Summer holidays along the French Riviera are dreamy. The cool blue of the Mediterranean balanced against the raging heat of the sun, all the whilst grounded to the never-ending sounds of cicadas. Spending 72 hours in Nice is arguably the perfect way to begin your explorations here. Not only is the city itself a playground, but there are also more day trips than you could ever wish for.
If you’re new to Nice and the Côte d’Azur, then this post is written with you in mind. I’ve included the itinerary, details of transport, and also my personal recommendations for how to make the most of your time here.
Without further ado, this is your ultimate guide to 72 hours in Nice. I hope that you enjoy it.
72 Hours in Nice | Your Ultimate Guide
Planning Your Trip
Planning your 72 hours in Nice is arguably the hard part. Fortunately though, it is incredibly well-connected and getting here is just as much fun as staying here. There are also some really good hotels for all budgets, and I’ll include my favourites. Equally, there are plenty of Airbnbs just on the seafront or outside of the city. The choice is yours.
Getting to Nice
Call me old-fashioned, but I think that a train is the best way of getting to Nice. There is something incredibly romantic and adventurous about starting early in Paris’ Gare de Lyon. I don’t know what it is; perhaps it is the glorious architecture or the colours of the Parisian stonework.
TGV Trains from Paris to Nice run regularly and typically take around 5-6 hours. As with all TGV trains, you’ll need a reservation (even if you are interrailing – more details in my guide on how to plan an Interrail Trip). The train reaches the south coast in half of this time, and then slowly meanders through the towns of the south. It is easily the very best way to see the country.
If you don’t have time for trains, then Nice also has an airport which is connected to all major European hubs. It is just outside of the city and there are regular trams (Tram Line 2) which run into the city centre.
Where to Stay
There are so many hotels in Nice and they cater to every budget and taste. If you want to be able to see the sea, expect to pay a lot more than those hotels which are further away. When I say a lot more, I mean a lot more for those luxurious hotels. Le Negresco for instance is arguably one of the most luxurious hotels in France and the most basic room here comes at a rate of £1,100.00 per night.
I’d recommend staying somewhere a bit out of the town and, to be honest, on the more budget-friendly side. If you’re just using the hotel as a base, you can then splash the leftover cash on a beach club, transport or day trips.
We’ve stayed at a few different hotels in recent years. Near the station is a very good Ibis Styles which makes a good base and had comfortable rooms. If you’re after something which is more unique and boutique, check out Hotel La Villa (also near the beach) or the Centre Hotel.
Getting Around Nice
Getting around Nice is actually very easy. There are good bus and tram services which take you throughout the city as well as destinations further afield. I personally think that the easiest way to get around is with your phone. On Androids, you can download the Lignes d’Azure Tickets App where you can buy different passes. On Apple though, you can just tap-on with your Apple Wallet. It is super-easy.
Top Tip: The best way of using your phone is with data whilst abroad. Sim Local is my go-to for eSIMs and I can get you 5% off through the code GIRLONTHEMOVE.
If you prefer a paper ticket for the tram or bus network you can also buy this on the day. Tram tickets can be bought at the station, whereas bus tickets can be purchased from the driver.
Day One: Explore the Heart of Nice
Most of the city’s sites can be seen in one day. Nice’s Old Town (Vieux Nice) is very compact and, with the transport options available, you’ll find it easy to navigate. This is how I’d start your first day.
As a disclaimer, I’m writing this from the point of view that you have three full days in Nice. If you have arrived at midday, you might want to cut out some sections of this or aim to cram it in. The choice is yours.
Breakfast in Vieux Nice
Start your first morning by catching the tram to Vieux Nice. This is the heart of the city and, in my humble opinion, doesn’t require a map. Just wander through the streets and almost purposefully get lost. When we did this we stumbled across some lovely shops, cafés and even local markets.
We decided to stop for breakfast at the Marinette, which is well-and-truly tucked away. The menu here is typically French and you can find delicious fresh pastries and (perhaps what they are best known for) fluffy pancakes. Not quite to the level of Japan’s, but still good.
After breakfast, simply turn the corner into the square. Here you’ll see the Cathedral (definitely worth going into) and some other shops. If it is an appropriate time for you, there is also an excellent ice cream parlour here. Fenocchio is one of the best places in the city to get ice cream and they come in more flavours than you can imagine. There’s even a lavender-flavoured one which I thought was delicious; think vanilla but with a subtle twist.
