Nice On a Budget
Nice, France
The Gallo-Roman ruins of Cimiez point to the origins of the city. This area, in the hills, has a monastery and several museums but today the major population area is closer to sea level.
Nice has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and a moderate amount of rain. Summers are very hot and dry with a maximum temperature usually around 27 degrees Celsius. Early fall is still sunny but as the months progress it becomes more cloudy and rainy, but still warm. Early winter is cooler but still comfortable and frost and snow are rare, even in the coldest months. It usually doesn't drop much below 5 degrees Celsius. Spring can be rainy but warmer.
Sights
The Promenade des Anglais, the famous waterfront, has entertaining for all types. Visit the Colline du Chateau, which offers views of the whole city as well as Baie des Anges. You have the option to either climb the stairs or use the lift to reach the ruined castle.The beaches themselves are predominately rock, but there are beautiful views, interesting walks along the waterfront, restaurants, museums, and plenty of forms of entertainment. If you only have one day in Nice, then all of these places should and can be on your to-do list.
Neighborhoods
The city center is a popular area to walk around in Nice. There are many different neighborhoods within the city, each with its own character.The Old Town has many narrow streets, the Flower Market and plenty of cafes, shops, and tourist sights. The Chateau is reached by climbing steps to the top of the hill, which offers great views. The Port area is near Old Town and is often overlooked by tourists. It has some great restaurants and popular nightclubs. The Sea Front is where you will find Promenade des Anglais, which has beaches, seaside restaurants, and plenty of places to walk. Musiciens is an upscale residential area with many second homes owned by Europeans and internationals. Cimiez has a rich history, picnic areas, and gardens. The Russian district has an old orthodox Russian Cathedral and Valrose is where you'll find the University of Nice.
Activities
Many people head to the beaches in Nice, but don't expect sand. Most beaches are pebbled and they are not ideal for sunbathing. The warm, blue waters are perfect for a swim though, and you shouldn't pass up this opportunity. If you're determined to find a sand beach, you'll have better luck in some of the nearby towns such as Villefranche-sur-Mer, Antibes and Cannes. These can be reached by TAM bus. In fact, Nice has plenty of beautiful towns nearby that you should check out. Many are very scenic and worth visiting as day trips.Food and Dining
Popular local dishes include socca, which is a chickpea flat bread, and Pan Bagnat, a type of tuna fish sandwich. Seafood is common in most restaurants but some restaurants are better than others. It's worth going to the daily market in Vieux Nice where you can find fresh, local produce. Preparing meals for yourself will help you save a lot of money and the local ingredients are very good. There aren't many budget friendly restaurants in Nice, but baguettes are a good lunch option. The most reasonably priced restaurants are in the Port neighborhood. Many restaurants have set menus at lunch time which are reasonably priced. They usually include two courses and sometimes also include coffee or wine.Transportation
The main bus network in Nice is Lignes d'Azur. There are over 100 routes and this is the main mode of transportation for residents. There's also an inter-urban network, the TAM, that connects all of the Eastern Riviera towns between Cannes and Menton. This is popular with tourists. There is also a tram line that makes a U-shaped route from Las Planas in the northeast to Pont St Michel in the northwest. It also connects the main train station with the bus station, downtown area, and the university. The route is more popular with locals than it is with tourists.Taxis are available but are expensive and best avoided. It is best to catch a taxi at a designated location because few respond to being hailed. It is easiest to find them near the train station and larger hotels.
Train and Bus Prices
The best prices for buses and trains in France can be found on Omio (formerly GoEuro). They let you search across all train, bus, and plane routes throughout the region.
