Nice is more than a beach city on the French Riviera.
Behind the famous seafront, you will find colorful Old Town lanes, historic squares lined with ochre buildings, lively markets bursting with flowers and local food, Baroque churches, unexpected Russian domes, elegant museums, and panoramic views from a hilltop park.
Whether you are walking along the coast, getting lost in narrow streets, or sitting at a harbor café, Nice keeps revealing new sides of itself.
Here are 17 of the best things to do when you visit. 😊
1. Port Lympia
Port Lympia is Nice’s historic harbor, and it is one of the most scenic and underrated corners of the city.
It feels calmer and more local than the busy tourist streets closer to the Promenade des Anglais.
Why Visit
- The port dates back to 1748 and took nearly 150 years to complete
- Colorful buildings in warm yellows, oranges, and reds line the waterfront
- Traditional wooden fishing boats called pointus sit alongside modern yachts
- It shows a quieter, more neighborhood side of Nice away from the main tourist areas
What to Do
- Walk around the harbor and take photos of the colorful architecture
- Stop for coffee at one of the waterfront cafés on Île de Beauté square
- Look for the Lympia Barracks and its Clock Pavilion, a heritage landmark from 1750
- Use it as a starting point for exploring the eastern side of Nice toward Place Garibaldi, Rue Bonaparte, and Castle Hill
2. Cadran Solaire
The Cadran Solaire is a large sundial artwork set into the pavement at Quai Rauba Capeu, right at the base of Castle Hill.
It is not a major attraction, but it is a charming stop that adds something special to a coastal walk.
Why Visit
- Installed in 1981, the sundial is an analemmatic design where you become the timekeeping instrument by standing on a central marker
- The name “Rauba Capeu” means “where the hat flies” in the local Niçois dialect, a nod to the strong sea breezes here
- The spot offers a wide 180-degree view of the Baie des Anges and the coastline curving toward the Promenade des Anglais
What to Do
- Stand on the date marker and watch your shadow fall on the copper hour markers to tell the solar time
- Enjoy the panoramic sea views and take photos
- Look for the nearby #IloveNice sculpture
- Treat it as a natural pause between Quai des États-Unis and Castle Hill
3. Colline du Château (Castle Hill)
Castle Hill is one of the first places you should visit in Nice.
The fortress that once stood here was destroyed in 1706, but what remains is a beautiful 19-hectare park with gardens, ruins, and some of the best panoramic views in the city.
Why Visit
- Views over the Old Town rooftops, Port Lympia, the Baie des Anges, and the Promenade des Anglais
- The park gives you a clear visual map of Nice before you start exploring on foot
- Peaceful green spaces with Mediterranean plants and shaded paths offer relief on hot days
What to See
- The Cascade du Château, an artificial waterfall built in 1885, is one of the most popular photo spots
- Ruins of the medieval cathedral of Sainte-Marie and traces of Roman and early Christian settlements
- The Cimetière du Château, one of the most beautiful cemeteries in France
- Listen for the midday cannon fired at exactly 12:00 PM, a tradition since 1861
How to Get Up
- Free elevator at 1 Rue des Ponchettes
- Escalier Lesage at the end of Quai des États-Unis (500 steps with progressive views)
- Little Tourist Train from the Promenade (around €12)
4. Vieille Ville (Old Town)
Old Town is the heart of Nice and one of those places where you should wander without a strict plan.
The narrow lanes, tall buildings in ochre, red, and yellow, and the constant smell of fresh food make this feel like a different world from the wide seafront nearby.
Why Visit
- This neighborhood once held the entire population of Nice
- Streets are fully pedestrianized and intentionally narrow to provide shade and natural ventilation
- The best place to try socca (chickpea pancakes) and pissaladière (onion and anchovy tart)
Places to Explore
- Place Rossetti for cafés and Fenocchio ice cream
- Palais Lascaris, a 17th-century residence with frescoed ceilings and over 500 antique musical instruments
- Rue Droite for local art galleries
- Place Saint-François for a daily fish market (Closed on Monday)
- Connects directly to Cours Saleya, Nice Cathedral, Castle Hill, and Quai des États-Unis
5. Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate (Nice Cathedral)
Nice Cathedral sits on Place Rossetti in the middle of Old Town.
Built between 1650 and 1699 in the Sardinian Baroque style, it is one of the most beautiful historic landmarks in the neighborhood.
