France 16 attractions across 4 categories
As of 2026, the must-see places in Nice include Promenade des Anglais (4km Mediterranean walk), Vieux Nice + Cours Saleya morning market, Castle Hill (Colline du Château, 92m). See highlights, time needed and tips for each below.
Nice blends historic landmarks, natural scenery, and local food experiences. We've organized 16 attractions across 4 categories. Each attraction card includes entry fees, opening hours, and local tips so you can plan straight from the page. Use the quick links below to jump to your favorite category.
4km Mediterranean walk along blue-cushioned beach chairs — iconic Riviera image. Hotel Negresco (1913 historic) anchors midpoint.
Local tip: Sunset 19:00-21:00 most magical. Beach chairs €5-15 rental at private beaches. Public beach free. Cycling 4km along promenade.
UNESCO Old Town + Cours Saleya (THE Niçoise morning ritual — flowers + cheese + olives + socca tasting + farmers' produce).
Local tip: Cours Saleya market mornings 06:00-13:30. Flower market continues into afternoon. Avoid Sunday afternoon (vacant). Try socca + pissaladière at market stalls.
Ruins of 11th-century fortress + 360° city panorama + Bay of Angels view + free elevator from Vieux Nice.
Local tip: Free elevator from Vieux Nice (Rue de la Préfecture). Sunset views of Bay of Angels iconic. No castle remains — just panoramic park + ruins.
Place Masséna (central square with checkered black-white tile floor + Sun Fountain) + Place Garibaldi (Italian baroque square + bars + tram hub).
Local tip: Place Masséna fountain photogenic at golden hour. Place Garibaldi has Italian-style cafés (Nice was Italian until 1860).
1670 villa housing Matisse's personal collection — his life in Nice (1917-1954) + paper cut-outs + paintings + studio recreation.
Local tip: Free first Sunday of month. Bus 5/15/22 to Cimiez. Combine with Roman ruins of Cimiez (free) + Matisse buried in Monastery of Cimiez.
Largest collection of Marc Chagall's biblical paintings — 17 large-scale paintings + Old Testament series + stained glass.
Local tip: Free first Sunday of month. Bus 5/22. Combine with Matisse Museum. Both museums on same day pass €25.
Nice School of New Realism + Pop Art + Andy Warhol + Yves Klein + Niki de Saint Phalle. Free entry.
Local tip: Free entry. Rooftop sculpture terrace with Nice + Mediterranean view. Most-underrated Nice museum.
1912 Russian Orthodox Cathedral — onion domes + Byzantine iconostasis + most-photogenic Russian church outside Russia.
Local tip: Cover shoulders + knees. Bus 70/74 from Place Masséna. Most-photographed church in Nice (after Sainte-Réparate Cathedral).
Monaco principality — Place du Casino + Hotel de Paris + Royal Palace + Oceanographic Museum + Formula 1 street circuit.
Local tip: Train SNCF Nice → Monaco-Monte Carlo 20 min (€4 RT). Walk up Rocher de Monaco for Royal Palace 11:55 changing of guard. Casino has dress code (no shorts).
Medieval cliff village 429m above Mediterranean — Jardin Exotique cactus garden + Chèvre d'Or (1-Michelin restaurant) + most-photographed Riviera village.
Local tip: Bus 82 from Nice (45 min) or train + 30-min uphill walk. Jardin Exotique €7 entry — panoramic views. Friedrich Nietzsche walked here for inspiration.
Cannes Film Festival home + La Croisette boulevard + Old Town Le Suquet + Lérins Islands ferry.
Local tip: Train SNCF Nice → Cannes 30 min. La Croisette boulevard walking. Le Suquet (Old Town) climbing for views. Lérins Islands ferry €15 from Cannes harbor.
Antibes Old Town + Picasso Museum + Cap d'Antibes (millionaire's row) + coastal walk to Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc.
Local tip: Cap d'Antibes coastal walk 5km (3-4 hours, free) — most-iconic Riviera walk. Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc visible from end of walk.
Traditional Niçoise salad — tuna + olives + anchovies + boiled egg + tomatoes + green beans + lettuce. La Storia in Vieux Nice canonical.
Local tip: Card + cash. Reservation Fri-Sat. Vieux Nice location. Pair with rosé from Provence.
Niçoise chickpea flour pancake — crispy edges + soft center. €4-7 per portion. Best from Cours Saleya market stalls hot from oven.
Local tip: Cash only. Eat standing at market. Pair with pissaladière (anchovy onion tart). Lou Pilha Leva stand canonical.
Vieux Nice canonical stand — Pissaladière (anchovy onion tart) + Niçoise specialties + cheap eats.
Local tip: Cash + card. Stand at counter or sit at tables. Tourist-friendly but authentic. Pissaladière €8-10.
Marseille-style bouillabaisse (fish stew) — Mediterranean fish + saffron + rouille + croutons. €45-75 per person.
Local tip: Reservation 1-2 days ahead. Pre-order in advance (some restaurants require 24h). Pair with white wine from Provence.
Local know-how that saves you time and money on the ground.
French Riviera Pass €30/day covers museums + transport.
Promenade des Anglais sunset 19:00-21:00 most magical.
Train to Monaco €4 RT (20 min) — half day enough.
Cours Saleya morning market 6:00-13:30 essential — closed Mondays.
Cannes Film Festival mid-May — book hotels 6 months ahead.
Tram + bus €1.50 single, day pass €5. Walking in Vieux Nice. Train to Monaco €4 RT.
Booking online is typically cheaper than walk-up rates and reserves your spot.
Èze cliff village + Monaco Casino + Royal Palace
€70
French Riviera 3-village day tour
€80
3-hour Vieux Nice + Cours Saleya + 4 tapas stops
€60
Day trip to Bandol + Cassis + 2 wineries
€120
1.5h drive to Saint-Tropez + Pampelonne Beach
€95
Common questions about attractions and activities in Nice.
Cost guide, itineraries, hotel picks — everything in one place.
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.