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Nice
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Nice, France blends Mediterranean promenades, Belle Époque architecture, Provençal cuisine and celebrated museums with the Côte d’Azur’s bright coastal spirit today.

A Mediterranean City with Many Layers

Nice stretches along the Baie des Anges between the Mediterranean Sea and the lower foothills of the Alps. Its broad Promenade des Anglais, palm-lined waterfront and intensely blue coastline provide the setting, but the city’s character lies in the contrast between seaside leisure and a deep, sometimes contested history. Nice belonged to the County of Savoy for centuries before becoming part of France in 1860, and traces of that borderland past remain in its cuisine, dialect, churches and urban plan.
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Old Streets and Grand Boulevards

In Vieux Nice, ochre and russet façades line narrow lanes leading towards lively squares, baroque churches and the Cours Saleya market. Above the old town, the Colline du Château offers elevated views across the bay and the port. Farther west, the Promenade des Anglais and the Carré d’Or reveal the city’s transformation into a fashionable winter resort during the nineteenth century, with Belle Époque villas, hotel façades and ornate apartment buildings.

Art, Food and the Riviera Light

Nice’s clear light attracted artists including Henri Matisse, whose former home on Cimiez Hill overlooks Roman remains and olive gardens, while the Musée Marc Chagall presents a major collection devoted to the artist’s biblical works. Local cooking reflects both Mediterranean produce and the traditions of the former County of Nice: socca, pissaladière, salade niçoise and petits farcis appear in markets, bakeries and family-run restaurants. Beyond the central districts, the port, Libération quarter and Cimiez offer quieter perspectives on a city whose appeal is inseparable from its sea, hills and layered cultural identity.

When is the best time to visit Nice?

Best: May–June, October · 24–28°C
Average daytime high and rainfall by month
MonthHigh (°C)Rainfall (mm)
January1570
February1555
March1850
April2055
May (best)2450
June (best)2835
July3115
August3125
September2845
October (best)2460
November1870
December1675

Getting to and around Nice

How to get there

Nice Côte d’Azur Airport lies west of the city centre and is the principal air gateway for the French Riviera, with tram connections and other ground transport linking the terminals with central Nice. Nice-Ville is the main railway station for local, regional and long-distance services, including connections along the coast and towards Marseille, Toulon and Italy. The city is also served by intercity coaches, while the A8 motorway provides road access from Provence and the Italian border. Monaco, Cannes and Antibes are not districts of Nice but are accessible as separate regional destinations by rail and bus.

Transportation

Central Nice is readily explored on foot, particularly Vieux Nice, the Promenade des Anglais, the Carré d’Or and the port. The tram network links the railway station, old town, port, northern districts and airport area, while local buses cover streets beyond the tram corridors and provide useful routes into the hills. Taxis and app-based services are available, though traffic can be slow along the coast. Cycling is practical on flatter waterfront routes, with marked lanes in parts of the city. Driving is less convenient in the historic centre, where streets are narrow and parking is limited.

Best attractions in Nice

Nice offers a varied sequence of sights, beginning with the narrow lanes, ochre façades and baroque churches of Vieux Nice. The Cours Saleya brings together a daily flower market and food stalls beneath colourful awnings, while the Promenade des Anglais provides a long seafront route beside the Baie des Anges. Climb the Colline du Château for views over the old town, port and coastline, even though the original castle has disappeared. On Cimiez Hill, the Musée Matisse, Roman amphitheatre and archaeological museum introduce different chapters of the city’s past, while the Musée Marc Chagall presents the artist’s major biblical cycle in a purpose-built setting. The Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain adds post-war and contemporary perspectives, and the harbour district reveals a more working, residential side of Nice beyond its resort façade.

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Best landmarks in Nice

The Promenade des Anglais is Nice’s defining civic landmark, its broad seafront profile embodying the nineteenth-century resort that developed along the Baie des Anges. In Vieux Nice, the Cathedral of Sainte-Réparate anchors the old town with its ornate baroque interior, while the Chapelle de la Miséricorde on the Cours Saleya represents the influence of the confraternities that shaped local religious life. The Russian Orthodox Cathedral, with its distinctive domes and richly decorated interior, recalls the international aristocratic community drawn to the city during the resort era. On Cimiez Hill, the Roman baths and amphitheatre connect modern Nice with Cemenelum, the ancient settlement. The Palais Lascaris, a former aristocratic residence in the old town, preserves the scale and decoration of eighteenth-century Nice, and the port remains a crucial reminder of the city’s maritime role.

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Explore Nice on the map

Plan your Nice trip on one map. See where the top attractions, landmarks, restaurants, bars and hotels are, find what's near where you're staying, and book hotels and experiences in a few clicks.

