26 Attractions in Nice Recommended for Visiting

Not sure what to see in Nice? This article will tell you about the main attractions of this resort city. In addition to enchanting beaches, excellent weather, and chic restaurants where you can enjoy good food and relaxation, Nice has plenty of places that every respectable tourist must visit. We have selected 28 of the most interesting ones for you. So, let's go!

The dark, narrow, winding streets of the old section of Nice are the first things you should get to know upon arriving in the city. The layout of the old town hasn't changed much since the 17th century; now it's filled with restaurants, boutiques, and bars, but the central element of old Nice remains Cours Saleya - a huge market square that gets very crowded in the summer.

At the food market, you can purchase the freshest and tastiest products, and the flower market is worth visiting just for its incredible scents. On Mondays, there is also a flea market here.

Fans of Baroque style will surely appreciate the architectural gems located here: the Cathedral of Saint Reparata, named after the patron saint of the city, the sumptuous 16th-century Chapel of Mercy, and the 17th-century Palais Lascaris with its Flemish tapestries, frescoes, intricate stucco work, grim religious paintings, and even a pharmacy recreated in the style of the 18th century.

Address: Vieille Ville, Nice, France.

The most famous promenade in Nice (if not all of France) is a luxurious seaside walkway named after the English expatriates who financed its construction in 1822. The promenade stretches 4 km along the Bay of Angels and features a designated lane for cyclists and skaters.

If you'd like to ride along it, you can rent skates or a bicycle at a designated station. An even more unusual way to 'ride' the promenade is to rent an electric Segway from Mobilboard Nice, which also rents out traditional bicycles.

As you stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, be sure not to miss the local sights, including the Hotel Negresco, the Art Deco-style Palais de la Méditerranée (1929), and a giant iron sculpture by Sabin Gherman called 'La Chaise de SAB', installed here in 2014. It depicts an enormous two-dimensional chair, paying homage to the city's famous blue-and-white deck chairs.

GPS coordinates: 43°41'00.4"N 7°14'04.1"E.

If you want to enjoy the red-tiled roofs of Nice, we recommend climbing one of the winding staircases to this wooded hill, rising at the eastern edge of the old town. Life here has been vibrant since ancient times: archaeological excavations have uncovered remnants of Celtic and Roman settlements, and later a medieval castle appeared on the hill, which was unfortunately destroyed in 1706 at the hands of Louis XIV (only the 16th-century Bellanda Tower remains).

There are many paths leading up the hill, one of which passes right by this tower, but if you're too lazy to climb, a special free elevator is available.

At the top, you will find plenty of greenery and stunning panoramas overlooking the old town, port, and the Provençal hills all the way to the Alps. In the shade of mighty trees, you can take refuge from the scorching sun, and if you want to cool off a bit, we recommend heading to the artificial waterfall built in the 18th century.

Address: Castle Hill in Nice, 06300 Nice, France.

This luxurious building in the Belle Époque style was commissioned by Prince Victor d'Espligne (the grandson of one of Napoleon's favorite generals, Marshal Massena) and is one of the architectural landmarks of Nice. The house was built between 1898 and 1901 and was designed in a grand neoclassical style with an Italian twist.

Now, it serves as an interesting museum dedicated to the history of the Riviera, with exhibits that tell about significant events from the Middle Ages, the development of mass tourism, and of course, the importance of the local Carnival.

The museum was designed by Danish architect Hans-Georg Tersling (1857-1920), who also worked on other notable buildings in the city. The first floor is still used for official events, so the museum sometimes closes to the general public.

Address: Villa Masséna Musée, 65 Rue de France, 06000 Nice, France.

This museum, located in the green neighborhood of Cimiez two kilometers north of the city center, houses an impressive collection of works by the genius Henri Matisse, including paintings, drawings, sculptures, tapestries, and famous paper cutouts.

The permanent collection is exhibited in a 17th-century Genoese villa nestled in an olive grove, while temporary exhibitions take place in the basement of the building. Matisse is buried in the Monastère Notre Dame de Cimiez cemetery, which is separated from the museum by a park area.

Address: Musée Matisse, Avenue des Arènes de Cimiez, Nice, France.

The central focus of this impressive museum is the works of European and American avant-garde artists spanning from the 1950s to the present. The main interest lies in the works of Christo and local neo-realists like Niki de Saint Phalle, César, Arman, and Yves Klein.

The roof of the building is also designated as exhibition space (and offers a stunning panoramic view of Nice).

Address: Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain, Place Yves Klein, Nice, France.

This museum houses the largest collection of the mysterious, mystical, and often unsettling works of Belarusian artist Marc Chagall. In the main hall, you will see 12 paintings that convey Chagall's vision of the books of Genesis and Exodus. The walk to the museum from the city center takes no more than 20 minutes.

Address: Musée National Marc Chagall, Avenue Docteur Ménard, Nice, France.

This cathedral, with its distinctive bright domes and richly decorated interior, is the largest Russian Orthodox church outside of Russia.

The cathedral was built between 1902 and 1912 to meet the spiritual needs of the rapidly growing Russian community in the city. The cathedral boasts dozens of rare painted icons.

Address: Cathédrale Orthodoxe Russe St Nicolas, Boulevard Nicolas II, Nice, France.

