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Is the south of France calling your name? Nice is the French Riviera’s biggest town and thus the easiest-to-reach destination for a quick getaway on the Cote d’Azur. This two-day Nice, France itinerary will show you the best of this chic historic riviera town.
If you’re wondering how I, a thirty-something Ohio girl ended up in Nice, it so happens that a cancelled group trip to Kazakhstan left me with some spare travel funds. With the world as my oyster, I landed on the French Riviera to practice speaking French and enjoy some beach time.
From seeing welcoming Mediterranean views through my airplane window to strolling along the Promenade des Anglais, my two days in Nice were a sun-soaked dream. This 2-day Nice, France itinerary allows you to replicate my experience of frolicking around top sights, including hilltop vistas, world-class art museums, and Nice’s Italianesque Old Town.
On commence?
The Perfect 2 Day Nice, France Itinerary
Arrival in Nice
Depending on if you are traveling by plane or train, you’ll arrive at either the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport or Gare de Nice Ville. Arriving into Nice, France the night before day one of this itinerary allows you to have two full days of exploring. If this is not possible, try to arrive as early as you can on day one and see if your hotel can hold your luggage.
Staying in an Airbnb? The Nice-Ville train station offers luggage storage until your check-in time.
I opted for the early morning arrival on day one, checking into the Best Western Hotel Lakmi Nice. My room was on the small side, which is typical in Europe, but it had a cute balcony where I could sip my morning espresso. I also enjoyed the lovely daily breakfast, proximity to public transportation, and the 10-minute walk to the waterfront and Old Town.
Day 1 in Nice
Grab a Snack at the Marché Aux Fleurs
If you are hungry after a long journey, your perfect first stop (if it’s not Monday) is the Marché Aux Fleurs in the Old Town. This historic market is located just steps from the water, allowing sea breezes to cleanse the air from Nice’s occasionally overfilled trash cans.
A tradition since 1861, the stalls lining Cours Saleya have long been a destination for locals and visitors desiring to purchase fresh flowers from local farmers. Today, you will still find an abundance of fragrant flower stalls, as well as some selling baked goods, produce, and local snacks. It’s also a cool place to browse unique gifts to bring home to friends and family.
This market is technically where I ate my first pain au chocolat of the trip, constantly brushing flakey pastry crumbs off my black t-shirt as I ate and walked.
Colline du Chateau
Next, head straight to the Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill) for shady paths and magnificent views over Nice’s terracotta rooftops and the incomparable waterfront Promenade des Anglais. The hill was named for a castle that was once perched on top, but was sadly lost in 1706 thanks to troops under the command of Louis XIV.
It’s clear why a castle was built here; the hill overlooks the entire Baie des Anges (Bay of the Angels) down below. Just don’t come expecting to see a castle, as very few ruins remain from its destruction. That said, you will be able to see the cascade, or large artificial waterfall that casts a cooling mist on to all sweaty summer onlookers.
To reach the hilltop, you could climb up 300 steps from the Old Town, take the Castle Hill Elevator near Tour Bellanda to just below the top, or take the Petit Train de Nice. The last option only offers a brief 10-minute visit, since this tourist train continues onto other stops. For some refreshments after the climb, take advantage of the outdoor café at the top.
Prefer to take a guided walking tour instead? Swap out the first two activities for this tour that covers both sites.
Eat Socca at Chez Thérésa
Did you work up an appetite with that climb? Taking a wander back into Old Nice for a bite to eat is the perfect excuse to get lost in this historic tangle of streets. The warm colors of the buildings and orange clay roof tiles feel more reminiscent of Italy than France – likely because Nice wasn’t even part of France until 1860.
Since I was stranded in the heat while waiting for my hotel room to be ready, I did something I don’t usually do. Thinking, why not?, I joined a slow-moving line of people outside the ordering window for Chez Thérésa – a place I’d never heard of it. I was a good choice for a line-averse person like myself to make, as I’d stumbled upon a local institution.
It turns out, I was about to try a traditional Niçoise specialty called socca. This dish consists of chickpeas, water, olive oil, and sea salt, being cooked in high heat inside a wood-fired oven. This snack has a dense bread-like texture that is fluffy yet moist, being somewhere between a savory pancake and crepe. I enjoyed breaking off little pieces as I wandered the Old Town.
Chez Thérésa (located at 28 Rue Droite) claims to be the original socca maker in Nice, going back to 1925. This little window serves freshly-baked socca from an oven dating back to 1867, but you will also find it baking on a open air grill in the Marché Aux Fleurs.
Promenade des Anglais
Wander down the waterfront Promenade des Anglais before freshening up for dinner (post-dinner is lovely as well). A highlight of any Nice, France itinerary, this wide pedestrian-only thoroughfare runs along the magnificently blue Baie des Anges for 7 kilometers (about 4 miles) from the Nice Cote d’Azur Airport to the Colline du Chateau. The path was built in 1820 for English aristocrats craving a suitable seaside path, as they sought health benefits from the region’s forgiving climate.
