Activities

We love Hotel Amour’s Guide to Nice for everything food and activities, but we’ve selected a few must-do’s:

Start your day at Promenade des Anglais - you can take a stroll and see the beach and people watch. Stop into the Negresco, an iconic hotel. At the end, you’ll spot the Colline du Chateau, otherwise known as Castle Hill. If you’re feeling brave, this is a really gorgeous walk with a rewarding view up top. If you’re looking for a slow day, take a left into Old Nice.

In old town, I recommend Cours Saleya Marché (the Market, open daily 6am-1pm except Mondays). Here, vendors sells anything from fresh fruits and veggies to lavender products and soaps. Make sure to try Socca (typically local chickpea flour pancake).

I highly recommend Musée Matisse for any Matisse fans - it boasts the largest collection of his works. Matisse spent plenty of summers in Nice and produced a bulk of his work there.

If you’re looking to shop, head to Place Massena. If you’re looking for a one-stop-shop for any forgotten items or french classics, Galeries Lafayettes has it all.

1. Le Plongeoir is an iconic restaurant right on the water. Take Nice’s easy subway/train to the terminus and walk the remaining ~10 minutes around the port. Be sure to reserve early! MUST DO

2. Babel Babel has a beautiful view on the beach and great vibes for the evening. I highly recommend it for the sunset.

3. Bistrot D’Antoine serves very classic french food in an old house in the middle of old town.

4. Oliviera is Jason’s favorite dinner in Nice. The restaurant is owned by a man obsessed with olive oil. The menu is small but delicious. Don’t be surprised when everything is drowned in olive oil.

5. Les Bains du Castel is right on the water under the chateau and boasts a gorgeous view on the beach. If you’re looking for a romantic secluded date spot, this is it.

6. La Merenda. Teeny tiny restaurant at the edge of old town with incredible food. You do need a reservation, which should be booked way head of time through a message on instagram.

7. Oui Jelato is Jason’s favorite gelato in all of Nice (maybe all of France). Hang around the plaza to eat your ice cream, the vibes are nice at night with live music and the bar scene providing entertainment. MUST DO

8. If you’re in the mood for snacks on the beach, head to Nino Le Roi de L’apero.

9. Any boulangerie will do for a good baguette, but if you’re looking for all kinds of local patisseries, visit Pistache Patisserie.es here

The Côte d’Azur offers an endless succession of silky sands, lapping azure seas, and quintessentially French glamour. If you're looking for a beach to lay and tan on here are some of the most beautiful on the Cote D'Azur:

1. Paloma Beach 📍 Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

2. Mala Beach 📍 Cap d’Ail

3. Plage de la Garoupe 📍 Antibes

4. Plage de la Croisette 📍 Cannes

5. Plage du Midi 📍 Cannes

6. Larvotto Beach 📍Monaco

7. Plage de la Mala 📍 Èze-sur-Mer

8. Plage des Sablettes 📍 Menton

Antibes is decidedly more low-key and less pretentious: the city is replete with cozy bistros, wine bars, and boutiques. Cultural attractions include the Picasso Museum and the star-shaped Fort Carré​. Known as once being the home of Spanish painter Pablo Picasso, the Avantgarde influence can still be seen today through the paved patterns in the narrow streets.

Boasting a collection of boutiques, cafes, and restaurants throughout the old town, there’s more than enough to keep you entertained during a day trip. If you find yourself in Antibes on a weekend, head to the Marché Provencal to pick up some local produce for snacking. The fresh strawberries and peach jam we bought here were both the best I’ve ever eaten!

For those looking for a more relaxed day, head to Plage De Salis, one of the most picturesque beaches in Antibes to soak in the Med. Hélios Plage is a chic beach club for basking in the sun and sipping bubbly. If you want to feel like a 1920s star, we recommend a chair at Hotel Belle Rives.

If you prefer to spend your time more actively, journey to Cap d’Antibes and explore the area on foot or by bike to make the most of it. We highly recommend walking along the Sentier du Littoral and dipping into any beach.

