Want to explore Nice over a weekend? Tour Azur, a provider of all-inclusive tours and transfers on the French Riviera, shares its best tips for enjoying the city in two days.
On the program:
- A realistic 2-day itinerary to see the best of Nice.
- 15 not-to-be-missed places to visit, combining sea, culture and panoramic views.
- Practical advice: transport, beaches, budget and tips.
đĄWe’ve also written an article for you on exploring Nice in one day.
Our 15 top tips for planning your 2-day visit to Nice
1 Parc de la colline du ChĂąteau
This large 19-hectare garden is both a place for strolling and a natural belvedere. It features :
- a waterfall,
- vast lawns,
- games for children
- some archaeological remains.
- Bellanda Tower.
Shaded walkways lead to spectacular vantage points.
đ Free access. Open from 8:30am to 8pm in summer, and until 7pm in winter. We have written a full article about this place!
2 Promenade des Anglais
The “Prom'” stretches for almost 7 km along the Baie des Anges. Lined with palm trees and dotted with blue chairs, it invites you to stroll and relax by the sea. A cycle path runs along the entire route, from the port to the airport, and even allows you to continue towards Cagnes-sur-Mer or Antibes.
đ We’ve written another article about this place!
3 Place Masséna
The heart of Nice, Place MassĂ©na impresses with its red arcaded facades and vast paved esplanade. Here youâll find the Fontaine du Soleil and Jaume Plensaâs stunning light sculptures. Always bustling, itâs a must-see stop between the Old Town, Avenue Jean MĂ©decin, and the Promenade du Paillon.
4 Promenade du Paillon
Nicknamed the ” green corridor “, the Promenade du Paillon runs for almost a kilometer through the center of Nice. With its playful fountains and water mirror, large lawns, play areas and shaded walkways, it’s a breathtaking space in the heart of the city.
5 Place Garibaldi
Nice’s oldest main square, recognizable by its yellow facades and arcades, is now bustling with cafĂ©s and arcaded restaurants.
đĄAnecdote: if you look up, you’ll notice that many of the buildings’ windows are trompe-l’Ćil, a Nice tradition to balance the architecture.
6 Port Lympia
Less crowded than the Promenade des Anglais, the port of Nice is lined with colorful red and ochre facades. You’ll come across both imposing yachts and “pointus”, traditional small fishing boats.
đĄAnecdote: this harbor basin was dug in the XVIIIá” century in a marshy area called Lympia, named after a nearby spring.
7 Cimiez monastery and gardens
The Cimiez neighborhood is beautifulâall our guests say so! Behind the walls of the Franciscan monastery, youâll find a cloister and a small museum that tells the story of the friarsâ lives. But the real highlight is outside: terraced gardens overlooking the entire city, adorned with rosebushes and century-old olive trees.
8 Matisse Museum
In Cimiez, the Villa des ArĂšnes houses the Matisse Museum. There’s no fixed path here: we move from canvas to paper cut-outs, from sculptures to drawings, and follow the artist’s growing freedom step by step.
đ Ticket 12 euros (includes access to the MusĂ©e d’archĂ©ologie-Cimiez). Open every day except Tuesday from 10am to 6pm in summer, and until 5pm in winter.
9 Musée national Marc-Chagall
Another world, another atmosphere: the MusĂ©e Chagall highlights the artist’s work, around the large biblical canvases that make up the ” Message “. Outside, a garden and a mosaic designed by Chagall himself.
đ Ticket 8 euros. Open every day except Tuesday, 10am-1pm and 2:30pm-6pm (5pm in winter).
10 St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral
You’d never expect to come across Moscow in the heart of Nice, and yet… With its green and gold domes, Saint-Nicolas Cathedral looks like a fairytale setting. Built for the Russian community in 1912, it’s one of the city’s most exotic monuments.
đĄPass through the small garden behind the cathedral, where numerous rabbits frolic in complete freedom.
đ The cathedral is open daily (9am-1pm and 2pm-6pm), but inaccessible to tourists during masses, ceremonies and on Sundays from 10am-12pm.
11 Mount Boron
Climbing Mont Boron, a wooded hill just over 190 meters above sea level, is like leaving the hustle and bustle of Nice behind and finding yourself surrounded by pine trees.
đ Arrive at Mont Alban Fort, the fortress atop Mount Boron, at sunset, when the Mediterranean turns orange.
