Castle Hill (Colline du Château) Tours and Tickets

There are plenty of ways to experience Castle Hill. Looking at ratings and reviews previously given by customers, these are the best tours available right now:

• Walking Tour of Old Nice and Castle Hill

• Nice City Segway Sightseeing Tour

• Walking Tour of Nice, the Old Town and the Colline du Château

• Nice: Visit of Nice by Electrically Assisted Bike Taxi 1 Hour

• Nice City Best Highlights E-bike Tour

Visiting Castle Hill is entirely free, including the elevator—definitely head here for fabulous views of the city. But if you’d like to turn this 11th-century castle complex, also known as Colline du Chateau, into more than just a pretty view, hop on a guided tour. Walking tours start at as little as US$5.

Yes, Castle Hill is absolutely worth visiting. Not only is it an old castle complex dating back to the 11th century, but it's also a free park that offers some of the best views of the city. There's an artificial waterfall, ancient cathedral ruins, walking paths, and more to wander and explore.

Per one customer who booked the Walking Tour of Old Nice and Castle Hill, "The tour was a great way to learn about the history of Old Nice and Castle Hill. Our guide, Laura, was very knowledgeable and we had a great experience. The views from the top of Castle Hill were breathtakingly beautiful."

Castle Hill is the best-known viewpoint in Nice, crowning the seaside city with its hilltop park and historic ruins. Here, you can capture photos that include both the Bay of Angels and the red roofs of the city. Head to the observation terrace near the waterfall for the best panoramas.

Although there’s little left of the hill’s Château de Nice, the ruins make for an interesting photo. Check out the Bellanda Tower, once dedicated to the defense of the city, which marks a popular viewpoint. Other things to see include the Château de Nice Cemetery, playground, and a man-made waterfall.

Yes, day trips to Nice and guided city tours often make Castle Hill a must-see stop on their itineraries. There are also sightseeing experiences that focus mostly on Castle Hill, with walking tours and food tours among the options. Electric bike tours are popular, minimizing the uphill climb.

Take the free Castle Hill elevator from the eastern end of the Bay of Angels on Quai des États-Unis, or pay to ride Le Petit Train de Nice and sightsee on the way. Walkers can follow the cobblestone pathway behind the elevator on a route that takes around 20 minutes.

To avoid the worst crowds, head up there in the early morning; the hilltop park opens around breakfast time. Castle Hill is at its liveliest from afternoon to evening, and while there will be more people around, there’s no better place to see the sun set in Nice.

After exploring Castle Hill, head back down toward the seafront to explore Vieux Nice, the city’s charming old town. You’ll pass the Cours Saleya market, which bustles with flowers and food until early afternoon, and then discover the old town’s Place Rossetti where the Cathedral of Nice awaits.

There are tons of things to do when you're done visiting Castle Hill. According to travelers, these are some of the top attractions in Nice:

• Eze

• Promenade des Anglais

• Nice Old Town

• Tourrettes

• Massena Square

View Viator's guide to all the best attractions in Nice.