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Nice

Nice travel guide

Prefecture of Alpes-Maritimes, Southern France

Flights from$775 round trip
Things to do60 experiences
Best time to visitJune to July and September
Nearest airportNCE · 4 mi from centre
Time zoneUTC+2
Population357,737

About Nice

Nice is a city and commune, and the prefecture of the department of Alpes-Maritimes, and the administrative region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France. It is located on the French Riviera, the country's southeastern coast on the Mediterranean Sea, at the foot of the French Alps. It was the capital city of the historical County of Nice.

Cheap flights to Nice

The lowest round-trip fare found by Destina Holidays travellers in the last 30 days was $775 from New York, travelling 24 Nov – 1 Dec. These are the cheapest fares from the most searched cities.

Airlines travellers compared most often: ITA Airways.

Prices are per adult in US dollars, taken from searches between 20 Sep and 20 Oct 2026. Fares change often, so search your dates for live prices.

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Places to visit in Nice

  1. Promenade des Anglais

    Promenade des Anglais

    Landmark

    The long seafront promenade along the Baie des Anges is perfect for walking, cycling and relaxing on the blue chairs facing the Mediterranean, especially in the early evening.

  2. Vieux Nice

    Historic

    The old town's narrow streets are lined with baroque churches, colorful facades, small shops and restaurants serving local dishes like socca, a chickpea pancake, and pissaladiere.

  3. Castle Hill

    Viewpoint

    A hilltop park above the old town with an artificial waterfall and panoramic views over the bay, the port and the city's rooftops, reached by stairs or an elevator.

  4. Cours Saleya

    Market

    A lively market street in the old town known for its daily flower and produce market, with an antiques and flea market on Mondays and cafes lining both sides.

  5. Musee Matisse

    Musee Matisse

    Museum · 1 mi from centre

    Located in a red Genoese-style villa in the Cimiez neighborhood, this museum traces Henri Matisse's work through paintings, drawings, cutouts and personal objects, beside an olive grove.

  6. Marc Chagall National Museum

    Museum

    A museum devoted to Marc Chagall's large biblical-themed paintings, set in a Mediterranean garden and designed specifically to show his work, including stained glass in the concert hall.

  7. Place Massena

    Place Massena

    Landmark

    The main square of Nice with red facades, a black-and-white checkered pavement and the Fontaine du Soleil nearby, linking the old town with the modern shopping streets.

  8. St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral

    Religious

    A Russian Orthodox cathedral with colorful onion domes and an ornate interior, a reminder of the Russian aristocrats who once spent their winters on the Riviera.

Things to do in Nice by type

60 tours, tickets and experiences across 5 categories. Pick a type to see what is available for your dates.

How long
  • 1-3 hours 11
  • Over 6 hours 7
  • 3-6 hours 6
  • Up to 1 hour 1
  • Flexible 1
Good for
  • Youth 4
  • Senior 4
  • Families 4
  • Couples 4
Ways to go
  • Private 15
  • Small group 2
Browse all things to do in Nice

Top experiences in Nice

Tours, tickets and experiences you can book with Destina Holidays, from 60 available.

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Where to stay in Nice

Popular hotels in Nice, out of 315 properties you can book.

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Best time to visit Nice

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Nice is June to July and September, when average daytime highs are around 76–84°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.

MonthTemperature (°F)Rain days
Jan 42° – 56° 10
Feb 44° – 58° 7
Mar 46° – 60° 12
Apr 50° – 64° 10
May 56° – 69° 9
Jun 65° – 79° 6
Jul 70° – 84° 2
Aug 72° – 86° 3
Sep 62° – 76° 6
Oct 57° – 71° 11
Nov 47° – 62° 8
Dec 43° – 57° 8

Average daily low and high temperatures and days with at least 1 mm of rain, from recent weather records. Highlighted months are the most comfortable for sightseeing.

Nice weather forecast

  • Wed 21 Oct 74° 56° 100%
  • Thu 22 Oct 69° 54° 3%
  • Fri 23 Oct 66° 55° 15%
  • Sat 24 Oct 65° 53° 5%
  • Sun 25 Oct 64° 55° 3%
  • Mon 26 Oct 66° 54° 8%

Know before you go

Currency
Euro (EUR)1 US dollar ≈ €0.89
Language
French
Calling code
+33
Driving
On the right
Time zone
Europe/ParisUTC+2
Capital
Paris

Upcoming public holidays in France

  • All Saints' DayToussaint
  • Armistice DayArmistice 1918
  • Christmas DayNoël
  • New Year's DayJour de l'an
  • Easter MondayLundi de Pâques
  • Labour DayFête du Travail

Banks, offices and some attractions may close on public holidays, and flights and hotels often fill up early around them.

