Coming to a short or long trip – there are the top 9 places you have to visit while in Nice

# top places in nice

Located in the heart of the French Riviera, the city of Nice is largest in the area and the fifth most populated in France.

With 4 million visitors every year, beautiful beaches and lovely architecture no wonder it attracts so much attention from tourists and celebrities from all across the globe. Rightfully so, it will probably leave you speechless thanks to the rare blend narrow corridors of the old town, wide sea shore, lovely architecture and vast mountains.

To complete this picturesque atmosphere, take into account that the region enjoys more than 300 days of sun per year.

So, what would be your best choices to visits in while in Nice? Well, the numerous options could be overwhelming if you only have a short amount of time to get the best out of the city – That is where we get in the picture. This in-depth guide will help you focus on the must-see places in town – including the less familiar ones.

1. Place Massena

The Place Massena is the central square, located in the heart of Nice. Instantly recognizable, it serves as a crossroad for the Tram, the “coulée verte” promenade (about that in a moment), the Massena street and the corridor for the beach looking southbound.

Remember to look up while you are there: there are seven colorful human figures (colors could only be seen at night), each one pointed to a different direction. These color-changing sitting statues represents the seven continents, and symbolizes the harmony and communication between the diverse communities. They also encourage the visitors to look up to the stars. How poetic!

Click the picture below for exact location

2. Promenade des Anglais

The famous promenade, stretching across the coastline of Nice, is a definitely must see very early and preferably when the sun is out. Walking through it you will be tempted to stop several times to stare at the ravishing colors of the sea (often a two-tone color!) and sit on the unique blue chairs scattered around – and we will not blame you for doing so.

3. Cours Saleya/Old Town

“Cours Saleya” is the name of the famous market of Nice, located closely to the eastern edge of the Promenade des Anglais.

This relatively wide commerce space is full of restaurants (read about it in our top restaurants article here), that co-exist with the market, which is active from 6am to around 5:30pm. In its active days (Sunday and Monday), the market offers a verity of flowers for sale, as well as vegetables and homemade “Nicois” food. The Cours Saleya market sits on the beginning of the old town.

Go northbound, and you will enter the lovely impasses of the old town. Walk for long enough and you will surely arrive at the Place Rossetti, which is the main square of the old town. Try to get yourself some ice cream, as it is full of shops that offer some of the best of them. We would recommend the Hazelnut taste – whatever shop you will choose.

4. Place Garibaldi

This is a charming and relatively large square in Nice.

Surrounded by a row of buildings from the 18th century it offers a large space to walk for pedestrians, who would enjoy the view of the surroundings and shade of the large tree in its center. Pay attention to the buildings around the square, as they hold a little surprise for those who look carefully.

As expected, coffee houses and restaurants are active all around the square in case you feel like having a pause.

5. Port of Nice

The port of Nice, or in its official name “Port Lympia” is home for all kinds of boats and yachts, surrounded by a pastoral landscape of nature and colorful buildings. This port is known for being the exclusive station in town for ferries to and from Corsica – recognized by their yellow and blue colors.

6. Castle Hill

Perhaps the best-known lookout in Nice. Located between the Port and the famous Promenade des Anglais, the castle park contains several viewpoints. Just above the artificial waterfall, you will find the highest point – which will give you the broadest angle of the city. This is also the place in which the famous blast takes place from every day on midday. Access to this 93-meter high vantage point could be made by foot or by a public elevator located here.

7. Negresco Hotel

The iconic Negresco five-star Hotel is an inseparable part of the city landscape, established in 1912.

Hard to believe, but this hotel was once a hospital – during World War I to be exact.

Since 1957, it is belong to Madame Augier, a public figure in Nice. It has been and still is a holiday destination for many celebrities and billionaires who choose to pass their summer vacation. Rumor has it that Mrs. Augier is planning to bequeath the hotel to her cat when the time comes. The entrance is available only for clients of the hotel, so make sure you are ready to buy something to eat or drink at the bar or restaurant.

8. Promenade du Paillion

The Promenade du Paillion crosses the familiar Place Massena mentioned earlier. If you feel like strolling calmly in the middle of the city, it might be just the place to do so. This green stretch of walking space goes from the Place Garibaldi and ends by the sea, and holds water fountains along the way. The big bonus near the end of it is the “Water Mirror” (“Miroir d’eau”) – an area in which you will find 128 water jets shooting from the ground. If you visit in summer, you will find them very helpful.

9. Alban Mountain Fortress

This 16^th century fortress is sitting on top of the Boron Hill, between Villefranche-sur-mer and Nice. From the peek height of 220m the views are amazing, no matter in which direction you will choose to look. As public transport there is poor, we recommend you to arrive by car.

# top places in nice

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# top places in nice