenue, far more picturesque than any other area of relaxation, there is a marvelous walk-through water park, where children love to play in the jets of water which spring from below the ground.
Piazza Garibaldi
This square can be reached from Piazza Massena. Piazza Garibaldi is usually a less crowded place, and there is a fountain in the middle. It is located close to the old part of Nice and the square itself is the oldest in the city. Although Nice is a French city, you will breathe the air of Italy in piazza Garibaldi. It is decorated with tiles, green plants and pleasant cafes where you can take a break.
The Basilica of Notre-Dame
The Basilica of Notre-Dame is located in the city center. It was built in the nineteenth century on a project of the French architect Louis Lenormand, and is the largest church in Nice. The neo-Gothic Basilica of Notre-Dame has two square towers (each 25 m. tall) and is decorated by a huge window in the shape of a rose. It is the true gem of Nice. Visit the inside and admire the stained glass windows.
More parks in Nice
In the Parc du Mont Boron (Mont Baron Park), you can stroll in the shade of leafy green trees. Stop in one of the numerous little squares with a lovely view to the port of Nice and the promontory of Cap-Ferrat. Families with children will also appreciate the Phoenix botanical garden where, in addition to the indisputable beauty of nature, there are also many animals, fountains and ponds. Another well cared for park with a natural labyrinth is located in the Cimiez Monastery (Monastere de Cimiez). Here you can sit on the benches, admire the trees, the fountain, and breathe an atmosphere of peace and serenity.
Map of the places to visit in Nice
Recommended hotels in Nice
A tip for those who arrive in Nice by car: book a room in a hotel with parking. Otherwise, in addition to the room, it will also cost you up to 30 euro per day for parking. We recommend one of the following hotels in Nice:
On this page you can read visitor comments on all the hotels and compare them. In addition, you should consult:
Low-cost hotels in Nice.
Romantic hotels in Nice.
Luxury hotels in Nice.
Use a filter to search for a hotel in Nice.