Neighbourhoods in Nice

Best restaurants in Nice

Nice’s cuisine reflects the produce, climate and borderland history of the former County of Nice. Local staples include socca, a savoury chickpea-flour pancake traditionally cooked in a wood-fired oven; pissaladière, an onion tart topped with anchovies and olives; salade niçoise; pan bagnat; and petits farcis, vegetables filled with a seasoned mixture. Tourte aux blettes combines Swiss chard with either a sweet or savoury filling, showing the region’s distinctive approach to everyday ingredients. Vieux Nice contains many traditional restaurants and small food shops, while the Cours Saleya and the Libération market area offer produce, cheeses, olives and prepared foods. Cafés around the old town, port and central boulevards range from simple Provençal cooking to contemporary Mediterranean menus, with Italian influences also evident in pasta, pastries and ice cream.

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Best bars in Nice

Nice’s evening life is concentrated around Vieux Nice, the Cours Saleya, the port and streets such as Rue Bonaparte, where wine bars, cocktail venues and late-opening cafés occupy historic façades. The atmosphere ranges from relaxed outdoor drinks and intimate bars to livelier venues with DJs, particularly on weekend nights and during the warmer months. The area around Place Masséna and the central boulevards adds theatres, concerts and cultural programming, while the Opéra de Nice provides a more formal evening option. Live music appears in smaller bars and dedicated venues, though the city’s nightlife is less defined by a single club district than by a spread of restaurants, bars and performance spaces. Visitors should remember that local activity varies by season and that residential streets in the old town call for considerate late-night behaviour.

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Best nightclubs in Nice

Nice’s evening life is concentrated around Vieux Nice, the Cours Saleya, the port and streets such as Rue Bonaparte, where wine bars, cocktail venues and late-opening cafés occupy historic façades. The atmosphere ranges from relaxed outdoor drinks and intimate bars to livelier venues with DJs, particularly on weekend nights and during the warmer months. The area around Place Masséna and the central boulevards adds theatres, concerts and cultural programming, while the Opéra de Nice provides a more formal evening option. Live music appears in smaller bars and dedicated venues, though the city’s nightlife is less defined by a single club district than by a spread of restaurants, bars and performance spaces. Visitors should remember that local activity varies by season and that residential streets in the old town call for considerate late-night behaviour.

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Best shops in Nice

Shopping in Nice ranges from market produce and traditional specialities to independent fashion, design and antiques. The Cours Saleya is the best-known market setting, with flowers, fruit, vegetables and regional goods, while the Libération market is valued for its everyday food-shopping atmosphere. Avenue Jean Médecin and the surrounding central streets contain mainstream retailers and department-store shopping, whereas the lanes of Vieux Nice are better suited to smaller boutiques, soaps, food shops, art and souvenirs. Around the port and Rue Bonaparte, independent design and lifestyle businesses add a contemporary edge. Visitors looking for local products can consider olive oil, Provençal herbs, confectionery, ceramics and textiles, while socca flour and packaged regional foods offer more practical culinary souvenirs than generic Riviera merchandise.