Other favorites include Plage des Ondes (Sandy beach), Billionaire’s Bay (rocky, can get busy), Plage de la Garoupe, Plage de La Salis and Plage Gravettes.

The artist folk among us will enjoy Antibes most famous museum, Musee Picasso, which is located at the Chateau Grimaldi where Picasso spent six months in 1946. Around town, you’ll also find stores showing the work of sculptors and ceramicists, so you can pick up a locally crafted momento to take home. 

Getting there:

🚂 From Nice Ville station, take the train to Antibes which takes around 20 minutes and will cost as little as €4.60 for a ticket. Book your tickets here.

🚗 If you’re driving from Nice to Antibes, take the motorway A8 westbound. The journey is 27km and will average around 35 minutes. 

1. Marché Provencal is a traditional covered market full of vendors selling everything from seasonal produce and spices to fresh-baked baguettes and olive tapenades.

2. Snag a terrace at L'Ile Bleue, a chic wine bar that’s perfect for an aperitif. Trust the staff to find you a dreamy wine while you people-watch.

3. For a chic, white-tablecloth experience: Le Vauban. This restaurant serves elevated French fare, with tasting & fixed-price menus.

3. Jeanne is compact eatery, perfect to sample locavore-driven share plates and swirl more than 300 different vins.

4. L’Arazur is tucked away in old town. The pocket-sized restaurant serves up some delicious vegetable-forward dishes in their vaulted-stone cellar or terrace.

5. PamPam (Juans les Pins) - With Brazilian dancing & exotic shows this is a fun place to be for a night out.

6 Boulangerie Veziano is a third-generation family-owned bakery that’s famed for its pissaladière (a traditional Provençal bread topped with caramelized onions).

7. Even if you aren't staying at Hotel Du Cap Eden Roc, pull a Jason and book a table at the Grill to feel très chic. For those keen on michelin-starred gastronomic experiences, check out the hotel's other restaurant Louroc.

A favorite among visitors to the French Riviera, Èze is the perfect day trip destination from Nice, France. Set atop an impossibly steep peak, this stone village exudes medieval charm characterized by the wonky houses, stone arches, and winding laneways of the town center. Be sure to take the right bus: there's a hiltop Eze and a beach Eze and both are separated by a looonnngg vertical hike.

You’ll feel like you’ve been transported to another century as you make your way to the hilltop village that takes in sweeping views over the waters that give the Côte d’Azur its name. While getting lost among the twisting stone lanes is one of my favorite ways to explore, there are plenty of other things to do on a day trip to Èze.

Explore the grounds of the Jardin Exotique d’Eze. The botanical garden offers the best view from the town overlooking the sparkling blue waters of the Mediterranean below with a collection of sculptures, cacti, and regional plant species filling the stepped gardens. Just be sure to bring a hat and sunscreen as there’s no shade.

Make time to find the vibrant Chapelle de la Sainte Croix, a yellow church tucked at the back of the village - it’s the oldest building in Èze dating back to 1300. After some exploring, slow down with a drink on the terrace of Chateau Eza which offers an alternative panoramic view of the Riviera coastline. 

Getting there:

🚌 This is one destination that’s best reached by bus rather than train from Nice. You can choose between the bus LR112 to Monte Carlo from Nice and get off at Èze Village, or the #82 Plateau de la Justice service which is the bus we took from the port side of Vieux Nice.  Make sure you don’t take the LR100 that stops at Èze Sur Mer, which is the beach - this is also the same stop that the train takes you to. If you do head to Èze Sur Mer, you’ll have to hike uphill to reach the town at the top of the cliff. You can find the local bus timetables here.

A contrast to the stone village of Èze, Villefranche-sur-Mer is a postcard-perfect hamlet that kisses the coastline with its deep harbor and turquoise waters. Overlooking the Cap Ferrat peninsula, its 14th-century old town reminds me of the famed Cinque Terre in Italy. Villefranche-sur-Mer feels a world away from France’s fifth-largest city. Embracing the small-town atmosphere, you can escape to the waterfront bars and plant-lined streets for the perfect antithesis to the bustling streets of Nice.

