Things to do in Nice? Walk the Promenade des Anglais along the Baie des Anges, wander through Old Nice and the Cours Saleya market, climb Castle Hill, visit the Matisse and Chagall museums in Cimiez, try socca and enjoy the pebble beaches. To visit Nice, allow two to three days, more if you take day trips to Villefranche, Èze or Monaco; the best times are May-June and September. For the hilltop village, see our guide to visiting Èze village.
France’s fifth-largest city, Nice has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2021 as the « Winter Resort Town of the Riviera », a reminder of the days when European aristocrats came here to spend the cold season. This guide covers the highlights, itineraries, where to stay, budget and the month-by-month climate based on Météo-France data, with a calculation that explains why Nice is still a winter destination. To the east, our Monaco guide covers entry, events and climate. Near the Italian border, our guide to visiting Menton covers the town and its gardens. To the west, our Cannes guide presents the Croisette and the Lérins Islands.
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Nice at a glance
- Airport Nice Côte d’AzurAbout 7 km (4 mi) west of the centre, linked by tram line 2
- Ideal length 2 to 3 days for the city, 4 to 5 with day trips
- Best time May-June and SeptemberWinter for mild weather and the carnival
- Entry Schengen rules: no visa for US or UK citizens for stays of up to 90 daysDetails: travel.state.gov · GOV.UK
- Getting around tram(3 lines), city and regional buses, TER trains along the coast
- Currency the euro · currencies
- Budget see our budget section
Things to do in Nice: the highlights
The Promenade des Anglais and the Baie des Anges
For about 7 km (4 mi), the « Prom » runs along the Baie des Anges, from the airport to the port. With its blue chairs, its Belle Époque palace hotels (the Negresco first among them) and its cycle lanes, it is the whole city’s promenade, on foot, by bike or on rollerblades. The light over the bay is at its best in the morning and late in the day. Following the bay west, our page on visiting Antibes and Juan-les-Pins suggests an easy day trip from Nice.
Old Nice and the Cours Saleya
Between Castle Hill and Place Masséna, the old town is a maze of narrow lanes, ochre façades and Baroque churches (Sainte-Réparate Cathedral, the Chapelle de la Miséricorde). The Cours Saleya hosts the flower and produce market, and a flea market on certain days. The Palais Lascaris, a 17th-century aristocratic mansion, houses a collection of musical instruments.
Castle Hill (Colline du Château)
Almost nothing is left of the castle, but the park that covers the hill offers the best view of the Baie des Anges, Old Nice and the port. You can walk up the steps or take the lift from the eastern end of the promenade; the artificial waterfall is the usual meeting point.
Place Masséna and the Promenade du Paillon
Place Masséna, with its red façades and black-and-white paving, links the old town with the 19th-century districts. It continues into the Promenade du Paillon, a long green park with a water mirror and children’s play areas, laid out over the covered river. The MAMAC (Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art) stands at the end of the park.
Port Lympia
On the other side of Castle Hill, the port with its Italianate façades is lined with restaurants and traditional fishing boats, the « pointus ». Ferries to Corsica leave from here. The coastal path towards La Réserve and Coco Beach makes a pleasant walk by the water.
Cimiez: Matisse Museum, monastery and Roman arena
Up on the heights, the Cimiez district brings together the remains of the Roman town of Cemenelum (arena and baths, archaeology museum), the Matisse Museum, housed in a Genoese villa in an olive grove, and the Franciscan monastery, whose garden overlooks the city; Matisse is buried in the neighbouring cemetery. Further down, the Marc Chagall National Museum displays his « Biblical Message ».
Mont Boron and the Russian cathedral
East of the port, Mont Boron park has forest trails and views as far as Cap Ferrat. West of the centre, the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, with its colourful onion domes, recalls the presence of the Russian nobility in Nice in the 19th century.
Food in Nice
Nice has a cuisine of its own: socca (a chickpea pancake baked in a wood-fired oven), pissaladière, pan bagnat, petits farcis (stuffed vegetables), courgette flower fritters and salade niçoise. The « Cuisine Nissarde » label helps you spot restaurants that stick to the traditional recipes.
Day trips from Nice
- Villefranche-sur-Mer: a deep natural harbour, an old town and a citadel, about ten minutes away by train.
- Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat: coastal paths and the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.
- Èze: a hilltop village above the sea, with an exotic garden at the top; buses from Nice.
