Should You Visit Nice?

Is Nice worth visiting?

Nice is worth visiting for three to five days so that you can explore everything that the seaside destination has to offer. Nice is loved by visitors for many reasons, and is routinely on national "best of" lists, including Forbes Best Places to Travel in 2023. Nice is a world famous destination along the French Riviera. It's lined with pebbly beaches and iconic shopping areas. The city is famous for its popularity amongst celebrities, but casual vacationers will also enjoy visiting the many cafes and and coastal views around town. Visitors can walk down the famous and historic promenade or pop in a local eatery to try some French cuisine.

Nice, France

Reasons to Visit Nice

Food
The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.

Nightlife
The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.

Resorts
The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.

Beaches
The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.

Historical Sights
Wandering around the charming old town is a quintessential part of visiting this city. There are many historic churches and squares, as well as great restaurants and shops that you can pop in.

Shopping
The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.

Scuba Diving & Snorkeling
There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Is Nice worth visiting in the Summer?

The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 23°C (73°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 26°C (80°F).

The peak season for travel is summer in Nice, so expect to see more tourists than usual. This destination is very popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect tourist crowds to be very large, and prices to be higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.

Visiting the nearby beaches is one of the most popular things to do this time of year, so spend some time enjoying the waves and sand. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable seaside destination, especially in the nice weather. This is a great time of year to relax at the beach, enjoy the amenities of a resort, and admire the historic sights. Also, you can enjoy the evening activities.

Is Nice worth visiting in the Autumn?

Autumn is the shoulder season for travel in Nice. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.

Keep in mind that it can be fairly rainy during autumn, and temperatures hover around 17°C (63°F).

Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during autumn, as you'll be able to admire the wonderful scenery, browse around the old town, and admire the quaint atmosphere.

Is Nice worth visiting in the Winter?

This is the low season for travel in Nice. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.

The weather in Nice can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 9°C (48°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.

You'll like that you can take public transit easily in the winter, too. You can get around quickly while avoiding bad weather if needed. During this season it's fun to experience the cuisine, the historic old town, and the nightlife scene.

Is Nice worth visiting in the Spring?

You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 13°C (56°F).

Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Nice, which means slightly less visitors than in the peak season. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.

The city this time of year is absolutely beautiful. Admire the gardens, parks, and fantastic architecture, too. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. This is a great time of year to browse the shops, appreciate the quaint setting, and admire the wonderful scenery. Also, you can experience the historic old town and the nightlife.

Things to Consider Before Visiting Nice

Lots of Tourists
Nice sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.

Not As Family-Friendly
While there are some family activities, it's not as child-friendly as other destinations.

The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Nice might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Nice here or see if Nice is expensive here.

Related

What is Nice most famous for?

Nice is most famous for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. The seaside destination is very popular for its food, nightlife, and resorts. It's also known for beaches, historical sights, and shopping. And many travelers come for the scuba diving & snorkeling, as well. It is often described as chic, glamourous, beautiful, opulent, and trendy.

What is the most famous sight in Nice?

The most popular sight in Nice is The Promenade des Anglais. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Nice on our travel costs page.

Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for The Promenade des Anglais and other attractions here.

How touristy is Nice? Is it a popular seaside destination to visit?

Nice is a very touristy seaside destination that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)

• Small Group Guided E-bike Tour in Nice's Organic Vineyard: $98
• Romantic Private Tour for 2 plus guide on your own Solar Powered Boat: $155
• Premium Tour on a Solar Powered Boat - Private Group: $146
• A perfect guided tour in Monaco Monte Carlo, on the footpath of Grace Kelly,: $196
• 7h sightseeing excursion: Visit Monaco and Eze: $103
• Amazing Private Walking Tour of Old Nice between Italy and France: $110
• Sightseeing tour of Nice : 3 hours Nice Segway XXL circuit: $82
• French Riviera Grand Panoramic E-Bike Tour: $108

How long should I spend in Nice?

The ideal length of time for a trip to Nice is at least three or as many as five days. Since Nice has a variety of activities such as dining, nightlife, and resorts, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.

If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Nice?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Nice?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Nice?.

More Things to Do in Nice

• Is The Beach Worth Visiting?
• Is The Colline du Château Worth Visiting?
• Is Vieille Ville (Old Town) Worth Visiting?
• Is Nice Cathedral Worth Visiting?
• Is The Rothschild Villa Worth Visiting?
• Is Mont Boron Park Worth Visiting?
• Is The Promenade des Anglais Worth Visiting?
• Is Basilique Notre-Dame de l'Assomption Worth Visiting?
• Is The Modern and Contemporary Art Museum (MAMAC) Worth Visiting?
• Is The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice Worth Visiting?
• Is Musée du Palais Lascaris Worth Visiting?
• Is The Matisse Museum Worth Visiting?
• Is The Nice Museum of Natural History Worth Visiting?
• Is The Archeology Museum of Nice Cimiez Worth Visiting?
• Is The Human Paleontology Terra Amata Museum Worth Visiting?
• Is Musée Masséna Worth Visiting?
• Is The Marc Chagall National Museum Worth Visiting?