9 must see parks in Nice

A glamorous city and a popular tourist destination on the French Riviera, Nice is known for its fascinating architecture, delicious cuisine, exceptional weather, and even better beaches. The city was founded by the Greeks around 350 BC and conquered by the Romans in the 1st century AD, becoming a major trading hub for many years. Eighteen centuries later, Nice became one of the most popular French Riviera retreats for the European elite, and today, it's a bustling city with over 5 million visits per year.

With 300 days of sunshine per year, Nice is the perfect city for outdoor adventures, and there's no better way to experience nature than Nice's parks. Whether you're looking for a break from sightseeing or need a place to catch your breath after a long day of shopping, Nice boasts stunning nature parks for people of all ages and interests. From elegant botanical gardens with hedge mazes and miles-long hiking trails to 16th-century forts with beautiful ocean views, numerous activities await locals and tourists in the parks in Nice.

As you discover the best parks in Nice, you'll soon agree that they have everything you need for a day with your family and friends. The best way to enjoy a fun day in one of the parks is without the burden of bags. Finding a luggage storage location in Nice near your favorite green space is easy. Download the Bounce app to find out exactly where to drop off your heavy shopping bags or backpacks before taking a trek or relaxing under a canopy of trees.

Castle Hill Park

At 300 feet above sea level, Parc de La Colline du Chateau, or Castle Hill Park, boasts gorgeous city views, the former Chateau de Nice ruins, and the Mediterranean Sea. An observation post, a great photo op, and an archaeological site, Castle Hill Park is located on the west end of the Promenade des Anglais, just a 15-minute ride from the city center. It's one of the best parks in Nice for a fun family trip.

While there, you can check out Cascade Dijon, an artificial waterfall built in 1885, and explore local landmarks past Place Rossetti, such as an 1800s cemetery with mausoleums and tombs. Kids can run around the play areas while you can relax at the park’s onsite cafe. Come June, Castle Hill Park is the site of the Fete de la Chateau, a free 2-day-long party with live music.

Phoenix Park

Located on the east side of the Promenade des Anglais, right next to the airport, you'll come across one of the best parks in Nice for activities with kids. Park Phoenix expands across 17 acres of land on which you'll find a miniature zoo, a botanical garden, a children's play area, a bamboo forest, an artificial lake, and one of the biggest greenhouses in Europe. Phoenix Park greenhouse occupies 75,000 sq ft of space and has 7 tropical climates with over 2,500 species of plants from all over the world.

Over 2,000 animals call these gardens home. So, if you and your kids love animals, Phoenix Park is the best park in Nice for close encounters with animals like tortoises, ostrich, lemurs, swans, pelicans, and ducks, among others. For a small entrance fee of about $6 or $4 for holders of the Nice Museum Pass (free for kids under 12), you get to spend a quality day with your children, friends, or the entire family. And if you forget to pack lunch, an on-site cafe serves light snacks, ice cream, and drinks.

Castel des Deux Rois

Another family-friendly park, Parc Castel des Deux Rois or Castle of the Two Kings Park, sits right on the hillside of Mont Boron, 1.5 miles from the city center. This small natural park features large lawns surrounded by pine trees and palm trees, a large playground area, a merry-go-round, a mini golf course, hiking trails, and a swimming pool.

Numerous activities await tourists and locals at this park, which has scenic city views. During the summer months, families have picnics under the palm trees, and kids play with the water jets. You can also bring your dog, as the vast green space allows them to play. You can easily spend an entire day at Parc Castel des Deux Rois, especially when you have a variety of food and drinks nearby.

Parc Vigier

A small park on the east side of Port de Nice, right next to Coco Beach, Parc Vigier is one of the city's hidden gems, providing the perfect respite from the city's hustle and bustle. Dating back to 1971, It was established on the former viscounty of Achille Georges Vigier. Once a prestigious residence, today it's one of the best nature parks in Nice, boasting rose gardens, palm trees, walking paths, picnic tables, and play areas.

From here, you can witness beautiful views of Port de Nice, spread out a blanket on the grass, or take the hiking trails along the coast for even more stunning views of the Mediterranean Sea. You can grab something to eat from the cafes around the Port or the nearby famous kiosk La Gratta. An interesting fact about Park Vigier is that it's where the first Phoenix Canariensis plant was established.

Parc Chambrun

If you're looking for a place to cool down in the city center, head to Parc Chambrun, near Jeanne d'Arc Church. Though small, there's a lot to do and see in Parc Chambrun and enough space for those who frequent it. A tranquil oasis in the heart of Nice, with huge green areas, monuments, and shaded pathways, Parc Chambrun is a place where you can spend hours relaxing in the shade of pine trees or watching the kids blow off some steam at the adventure playground.

