How to Spend One Day in Nice, France

Nice is an absolute dream and a perfect home base for a trip exploring the French Riviera! Whether you’re town hopping, or spending time exclusively in Nice, this city deserves at least a full day on your itinerary. Here is how to spend one day in Nice, France!

Coffee and Madeleines at Maison Karlie

There is no other way to start your one day in Nice than with some coffee! During my trip, I was based in Nice and made an effort to try a different coffee shop each day. My favorite of all of them was Maison Karlie! It’s very centrally located, and was only about a fifteen walk from the Westminster Hotel, where I was staying on the Promenade des Anglais. What first made me stop at Maison Karlie was the fact that they had hot mochas on the menu. It is my American guilty pleasure that is rare to find in Europe!

Once I arrived, I loved the cute vibe and the trays of fresh madeleines. They had so many different flavors, but I opted for the white chocolate. It was so good and I wished I got a few more flavors to try! They had a couple small tables on the sidewalk so you can enjoy your coffee and madeleine in true French fashion. If you’re taking your coffee to go, they also have the cutest pastel cups that are so photo-worthy!

Stroll Avenue Jean Médecin

After your morning fuel of coffee and madeleines, make your way over to Avenue Jean Médecin. The Avenue (as the locals call it) is one of the main streets in Nice that runs north-south connecting the area close to the Nice Ville train station, down to the Place Masséna which connects into the Old Town. This street is the main artery of Nice, home to tons of shops, restaurants, and the public streetcars. It’s a really beautiful street that is fun to stroll early in the morning while the world is just waking up.

The Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption is located here, right at the end of the (aptly named) Avenue Notre Dame. While it was too early for me to go in to visit and light a candle, I loved admiring it from the outside. The rest of The Avenue is filled with shops, as well as the Centre Commercial Nicetoile mall. There’s something for everyone here, and is a really nice stroll through the heart of Nice!

Visit Place Masséna

Place Masséna is the area that connects the old town to the new. It is a historic square with cafes and a wide variety of shops. The crown jewel is the Fontaine du Soleil, which is a statue of the Greek God Apollo. It’s such a swoon-worthy photo op with the statue and water fountain contrasting against the black and white checkered ground.

I also loved the Miroir d’Eau, which is right across the street. This is a shallow wading pool that creates a gorgeous reflection. I loved getting low and photographing the buildings that line the Boulevard Jean Jaurès. In the summer, they also have fountains shooting from it, which would create different photos (and would even be a spot to cool off!). Also nearby is the Jardin Albert 1er. Unfortunately I never got an opportunity to visit, but I heard great things and it’s definitely on my list for when I return!

Wander the Streets of Vieux-Nice

Vieux-Nice is Nice’s Old Town and is oh so charming. All of the buildings are painted shades of warm colors like orange, yellow, red, or pink. It’s not a big area and easy to cover in about an hour, so enjoy getting “lost” by wandering through the streets. Vieux-Nice is contained by the beach to the south, Castle Hill to the east, and the Boulevard Jean Jaurès to both the west and north, so it’s impossible to wander too far. If you need a little mid-morning pick-me-up, Jeannot was a great spot for coffee drinks and fresh baked goods. They had an outdoor seating area right next to the beautiful Opéra de Nice and across from the Église Saint-François-de-Paule which made for a really beautiful spot to sit and have a croissant and (second) cup of coffee for the day.

One of my absolute favorite streets in Vieux-Nice to photograph was here, on Rue Rossetti. I absolutely loved the bright pink, red, orange, and yellow homes. Another favorite place to photograph was at Palais de la Préfecture, the former residence of the Kings of Sardinia that was built in the sixteenth century. And of course, I had to stop for some fresh macarons (when in France!) and the best ones were found at Angea. I snagged some for a late night snack later that evening!

Marché Aux Fleurs

Right in the heart of Vieux Nice on Cours Saleya is the Marché Aux Fleurs. This outdoor market is open 6 days a week (closed only on Mondays) and hosts vendors selling a variety of items. Fresh flowers, fruits, and vegetables are just a few. I especially loved the booths where artists set up to showcase their watercolors or oil paintings. Each booth is covered with a colorful awning which makes for the best photo ops down the street. Cours Saleya itself is also lined with tons of small cafes and shops, that you should also take some time to check out! Grab some lunch at one of those or at one of the vendors at the market to fuel you up for the rest of your one day in Nice!