Morning in Colline du Château
From the colourful streets of Vieux Nice, you’ll then head to Colline du Château, a park with the best view in Nice. Getting here can be hard work in the summer; it is on top of a hill and is rather exposed. Expect to get quite hot! However, the route is simple and you’ll see the park from Azzurro (just look up the hill).
In the park, there are a few must-see features. The ruins of Fouilles archéologiques and the nearby waterfall definitely need to be seen, but the view is the real attraction. There are two main panoramas that are worth seeing. My favourite was the one over the old harbour, but the one across Nice promenade is equally as good.
If you are hungry, the Comptoir des Anges kiosk sells basic things like burgers, which are actually rather nice. We decided to make a quick pit-stop here and enjoyed some food and a glass of fizzy water overlooking the promenade.
Early Afternoon in the Market
From the park, there is a clear walkway down towards the promenade. There are some nice beach clubs here if you feel inclined, but the main thing I’d like to point your attention to is Cours Saleya. This is one of Nice’s most famous squares and is home to truly beautiful food markets. When we walked here one afternoon in July, there was everything from fresh fruit and vegetables, to local cheeses and wines. My best advice is to take it slow and sample as much local food as you can.
On to Place Masséna
From the market it is a short walk to Place Masséna, which is the beautiful and elegant soul of Nice. It is the perfect place for shopping and you’ll find the classic Galeries Lafayette and the Nice Étoile. The shopping scene in Nice is rather good, but high-end (as I’m sure you can imagine from the prices of the hotels). In the summer though the air conditioning is a real relief and you can still find some rather good bargains. I found a beautiful hat in Galeries Lafayette for only €25!
Late Afternoon by the Sea
No trip to Nice would be complete without a stroll down the Promenade des Anglais. My personal favourite time to do this is at golden hour. The light is perfect for photography, especially if you’re aiming to get that warm glow from the building stonework. It is also the time when tourists begin to depart and you have more of the beach to yourself. Either sit on the pebbles or a nearby bench, and then take in that fresh sea air which only the Mediterranean can provide.
Top Tip: There are some beach clubs here, but I’d personally save that for another day. Entrance fees are expensive and you’ll want to get the best value for money.
Evening Meal
The Côte d’Azur is one of the best places on earth for evening meals. What can be better than fresh food, glorious weather, a sea breeze and a glass of regional wine? During your 72 hours in Nice I’d recommend that you mix it up a little bit. Of course, you need to eat food overlooking the sea, but there are some hidden gems found in the city too.
For instance, we stumbled across Il Carretto, an Italian (I know) near the station. The food was genuinely excellent and the price reflected that it was well and truly off of the tourist trail.
Day Two: Beaches
Forgive me, but if you can’t spend a day on the beach in Nice, then where can you? Of course, I’ve included other activities too, but I genuinely feel that a good proportion of the day should be spent relaxing. If you aren’t about that life, then you can maybe choose a day trip (see Day 3) or could save something from Day One for today.
Morning Coffee
To start the day, head towards the promenade. Your second day is all about taking in the sea air and the morning coffee is no exception. I’m taking you to Coffea Grand boutique café, thé et chocolat. This was a place we stumbled across and it served good coffee and exceptional food. Whilst it is not directly on the seafront (that is prime real estate and owned by the clubs), you still get a very good sea view.
Top Tip: Coffea Grand boutique café is open from 09:00am and I’d advise getting here for that time. If you leave it any later you’ll be inundated with tourists.
Beach Time, Including Lunch
After your coffee, head on out to the beach. Nice has so many different options that it can be hard to choose. However, if it were me, I’d go to a beach club. Yes, you do need to pay, but it is an experience. I’d also argue that it is surprisingly easy to get into and, compared to other places along the Riviera, it actually is relatively cheap.
Castel Plage, which is found by Colline du Château, is one of the best all-round clubs. It is a cheaper option (£30.00 per day for a sun lounger) and has some of the best views along the promenade. The food is also excellent and it specialises in local, fresh fish. It is also one of the smaller clubs on the beach.
At the pricier end is Bocca Mar. Similarly to Castel Plage, it is family-friendly. However, in contrast it is bigger and pricier. However, the plus side is that you can actually book sun loungers online, which is definitely better than on the day. Bocca Mar is just by the Old Town which makes it very accessible.
These are the two which I’d recommend, but there are still some other good options and the style does vary between the places. For a more retro-vibe, head to Plage Beau Rivage, or for modern go to Amour Plage.
Optional Afternoon in Avenue Jean Médecin
If you have had enough of the beach, then you can go back into the city and explore French fashion boutiques. This is Avenue Jean Médecin and it is the perfect place to find independent shops and local designers. If you’re looking for a unique souvenir or gift back from Nice, then this is the ideal spot for that.
