Nice is a marvellous city – especially the old town. It’s a bit like Paris, but with more sun and a beach attached! There is something incredibly satisfying about having a kir pêche at a bistro in amongst the winding streets of Nice’s old town, then simply walk 2 blocks to have an ice-cream on the beach. Here is my idea of a great 24 hours in Nice – from midday to midday.
For accommodation, I would recommend Hôtel Rossetti; or Hôtel La Pérouse.
24 hour itinerary
12 Midday – Lunch on Place Rosetti
There are many restaurants to try, but I recommend you start down in the old town of Nice. Have lunch on Place Rosetti. Sit outside on the patio and enjoy the bustling old town.
2pm – Find the best view
Walk off your lunch by taking a stroll up the hill to the Parc de la Colline du Château (or take the little tourist train from Promenade des Anglais if the climb is too much for you). From up on this hill you get a great view of the Baie des Anges, Old Nice and the Port. There is access on foot from the old town, in an elevator or by steps at the east end of the Prom, near the Hotel Suisse.
3:30pm – Modern Art in Nice
Time for some cultural enrichment! Head to the magnificent Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain (Place Yves Klein) – a wonderful mix of avant-garde art from both France and America.
5pm – Ice cream on the beach
It’s at about this time that you will want a nap, so I recommend grabbing yourself a gelato (from any number of amazing gelateria in the old town), and a cushion (most hotels have cushions you can borrow for the pebbly beach). Take yourself down to the plage for a little nap / chill out; or even go for a swim if you dare (bring sandals you can get wet, unless your feet are immune to rocky beaches).
Remember to be sensible and keep your valuables safe and wear sunscreen thanks! Our late afternoon ice-cream / doze on the beach became a tradition – it refreshed us for 6pm apéro time!
6pm – Apéro
It’s time for some aperitifs. Either at one of the little tucked away bars in Nice’s old town, if you want €2 provencal rosé, and decent cheap pints. Or down on Cours Saleya, if you want snazzy cocktails! Cours Saleya has a flower market and brocante during the day, but by the evening the market space is taken over by bars and restaurants, many with happy hours.
Or you could try fighting the hoards to one of Nice’s rooftop bars – there’s nothing like drinking a negroni while looking out over Nice on a balmy summer evening. Beware the prices though – you do indeed pay for the view! Try La Terrasse at Le Meridien Hotel, next to the Monument du Centenaire on the Promenade des Anglais; or La Terrasse du Plaza (12 avenue de Verdun).
8pm – Dinner
Time for dinner! There are so many options, so it really depends on what your budget is. For traditional french cuisine at the higher end of the spectrum (not the highest a la Monaco), then try Comptoir du Marché (8 Rue du Marché), or Bistrot d’Antoine (27 Rue de la Préfecture) – both in Nice’s old town.
You’ll note that I’m almost entirely basing your Nice visit around the old town. Just visit the train station and the garish tourist tat further east on the Prom and you’ll understand why I’m doing this.
There are plenty of set menus and cheap Italian eats around Place Rossetti too. Our favourite is Chez Juliette, their mustard steak is fantastic. If you’re really short on cash and want cheap and cheerful (and rowdy cocktail bars), try the area around Rue Halévy.
10pm
Check out the live music at Le Shapko (5 Rue Rossetti). This jazz bar and speakeasy is a great way to finish a night out on the town.
Midnight
Take a moonlight stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, listen to the waves crashing. Bliss.
*** Fall into bed at an undisclosed hour ***
8am – Breakfast on the Prom
Get yourself up and go for a walk along the Prom to let the salty air drag you from your inevitable hangover! Have breakfast at your hotel (or if you choose the no-breakfast plan like me, nip into a beachfront hotel, such as the Hôtel Le Royal à Nice, to enjoy their hangover-curing breakfast buffet with a view.
9am – Hit the markets
Take a wander around the Cours Saleya flower market – the market stalls are vibrant and buzzing! If you’re visiting on a Monday, the market transforms into a lively flea market.
10am – Fine art appreciation
Head to the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice (Avenue des Baumettes) – home of Rodin’s ‘The Kiss’, it also has some fantastic works by Gustav-Adolf Mossa, an underrated Symbolist and native of Nice (not pictured).
If art and museums aren’t your thing, visit the shops around Place Masséna and Avenue Jean Médecin.
12 Midday
Ok, so there are two options for your last stop on this 24hr tour of Nice:
- Head over to the Port of Nice to have lunch at one of the many restaurants overlooking the super-yachts.
- OR, if, like me, you can’t really afford to pay for usage of a private beach, you can still sample the lifestyle but without paying €10 to use a towel. Simply head to one of the private beaches for lunch! We chose Le Voilier Plage, and had a beautiful salad for lunch whilst enjoying the quiet (and shade) on a hot day!
24 Hours in Nice
I hope you get to spend more than 24 hours in this gorgeous city, and that this guide helps you maximise your time there. I love Nice for being both cosmopolitan as well as beachy in its atmosphere. It really is the best of both worlds. And with places like Èze, Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Monaco nearby, Nice makes a great base for exploring the South of France.
See more of my 24 hour guides !
All photos & content © Hannah Henderson and may not be used without permission (sharing this blog post is fine, though!). Images shot with a Canon DSLR T3i Rebel + Canon EF Lens 50mm 1:1.8 STM; and an iPhone6s.
Love me a 24 hour guide, thanks Hannah! This will come in handy for our trip to Nice.