Nice Visitor Guide 2024: Everything you need to know

Nice is one of France's most famous cities, and for good reason. Located in the region of Provence on the shores of the Mediterranean sea, Nice has some of the best weather and best scenery in the country. Close to the Italian border, Nice spent much of its history being ruled by Italy before becoming part of France. As a result, there's still an Italian vibe about this sunny and colorful French city.

Few cities are blessed with a location to rival that of Nice. With the Mediterranean Sea on its doorstep and the pristine ski slopes of the Alps behind it, Nice is an outdoor lover's paradise. But it's also a hub for Provençal culture and a perfect place for history buffs to explore. In short, Nice is a city that has something for just about everyone. Drop off your unneeded bags at a suitcase storage in Nice and explore this Mediterranean gem for yourself.

8 Best Ways to Experience Nice in 2024

Nice is one of Europe’s most charming cities. Blessed with incredible mountain and ocean scenery, it’s also a cultural hub and a luxury travel destination for the international jet set. With incredible French cuisine and thousands of years of historical interest, it’s hard to imagine ever running out of things to do here. But if you do find yourself with time to spend in Nice, there’s lots to do to keep you occupied. The following companies can help you get a better understanding of the city on your next trip. And don’t forget to drop off your unneeded belongings at a Bounce luggage storage in Nice so you can enjoy yourself to the fullest.

Best food tour — A Taste of Nice

France is famous for its cuisine. But with long-standing historical links to Italy, Nice occupies a position between two of the world’s great food cultures. If you’re a lover of food, you owe it to yourself to take this tour. Tours leave both in the morning or the afternoon, making it easy to fit them into your schedule. And if you like to enjoy a glass of wine with your meals, you can combine food and wine tours with this company. Contact them at admin@atasteofnice.com or 33986689381.

Best vehicle tour — Happymoov Nice

You’ll probably want to cover a lot of ground while you’re in Nice, and using a vehicle to get around can be a smart idea. But there’s no more fun way to do this than by renting an electric bike taxi from Happymoov. These unique vehicles can seat a whole family and are powered by an electric engine that lets you drive through the city. An onboard computer will guide you in several different languages as you explore the city under your own guidance. Tours last anywhere from 30 minutes to a couple of hours, so you can scratch the surface or deeply immerse yourself in what Nice has to offer. Explore the city with a smile on your face by booking a tour at amartinat@happymoov.com or 33672320589.

Best excursions — SUNNYdays Prestige Travel

There’s so much to do in the city of Nice itself. But you shouldn’t neglect the surrounding area. Nice is close to legendary French destinations like Antibes, Menton, Monaco, and the border with Italy. With mountains and ocean to explore as well as charming old towns, this region has plenty to offer besides its famous city. Give SUNNYdays a call and choose from their wide range of half or full day tours. You can explore the history of the area or the winemaking culture, visit sun-soaked islands, and journey to quaint fishing villages. Whatever you are into, they’ll have a tour for you. Contact them at welcome@sunnydays.fr or 33622202082.

Best self-guided tour — NiceCar

These quirky electric cars offer a fun way to explore Nice and the wider region. A GPS self-guided tour is offered in five different languages, and tours can last anywhere from between two to four hours. Note that you must be 21 years old or above to drive one of these cars. Take the trip to Mont Alban to enjoy a panoramic view of the city, or explore the Côte d’Azur and Monaco from Nice. Contact them to book nicecar06@hotmail.com or 33493169036.

Best science tour — Nice Geowonders

Scientifically-minded travelers shouldn’t miss this unique educational tour. There is some walking involved, so you’ll need to be in decent shape. Traveling in groups of five or less, you will head outside the city to some of the area’s geological wonders, including extinct volcanoes and narrow mountain ravines. Even if you have no special interest in geology, the scenery alone is worth the trip. You can even customize your trip to see what interests you. If you’re up for the challenge, you’ll be rewarded with a glimpse of a side of Provence that most visitors never encounter. Contact them at contact@nicegeowonders.fr

Best historical walking tour — Nice Creative Tors

With its impressive architecture and reliably sunny weather, Nice is a perfect city to explore on foot. This company can help you understand what you’re seeing as they explain the history of the city on a walking tour. Tours are given in five different languages, and they also offer bike tours if you prefer to explore on two wheels. Plus, they offer night tours, and seeing the city all lit up on a warm summer night in the Mediterranean is an experience you won’t regret. Contact them at contact@nice-creative-tours.com or 33623424073.