Begin your walk in Place Massena – an 1800’s square surrounding by charming cafes that encircle a central fountain and statue of Apollo. Continue south beyond the square and turn right at the waterfront path.
You are now part of a procession of locals and tourists alike, from chic slow amblers to fit joggers. Notice the blue and white umbrellas of beach clubs and several luxury hotels, like the Palais de la Méditerranée and Hôtel West End.
Continuing west, you’ll encounter the following stops:
- Hôtel Negresco: This Nice institution has welcomed artists and celebrities through its doors since its opening in 1913.
- Masséna Museum: A 19th century villa-turned-museum with various rooms adorned with art and fine furnishings. Outside in the manicured gardens, you’ll find a memorial to the victims of a Bastille Day 2016 terrorist attack that claimed 86 lives.
- Centre Universitaire Méditerranéen (CUM): The Mediterranean University Centre opened in 1933 to educate and instill a sense of culture into local youth. Today, its amphitheater often hosts concerts and other events.
- Museum of Fine Arts in Nice: Housed in a 19th century Italian Renaissance-inspired villa, this museum’s main feature is its robust collection of works by painter and poster artist Jules Chéret.
When you’ve had enough sea air, head back to your hotel or straight to dinner by walking, tram, or Uber.
Dinner in Nice
Nice is a big city full of great restaurants to check out, which makes the choice hard with just two days. Where you eat will depend on your vibe, desired neighborhood, or even proximity to where you are staying. Here are some unique options that won’t disappoint:
- Lavomatique: For a quirky, intimate option in the heart of Nice’s Old Town, dine in this former vintage laundromat run by two brothers. Inside this tiny restaurant (reservations recommended) you can expect to find a menu with beautifully made fish, falafel, and even BBQ pork ribs.
- La Cucina Nice: The Cote d’Azur is so close to Italy and Nice technically was Italy at one point. So why not indulge in some beautiful truffle pasta and ultra-tender lamb shank while in town? Arrive at least one hour before opening and consider nursing a drink, since this cozy spot doesn’t take reservations. It’s worth it: once you sit down, you are treated like family and served generous portions.
- Le Chantecler: If you couldn’t stay at Le Negresco this time, but still want to get a feel for its glitzy atmosphere, dine at this Michelin-starred restaurant. You can expect artful plating and a menu that leverages the freshest locally available ingredients.
Day 2 in Nice
It’s time for day two of your Nice, France itinerary! This morning, save your legs with a short uphill bus ride to Nice’s two best art museums, followed by an afternoon boat ride. Note: I recommend buying a bus pass in advance as the bus I took would not let me pay on board.
Musée Matisse
The Musée Matisse tells the story of what inspired the great works of its namesake artist Henri Matisse. It includes a collection of items from Matisse’s studio, a few of his paintings, and many preparatory drawings and cut-outs. Unfortunately, when I visited every painting by the artist was away on loan.
Though modest compared to other museums along the Cote d’Azur, the Musée Matisse deserves a visit. The collections are on display in a 17th-century villa sitting in a park scattered with ruins from the Roman town of Cemenelum. Sounds a bit more intriguing now, huh?
Marc Chagall National Museum
Next, you can either make the 16-minute walk or take an 8-minute bus ride to the Marc Chagall National Museum. I chose to take a nicely-shaded stroll down the sidewalk of this pleasant neighborhood.
This very approachably-sized museum honors the late 20th-century artist Marc Chagall. Inside, his large canvases show bright colors interpreting vivid, dreamlike biblical scenes. Chagall himself was very involved in the creation of this museum, having donated the original 17 canvases of the Biblical Message.
Since Chagall’s attendance at the museum’s inauguration on July 7th, 1973 (his birthday), he continued to contribute works to the museum’s collection. Upon his death in 1985, a further 300 works were given to the museum.
Have Lunch
There aren’t many restaurants immediately near these two museums. Therefore, I paused for some crepes at the Chagall Museum, which has a pleasant garden cafe with a light menu. Otherwise, you will find a collection of eateries near the next stop, Nice’s Liberation Market.
Liberation Market
While you could Uber between the Chagall Museum and our next stop (a Russian cathedral), making the half-hour walk allows for a detour at the Liberation Market. You’ll encounter a vibrant setting filled with many more locals than the Marché Aux Fleurs mulling about a variety of stalls. Even for tourists, it’s an excellent place to pick up local fruits, vegetables, cheeses, meats, and even the likes of jam and honey.
