France
Nice
The Côte d'Azur done properly.
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From the archivist
What to know before you go
Visit Cours Saleya market before 11am on any morning except Monday – that's when the flowers and socca are freshest
Take the free elevator up Colline du Château for panoramic views over Vieux Nice and the port
At Chez Pipo (13 Rue Bavastro), a plate of socca costs around €4 and has been made the same way since the 1920s
September is the standout month – warm sea, post-summer prices, and European Heritage Days open dozens of sites for free
Best for
Getting around Nice
Nice is served by Lignes d'Azur (). The T2 tram (blue line) connects both airport terminals to the city centre and port in around 20 minutes – a single ticket costs €1.70 and is valid for 74 minutes of unlimited transfers. A 7-day unlimited pass costs €20. Pay with a rechargeable La Carte smart card (available at tram station machines) or buy single paper tickets at the machine. The stretch between the airport terminals and Grand Arenas is free on any tram.
Best time to visit
September is the best month overall – the sea stays warm (22–24°C), crowds thin out after summer, and European Heritage Days open many sites for free. June offers the best of summer without the worst of the peak crowds. April and May are quieter and mild, though hotel prices spike sharply during the Monaco Grand Prix (late May) and Cannes Film Festival (mid-May). July and August bring 30°C+ heat, packed beaches, and the highest prices of the year – still a perfectly viable visit but a full and expensive one. October is typically Nice's rainiest month. January and February are the quietest, cheapest months; Nice Carnival in February (one of the world's largest winter festivals) is a genuine reason to visit rather than avoid, though expect higher hotel prices that week.
Frequently asked questions about Nice
When is the best time to visit Nice?
September is the best month – warm sea temperatures around 22–24°C, post-summer pricing, and European Heritage Days opening many museums and sites for free. June is the best month if you want full summer conditions without the worst of the crowds. Avoid late May if you're on a budget: the Monaco Grand Prix and Cannes Film Festival push hotel prices sharply upward. July and August are hot, crowded, and expensive, but the city is fully operational. October tends to be the rainiest month.
What are the top things to do in Nice?
The Cours Saleya market in Vieux Nice runs every morning (Tuesday to Sunday for flowers and food, Monday for antiques) and is free to wander. Colline du Château offers the best panoramic view of the city and costs nothing – take the free lift from the seafront. The Musée Matisse in Cimiez holds the world's largest collection of Matisse's work and is included in the €15 municipal museum pass. Vieux Nice itself – the Italian-influenced old town of narrow alleys, socca stalls, and baroque churches – is its own attraction. The Promenade des Anglais is best explored by bike early in the morning.
What local food should I try in Nice?
Nice has its own cuisine – Cuisine Nissarde – that's lighter and more Mediterranean than classic French cooking, with strong Ligurian roots. Socca is the dish to start with: a crispy chickpea-flour flatbread cooked in a wood-fired oven and eaten standing, best at Chez Pipo (13 Rue Bavastro) or Chez Theresa at Cours Saleya. Pissaladière is a bread-dough tart topped with slow-caramelised onions, anchovies, and Niçois olives. Pan bagnat (essentially a portable Salade Niçoise in a bread roll) is sold at market stalls. Many socca vendors are cash-only.
Is Nice safe for tourists?
Yes – Nice has lower crime rates than Paris, Marseille, and Grenoble. The main risk is pickpocketing, not violent crime, particularly on crowded trams and buses and in the tourist areas around Vieux Nice. Use a crossbody bag with zips, keep your phone off café tables, and leave valuables in your hotel safe before heading to the beach. The residential outer neighbourhoods of L'Ariane and Les Moulins have higher crime rates but there's no tourist reason to visit them. Military and police patrol public spaces regularly.
How do I get around Nice on public transport?
The T2 tram (blue line) is the most useful line for visitors – it runs from both airport terminals into the city centre, stopping at key points including Place Masséna and the port, for the standard €1.70 fare. Line T1 covers the main east-west urban axis. A single ticket is valid for 74 minutes with unlimited transfers; a 7-day pass costs €20. Pay with the La Carte rechargeable smart card or buy paper tickets at tram station machines. The section between the airport terminals and Grand Arenas is free on any tram.
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