Ahhhh Nice ❤, the beautiful city I grew up in. Even though I moved to Prague 5 years ago, I go back there quite often to see my parents and friends. I always considered myself lucky for being from such a charming Mediterranean city. And due to my local status, you can definitely take the recommendations in this article seriously!
Due to its perfect location, Nice is the ultimate summer destination. However, I would recommend you to go in May, early June or September to avoid the crazy tourist crowds during July and August.
1 • Russian Orthodox Cathedral
Recognized as a national monument of France, the St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral is an impressive orange and turquoise church located in the city center. To provide a little historical background, Russia and the French Riviera have had a tight connection dating from the mid-19th century. The Russian nobility often visited the South of France and eventually a railway connection was established between Moscow and Nice in 1864. When he visited by train, Tsar Alexander II loved Nice so much that he decided to build an Orthodox Cathedral there.
2 • Le Vieux Nice
Le Vieux Nice or just Le Vieux for locals is the Old Town of Nice. It is a maze of narrow cobbled streets and alleys that you will love to get yourself lost in. The main street of the Old Town, called the Cours Saleya hosts a colorful flower market daily with the exception of Monday when there is a flea market instead.
Filled with cafés, bars, restaurants, and cute shops, Le Vieux is a perfect place for a relaxed lunch or an evening stroll and a night out! Note that it can get super touristy and there are a bunch of tourist traps in my opinion. Do not hesitate to ask me or locals where to go to get authentic Niçois food there.
3 • Promenade des Anglais
If you’ve seen photos of Nice before, the chances are they are from this Promenade. This 7 km (5 miles) main avenue is a gorgeous walkway along the beach. On one side you have fancy hotels and expensive housing (sea view comes with a price!) and on the other side, there is an immense pebble beach strip made into a mosaic of private and public beaches. At the end of the Promenade, you can find what is called the Quai des États-Unis which is a road section at the bottom of the Castle’s Hill.
Locals and tourists alike love taking a stroll on this boardwalk, admiring the azure sea. It is a place you definitely cannot afford to miss and one of the most Instagrammable places in the city.
4 • Le Port de Nice
If there is a place in Nice that embodies the dolce vita, it is le Port de Nice (Nice Port). Often forgotten by travelers, this area shouldn’t be overlooked. The port is a very trendy and vibrant neighborhood where you can find typical Mediterranean houses, colorful boats, antique shops, and thrifts stores. It is ideal for fleeing the busy city center and relax while watching the ferries sail across the Mediterranean Sea. The port is also a famous local nightlife hub!
5 • The Pebble Beaches
From the airport all the way to the port, Nice has an endless strip of pebble beaches. The pebbles are actually grey stones we call galets. They are part of Nice’s history and help make the sea this vibrant azure color. Thanks to galets, you don’t have to cope with sand going everywhere (which can be super annoying!). On the other side, it’s pretty hard to walk to the sea and also to relax on a beach tower laid over those stones.
If you want to do like locals, I advise you to invest in a fold-up beach mattress that will make your beach trip a lot more comfortable (oh and you can buy water shoes but that’s really up to you!) If you want to splurge a little, you can go to any private beach and rent a chaise lounge for the day.
6 • Le Negresco
This luxury 5-star hotel is the most iconic and famous sight in Nice. Located right on the Promenade des Anglais, Le Negresco, was listed by the government of France as a National Historic Building and is a member of Leading Hotels of the World. This hotel is the perfect photo backdrop!
7 • Monastère de Cimiez
One of the lesser touristic areas of Nice is called Cimiez. The Monastère de Cimiez is an active monastery sitting atop a hill overlooking Nice. The small monastery is surrounded by amazing gardens kept up by the monks. It is a relaxing and quiet place to go to if you want to escape the busy city center.
8 • Le Plongeoir
Not far from the port, you can find Le Plongeoir which is a famous fancy restaurant located above the sea on a pillar of rock. There, the #viewsfordays will take a whole new meaning. If you dream about eating above the waves, there’s your spot!
9 • Place Masséna
Another iconic part of Nice is called the Place Masséna. It is an impressive and often busy square. Surrounded by red buildings, this plaza hosts a monumental fountain with a marble statue of Apollo on top. What makes this area recognizable is its checkerboard and super trippy ground.
10 • La Colline du Château
If you are expecting a castle, well prepare to be disappointed! La Colline du Château (meaning the Castle’s Hill) is nowadays only a hill. Even if we still call it Le Château, this place used to be a military citadel that was destroyed under Louis XIV. It is still worth going up there though because of the breathtaking panoramic views. I would advise you to go up the stairs instead of taking the elevator. Even if it is a long walk, it is a lovely hike!
Have you been to Nice? What are the most Instagrammable places in the city for you? Let me know in the comments below!
Want to keep reading? You might like those articles as well:
– The Ultimate Guide to the Lavender Fields in Provence
– Best Ways to See Tulips near Amsterdam
– Top Dreamy Beaches in Southern Corsica
– Best Hidden Gems in Malta
– Top Most Instagrammable Places in Malmö, Sweden
This article uses affiliate links. As a GetYourGuide and Amazon Associate, if you buy something through one of those links, I’ll get a small commission at no extra cost to you which helps me keep this little blog afloat. Thank you for your support!
