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    Nice

    France

    Nice

    CityCulture

    Nice is the largest city on the Côte d'Azur, situated on the Baie des Anges, about 30 kilometers from the Italian border.

    by Felix Gillen

    1. Home
    2. Destinations
    3. France
    4. Côte d'Azur
    5. Nice
    Nice is the largest city on the Côte d'Azur, situated on the Baie des Anges, about 30 kilometers from the Italian border. Stroll along the Promenade des Anglais by the sea; in the Old Town, Vieux Nice, you'll find baroque alleys and the flower market at Cours Saleya. From Colline du Château, you overlook the Old Town, port, and bay. The city has only been French since 1860 and has retained an Italian influence in its cuisine and culture; try Socca and visit the Musée Matisse or the Musée Marc Chagall. For mild weather and fewer crowds, April to June, as well as September and October, are ideal.

    Sights in Nice

    Discover the most important sights and attractions

    1Riviera & Tours

    Riviera & Tours is an operator in Nice that organises guided day trips on the Côte d'Azur, such as to Monaco, Èze, Antibes or Cannes. For travellers without a car, this is a way to see several places in one day. Our Tip: Compare the itineraries in advance; many destinations can also be reached affordably by coastal train or bus.
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    2Mobilboard Nice Location de vélo et vélo électrique, Location de trottinette électrique / Visite guidée en Segway et vélo

    Mobilboard Nice is a rental company in Nice where you can rent bicycles, e-bikes, and e-scooters or book guided Segway and bike tours. For instance, you can ride along the Promenade des Anglais. Our tip: Early in the morning, temperatures are more pleasant and paths are less crowded.
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    Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice

    3Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice

    The Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas is considered the largest Russian Orthodox cathedral in Western Europe. It was built between 1903 and 1912 for the then large Russian community in Nice, near the villa where Tsesarevich Nicholas Alexandrovich died in 1865. Its onion domes, with colorful tiles and gilded crosses, strongly contrast the Mediterranean surroundings. Inside are icons, frescoes, wood carvings, and the iconostasis separating the sanctuary. Practical tip: Visit early morning, shortly after opening, for quiet. Cover shoulders and knees, as it's an active place of worship.
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    Promenade du Paillon

    4Promenade du Paillon

    The Promenade du Paillon is Nice's green lung and a central recreational area that significantly shapes the cityscape. It was created over the covered Paillon river, replacing a former bus station, thereby establishing an expansive park in the heart of the city. Here you'll find extensive lawns, themed play areas for children, including the popular Whale Fountain, as well as the impressive Water Mirror with its 128 water jets and mist nozzles. This urban oasis connects the Old Town with the Théâtre de Verdure and Place Masséna, offering both locals and visitors alike space for relaxation and encounters. Our tip: Visit the Promenade early in the morning to enjoy the tranquility and experience the water features in their full glory before the largest crowds arrive. In the evenings, the Water Mirror is often illuminated, providing a beautiful backdrop for strolls. For families with children, the play area around the Whale Fountain is a highlight.
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    Cimiez-Kloster

    5Cimiez-Kloster

    The Cimiez Monastery (Monastère de Cimiez) in Nice is a historically significant site, built upon the ruins of a Roman settlement. Franciscan monks settled here in the 16th century, but the church's origins date back to the 9th century. Here you'll find an impressive church with works by Louis Bréa and a small museum that sheds light on the history of the order and the monastery. The adjacent monastery garden is particularly worth seeing, offering a tranquil retreat and providing panoramic views over Nice. In the nearby cemetery, famous personalities like Henri Matisse and Raoul Dufy are buried, which gives the site an additional cultural dimension. Our Tip: Visit the monastery in the morning to enjoy the tranquility of the garden and explore the artists' graves in peace. Combine your visit with the nearby Matisse Museum and the Archaeological Museum of Cimiez for a comprehensive insight into the history and art of the region. The monastery garden is also an excellent spot for a short break and offers beautiful photo opportunities.
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    Parc de la Colline du Château

    6Parc de la Colline du Château

    The Colline du Château, once the site of Nice's mighty fortress, destroyed in 1706 by Louis XIV, is now a green oasis above the Old Town. From here, you can enjoy an incomparable panoramic view over the Baie des Anges, the port, and the red rooftops of Vieux Nice. The park itself offers shaded paths, Mediterranean vegetation, and the remnants of the old cathedral. An artificial waterfall, the Cascade de la Colline du Château, is a prominent feature and creates a refreshing atmosphere. Although the fortress no longer exists, archaeological excavations and the hill's structure testify to its former significance as a strategic point for defending the city. Our Tip: Visit the park in the late afternoon to capture the golden light over the bay and experience the sunset. For the best photos of the Promenade des Anglais and the port, head to the viewpoints near the waterfall. To avoid the largest crowds, a morning visit is recommended.
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    City walks in Nice

    Curated walking tours through the city's highlights, handpicked by experienced travel journalists.