The port of Nice, with its beautiful Venetian-colored buildings, often goes overlooked, although its waterfront is simply magnificent. Even the walk to this place will provide you with many impressions: you can reach it via the picturesque Parc du Château or along the Roba Capo promenade with a massive war memorial carved out of a slab of rock - meant to commemorate the 4000 residents of Nice who perished in both world wars.

Address: Port Lympia, 06300 Nice, France.

The trendiest and newest gallery in Nice is located in the building of a former penal colony near the port. It was opened in 2017 by the Prefecture of the Alpes-Maritimes after renovation work costing 2.1 million euros. Today, free exhibitions of local artists, such as Patrick Moya, as well as masters from other countries, are regularly held here.

Address: Galerie Lympia (Ancien Bagne), Quai Entrecasteaux, Nice, France.

Palais Lascaris is a luxurious 17th-century mansion featuring Flemish tapestries, arcades, and grim religious-themed paintings, along with a collection of antique musical instruments. The first floor houses a pharmacy recreated in the style of the 18th century.

Address: Musée du Palais Lascaris, 15 Rue Droite, 06300 Nice, France.

The most popular and lively beach in Nice is located directly across from the old town. It's always full of sunbathers basking under the bright resort sun, and the beach volleyball court never ceases to see athletic competitions.

Address: Plage Publique des Ponchettes, Promenade des Anglais, Nice, France.

This Baroque-style cathedral is one of Nice's architectural gems, named in honor of the city's patron saint.

Address: Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate, 3 Pl. Rossetti, 06300 Nice, France.

At the top of Mont Gros hill, north of Nice, you can see the white dome of the city observatory, founded in 1881. Guided tours in French start at 2:45 PM on Wednesdays and Saturdays, as well as on Fridays during school holidays.

Address: Observatoire de la Côte Azur, 96 Boulevard de l'Observatoire, 06300 Nice, France.

This old train station, built in the 19th century, was intended to launch train services between Nice and the Alps. A hundred years later, the Gare de Provence opened nearby, and Southern Station was slated for demolition, but local residents managed to save it.

Now, a new library and a modern cinema operate on the grounds of the old station, and by 2020, a food court will open here, which will certainly breathe new life into the local Libération district.

Address: Gare du Sud, Place de la Gare du Sud, Nice, France.

The monastery is located a five-minute walk from the Matisse Museum, where the remains of artists Henri Matisse and Raoul Dufy are buried. The secluded grave of Matisse is accessed by a staircase that descends from the far fence of the cemetery. Here you will find a flat gravestone, which will bear the names of the artist and his wife Amelie.

Address: Monastère de Cimiez, Place Jean Paul 2, 06000 Nice, France.

This mansion was originally built as a winter palace for Queen Victoria but later turned into luxury apartments. In the 1940s, the legendary Matisse lived and worked here: one room served as his studio, and he resided in another. Notably, it is here that the artist passed away in 1954.

Address: Le Régina, Boulevard de Cimiez, Nice, France.

It is hard to imagine that this gorgeous landscape park used to be a dusty bus terminal, a multi-level parking garage, and a semi-abandoned square. The park was officially opened for visitors in October 2013 and stretches from the National Theater to Place Massena.

It is filled with all sorts of greenery, playgrounds, and water features, making it a favorite evening stroll location for locals. Address: Promenade du Paillon, Plassa Carlou Aubert, Nice, France.

The ancient Roman artifacts in this museum may not excite you, but it's worth wandering around this modest complex, as it offers lovely views of the Matisse villa and the ancient Roman baths. Plant lovers will also surely appreciate the elegant rows of cypress trees.

Address: Musée et Site Archéologique, Avenue des Arènes de Cimiez, Nice, France.

Named after the illustrious Italian nationalist and military hero Giuseppe Garibaldi, this grand square once served as a platform for military drills. Nowadays, it is a popular public area surrounded by cafes, bars, and restaurants.

Address: Place Garibaldi, 06300 Nice, France.

The Hotel Negresco is a landmark building in Nice overlooking the grand Promenade des Anglais, built in 1912 for Romanian innkeeper Henri Negresco. Its pink dome and luxurious facade leave a lasting impression on newcomers, yet staying here for a night is not affordable for every visitor to the city.

Address: Le Negresco, Promenade des Anglais, Nice, France.

This chapel, built in 1740, is famous throughout France for its exceptionally rich architecture.

Address: Chapelle de la Miséricorde, Cours Saleya, 06300 Nice, France.

Founded in the 1st century AD, the Roman city of Cemenelum was built on a hill with a good view of the sea. Long ago, there was an amphitheater and a complex of baths here. The local amphitheater has not been preserved as well as in other French cities like Nîmes or Arles, but it still presents certain historical interest.

Address: Cimiez Arenas, Nice, France.

This grand boulevard was designed in the 1880s specifically for public celebrations. Pay attention to the Grand Hotel Excelsior Régina, where Queen Victoria herself loved to stay.

Address: Bd de Cimiez, 06000 Nice, France.

If you want to take a stroll, we recommend going to the park on Mont Boron, located east of the city center. Here, you can relax in the shade of trees or enjoy the panorama from the hill.

Address: Parc du Mont Boron, 4 Boulevard Maurice Maeterlinck, 06300 Nice, France.

La Réserve is a public beach located a little further from the city. It features several old diving boards that locals still actively use for their intended purpose. Although diving from these boards is technically prohibited, what stops them!

GPS coordinates: 43°41'31.3"N 7°17'27.8"E.