Why Visit
- Dedicated to Nice’s patron saint, whose body, according to legend, was guided to the Baie des Anges by angels
- The green and yellow tiled dome and detached bell tower are recognizable from across the square
- A quiet escape from the lively streets just outside
What to Notice Inside
- Ten unique chapels decorated with stucco, gold leaf, and altarpieces
- Three distinct organs and excellent acoustics used for public sacred music concerts
- Admission is free, but dress modestly and keep quiet inside
6. Cours Saleya Market
Cours Saleya is the main outdoor market area in Nice and one of the best places to feel the everyday rhythm of the city through food, flowers, and color.
It runs parallel to the waterfront between Old Town and the sea.
Why Visit
- Not a single market but a rotating series that changes by day
- The Flower Market (Tuesday to Sunday) fills the space with mimosa, lavender, and citrus trees
- The Food Market showcases local tomatoes, Niçois olives, and Menton lemons
- The Antique Market takes over on Mondays with vintage jewelry, silver, and rare books
- An Artisan Night Market runs from mid-May through mid-September
What to Do
- Arrive early when the produce is freshest and grab a table at a flanking café
- Look for Chez Thérésa, serving socca from a wood-fired oven since the 1920s
- Soak in the colors, smells, and local energy rather than treating it as just a shopping stop
7. Quai des États-Unis
Quai des États-Unis is the waterfront walkway connecting the Promenade des Anglais to Castle Hill.
It runs along the sea, parallel to Cours Saleya, and is one of the most useful stretches of coastline in central Nice.
Why Visit
- Quieter and less talked about than the Promenade des Anglais, but it links many key attractions along the coast
- The Ponchettes buildings along the quay were once fishermen’s storage and now house art galleries
- Two-level walkway with a lower path at sea level and an elevated Terrasse des Ponchettes with panoramic views
What to Do
- Walk the full stretch from the Promenade toward Castle Hill
- Watch the sunset as the coastline curves westward toward the Esterel mountains
- Access the Castle Hill elevator, nearby beaches, and the rear of the Opéra de Nice
8. Opéra de Nice
The Opéra de Nice is one of the city’s most important cultural landmarks.
Built in 1885 with guidance from Charles Garnier (architect of the Paris Opera), it is a piece of 19th-century elegance in the heart of Nice.
Why Visit
- An elegant facade with a classic horseshoe-shaped auditorium, gilded details, red velvet, and a ceiling fresco
- Home to the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra and the Nice Mediterranean Ballet
- Located on Rue Saint-François-de-Paule, near traditional shops like Maison Auer, a chocolatier since 1820
What to Do
- Admire the exterior while walking between Cours Saleya and the seafront
- Guided tours run on Mondays (about 1.5 hours) for those who want to see inside
- Check the performance schedule if you are interested in opera, ballet, or concerts
9. Place Masséna
Place Masséna is Nice’s central square, and you will almost certainly pass through it more than once.
It connects Old Town, the seafront, the shopping streets, and the green spaces in between.
Why Visit
- Recognizable for its bold black-and-white checkered pavement and buildings in deep Pompeian red
- Seven translucent statues by Jaume Plensa called “Conversation in Nice” represent the seven continents and light up at night
- The Fontaine du Soleil features a 7-meter marble Apollo surrounded by bronze Greco-Roman figures
What’s Nearby
- Direct access to Old Town, Avenue Jean Médecin, Jardin Albert I, and the Promenade des Anglais
- The Promenade du Paillon, a 12-hectare green corridor with water mirrors and play areas, starts just behind the square
- Center of major events like the Nice Carnival and the Jazz Festival
10. Promenade des Anglais
The Promenade des Anglais is the most iconic walk in Nice.
This 7-kilometer seafront boulevard curves along the Baie des Anges, and for many travelers, it is the image that defines the city.
Why Visit
- Originally built in 1820 by the English community, now a UNESCO World Heritage site (listed in 2021)
- Lined with palm trees and the famous blue chairs that have become a symbol of the Riviera
- The Hotel Negresco (Belle Époque, pink dome) and Palais de la Méditerranée (Art Deco) anchor the skyline
What to Do
- Walk even a short section for the full experience. You do not need to cover all 7 kilometers.
- Watch locals jog, cycle, and rollerblade while the sea stretches beside you
- The beaches are pebbled, with beach clubs offering umbrellas and restaurants along the way
- Connects to Quai des États-Unis, Place Masséna, Villa Masséna, and Jardin Albert I
11. Villa Masséna Musée
Villa Masséna is a neoclassical mansion on the Promenade des Anglais, preserved as a museum dedicated to Nice’s history from the Napoleonic era through the 1930s.
Why Visit
- Belle Époque interiors with grand galleries, period furniture, and rare artifacts
- Highlights include Napoleon’s death mask and Empress Josephine’s tiara
- Surrounded by a peaceful English-style garden right on the seafront
- Elegant and manageable, not a giant museum. A calm, refined stop.
