When people think about Nice, France, they usually picture azure water, year‑round sunshine, pebble beaches and a spectacular coastline. That’s what Nice is famous for, and it’s a wonderful reason to visit. But there’s so much more to this French Riviera city, and in this post I’m sharing some of the best things to see in Nice beyond the beach.
Don’t get me wrong – I love beaches, especially beautiful ones. Nice is a fantastic place for a summer holiday. We spent several days combining time on the beach with city sightseeing, architecture, fine dining and short day trips. Below is our list of the top things to see in Nice, France, if you want to explore more than the coastline.
Promenade des Anglais
Promenade des Anglais in Nice is a well-known and popular place for walking along the beach. The promenade was initially built in 1824, then expanded and widened over the years, and now stretches along the seafront of Nice for about 4km.
Have a stroll along the promenade to enjoy the views over the turquoise sea. Head down to the beach to throw pebbles into the water or have a swim if you’re visiting in summer. Admire the beautiful architecture and some of the historical buildings along the Promenade des Anglais, and go for an evening walk to see them in a different light.
Nice has hosted the Grand Départ of the famous bicycle race, the Tour de France, several times. Our visit happened to coincide with the event, so there were Tour de France signs all over the central city and along the Promenade des Anglais, which served as the starting point of the race.
‘#I love Nice’ Sign
When walking along the promenade, make sure to reach the giant “#I love Nice” sign. It’s not only a popular spot for taking photos but also a viewing point with scenic views over to the sea and Promenade des Anglais.
Rauba-Capeù Memorial and Phare de Nice
If you’re coming from the promenade, continue walking past the #IloveNice sign and you’ll see the Rauba-Capeù Memorial on your left. It commemorates the citizens of Nice who were killed in WWI.
On your right, at the end of a long pier, you’ll spot Phare de Nice – the lighthouse marking the entrance to Port Lympia. It’s a lovely place to enjoy panoramic views or watch the sunset over the water.
See Place Massena and the Fontaine du Soleil in Nice
The main square of Nice, Place Massena, is bright, colourful and a spot you shouldn’t miss when visiting the city. The red façades, black‑and‑white paving and illuminated sculptures at night make Place Massena a joy to the eyes.
The illuminated sculptures are part of a contemporary art installation called Conversation in Nice. It consists of seven seated figures, each representing a continent. They are lit at night in changing colours – blue, green, pink and purple.
Located in the heart of the city, Place Massena often hosts concerts and other public events. When we visited in 2020, there was a fan zone for the Tour de France set up in the square.
On the south side of Place Massena stands the beautiful Fontaine du Soleil (“Fountain of the Sun”). At the centre of the fountain is a seven‑metre‑high statue of Apollo, representing the sun, surrounded by five bronze statues symbolising Earth, Mars, Mercury, Venus and Saturn.
Promenade du Paillon
Promenade du Paillon is a long, leafy green space that divides the Old Town from modern Nice. It’s an easy and enjoyable walk, starting at Place Masséna and continuing all the way up to Parc de la Coulée Verte, with plenty of places to pause along the way.
One of the highlights is the Fontaine Miroir d’Eau, a large water mirror where jets rise and fall in shifting patterns. It’s a popular place on warm days, with children running through the sprays and adults enjoying the cool mist and reflections. A little further along, don’t miss the colourful Octopus installation. If you’re travelling with small children, the playground near the Octopus installation is a great and fun stop.
Place Garibaldi: Markets and History in the Heart of Nice
Another large public square to visit in Nice is Place Garibaldi. Built in the 18th century, the square was originally used for military parades, which explains why it’s so spacious. In the middle stands a statue of Giuseppe Garibaldi – the famous Italian patriot and general who was born in Nice.
If you visit on a Saturday or Sunday, you may catch one of the local markets held in Place Garibaldi: the Artisanal Market (every first Sunday of the month) or the Antique and Flea Market (every third Saturday of the month).
Castle Hill – Nice’s Most Famous Panorama
Castle Hill overlooks the city of Nice and takes its name from the castle that once stood here until the early 18th century. You can use the staircase right next to the Promenade des Anglais to reach the top of Castle Hill.
We walked up to Castle Hill, stopped at Cascade du Château (the man‑made waterfall) and continued to the uppermost viewpoint. The most beautiful view of Nice opens up from the viewing platform at the top: you can see the azure waters of the sea, Promenade des Anglais, Nice’s Old Town and the green hills surrounding the city.
Explore Nice Old Town (Vieux Nice)
Nice Old Town (known as Vieille Ville or Vieux Nice) lies just beneath Castle Hill. Wander through the narrow streets of Vieux Nice, enjoy a coffee at one of the street cafés, and admire the old architecture and historical landmarks. Vieille Ville has that cosy charm of narrow, winding streets typical of old Europe.
Visit Cours Saleya during the day to experience Nice’s main marketplace. Or go there in the evening when the stalls are closed and restaurants set up their tables outside, creating a lovely atmosphere for an evening meal in the historic heart of the city.
Another historical place to visit in the Old Town is Lascaris Palace (Musée du Palais Lascaris). This 17th‑century building now hosts a museum with a large collection of vintage musical instruments.
Don’t miss Place du Palais de Justice. Surrounded by historical buildings and a few cafés, it’s a pleasant city square located just in front of the courthouse.
See Place Rossetti: Cathedral, Ice‑Cream and Old Town Charm
Next in the Old Town of Nice, visit the 17th‑century Cathedral of Saint Reparata (Cathédrale Sainte‑Réparate). The cathedral is named after the city’s patron saint, Saint Reparata. It’s located on Place Rossetti and is open to the public.
