As the main city of the much sought-after French Riviera area of France, Nice oozes class and culture. It has a great mix of city life, small-town charm and relaxing beach vibes, meaning it’s the perfect place to head if you only have a few days on the French Riviera.
From hilltop parks with panoramic views and colourful ports to winding old town streets and engaging museums, Nice has an endless mix of things to fill your days. And what’s more, there are a whole host of nearby towns on the French Riviera that you can easily squeeze into your weekend. This complete guide to spending a weekend in Nice has everything you need to plan your trip, including practical info, the best things to do in Nice, and a suggested itinerary for your Nice trip.
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Is Nice Good for a Weekend?
Nice is great for a weekend trip! There’s plenty to do, but it’s quite a small city, meaning you can easily see the main sights in just a couple of days in Nice. You can even throw in a half or full-day trip to see more of the French Riviera.
Nice has a big international airport with good flight routes, meaning from many places in Europe you can reach Nice in just a couple of hours – perfect for a quick weekend trip when you don’t want to spend hours travelling!
How to Get to Nice
Nice lies in the heart of the French Riviera, on France’s southern coast.
The most common way to arrive into Nice is by plane – to the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport. The airport is only around 6km from Nice and there are great transport connections between the two. In just a short ride on the airport tram you’ll find yourself in the centre of Nice, ready to start your trip!
For a weekend in Nice, you might also arrive by train from some of France’s other major cities – for example, there’s a direct train link between Paris and Nice. Nice Ville, the city’s train station, lies just north of the centre (around a 20-minute walk or quick ride on the tram).
When is the Best Time to Spend a Weekend in Nice?
Thanks to a great mix of things to do in Nice, you can spend a weekend here at most times of the year! I would avoid the winter months, as the weather is unfavourable and you might find that restaurants and attractions have closed up for the season.
In the height of summer (July and August) you’ll find the best weather – perfect if you want to spend your weekend in Nice sunbathing on the beach! However this is also the busiest and most expensive time, and the heat can get a little much if you plan to explore Nice.
The sweet spot of when to visit Nice is the shoulder seasons of May-June and September. There are fewer crowds but the weather is still nice enough to sunbathe on the beach. With the cooler weather, you can explore more and have a varied itinerary.
How to Get Around During a Weekend in Nice
Nice is a small city, and you can reach everywhere you need to go by foot. Walking around Nice also means you’ll discover more of the city!
There is also a good tram network that can help you get around, and tickets only cost a couple of euros.
The Best Things to Do in Nice in a Weekend
Colline du Château
Colline du Château is a hilltop park that boasts some impressive panoramic views over Nice. On the west, you can look out over the old town, the main promenade and the beaches from the Bellanda Tower. Over on the east side, you can see Port Lympia, Nice’s main port, and the bright blue waters of the Mediterranean.
Aside from the views, you’ll also find a spacious park at the top with a café and a waterfall. And if you’re a history lover, you’ll find some archaeological sites and other historical spots dotted around.
The short climb up to Colline du Château is pretty easy, but it is steep! The views on the walk make it worth it, but you can also opt to ride the free elevator to the top.
Port Lympia
With direct access to the Mediterranean Sea and a reputation as a playground for the rich and famous, it’s no surprise that the French Riviera is home to some large ports that house some of the world’s most luxurious yachts.
Nice is no exception, and a visit to Port Lympia is a must-do on a weekend in Nice. Spend some time wandering around the port where you’ll see everything from humble fishing boats to giant superyachts. Keep an eye out for the gorgeous Notre-Dame du Port on the north side of Port Lympia.
Musée Masséna
Housed inside the Villa Masséna, built by the notable Masséna family, is a museum dedicated to Nice and the French Riviera throughout history. There’s a lot to learn about Nice here, and you can also marvel at the beautiful Belle Epoque interiors of the villa, and pay a visit to the gardens outside.
Musée Masséna sits right in the centre of the city, which means it’s perfect if you’d like to squeeze some culture into your weekend in Nice. Look out for the Le Negresco hotel next door – the building is a favourite of mine.
Read Next: 7 Day South of France Itinerary: Nice, Toulouse & More
Nice Old Town (and Nice Cathedral)
The old town of Nice is a vibrant maze full of hidden gems. You can easily get lost (and I recommend it!) to discover tall, narrow streets that spill onto bustling plazas, an array of intricately built churches and many artisanal boutiques.
I recommend popping into Chez Thérésa for socca, a traditional Niçoise chickpea flatbread, or Fenocchio for some delicious ice cream. And keep an eye out for some of the churches in Nice’s old town – Nice Cathedral, Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur de Nice and Église Sainte Rita.
Check out these guided walking tours of the Nice Old Town
Opéra Plage
You can’t spend a weekend in Nice and not visit the beach! There’s a mix of public and private beaches along the main coast of Nice, and Opéra Plage is the main public beach. You could also opt to visit a beach club, like Ruhl Plage or Bocca Mar.
