Nice—called Nizza in Italian and German—was founded by the Greeks as Nikaia, later stewarded by the House of Savoy, and annexed to France in 1860. That blend of influences still shows in the baroque bell towers, Belle Époque facades, and a cuisine that marries Provençal gardens with Ligurian soul.

Come for the cobalt arc of the Baie des Anges and stay for the daily rhythm: espresso in a sunlit square, a market lunch tucked among herbs and olives, an evening aperitif facing the sea. Modern art museums, hilltop gardens, and cliff-perched restaurants punctuate your days.

Practical notes: the airport tram (Line 2) whisks you into town in about 25 minutes. Single rides on Lignes d’Azur are about €1.70 (day passes available). Book popular tables ahead in peak season, wear good shoes for cobbled streets and coastal paths, and bring a lightweight scarf for breezy evenings.

Nice (Nizza)

Nice is the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes and the cultural anchor of the Côte d’Azur. Its heart beats between Place Masséna’s checkerboard, the flower-scented Cours Saleya, and the sweeping Promenade des Anglais.

Top sights and experiences:

• Castle Hill (Colline du Château) for panoramic views and a photogenic cascade.
• Vieux Nice (Old Town): ochre alleys, baroque churches, and the fragrant Cours Saleya market.
• Museum trio: Matisse (in leafy Cimiez), Chagall (visionary biblical canvases), and MAMAC (modern art icon).
• Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas: onion domes with Riviera light.
• Beach time: public strands and serviced beach clubs like Blue Beach or Opéra Plage.

Where to stay: for walk-everywhere ease, choose the Old Town/Carré d’Or; for sea views and Belle Époque elegance, look near the Promenade; for a local vibe and markets, try Libération; for quiet museum-side greenery, Cimiez. Browse stays on VRBO Nice or compare hotels on Hotels.com Nice—aim for a spot within a 10–15 minute walk of Place Masséna.

Getting in: fly into NCE (Nice Côte d’Azur). From within Europe, search flights or trains on Omio (Flights) and Omio (Trains); Paris–Nice by TGV takes ~5h45 (often €35–€120), London–Nice flights ~2h, Rome–Nice ~1h20. If you’re coming from outside Europe, compare global routes on Kiwi.com or Trip.com (Flights). The airport tram Line 2 to Jean-Médecin/Old Town takes ~25 minutes.

Day 1: Seafront Strolls, Old Town Secrets, and Sunset from Castle Hill

Morning: Arrival day—plan to land by early afternoon. If you’re in town before check-in, drop your bags and start with a reviving espresso and a buttery croissant at Malongo Atelier Barista (Rue de la Préfecture), a local roastery that does textbook cappuccinos and flaky viennoiseries.

Afternoon: Walk the Promenade des Anglais from the Negresco’s pink dome toward the I Love Nice sign for that first Riviera panorama. Cut into Place Masséna’s red arcades, then weave the lanes of Vieux Nice: basil-scented spice shops, tiny delis, and the cool nave of Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate. Sample socca—a chickpea pancake, crisp at the edges—at Chez Pipo near the port, or grab a classic pan bagnat (salad Niçoise in a crusty roll) from Marinette for an easy lunch.

Evening: Climb or ride the free elevator up Castle Hill (Colline du Château) for golden-hour views from the Baie des Anges to the port. Dinner options: Bistrot d’Antoine (Old Town staple; rabbit with olives, stuffed vegetables), Le Comptoir du Marché (market-driven small plates; chalkboard menu), or Peixes (Mediterranean ceviche and octopus with lemony zing). For a nightcap, try Movida (cocktails over the surf) or Shapko (live jazz/funk; intimate and lively).