The best thing to do in Villefranche-sur-Mer is to simply exist. To enjoy the stillness and quiet that the town has to offer. Tiptoeing along the brightly decorated streets, climbing staircases that lead to hidden corners, and discovering the beauty of this Italian-influenced town. Along the waterfront, grab a sundowner or stop in for a meal and watch as the boats pass by in the gentle waters of the protected bay. The prices here are higher than in Nice, but the view is worth a splurge. Les Garcons and La Mere Germaine are both great options for dinner.  The beach in Villefranche-sur-Mer benefits from the shelter of the Cap Ferrat and Cap de Nice, making it the ideal space to while away the hours with a packed picnic lunch and a good book. Head to Plage Les Bains De la Plage, which can be seen when you look down from the train station, where there is more than enough space to spread out.

If you have time, continue further around Cap Ferrat to Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild to visit the picturesque villa with stunning gardens and views across the bay. 

Getting there:

🚂 Taking just 7 minutes to complete the journey, taking the train from Nice Ville station to Villefranche-sur-Mer is the fastest and easiest way. Prices start as low as €1.90 one way with services running as frequently as every 15 minutes. In peak times, trains can easily be booked out, pre-book your ticketshere.

🚌 Depending on where you are staying in Nice, the bus is also a convenient way to reach Villefranche-sur-Mer. The #82 passes through the opposite side of town near the port and takes around 20 minutes to reach Villefranche-sur-Mer, just alight at La Corne d’Or and walk down towards the sea.

Located in the far east of the region near the Italian border, the influence of its Ligurian neighbors is easy to see.  With a skyline of staggered buildings in bright hues of tangerine, peach, and lemon, the iconic vista of Menton is best enjoyed from the seafront pier where you can take in the full scene. From a day spent frolicking in the sea to exploring the colorful Old Town, Menton is a must-visit day trip from Nice, France.

The Old Town of Menton is one of the biggest drawcards, with its winding 13th-century streets brightly painted in yellow and orange, it is also a favorite among photographers and influencers looking to add a pop of color to their feed. Spend a few hours exploring the Old Town, with special mention to ‘Yellow street’ and the nearby staircase, and the cathedral. Climb the zigzagging staircase opposite the pier to the top of Menton and explore Basilique Saint-Michel-Archange. The 35-metre clock tower rises high above the grounds of the 17th-century Baroque church which is dressed in olive and ochre, featuring black and white pebble mosaics in the square below. The Jean Cocteau Museum is a highlight, showcasing works from the film director and artist that was smitten with Menton. Cool off at Plage des Sablettes where the white pebbled beach is adorned with vibrant parasols. Skirting the Old Town, the atmosphere is energetic, providing the perfect backdrop for an afternoon of beach time after you’ve wandered the sights of Menton’s colorful streets. 

Getting there:

🚂 The last town before you cross the border into Italy’s Liguria region, Menton is easily reached from Nice. Just 35-40 minutes by train, the 20km journey doesn’t require any changes and tickets start from around €5 depending on class and service. Take the train from Nice Ville station toward Ventimiglia and disembark the train at Menton. Book your train tickets here.

🚗 If you would prefer to drive, Menton is one of the larger towns and has more parking available, though like much of Europe it can still be quite limited.

The independent state of Monaco is easily visited on a day trip from Nice, France, and can be a far more affordable way to explore this glitzy destination. Known as the playground of the rich and famous, host of the Monaco F1 Grand Prix, and the world’s most notorious tax haven, there are plenty of affordable things to see and do in Monaco.

Unlike other towns and villages along the French Riviera, Monte Carlo is a collection of high-rise concrete buildings. Though many feature charming Juliet balconies and pastel paintwork, it feels a world away from the quaint old towns elsewhere in the region.

