If you are planning a trip to the French Riviera, then you should definitely stop over in Nice!

Nice is a world-class tourist location of international fame, capable of enchanting whoever visits it.

No matter if you decide to go there in summer or during a winter weekend while visiting the French Alpes, we are sure that you will not regret a trip to Nice. The streets and alleys offer glimpses of a typical French atmosphere, where it is easy to fall in love during a romantic walk at the beachside.

There are plenty of museums and corners to discover, that’s one of the reasons why you should reserve enough time to explore beautiful Nice, without hurry or rush and dedicating the right attention to all details.

In this article we recommend 5 top things to see in Nice: read more to discover the activities and attractions not to be missed!

1. Discover the Old Town

Where should you start your tour through Nice? Definitely in the Old Town!

The Vieux Nice (Old Nice) with its narrow streets and alleys populated by shops, is one of the most suggestive areas of the city.

Start your visit at the Cours Saleya, the square where the famous flower and fruit market takes place every day from Tuesday to Sunday. On Monday, there is a different kind of market: on that day you will find the antique banquets of a flee market.

From here you reach the Rossetti square, where you can visit the magnificent Cathedral of Sainte Réparate, a church dedicated to Santa Reparata, the patron of the city.

2. A stroll along the Promenade des Anglais

Another thing you must do absolutely in Nice is to stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, the romantic seaside promenade of the city.

Seven kilometers of seaside walk, that takes you from the port to the airport: a real paradise for those who love running, walking or roller blading!

This is the place where the city’s biggest events are organized: from the carnival with the famous flower battle, to the marathon Nice-Cannes. On the opposite side of the street, right in front of the promenade, you will see some of the most beautiful buildings in town. Here needs to be highlighted the Negresco Hotel, famous for its dome.

Close to this luxury hotel there is the famous Villa Massena, another of the remaining symbols of the Belle Epoque and today the Museum of Art and History.

3. Visit the museums of Nice

During your stay in Nice you definitely can’t miss a visit to its most famous museums. We’ve chosen 4 of them which we specially recommend you to see:

Matisse Museum

The Matisse Museum is one of the most visited museums in Nice despite its location, a bit far off from the Old Town and situated in the Cimiez district.

The works of the impressionist artist Matisse are collected inside a historic building dating back to the seventeent century, called Ville des Arènes. The museum was inaugurated in 1963 and has never ceased to attract visitors ever since.

Inside there are works, drawings and photographs capable of retracing the personal and artistic history of a man who knew how to deeply influence the history of international art.

Marc Chagall Museum

The National Museum named after Marc Chagall was born out of the need to find a safe place for the 17 canvases dedicated to the Bible, that the Belarusian artist donated to France in 1966.

Marc Chagall contributed personally to the renovation of the villa which now houses the museum.

The permanent collection that is kept here is the largest dedicated to the artist.

Archaeological Museum

The Archaeological Museum of Nice is settled in two distinct locations. Inside the archaeological site Terra Amata there is the museum dedicated to prehistory, while in the Cimiez site there is the section dedicated to antiquity and paleochristian art.

In the site of Cimiez you can also admire the remains of an ancient amphitheater and thermal baths.

Palais Lascaris

Returning into the streets of the Old Town you will find another really interesting museum to visit: Palais Lascaris. The building dates back to 1648 and thanks to the latest renovations it has become a beautiful museum: among the works exhibited, there is an incredible collection of truly original musical instruments.

On the ground floor you will also find another rarity: Victor Hugo’s pharmacy coming from his birthhouse of Besançon.

Believe us if we tell you that this palace hides unexpected arts of work!

We would like to remind you that most of the museums of Nice are included in the French Riviera Pass: a card which you can buy at every Tourist Office and which will make you save money if you decide to visit more than museum.

4. Try the typical local cuisine of Nice

During stay in Nice you can’t miss the opportunity to taste some of the delicacies of the city: from the Socca, to the Salade Nicoise, from Pissaladière, to Pan Bagnat, the dishes of this place are many, varied and tasty!

Want an advice on where to try to best food? During our food tour through Nice: together with our local guides you will discover the typical cuisine of the city while exploring its most characteristic corners and the best places!

5. Climb up the Parc de la Colline du Château

Last but not least, here is our last tip on things to see in Nice: climb up to the Parc de la Colline du Château.

You can go up on foot but for the lazier part of you there ia also a lift on Rue de Ponchettes. Once you reach the top, you will find yourself immersed in 19 hectares of park!

Here you can do some urban trekking, have fun with your children in the play areas, explore the remains of the cathedral and the citadel or simply stop over and admire the magnificent panorama of the city, from here you can see the Promenade des Anglais and the incredibly blue Mediterranean sea.

We hope that our suggestions on the top things to see in Nice have made you want to go there as soon as possible. We can’t wait to discover together the city during a gourmet tour for foodies!