#ILoveNICE

If you go to Nice and you don’t post a photo loudly declaring your love for Nice, did you really go to Nice? This large sign is located here on the Quai des États-Unis at the end of the beach. Not only is this the ultimate selfie spot, but you’ll also get gorgeous views over the beach and city. The water is so blue and I loved being able to see the entire rounded beach and palm trees that line it. Très Nice!

Explore Castle Hill

Castle Hill is the highest point in Nice and where you are going to get the absolute best views! For those who are looking for a challenge, you can choose to walk up the steps to the top which can be found right next to the Hôtel Suisse. But for everyone else, there is an elevator that will take you to the top! The elevator (ascenseur) can be found here and is a quick, easy, and free ride to the top of the hill. When I visited in mid-March, the last ride up or down was at 5:25 pm, so if you are visiting later in the day, definitely confirm the times as they may vary by season.

Once you make it to the top, you’ll be welcomed into a lush park. There are tons of walking trails and signs directing you to the points of interest. One of the best (and most famous) is the Bellanda Tower. It is a circle observation deck with unobstructed views of Nice, the beaches, and the sea. Spectacular! I also loved the viewpoint here, which faced east over the Port de Nice Lympia. I loved gawking at the yachts (and even a cruise ship) docked in the port. Another point not to be missed is the Cascade waterfall, located here!

Promenade des Anglais and Beaches

The Promenade des Anglais is iconic, and is impossible to miss in Nice! The walkway is separated from the street which makes it very easy to walk down with palm trees to one side and the Med to your other. If you’re visiting in the summer, you’re definitely going to want to use this time for some beaching! When I visited in mid-March, it was warm enough to be outside and enjoy, but too cold to sunbathe or go in the water. If you’re visiting May-September, you’re going to want to hit the beach (and please do so in my honor!).

The Promenade des Anglais also has tons of shops of restaurants on the other side, including the official Côte d’Azur tourism office. I always love stopping in to tourism offices when I’m in a new city. After all, I’m a tourist and it’s their job to help me. There’s no shame! While you’re walking the Promenade, keep an eye out for the iconic blue chairs. They’re impossible to miss, but are a staple of the French Riviera. They are painted blue after the Azur water of the Mediterranean and have become both an art piece as well as a symbol of Nice.

Waterfront Dinner

When it’s time to eat, there is nothing more iconic than dinner on the beach! When I visited in mid-March it was still definitely “chilly”, but comfortable enough to eat outside before the sun sets. You can walk the Promenade des Anglais and find several restaurants to stop at for a bite. If you’re visiting in the peak summer months, you’re definitely going to want to make your reservations ahead of time. However, in the off-season, you could walk right in whenever and there was no wait.

A few restaurants that were recommended to me were Bocca Mar (Mediterranean), Le Galet (seafood), and Castel Plage (seafood and artisanal ice cream).

Catch the Sunset from the Beach

No matter what season you’re visiting in, watching a sunset from the beach is absolutely iconic. I made my way down here, around the Sporting Plage to watch the sun slowly sink over the horizon. If you’re looking at the water, the sun will set on your right hand side, over the hills and curve of the bay. I loved having views of the famous Le Negresco Hotel all lit up at dusk. Most days I visited, the sunset was pretty cloudy, but you could still see the bright yellows, pinks, and purples peeking their way through the clouds. There wasn’t a bad sunset in Nice!

Gelato at Fenocchio

To end the night, treat yourself to a sweet treat at Fenocchio. This iconic gelato shop is located in the heart of Vieux-Nice. This shop is really popular and there can be a really long line, so expect a wait. The gelato here is so tasty, and I understood why it’s so popular! They have such a variety of flavors so whatever you’re in the mood for, they have it. I opted for a scoop of chocolate cookies and a scoop of Kinder candy. Delish! There were a handful of tables and chairs set outside, where you can sit and people watch through the Place Rossetti. The iconic Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate de Nice is also located on the square, which is a beautiful cathedral that is not to be missed!

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