If the weather (or your interests!) doesn’t suit a trip to the beach, you can still take in the atmosphere with a stroll along Promenade des Anglais. The spacious promenade looks out over the beaches and the sea and makes for a lovely walk.
Top tip: if you’re a plane lover like me, you’ll love the beaches in Nice. As Nice Airport is so close to the city, you’ll have the chance to see planes up close as they come in to land!
Musée Matisse
Henri Matisse, one of France’s (if not the world’s) most famous painters, spent just shy of 40 years living and working in Nice in the 1900s. The Musée Matisse is dedicated to his life and art and houses one of the world’s largest collections of Matisse’s work.
The museum is a little outside of the centre of Nice but is easily reached by bus, and worth a visit if you’re interested in Matisse or French art.
Top Tip: If you plan to visit several museums in Nice, check out the Museum Pass. For €15 you can get access to 10 of Nice’s museums, and the pass is valid for four days. It includes the Matisse Museum and Musée Masséna mentioned in this guide.
Discover the top tours and attractions in Nice
Place Masséna
Place Masséna is the main square in Nice, found at the western edge of the old town. Characterised by the strong red buildings that give the square a very Italian feel, you can also see the iconic Fontaine du Soleil here.
With a few cafés and plenty of space, Place Masséna is the perfect place to stop and catch your breath on your busy weekend in Nice. You can really soak up the atmosphere of the city here, especially since there are often events and concerts going on!
Day Trips from Nice
Two days is perfect to see the main sights of Nice, so you if have three days in the city, you can take a day trip to one of the nearby French Riviera towns. I recommend Monaco, Antibes, or Èze. You can read about these towns and more in this guide to the best cities and towns on the French Riviera.
You can reach all of these towns in less than 30 minutes by train from Nice (although if you plan to visit Èze, I recommend taking the bus to avoid a long uphill walk from the station). Trains run regularly and tickets are only a few euros each way.
You could also book a guided tour if you want to see as much of the French Riviera as possible. You’ll also get some local insight into the history and culture of the area. Check out some options below.
Suggested Weekend in Nice Itinerary
There are so many things to do in a weekend in Nice, so let me help you out with this suggested itinerary. It will help you structure your time in Nice and get the most out of your trip! I’ll map out two days in Nice, and if you have a third, you can take one of the day trips suggested above, or spend a day relaxing on the beach.
Day 1
When you arrive in Nice, get your bearings with a little walking tour. Start with a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, then spend a few hours exploring the old town, Place Masséna, and the main city area. You might want to do some shopping, grab a coffee, and some lunch. Book a walking tour if you’d like a local to show you around!
In the afternoon, I recommend a visit to Musée Masséna. You can also explore the surrounding buildings and the waterfront on the west side of the city.
Head back to the old town in the evening to enjoy dinner and some drinks in the bustling atmosphere. Check out this guide for some restaurant recommendations. Then round out your first day in Nice the same way you started – with a little wander along Promenade des Anglais. It’s lovely to see the waterfront once the sun is going down and lets you see the city in a different way.
Day 2
Start off the second day of your weekend in Nice with a nice brunch – try Garden Café! Then head to Colline du Château. If you’re visiting in the summer months, you’ll want to head here earlier in the day to avoid the heat of the midday/afternoon sun.
After Colline du Château, head down to Port Lympia. I recommend walking round via Quai Rauba Capeu, as you can see some nice views and sculptures along the way.
Then pay a visit to Musée Matisse. If you’d rather stay in the centre of the city, head to the Modern and Contemporary Art Museum (MAMAC) instead. Here you can also see a fun sculpture called Tête Carée (Square Head).
Spend the afternoon soaking up the sun on the beach – either at Opéra Plage or a fun beach club! Alternatively, spend some more time discovering the old town, or wander around Jardin Albert 1er and Promenade du Paillon. Then treat yourself to a sunset boat tour in the evening.
Where to Stay in Nice
It’s important to have a nice place to stay during your weekend in Nice! Here are a few recommendations:
Budget (Hostels): Hotel Ozz by Happyculture | Villa Saint Exupery Beach
Mid-Price (Hotels): Hotel du Midi | Hotel Vendome | Hotel Florence
High-end/Luxury: Radisson Blu Hotel | Hotel Negresco | Le Méridien
And with that, we’ve reached the end of this complete guide to a weekend in Nice! Now you have everything you need to plan your trip, so it’s time to book your flights and jet off to the French Riviera. You might also like this guide to the best things to do in Antibes, or why not head to the capital and spend a few days in Paris?
SO happy to have come across this post! Especially love the itinerary at the bottom. Using it for our trip to Nice this summer!
Happy to hear Haylee! Have the best time in Nice 🙂