As the second-largest travel hub in France after Paris, Nice is one of the main gateways to the Côte d’Azur. For many travelers, it’s simply the point of arrival before continuing on to other destinations in the South of France, such as Cannes, Monaco, or St Tropez. But if you know where to frequent, it’s a city worth stopping in.
With its wide, palm-lined Promenade des Anglais, ‘Gatorade’ blue water, and location between mountain and sea, the city has a character of its own. It’s also rich in culture with a thriving contemporary art scene and impressive Belle Époque architecture.
So, where should you spend your time? We’ve asked the experts to share their favorite things to do in Nice, from local markets to elaborate helicopter rides.
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What to do in Nice, according to experts
Shop Nice’s independent boutiques and markets
Nice has a long tradition of craftsmanship, with artisanal workshops scattered throughout the city’s neighborhoods. For a taste of this heritage, Myriam Journaf-Lambert, general manager at Hôtel du Couvent, recommends heading to Trésors Publics on Rue de la Préfecture.
The Vieux Nice boutique stocks more than 1,000 traditional and nostalgic products, all made in France and sourced from historic regional factories and artisans. Journaf-Lambert rates it for its “curated selection and distinctive Nice spirit,” noting that it has become a favorite among both hotel guests and locals.
For fashion, head to Avenue de Verdun and the Carré d’Or, where the city’s luxury boutiques carry collections from some of the world’s leading fashion houses. Elsewhere, the narrow streets of the old town, around the port and Place Masséna, are home to pop-up stores and young designers’ studios.
For antiques and vintage finds, Kournaf-Lambert recommends the Monday market on Cours Saleya, which sells everything from glassware to linen clothing, handbags, and suitcases, with some designer names in the mix.
Shopping with an expert offers another way to explore the city. Anantara Plaza Nice Hotel can arrange a personal shopping experience with Malgorzata, a stylist and trend expert who takes guests to lesser-known boutiques and private collections. And once back at the hotel, watercolor illustrator and fashion portraitist Hossein Borojeni is on hand to sketch you in your chosen look, for a memorable keepsake.
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Explore Nice’s art scene
Nice has a strong connection to some of the 20th century’s most influential artists, with museums dedicated to Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall alongside collections of modern and historic art.
Start with Musée Matisse, which traces Henri Matisse’s work through 31 paintings, 454 drawings and engravings, 57 sculptures, and more than 130 objects from his personal collection. Many of these were brought directly from his studio and donated to the city by Matisse and his heirs, offering a particularly personal look at his work and influences.
The Musée National Marc Chagall is another essential stop. Created during Chagall’s lifetime, it houses his Message Biblique, a series of 17 paintings inspired by the Old Testament, alongside drawings, prints, sculptures, and other works.
For modern and contemporary art, head to MAMAC, which traces European and American art from the late 1950s to the present, with works by artists including Yves Klein and Niki de Saint Phalle. The Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice offers something slightly different, with paintings and sculptures spanning the 12th to 20th centuries in a Belle Époque villa commissioned by Ukrainian Princess Kotschoubey.
Spend a day at the beach
Though Nice’s beach may be slightly less practical than some of its Côte d’Azur counterparts – the shoreline is pebbles rather than sand – the water is just as hard to resist. And there’s plenty of beach clubs where you can enjoy the Mediterranean without having to sunbathe on stones.
The Negresco Beach Club, attached to the Hôtel Negresco, is one of the city’s best. Just across the Promenade des Anglais from the hotel, its white sunbeds and parasols have a chic, Riviera feel. There’s also a restaurant and bar serving lunch, snacks and drinks throughout the day, with the option to enjoy a formal meal on the beachfront or have your food brought to your sunbed.
Charter a yacht for the day
While Nice’s beaches are worth a visit, Caroline Moreau, Voyageurs du Monde’s French area director, recommends taking to the water instead. A private yacht gives you the freedom to explore the coastline around Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and Beaulieu-sur-Mer, moving between quieter bays and secluded swimming spots.
Make time for a swim at Les Fossettes, a small cove on Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and look out for Villa Kérylos, a 20th-century Greek-inspired landmark, as you pass Beaulieu-sur-Mer. For lunch, anchor off the coast and head ashore to La Réserve de la Mala, or have a private chef prepare lunch onboard.
Drive the Lower Corniche
If you have a day to yourself, rent a car (or a Vespa) and take the scenic route along the Riviera. From Nice, follow the Lower Corniche towards Villefranche-sur-Mer, then continue to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, driving beneath umbrella pines with glimpses of the sea between the trees. Stop in Beaulieu-sur-Mer for sunset before making your way back to Nice.
The route is a good excuse to slow down and explore at your own pace, whether that means stopping for lunch in Villefranche, taking a swim or pulling over for an aperitif by the water. For the full Dolce Riviera effect, channel Alain Delon and Romy Schneider and make the drive in something suitably vintage.
See the Côte d’Azur from above
Nice is beautiful by land, by boat, and by vintage car, but it is arguably seen at its best by helicopter. And, thankfully, Nice airport is home to a busy helipad, with plenty of options for those who want to take to the skies.
A helicopter flight from Nice to Monaco gives guests a view over the Riviera’s most recognizable stretches of coastline, passing over the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer and the villas of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat before continuing towards Èze and Monaco.
Anantara Plaza Nice offers several options, from short scenic flights over Monaco to longer excursions into Provence. One food-focused itinerary jets to Lorgues for lunch at Chez Bruno for its truffle-focused menu, or another route with an oenophile focus nips to Château de Berne, where guests can explore the wine estate and indulge in a tasting of its Côtes de Provence wines.
