A visit to the fabled French Riviera wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Nice. This breathtakingly beautiful gem of a town perfectly encapsulates all there is to love about the Mediterranean experience, from its shimmering coastline to the delicate seafood plucked from its azure waters daily. In short, few places are as synonymous with living the good life as Nice.
Here are five nice places to visit in Nice that will have you enjoying yourself like ‘la population locale'.
Visit the flower market to pick up some local produce
As soon as you’ve unpacked your things, follow the Promenade des Anglais to the Old Town. Tucked away on a street parallel to the promenade, you’ll come across the famous Nice Flower Market. Have a gander at the stalls and pick up a taste of the fresh olives, cheeses and charcuterie on sale here.
After you’ve filled your pockets with French delicacies, I highly recommend you take a walk up to Castle Park and have a lovely picnic.
The flower market is open every day except for Monday, Sunday afternoons and public holidays.
Stroll through Old Town and enjoy the panorama at Castle Park
No trip to Nice would be complete without a stroll through the winding streets of the Old Town leading up to Castle Park (Montée du Château). Although the walk should take you no longer than twenty minutes, you will probably end up taking your sweet time to enjoy the many romantic scenes you’ll encounter along the way. So have your camera on hand! Once you reach the lookout point at the top of the hill, you’ll be rewarded with the quintessential view of Nice: sparkling azure waters, picture-perfect coastlines and mountain ranges dotted with endearing villages. While the panorama of Nice’s promenade is stunning, you shouldn’t forget to enjoy the view on the other side of the park either. Here, you’ll be able to snap a picture of the beautiful white yachts docked at Nice’s impressive harbour. |
Eat like a local at Le Safari
Want to rub shoulders with the locals? Then, head to Le Safari for a memorable seafood lunch. This restaurant is abuzz with French chitchat and flirty but charming waiters, and its outdoor terrace is perfect for soaking up some vitamin D along with your meal.
We recommend you order a glass of rosé and try their specialty dish: fried calamari and vegetables served in an edible bowl. Alternatively, the ‘parillade’, a plate of delicious, fresh fish, is also a top order at this bustling eatery.
Visit nearby Menton – a colourful seaside town
Make the most of your time on the French Riviera by catching the train to Menton – one of the many quaint towns near Nice. Once you get off the train, you’ll need to walk along the ocean for about fifteen minutes before you hit the most beautiful part of town. From here, we recommend you head to the harbour area to get that famous shot of Menton, just one hour from Cannes and half an hour from Nice. Walk to the edge of the pier to get the best view of this picturesque and colourful town.
While in Menton, check out the lush Serre de la Madone garden if you’re interested in rare plants, or head to the Basilique Saint-Michel and marvel at its stunning 18th-century bell tower. Menton is also famous for its lemon products and serves delicious lemon-inspired dishes and drinks in most establishments.
Treat yourself to something sweet
A visit to France wouldn’t be complete without munching down a dozen iridescent macarons, would it? These sugary treats are the perfect gift to take home too, so better buy more than you need.
Luckily, Canet Pâtissier Chocolatier makes some of the best macarons around. Located on a buzzing street surrounded by charming boutiques and restaurants, this master pastrymaker’s handmade treats are to die for.
Are you looking for a romantic getaway in the French Riviera? Read further on our lover's travel guide to Nice!