If you didn’t already eat lunch at the Chagall Museum, consider entering the historic Gare du Sud at the Liberation Market. Inside this reclaimed Belle Époque train station, you can find Mediterraneo, or a regionally-inspired food hall with cuisines from Spain, Greece, Italy, and Lebanon.
Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice
Rather unexpectedly, Nice is home to the most important Russian orthodox cathedral outside of Russia. Completed in 1912, Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice was commissioned by Tsar Nicholas II to accommodate the religious needs of Nice’s growing Russian population.
The exterior boasts striking teal “onion-domed” towers, and the ornate interior is covered in murals and wood carvings. Remember to dress somewhat conservatively when entering the church. Obviously, shirts and shoes are a must and avoid wearing short shorts or spaghetti straps.
Harbor Sightseeing Boat Ride
The above pictures speak for themselves – you should not leave Nice without first getting onto the water for stunning coastal views. In fact, this is the perfect way to cap off your Nice trip and relax your legs a bit during a leisurely 1-hour harbor cruise. You’ll pass massive villas, luxury hotels, and impressive yachts docked near Nice, Villefranche, and Cap-Ferrat, while a guide points out iconic sites (like celebrity homes) along the way.
Note that the cruise I booked with Trans Cote d’Azur is called Coastal Walk, but it is not actually a walk! That’s just the name of the boat tour.
Take a Food Tour
The harbor tour was the perfect opportunity to rest up before finishing off your time in Nice with a food tour. This will give you the opportunity to try as many Niçoise specialties, like pan bagnat and pissaladière, as you can before continuing your travels or heading back home.
Not feeling a food tour? Simply choose another Nice, France restaurant from the list on this itinerary above or choose your own awesome find.
Best Day Trips for a Nice, France Itinerary
Do you have a third day to explore the Cote d’Azur? Depart Nice to visit one of many dreamy surrounding villages. Here are the best day trips from Nice, with the first three being reachable by train:
- Monaco: This is your chance to visit a whole new country in one day. Monaco is a famous tax haven that lures the rich and famous and you’re sure to see mega yachts galore.
- Villefranche-sur-Mer: A darling little town tucked into a deep bay just ten minutes from Nice by train. It’s the perfect spot for a low-key afternoon of hiking or drinking Aperol spritz along the water. This town is also easy to combine with a stop in neighboring Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.
- Antibes: I am partial to this one, having recently chosen it as my home base for five days. Antibes features gorgeous medieval fortifications with shady lanes, stone arches, and sandy beaches.
- Saint-Paul-de-Vence: Drive away from the coast for the day into the lush green hills to the north. Surrounded by medieval ramparts, Saint-Paul-de-Vence is one of the most charming hilltop villages you could visit. Wander narrow cobblestone lanes past countless galleries to see where artists like Matisse and Picasso found inspiration, as well as the burial site of Marc Chagall.
Getting to Nice
Multiple forms of transportation offer direct connections to Nice:
- By air: Enjoy a scenic landing into the coastal Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. Then simply take Tram Line 2 (T2) about 30 minutes to the Nice Jean-Médecin station. You can buy tram tickets at machines outside the airport, but prepare to wait in line.
- By train: The Cote d’Azur is very well connected by train. Nice’s main station is Nice-Ville and can be easily reached via a 5-or-so-hour TGV train from Paris.
- By car: This option makes the most sense if you are traveling from within France, as a car is unnecessary within most Cote d’Azur cities and parking can be tricky in Nice. That said, a car is nice to have to explore hill towns further inland from the coast like Saint-Paul-de-Vence that lack train connections.
Where to Stay for a Nice, France Itinerary
For my own stay, all I wanted was a room with a little balcony where I could enjoy a morning espresso without going broke. Shockingly, the adorable room I found was a Best Western! I’ve listed it along with other top-rated stylish stays that are perfect for your Nice, France itinerary:
- Best Western Hotel Lakmi Nice: Features cute and affordable rooms with balconies just steps from the tram. Good breakfast included and friendly staff. Would hands-down stay here again.
- Hotel Le Grimaldi by HappyCulture: Named after the famous royal family of the French Riviera, this well-located mid-range hotel is just blocks from the beach and tangled streets of Old Nice. Rooms are spacious with large windows and breakfast is included.
- Le Negresco: Legendary hotel along the Promenade des Anglais that dates back to 1913. The Beatles, Louis Armstrong, Elton John, and Princess Grace of Monaco are all rumored to have passed through here. The luxurious rooms have every comfort and sometimes pretty sea views at prices that hover between $750 to $1,000+ per night.
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Nice may not be the calmest city on the Cote d’Azur, but it is extremely stylish with lots of convenient amenities. This Nice, France itinerary will make sure you experience the best of the historic city, from the beachfront to the Old Town. Although you can only scratch the service over a couple of days, I guarantee after this trip you will feel as though you’ve walked the entirety of Nice!