- Monaco: the Prince’s Palace, the Oceanographic Museum and the casino, about 20 to 25 minutes by train.
- Antibes and Cannes: to the west, the Picasso Museum in Antibes and the Croisette in Cannes, by train.
- Saint-Paul-de-Vence: a fortified village and the Fondation Maeght, inland, by bus.
To plan a longer stay, see our French Riviera travel guide.
Itinerary: Nice in 1, 2 or 3 days
Nice in 1 day
- Morning: the Cours Saleya market and Old Nice, socca for lunch
- Early afternoon: Castle Hill and the view over the bay
- Late afternoon: Port Lympia, then the Promenade des Anglais
- Evening: Place Masséna and the Promenade du Paillon lit up
Nice in 2 days
- Day 1: as above
- Day 2: Cimiez (Matisse Museum, monastery, arena) in the morning, the Chagall Museum, then the beach or Mont Boron
Nice in 3 days
- Days 1 and 2: as above
- Day 3: Villefranche-sur-Mer and Èze, or Monaco by train
When to go to Nice
The best months to visit Nice are May, June and September: 21 to 25 °C (70 to 77 °F) in the afternoon, a pleasant sea from June and reasonable crowds. July and August are hot (close to 28 °C, 82 °F) and very busy. Autumn brings most of the rain, with sometimes violent storms from October to November. Winter is mild, with 13 to 14 °C (55 to 57 °F) in the afternoon: it is the season of the carnival and the Menton Lemon Festival.
| Month | High °C (°F) | Low °C (°F) | Rain mm (in) | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 13.3 (56) | 5.8 (42) | 73.5 (2.9) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Mild and sunny by day, ideal for the city |
| February | 13.5 (56) | 6.1 (43) | 53.6 (2.1) | High (carnival) | High during the carnival | ✅ Nice Carnival, mild and sunny |
| March | 15.4 (60) | 8.3 (47) | 51.0 (2.0) | Medium | Medium | ✅ Mimosa season, still cool |
| April | 17.4 (63) | 10.8 (51) | 68.8 (2.7) | Medium | Medium | ⚠️ Changeable spring, showers |
| May | 21.0 (70) | 14.5 (58) | 40.3 (1.6) | High | High | ✅ Ideal: 21 °C, café terraces |
| June | 24.7 (76) | 18.1 (65) | 35.7 (1.4) | High | High | ✅ Pleasant sea, before the crowds |
| July | 27.5 (82) | 20.8 (69) | 13.6 (0.5) | Very high | Very high | ⚠️ Hot and packed, peak prices |
| August | 27.9 (82) | 21.1 (70) | 17.2 (0.7) | Very high | Very high | ⚠️ The hottest month, crowds |
| September | 24.8 (77) | 17.7 (64) | 81.0 (3.2) | High | High | ✅ Warm sea, fewer people; storms possible |
| October | 21.0 (70) | 14.0 (57) | 127.9 (5.0) | Medium | Medium | ⚠️ Mild but spells of heavy rain |
| November | 17.0 (63) | 9.7 (49) | 138.4 (5.4) | Low | Low | ❌ The wettest month |
| December | 14.1 (57) | 6.6 (44) | 90.3 (3.6) | Medium | Medium | ⚠️ Mild, Christmas lights, rain possible |
When to go to Nice: key points
- Best times: May-June and September
- Hottest month: August, average high of 27.9 °C (82 °F)
- Wettest month: November (138 mm, 5.4 in, 8.5 days of rain), then October
- Winter: 13 to 14 °C (55 to 57 °F) in the afternoon and 145 to 166 hours of sunshine a month
- Major event: the Nice Carnival, in February
- Swimming: from June to September; see our page on sea temperatures
Why Nice is still a winter destination: the figures
The « winter resort » that made Nice’s reputation can still be read in the climate normals. We compared sunshine in Nice with Paris, month by month, and calculated how many rainy days to expect during a one-week stay.
| Month | Sunshine Nice | Sunshine Paris | Ratio | Rainy days per 7 days in Nice |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 157 h | 59 h | × 2.7 | 1.3 |
| February | 166 h | 84 h | × 2.0 | 1.3 |
| March | 218 h | 135 h | × 1.6 | 1.1 |
| April | 229 h | 177 h | × 1.3 | 1.5 |
| May | 271 h | 201 h | × 1.3 | 1.2 |
| June | 310 h | 204 h | × 1.5 | 0.9 |
| July | 349 h | 222 h | × 1.6 | 0.4 |
| August | 323 h | 215 h | × 1.5 | 0.5 |
| September | 250 h | 175 h | × 1.4 | 1.1 |
| October | 191 h | 119 h | × 1.6 | 1.7 |
| November | 152 h | 70 h | × 2.2 | 2.0 |
| December | 145 h | 57 h | × 2.5 | 1.4 |
- From December to February, Nice gets roughly 2.0 to 2.7 times more sunshine than Paris (468 hours over the three months, against 200).
