15 Best Things to Do in Nice, France, in 2026

When planning your daytime France itinerary, you will find an endless array of iconic attractions and plenty of things to do in Nice, France.

The Promenade des Anglais is one of the first places to visit in Nice. Stretching along the Baie des Anges, the waterfront gives you an easy introduction to the city and its Mediterranean setting.

You can walk, jog or cycle along the promenade, or simply stop at one of the famous blue chairs overlooking the sea.

• Best time: Early morning for a quieter walk or around sunset for sea views and cooler temperatures.
• Time needed: 1–2 hours
• Cost: Free; cycling costs extra if you rent a bike.
• Ideal for: First-time visitors, couples, families, photographers and walkers.

Tip: Combine the promenade with Vieux Nice, Cours Saleya and Castle Hill to create an easy half-day sightseeing route.

If you want to experience the historic side of the city, spend time in Vieux Nice, or Old Nice. The neighbourhood is known for its narrow streets, colourful buildings, small shops, cafés and lively squares. 

Rather than following a strict route, allow yourself time to wander. Start around Place Rossetti and continue through the surrounding lanes towards Cours Saleya.

• Best time: Morning for a quieter experience or evening for a livelier atmosphere.
• Time needed: 2–3 hours
• Cost: Free to explore; food and shopping are extra.
• Ideal for: First-time visitors, couples, photographers, food lovers and families

Tip: Wear comfortable shoes. The narrow streets and surrounding areas are best explored on foot.

For panoramic views of the city, climbing Castle Hill is one of the top things to do in Nice. The hill overlooks Vieux Nice, the harbour and the Baie des Anges. You can reach the viewpoints by taking the stairs or using the lift, then spend time walking around the paths and viewpoints.

 If you are planning your trip through Nice tour packages, Castle Hill is an easy attraction to include alongside Vieux Nice and Port Lympia. Do not stop at the first viewpoint. Continue exploring the hill to see the coastline and city from different angles, especially around the higher viewpoints.

• Best time: Early morning or late afternoon to avoid the strongest midday heat.
• Time needed: 1–2 hours
• Cost: Free.
• Ideal for: Photographers, couples, first-time visitors and active travellers.

Tip: Combine Castle Hill with Vieux Nice and Port Lympia since they are close to one another.

Cours Saleya is one of the best places to experience the local side of Nice. Depending on when you visit, you can browse flowers, fresh produce, local products and food stalls. It is also close to several cafés and restaurants in Vieux Nice.

Give yourself time to walk through the market rather than treating it as a quick photo stop.

• Best time: Morning, particularly if you want to see the market at its liveliest.
• Time needed: 1 hour
• Cost: Free to browse; shopping and food cost extra.
• Ideal for: Food lovers, first-time visitors, photographers and families. 

Nice is an easy destination to combine sightseeing with beach time. The beaches along the Promenade des Anglais are mostly pebbly rather than sandy, so beach footwear can make getting into and out of the water more comfortable.

You can choose between public beach areas and private beach clubs, depending on how much time and comfort you want.

• Best time: Late morning or afternoon during the warmer months.
• Time needed: 1–3 hours
• Cost: Public beaches are free; private beach clubs charge for their services.
• Ideal for: Beach lovers, couples, families and summer travellers.

Tip: Check local sea conditions before swimming.

Trying local food should be on your list of things to do in Nice. Instead of sticking to familiar French dishes, look for specialities from the city and surrounding region. 

Socca, pan bagnat, salade niçoise, pissaladière and Ratatouille are some of the best dishes to try in Nice. Vieux Nice and the area around Cours Saleya are convenient places to look for local food.

• Best time: Lunchtime or early evening.
• Time needed: 1–2 hours for a meal or food stop.
• Cost: Varies depending on the restaurant or food stall.
• Ideal for: Food lovers, couples and travellers interested in local culture.

Art lovers can spend an afternoon exploring Nice's museums, including the Matisse Museum. The museum focuses on the work of Henri Matisse and is located in Cimiez, making it easy to combine with other sights in the neighbourhood.

If you have limited time, you do not need to visit every museum in Nice. Choose the one that matches your interests.

• Best time: Morning or early afternoon.
• Time needed: 1–2 hours
• Cost: Paid admission; check the official museum website for current rates.
• Ideal for: Art lovers, culture enthusiasts and travellers spending two or more days in Nice.

The Marc Chagall National Museum is another option for travellers interested in art. The collection is dedicated to the work of Marc Chagall and provides a different experience from the Matisse Museum.

If you are choosing between the two during a short trip, consider which artist or type of collection interests you more.

• Best time: Morning or early afternoon.
• Time needed: 1–2 hours
• Cost: Paid admission; check the official museum website for current rates.
• Ideal for: Art lovers, culture enthusiasts and travellers on a longer Nice itinerary.

For a quieter side of Nice, head to Cimiez. The neighbourhood is away from the busiest waterfront areas and works well for a slower afternoon. You can combine a visit to the Matisse Museum with a walk through the area's gardens and historic sites.

Cimiez is particularly useful if you are staying for two or more days and want to see more than the Old Town and coastline.

• Best time: Morning or late afternoon.
• Time needed: 2–3 hours
• Cost: Walking around the neighbourhood is free; museum admission costs extra.
• Ideal for: History lovers, art enthusiasts, families and slow travellers. 

