We came to Nice on a train from Paris, and boy, it was such a beautiful ride! The train took us along the coast of Southern France, where the balmy beaches, tall palm trees, and colorful buildings create stunning views. Nice was a fun city to explore! If you are looking for glamour, I would recommend moving more towards Monte Carlo. However, Nice has beautiful streets, cozy markets, a unique pebble beach, and absolutely delicious food that you have to try. Here are my top 5 things to do in Nice!
Promenade des Anglais
The Promenade des Anglais is one of the most enjoyable places to walk in Nice! You see the ocean waves, the pebble beach, and the beautiful colorful Italian style buildings and mansions along the way. We went in May, so it wasn’t very warm, but it was still a comfortable temperature to swim! If you are planning to swim, though, I DEFINITELY recommend bringing water shoes!! The rocks on the beach are quite large, and can be quite painful when the waves crash them up on your feet. It’s definitely a once in a lifetime experience though, and is quite beautiful 🙂
After your quick swim, there are pergolas, beach seats, and palm trees to sit underneath and enjoy the sun and the waves. It’s definitely a must see while in Nice!
Vieille Ville
This was my favorite part of Nice! This is the oldest part of the city. It has tall colorful buildings, with tiny cobblestone alleyways in between. There are small shops and restaurants, and little market squares with fountains and cathedrals. It was here that I tasted the most delicious gelato I tasted the entire time I was in Europe! They had rose, violet, and lavender flavored gelato, and it was absolutely heavenly. There are also crêperies, so you have to stop and taste one along the way!
Musée Marc Chagall
This museum holds the works of Marc Chagall. Chagall is a famous painter and stained glass artist who lived as a European Jew during WWII. He moved from Russia to Paris to develop his artistic style. His work touches on the subjects of the Bible and the Holocaust, and the colors he used are expressive and bold. He is an incredible artist, and this museum was well worth going to. There are also beautiful fields of lavender growing outside!
Cours Saleya Market
This market was another one of my favorite places in Nice! It opens every morning, except for Monday’s when it is a flea market. There are delicious foods and chocolates, spices, homemade goods, and fresh produce and flowers to see and buy. It is SO much fun! The cherries and peaches are the yummiest I’ve ever tasted! I also bought a leather bag here, that was handmade by a leather craftsmen in Nice. It was a very good price for real handmade leather, and my husband now uses it in his Master’s program. I also bought the cutest watercolor painting of Nice here, painted by an artist who sold his work on the street. It’s now happily displayed on my office desk! This is a must do while you are in Nice!
Dining & Beaches
The food here is absolutely delicious! The perfect relaxing day in Nice involves eating at cafes, strolling the beach, and visiting the market and cute little shops. I found out later that this city has contributed a lot to traditional French cuisine! Ratatouille comes from this part of the world. The cafes are so cozy, and the beaches are beautiful!
I hope you enjoyed my top 5 things to see while visiting Nice! I loved exploring this city. I hope you do, too!
See more of my travel photographs on my instagram! Follow me at @whitneyfinuf!
