The Jewel and Cultural Capital of the French Riviera

A. About Nice

Nickname: The Beautiful

Nice, the cultural capital of the French Riviera, is situated just thirty kilometers from the border with Italy.

Therefore, particularly the old town reveals a distinct Italian flair. 

The lively port city boasts various great museums, churches, and beaches to make a wonderful place for those looking for a Mediterranean lifestyle, relaxation, bathing, and culture.

Best Things to do in Nice

âž• The Good

Standing in a magnificent bay and sheltered by the foothills of the Maritime Alps, Nice is scoring remarkably high for its scenic location and enjoys on top of that excellent weather with a mild climate year-round. 

Moreover, the city possesses numerous pedestrian zones, mainly in the old town.

In addition, the capital of the French Riviera is a clean and safe destination with extraordinarily little crime and pulsating nightlife.

Finally, public transportation with stylish trams and numerous buses is excellent.

âž– Negative Aspects

With a score of 3 for its affordability, Nice is an expensive city.

While there is a lot to see in Nice, no sight really stands out.


B. Best Things to Do in Nice in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)

In total, we count more than forty sights in Nice. The following sights contribute to a score of 6.00/10 in this most important category:

# Promenade des Anglais 6 3 out of 5 stars

This legendary pedestrian seaside road runs 7 km (4 miles) along the pebbly shore of Nice's beach from the airport on the west to the Quai des États-Unis (United States Quay) on the east.

Seafront Promenade Length: 7 km / 4 miles

Best Things to do in Nice

 

# Castle Hill Park (Parc de la Colline du Château) 6 3 out of 5 stars

Ride up a historic Castle Hill Elevator or climb the three hundred stairs to the top of Castle Hill Park to enjoy the most scenic and iconic views over Nice and the Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels).

Park with View 

Best Things to do in Nice

# Old Town (Vieille Ville) 6 3.1 out of 5 stars

This pedestrianized district is lively both night and day throughout the year and features cobblestoned lanes, narrow alleyways, historic churches, and a charming atmosphere reminiscent of nearby Italy.

City District 

Best Things to do in Nice

 

# Marc Chagall Museum 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Created during Chagall’s lifetime, this museum holds the largest collection of Chagall’s works in the world, including paintings, three large stained-glass windows, and sculptures.

      • Important Masterpieces: None
      • Highlight: Song of Songs IV, Marc Chagall (1958)

Show Top 3 artworks (click here)
Show Museum Score (click here)

Fine Arts Museum Gallery Space: ca. 1,000 m2 | Galleries: ca. 15 | Artworks on Display: ca. 200 | Established: 1973

(Click on images to open in lightbox, recommended)

 

# MusĂ©e d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain (MAMAC) 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

After admiring the monumental sculptures of the forecourt, as well as the collections inside including numerous works by Niki de Saint Phalle and Yves Klein, be sure to take a tour of the terraces, real lookouts offering stunning views of the city.

      • Important Masterpieces: None
      • Highlight: Loch Ness Monster by Niki de Saint Phalle (1993, located in front of the museum)

Show Top 3 Paintings (click here)
Show Museum Score (click here)

Modern Art Museum Gallery Space: ca. 4,500 m2 | Galleries: ca. 10 | Artworks on Display: ca. 200 | Established: 1990 | Visitors (2014): 158,714

(Click on images to open in lightbox, recommended)

 

# Jules ChĂ©ret Fine Arts Museum (MusĂ©e des Beaux Arts Jules ChĂ©ret) 5 2.5 out of 5 stars

Established in 1928 in a magnificent villa from the late 19th century, the collections of paintings and sculptures in the Jules Chéret Fine Arts Museum range from the 14th to the 20th century.

      • Important Masterpieces: None
      • Highlight of the Collection: ThaĂŻs, Henri Adrien Tanoux (1920), 215 Ă— 235 cm

Show Top 5 Paintings (click here)
Show Museum Score (click here)

Fine Arts Museum Gallery Space: ca. 1,000 m2 | Galleries: ca. 10 | Artworks on Display: ca. 300 | Established: 1860

(Click on images to open in lightbox, recommended)

# Musée Matisse (Villa des Arènes) 4 1.9 out of 5 stars

Dedicated to the artist Henri Matisse who lived in Nice until his death, the Musée Matisse is since 1963 housed in the Villa des Arénes, 2km north of the city center.

