Beautiful rocky beaches, French-Italian food, and sun-drenched plazas — if you’re wondering what to do in Nice, you’re in the right place. As an expat living in Madrid, I’m always looking for easy weekend getaways in Europe, and Nice has quickly become one of my favorites. Just a short flight from Spain, it’s the perfect mix of Riviera glamour and laid-back Mediterranean charm.
Whether you’re popping in for a quick city break or using Nice as a base to explore the Côte d’Azur, here are the must-see spots, local eats, and hidden corners I recommend from my own trip.
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Place Masséna
Start your visit at the heart of Nice: Place Masséna. With its striking checkerboard pavement, colorful facades, and fountains, this square feels like the perfect meeting point between Old Nice and the modern city. I loved strolling through in the evening with a gelato in hand to enjoy the people watching in this beautiful spot!
Cours Saleya Market
If you ask me what to do in Nice, the first thing I’ll say: go to the market. Cours Saleya is a beautiful street market with fresh flowers, local produce, and Provençal specialties like lavender products and soaps. Come back to the same market at night for all new vendors selling artwork, jewelry, leather goods, and so much more.
Check out my favorite vendor, Dolcenola, who sells the cutest postcards and artwork.
On Mondays, the market transforms and antiques take over the stalls, making it the perfect spot for treasure hunting.
Get a Souvenir at Fragonard
France is famous for perfume, and Nice has its own iconic brand: Fragonard. Pop into the boutique on the same street as the Cours Saleya market to browse beautifully packaged soaps, scents, and gifts. It’s the perfect spot for a souvenir that feels elegant yet local.
Pro Tip: You can actually tour the Fragonard factory in Èze and make your own perfume! This is a super unique experience that leaves you with your own personalized souvenir.
Promenade des Anglais
No trip to Nice is complete without a walk along the Promenade des Anglais. This seaside walkway stretches for miles, perfect for biking, rollerblading, or simply enjoying the view of the Mediterranean. On a hot summer day, take a break and head down to one of the rocky beaches for a refreshing swim.
I recommend grabbing a pizza to-go and heading to Promenade des Anglais to watch the sunset. Grab an open spot on the beach and enjoy!
Swim in the Mediterranean
Speaking of beaches — while they’re rocky, they’re also breathtaking with crystal-clear waters like you’ve never seen before. I actually prefer the rocky beaches of Nice to sandy beaches!
Bring a pair of water shoes, spread out a towel, and dive into the clear turquoise sea. If you’re looking for a relaxing and luxurious beach day in Nice, my recommendation is Castel Plage. Here you can rent a chair and order lunch right on the water.
Cathedral Saint-Nicholas de Nice
One of the more unexpected sights in Nice is the Cathedral Saint-Nicholas, a Russian-style cathedral with colorful onion domes. It’s actually the second largest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Western Europe, after Helsinki’s Uspenski Cathedral. Admire it from the outside or step inside to take in the beauty. It’s like taking a trip to Eastern Europe without leaving Nice!
Museums in Nice
While many people come to Nice for their beaches, it’s also an art-lovers dream. A few notable museums to check out:
- Musée Marc Chagall – vibrant, spiritual works from the master painter.
- Musée Matisse – featuring the impressionist artists famed works.
- Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice – classic and modern works in a stunning villa setting.
- Musée Masséna – a deep dive into Riviera history inside a beautiful Belle Époque mansion.
Pro Tip: Many museums in Nice offer reduced admission on certain days, so check ahead!
Rooftops & Restaurants
Nice has no shortage of spots for great food and even better views. A few to add to your list:
- Monsigny Rooftop – for cocktails with panoramic views.
- Castel Plage – lunch or dinner with your toes practically in the sand.
- Le Plongeoir – a bucket-list restaurant perched on a diving board over the sea.
- Château de Crémat – a winery just 20 minutes outside town with historic cellars and sweeping views.
- Negresco Hotel – an icon of the French Riviera. Even if you don’t stay overnight, it’s worth popping in for a cocktail and a look at its eclectic art collection.
Honorable Mention: While it isn’t a rooftop bar with views of the city, we had a lovely meal at Brasserie Bozzi. I highly recommend sitting on the terrace with a glass of wine and steak frites!
Try The Local Dish: Socca
If there’s one thing you eat in Nice, let it be socca. This simple chickpea pancake is a street food staple — crispy, savory, and perfect for a quick snack while you’re shopping around. You’ll find it at the market or tucked into casual cafés around town!
Getting to Nice
If you’re looking for affordable flights to France, I always recommend searching for flights on Kiwi. Not only do they have cheap travel routes, but they have incredible customer service. I know from my own experience dealing with extreme delays and cancellations, and they helped organize my hotel stay and voucher when I got stuck. I can’t recommend them enough!
Depending on the details of your travel itinerary, consider flying directly into Nice if you’re spending the bulk of your time in the French Riviera, or fly into Paris and take the train down to the Côte d’Azur for the full French experience!
Final Thoughts
For me, one of the best parts of being an expat in Madrid is how easy it is to hop on a short flight and land somewhere completely different. Nice makes the perfect weekend getaway — close enough to feel spontaneous, yet full of enough beauty, history, and food to keep you coming back.
If you’re planning your trip, balance the big sights (like Place Masséna or the Promenade des Anglais) with slower moments — sipping rosé at a rooftop, wandering Old Town, or taking that extra swim in the Mediterranean. That’s when the magic of Nice really shines.
Whether you’re an expat in Europe looking for a quick escape or a traveler building a South of France itinerary, I can’t recommend Nice enough. Even better, make it your home base and explore more of the region — from Monaco’s glam, to Èze’s cliffside beauty, to Villefranche-sur-Mer’s charm, and Menton’s citrus-lined streets. You can find my 4-day French Riviera travel itinerary here!
Planning your own trip to Nice? I’d love to hear what’s on your must-do list — drop a comment below and share your favorite Riviera spot!
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