How to Spend 3 Days in Nice, France: The Ultimate Guide

The vibrant city of Nice has so much to offer. Charming neighborhoods, an amazing food scene, excellent museums and cultural attractions, and of course, the famous bright blue water at the beaches…what’s not to love? 

Nice is also centrally located, making it an ideal spot for a home base during a French Riviera vacation. It’s surrounded by some of the best destinations on the scenic Côte d’Azur. 

If you’re planning on spending 3 days in Nice, I created this itinerary to help you see the best of the area. You’ll have a chance to explore the top spots in the city and dine at some incredible restaurants (the food scene in Nice is really amazing!). Within this itinerary, I’ve also included options to go on day trips to popular towns around the city. 

Since there are so many things to do in Nice and the surrounding area, I’ve listed out additional recommendations on activities and attractions at the end of this guide. Check them out if you’d like to further customize your itinerary, or if you have a bit more time to spend in the area!

Clock Tower in Vieux Nice | Castel Plage | Buildings in Vieux Nice

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Explore Castle Hill

Start your first day in Nice at Castle Hill (or Colline du Château), a park that was once a military citadel. It towers over Nice, offering incredible views of the bright blue water and the cityscape down below. 

Note that you’ll need to walk up a few hundred stone steps to get up to the park. Be sure to wear comfortable shoes!

Start ascending the stairs, and make your first stop at Bellanda Tower, where there’s an observation deck overlooking the city. From there, continue making your way up the stairs, stopping by the Point de vue Colline du Château (another viewpoint) and the waterfalls (known as the Cascade du Château). 

Stroll Through the Old Town of Nice & Visit the Markets 

A trip to Nice isn’t complete without spending time in the Old Town (known as Vieux Nice). This historic quarter of the city is filled with restaurants, cafes, and shops. It’s also worth exploring just to enjoy the beautiful architecture and scenic narrow passageways! 

While strolling through the area, be sure to stop by the magnificent Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate de Nice. The baroque cathedral was built in the 17th century. 

Vieux Nice is also the perfect place to indulge in socca. This chickpea flatbread is a Nice specialty! There are numerous spots throughout the neighborhood where you can find socca, with a few top options being Chez Thérésa, Tutti Quanti, and Chez Rene. 

If you want something sweet, I highly recommend ordering an ice cream from Fenocchio (I love their cassis ice cream!). There are two locations in the Old Town of Nice. 

There are also numerous markets in Vieux Nice that are absolutely worth visiting to pick up a souvenir or grab something to eat. This includes daily markets on Cours Saleya. There is a Monday antiques market on this street, and a fresh food and flowers market Tuesday through Sunday. 

Note: markets typically close in the early afternoon. If you get a late start to your day, you may want to visit the markets first to ensure you don’t miss them! 

Stop for Lunch

If you need a bite to eat, there are some excellent restaurants around the Old Town area, including: 

• Castel Plage – a popular waterfront restaurant and beach club serving Mediterranean food. Advanced reservations are highly recommended!
• La Popote d’Ondine Blacas – a cozy brunch and lunch restaurant in the Jean-Médecin neighborhood, which borders Vieux Nice. They have a great selection of toasts, bowls, and more, as well as many vegan options (I loved their vegan pancakes!). 
• Paper Plane – a bright and airy vegan restaurant in the Jean-Médecin neighborhood. The menu includes savory pancakes, bowls, toasts, and more.

Explore the Chagall Museum 

The Marc Chagall National Museum is easily one of the best museums in Nice, and is well-worth a visit. The museum (which is located in the Cimiez neighborhood) is solely dedicated to the work of the modern artist, and primarily features his religious-inspired work (including preparatory work that he donated when the museum was inaugurated).  

The collection includes paintings, mosaics, stained glass (my personal favorite!), and more. There is also a beautiful garden in front of the museum. 

Tickets can be purchased in person. Expect to spend around an hour in the museum. 

Note: the museum is currently closed on Tuesdays, but refer to the website for the most up-to-date schedule. 

Walk Down the Promenade des Anglais & Enjoy Drinks at Le Negresco Hotel 

Make your way back towards the water for a walk along Promenade des Anglais. This bustling paved walkway stretches along the beach, offering incredible views of the Mediterranean Sea. It’s especially worth strolling down the walkway when the sun is starting to set! 

Follow the walkway to the iconic Le Negresco Hotel. The opulent hotel is known for its museum-worthy art collection. You can see some of this art in the hotel’s “Salon Royal”, which is just past the lobby. 

Big caveat: the staff typically doesn’t allow non-guests into the Salon Royal without a dinner reservation or without getting drinks at the bar. It’s definitely worth visiting the regal bar (called Le Versailles), which is decked out with French classicism furniture and artwork. Grab a drink or two, and then head over to the Salon Royal to admire the artwork. 

Travel Tip: the hotel bar can get crowded, particularly on weekends and during peak travel season. Going before dinner (rather than after) will give you a better chance at getting a seat! 

Day 2: Place Massena, Matisse Museum, & an Afternoon by the Water

Here’s how you can spend your second day. I’ve included two different options to customize the afternoon itinerary to fit your preferences!

Walk Through Place Massena

There’s a good chance you’ll have already strolled through this part of town on day one. However, if that doesn’t happen, be sure to stop by! 