Evening by the Port
To end your second day in Nice, I’d personally recommend heading to the Port. I personally think that this is one of the most stylish and sophisticated places around. You’ll find moody wine bars and traditional restaurants, all with a view of the colourful waterfront. There are also relaxed terraces here which are ideal for a pre-dinner drink.
I loved sitting here with a glass of Provençal rosé after dinner. The combination of the fading summer light on the water and the yachts drifting by was really special. My husband was also happy as there was a surprising amount of wildlife here, including multiple falcons dancing overhead.
Day Three: A Taste of the French Riviera
St. Tropez and Cannes are known for their excessive splendour and luxury beach clubs. Nice also has elements of this, but where it triumphs is location. No 72 hours in Nice should be spent without a good day trip and, fortunately, there are lots to choose from.
Here are just a few options of day trips which you can choose from. All of these are accessible by a regular train line from Nice station.
Visit Beaulieu-sur-Mer & Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
One of the best day trips from Nice is to Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. The name of Beaulieu-sur-Mer literally translates to “beautiful place by the sea”, and it couldn’t be more apt. The town itself is elegant and is home to some truly gorgeous villas. You also have Plage des Forums, which is one of the most popular beaches in the area.
A path from here leads to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, which is known as “Billionaire’s Peninsula” because of the exclusivity and grandness. It also happens to have some of the best views of the Mediterranean nearby and is home to Paloma Beach, somewhere which is worth going to if you are after relaxing.
My recommendation here is to pack a towel and beach items. The towns are small and the main attraction has to be the blue sea. It is the riviera at its finest.
Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer is just 10 minutes from Nice by train and is one of the French Riviera’s most picturesque seaside towns. It is an easy day trip if you’re looking to escape the city and to relax in a more laid-back place.
I loved spending a morning wandering through the colourful Old Town and exploring the shops and cafés. However, the main attraction here is Plage des Marinières, one of the most beautiful beaches nearby. The scenery is postcard-perfect and it is one of those places which you’ll wish you had longer in.
Èze Village
For a completely different side of the French Riviera, take the short bus from Nice to the Èze Village. You’ll notice that I’ve specified bus here, and that is because it is easily the best way to get here from Nice. You can catch a train to Èze too, but this actually stops at the new town and not the village. To get from the Èze train station to the village you’ll need to either walk for one hour up a hill (definitely not recommended) or catch the 83 bus which takes 25 minutes.
The bus will take you to the banks of the village, but then you’ll need to walk up to the top. The village is old and requires you to walk over cobblestone stairs and streets to reach the summit. I found this place really interesting. There are lots of shops etc. to see, but it can actually feel a little underwhelming. To get the most out of it, you’ll need to pay extra to go into the Jardin Exotique. This is where you’ll find some of the best views along the Côte d’Azur, and I’d argue that it will be a highlight of your 72 hours in Nice.
Antibes
Antibes takes a different train line to the other day trips, and it is probably the furthest away (20 minutes or so by train). However, this is probably the best day trip for pottering about a traditional town and includes a good range of shops, historical buildings and markets. I also thought that the restaurants here were top notch.
One of the highlights for me though was walking along the historic ramparts. These gave a beautiful view over the Mediterranean (and the Fort Carré), but also felt rather unique. Antibes is different to the other day trips as it doesn’t revolve around a beach. However, have no fear, as there are still some very good beach options here too if you want to relax after exploring.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 72 hours enough in Nice?
Yes. Three days gives you enough time to explore the Old Town, relax on the beach, enjoy local food and even take a day trip to another French Riviera destination.
Is Nice walkable?
Absolutely. Most of the city’s main attractions are within walking distance, and the tram network makes getting around even easier.
When is the best time to visit Nice?
May, June and September offer warm weather, fewer crowds and ideal conditions for sightseeing and swimming.
Is Nice expensive?
Nice can be pricey during the summer months, but there are plenty of affordable cafés, markets and public beaches, making it possible to enjoy the city on a range of budgets.
Final Thoughts | 72 Hours in Nice
72 Hours in Nice is the perfect length of time to see this beautiful region of France. Whilst you can easily see the city in a day, the main attraction is most definitely the scenery of the Côte d’Azure. There are few places on earth which offer as much culture and natural beauty; there is a reason why it is one of Europe’s ideal relaxation spots. Is 72 hours in Nice enough? Absolutely. Will it leave you wanting more? Most definitely.
