Nice unfurls along the Baie des Anges with a curve of Mediterranean blue, Belle Époque facades, and a promenade that made wintering aristocrats swoon. Once part of the House of Savoy, the city joined France in 1860; its dialect, cuisine, and architecture still hint at Italy. Today, cafés spill onto stone alleys in Vieux Nice, while modern trams glide to museums dedicated to Matisse and Chagall.

Beyond the pebbled beaches, Nice is the gateway to the French Riviera: hilltop villages like Èze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence, yachting towns such as Antibes and Cannes, and coastal paths on Cap-Ferrat. Seafood, olive oil, and sun-ripened vegetables define the table—think socca from wood-fired griddles, pissaladière, pan bagnat, and of course, salade niçoise.

Practical notes: the tram from Nice Côte d’Azur Airport to the center takes ~25 minutes; local tickets are about €1.70. Summer is lively and beach-forward; spring and autumn are ideal for museums, markets, and trails. Pack water shoes for the pebbles, and reserve popular restaurants and beach clubs in advance.

Nice

Nice blends Riviera glamour with everyday rhythms: the flower market at Cours Saleya, sunset stairs on Castle Hill, and café terraces under Baroque bell towers. Neighborhoods to explore include Vieux Nice (laneways and trattoria energy), the seafront Promenade des Anglais, artsy Cimiez (Roman ruins and the Matisse Museum), and Port Lympia, where fishing boats bob opposite color-washed facades.

• Top sights: Promenade des Anglais, Castle Hill (Parc de la Colline du Château), Cours Saleya Market, Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas (Russian Orthodox), Musée Marc Chagall, Musée Matisse, and MAMAC.
• Day trips: Antibes and Cannes (TER train), Monaco and Èze (coastal train + bus), Saint-Paul-de-Vence and Grasse (inland by tour), Cap-Ferrat coastal paths and Villa Ephrussi.
• Local flavor: Socca at Chez Pipo, gelato at Fenocchio, market lunches on Cours Saleya, and seafood at cliffside tables.

Where to stay (handpicked):

• Icon on the Promenade: Hotel Negresco — museum-like corridors, sea-view rooms, and a storied dome.
• Beachfront with rooftop pool: Radisson Blu Hotel, Nice — private beach access and panoramic terrace.
• Great value in the center: Hôtel Amaryllis — near the train station and tram, friendly and budget-friendly.
• Compare more stays: Hotels.com: Nice | VRBO: Nice apartments

Getting to Nice: Fly into NCE (Nice Côte d’Azur). Within Europe, compare flights or trains on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). From Paris, TGV INOUI trains to Nice-Ville take ~6 hours; from Milan via Ventimiglia ~5–6 hours. If you’re coming from outside Europe, compare long-haul options on Kiwi.com (flights). Buses along the coast are also easy to search on Omio (buses).

Day 1: Arrival, Promenade des Anglais, and Old Town Flavors

Afternoon: Arrive and check in. Stretch your legs along the Promenade des Anglais—palms, sea breeze, and signature blue chairs. Pop into Vieux Nice for a first gelato at Fenocchio (try fleur d’oranger or olive). If you like seafood platters, Café de Turin near Place Garibaldi is a century-old favorite for oysters and shellfish.

Evening: Dinner at Bistrot d’Antoine (Old Town; comforting niçois-leaning bistro—book ahead). Alternatives: Peixes (bright, Mediterranean seafood small plates) or Le Bistrot Gourmand (seasonal market menu). For drinks with a view, head to Movida or Waka Bar on the seafront; for a Belle Époque vibe, Les Distilleries Idéales pours great apéritifs.

Day 2: Old Nice, Castle Hill, Markets, and Museums

Morning: Coffee and a flaky croissant at La Popote d’Ondine, then join this excellent orientation walk:

★ Walking Tour of Old Nice and Castle Hill

Stroll the Cours Saleya flower and produce market (mornings, closed Mondays when a vintage/antique market appears). Nibble socca at Chez Pipo—the chickpea pancake that fuels Nice.

Afternoon: Visit MAMAC for Nouveau Réalisme and rooftop views, or the Russian Orthodox Cathedral (on foot or tram). If you prefer art in the hills, save time for tomorrow’s Cimiez duo.

Evening: Book Le Plongeoir (tables perched on a historic diving platform above the sea; seasonal) for a show-stopping setting. Nearby, La Réserve offers refined seafood with sunset light. Nightcap at L’Effervescence (champagne bar) or a gelato stroll along the port.

