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This post will share how I spent three days in Nice, France, exploring the French Riviera.
Despite being overrun with tourists, certain places across the European continent are still worth visiting on a bucket list.
One of them is the South of France.
As I shared in a previous post, despite living in a bordering country, flight prices to France are almost always exorbitant.
So I don’t visit as frequently as I should, but I’m determined to rectify that in the coming months.
When I saw a deal to Nice in early May, I had to grab it quickly because I knew it would be the lowest price before Summer.
One trick to getting cheap flights is to be as flexible as possible.
While you might have specific destinations on your bucket list, the flights might not always be affordable.
But as long as you’re patient, you’ll get the deals when you least expect them.
So, I spent three days and nights exploring Nice, and I’m happy to share the details.
Here’s How To Spend Three Days In Nice Exploring The South Of France
Nice is the second largest city in the South of France after Marseille, so making it your base for the trip makes sense.
It has an excellent transportation system that makes it convenient and affordable to commute to other towns and cities along the French Riviera.
For those who are not familiar with the French Riviera, it is used to refer to the coastline facing the Mediterranean Sea.
Like any other coastal region, this is a resort area makes it incredibly popular.
The most popular destinations along the Riviera are Nice, Cannes, Monaco, and Saint-Tropez.
While you might want to stay in Nice, which you can, you’ll also miss out on other cities’ unique gems.
I found Nice to be incredibly busy, but Cannes was just perfect.
So, spend about two days in Nice and if you have more time, take day trips to other cities on the French Riviera.
Getting To Nice
I took an 8 am Easyjet flight out of Manchester and flew to the Nice Cote d’Azur Airport.
The journey took around two hours, and I landed in Nice before noon.
Honestly, this is my favourite kind of flight.
Flying in this early meant I had the rest of the afternoon to explore, which is precisely what I did.
Airport Transfer
Just outside Terminal 2, you’ll find a tram station where you can catch a tram to the city centre.
You’ll also find ticket machines where you can buy tickets.
You can pay either by cash or card.
The journey from the airport to the city centre is 40 minutes by tram.
This meant I had time to grab a meal before heading to Monaco.
Thankfully, I’ve mastered packing light in recent months, so I didn’t need to leave my luggage in my hotel.
My Kanken backpack is lightweight and convenient enough for me to carry about.
You can take the bus or the tram.
Either way, the tickets cost the same.
Honestly, the tram is just more convenient.
This means that you have to prepare for a crowded tram.
Moving Around Nice
The easiest way to commute around Nice is by tram.
But like any other city, it is best explored on foot.
So, don’t be like me and buy a pack of 10 tickets; you most likely won’t need that many.
Buy a single ticket which costs €1.50, to the city centre and then figure out your itinerary.
If your hotel is in the city centre, you would not need to use much of the tram.
Even if you visit other cities on the French Riviera, the Nice Ville train station is also in the city centre and central enough to walk to.
So, determine the distance between different locations before buying tickets.
Accommodation
I stayed at Hotel du Midi, five minutes from the Nice Ville station.
I knew I would take a few day trips, so I wanted to stay close to the station to save transportation costs.
The room was spacious and was cleaned daily.
It had all the facilities I needed except a kettle and a tea mug, which the staff were happy to provide.
I was honestly so happy with that simple gesture.
With the amount of hot beverages I drink daily, I’m not sure I can live without a mug and a kettle.
Speaking of the staff, they were very nice and happy to help with whatever I needed.
They are the most friendly staff I’ve experienced in my almost two years of frequent solo travel.
Despite the busy street being incredibly noisy before midnight, I would consider staying there again for the friendly staff and location.
Meals & Shopping
Naturally, there’s much to see and do, including eating and shopping.
You’ll find cheap eats if you avoid the tourist traps in the city centre.
The grocery stores have a great selection if you’re on a budget.
Look out for major retail chains like Monoprix and Carrefour.
Attractions
While I couldn’t wait to explore Monaco and Cannes, I had to dedicate one full day to Nice.
Thankfully, the weather was gorgeous, which made exploring a breeze.
Despite the Spring crowds, I could still enjoy the attractions.
In 2021, Nice was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, so the city is packed with gems.
If you spend up to three days in Nice, check out the following landmarks:
Iconic Landmarks
- Place Masséna: The city’s main square connects the old town with the modern one, which stands out with its red facades.
- Promenade de Anglais: This 7 km 18th-century walkway along the Mediterranean coast is one of Nice’s iconic symbols.
- Basilique Notre-Dame: The 19th-century cathedral is also the largest in Nice.
- Cous Seleya: A vibrant living space known for its iconic flower market.
- Saint-Nicolas Cathedral: 19th-century cathedral inspired by Russian architecture.
- La Place Garibaldi: A 17th-century square which is the oldest in Nice.
- La Tete Carree: One of the iconic monuments of Nice, which houses seven floors of the Louis Nucéra library administrative offices.
- Le Negresco: One of the most iconic French luxury hotels and a symbol of Nice.
- Nice Cathedral: A 17th-century cathedral located in one of the busiest squares of Nice Old Town. It is also inspired by Saint Peter’s Basilica in Rome.
- Castle Hill: Hike up to the top of the tower for a breathtaking panoramic view of the city.
- La Place Rossetti: Another iconic square in the heart of the Old Town.
Top 7 Day Trips From Nice Under 2 Hours.
If you’re looking to decide where to go from Nice on a day trip, consider the following:
- Eze: 13 mins via train & 22 mins by bus.
- Villefranche-sur-Mer: 6 mins via train & 12 mins via bus.
- Monaco: 21 mins via train & 40 mins via bus.
- Menton: 36 mins via train & 90 mins via bus.
- Ventimiglia, Italy: 52 mins via train.
- Antibes: 25 mins via train & 40 mins via bus
- Cannes: 38 mins via train & 40 mins via bus.
Most train tickets are under €10, while bus tickets are under €5. Despite how affordable the tickets are, it is with factoring into your budget.
Experiences
Depending on your interests, there are certainly more than enough activities to keep you busy, but I’ll always recommend day trips and boat cruises, especially for coastal areas.
As always, be realistic with your itinerary and try not to overfill your itinerary.
- Day Trips
- French Riviera in One Day, which will cover Eze, Monaco, Antibes and Monte Carlo.
- The Grand Canyon of Europe & its Lavender Fields, where you’ll travel from Nice to Biot, Gourdon, and Tourettes-sur-Loup.
- Saint-Tropez and Port Grimaud Full-Day Tour, where you’ll cross the French Riviera along the coast to Saint-Tropez.
- Boat Cruise
Overall,
While Nice is great to explore for one or two days, the city’s beauty is its proximity to other equally impressive cities.
If you have more time in Nice, you can also take the train to Menton on the Italian border or cross into Ventimiglia in Italy. There’s nothing I love more than crossing borders via rail.
Best believe I’ll be back to explore Eze, Antibes, Saint Tropez, Villefranche-sur-Mer, Menton and Ventimiglia.