The 7 must-sees in the centre
All seven are within walking distance and free. Together they make up the heart of a first visit.
1. The Promenade des Anglais
About 7 km of seafront facing the Baie des Anges, with its blue chairs and palace hotels. The central stretch, from Le Negresco to Old Nice, takes 30 minutes on foot. Our full guide to the Promenade.
2. Old Nice
The historic quarter, with ochre lanes, baroque churches and street food. Allow half a day. Our guide to Old Nice and its restaurants.
3. Castle Hill
The best viewpoint over the bay, a 15-minute climb from Old Nice, or take the lift on the sea side. Gardens, a waterfall and shade in summer.
4. The Cours Saleya
The flower and produce market, every morning except Monday, when it becomes a flea market. Go before 11 am.
5. Place Masséna
The great square of the centre, with checkerboard paving, red façades and statues perched on poles that light up at night. Our guide to the city centre.
6. The Promenade du Paillon
The large urban park running through the centre, with a water mirror where children play in summer. Its extension, completed in 2025, made it one of the city's biggest green spaces.
7. Port Lympia
Italian-coloured façades, fishing boats and ferries to Corsica. The neighbourhood is also one of the best for dinner.
5 more must-sees if you have time
8. The Matisse Museum
In a Genoese villa in the Cimiez district, it traces the career of Henri Matisse, who lived in Nice from 1917 until his death in 1954. Allow 15 to 20 minutes by bus from the centre.
9. The Marc Chagall National Museum
Built in the painter's lifetime to house his great Biblical Message cycle. A 15-minute walk from the centre.
10. St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral
Consecrated in 1912, with its colourful onion domes, it recalls the large Russian community of the Belle Époque.
11. Le Negresco
The pink-domed palace hotel, opened in 1913, is a landmark in itself. Our guide to Le Negresco.
12. Mont Boron
The wooded hill east of the port, for a walk with views over Villefranche bay and Nice.
Our 3-day plan
- Day 1: Cours Saleya in the morning, Old Nice, Castle Hill, then the Promenade at sunset.
- Day 2: Place Masséna, Promenade du Paillon, shopping on Avenue Jean-Médecin, dinner at the port.
- Day 3: the Matisse and Chagall museums, the Russian cathedral, then a late-afternoon swim.
Where to stay to do it all on foot
Hôtel La Pérouse
Between Old Nice and the sea: most must-sees are under 15 minutes' walk away.
Le Negresco
The palace that is a must-see in its own right, in the middle of the Promenade.
Le Windsor Jungle Art Hotel
An artists' hotel with a tropical garden, two streets from the sea. Quirky and central.
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To compare every neighbourhood, read our guide to where to stay in Nice.
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Nice?
Two days cover the essentials: the Promenade, Old Nice, Castle Hill and the centre. Add a third day for the Cimiez museums (Matisse, Chagall) or a trip along the coast.
What can you do for free in Nice?
The Promenade des Anglais, Old Nice, Castle Hill, the Cours Saleya market, Place Masséna, the Promenade du Paillon and the port are all free to visit.
Is the MAMAC open?
No. Nice's Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is closed for major renovation, with reopening announced for 2028.
Do you need a car to visit Nice?
No. The centre is walkable, and the tram links the airport, the centre, the port and the northern districts. A car is only useful for the hill villages inland.