Day 3: The French Riviera in a Day (Small-Group Excursion)

The Best of the French Riviera Small group Guided Tour from Nice

Let a local guide handle the logistics as you hop between coastal icons and hill towns—often including Èze, Monaco/Monte-Carlo, Antibes, Cannes, and Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Expect cliff roads with panoramic stops, time to explore medieval lanes, and glimpses of superyacht harbors. Small-group tours run about 8–9 hours; typical pricing is in the €90–€130 range.

Post-tour dinner: Try La Rossettisserie (roast meats and hearty sides in a vaulted cellar) or Oliviera (niçois dishes spotlighting excellent olive oils). If you’d rather DIY day trips later by train, you can compare routes and fares on Omio (trains in Europe)—Nice to Antibes (~20 min), Cannes (~40 min), or Monaco (~20 min) are frequent and inexpensive.

Day 4: Chagall and Matisse in Cimiez, Seafront Cruise at Sunset

Morning: Brunch at Marinette Kitchen (Old Town; eggs, pancakes, and good coffee), then tram/bus or a pleasant uphill walk to Cimiez. Begin at the Musée Marc Chagall (biblical message series; ticket around €10) and continue to the Musée Matisse for cut-outs, early paintings, and studio context. Visit the Roman arena and monastic gardens next door for a leafy picnic.

Afternoon: Return via Boulevard Cimiez to the center for a swim at Blue Beach (private club with loungers) or the public stretch near Opéra Plage. Pebbles mean water shoes are handy. If you’re a runner, the Promenade is flat and car-free in portions.

Evening: Golden-hour on the water:

Mediterranean Coastal Sightseeing Cruise from Nice

This one-hour loop frames the Baie des Anges, celebrity villas on Cap de Nice, and the harbor from the best angle—sea level. After docking, dine at JAN (Michelin-starred South African–French tasting menu; reserve well ahead) or the creative neo-bistro Les Agitateurs.

Day 5: Provence Wine Country (Small-Group Tour)

Provence Wine Tour - Small Group Tour from Nice

Trade sea views for vineyard rows. Typical itineraries include the Bellet AOC above Nice (rare coastal terroir), and estates in the Var pouring structured rosés, aromatic whites, and garrigue-laced reds. You’ll learn tasting techniques, cellar stories, and regional styles. Expect 6–8 hours; tastings usually included.

Dinner: Back in town, keep it classic at La Merenda (tiny, cash-only, blackboard of niçois staples) or go seaside casual at Castel Plage in season.

Day 6: Cap-Ferrat Coastal Path, Villa Ephrussi, and Port Apéritifs

Morning: Breakfast at Emilie and the Cool Kids (bagels, cookies, good coffee). Bus 15 or 100 to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat; walk the Sentier Littoral (coastal path) for coves, pines, and turquoise water. Detour to Paloma Beach for a swim.

Afternoon: Visit the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild for its salons and themed gardens (musical fountain shows on the hour), then bus back via Villefranche-sur-Mer—its bay is a painter’s palette. DIY travelers can use Omio (buses) to compare regional connections if needed.

Evening: Apéritifs in Port Lympia at Les Amoureux (famous for Neapolitan pizza; go early) or a seafood feast at Le Café du Port. For craft cocktails, try Wayne’s Bar for live music energy or slip back to Les Distilleries Idéales for a classic French pour.

Day 7: Liberation Market, Last Bites, and Departure

Morning: Ride the tram to Marché de la Libération, a local favorite for seasonal produce, cheese, and charcuterie. Grab coffee at Malongo nearby and a still-warm fougasse from a neighborhood boulangerie.

Afternoon: Squeeze in any final sights—perhaps a last swim, or a calm moment on Castle Hill’s viewpoints. Lunch on a pan bagnat at Lou Balico or a seafood salad at Peixes before heading to the airport by tram (about 25 minutes) or to your onward train at Nice-Ville. Compare airport transfers or trains as needed on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains in Europe).

Evening: Departure day—if your schedule allows, linger on the Promenade for one last photo. À bientôt.

Optional DIY Day Trips (if you extend): Trains run frequently to Antibes (~20 min), Cannes (~40 min), and Monaco (~20 min). Check schedules and fares on Omio. For ferries to Saint‑Tropez or coastal outings, see seasonal options locally or compare routes on Omio (ferries).

Good to know: Beach clubs are seasonal (roughly April–October); bring sandals for pebbles. Museum pricing can change—budget ~€10 per major museum. Taxis and rideshares are available, but the tram and buses cover most sights efficiently.

Why this 7-day Nice itinerary works: You’ll savor the city’s art, markets, and shoreline; cruise its bay at sunset; and sample the region on curated small-group tours. Your days alternate between culture, coastline, and cuisine—exactly what the Côte d’Azur does best.