Charming Nice is the jewel of the South of France. In Nice the sea is blue and the summers are hot. In a beautiful city, it is easy to combine city vacation and beach life. Read the Beach Ball Destination Guide and plan your own vacation.

The Mediterranean is bluer in Nice than anywhere

Nice offers the traveler a Mediterranean holiday atmosphere in French. The glorious French Riviera is characterized by luxury and glamor, but Nice also has other faces – mundane and authentic. Viewed from the alleys of the old town, a completely different Nice opens up than from the deck of a luxury yacht at sea. Nice is located in the Côte d’Azur region of southern France in Provence. Nice has a population of about 350,000 and is the fifth largest in France.

Nice cityscape is characterized by the long palm-lined Promenade des Anglais, with its many luxury hotels, cafés and restaurants. At the end of the street, however, a visit to the heart of Nice, a small but atmospheric old town, opens up.

Nice is especially known as a beach destination, but it is also very well suited for a mere city break. The beaches in front of the city of Nice are a small smooth rock, so no sand here goes between your toes. If you do not enjoy lying on the rocks, renting a sun lounger is recommended, as the rocks can also become lumpy.

In addition to lounging on the beach and water activities, Nice has a lot of good shopping, from luxury fashion shops to local crafts. The city also has an exceptional number of quality museums and the local food culture is excellent. The lush hill of the Parc du Château offers an incredibly beautiful view over Nice’s long coastline and the Mediterranean Sea.

Nice on the French Riviera offers both low-cost and low-cost flights.

Summer beach resort, city destination all year round

Nice is at its best from early summer to late autumn. In summer, the sea water is warm, so those who are attracted to beach life will enjoy Nice in summer. The temperature often rises to close to +30 degrees in July-August, and even in winter we are usually well on the plus side. Rainfall occurs throughout the year, but most between October and January.

A good way to see the surroundings of Nice is to hire a car, as the whole of the Côte d’Azur is well worth a visit and the city is easy to make day trips to other coastal destinations . A visit to the nearby villages, towns and countryside is definitely worth it.

In terms of language skills, English does reasonably well in Nice, but even helpful French skills are a big advantage. The price level is quite high compared to many other Mediterranean destinations, but of course you can live on a small budget if you plan your accommodation and meals accordingly.

FLIGHTS, ACCOMMODATION AND MOVEMENT IN NICE

The most beautiful hotels in Nice are located on the Promenade des Anglais.

By plane or train to Nice

You can fly directly from Finland to Nice at least during the summer season. Non-stop flights via Amsterdam, Paris or Frankfurt, for example, are available all year round. Flight prices range from € 200 to around € 400. Nice Airport is located about six kilometers from the city center. The easiest way to get to the city from the airport is by bus or taxi.

Nice also has excellent train connections, so you can easily get to the rest of France or Europe by rail.

Stay in a hotel or villa

There are plenty of accommodation options in Nice. Luxury hotels are best seen in the street scene, but Nice also offers plenty of cheaper accommodation. However, you have to pay for the sea view, and the prices in the beach blocks are higher than in the rest of the city. There are hotels to suit the budget of the average traveler, both in the city center and close to the train station.

There are also some hostels and other affordable accommodation in Nice, but most typically accommodation is in a hotel or holiday villa. There are plenty of rental villas in the area suitable for families and a larger number of travelers, with affordable prices compared to hotel accommodation. For even a larger group, a villa with pool can be obtained for less than half the price of hotel accommodation for a week.

Especially in summer time, it is worth booking well in advance, as many others are vacationing in Nice at the same time. The busiest are in June, July and August, and prices go up during that season as well.

Getting around Nice

Getting around Nice is mostly on foot, as the distances are reasonably short, especially in the city center. However, the city also has a functioning bus and tram service, which is worth taking advantage of on longer journeys or when you are tired on foot. Public transport rates on the French Riviera are very affordable, and you can fold for surprisingly long distances both within the city and elsewhere on the coast for a small fee.

Staying inside the city is of no use with a rental car, but car hire is a good idea if you want to see more than just the city of Nice. You can easily pick up your car directly from the airport on arrival and return it on departure. Depending on the season, you can get a small car at its cheapest for about 60-80 euros a week.

ATTRACTIONS OF NICE

In Nice, France, it is easy to combine a city break with a beach holiday. There are lots of good places to sunbathe and swim right next to the center.

The maze of the old town

Nice’s old town is small and maze with narrow winding streets. There are many fine old palaces and churches in the area. The house of painter Henri Matisse , where the artist lived in the 20th century, is also located here. Also visit the Cours Saleya market area, where you will find fresh fruit, vegetables and flowers, as well as lots of restaurants and cafés.

The best thing about the old town is wandering the small alleys, stopping at small shops and tasting French cuisine in the numerous cafés, bars, restaurants and street kitchens. From the shops of the Old Town you can make nice gift finds at affordable prices.

Parc du Château – a green oasis above the rooftops of Nice

On the edge of the old town rises the Parc du Château, a green oasis right in the heart of Nice. Especially on hot summer days, in the shade of trees and waterfalls, you will find much-needed shade and recreation. The hill is a great picnic spot and a nice place to unwind from the hustle and bustle of the city.

The view from the top of the hill is magnificent over Nice, the coast and the far Mediterranean. There has once been a castle built in the 12th century, with only the round tower of the Tour Bellanda dating back to the 16th century. The Parc du Château can be climbed on foot, but can also be reached by lift.

High quality museums

There are many high-quality museums in Nice, not least the Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain, the Musée Matisse and the Musée Marc Chagall. The latter two are located in the affluent and architecturally interesting district of Cimiez, north of the city center. The Museum of Modern Art is located north of the Old Town.

Museum admission prices are usually a few euros and some museums are free. Opening hours should be checked in advance, as many are closed on Mondays or Tuesdays.

NIZZAN PARHAAT

Flights to Nice, France can be obtained in September at a surprisingly low price.

At least experience these in Nice

1. Alleys of the old town
2. French breakfast on the terrace
3. Sunbathing on the cobblestone beach
4. Spectacular Museum of Modern Art
5. Evening walk on the Promenade des Anglais

The most interesting Nearby Cities as day trip destinations

1. Charming Antibes as well as the beaches of Juan-les-Pins
2. Monaco with its casinos and luxury yachts
3. Cannes promenade and the glamor of the film festival
4. Saint-Tropez – Do you remember the soap opera?
5. The border town of Ventimiglia or the slightly larger San Remo on the Italian side

The best beaches in Nice

1. City beaches along the Promenade des Anglais
2. Coco Beach
3. La Reserve