Getting to Nice

These are the airports closest to central Nice. Compare fares into each one, as a slightly longer transfer can sometimes mean a much cheaper flight.

  • NCE Nice Côte d'Azur Airport4 mi (6 km) from the city centre
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Getting around Nice

Each main town on the French Riviera has its own local bus network, for Nice it is Lignes d'Azur (Antibes has Envibus, Cannes has Bus Azur, and so on), and the 100 or more Lignes d'Azur routes are the main form of urban transport for locals going to work or school. Of more interest to tourists, an inter-urban network, Zou! connects all the Eastern Riviera towns between Cannes and Menton and all the main villages like Èze and Vence. Its terminal is at 16 Avenue des Diables Bleus.

By train

Nice has no metro and little need for one. The main train service is the national French railway SNCF, which boasts the high speed TGV (slow to Marseilles and then extremely fast on to Paris) and the local TER stopping trains, which serve the main Riviera towns between Cannes and Ventimiglia across the border in Italy, including the daily commute to Monaco.

By car

You don't need a car to explore Nice itself, and if you do bring or hire one expect some frustration. The town centre is congested and its system of streets is complicated and mostly one-way. Parking is very limited: all on-street parking anywhere central is on meters during the day, and even in spite of this it's very difficult to find a spot; you'll notice the Nicoise happily double-parking to nip to the shops.

By taxi

If you can, avoid the notoriously expensive taxis, though sometimes you do not have a choice. It is not always easy to find a taxi when you need one. Most will not respond to being hailed, and only ply from a taxi rank, from where cabs take passengers in turn. Taxi drivers have great solidarity with their fellow taxi drivers and will not accept offers to jump a line of waiting passengers.

Nice travel FAQ

When is the best time to visit Nice?

Based on recent weather records, the most comfortable time to visit Nice is June to July and September, when average daytime highs are around 76–84°F and rain falls on about 5 days a month.

What is the weather like in Nice?

August is usually the warmest month in Nice, with average highs of 86°F (30°C). January is the coolest, with average lows of 42°F (6°C). The wettest month is typically March, with about 194 mm of rain.

Which airport is closest to Nice?

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) is the closest airport, about 4 miles (6 km) from the centre of Nice.

How much are flights to Nice?

The cheapest round-trip fare Destina Holidays travellers found to Nice in the last 30 days was $775 from New York, travelling 24 Nov – 1 Dec.

What currency is used in Nice?

Nice uses the Euro (EUR). At the latest exchange rate, 1 US dollar ≈ €0.89.

What time zone is Nice in?

Nice uses the Europe/Paris time zone (currently UTC+2). Remember to check for daylight saving changes when planning connecting flights.

How do I get around Nice?

Each main town on the French Riviera has its own local bus network, for Nice it is Lignes d'Azur (Antibes has Envibus, Cannes has Bus Azur, and so on), and the 100 or more Lignes d'Azur routes are the main form of urban transport for locals going to work or school.

What are the best places to visit in Nice?

Top sights in Nice include Promenade des Anglais, Vieux Nice, Castle Hill and Cours Saleya. The long seafront promenade along the Baie des Anges is perfect for walking, cycling and relaxing on the blue chairs facing the Mediterranean, especially in the early evening.

What are the top things to do in Nice?

Popular experiences you can book in Nice include Nice Walking Tour Old City and Castle Hill, The Best of Riviera - Full-Day Tour and Monaco, Monte-Carlo and Eze by Monaco & Provençal villages. Destina Holidays offers 60 tours and activities here.

What kinds of tours and activities can I book in Nice?

The most popular types of experiences in Nice are city tours (32), day trips & excursions (30), gastronomy & nightlife (4) and transport & rentals (2). Filter by type when you search to compare prices and availability for your dates.

Where should I stay in Nice?

Popular areas for hotels in Nice include Nice. Well-reviewed options include Aston La Scala and NH Nice.

How many hotels can I book in Nice?

Destina Holidays currently lists 315 properties in and around Nice, from budget stays to luxury hotels. Search your dates to see live prices and availability.