It’s not just a cliché – Nice really is nice! The city bursts with life, sunshine, beaches, beautiful buildings, and that irresistible charm of the South of France! And without saying too much, it’s captivated us every single time we’ve made a stopover here. Here’s a bit about why…
If there’s one thing that truly brings a city to life, in our opinion, it’s the beach and the sea. Why? Because it lifts everyone’s spirits – not just the ones coming home tired from work and needing a swim, but also anyone who simply enjoys watching others swim, or seeing people chat and relax along the promenade. Cities with beaches equal sun, summer, and vacation vibes. Period. Even when it’s winter, January, or a Monday morning.
But Nice is so much more than that
Of course! Nice is also history, art, gastronomy, culture – and have I mentioned it already? That Southern French charm. Nice is harbor life and honking traffic on melting streets. It’s trams rushing by, buzzing restaurants, laid-back cafés, and seriously nice shopping. And guess what else Nice looks fantastic in? Summer fashion, beachwear, and Southern French style at its best. I’ve never seen such bold everyday outfits mixed with sleek French fashion.
Nice is a feast for the senses!
So, what do we recommend you do when you’re in Nice? Read on, as we list our top 5 recommendations. And if you’re staying for more than just a stopover, scroll to the bottom of the article for a few extra exciting activities…
1. Explore the Old Town of Nice
If you love charming old buildings mixed with cafés and restaurants near a beach promenade, we highly recommend staying in or near Nice’s Old Town. It’s cozy, full of atmosphere, and there are plenty of exciting things to do during a stopover.
One of the first things we recommend is simply wandering through the Old Town, soaking up the atmosphere, doing a bit of shopping, and picking a cozy café where you can sit and enjoy watching the stream of people passing by.
Both times we’ve visited Nice, one of the first places to greet us has been the grand and beautiful Place Masséna. It’s overwhelming in the best way – stunning with its mosaic-tiled ground (see the cover photo) and surrounded by elegant, red buildings. These buildings were constructed in 1843–44 in the Italian style and include shopping arcades with small boutiques just waiting to tempt you.
The square leads down past the Fontaine du Soleil (Fountain of the Sun) and Promenade des Anglais – the lively seaside promenade – and continues all the way to the beach. But before you get there, you’ll find the Old Town on your left and Jardin Albert I, a lovely park, on your right.
The square has always been a venue for public events such as concerts, festivals, and parades – so if you’re lucky, something might be happening while you’re there.
In the Old Town, you have plenty of opportunities to enjoy a cup of coffee at one of the many cafés or dine at one of the city’s numerous restaurants. Like all restaurants in popular beach areas and neighborhoods, they’re not cheap, but can be a convenient choice if you’re on a stopover and don’t have the time or opportunity to hunt for restaurants.
You’ll also find a small market where you can browse for French antiques and other fun vintage French treasures.
2. Dine outdoors in Nice
Why even think about eating indoors when Nice is blessed with a mild Mediterranean climate, plenty of sunshine, gentle springs and autumns – and of course, long, warm summers? Most cafés and restaurants offer outdoor seating, making it really cozy and enjoyable to sit outside.
What can you eat in Nice? Nice lies by the sea, so you’ll see many restaurants advertising “Moule-frites” (mussels served with fries), paella, seafood, and other fish dishes. The food in Nice is heavily influenced by Italy, so you’ll also find plenty of pasta dishes and other Italian specialties on the menu.
But Nice also has its own specialties. One dish that is particularly associated with Nice is “socca”, a pancake made from chickpea flour, olive oil, and salt, sometimes served with olives and anchovies. And of course, there’s the famous Salade Niçoise, which has become a well-known classic even outside of France.
3. Experience the city’s sea and beaches
It’s no coincidence that Nice attracts several million tourists every year (actually around 4 million before the pandemic). Tourists have been drawn here since the early 18th century, in part because of the stunning coastline. The sea in Nice has an almost unnatural turquoise color and is truly beautiful.
Although the beach in Nice is covered with pebbles, the sea is one of the most beautiful sights you can imagine. The water has such a stunning turquoise color that it actually gave its name to the region: the Côte d’Azur. I’ve often wondered about that particularly turquoise shade and how it can be so vividly azure and blue.
The sea in Nice often shows two colors – a turquoise shade close to the shore and a deeper, darker azure blue further out. The turquoise color appears when the water is turbulent, releasing limestone from the pebbles. When sunlight hits the water, the limestone particles scatter the light, creating what’s known as the Tyndall effect, which is what produces the beautiful, opalescent color in the sea. I find that fascinating.
4. Take a walk along the Promenade des Anglais
If you love the beach and the sea but aren’t keen on jumping into the water or sunbathing, a stroll along the palm-lined Promenade des Anglais might be just for you.
The promenade was created back in 1820 and was already a popular spot for aristocrats and the upper class visiting the area. Today, it remains extremely popular among locals, cyclists, skateboarders – and of course, tourists. Along the promenade, you’ll find rows of blue chairs where you can sit and enjoy the view of the sea.
The promenade is right in the heart of it all, but luckily traffic has been redirected around and through tunnels, allowing you to experience the place without the noise of cars and heavy traffic.
5. Experience the South French shopping paradise
In Nice, you’ll find no less than 7,000 shopping opportunities, and the city is said to be a true shopper’s paradise. Here, you can do everything from trendy shopping to hunting for antiques and vintage finds. The city is known for its many small shops and markets offering authentic, local products.
After a few stopovers in Nice, it’s clear to us that the city has a long history of wealthy tourists coming to enjoy the sun and shop. The people in the city dress impeccably, and we sensed a special French elegance in their style that we rarely see elsewhere. It’s obvious to us that the city attracts many well-heeled visitors who come just to shop.
There are many expensive shops, but we also found that we could join in a bit – even though we arrived with our vacation-weary wallets…
For us, a stopover in Nice has lasted about a day each time we’ve been there. Both times it was on the way home, coming by ferry from Corsica, and we had a long journey ahead. So, our time to explore was quite limited. But the city has so much more to offer.
So, what if you’re staying for several days? What can you experience then?
Take a look at the list below – we’ve slipped in some attractions you might enjoy.
Oplev Nice over flere dage
- Give yourself and the kids a break at Promenade du Paillon – the fountain park by Place Masséna
- Take a walk in Parc de la Colline du Château (Castle Hill Park)
- Visit the Musée Matisse
- Visit the Monastère Notre-Dame-de-Cimiez
- Explore the Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain
- Take a break in Nature at Jardin Albert Ier
- Se Musée National Marc Chagall
- Experience the beautiful Cathédrale Orthodoxe Russe Saint-Nicolas
Are we missing something?
We’d love to hear from you. Feel free to leave a comment for us – and for others reading along.
Experience Nice here
