Are you planning a trip abroad and wondering what to do in Nice, France? As a frequent visitor and former resident, I’ve got plenty of ideas to share: from where to stay, what to eat, and the best beach clubs to visit… Keep reading for my 13 Nice France Tips!
- Jet lag in Nice, but then go visit some of the smaller villages surrounding it. Antibes, Villefranches, and Menton are all nearby cities that are definitely worth the trip!
- You will be spending euros in Nice. Another great thing to note is that the prices in Nice are very reasonable, especially for such a tourist destination.
- Avoid coming to Nice in August. This is the vacation time for everyone in France so Airbnb’s and hotels are more expensive and it’s harder to get into restaurants and all of the sights.
- The beaches are rocky, not sandy. This makes it virtually impossible to get in and out of The Med without water shoes. (Check out my favorites!)
- Consider getting the French Riviera Pass if you plan on having an active vacation. If you’re into visiting museums and forts, at 50 euros per pass, it might be worth getting this instead of paying multiple entrance fees.
- No need to get a car. It is an extremely walkable city. But if you want to go up to Provence, you can rent one just for the day and definitely rent it from a dealer on the outskirts so you can avoid the one-way streets.
- Stay near Vieux Ville or the Old Town of Nice. This is where all the best restaurants and shops are. There are also many great spots for photographs. It’s also where Nice comes alive at night.
- Dinner happens after 8 pm. People tend to come off the beach around 5 or 6 pm, get changed and then head to the cocktail bars for an aperol spritz. At around 8 or 8:30 pm, they migrate to the restaurants.
- Try the traditional foods. A salad Niçoise is actually a relatively new thing in Nice, but definitely something to try. Another delicious dish is called “Socca” – and for all my gluten-free friends, this is something you can enjoy! It’s made from chickpea flour, water, olive oil, and a sprinkle of salt. It’s served in the middle of the day, typically, and you just add pepper to it. It’s a great snack to have at only 3 euros a dish! As far as drinks go, try the Provence Red, White, and Rose wines and an aperol spritz.
- What to pack for your trip: The city is quite casual in general. The one thing you want to make sure to bring are walking shoes and water shoes like I mentioned earlier.
- If you’re used to having Air Conditioning, you will need to look for accommodations that specifically list they have that. It’s not common to have it.
- The mediterranean is an amazing place to swim and cool off. It’s a bit cooler so it’s perfect to dip in and out of throughout the day.
- Get a bit of cash out, but in general, you can use your credit card for most things. They are widely accepted in this big city.
If you’ve been to Nice and you have any tips, make sure to leave them in the comments on my YouTube video. I’m Kim The Abundant Traveler, and I’ll see you on the next adventure.
