Article written by Elisa - Travel Writer & Local in France
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Introducing Nice, France
All about Nice travel: how to travel to Nice, where to stay, the best things to do in the city, and the best places to visit near Nice on day trips.
Where is Nice located? What is Nice famous for? Nice is the capital of the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur in French), a bustling city bathed by the Mediterranean Sea with elegant Baroque architecture, colorful markets, and delicious food. One of the most beautiful cities in Southern France, Nice is also a city of art and culture, and after Paris, it is the city with the most museums in France.
Located in the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Nice is a great destination for a European weekend getaway or longer holidays all year round. If you travel to France by train, count on taking it 5hrs 45 min for Paris-Nice, 2hrs 40 min for Marseille-Nice, and 4hrs 40 min for Lyon-Nice.
Nice is one of the host cities of the Rugby World Cup 2023 and the Summer Olympics 2024, so it’s the perfect excuse to discover or re-discover the city.
Is Nice Italy? Wondering why Nice has so many Italian influences in its architecture and food? Nice is located 40 km from the Italian border, so exchanges with Italy are easy and frequent. In the past, Nice belonged to Italy, but after changing hands several times, Nice became definitely French in 1860.
Nice, France, in a Nutshell
Population: 341,000 (2015)
Department: Alpes-Maritimes
Region: Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, in Southern France
Average temperatures (max /min): January – 13,1C /5,3C; April – 17C / 10,2C; July – 27,3C / 20,3C; October – 21C / 13,7C.
Main attractions: Castle Hill, Promenade des Anglais, Baroque architecture, the port, Matisse Museum, Chagall Museum
Nice Train Station: Gare de Nice-Ville (locally named Gare de Thiers). Find the latest deals on train tickets
Nice Airport: Nice-Côte d’Azur Aiport (NCE). Find the latest deals on flight tickets
Check out how to get to Nice from Paris, France, and abroad and how to get from Nice Airport to Nice
What to Do in Nice, France
To help you organize your stay in Nice, we have listed the best things to see and do in Nice and the most popular tours.
More Nice Day Trips and Tours
Old Town and Castle Hill: Cultural Walking Tour
Discover Nice with a Segway Tour
From Nice: French Riviera in One Day
Villefranche & Cap Ferrat E-bike Guided Tour
Gorges du Verdon and Lavender Fields Tour (seasonal)
Food in Nice
Among the best things to do in Nice (and on the French Riviera in general) is to try its cuisine, a perfect mix of classic Provençal flavors and original dishes with Mediterranean zest. Actually, some of the best Provençal foods were born and perfected in Nice!
Here is the best food from Nice, France, that you need to try during your next trip. You can also learn more about local produce with this Cultural and Gourmet Walking Tour of Nice, which includes 7 to 10 tasting stops.
And, instead of dining at a single restaurant, you can turn your lunch into a multi-course culinary adventure with this fun guided food tour of Nice.
Nice & the Summer Olympics 2024
Nice will be one of the host cities of the Paris Summer Olympics 2024. More precisely, Nice will host some of the football matches at the Nice Stadium.
Here are the dates of the football matches in Nice – Nice Stadium for the Summer Olympics 2024. For all the Summer Olympics dates and competitions, check out the Paris 2024 schedule.
- Wednesday 24 July 2024, 5 pm (men)
- Thursday 25 July 2024, 9 pm (women)
- Saturday 27 July 2024, 9 pm (men)
- Sunday 28 July 2024, 7 pm (women)
- Tuesday 30 July 2024, 5 pm (men)
- Wednesday 31 July 2024, 9 pm (women)
The teams that will play these matches are not known yet; keep clicking for the latest updates!
Where to Stay in Nice
The fifth largest city in France and a popular travel destination all year round, Nice has a wide choice of accommodations for all kinds of travel and budgets. If the seafront is always a favorite, the Old Town seduces for its small village atmosphere and its proximity to the beaches. In the summer, hotels with a swimming pool sell out fast!
A Great Stop on Your French Road Trip
The beautiful city of Nice is the starting point or one of the stops of some of our favorite French road trips. If this is your first time in France by car, check out our quick guide to driving in France. If you don’t have a car in France, click here for the best car rentals in Nice and check out our best tips for renting a car in France.