Itineraries for Your Trip to Nice
3 Days in Nice for First Timers
On family holidays, Nice was often our port of arrival in the French Riviera. As we disembarked the plane, the warm air would hit us with the perfumed scent of vacation. That memory sticks with me still, and it makes sense—Nice is a city designed for spending your time outside.
Things to remember as you plan your trip: Nice has one of the largest outdoor markets in the country; a seaside walkway—the Promenade des Anglais (Prom for short)—which spans more than 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) along the coastline; and more sundrenched patios than you can imagine. Even the domes of the majestic hotels that line the seafront are sunset colored. Here are my recommendations for three days in Nice.
The weather is always nice in Nice (it's true!).
If you only have time for one thing, make it the viewpoint from Castle Hill over the bay.
Nice Airport is a 20-minute drive from the old town (prebook a transfer for ease) where many of the sights are accessible on foot. Take an old town walking tour to get your bearings on day one in the city and don’t miss the Palais de la Prefecture, built by the Dukes of Savoy in the 17th century.
If it's too hot for a casual stroll, or you just want to take it easy, opt for a Segway tour of the city instead. That way, you'll have more energy to later explore the colossal flower market (open Tuesday through Sunday) and the rich interiors of the Catholic cathedral.
Nothing conjures up images of opulence quite like the microstate of Monaco. Just over half an hour by car from Nice, it’s an easy city to visit on a day trip or for an evening out to rub shoulders with the rich and famous in Monte Carlo’s casinos. Don’t miss the medieval town of Èze, famed for perfume-making, en route.
Alternatively, you can skip Monaco in favor of sticking to France. Take a tour of Grasse (known, like Ezé, for its perfumes) and make a pitstop in the coastal city of Cannes for some glitz and glamor. It's one of the easiest ways to make the most of your time in Nice.
The French Riviera is all about the azure waters. Nice’s beach stretches on for miles, but the best views of the brightly colored facades of the little port city come from taking a boat tour to admire them from the water.
The sea is so clear here that you’ll never be worried about what lurks in the deep, but just to make sure, go on a snorkeling tour. The rocky bays are teeming with kaleidoscopic marine life that you won't want to miss on your final day in this pretty city.
