France’s 5th largest city is located on the Mediterranean coast, halfway between Marseille and Genoa. Along with Cannes and Monaco, it’s one of the most popular European destinations.

I spent two days exploring the French Riviera, including Nice. You can read here!

Nice attractions

Promenade des Anglais

Nice’s most famous attraction, featured in most pictures of the city.

It means „English Promenade,” referring to its original construction for English tourists who visited the city in winter. The nearly 7 km long promenade is lined with palm trees and numerous elegant hotels, restaurants, and cafes.

It’s one of the city’s central meeting places, where beachgoers, relaxers, and joggers can enjoy themselves. It’s also the venue for several famous festivals, including the Nice Carnival.

Castle Hill (Colline du Château)

The 92-meter high hill is located in the eastern part of the city center, offering breathtaking views of the city, the port, and the Mediterranean Sea.

Although the castle no longer stands, there’s a beautiful park at the top of the hill, which is a popular resting place for locals and tourists alike. The park features an impressive waterfall, which is particularly spectacular on summer evenings when it’s illuminated.

It can be approached on foot from several directions, but there’s also an elevator from the seaside.

Old Town (Vieux Nice)

This charming neighborhood is located at the western foot of Castle Hill. The historic district, with its narrow, winding streets and brightly colored houses, evokes medieval Nice.

One of its main parts is Cours Saleya, a market filled with flowers and local products. Here you can taste local specialties like socca or pissaladière.

The small streets are full of shops, restaurants, and cafes, making it an unmissable part of the city.

Nice Cathedral (Sainte-Réparate de Nice)

The dominant building of the Old Town. The cathedral is dedicated to Saint Reparata, Nice’s patron saint, who was a young Palestinian martyr.

The Baroque-style church was built in the 17th century and consecrated in 1699. Its impressive dome and bell tower are recognizable from afar in the Old Town skyline. It has ten chapels, each dedicated to different saints.

The organ, built in 1868, has excellent acoustics and regularly hosts concerts. The building’s floor is decorated with geometric patterns of black and white stones, which is a characteristic element of the Ligurian Baroque style.

Place Masséna

This square is one of Nice’s most important and spectacular public spaces.

The square is named after Marshal André Masséna, a native of Nice and one of Napoleon’s most excellent generals. Its distinctive black and white checkered stone paving creates an optical illusion.

The buildings around the square, with their red facades and green shutters, represent a typical Nice style. In the center is the Fountain of the Sun (Fontaine du Soleil), with a bronze statue of the Greek god Apollo rising in its center.

Place Garibaldi

The other most important square is named after Giuseppe Garibaldi, the hero of Italian unity, who was born in Nice.

The square was built in the 18th century and is a characteristic example of Piedmontese Baroque architecture. Its central part is adorned with an impressive statue of Garibaldi, erected in 1891.

The buildings on the square form a harmonious overall picture with their uniform yellowish-ochre facades and symmetrical arrangement. On the ground floor, there are arcades under which terraces of restaurants and cafes can be found.

Port Lympia

Nice’s port is located near Castle Hill, surrounded by beautiful colorful buildings and many boats.

Notre-Dame de Nice

This Neo-Gothic style building is located in the city center on Avenue Jean-Médecin.

Construction of the church began in 1864 and was completed in 1868, designed by architects Louis Lenormand and Charles Lenormand. Its external appearance strongly resembles the Notre-Dame in Paris, although smaller in size.

Its facade is adorned with two 65-meter high towers, between which is a large rose window. The interior of the church is impressive, with its colorful stained glass windows and carved altars particularly noteworthy. It houses one of the largest organs in France.

Saint Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral (Saint-Nicolas de Nice)

The church is the largest Orthodox church in Western Europe, located in the Cimier district of the city.

Construction of the building began in 1912 with the support of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia and was consecrated in 1912. The church was designed by Russian architect Mikhail Preobrazhensky, who based it on the style of the Kremlin churches in Moscow.