    Nice's Charm: A Stroll Through the Old Town and to the Bay of Angels

    Discover the heart of Nice on this picturesque walk. From the lively squares of the city center, dive into the winding lanes of the old town before enjoying breathtaking views from Castle Hill and strolling along the famous Promenade des Anglais. A perfect mix of culture, history and Mediterranean flair in about two hours.

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    Stops (6)

    Dining & Drinking

    Le Vingt4

    Geselliges Restaurant mit Wurstplatten, saisonalen Speisen und großer Auswahl an offenen Weinen.
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    Le Séjour

    Restaurant in 11 Rue Grimaldi.
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    La Cigale

    Restaurant in 17 Av. Cyrille Besset.
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    Boccaccio rice

    Restaurant in 7 Rue Massena.
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    La Rotonde Nice

    Restaurant in 37 Prom. des Anglais.
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    1

    Comptoir du Marché

    Entdecke provenzalische Spezialitäten in diesem lebhaften Restaurant nahe dem Cours Saleya, perfekt für ein authentisches Geschmackserlebnis der Region.
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    Les Amoureux

    Klassische und kreative neapolitanische Pizzas sowie Wein, Bier und Nachspeisen in einem bodenständigen Lokal.
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    Chez Acchiardo

    Klassischer Salade niçoise, Carpaccio und gegrillte Fleischgerichte in einem urigen Lokal mit Natursteinwänden.
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    Le Saint Paul

    Elegantes Hotel in ehemaligem Priesterseminar aus dem 19. Jh., mit hellem Restaurant, Bar und Meerblick.
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    Restaurant WOKshop

    Restaurant in 1 Rue Cassini.
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    Food & Drinks

    Niçois cuisine stands on its own: Mediterranean, vegetable-heavy, and with an Italian influence, because the city belonged to Savoy and thus to the Italian-speaking region until 1860.

    Socca

    A thin flatbread of chickpea flour and olive oil, wood-oven baked and eaten hot from the hand. In the old town, several places sell nothing else.

    Salade niçoise

    The authentic version omits cooked vegetables: tomatoes, anchovies or tuna, egg, olives, raw beans, and olive oil. Locals consider potatoes and green beans to be an error.

    Pissaladière

    A flat yeast pastry with slow-braised onions, anchovies, and black olives. A classic bakery snack.

    Petits Farcis

    Small vegetables, stuffed with meat and herbs, oven-baked. Enjoyed warm or lukewarm, it's a classic family meal.

    Cours Saleya

    The Old Town market is a flower and food market from Tuesday to Sunday mornings, changing to an antique market on Mondays. The best place to get an overview.

    Culture, Art, and History

    Nice was founded as the Greek settlement Nikaia; the Roman city Cemenelum was located on the Cimiez hill. From 1388, Nice belonged to the House of Savoy, later to the Kingdom of Sardinia-Piedmont, before it was annexed to France in 1860.This history continues to shape the city's character and traditions today. The Old Town, Vieux Nice, with its baroque churches and narrow streets, clearly shows Italian influences. The Belle Époque left behind grand hotels and villas along the Promenade des Anglais and in Cimiez, reflecting the boom in tourism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Nice has preserved its own identity, audible in Niçois (Nissart) and visible in festivals like the February Carnival. For a long time, the city has attracted artists, and museums commemorate Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall, who lived and worked here.

    Nightlife

    Once the sun sets, Nice becomes a vibrant stage for night owls. From stylish cocktail bars in Old Town Vieux Nice to trendy clubs on the Promenade des Anglais, the city offers a wide choice. Enjoy relaxed evenings in cozy pubs, or dance to international DJ beats in lively venues.
    1

    Athmos

    1 Rue Galléan, 06000 Nice, Frankreich
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    2

    The One - Coffee Shop, Bar Tapas & Lounge in Nice

    Bar in 16 Rue Foncet.
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    3

    Côté grill

    Bar in 14 Rue Miron.
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    The Deck Hotel by HappyCulture

    Gemütliche Zimmer und Suiten mit Balkon in einem schlichten Hotel mit Frühstück gegen Aufpreis.
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    Hôtel Nice Excelsior by HappyCulture

    Farbenfrohe Zimmer mit Wandmalereien und Gratis-WLAN in einem Gebäude aus dem 19. Jahrhundert mit Gartenbar.
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    Hôtel Esprit d'Azur

    Bar in 4 Rue Barberis.
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    Hôtel de la Fontaine

    Moderne Zimmer mit kostenlosem WLAN in einem gemütlichen Hotel mit Bar und Innenhofterrasse.
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    4