Sitting high above the Monaco principality, Palais du Prince dates back to the 13th century when it was once a Genoese Fortress. You can visit when the Prince isn’t in residence, just check to see if the flag is in the tower as an easy way to tell. Whether you choose to go inside and have your hand at the roulette table or would prefer to simply admire it from the outside, Monte Carlo Casino is a must-do when in Monaco (make sure you’re dressed to the nines or you risk no entry!). Built in the 1890s, it was styled in flamboyant Beaux Arts architecture and has been said to influence the setting of the Casino in the James Bond novel, Casino Royale. If you’re not visiting for the Formula One but still want some automotive entertainment, Collection de Voitures Anciennes houses a collection of F1 cars and vintage models that are part of the Prince of Monaco’s private collection. Of course, this isn’t the only museum, other great mentions are owed to Nouveau Musee National de Monaco, Musée Oceanographique, and the Monaco Naval Museum.

Getting there:

🚂 You’ve probably guessed it by now, and yes, a train is the best way to reach Monaco. Personally, I’d avoid driving from Nice to Monaco at all. Trains run from Nice Ville to Gare de Monaco-Monte Carlo every 30 minutes, with the journey taking on 25 minutes and tickets starting from €4. Book your tickethere.

⛴️ If you’re looking for a more scenic route, thisfull-day ferry excursion from Nice to Monaco will showcase the best of the Riviera coastline

If you have a full day, I highly recommend taking the ferry from Cannes to Lérins Islands - Ile St Honorat or St Marguerite. These are two little islands off the coast of Cannes: one boasts the iconic beach club La Guerite and the other is home to an old monastery. St Honorat (the monastery) has crystal blue waters and is a haven of calm. Pack a towel and some walking shoes to walk around the entire island as you stop in various criques for a dip.

La Guerite (on St Marguerite) is one of the most exclusive private beach clubs in the world. What started as a simple fisherman’s cabin is now a highly revered Mediterranean restaurant and beach club – both of which require bookings. Frequented by yacht owners and celebrities—Elton John, Leonardo DiCaprio, Beyonce and Jay Z, The Beckhams and The Kardashians are among the clientele—it’s a clear winner with the jetset of the French Riviera.

If you're looking for an easier beach day in Cannes, head to Plage de la Croisette or Plage du Midi! Across all towns on the coast, Cannes included, I recommend you rent a beach chair (€30 usually).

Getting there:

🚂 Take the train from Nice to Cannes.

⛴️ Walk to the ferry at Port De Cannes - Service Trade). You'll want to purchase tickets ahead of boarding (about $20 per person). You may not see the ferry terminal at first if you’re walking from the Palais des Festivals and La Croisette as Iit’s at the opposite end of the harbour, closer to the Old Town. If you see the Radisson Blu Hotel you’re in the right zone so head for the sea. Note you do have to choose between the islands as one ferry doesn't service both.

DAY ONE:

3 p.m. Get coffee, then stroll flea markets. Nice, likely settled around 350 B.C. by Greek mariners called Phocaeans, has been a port town for thousands of years. Stroll the still lively waterfront to grab a quick coffee at Full Bloom (Vegan Cafe) just off Rue Cassini, before a short walk south toLes Puces de Nice the flea market. Thirty or so little stalls, once huts for local fishermen, are packed with curiosities and treasures like vintage Hèrmes scarves and antique silverware. The flea markets border on the Quartier des Antiquaires, the antiques district, with stores offering furniture, books, militaria, clothing and art. If you’re not up for the walk, hop onto Lou Passagin (a restored fishing boat) that shuttles people across the port for free from 10am-7pm.

4:30 p.m. Enter a prehistoric sanctuary. Explore a bit of the region's prehistory at the Grotte du Lazaret (free entry). If time permits, complement the cave with a visit to the Musée de Préhistoire Terra Amata (entry €5). Not far is Coco Beach (free entry), a tiny spot to watch the sun go down over the Baie des Anges.

7 p.m. Dine by an old pine tree. For dinner, check out the lively Place du Pin, a gay-friendly, pedestrian-only street and plaza. Get a drink at Comptoir Central Électrique, once an old electrical goods store. For dinner, consider Café Paulette (eclectic, need a reservation) or Peixes (sout american x asian x mediterranean). After dinner: Zitto Speakeasy, a hidden bar in the port area. To find it, send a message to the bar’s Instagram account to quickly receive a clue. Cocktails come with unexpected details like mouth-numbing flower buds or cocktail-flavored gummies.

