Nice seems to be most famous for proximity to the gorgeous blues of la mur and the popping pastels of Vieux Nice, and for good reason. Both fulfill expectations! Our hotel Mercure Nice Centre Notre Dame was next to Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption, a brilliant sight to see out our window every morning. Here’s how we spent our day, the best things to do in Nice:
The walk through town toward Vieux Nice is lively and energetic, definitely more of a true city atmosphere than some of the quieter towns we visited later in the trip. Locals move quickly through the streets while tourists like us slow everything down trying to absorb every detail. As you get closer to the shoreline, the wind picks up before the buildings suddenly open to reveal the unbelievable shades of blue along Opéra Plage. A very windy beach but very beautiful nonetheless.
Castle Hill
Following the waterfront east eventually leads to the climb up Castle Hill — and this ended up being one of my favorite experiences in Nice. Definitely one of the best things to do when in Nice!
I’ll admit, the signage was a little confusing at times, and we weren’t always entirely sure what historic structure we were looking at. But honestly, that became part of the fun. If you visit, leave room to wander. Every turn seemed to reveal another set of ruins, hidden pathways, or sweeping views over the French Riviera.
The waterfall at Camin de la Courtina is especially worth seeking out.
Vieux Nice
Descending from Castle Hill drops you directly into the heart of Vieux Nice. Narrow streets twist between faded orange, red, and pink buildings packed with shops, cafés, and restaurants. There’s seafood everywhere, pizza on every corner, and outdoor patios that practically beg you to sit down for a while.
Grab a drink
For cocktails we walked through the market on Cours Jaques Chirac to the bar Seen, by Olivier, the rooftop bar at Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel. The atmosphere was stylish and upscale, but the real highlight was the view overlooking both the sea and Castle Hill we had climbed earlier that day. It was the perfect place to slow down for the afternoon.
I highly recommend their French 75 on a warm Riviera afternoon. Parfait.
For dinner, a local we met at La Ronronnerie Cat Café — which we absolutely loved — recommended Le Grand Café de France. The name makes it sound a bit touristy, and maybe it is, but we genuinely enjoyed both the food and the atmosphere. Sitting along Avenue Jean Médecin made it an ideal spot for people-watching over pizza and pasta.
Notre Dame
Make sure you walk through Notre Dame on your visit, the stained glass inside is incredible as well as the architecture. Although photos and video is technically prohibited, I couldn’t help but sneak a photo of the incredible artwork inside.