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Nice essentials

Currency and Payment
Nice uses the euro, written as EUR or €. Cards and contactless payments are widely accepted in hotels, supermarkets, museums, restaurants and larger shops, although small market stalls, cafés or older independent businesses may prefer cash or impose a minimum card transaction. ATMs are common in central districts and near transport hubs; visitors should use machines attached to established banks where possible and check conversion charges before accepting a withdrawal or payment in their home currency. Keep some euros for small purchases at markets, public conveniences and other low-value transactions.
Safety
Nice is generally straightforward for visitors, but busy transport areas, beaches, markets and crowded old-town streets require ordinary precautions against pickpocketing and bag snatching. Keep phones and wallets secure, particularly on public transport and when sitting at outdoor cafés. Take care on busy roads and cycle lanes along the waterfront, and use well-lit streets when returning late at night. The sea can have strong currents and changing conditions, so follow local beach and lifeguard guidance. During hot weather, carry water and protect against sun exposure, especially when walking on exposed viewpoints or hills.
Emergency Situations
For any emergency in France, call 112, the European emergency number, which can direct callers to the appropriate service; 15 reaches medical assistance, 17 the police and 18 the fire service. Operators may be able to assist in languages other than French, but stating the exact location clearly is important, particularly in the old town or on the coast. Travellers should carry travel insurance details and information about regular medication. For urgent medical problems outside an emergency, pharmacies can advise on local healthcare arrangements, while visitors should contact their insurer or consulate for non-urgent assistance.
Do's and Don'ts
Greet shopkeepers and restaurant staff with bonjour before asking a question, and use merci and au revoir when leaving. Dress respectfully when entering churches and avoid loud behaviour around religious buildings or residential streets. At markets, ask before handling produce or crafts, and do not photograph people closely without permission. Tipping is not compulsory because service is included in French restaurant bills, though rounding up or leaving a modest amount for particularly good service is appreciated. On beaches and promenades, respect cycling lanes, private areas and local instructions about swimming or sea conditions.
Local Tips
The old town is the best starting point for orientation, but the Libération district offers a more everyday market atmosphere and a useful contrast with the seafront. The walk from the Promenade des Anglais towards the port passes through several distinct neighbourhoods, while Cimiez provides museums, gardens and Roman remains away from the busiest waterfront. Seek out local specialities such as socca, pissaladière and pan bagnat, remembering that recipes vary between establishments. For coastal excursions, Nice-Ville and the city’s tram and bus network make it possible to combine independent sightseeing with regional travel.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloBonjour[bohn-zhoor]
GoodbyeAu revoir[oh ruh-vwahr]
YesOui[wee]
NoNon[noh]
Please/You're welcomeS'il vous plaît/De rien[seel voo pleh/dee ryehn]
Thank youMerci[mehr-see]
Excuse me/SorryExcusez-moi/Désolé[ehk-skew-zay mwah/dey-zoh-lay]
How are you?Comment ça va?[koh-mohn sah vah]
Fine. And you?Bien. Et vous?[byehn/ey voo]
Do you speak English?Parlez-vous anglais?[pahr-lay voo ahn-glay]
I don't understandJe ne comprends pas[zhuh nuh kohm-prahnd pah]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseJe voudrais voir la carte, s'il vous plaît[zhuh voo-dray vwahr lah kart, seel voo pleh]
I don't eat meatJe ne mange pas de viande[zhuh nuh mahnzh pah duh vee-ahnd]
Cheers!Santé![sahn-tay]
I would like to pay, pleaseJe voudrais payer, s'il vous plaît[zhuh voo-dray pay-ay, seel voo pleh]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Au secours![oh suh-koor]
Go away!Allez-vous en![ah-lay vooz ahn]
Call the Police!Appelez la police![ah-peh-lay lah poh-lees]
Call a doctor!Appelez un médecin![ah-peh-lay uhn mayd-sahn]
I'm lostJe suis perdu[zhuh swee pehr-doo]
I'm illJe suis malade[zhuh swee mah-lahd]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Je voudrais acheter...[zhuh voo-dray zah-sheh]
I'm just lookingJe regarde juste[zhuh ruh-gahrd zhewst]
How much is it?Combien ça coûte?[kohm-byen sah koot]
That's too expensiveC'est trop cher[say troh shair]
Can you lower the price?Pouvez-vous baisser le prix?[poo-veh voo bey-say luh pree]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Quelle heure est-il?[kehl uhr eh-teel]
It's one o'clockIl est une heure[eel eh tun uhr]
Half past (10)Dix et demi[dees ay duh-mee]
MorningMatin[mah-tahn]
AfternoonAprès-midi[ah-pray mee-dee]
EveningSoir[swahr]
YesterdayHier[ee-ehr]
TodayAujourd'hui[oh-zhoor-dwee]
TomorrowDemain[duh-mahn]
1Un[uhn]
2Deux[duh]
3Trois[trwah]
4Quatre[kah-truh]
5Cinq[sank]
6Six[sees]
7Sept[sept]
8Huit[weet]
9Neuf[nurf]
10Dix[dees]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Où est le/la...?[oo eh luh/lah]
What's the address?Quelle est l'adresse?[kehl eh lah-dress]
Can you show me (on the map)?Pouvez-vous me montrer (sur la carte)?[poo-veh voo muh mohn-tray (soor lah kart)]
When's the next (bus)?Quand est le prochain (bus)?[kahn eh luh proh-shahn (buhs)]
A ticket (to ....)Un billet (pour ....)[uhn bee-yay (poor)]

History of Nice

Greek Nikaia and Roman Cemenelum

The earliest urban history of Nice combines a Greek settlement on the coast with a later Roman centre on the hill of Cimiez. Around the middle of the fourth century BC, Greek settlers from Massalia, modern Marseille, established Nikaia, probably named in honour of Nike, the goddess of victory. Roman authority later reshaped the area, and Cemenelum became the capital of the province of Alpes Maritimae. Its remains at Cimiez include an amphitheatre, baths and roads, demonstrating the importance of the settlement within the Roman administrative network. The ancient coastal town and the hilltop Roman city were not identical, but together they form the earliest foundations of the urban landscape visible in Nice today.