    Altherax

    Bar in 105 Rte de Canta Galet route de 06200.
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    5

    La Cave Romagnan

    Bar in 22 Rue d'Angleterre.
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    6

    High Club

    Namhafte DJs, extravagante Beleuchtung, Liveshows und Themenabende in einem noblen Club mit 3 Tanzflächen.
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    7

    Le Bulldog Pub Pompeï

    16 Rue de l'Abbaye, 06300 Nice, Frankreich
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    Hotel Royal-Riviera

    Stilvolles Luxushotel mit Spa, Außenpool, Privatstrand und Restaurants.
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    Jasmin Grill & Lounge

    Bar in 3 Av. Jean Monnet.
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    La cantine de jo

    Bar in 5 Rue Alexandre Mari.
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    L'Orée du Port

    Bar in 8 Quai des Docks.
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    Exploring locally

    The Old Town, Promenade des Anglais, and the port are close by and easily reached on foot. For longer journeys, Lignes d'Azur offers a dense network of trams and buses, including a tram line direct from the airport to the centre. Nice-Ville station offers regional trains along the coast to Cannes, Monaco, and Menton.

    Accommodations in Nice

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    Campgrounds in Nice

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    Plan your trip to Nice

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      • 1Riviera & Tours3 days
      • 2Mobilboard Nice Location de vélo et vélo électrique, Location de trottinette électrique / Visite guidée en Segway et vélo4 days
      • 3Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice5 days
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    Nearby

    Côte d'Azur

    Côte d'Azur

    The Côte d'Azur, the French Riviera, is the Mediterranean coastal strip between Saint-Tropez and the Italian border near Menton. Here you'll find cities like Nice and Cannes, seaside resorts, mountain villages in the hinterland, and numerous art museums. In the middle of the coast lies the Principality of Monaco, an independent state surrounded by France.
    Èze

    Èze

    Èze is a picturesque medieval village, perched high above the Côte d'Azur, distinguished by its unique location. Here you'll find narrow, winding streets that snake around the rock, creating a special atmosphere. The Jardin Exotique at the highest point offers not only an impressive collection of cacti and succulents but also spectacular panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea. Èze is historically significant due to its long history, dating back to Roman times, and as a place where Friedrich Nietzsche found inspiration. Explore the remnants of the medieval castle and the charming artisan shops in the old stone houses. For a relaxed visit, early morning or late afternoon is recommended to avoid the largest tourist crowds. Wear comfortable shoes, as the cobblestone paths can be steep and uneven.
    Monaco

    Monaco

    Monaco is a sovereign principality on the French Riviera, known for its opulent lifestyle and stunning coastal scenery. On the Rock of Monaco-Ville, its historic core, you'll find the Prince's Palace, the Cathedral, and the famous Oceanographic Museum. In the Monte-Carlo district, the iconic Casino de Monte-Carlo and the Hôtel de Paris define the image of high society, complemented by the Formula 1 circuit's route. The Grimaldi dynasty has ruled the principality for centuries, shaping its unique history as a meeting point for international celebrities. To explore the narrow streets of Monaco-Ville in peace, a morning visit is recommended. Utilize the numerous public lifts and escalators to comfortably traverse the hilly city and enjoy spectacular views.
    Antibes Juan-les-Pins

    Antibes Juan-les-Pins

    Antibes Juan-les-Pins combines a walled old town with seaside resorts on the Côte d'Azur. In Vieil Antibes, you'll find narrow streets, the Marché Provençal and the Musée Picasso in Château Grimaldi, where Picasso worked in 1946. Port Vauban is considered one of the largest marinas in the Mediterranean, overlooked by Fort Carré. Juan-les-Pins is known for sandy beaches, nightlife, and the festival Jazz à Juan. Along the coastal path around Cap d'Antibes, you'll pass villas and rocky coastline. Spring and autumn are quieter than mid-summer.
    Menton

    Menton

    Menton, the "Lemon City" on the French Riviera, is distinguished by its exceptionally mild microclimate and its proximity to the Italian border. The historic Vieux Menton captivates with its steep, colorful alleys leading to the baroque Basilica of Saint-Michel-Archange. Here, you'll experience a unique blend of French elegance and Italian flair, reflected in its architecture and gastronomy. Cultural highlights include the Jean Cocteau Museum by the harbor, as well as the diverse botanical gardens, including the Jardin Botanique Val Rahmeh. For relaxed explorations and to experience the full splendor of the gardens, a visit in spring or autumn is recommended. Don't miss trying the local lemon specialties, which authentically represent the city's heritage.

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash. Each photo carries its credit.
    • Place data such as addresses and ratings comes from Google Maps.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI