Nice, the capital of the French Riviera, never ceases to amaze its tourists with plenty of things to do nice, whether you travel in summertime or wintertime. The city’s balmy weather makes it a great destination throughout the whole year – it is never too cold to visit Nice, and inter temperature tends to stay around 10℃ and when it comes to summertime, you can enjoy Nice’s multiple beaches and perfect temperature-crystal-clear sea. Moreover, let’s not forget the many attractions and activities one may see and do in Nice – it is a city that offers a large variety of things to do!
1. Explore the city on a Segway by Mobilboard
Segway tours are getting more and more popular amongst European and World’s top destinations, as they allow you to explore much more ground in a shorter period of time. The timeframe not being its only advantage, segways are also a fun way to explore cities and have a good time with friends and family, getting a great overlook over the city’s best highlights. Mobilboard Nice is currently the only agency that provides segway tours in Nice– you may choose between a large variety of options in order to pick what’s best for you!
2. Eat the local street food from Chez Theresa
Another great way of discovering new cities is to enjoy their local cuisine… And Nice is no exception when it comes to that matter! The city has a long and dense culinary history which has its roots in modern Italy, creating a beautiful fusion between the French and the Italian. Local specialties are fresh and healthy and include a large variety of vegetarian and vegan options. When it comes to traditional food from Nice, there is that one place that is the local’s top choice, and you must try as a tourist… Chez Theresa! “Chez Theresa” is a local restaurant that spreads Nice’s culinary tradition since 1925. Some of the most popular street food is: Pissaladière, Socca, Tourte de Blette, Pan Bagnat.
3. Dolce vita à la niçoise : Sunbathe & enjoy a drink
One of the spoils of visiting a city nested along the shores of the Mediterranean is being able to live that sweet and relaxing experience that only seaside cities can offer. So, if you’re on a quest to get the most out of your stay in Nice and enjoy some of the spoils of the Dolce Vita à la niçoise, you may want to check out Castel Plage, Rhul Plage or Bocca Mar Plage. Whether you want to rent a deckchair and parasol for the sunbathing experience whilst enjoying a fresh drink or have a meal with a view over Nice’s Bay of Angels, you will not find a more picturesque spot to do so.
4. Stroll around the Old Nice City streets
The Old City of Nice is a small perimeter of the city, but quite certainly the most charming one. Its narrow alleys and bright-colored buildings make it a unique area of the city that never goes unnoticed. There the streets are filled with small typical shops selling a great variety of products: soap, clothes, bags, food… you name it! Not only is it great to take pictures, given the unicity of its buildings, but it is also an amazing place to get in sync with the local vibe and soul. Place Rossetti, the Old City’s main square, is also home to the only Baroque cathedral in the whole country- it is certainly worth the detour!
5. Climb up the Colline du Chateau for spectacular views
Who doesn’t enjoy taking pictures when on vacation? We certainly do! That’s why our top suggestion when it comes to taking pictures can be nothing less than the majestic Castle Hill (or Colline du Chateau, in French). From Castle Hill’s numerous viewpoints, you’ll be able to admire all Nice from above, and to take in memories you will never forget. In case you get hungry or thirsty from the hike (about 300 stairs if you go on foot), there are a couple of bars on the hill for you to have a snack or a drink. If you do not want to hike on foot, know that there are other options available, such as the rental of bikes or e-scooters (from Mobilboard Nice), or use Le Petit Train de Nice (Nice’s small electric train) to make your way to the top. However you decide to get to the Castle Hill, do not forget your camera!
6. Browse through the stalls at Cours Saleya local marketplace
Do you want to shop like the locals? Welcome to Cours Saleya! This used to be mainly a flower market, and even though you may still find flower stalls in the area, you will also find many other products – such as local food specialties, handcrafts, fruits, vegetables, jam, honey, and many others. Cours Saleya also offers a unique vibrancy of colors in a unique mediterranean atmosphere, with people coming, people going, and people living that vibe, which is a fantastic vibe. Between the stalls at Cours Saleya, you will also find Chez Theresa!
7. Visit the Belle Epoque neighborhood of Cimiez
Have you ever wondered what a neighborhood anciently inhabited by royals may look like? There’s no need to keep wondering, you can find your answers right there, in the glorious neighborhood of Cimiez. Forget the skyscrapers or the busy city life- in Cimiez, you will find an oasis of calmness and tranquility, whilst being able to admire the wonderful Belle Epoque masterpieces, painted and decorated with great elegance. It’s really not surprising that Queen Victoria used to spend her winters there!
8. Have a proper local meal at a labelled local restaurant
We did mention the local street food, but in case you get hungrier than that, we got you covered! In Nice there are only a few restaurants that have the label Cuisine Nissarde (which means typical cuisine from Nice), as proof of authenticity of the recipes and dishes that they serve. La Merenda is one of them, so are La Maioun, and A Buterghinn’a. Enjoy local recipes such as the famous Daube (red meat marinated in tomato sauce), or Merda de Can (special asparagus gnocchi with cheese and truffles or tomato sauce). Beware, La Merenda especially tends to be fully booked, so you may want to make your reservations a few weeks in advance!
9. Dig into history in Nice’s most famous museums
Do you happen to be in Nice on a rainy day? Or are you just passionate about indoor history and art collections? You will have plenty of options in the capital of French Riviera! Amongst Nice’s most famous museums, you will find Musée Matisse (Matisse Museum) – a museum dedicated to the artworks of French painter Henry Matisse, who lived in Nice for a great part of his life. You will also find the MAMAC, the museum of modern and contemporary art, which contains a large variety of paintings and sculptures of numerous artists based in Nice, as well as temporary collections from foreign artists. Finally, you will find Musée Masséna (Massena Museum), home to a vast collection of almost 15,000 artworks portraying the history of Nice. So that how there are lots of things to do on French Riviera that you can explore
10. Cycle on the world-famous Promenade des Anglais!
One of the greatest things to do in Nice is certainly to ride a bike on the famous Promenade des Anglais. That feeling of freedom one has while the wind blows in their hair, really is priceless. And the Promenade makes it so much easier, more interesting, and pleasant to cycle! It is fully equipped with a cycling lane that goes on for many kilometers, and which is just by the shore and the sea. It is a nice and fun activity to do solo, as a couple, or as a family activity. Do not miss out on the amazing opportunity to ride along the world-famous Promenade! (You can easily rent your bikes at Mobilboard Nice bike rental, just beside the Promenade. FYI: The same company also provides bike tours around Nice and its surroundings).
