Nice is a city in the famous Cote d’Azur (French Riviera) region in southeast France and is one of the most visited places in the entire country. It is the main hub of the French Riviera and has gone on to become a top tourist hotspot because of its year-long sunny weather, beautiful beaches, noteworthy landmarks, and cultural heritage.
Nice is also the ideal choice for those looking for a weekend getaway; the city is easily accessible, easy to explore, and with so much to do. Whether you want to soak in the sun, get cultured, eat excellent food, or do a little bit of everything, you will find plenty of activities in Nice to fill an entire weekend.
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Things to Do in Nice for the Weekend
The city of Nice in the French Riviera has all the things you’re looking for in a quintessential weekend trip. Below are our top picks of things to do on a weekend trip to Nice. For the best time, don’t forget to store your bags and items at a luggage locker in the city.
DAY 1
- Explore the Parc de la Colline du Château.
The Parc de la Colline du Château, better known as Castle Hill, is one of the most renowned attractions in the city and one that you cannot miss while in Nice. This vast public park is located on top of a hill, which you can reach either by taking an elevator or climbing up the staircase.
Regardless of how you get there, you are sure to be in for a treat. The park is filled with beautiful plants and greenery and provides visitors with the most spectacular view of Nice and surrounding areas in the Cote d’Azur. If the weather is nice and the sky is clear, you can even catch a glimpse of the Alps. It is the perfect place to catch the sunrise and start your day.
- See the best of Nice’s Old Town.
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When in Nice, there is simply no avoiding the Vieille Ville, also known as Old Town. Located not too far from Castle Hill, it is the oldest part of the city as well as the center for commercial activity of Nice.
Aside from the abundance of shops, bars and restaurants in the district, Vieille Ville is also home to some of Nice’s most recognizable landmarks. Some of the ones that you have to check out include:
- Cours Saleya Market: This is a world-famous farmer’s market with hundreds of stalls selling fresh produce, food, flowers, and more.
- The Cathedral of St. Reparata: Also known as the Nice cathedral, it is a 17th-century church with a striking appearance and houses the remains of Saint Reparata, the city’s patron saint.
- Palais Lascaris: This is a 17th-century building and former residence of royalty that has been converted into a music museum. It currently holds the world’s biggest collection of rare musical instruments.
- Nice Opera House: See an opulent building and opera house which serves as a venue for live performances of classical concerts, operas, and ballet. It also serves as the headquarters for the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra and the Ballet Nice Méditerrannée.
- Visit the world’s most famous boardwalk.
No trip to Nice, no matter how short, would be complete without seeing and exploring the Promenade des Anglais. Often regarded as the most popular boardwalk in the world, the promenade is 7 kilometers long and is now one of the city’s main commercial and activity centers.
The area is frequented by locals who go skating, cycling, and strolling and serves as the venue for occasional events and live performances. The coastal boulevard is lined with cafés and restaurants and is home to numerous points of interest, including the historic Le Negresco Hotel, the Musée Masséna and the Palais de la Méditerranée.
DAY 2
- Discover the treasures of the Cimiez neighborhood.
Cimiez is a district of Nice that was formerly a separate city in itself. It used to be the site of the Roman settlement of Cemenelum and has now become one of the must-visit areas in Nice.
Since the area is mostly residential, you won’t find a lot of restaurants, shops, and other establishments. However, there are plenty of attractions and things to do here to keep you occupied for several hours, including the following:
- Musée Matisse: This small municipal museum is housed in a 17th century villa and is dedicated to the life and works of artist Henri Matisse. It is home to one of the biggest Matisse collections in the world.
- Jardin du Monastère de Cimiez: Also referred to as the Garden of the Cimiez Monastery, it is one of the finest examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in the city. The former monastery is now a popular tourist spot and the gardens in the area are also a favorite hangout place for those who want to get away from the busy city life.
- Musée Marc Chagall: Established in 1973, this national art museum was built to honor the life and artistry of French painter Marc Chagall.
- Cimiez Archaeological Museum: This museum is nestled in the very site where Cemenelum once was and is home to the different relics and artifacts that were excavated from the area.
- Splurge on the shops at the Avenue Jean Médecin.
If you are looking for some retail therapy, you should head over to the Avenue Jean Médecin. The street, which is located near Place Masséna, is the ultimate shopping destination in the city and is lined with numerous international designer brands and upscale boutiques. Apart from the luxury brands, however, the shopping street is also home to the Galeries Lafayette department store as well as the Nice Etoile shopping mall.
- Hang out by the beach.
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One of the main draws of Nice is its sunny weather and plethora of beaches. Take advantage of the year-round warm weather by spending the afternoon hanging out at the beach. Nice has a number of beaches, both public and private, for you to enjoy.
One of the most popular options for both tourists and locals is the Beau Rivage, a public beach lined with restaurants and shops. For a more luxurious and private option, check out Blue Beach.
If you have any tips for spending the weekend in Nice we’d love to hear them
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About Debz Louise
Debz Louise is a UK-based lifestyle expert and the founder of several lifestyle blogs, including Wannabe Princess and Under 5s. Specializing in everything from interior design and home renovation to body-positive fashion and early years development,