Medieval Counts and the County of Nice

After the decline of Roman power, settlements around Nice were governed by successive regional authorities, while the hilltop and coastal communities developed within the political world of Provence. Nice became associated with the County of Provence and later passed through the influence of the House of Anjou. In 1388, the city and surrounding territory accepted the protection of Amadeus VII, Count of Savoy, in an agreement often known as the Dedition of Nice. This brought Nice into the orbit of Savoy rather than the French kingdom and helped define its long position as a frontier city. Medieval fortifications, religious foundations and the growing port reflected its strategic and commercial importance.

Savoyard Rule and a Mediterranean Port

Under the dukes and, from 1720, kings of Savoy, Nice developed as a Mediterranean port linked to the wider territories of the House of Savoy. The old town acquired many of the baroque churches and civic buildings that still define its streets, including the Cathedral of Sainte-Réparate and the Chapelle de la Miséricorde. Trade, shipping and military concerns shaped the port, while the city’s position between France and Italy encouraged linguistic and cultural exchange. The fortified Colline du Château remained central to Nice’s defence until its fortifications were dismantled in the early eighteenth century, leaving the hill to become an enduring viewpoint over the bay.

Revolution, Annexation and Return

French Revolutionary forces entered Nice in 1792, and the territory was incorporated into France during the revolutionary period. The occupation introduced new administrative arrangements and connected the city more closely with France, although the region returned to the Kingdom of Sardinia in 1814 after the Napoleonic era. The political question was settled in 1860, when the Treaty of Turin transferred Nice and Savoy to France following a plebiscite. The annexation changed the city’s official institutions and national identity, while older ties with the Italian peninsula remained visible in family names, religious culture, cuisine and the local language, Nissart.

The Making of a Winter Resort

Nice expanded rapidly in the nineteenth century as British, Russian and other European visitors sought the mild Mediterranean climate. The Promenade des Anglais, begun in the early nineteenth century with support from the city’s English community, became the defining waterfront avenue. The arrival of the railway in 1864 made the city more accessible, encouraging hotels, villas, gardens and grand apartment buildings in districts beyond the old town. Russian aristocratic visitors supported the construction of the Russian Orthodox Cathedral, while the developing resort economy gave Nice the Belle Époque architecture and international social character associated with the Côte d’Azur.

War, Reconstruction and Cultural Identity

Nice endured the disruptions of the First World War, the economic difficulties of the interwar years and the German and Italian occupations during the Second World War. The city was liberated on 28 August 1944 after local resistance and Allied advances. Post-war growth brought new housing, infrastructure and a broader metropolitan population, while tourism became increasingly connected with the wider Côte d’Azur. Museums and cultural institutions also strengthened Nice’s modern identity, including the Musée Matisse, the Musée Marc Chagall and the Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain. In 2021, Nice was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List as part of the “Riviera Winter Resort Town”, recognising its historic development as an international resort.

Nice in Photos

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Evendo: Your Ultimate Travel Guide to Nice, France

Discover Nice with Evendo, the 100% free app-based travel guide. Explore attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, and experiences effortlessly.

  • Detailed information on attractions, landmarks, shops, bars, nightclubs, restaurants, hotels, tours, and experiences.
  • High-quality images, descriptions, local tips, maps, and contact details for each location.
  • Easy booking for hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app.
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More about the Evendo app

Unlock the best of Nice, France with Evendo. Your all-in-one travel guide app offers comprehensive information on attractions, landmarks, restaurants, and more. Download now for free!

  • 'Near me' feature to find attractions and amenities near your current location.
  • Curated local tips to experience Nice like a local.
  • Comprehensive history and travel essentials for visiting Nice.
  • User-friendly navigation both in-app and around the city.
  • 100% free with no in-app purchases or hidden costs.

Welcome to Nice, the jewel of the French Riviera! With Evendo, your journey to this stunning city becomes an unforgettable experience. Imagine strolling down the Promenade des Anglais, exploring the vibrant Cours Saleya Market, or admiring the art at the Musée Matisse. Evendo offers detailed information on all the must-see attractions and landmarks, ensuring you don't miss a thing.

Our app is packed with local tips and rich descriptions of each location, including images, maps, and contact details. Want to experience the best of Nice's culinary scene? Discover top-rated restaurants like La Petite Maison or Le Chantecler. Interested in nightlife? Find the hottest bars and nightclubs, from Wayne's Bar to High Club, right at your fingertips.

Planning your stay has never been easier. With Evendo, you can book hotels, tours, tickets, and experiences directly through the app. No more endless searching for what to do or where to go—Evendo has it all in one place. Plus, our 'Near me' feature helps you find attractions and amenities close to your current location, making navigation a breeze.

Whether you're interested in historical tours, shopping in chic boutiques, or simply soaking in the local culture, Evendo is your perfect travel companion. And the best part? It's entirely free, with no in-app purchases or hidden costs. Download Evendo today and start exploring Nice like a local!

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