While the 17th-century Genoese-style building on the Cimiez hill is beautiful, the collection is exceedingly small and modest, therefore this museum is the one to skip if you only have limited time in Nice. 

      • Important Masterpieces: 1
      • Highlight of the Collection: The Rocaille Armchair by Henri Matisse (1946), 80 cm Ă— 62 cm (31.5 in Ă— 24.4 in)

Show Top 3 Artworks (click here)
Show Museum Score (click here)

Modern Art Museum Gallery Space: ca. 1,000 m2 | Galleries: ca. 20 | Artworks on Display: ca. 150 | Visitors (2014): 173,128 | Established: 1963

(Click on images to open in lightbox [recommended])

 

# Place Masséna 4 1.9 out of 5 stars

Named after French military commander Andre Massena (1758–1817) the magnificent main square of Nice contains a monumental fountain with a 7 m-high statue of Apollo, illuminated display fountains, red ochre buildings of Italian architecture.

Since 2007 the square also features a spectacular modern art installation of kneeling men on tall poles by Catalan artist Jaume Plensa. They are most eye-catching at night when lit up in bright colors.

Square

Best Things to do in Nice

# Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St Nicholas 4 1.9 out of 5 stars

Constructed in 1912 by Tsar Nicholas, the head of the Romanov family, with its typical Russian-style onion domes this cathedral is considered one of the most beautiful Orthodox churches outside of Russia.

Orthodox Church

Best Things to do in Nice

# Opera de Nice 4 1.9 out of 5 stars

The principal opera venue in Nice is located in the old town in a beautiful Italian-style building and offers three types of performances: operas, ballets, and classical concerts. The opulent interior includes a ceiling mural painted by Emmanuel Costa, sculptures by Raimondi, and a magnificent 600-bulb chandelier.

Historic Building | Opera House Completed: 1885 | Capacity: 1,093 Spectators

Best Things to do in Nice

Scoring and Icons Legend (Click here for detailed information)

10 = top-10 in the world

9 = world-class  

8 = outstanding

7 = excellent 

6 = impressive

5 = interesting

4 = decent

3 = mediocre

2 = bad

1 = abysmal

🌍 = World Heritage Site

= Excursion

C. Other Notable Sights and Attractions in Nice

#11 | Villa Massena (Musée Masséna) 4 1.9 out of 5 stars

Villa Massena is a Belle Époque villa in Nice featuring historical exhibits and beautifully designed gardens by Edouard André.

Museum

Best Things to do in Nice

 

#12 | Monastère Notre-Dame-de-Cimiez 4 1.9 out of 5 stars

Located on the hill of Cimiez, this monastery features a beautiful church with stunning frescoes by Louis Bréa, a renowned local artist.

The monastery grounds include a charming garden with panoramic views of Nice and the Mediterranean Sea.

Monastery

by Ferrand06700 / CC BY-SA 4.0

    • Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate (Church) 4
    • Place Garibaldi (Square) 4
    • Notre-Dame de Nice (Church) 4
    • Palace Lascaris 4
    • Place Rossetti (Square) 4

D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Nice

Monte Carlo 7 3.5 out of 5 stars

Monte Carlo in Monaco is a luxury destination known for its casinos, the Monaco Grand Prix, and stunning Mediterranean views.

City  20 km from Nice

Best Things to do in Nice

St. Tropez (112 km from Nice) 7

Cannes (33 km from Nice) 6


E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Nice (including close-by excursions)

To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Nice for at least two entire days:

Promenade des Anglais 6 

Castle Hill Park 6

Old Town 6 

Monte Carlo (20 km from Nice) 6 

Marc Chagall Museum 5

City Museum for Contemporary Art 5

Jules Chéret Fine Arts Museum 5

MusĂ©e Matisse 4

Place Masséna 4

Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St Nicholas 4