10 MUST-SEE PLACES IN NICE

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This guide of places to see in Nice, will help you prepare your itinerary through the capital of the Côte d'Azur, making the most of your time.
Located next to the Mediterranean Sea, a few kilometers from Italy and Monaco, this city is one of the tourist destinations most appreciated by the French and travelers from around the world. In addition to its privileged location, Nice seduces by its mild climate, the beaches of crystalline waters and bluish tones, museums and art galleries and, above all, by its beautiful historical center.

Based on the day we spent in this city during our trip to the Côte d'Azur, we have made a list of what we believe are the 10 places to visit in Nice essential. We start!

1. Vielle Ville

Getting lost in the streets of the Old Town of Nice without haste is a real pleasure for the senses and one of the best things to do in Nice.
In these narrow and curved streets surrounded by historic buildings of wooden blinds and ocher and yellow colors, you will find lifelong shops, crowded terraces, markets and old churches, which will make you fall in love at first sight.
In addition to passing through many charming corners, you cannot leave the old town without trying the chocolate of Maison Auer that opened in 1820, the socca of the Chez Pipo and the ice creams of the Azzurro or the Fenocchio.

A good way to learn about the history of the city and not miss anything in the old town is to book this free tour of Nice Free! With guide in Spanish.

Old Town of Nice

2. Promenade des Anglais

The Paseo de los Ingleses is a 7-kilometer avenue that borders the beach of the Bay of Angels and another one of the most famous places to see in Nice.
As a curiosity, the name comes from its first tourists, mostly British, who took advantage of the good weather to take long walks along this avenue.
It is worth going through this long street to see the beautiful facades of Belle Epoque-style buildings, among which the exclusive Negresco hotel stands out and take a picture of the famous blue chairs, which have become a symbol of the city.
It is also a busy place for outdoor sports enthusiasts, especially for roller skaters.
From this walk you can access the public beaches of the city to take a refreshing dip in the turquoise blue waters so characteristic of the Côte d'Azur.

Promenade des Anglais

3. St. Nicholas Cathedral

St. Nicholas Cathedral is the largest Russian Orthodox cathedral outside of Russia and one of the most amazing places to visit in Nice.
This church, which has a certain resemblance to St. Basil's Cathedral in Moscow, was built in 1912 in honor of Tsar Nicholas II of Russia by the large community of Russians who fell in love with this city and stayed to live in it.
Although the cathedral is a little far from the center, half an hour walk, it is an architectural jewel that you can not miss.
You can visit its interior with several frescoes from 9am to 12pm and from 2pm to 6pm.
A good option to visit this cathedral and other points of interest, if you do not have much time, is to book the Nice tourist bus with comments recorded in Spanish.

St. Nicholas Cathedral

4. Castle Hill

At the end of the Paseo de los Ingleses you can walk or lift to the Castle Hill, the Nice's best viewpoint.
On the top there are a few remains of an old medieval fortress, a botanical garden and a large artificial waterfall, although the best are the fantastic views of the orange roofs of the old city, the Lympia Port and the Paseo de los Ingleses.

Castle Hill, one of the places to see in Nice

6. Lascaris Palace and Matisse Museum

Lascaris Palace, baroque style and located in the Old City, is one of the palaces what to visit in Nice more essential
Built in the 17th century, this palace stands out for an ornate exterior in the style of Italian palaces and an ornate interior in which permanent collections on the city's history are exhibited.
Visiting the Matisse Museum dedicated to the great French painter Henri Matisse, who lived in the city for more than 30 years, is another of the best things to do in Nice.
In this museum located in the Villa des Arenes of the 17th century you will enjoy an extensive tour of the paintings, in which the use of intense colors predominates, by this renowned artist.
Visiting hours of the palace: from Wednesday to Monday from 10am to 6pm.
Museum visiting hours: from Wednesday to Monday from 10am to 5pm.

Our recommended hotel in Nice
Our recommended hotel to explore the city is the Ibis Styles Nice Vieux Port, located in the area of the old port of Nice 10 minutes walk from the historic center. In addition to its magnificent location, the hotel has a 24-hour reception, parking, buffet breakfast and one of the best quality / price ratios in the city.

6. Mercado de las Flores, one of the places to see in Nice

Marché aux Fleurs or Cours Saleya Flower Market, located in the heart of the old town, is the most famous and beautiful market to see in Nice.
In this market, which opens every day at 6 am except Monday, you can also find flowers of all kinds, food, vegetables, spices and some souvenirs.
From 6 in the afternoon this picturesque market is dismantled and the square of parasols and terraces that invite you to sit and enjoy the atmosphere is filled.

Flower market

7. Churches of Nice

Among the most important churches to see in Nice are:

Santa Reparata Cathedral: This church built between 1650 and 1699 is one of the best examples of the Roman Baroque style of Nice.
Church of St-Jacques (Gesù): It is another example of Baroque architecture with a Corinthian facade and a bell tower 42 meters high.
Notre Dame Basilica: This neo-Gothic church with a style similar to that of Notre Dame de Paris has an interior with 8 side chapels.

Santa Reparata Cathedral

8. Port Lympia

Built in the XVIII, the port of Nice is one of the oldest in the Côte d'Azur and another one of the places to visit in Nice.
This beautiful rock-carved harbor at the foot of the ancient Lympia citadel, is surrounded by historic buildings with the typical colors of the city and has numerous yachts and pleasure boats.

Lympia Harbor

9. Nice places

Another of the essential places to see in Nice are its beautiful squares such as the Palace of Justice, the Rossetti and above all, the Massena and the Garibaldi.
The Massena Square is the prettiest in the city to be surrounded by old buildings, where the terraces of restaurants and picturesque cafes abound. In addition, this square has one of the most amazing works of art in the city, 7 sculptures of kneeling people placed on top of a pole and representing the 7 continents.
Another of the most famous is the Garibaldi Square, surrounded by elegant buildings of ocher yellow facades with green shutters.

Massena Square

10. Excursions from Nice

A good way to get to know the Côte d'Azur, if you do not want to rent a car, is to stay in the city of Nice and take day trips to the most beautiful cities and towns, which are within walking distance.
Among the excursions with a guide in Spanish best valued by travelers you have:

More tours and excursions from Nice here