What to Do
- Explore the ground floor for 19th-century Riviera lifestyle and the upper floors for temporary exhibitions
- Walk through the garden for a green retreat from the busy promenade
- A great indoor option on a hot afternoon or a rainy day
12. St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral
The St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral is one of the most unexpected sights in Nice.
A large Russian Orthodox cathedral with colorful onion-shaped domes is not what most visitors expect on the French Riviera.
Why Visit
- The largest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Western Europe, consecrated in 1912
- Built for the Russian community that wintered in Nice, on the spot where a Russian prince died in 1865
- Five onion domes covered in colorful ceramics and gold leaf in the “Old Russian” style
What to Know
- The interior features frescoes, wood carvings, and a richly decorated iconostasis
- Photography is strictly prohibited inside
- Dress code applies: no shorts, sleeveless tops, or miniskirts
- Located in a quiet residential neighborhood outside the Old Town core, so plan your route
13. Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption
Basilique Notre-Dame is the largest church in Nice and shows a very different style from the Baroque churches in Old Town.
Why Visit
- Built between 1864 and 1868 in Neo-Gothic style, shortly after Nice was annexed to France
- Twin towers rising 31 meters, large rose windows, and detailed stone carvings on the facade
- High-vaulted ceilings and impressive stained glass inside create a quiet, meditative atmosphere
What to Do
- Compare the Gothic style here with the Baroque of Nice Cathedral and the Orthodox architecture of St. Nicholas
- Combine with shopping on Avenue Jean Médecin, which runs right past the basilica
- Do not skip it just because it is not by the sea or inside Old Town
14. Avenue Jean Médecin
Avenue Jean Médecin is Nice’s main shopping and transport street, running from Place Masséna to the Nice-Ville railway station.
It is not the most romantic part of Nice, but it is where the city works.
Why Visit
- Nice’s busiest retail corridor with Galeries Lafayette, Nice Étoile (100+ shops), and Monoprix
- The T1 tram line runs the full length, connecting Place Masséna to the train station
- Haussmann-style architecture along the avenue shows Nice’s 19th-century expansion
What to Do
- Use it for shopping, transport, or a quick food stop between sightseeing
- Visit Basilique Notre-Dame along the way
- Treat it as a practical city artery rather than a sightseeing destination
15. Place Garibaldi
Place Garibaldi is one of Nice’s most beautiful historic squares, designed in the late 18th century as a ceremonial entrance from Turin.
Why Visit
- Named after Giuseppe Garibaldi, leader of the Italian Risorgimento, born in Nice in 1807
- Ochre-colored buildings with elegant arcades and trompe-l’œil frescoes discovered during a 2012 restoration
- Feels different from Place Masséna: smaller, warmer, and more neighborhood-like
What to Do
- Sit at Café de Turin, known for seafood, and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere
- Browse the antique market (third Saturday) or art market (first Saturday)
- Walk to Port Lympia, Rue Bonaparte, or into Old Town from here
16. Rue Bonaparte
Rue Bonaparte runs from the port to Place Garibaldi and is the center of Nice’s trendiest neighborhood, often called the “Petit Marais Niçois”.
Why Visit
- Transformed over the last decade from a traditional port district into a lively quarter with boutique shops, concept bars, and creative restaurants
- Popular with young professionals and the creative community, with an inclusive, welcoming vibe
- Napoleon lived at 6 Rue Bonaparte in 1794
What to Do
- Stop for a coffee, lunch, weekend brunch, or evening aperitif
- Try modern French-Mediterranean fusion cuisine in a real neighborhood setting
- Pair it with a visit to Place Garibaldi or a walk toward Port Lympia
17. Marc Chagall National Museum
The Marc Chagall National Museum is one of the most meaningful cultural stops in Nice. It shows the city as more than a beach destination.
Why Visit
- Built specifically to house Chagall’s “Biblical Message” cycle, opened in 1973 during the artist’s lifetime
- The permanent collection includes 17 large-scale paintings from Genesis, Exodus, and the Song of Songs
- Hundreds of drawings, mosaics, and stained glass designed by the artist
- Set within a peaceful Mediterranean garden on the Cimiez hill
What to Do
- Walk through the galleries and let the vivid colors and dreamlike style speak for themselves
- Explore the garden with its white and blue flowers and reflecting pool mirroring a Chagall mosaic
- An audioguide is included with the ticket in 8 languages
- Check the official website for current exhibitions, as some galleries may close for installation