Make sure to stop at the best ice‑cream shop in Nice – Fenocchio, also on Place Rossetti. Their ice‑cream is excellent, but what makes it truly special is the choice: around 50 flavours of ice‑cream and 30 flavours of sorbet. I don’t know about you, but I had never seen so many varieties in one shop before.
Vieux Nice is a great place for shopping for local products. From markets with foods, crafts and flowers, to shops and boutiques with clothing and accessories, you can easily combine walking in the old town with shopping experience.
Port Lympia
The Old Port of Nice (Port de Nice Lympia) is located to the east of Castle Hill and is easily reachable on foot from Vieux Nice. Port Lympia has served as the city’s port since the 18th century and today it remains the main port of the French Riviera.
Walk around Port Lympia to watch yachts and boats coming and going. Enjoy the views and admire the neatly coloured houses surrounding the old port. Stop at Notre Dame du Port Church – a 19th‑century church originally opened as a place of prayer for seamen. Take the free boat, Lou Passagin, which runs between the eastern and western banks of the port. You can also have a meal at one of the restaurants around the waterfront.
Cimiez: Matisse Museum, Roman Ruins and Monastère de Cimiez
The hilltop district of Cimiez is a great area to explore in Nice – especially if you enjoy a mix of art, history and peaceful green spaces. It’s home to the Musée Matisse, set inside a 17th‑century villa surrounded by olive groves. The collection traces the artist’s life and work in Nice, and even if you’re not an art person, the setting alone makes it worth the trip.
Just a few steps away are the Roman ruins of ancient Cemenelum, once the regional capital during the Roman Empire. You can wander past the remains of an amphitheatre, thermal baths and residential buildings. It’s an easy, relaxed way to get a sense of Nice’s much older layers of history.
Across the same park sits the Monastère de Cimiez, a quiet Franciscan monastery with beautifully kept gardens and sweeping views over Nice. The church and cloister are simple but atmospheric, and the gardens are a lovely place to pause before heading back down into the bustle of the city.
Scenic Beaches to See Around Nice
Even though this post is about things to see in Nice beyond its beaches, I couldn’t avoid mentioning at least a few of them. During our visit, we really liked being able to spend time on the beach in the morning and then explore other attractions in the afternoon. Especially when travelling with kids, it’s important to alternate walking and sightseeing with more relaxed activities, such as going for a swim or, if visiting in the colder months, simply enjoying the sun and the calming effect of the water.
The main Nice beach is great for sitting by the water, watching sunsets, and listening to the sound of the waves rolling over the pebbles. Unlike some other popular resorts in France (for example, Biarritz on the west coast), the main beach in Nice is not sandy but a pebble beach.
If you want a sandy beach near Nice, head to Plage des Marinieres – a beautiful sandy beach with calm waters and scenic views. Plage des Marinieres is located just over the hill from Nice, in the village of Villefranche-sur-mer. You can get there either by train or by car.
We discovered this beach on our way from Nice to Monaco, when we stopped at the Boulevard Napoléon III viewpoint to enjoy the views. The following day we decided to visit the Plage des Marinieres properly. We spent a few hours swimming, sunbathing and admiring the scenery.
Day Trips from Nice
If you’re staying in Nice for a couple of days, it’s a good idea to take a day trip to explore more of the region around the city.
To conclude our list of the best things to see in Nice, here are three day trips from Nice we would recommend.
Visit Monaco
Monaco is only a half-hour drive from Nice, making it a perfect day-trip destination. There is a direct train between Nice and Monaco, or you can rent a car and drive there.
Spend a day in Monaco walking its streets, sightseeing and visiting one of its museums or parks.
Gorge du Verdon: A Scenic Day Trip from Nice
Rent a car in Nice and drive to one of the most beautiful roads in France – the road to Gorge du Verdon. Gorge du Verdon is one of the largest canyons in Europe, and it’s simply magnificent, with its dramatic cliffs, turquoise Verdon River, scenic roads and multiple viewpoints along the way.
Drive up to the Pont du Galetas bridge and Lake Sainte-Croix. There you can rent a boat or a paddle-boat to enjoy the scenery from the water.
Driving around Gorge du Verdon, paddle-boating on Lake Sainte-Croix and swimming in its blue waters was one of our family favorites during our visit to the south of France.
Take a Boat Trip
There are many options for a sightseeing cruise or boat trip from Nice. Take a short sightseeing cruise to Villefranche Bay. Enjoy a round-trip by boat from Nice to Saint-Tropez. Admire the coastline from water on a cruise from Nice to Monaco.
You can choose a trip that suits preferences and book it online through Get Your Guide – they offer a great selections of tours and free-cancellation options:
Whether you’re visiting Nice for its coastal charm, historic streets or breathtaking viewpoints, the city offers far more than just its famous beaches. From lively squares and colourful markets to scenic walks, museums and easy day trips along the French Riviera, there’s plenty to fill your days.
We truly enjoyed our visit to Nice, and we hope this guide helps you plan a trip you’ll love just as much.
Read next – Paris, Versailles and the Louvre in One Weekend.
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My Dad have been to Nice. He said Nice is beautiful. And your post shows that Nice is beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
These are some really great ideas of things to see and do when in Nice. The photographs are beautiful. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren
It’s great to know that there are so many things to see in Nice, besides the beach. The view from Castle Hill is wonderful. The day trips look interesting as well- Gorge du Verdon and Lake Sainte-Croix are absolutely beautiful!
I need to return to Nice as I didn’t see much of it as spent all day on the beach haha. Castle Hill, Place Garibaldi, and the old town would be on the top of my must see places there.
That’s why it’s better to stay in Nice for couple of days – temptation to spend a day just laying on the beach is real! 🙂