- The autumn paradox: October and November are both the wettest months and still quite sunny, because the rain falls in short, intense spells.
- A week in July means 0.4 days of rain on average; a week in November, about 2 days.
- To compare with 52 other cities, see our ranking of the sunniest cities in France.
Sunset time on the Promenade des Anglais
The Baie des Anges faces south-west: in summer, the sun sets behind the Esterel hills, in line with the promenade. Times calculated for the 15th of each month:
| Month | Sunrise | Sunset | Day length |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 8:01 am | 5:19 pm | 9 h 18 |
| February | 7:29 am | 6:00 pm | 10 h 31 |
| March | 6:42 am | 6:36 pm | 11 h 54 |
| April | 6:47 am | 8:14 pm | 13 h 26 |
| May | 6:05 am | 8:49 pm | 14 h 43 |
| June | 5:48 am | 9:14 pm | 15 h 26 |
| July | 6:03 am | 9:10 pm | 15 h 07 |
| August | 6:35 am | 8:35 pm | 14 h 00 |
| September | 7:10 am | 7:41 pm | 12 h 32 |
| October | 7:45 am | 6:48 pm | 11 h 03 |
| November | 7:25 am | 5:05 pm | 9 h 41 |
| December | 7:57 am | 4:54 pm | 8 h 57 |
To compare with other destinations, see our ranking of day length.
Nice month by month
January: 13 °C (56 °F) in the afternoon, 157 hours of sunshine. A quiet city, ideal for museums and walks.
February: the Nice Carnival and its flower parades; the Menton Lemon Festival takes place at the same time. Book early.
March: 15 °C (60 °F), mimosa in bloom in the hinterland.
April: 17 °C (63 °F), more showers (69 mm, 2.7 in).
May: 21 °C (70 °F), long days: one of the best months. The Monaco Grand Prix draws crowds to the coast.
June: 25 °C (77 °F), the sea warms up, before the peak summer crowds.
July: 27.5 °C (82 °F), very little rain. Crowds and prices at their peak; the Nice Jazz Festival usually takes place in July.
August: the hottest month (27.9 °C, 82 °F), with nights at 21 °C (70 °F).
September: 25 °C (77 °F), the sea is still warm and there are fewer people. Storms possible.
October: 21 °C (70 °F), but 128 mm (5.0 in) of rain on average: have a plan B.
November: the wettest month (138 mm, 5.4 in). Low prices, but uncertain weather.
December: 14 °C (57 °F), Christmas lights and a Christmas market on Place Masséna.
For the whole coast, see when to go to the French Riviera and our page on sea temperatures. More ideas: where to go in May, where to go in September.
Where to stay in Nice
| Area | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Old Nice | Atmosphere | At the heart of everything, but noisy at night and car-free streets |
| Carré d’Or and Promenade des Anglais | Beach and comfort | Seafront hotels, walking distance from the centre |
| Masséna and Jean-Médecin | First visit | Shops, tram, everything within walking distance |
| Port Lympia | A more local stay | Restaurants, ferry departures, less touristy |
| Nice-Ville station | Day trips by train | Convenient and cheaper, less charm |
| Cimiez | Peace and quiet | Residential, on the heights, bus to get down |
Getting around Nice
- Getting there: Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is the Riviera’s main international airport, and Nice-Ville station is served by trains from the rest of France. See our tips for travelling cheaply by train.
- From the airport: tram line 2 runs between the airport and the port via the city centre; according to the official Côte d’Azur France tourism listing for the Lignes d’Azur tram (checked 26 October 2026), a single ticket costs €1.70 and 1-, 2- and 7-day passes are available.
- Tram and buses: the Lignes d’Azur network; tickets are valid on trams and city buses and must be validated each time you board.
- Train: TER regional trains run along the coast to Villefranche, Monaco and Menton to the east, Antibes and Cannes to the west.
