Free walking tours in Nice and what to see

Must-sees

Nice is the big city of the Côte d’Azur and is best understood walking by the sea. The Promenade des Anglais runs for several kilometres around the Baie des Anges, with its palm trees, blue chairs and period façades. Since 2021 the city has been on the UNESCO World Heritage list as a Riviera winter resort. Behind the promenade lies the old town, Vieux Nice, with narrow streets, ochre façades, Baroque churches and the flower market on the Cours Saleya.

For the best view, climb Castle Hill, which separates the old town from the port and has a park with a waterfall and viewpoints. Place Masséna and the Promenade du Paillon link the old centre with the modern part. On Cimiez hill are the Matisse Museum and the Roman remains, and near the centre the Marc Chagall National Museum. The Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas recalls the Russian colony that spent its winters here.

Free tours and guided visits

Nice has a free walking tour of the old town and the promenade, a good way to get your bearings on the first day. The choice is rounded off with day trips along the Côte d’Azur: to Monaco and Èze, to Saint-Tropez or to the Esterel massif by train. You can also take the Train des Pignes, which heads into the valleys of the hinterland.

How long to spend

Allow two days for the city itself: one for the old town, Castle Hill and the promenade, and another for Cimiez and its museums. As a base for exploring the coast, four or five days is ideal. A regional train takes you quickly to Villefranche, Monaco, Antibes or Cannes, so you can alternate between the city and day trips.

Where to stay

The most convenient place to stay is between the old town and the Promenade des Anglais, with almost everything within walking distance and the sea two streets away. The station area and Avenue Jean-Médecin tend to be more affordable and are well connected by tram and coastal trains. The port is a quiet alternative with a good atmosphere for dinner.