12 Cours Saleya
In the heart of Old Nice, the Cours Saleya is an explosion of color and fragrance. Every morning, its stalls overflow with flowers, fruit and vegetables. On Mondays, it’s the place to be for second-hand dealers.
đ This is a must-visit spot for strolling around and soaking up the atmosphere of Nice; but if you really want to do some shopping, youâre better off heading to the MarchĂ© de la LibĂ©ration, which is more authentic and affordable.
13 Chapelle de la Miséricorde
Nicknamed the Chapel of the Black Penitents, it is considered one of the finest examples of Baroque art in the world. Behind its discreet yellow façade on the Cours Saleya, the interior reveals a rich and refined décor.
đ Open only on the 1st and 3á” Tuesdays of the month, from 2:30pm to 5pm. Free admission, visit to the sacristy âŹ2.
14 Palais Lascaris
This remarkably well-preserved 17thá” century Baroque mansion houses a collection of antique musical instruments. But the real spectacle remains the architecture and decor of this aristocratic residence.
đ Open every day except Tuesday, from 10am to 6pm. Admission âŹ7.
đ Bonus: just a stone’s throw away, rue de l’Ancien SĂ©nat preserves the last washhouse in Vieux-Nice.
15 Beaches of Nice
Various beaches line the Baie des Anges for over 7 km. There’s no fine sand here, only coarse pebbles! Some beaches are public and free (Plage du Centenaire, du Ruhl, de l’OpĂ©ra, des Ponchettes, de Carras…), while others are private, with deckchairs and restaurants with their feet in the water.
đ Don’t forget to bring water shoes – they make swimming so much more fun!
Our itinerary suggestions to visit Nice in 2 days
The idea is to build two days respecting the geographical logic and rhythm of a traveler who wants to enjoy.
Day 1, the heart of Nice
Morning: Old Nice
- Cours Saleya: start the day in the atmosphere of the market.
- Chapelle de la Miséricorde: right next door, a hidden Baroque gem.
- Palais Lascaris: up Rue Droite, discover this aristocratic residence.
- Place MassĂ©na: cross the old town to reach Nice’s most iconic square.
- Lunch around Place Masséna or on Cours Saleya.
Afternoon
- Promenade du Paillon: take a leisurely stroll up the “coulĂ©e verte”.
- Promenade des Anglais on foot or by bike.
- Nice beaches: swim or take a relaxing break before/after the ride.
Day 2, hills and panoramas
Morning: stroll between town and port
Start the day in the park of the hill of the Chùteau, to enjoy one last time the panorama of the Baie des Anges. Then head back down to Place Garibaldi, with its distinctive yellow facades, before reaching Port Lympia. Lunch around the harbor: grilled fish and Niçoise specialties on the menu.
For the afternoon, we offer two options, depending on your preferences.
Afternoon nature and fresh air option
Climb Mont Boron, an unexpectedly peaceful pine forest, to the Mont Alban fort. The panorama is breathtaking. On the way back, stop off at St. Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral. Its colorful domes and icon-covered interior contrast with the hustle and bustle of the city.
Afternoon culture option
Join the monastery and terraced gardens of Cimiez. Next door, the MusĂ©e Matisse traces the artist’s development through paintings, drawings and paper cut-outs. End the day at the MusĂ©e Marc-Chagall: the Message room plunges you into a colorful, spiritual universe that leaves no one indifferent.
Practical information for a 2-day visit to Nice
How to get to Nice
Good news: All roads lead to Nice!
- By car: The A8 highway connects Nice to the major cities of the French Riviera and the rest of France.
- By train: The Nice-Ville train station serves TGV, Intercités, and TER trains, offering fast connections from Paris, Marseille, or Italy.
- By boat: The port of Nice, also known as Port Lympia, is the closest. The region also has 8 marinas in the surrounding area.
- By plane: Nice-CĂŽte dâAzur Airport is the third-largest in France.
What to see and do in the area
If you’ve got an extra day or two, the CĂŽte d’Azur is full of nuggets accessible by train, bus or car from Nice:
- Villefranche-sur-Mer just 10 minutes away, a seaside village with a splendid harbor and a picturesque port.
- Ăze a medieval village offering breathtaking panoramic views and an exotic garden.
- Monaco 30-minute train ride from Nice.
- Antibes a charming old town surrounded by ramparts, with a giant marina and the Picasso museum.
- Cannes world-famous for its festival.