The cathedral’s characteristic onion domes and colorful exterior make it immediately recognizable. It has six domes, of which the central one is the largest, and each is crowned with a gilded cross. Its interior is essentially Byzantine in style, rich with frescoes, icons, and mosaics.

Phoenix Park

This seven-hectare park is located in the western part of the city, near the airport.

The central element of the park is a huge, 25-meter high greenhouse, the „Green Diamond” (Diamant Vert), which is home to more than 2,500 plant species. It’s one of the largest greenhouses in Europe, showcasing tropical and subtropical plants.

The park features numerous themed gardens, including Mediterranean, African, and Asian plants. The park is also home to various animal species, including flamingos, parrots, and reptiles.

All information can be found here!

Matisse Museum

One of Nice’s most famous museums, showcasing the work of Henri Matisse, one of the most significant artists of the 20th century.

The institution is housed in a beautiful 17th-century Genoese villa, the Villa des Arènes. This area was particularly dear to Matisse, who spent the last years of his life in Nice.

The museum’s collection provides a comprehensive view of Matisse’s artistic career, from early works to the last creations. The exhibited objects include paintings, sculptures, drawings, prints, and the artist’s famous paper cut-outs. It also showcases Matisse’s creative process, often displaying different versions or preliminary studies of a work side by side.

All information can be found here!

Marc Chagall Museum

Opened in 1973, the museum houses the world’s largest collection of Chagall’s works.

Its most famous work is the „Biblical Message” series, consisting of 17 large paintings depicting Old Testament stories. The museum also showcases many other Chagall works, including paintings, graphics, and stained glass window designs.

All information can be found here!

Panorama du Mont-Boron

Nice’s panorama can be best admired from here.

Mont Boron hill rises east of the city, most easily reached by bus 33. There’s a viewpoint with a few benches, offering a wonderful view not only of the city but also of the surrounding mountains and the sea.

Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild

The palace is located near Nice, in the town of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, but it’s worth visiting.

The building was commissioned by Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild between 1905 and 1912. The villa was built in Italian Renaissance style and is surrounded by nine themed gardens, each representing a different style. These include French, Spanish, Japanese, and exotic gardens.

It houses a rich collection that includes paintings, sculptures, porcelains, and antique furniture. The villa’s furnishings span from the 15th to the 19th century.

One of its most unique features is the musical fountain located in front of the main entrance. At specific times, the water display starts with classical music accompaniment.

All information can be found here!

A Nice attractions bejegyzés először Tips for journey-én jelent meg.

Typically, I don’t travel from May to October, as I enjoy the local weather (and Lake Balaton) during this period. However, I came across a Tuesday morning Vienna-Nice and a Wednesday evening Nice-Budapest flight. Both were with Wizz Air, and with a WDC membership, the two tickets cost 24 €. I couldn’t pass up such a deal.

Those who have read my reports know I don’t spend much time in one place, so I had to pack a lot into the two full days.

Monaco

The plane landed in Nice at 8 AM on Tuesday. The L2 tram from the airport takes you to the city center. The ticket can be bought from a machine outside the arrivals hall: a single ticket costs 1.50 €, and a 24-hour ticket only 5 €. This covers buses and trams! Always validate the day ticket on the vehicles.

Since Wednesday’s weather was uncertain, I first went up the hill between the city center and the port, from where you can take great pictures of the seaside promenade. It’s about a 10-minute walk from the Garibaldi / Le Château L2 tram stop.

From there, I headed to the 607 bus stop (Port Lympia / Arson), which starts from the street beside the port to Monaco. As many people board here, I walked to the starting point, Square Normandie. Here, only a few of us boarded, so I was able to get a good seat on the right side. Definitely sit on this side, as the view is stunning almost the entire way! In Monaco, public transport tickets and day passes are not valid; you need to buy a ticket from the bus driver for 2.50 €.

In Monaco, I got off at the western end at the Place d’Armes stop, from where a short staircase leads to the Prince’s Palace. This is probably the best spot for panoramic shots in two directions!

