48 Hours in Nice: A Luxury Guide to the Promenade & Beyond
I recently traveled from Paris to Nice for a week of luxury, relaxation, and exploring the Côte d’Azur. While I knew I’d love the Riviera itself, I kind of wrote off Nice before giving it a fair shot. Generally, I prefer small town charm over the city but I have to admit – I was wrong to write Nice off. Its quaint old town, incredible views of the Mediterranean, and gorgeous coastal walks showed me that the city was absolutely worth it – and I was right to include it in my French Riviera itinerary. This is how to spend 48 hours in Nice.
Is 48 Hours Enough for Nice?
48 hours in Nice gives you enough time to explore the city and enjoy the top experiences Nice has to offer. If you’re considering spending more time, I would use your third day to explore towns around Nice or use it as a “beach club” day.
I wouldn’t spend less than 48-hours in Nice as I don’t think you get a good feel for the city and you’re definitely missing that “relaxing” aspect famous in the Côte d’Azur.
Day 1: Old Nice & Castle Hill
My two favorite things to do in Nice are to explore “old” Nice and climb Castle Hill for views over the city and the sea.
– Pro Tip –
In French, the word for “old” is “vieux” (in masculine form). So you might see/hear “Vieux Nice” referring to Nice’s old town. This is true throughout France as each city has an “old” town called “Vieux X”. The feminine form of “old” is “vieille” but this isn’t the form used when talking about a city.
Morning in Nice – Castle Hill
I suggest getting up around sunrise to climb Castle Hill for incredible views over the city of Nice, the port, and the Mediterranean. If you’re visiting Nice in the summer months, getting up early is especially important because it’s hot and the climb is steep! (The climb is paved so you shouldn’t need special shoes). Use “Panorama Est de la Colline du Château” as your destination. This will bring you to the best, sweeping views over Nice.
Afternoon in Nice – Exploring Vieux Nice
After you’ve climbed Castle Hill, make your way down to explore Vieux Nice. Here you can shop in the boutique stores, eat gelato, stop for a glass of wine, eat lunch, the options are endless! You can truly spend the entire afternoon exploring the winding cobblestone streets.
Some of my top recommendations for this area include…
- St Martin and St Augustin Church
- GOOD DESIGN STORE – home goods store
- Maison Péllégrino – for lunch
- Comptoir du Marché – for lunch
Evening in Nice – Dinner at Rouge
For dinner, I highly recommend the wine bar Rouge. They serve delicious small plates and their wine pairings are on point. You can make reservations or belly up to the bar – either way, I highly recommend this spot!
Day 2: History, Shopping, & Nice Promenade
On your second day in Nice, get to know the history of the city and explore further outside of Vieux Nice. You’ll want to wear comfortable shoes because this day is a heavy walking day!
Morning in Nice – Cours Saleya & Place Massena
Start your morning at the Cours Saleya outdoor market (pictured above). This market has local goods, food, and is honestly – just so cute. You can get pastries, baked goods, juices, and groceries. I highly recommend checking this market out when in Nice.
If you don’t get anything from Cours Saleya, stop at Boulangerie Jeannot for baked goods!
From the market, I also recommend stopping at Place Masséna, one of the most famous squares in Nice with a white and black checkered floor and burnt orange buildings surrounding the square.
Afternoon in Nice – Promenade des Anglais & Villa Massena
For your second afternoon in Nice, walk Nice’s most famous promenade – Promenade des Anglais on your way to Villa Masséna. (If the weather is nice, there are tons of restaurants on the beach that you can stop and eat lunch at!).
Villa Masséna is Nice’s history museum. It does a great job at explaining how Nice came to be a luxury destination, what each season is famous for, and also has great art on display. If you like to learn about the destination you’re traveling to, I’d highly recommend it.
Evening in Nice – Cocktails at Le Negresco & Dinner
On your last evening in Nice, make it a fancy one by starting your night with cocktails at N Les Bars in Le Negresco, Nice’s most luxurious hotel! Le Negresco is right next to Villa Masséna so keep that in mind if you’re planning a visit to the museum.
For dinner I recommend Le Socle or Pirouette Restaurant à Nice. You need to make reservations for each place!
Where to Stay: Nice’s Best Boutique & Luxury Hotels
Nice has some of the best, luxury and boutique hotels in all of the Riviera. The ones that I recommend include…
- Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel – 5*
- Boscolo Nice Hotel & Spa – 5*
- Hôtel du Couvent – 5*
- Le Negresco – 5*
- Maison Albar – Le Victoria – 5*
Don’t miss my other recommended, luxury hotels in the French Riviera
Nice Travel Logistics: Getting Around the Cote d’Azur
Getting to the Côte d’Azur is easy, getting around the Côte d’Azur can be challenging, especially in the summer months.
How to get to Nice
To start, you can arrive to Nice by plane or train. If you’re coming by plane, the nice thing is is that you can fly internationally and domestically into Nice. In fact, in the summer there are direct flights from cities in the United States to Nice! The airport – Nice Côte d’Azur Airport – is only about 20-minutes from Nice city. If you want a taxi waiting for you at the airport, I recommend booking through Welcome Pickups.
Another way to get to Nice is by train. The station is called “Nice-Ville” and is only a 12-minute walk from the city.
How to get around Nice
You do not need a car to get around Nice and in fact, I wouldn’t suggest it. Unless you’re planning on doing day trips around the area, Nice is a very walkable city with great public transportation.
If you do plan to take day trips from Nice, the easiest and most flexible way to get around is by rental car. I recommend picking up your rental from the Nice train station or if you’re flying, the Nice airport. If your hotel in Nice does not have parking, I would highly consider booking your rental only for the days you’ll be using it so you don’t need to worry about finding a parking spot or parking garage to park in.
If you’re planning a road trip, don’t miss…
- Renting a Car in the French Riviera – Everything You Need to Know
- 5 Day French Riviera Road Trip Itinerary – The Perfect Côte d’Azur Drive
Best Day Trips from Nice
Don’t miss…
Best Beach Clubs in Nice
If you’re visiting Nice during the summer months, your trip wouldn’t be complete without a day lounging at a beach club! My recommended beach clubs include…
- Bocca Mar
- Castel Plage
- Le Galet
- Negresco Beach Club
I highly recommend making a reservation beforehand!
I hope that this guide to spending 48 hours in Nice inspires your travels and makes your visit to France effortless. If you have any questions about visiting or need more guidance, let me know in a comment below!
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Planning a Trip to France?
I am a licensed, Paris-based travel advisor who plans custom France itineraries for travelers who want to experience the country the way it deserves to be experienced – intentionally and free of tourist traps. From a long weekend in Paris to a multi-region road trip, I handle every detail so you don’t have to. If you’re not ready for full-planning services, I also offer 1-hour “France Audit” calls to go over your itinerary, share recommendations, and answer any questions you have!
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