Day 2: Markets, Masters of Modern Art, and a Clifftop Dinner

Morning: Start at Cours Saleya’s marché: Tuesday–Sunday it brims with flowers, tomatoes, and goat cheeses; on Mondays it’s an antiques hunt. Grab breakfast at La Popote d’Ondine (homemade cakes, eggs, and fresh juices) or Hobo Coffee (specialty brews and banana bread). Tram or bus up to Cimiez for the Matisse Museum—airy rooms charting his Nice years, paper cut-outs, and studio relics. Stroll the olive groves and peek at the ruins of the Roman arena.

Afternoon: Walk or bus down to the Marc Chagall National Museum—glowing biblical canvases and mosaics in a serene modernist space (note: typically closed on Tuesdays). For lunch, Café de Turin on Place Garibaldi serves razor-fresh oysters, bulots, and platters—order a glass of crisp Cassis blanc. If the sea calls, settle into a lounger at Blue Beach or Opéra Plage for a dip; off-season, swap in MAMAC (Pop and Nouveau Réalisme; usually closed Mondays) and a stroll across the contemporary Promenade du Paillon.

Evening: Book Le Plongeoir, an unforgettable perch on a rocky promontory above the waves—start with a Riviera spritz and their line-caught fish; it’s seasonal, so in cooler months opt for JAN (one Michelin star; South African-French tasting menu, reservations essential) or La Merenda (Niçoise classics by candlelight, no cards). Finish with bubbles at L’Effervescence (excellent grower Champagnes) or a natural-wine flight at La Part des Anges.

Day 3: Èze’s Eagle’s Nest and the Bay of Villefranche

Morning: Head for Èze Village, a stone aerie above the sea. Take Lignes d’Azur bus 82 (or 112 on weekdays) from central Nice—about 35–40 minutes, ~€1.70—or train to Èze-sur-Mer then a steep 1–1.5-hour ascent via the Nietzsche Path. Wander the medieval lanes and the Jardin Exotique (succulents and terraces with blockbuster views). Coffee and a pastry at Deli’ is a good refuel; splurge lunches include Château Eza’s terrace overlooking the Mediterranean.

Afternoon: Descend by bus to Villefranche-sur-Mer (or hike the Nietzsche Path down to Èze-sur-Mer and hop a 7-minute TER train; ~€2–€3). Lunch by the water at La Mère Germaine (since 1938; bouillabaisse, lobster spaghetti) or the more casual Les Garçons tucked in the old quarter. Swim at Plage des Marinières when it’s warm, then tour the free Citadelle Saint-Elme and its sculpture gardens.

Evening: Return to Nice (train from Villefranche to Nice-Ville: ~7 minutes; frequent and inexpensive—check schedules on Omio Trains). For a final feast, book Chez Palmyre (three-course home-style menu; beloved and budget-friendly) or Bar des Oiseaux (handmade pasta, local wines). Gelato at Fenocchio on Place Rossetti—try orange-blossom or lavender—then a last promenade with the city lights skimming the bay.

Local tips and logistics:

• Beach clubs generally operate April–October; in winter, bring water shoes for pebbly public beaches.
• Museum closures vary: MAMAC often closed Mondays; Matisse and many municipal museums closed Tuesdays; check hours before you go.
• Public transport: single ticket ~€1.70, day pass good value if you’re tram/bus hopping. Èze buses can be busy—arrive early, and have a backup (train + hike).
• Sample more Niçoise bites: pissaladière (sweet onion tart with anchovy), tourte de blettes (Swiss chard tart), and farcis (stuffed vegetables). Try Lou Pilha Leva for casual, old-school plates.

Where to book: Compare centrally located stays on VRBO Nice and Hotels.com Nice. For transport, see Omio Flights, Omio Trains, and Omio Buses; if flying from outside Europe, check Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.

In three days, you’ll experience Nice’s greatest hits—seafront vistas, market flavors, modern art masters—and a taste of the Riviera’s hilltop drama in Èze with a serene bay stop in Villefranche. It’s a compact, culture-rich itinerary that balances iconic sights with slow, sunlit pauses by the Mediterranean.