- On foot and by bike: the centre, Old Nice and the promenade are easy on foot; there are self-service bikes.
- Car: unnecessary in the city; useful only for the hinterland and the hilltop villages.
Nice is also a port of call and departure: see our cruises from Nice, or the ferries to Corsica.
Budget for visiting Nice
| Item (per person per day) | Budget | Comfort |
|---|---|---|
| Accommodation (sharing a double room) | roughly €40 to €60 | roughly €90 to €170 |
| Food | roughly €25 to €35 (socca, pan bagnat, market) | roughly €50 to €80 |
| Transport | roughly €3 to €10 | roughly €10 to €20 |
| Sightseeing | roughly €5 to €15 (many free sights) | roughly €15 to €30 |
| Total | roughly €75 to €120 | roughly €160 to €280 |
Entry requirements, health and safety
- US citizens: France is in the Schengen area, which you may enter for up to 90 days for tourism or business without a visa. Immigration officers may ask for proof of sufficient funds and a return ticket, and France does not recognise the 12-page US emergency passport for visa-free entry (U.S. Department of State, travel.state.gov, last updated August 11, 2025).
- UK citizens: no visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period as a tourist. Your passport must have been issued less than 10 years before the day you arrive and be valid at least 3 months after the day you plan to leave the Schengen area; you may be asked for proof of travel insurance and sufficient funds. The EU Entry/Exit System (EES) may require fingerprints and a photo at your first entry (UK FCDO, GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2026).
- ID and safety: you must be able to prove your identity when asked by the police, or within 4 hours at a police station, and the UK FCDO considers that terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks in France: stay vigilant in crowded places (GOV.UK, updated 22 October 2026).
- Health: UK travellers need a GHIC or a valid EHIC for medically necessary state healthcare, which is not a substitute for travel insurance; the European emergency number is 112 (GOV.UK).
- Summer: wildfires can occur, with the highest risk along the Mediterranean coast in hot, dry weather (GOV.UK).
Practical tips for Nice
Checklist: common mistakes in Nice
- Forgetting water shoes: the beaches are pebbly
- Booking a hotel for the carnival or the Grand Prix too late
- Planning a day in Monaco without your passport
- Travelling in October-November without a plan B in case of heavy rain
- Climbing Castle Hill in the heat of a summer afternoon (take the lift)
- Weather: in autumn, follow Météo-France weather warnings; Mediterranean storm episodes can be violent.
- Belongings: keep an eye on your things in crowds, on the promenade and on the tram.
- Museums: opening days vary; check the hours before you go.
- Swimming: stick to supervised areas and follow the flags.
Frequently asked questions
What to do in Nice on a weekend?
On day one, the Cours Saleya, Old Nice, Castle Hill, the port and the Promenade des Anglais; on day two, Cimiez and its museums, then the beach or Villefranche-sur-Mer.
How many days do you need in Nice?
Two to three days for the city; four or five if you also want Monaco, Èze, Villefranche or Antibes.
What is the best time to visit Nice?
May, June and September: 21 to 25 °C (70 to 77 °F) in the afternoon according to Météo-France 1991-2020 normals for Nice. Winter suits a mild, sunny break.
Is the weather good in Nice in winter?
Often: 13 to 14 °C (55 to 57 °F) in the afternoon and roughly 2 to 2.7 times more sunshine than Paris from December to February, based on our calculation from Météo-France normals.
What is the wettest month in Nice?
November (138 mm, 5.4 in, on average), followed by October (128 mm, 5.0 in). The rain often falls in short, intense spells.
Can you visit Nice without a car?
Yes: trams, buses and TER trains serve the city, the airport and most day trips along the coast.
Our sources
- Météo-France: climate data sheet, 1991-2020 statistics, Nice station (Nice Côte d’Azur Airport); sunshine for Paris-Montsouris (same period), collected for our ranking of the sunniest cities in France
- Tram line 2 and fares: Côte d’Azur France tourism board, Lignes d’Azur tram listing, checked 26 October 2026
- Entry requirements, health and safety checked on 26 October 2026: U.S. Department of State, France country information (last updated August 11, 2025) and UK FCDO, GOV.UK foreign travel advice for France (updated 22 October 2026)
- Sunrise and sunset times, sunshine ratios: Destination de Voyage calculations
- Our methodology
Updated October 2026.
To go further, see our French Riviera guide, our Provence guide, our page on Corsica, our ideas for cheap weekend breaks and our France travel guide.