It’s also worth wandering into the narrow streets, where you’ll find lots of shops and restaurants. Additionally, the cathedral, the Oceanographic Museum, and a beautiful garden are in this area.

The Formula 1 race is in two weeks, and preparations were underway: stands, pit lanes, and the track were being set up. Despite some closures and detours, this didn’t affect the Monaco experience.

Another must-see is the famous Monte Carlo Casino. You can always see luxury cars parked in front of the entrance and even take photos with them. Ten years ago, a friend and I went inside to play blackjack and even won enough for a few beers. 🙂

This time, I skipped gambling and went to the nearby small Japanese garden. It’s refreshing to rest in this charming spot amidst the flashy buildings and cars.

Then, I walked back to the casino for a late lunch and took bus 602 to Èze.

Èze

This little village is built on a rock, known for its alleyways and perfumes. After a short uphill walk from the bus, you reach this beautiful area.

It’s worth meandering through the alleys; they’re very atmospheric. At the very top, a botanical garden offers a beautiful view. I didn’t go there because the weather was overcast; it’s best seen in the sunshine.

I planned to take bus 82 to Nice, but the online and actual timetables didn’t match. This is the case with other buses too, and with few buses, there’s a lot of competition for a spot. I couldn’t fit on the 602 bus as it was too full. So, I had to wait for the next 82 bus, which arrived an hour later. From here, the 24-hour ticket is valid to Nice.

Nice

Fortunately, the weather was good on Wednesday, so I could see all of Nice’s attractions. On my way to the city center from the accommodation, I passed the Saint-Nicolas de Nice Russian Cathedral. There were several tame rabbits running around freely in the garden.

I walked down to the seaside promenade, perhaps the most famous part of Nice. It’s several kilometers long, with many bars and ice cream parlors on the beach. There were a lot of sunbathers on the beach, making it a real community spot.

The city’s main square is Place Masséna, where the red-yellow buildings and the Fontaine du Soleil fountain create a beautiful area.

From here, heading east, you’ll find a district with narrow streets, including the Sainte-Réparate de Nice cathedral. Entrance is free, and the interior is beautiful. I spent some time walking through these alleys; it’s a charming part of the city.

I continued to Garibaldi Square, another significant square in Nice. A few minutes from here and you reach the port. Alongside the many yachts and beautiful buildings, a large cruise ship was docked.

I took the L2 tram back to the city’s main street, Jean Médecin. It’s a classic pedestrian street with a tram line. On the northern end stands the impressive Notre-Dame de l’Assomption basilica.

After a coffee, I took bus 5 from downtown to the Matisse Museum. The famous painter spent a long time in Nice, and his works are displayed in a beautiful villa. The entrance fee was 10 euros, and it’s relatively quick to view the 9-room museum. I expected it to be bigger, but for Matisse enthusiasts, it’s a must-see.

Another important site was the view from Mont Boron, east of the port. Bus 33 from the museum went directly there. The journey uphill got progressively more beautiful, but the best view was from the lookout point before the Chemin du Fort stop. Just look at this picture:

After that, I took a bus and then a tram to the Saint-Augustin train station to take a regional train to Cannes.

Cannes

The train journey takes about 30 minutes and arrives in the center of Cannes. Within a few minutes, you can walk to the seaside promenade.

They were preparing for the Film Festival, so a good part of the beach was fenced off. But like in Nice, many people were sunbathing and picnicking on the available parts.

West of the port is a hill topped with the Église Notre-Dame d’Espérance. I walked up there; it’s about a 10-minute climb. The view from here is also beautiful.

I descended through an alleyway to the Rue Meynandier pedestrian street. After a late lunch, I returned to the train station in Nice.

Honestly, I enjoyed Nice (and Monaco) much more than Cannes. Probably because after the other two cities, Cannes didn’t have much new to offer. But if you’re on the French Riviera, it’s still worth a visit!

Nice and its surroundings are perfect for a short getaway. Pleasant weather, beautiful sights, friendly people – everything that makes a trip worthwhile!

A French Riviera in May bejegyzés először Tips for journey-én jelent meg.