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Extensive beaches, a medieval old town, small picturesque ports, and a wide range of museums are only some of the many reasons why Nice, the capital of the French Riviera, attracts visitors all year round. A mild Mediterranean climate and almost 300 sunny days a year means that anytime is a good time to visit Nice. The only month to avoid is August when temperatures often reach 30 degrees Celsius. For good bargains and great weather, plan your visit in the shoulder months of September – October or March – April. Winter months from November – March are also sunny and crisp with average temperatures of 13 – 15 degrees. At this time of the year, you can find attractive deals on posh accommodation along the seaside.

The tourist areas of Nice are quite compact and may be worth exploring on foot. But Nice is not a small Riviera resort town, hence public transport is the most reliable and cost efficient way to explore it to the fullest extent.

Buses and Trams

Ligne D’Azur network operates over 130 day-time bus routes and 5 night-time bus routes in the 49 towns of Nice Cote d’Azur. Tickets are €1.50 EUR per ride and allow changes between lines including use of trams within 74 minutes. Based on the length of your stay, you should consider buying a 1-day or 7-day Pass or a Multi-10 ticket which includes 10 journeys for €10 EUR.

Bikes

Bike sharing system Velo Bleu has close to 175 bike stations in the city and you can subscribe to the system for 1 day with a €1.50 EUR fee or for 7 days with a €5.00 EUR fee. The bike rental is free for the first 30 minutes, €1.00 EUR for the next 30 minutes and €2.00 EUR for every additional hour after that. Apart from this system, there are several other bike rental companies that operate in Nice.

Taxis

Taxis are operated by several private companies and are easily available but may not be the most budget-friendly option to move around in the city.

Things to do and places of interest in Nice

With more than 100 museums, rich architecture, an extraordinary art scene, and internationally renowned gastronomy, there is so much to explore in the city of Nice.

• Visit the works of renowned artists at the Musée Picasso, Musée Mark Chagall and Musée Matisse. More contemporary pieces and pop art can be found in Nice’s modern art gallery, MAMAC.
• Wander the narrow streets of Vieux Nice, lined with galleries, cafés and greengrocers’ shops as you take a leisurely stroll down the Promenade des Anglais.
• Take in the scents, colours and lively ambience of the Cours Saleya market where you will find authentic local products from inland Nice apart from flowers, fruits and vegetables.
• Enjoy the fragrance of a multitude of flowers at the Italian-style garden, Jardin Du Monastère de Cimiez which has old pergolas covered with climbing roses. The garden offers a scenic vista over the city, the sea and the hills.
• Explore gorgeous views of Baie des Anges, Old Nice and the Port from Parc De La Colline Du Chateau, also called Castle Hill.
• The Observatoire De La Cote D’Azur, the Saint-Nicolas Cathedral, Musée Bonnard in Le Cannet, La Villa Eilenroc – Juan Les Pins and the Villa Domergue in Cannes make for an interesting itinerary of the Belle Epoque of Cote D’Azur.

Tips and tricks for visiting Nice

A French Riviera Pass gives you free access to all museums and several other attractions and activities. You can opt for a 24-hour pass for €26 EUR, 48-hour pass for €38 EUR or a 72-hour pass for €56 EUR based on your itinerary and duration of stay. If you are visiting in February around Mardi Gras time, enjoy the Nice Carnival where a procession of flowered floats and floral competitions take over the city. It’s usually much cheaper to go out for a meal at lunchtime as restaurants offer good-value plats du jour or two-course menus. Also, order a carafé d’eau (tap water) instead of expensive bottled water. If you are visiting Nice on a strict budget, book a tour with ‘Greeters’ a group of volunteers offering free guided tours around themes such as architecture, food or antiques.