- Menton the “pearl of the Riviera”, renowned for its gardens and gentle atmosphere.
đ And for nature lovers: the Mercantour National Park is accessible on day trips, between hilltop villages and Alpine landscapes.
Where to stay when visiting Nice?
There’s no shortage of hotels and short-term rentals between individuals. Instead, we suggest you review these few criteria to determine where to stay:
- Proximity: Old Nice and the port are perfect for doing everything on foot.
- Atmosphere: more festive and lively in the center, quieter in Cimiez or towards Mont Boron.
- Budget: the Promenade and CarrĂ© d’Or are expensive, while the Gare and LibĂ©ration are more affordable.
- Practicality: check the proximity of tramways or bus stops to avoid complicated journeys.
Getting around the city
- On foot The center is easy to visit.
- Tramway Three lines cross the city. Line 2 links the airport directly to the center in 25 minutes.
- Bus Bus: useful for reaching the hills (Cimiez, Mont Boron) or neighboring towns.
- VĂ©lo The VĂ©lobleu service offers self-service bicycles, ideal for cycling along the Promenade des Anglais.
- Car Not recommended in the city center (heavy traffic, expensive parking). Recommended only for exploring the hinterland.
- Cabs and VTC available but expensive compared to public transport.
- Private chauffeur service by Tour Azur.
Visiting Nice in 2 days in any situation
Couple
Stroll through Vieux-Nice hand-in-hand, climb the ChĂąteau hill for sunset, then end the day with dinner by the sea or on the Cours Saleya.
In the family
Plan breaks in the Parc de la Colline du ChĂąteau (playgrounds) or on the Promenade du Paillon (water mirror, green spaces). Alternate short visits with moments of relaxation on the beach.
When it rains
Head for the museums: Chagall, Matisse, or the Palais Lascaris. For a gourmet break, take refuge in the covered market halls of the Marché de la Libération.
đĄIf you’re planning to visit the MAMAC, it’s closed for works until 2028, but the collections are being redeployed around the area in the meantime.
Free of charge
Nice is easy to discover without spending a cent. In fact, most of the places we’ve suggested are free, with the exception of museums and a few private beaches.
On foot
It’s perfectly feasible, but bear in mind that Nice is a city with a steep gradient. While it’s easy to stay close to the sea, other places like Mont Boron or the monastery of Cimiez, higher up, are less accessible if you’re not in shape. We’ve written a full article on visiting Nice on foot.
Visit Nice in 2 days with Tour Azur
Tour Azur offers a range of services to suit holidaymakers and business travelers alike:
- Transfers: for a stress-free journey to your hotel or holiday destination, our drivers will meet you directly at the airport or station.
- Chauffeur-driven vehicle: whether you’re planning a day of sightseeing, a business meeting or a special evening out, you can count on a tailor-made service, with a private chauffeur at your disposal.
- Private excursions: discover the CĂŽte d’Azur at your own pace, in a prestige vehicle, accompanied by a driver-guide who knows the region like the back of his hand.
- Shared tours: for a more convivial and economical option, Tour Azur also organizes excursions in small groups with a driver-guide.
FAQ
What are the top 10 things to do in Nice?
Take our list, and remove :
- Mount Boron.
- Musée national Marc-Chagall .
- Place Garibaldi.
- Chapelle de la Miséricorde.
- Promenade du Paillon.
Is Nice worth it?
Yes, without hesitation. Between the sea and the hills, Nice combines beaches, panoramic walks and Baroque heritage. The city is easy to explore on foot or by streetcar, and offers an atmosphere that’s both Mediterranean and cosmopolitan. You’ll see a lot in just two days, but Nice is also an ideal base from which to explore the entire CĂŽte d’Azur.
How long does it take to visit Nice?
- 2 days are enough to discover the essentials: Old Nice, Castle Hill, Promenade des Anglais and one or two museums.
- 3 to 4 days allow you to add Cimiez, Mont Boron and the beaches.
- A week is ideal if you also want to explore the surrounding area.
đ Nice can be visited in a weekend, but it’s even better if you have a little more time.
Visit Nice in 3 days
Combine what you didn’t have time to do in 2 days:
- If you’ve chosen Mont Boron, add Cimiez and its museums.
- If you’ve chosen Cimiez, take a nature walk on Mont Boron.
- Or take a day trip to Villefranche-sur-Mer (10 min by train), Ăze (hilltop village + exotic garden), or Antibes (old town + Picasso museum).