The Parc Chambrun is also fun for exploring its historical grounds, as the former private owners left much for the public to admire. A great photo op is the Temple of Love monument, an old bandstand with tall white marble columns. As a popular cultural and social hub of Nice, this is the place to be for public events and fresh air on a hot summer day.

Le Jarden Albert 1er

If your idea of a nice park involves trimmed lawns, pools, and walkways shaded by mature trees, Le Jardin Albert 1er may be just the place. The historic park stretches from Place Masséna through Promenade des Anglais all the way to the old town of Vieux Nice. More than a lovely park, Le Jardin Albert 1er is the site of public events during summer, so you'll see both tourists and locals having a great time.

Families with kids can enjoy the play park with a carousel and water fountains, like the historical monument Triton's Fountain, relax at the bandstand, or explore the outdoor theatre inspired by Ancient Greece. You'll see the L’Arc de Venet at the entrance, a 62-foot-high artwork designed by Bernar Venet, a French conceptual artist. This modern piece of art is the town's landmark and is worth checking out.

Being centrally located, you can grab a sandwich or get a table at the many cafes and restaurants surrounding the park. If you're out and about Place Massena, this is one of the best parks in Nice to escape from the crowds.

Jardin du Monastere de Cimiez

Like most Nice parks located on a hill, the Jardin du Monastere de Cimiez offers stunning panoramic views of the sea and the city. This is one of the oldest gardens in Nice, and it extends 2.3 acres from the Monastery of Cimiez, a Franciscan monastery from the 8th century. On the parks' grounds and nearby, you'll also find the Matisse Museum, the Archeological Museum, and a lovely rose garden. There is also a Roman amphitheater and statues of the jazz musicians that established the Nice Jazz Festival.

This makes it easy to explore all the sites in one day and still have time to walk around the 100-year-old olive trees, spread a blanket on the grass, or find the perfect spot to enjoy nature. At the Jardin du Monastere de Cimiez, you can do numerous activities. Whether you want to exercise, take the kids on a merry-go-round, or grab a bite at the Cafe Parc Cimiez, this place is ideal for a relaxing day out.

Promenade du Paillon

If you need a quiet place to escape Place Massena and the city center noise, head to Promenade du Paillon, a mile-long urban park that extends from the beach and along Blvd. Jean Jaurès all the way through Old Town. The park connects the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain (MAMAC) to the Promenade des Anglais, making it easy to explore many of Nice's points of interest in one day.

At Promenade du Paillon, you'll find everything you need on a hot day, including two mirror fountains with mist and jets (which kids love), plenty of shaded areas, and benches for picnics. The lovely park is dotted with play areas in the shape of giant marine animals, including octopus-shaped swings, large whale and sea turtle wooden play structures, a pirate ship, and a fort. It is a true paradise for active children.

During warmer months, the park is the site of many events, exhibitions, and shows, and it can get crowded. Art lovers will appreciate the bronze replica of David and the 19th-century monument of André Masséna, one of the best Napoleonic generals. Promenade du Paillon is a botanical garden home to over 1,500 trees, 6,000 shrubs, and more than 50,000 perennial plants, making it the perfect park for nature and plant lovers.

When it comes to food, the park has plenty of options. Centrally located, the Promenade du Paillon is surrounded by many nice cafes and restaurants.

Parc Forestier du Mont Boron

Nestled on the hill of Mont Boron, Parc Forestier du Mont Boron covers over 140 acres and offers lots of green space, hiking trails, olive trees, benches, plenty of picnic areas, and panoramic views of the Nice port Villefranche sur Mer. For those who want to learn some history, Fort du Mont Alban is a 16th-century military stronghold overlooking the sea, great for exploring inside and out.

Though there's no children's playground, the park features a few sports areas for kids to blow off steam. Other highlights include the Chateau de l'Anglais, a blend of Gothic and Hindu architecture, and the Grotto of Lazaret, one of Nice's most important archaeological sites. No cafes or restaurants are nearby, so pack your picnic basket and bring lots of water.

The best nature parks in Nice for outdoor lovers

Nice, France boasts many hidden gems; a big part is its lovely parks. Parks in Nice are an excellent way to spend a day in nature, enjoy a picnic, attend a concert, or take your kids on an outdoor adventure. Besides being a place to fill your lungs with fresh air, the delightful green spaces are also home to many monuments of historical significance as well as ancient ruins and sights. You can learn more about the history and culture of Nice while benefitting from fresh air.

As we mentioned above, Nice's beaches are some of the best on the French Riviera. Grab your sunscreen and a towel on a hot summer day, and head to a beach near Nice to cool down. Those looking to explore Nice and get in a little workout can hit the hiking trails, some of which boast the most beautiful views of Nice Port.