DAY TWO:

9 a.m. Caffeinate in Old Town Marinette is known for its giant, fresh-out-of-the-oven cookies, served warm in a cast-iron skillet (€12), with monthly flavors. Ask for an outdoor table upstairs, where you can watch the world pass by below.

11 a.m. Shop like royals do Once caffeinated, wander Old Town, where boutiques offer all sorts of treasures. Caprice Vintage on Rue Droite has a dedicated fan base for its hand-picked clothing and accessories, from luxury designers like Chanel and Escada to high-end streetwear, carefully repaired and well-maintained. Opposite is its men’s boutique. A few steps down is Maison Pampille, a purveyor of vintage and antique wares like colorful chinoiserie, polished cut-glass champagne buckets and Vivienne Westwood bone china. When Queen Victoria wintered in Nice, Maison Auer on Rue Saint-François de Paul delivered her sweets and Papeterie Rontani, around the corner at Rue Alexandre Mari, was her official stationer. Trésors Publics, on Rue de la Prefecture, features French-made goods like soap from Marseille, mustard from Beaune and glass blown in nearby Biot.

12:30 p.m. Take in the views over lunch Head to the promenade des anglais, specifically to Bocca, a popular lunch spot. Jason’s favorite meal is a glass of Sangria with the xX and xx. If you want a luxe experience, head to Les Bains de Castel for a full view of the Baies des Anges.

3:30 p.m. Hit the prom After lunch, stroll Nice’s famous boardwalk, the Promenade des Anglais, built in the early 19th century by the English elite who made Nice their winter home and lovingly called “la Prom” by locals. Its blue seats — les chaises bleues — have become such a symbol of Nice that over the years they have been the subject of both pranks and protests, and its white pergolas, along with the picture-perfect Negresco hotel, are hints of a bygone era. Along the way, visit the Musée Masséna, a museum housed in a 19th-century Belle Epoque villa (entry €10) that covers Nice’s history, including its transformation into a tourist destination. Inside, artworks, furniture and other sumptuous décor are displayed over four fully accessible floors, giving a glimpse into how the wealthiest here once lived.

7 p.m. Get to know the Niçois palate. Think of Maison Joia as a high-end delicatessen, inspired by Nice. Run by a husband-and-wife team, Julien and Laetitia Pilati, the restaurant and épicerieshowcases small French regional producers on its shelves.

10 p.m. Cheers in a church You would never guess that behind Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur de Nice, a church in Old Town, is a great place for a nightcap. The church opened a speakeasy, Le Béthel, in 2022 as a meeting place for locals and tourists alike. Despite feeling borderline sacrilegious, the open-air bar feels typically Niçois.

DAY 3

9 a.m. Peruse the produce Libération, north of the main train station, is a quiet neighborhood with a produce market (open daily, except Mondays) that attracts residents from across the city. One particular stall is dedicated to the potato, with a dozen kinds all marked for different methods of cooking. For a typical French breakfast of a croissant, hot drink and orange juice, grab a table at l’Altra Casa, a great spot to watch the organized chaos of the market in the mornings. For a picnic later, head to Kiosque Tintin, a take-away kiosk for a pan bagnat and a slice of pissaladière.

10:30 a.m. Meet Matisse, then picnic among ancient ruins Henri Matisse wasn’t born in Nice, but the French painter spent much of his life here until his death in 1954. The Musée Matisse, in a 17th-century villa in the Cimiez neighborhood, has one of the world’s largest collections of his works. The museum sits in Arènes de Cimiez, a public park with ancient ruins of an amphitheater and bath complex — this part of Nice was once the Roman town of Cemenelum. The Musée d'Archéologie de Nice-Cimiez, next to the Musée Matisse, displays artifacts from Cemenelum, including vases, coins, jewelry and perfume bottles. A €12 ticket gives entry to both museums. Once through with the exhibitions, find a spot in the park among the ruins for your picnic lunch.