Place Massena is the main square in Nice. It’s surrounded by red neoclassical buildings, and features distinctive black and white checker pavers. This is also where you’ll see the famous Fontaine du Soleil, which depicts the Greek god Apollo. 

Travel Tip: if you’re in need of a good nearby bakery for breakfast, I recommend stopping by La Maison De Celine Pâtisserie! It’s the perfect spot to get your croissant fix. 

Visit the Matisse Museum

Another one of the top museums worth visiting in the city is the Matisse Museum, located in the Cimiez neighborhood. It features one of the world’s largest collections of the artist’s work, exhibiting pieces he created throughout his life. 

Tickets can be purchased in person. Plan to spend around one to two hours in the museum. 

Note: the museum is closed on Tuesdays, but refer to the museum website for the current schedule. 

Afternoon Option 1: An Afternoon at a Beach Club or a Local Beach

If you’d like to stay in Nice for the afternoon, consider spending some time by the water. This is an excellent option if you’re visiting in the late spring, summer, or early fall, when the weather is warm and the beach clubs are open for the season!

There are a ton of beach clubs in Nice, but a few worth considering include Blue Beach, Ruhl Plage, Bocca Mar, and Castel Plage. Remember to book your sun lounger reservation in advance, particularly if you’re visiting during peak season!

If you’d prefer to skip the beach club experience and just hang at a local beach, there are numerous public beach spots all along Promenade des Anglais and Quai des États-Unis. You can also explore the smaller beaches on the east side of Nice, such as Plage de la Réserve, Plage de Sarina, and Coco Beach. 

Keep in mind that Nice beaches are pebble beaches, so you may want to bring water shoes with you!

Note: if you’re visiting during colder weather (but still want to stay in Nice for the afternoon), refer to the end of this guide for more recommendations on things to do in the city!

Afternoon Option 2: An Afternoon in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Alternatively, make your way over to the incredibly beautiful Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. It’s about a 30-minute drive from Nice, or 40 to 60 minutes via public transportation. 

There are plenty of things to do in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, including:

• Hanging out at one of the local beaches or beach clubs (Paloma Beach is one of the most popular beaches!)
• Touring the opulent Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
• Hiking around the peninsula and finding spots to swim
• Going on a boat tour around the peninsula (I did this exact tour and highly recommend it!)

If you plan on getting lunch in Cap-Ferrat, there are plenty of great restaurants right by the port. This includes Le Quai 28, La Musa, and Equinoxe. You can also book a table or lounge chair at Plage de Passable, a local beach club.

My comprehensive guide to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat goes into more detail on all of the best things to do in the area. It also covers key information about getting to Cap-Ferrat from Nice. 

Dinner Back in Nice

For dinner, you can consider visiting one of the restaurants from the day one itinerary. Alternatively, dine out at one of the most iconic restaurants in Nice: Le Plongeoir.

This photo-worthy Mediterranean restaurant is situated on a rock pillar right in the water. It’s a popular spot, so be sure to book your reservation in advance!

Day 3: Choose Your Own Day Trip Adventure

On the last day of your itinerary, you can enjoy a couple of the most beautiful day trip destinations near Nice. I recommend starting your morning in Eze, and then choosing a second destination for the rest of your day. You can finish off your day with dinner back in Nice or at whatever day trip spot you choose.

Explore the Hilltop Village of Eze

Eze is easily one of the most popular French Riviera day trip destinations. This picture-perfect medieval village is set high on a hilltop, overlooking the beautiful Mediterranean Sea. 

During a day trip to Eze, you’ll want to spend some time exploring the Jardin Exotique d’Èze and strolling through the charming (and very small!) town. You can also visit the Fragonard Parfumeur boutique, and can even do a free tour of the laboratory or book a perfume making class!

There are a handful of lunch restaurants in town, a few of which offer incredible views. Some top options to consider include Le Café du Jardin, Les Remparts, La Chèvre d’Or Restaurant, and Château Eza. Just keep in mind that you’ll want to make a reservation in advance, as they do book up! 

My Eze day trip guide covers more details on these activities, tips for your visit, and critical information about how to get to this hilltop village from Nice. 

Choose Your Afternoon Day Trip: Menton, Villefranche-sur-Mer, or Monaco 

Once you’re done exploring Eze, you can make your way to another day trip-worthy destination on the French Riviera. You can choose between Menton, Monaco, and Villefranche-sur-Mer (you may be able to visit two if you get an early start!). 

My top recommendation is to spend the afternoon in Menton, a citrus-hued seaside village right on the Italian border. You can explore the old town and the famous Menton stairs, enjoy a lemon treat (the town is known for its lemons!), relax at the beach, and take in the view of the town from the port. 

If you’d prefer not to travel that far east, another place that you can visit is Monaco. There’s plenty to do in this opulent, super small county, including visiting the Prince’s Palace, checking out the Monte Carlo Casino (note that you need your passport if you actually want to go inside the casino!), and checking out the Oceanographic Museum. 

One more option is Villefranche-sur-Mer, another waterfront village that is just outside of Nice. Spend the afternoon strolling through the beautiful town, making sure to stop by Chapelle Saint-Pierre, Église Saint-Michel, and Rue Obscure (a medieval underground street). 

Villefranche-Sur-Mer Across the Water | Menton Stairs | Menton Old Town