Whether your visiting the French Riviera for an afternoon or a week, Nice should be high on your list of cities to explore.  In trying to come up with our top 25 things to do in Nice, we considered the typical tourist hotspots as well as some of our local favorites.   I hope this guide provides ideas for your next vacation along the Cote d’Azur.

Top 25 Things to Do in Nice, France

The Old Town is the perfect spot to begin your journey in Nice. From the beautiful buildings to the fresh market in Cours Saleya to enticing shops and quaint restaurants, everyone enjoys strolling along these age-old streets.  As you wander around, stop for a visit at the Palais Lascaris, a great museum in the heart of Old Town.  The seventeenth-century aristocratic building, now houses a musical instrument museum. While seeing the collection of instruments is definitely interesting, it’s the building itself, with beautiful frescos and intricate tapestries, that we most enjoy.

Pop into the Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur de Nice on Rue du Jesus which was originally constructed in the 1600’s by the Jesuits. After the Jesuit Order was expelled by Pope Clement XIV, the church became a parish in 1801. The church is lit-up at night, so make sure to walk by if you’re in the area after dark.

Stop by Place Rosetti and visit the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate. The Baroque cathedral has a gorgeous alter and incredible ceiling that is a work of art.

Traveler’s note: There is an LCL bank ATM machine in Place Rosetti. Look for bank ATMs (not Euronet) to avoid high fees.

Every morning, except for Monday, you can admire the stalls of the Cours Saleya Market.  Pick up fruits and vegetables for a picnic lunch, grab a souvenir for a friend or stop to smell the roses at the Marche aux Fleurs.  The brightly colored awnings will guide you through the market and out toward the Opéra de Nice Côte d’Azur on Rue Saint-François de Paule. If you choose, you could walk along the Quai des États-Unis to escape the crowds.

*Monday, the area becomes an antique market where vendors sell clothing, dishes, furniture, jewelry and more.

Place Massena is recognizable by the Fontaine du Soleil with its massive statue of Apollo.  Relax in the Jardin Albert I or the Promenade du Paillon.   You can also fit in some shopping on Rue France or enjoy some high-end, wallet emptying shopping on Avenue de Verdun. Follow the tram line toward the gare (train station) along Avenue Jean Medecin, stopping by Basilique Notre-Dame de Nice, where you continue with more shopping and sightseeing.

The Liberation market, a favorite of locals, can be found as you continue along Avenue Jean Medicine past the train station. It’s one of the less touristy things to do in Nice.

Read more about shopping, eating and exploring around the Liberation Market.

The St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral should be high on your list when visiting Nice. I didn’t add this to my article on what to do with kids in Nice, but once the Cathedral came into view the kids and I said a collective “WOW”.   Sometimes my kids are a little bit more into architecture than other children.

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Want to know how out of shape you are? Hike up to Fort du Mont Alban.  Your muscles will be screaming at you for days.  Literally, mine were sore four days.

We ventured up to Mont Boron to experience the spectacular views & learn a little about French history. It was a pleasant 55 degrees F, and the hot French Riviera sun was somewhat tamed by the gentle sea breeze coming off the Mediterranean.

First up, one my favorite spots in Nice. Across from the Jardin Public Vigier (park) are steps leading down the cliffs where land meets sea. I could sit for hours watching the waves crash against the sun-baked rocks.   Here, sun worshipers and swimmers (brrr!) soaked up the afternoon rays in bikinis and Speedo’s. Not used to seeing sunbathers in January, I was taken aback by the number of people who had shed their clothes in what I considered temperatures to cool for getting a tan.

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While the French Riviera might conjure up images of celebrities at the Cannes Film Festival and cars zooming around the streets during the Monaco Grand Prix,  the South of France is still a great destination for families. But what do you do with kids when you visit France’s Southern coast?   I suggest making Nice your home base.  You can easily visit much of the Cote d’Azur from Nice using public transport.  Flights arrive from all over the world into the Nice Airport, so it makes sense that your first stop is Nice.

It’s always a good time to visit the South of France.  Nice has 300 days of sunshine a year after all!  My favorite times are the Spring and Fall, but you can find family-friendly activities all year round.   Read on for a locals perspective on what to do in Nice, France with kids.

Since it is likely that most of my American friends don’t speak French, I’ve tried to only include activities that kids can participate in, despite that language barrier.

What to Do in Nice, France with Kids

Hit the Beach

One of the nicest things to do in Nice with kids is a trip to the beach.  If you’re lucky enough to visit during the warmer months, you could plan an entire day around the shore. I know many older kids would be perfectly happy to lounge around by the sea all day listening to music, posting TikTok videos and texting with friends.

Younger kids can throw rocks in the water, collect sea glass or simply take a break and enjoy a snack by the sea.  If it’s a sunny day, take a swim.  It’s not uncommon for kids to strip down to their underwear and dive in, not that I recommend this over swimming trunks 🙂

You’ll find both public and private beaches in Nice.  For a fee, you can take advantage of a lounge chair, umbrella and drink service.  We find that the public beaches meet our needs, so that’s where we take our kids. During the summer, you’ll find lifeguard stations at various points to help provide an extra pair of eyes while you’re little ones enjoy the sea.

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