Walking around Port Lympia is one of the free things to do in Nice, especially if you are already exploring Castle Hill. The harbour offers a different view of the city from the busy Promenade des Anglais.

Take a relaxed walk around the port and look at the colourful buildings surrounding it. You can then continue towards Castle Hill or the eastern side of Vieux Nice.

• Best time: Late afternoon or early evening.
• Time needed: 45 minutes–1 hour
• Cost: Free.
• Ideal for: Couples, photographers, walkers and first-time visitors.

Place Masséna is one of the central landmarks of Nice and a useful stop when exploring the city centre. The large square connects several parts of the city and can easily be included between Vieux Nice, the waterfront and shopping areas.

It is particularly convenient if you are exploring Nice on foot.

• Best time: Late afternoon or evening when you can combine it with nearby attractions.
• Time needed: 30–45 minutes
• Cost: Free.
• Ideal for: First-time visitors, photographers and families.

If you want a break from museums and busy streets, spend some time walking through Promenade du Paillon.

The green space provides an easy place to slow down while exploring the city centre. It can also be added to a walking route connecting Place Masséna with other central areas.

• Best time: Morning or late afternoon.
• Time needed: 30–60 minutes
• Cost: Free.
• Ideal for: Families, couples and travellers looking for a relaxed walk. 

Shopping is one of the best things to do in Nice, France, especially if you have already covered the major attractions. For independent shops and local products, explore Vieux Nice. The area is useful for browsing souvenirs, food products and Provençal items.

For a more conventional shopping experience, head towards Avenue Jean Médecin and the surrounding streets.

• Best time: Late morning or afternoon.
• Time needed: 1–2 hours
• Cost: Free to browse; shopping costs vary.
• Ideal for: Shoppers, souvenir hunters and travellers looking for local products. 

Watching the sunset is one of the most beautiful things to do in Nice and does not require a separate attraction ticket. Find a comfortable spot along the waterfront and watch the sun set over the Mediterranean. For a higher viewpoint, head towards Castle Hill. For an easier option, stay along the Promenade des Anglais.

• Best time: Around sunset; check the local sunset time for your travel dates.
• Time needed: 30–60 minutes
• Cost: Free.
• Ideal for: Couples, photographers, families and first-time visitors. 

Tip: If you are visiting in summer, sunset is an easy way to end a sightseeing-heavy day.

If you have three or more days in Nice, keep one day for exploring another French Riviera destination. Èze is a good choice for a hilltop village and Mediterranean views, while Villefranche-sur-Mer works well for a relaxed harbour and coastal walk. 

Choose Monaco if you want to see the old town, harbour and Monte Carlo, Antibes for its historic centre and coastline, or Cannes for La Croisette and its lively city centre. Plan to leave Nice in the morning and return in the evening, and choose just one destination for the day so you have enough time to explore without spending most of the day travelling between places.

If you have just one day in Nice, do not try to visit every museum or neighbourhood. Focus on the city's major outdoor attractions, Old Town and local food.

Morning

• Start with the Promenade des Anglais.
• Continue into Vieux Nice.
• Walk through the narrow Old Town streets.
• Visit Cours Saleya.
• Stop for a local lunch.

Afternoon

• Climb Castle Hill.
• Spend time at the viewpoints.
• Walk towards Port Lympia.
• Continue towards Place Masséna.

Evening

• Return to the waterfront.
• Watch the sunset.
• Have dinner around Vieux Nice.
• Take an evening walk through the Old Town.

Best for: First-time visitors who want to see the main highlights without rushing between distant attractions.

Nice is a good fit if you want to combine Mediterranean beaches, historic streets, local food, art and nearby French Riviera destinations in one trip. You can spend one day exploring the city's main sights or stay longer and add museums, Cimiez, beach time and a day trip.

The city is particularly convenient for travellers who enjoy exploring on foot and want to combine sightseeing with relaxed coastal experiences.

One day in Nice is enough to cover the main highlights, including the Promenade des Anglais, Vieux Nice, Cours Saleya and Castle Hill. With 2 to 3 days, you can slow down and explore the city's museums, beaches and local food while also making time for a day trip to another French Riviera destination.

• Wear comfortable shoes: You will likely spend a lot of time walking.
• Carry beach footwear: Nice's beaches are mostly pebbly.
• Start outdoor activities early: This can make walking more comfortable during warmer months.
• Do not rush Vieux Nice: The narrow streets are part of the experience.
• Keep meals flexible: Local food is one of the experiences worth making time for.
• Group nearby attractions: Vieux Nice, Cours Saleya, Castle Hill and Port Lympia can be combined easily.
• Choose one museum: If you have a short trip, you do not need to visit every museum.
• Save time for a day trip: If you have three or more days, consider visiting another French Riviera destination.

The best things to do in Nice are not limited to ticking off famous landmarks. The city is easiest to experience when you combine its major sights with time for food, beaches and relaxed walks. Start with the Promenade des Anglais, Vieux Nice, Cours Saleya and Castle Hill if you are visiting for the first time. With more time, add a museum, explore Cimiez, spend an afternoon at the beach or take a day trip along the French Riviera.

Whether you have one day or a long weekend, grouping nearby attractions together will help you see more of Nice without making your itinerary feel rushed.