Best cultural tour — Kultours

This one-woman company is run by someone with a truly encyclopedic knowledge of the city. She offers 12 different tours for you to choose from, so you can explore the jaw-dropping coastline of the French Riviera or sample the rich food culture of the city. Alternatively, you could try some of the region’s best wine in charming bistros throughout the city. If you really want a glimpse of France the way it is for the people who live there, there’s no better guide. Contact Kultours at kultours06@gmail.com or 33614830333.

Best wine tour — Grape Tours in Provence

France is synonymous with wine production, and some of the best wines in the world come from the country. Provence is no slouch when it comes to local wine production, and wine fans shouldn’t miss the opportunity to learn more about the unique wine culture of the region. These tours leave from Nice to explore the local vineyards and can be customized to focus on a particular varietal or type of wine, such as the rosé for which the region is famous. Contact them at pierre@grape-tours.com or 33617810207.

A weekend in Nice

A weekend in Nice isn't going to show you everything the city has to offer. But it may be just enough for you to fall in love with the place. Drop off your bags at a bag storage in town and explore this sunny city in comfort.

• The light in Nice is unlike anywhere else, and this has drawn many famous artists to the city over the years. Nice is home to a Chagall Museum, a Matisse Museum, and a Museum of Asian Art. There's also a Museum of Contemporary Art with pieces by Andy Warhol and other modern masters.
• Situated on a high hill to the east of the city, Parc de la Colline du Chateau is the perfect place to get a view over the red rooftops of Nice. If the climb to the viewpoint seems too much, you can take an elevator from the Promenade des Anglais, and the sweeping views of the glittering Bay are worth the journey.
• Take a stroll along the legendary Promenade des Anglais. Since the nineteenth century, Nice has been a tourist town, and many of the grand buildings along this seafront street date back to this era. In many ways, this is Nice's living room and is the best place to soak up the atmosphere and enjoy a stunning sunset over the water.

Nice lockers

Like many ancient cities, Nice is perfect for exploring on foot. In fact, wandering at your own pace allows you to take in the atmosphere that is one of the city's main attractions. You can make things easier on yourself by dropping off your bags at a luggage storage locker in Nice. Let someone else look after your possessions while you focus on enjoying yourself.

Off the beaten path in Nice

Nice has been a famous tourist destination for over a hundred years, but that doesn't mean it doesn't still have a few secrets to share. Step away from the main attractions, and you'll find some fascinating things to see in this old town.

• Some of Nice's earliest inhabitants weren't even technically human. At the Grotte du Lazaret, you can see the evidence of early hominid settlement that goes back 70,000 years. This little-known attraction provides a glimpse into an ancient and vanished world.
• Nice was once a Roman town, and you can see evidence of this at the Cimiez Arena. Located in a quiet park outside the city center, this half-ruined arena is still used for concerts in the summer. The park it sits in is also a very pleasant place to stroll and get some fresh air.
• The Cap Ferrat is a coastal trail east of Nice where many of the world’s wealthy maintain luxurious villas. The path provides incredible views of the city and brings you to some stunning beaches where you can live like a millionaire, at least for a day.

What to do alone in Nice

Safe and welcoming to visitors, Nice is a perfect place to explore by yourself. With its vibrant street life, you need never feel alone while you explore. Drop off your bags at a Nice luggage locker and set out on your solo expedition.

• As a French town with an Italian past, you would expect Nice to have great food. And you'd be right. Fresh seafood from the Mediterranean meets Provençal country cooking with Italian flair in this city, and you can experience it all on a Nice food tour. Meet other travelers as you sample the best food Provence has to offer.
• Do some shopping — and get some great photos — at Cours Saleya Market. This gorgeous flower market takes place every day in the heart of the city, and it’s a great place to pick up fresh food and produce. Make sure you go early for the best selection.
• Nice's Old Town is as charming as they come. A maze of narrow alleys surrounded by colorful old buildings, the Old Town is where Nice's Italian heritage is most obvious. With endless cafés and bistros plus interesting stores to visit, you could easily lose a day wandering these charming streets.

The best souvenirs in Nice

Provence is famous for its stunning lavender fields, and lavender is everywhere in Nice. Pick up a bag of dried flowers or some lavender-infused soap from any of the shops in the Old Town for a classic Provençal souvenir. Alternatively, the flower market is also a great place to pick up lavender-related items. Or you can head just a little outside of town to Nicolas Alziari and see the last olive oil mill in Nice. See how the oil is made, and then purchase a bottle or two to take home with you.