Nice, located on the French Riviera, is the second largest city in the Mediterranean. The weather is gorgeous, the beaches are wonderful and the city feels like a world away from Paris. Located on the southern side of the country, Nice is one of France’s most popular tourist destinations, known for its coastlines, rich history, and vibrant culture. So, here is my guide on how to spend 48 hours in Nice!
While Nice can be known for pricey beach clubs, there’s plenty you can do on a smaller budget while still enjoying the sunshine.
This is just one post of my larger France series: 14-Day France Itinerary: Explore Paris, Bordeaux, and More
Should I spend longer then 2 days in Nice?
Sure, you totally can! If you are planning a longer France trip with other stops, I think you can stretch Nice to a third or fourth day, but you probably don’t need longer than that to see all the highlights. That extra time can be used for relaxing on the beach or taking a few day trips to nearby destinations. While this guide is about how to spend 48 hours in Nice, you can definitely modify!
How to get to Nice
While more and more airlines are offering direct flights to Paris, this is much harder to come by for Nice. We had a connecting flight from Chicago to Atlanta to Nice. The Nice Côte D’Azur airport services most major airlines. I recommend taking an Uber to your AirBnB or Hotel from the airport – the heart of Nice (and where all the action is) is only about 20 minutes away.
If you are traveling from another part of France, check out Trainline for some high speed trains you can book.
Additionally, if you are waiting for your hotel or AirBnB check in time and you have your bags, you can use Nanny bag to find locations near you that will hold your luggage so you can walk around without them.
Where to stay in Nice
Consider staying in Vieux Nice (Old Town or Vieux Ville), the heart of the city where most of the action and night life takes place. You can find plenty of AirBnB’s in that exact area that are pretty affordable if you book ahead of time.
It’s a really lively area where you are in walking distance of dozens of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. The streets of Old Town are a blend of Italian and French influences, with pastel-colored buildings, red-tiled roofs, and green shutters. It’s a scenic atmosphere!
Go shopping at Cours Saleya
Cours Saleya is a bustling market that operates every day. You can shop gorgeous flowers, local produce, spices and plenty of cheeses and spreads. It’s basically at the center of Old Town so you can’t really miss it.
If you are there on a Monday, be sure to check it out when it transforms into an antiques market, where dozens of vendors sell some really cool stuff, like art, dish ware, jewelry and vintage clothes. They even had some things like Chanel clothes, Louboutins heels, and other designers. It’s great if you’re looking for some trinkets to remember your time.
Sainte-Réparate Cathedral
Located just nearby in Old Town, you’ll find this Baroque-style cathedral, dedicated to the patron saint of Nice. Take a walk inside and enjoy its ornate interior.
Climb Castle Hill
Old Town sits at the base of Castle Hill, where the remains of Nice’s old castle once stood. You can access the bottom of the stairwell (there’s an elevator nearby, too) and climb your way to the top to enjoy a stunning panoramic view of the whole city. A nice photo opportunity!
Plan a beach day
There are a lot of beaches in Nice to choose from – and it would be sad if you didn’t spend some time with a book under the sun or in the water. When looking for a beach, know that many of them are private beaches, which means you have to pay to enter, but they come with amenities. However, there are public beaches too, where we spent most of our time.
Here are some options:
- Castel Plage Beach – you can pay around 10 euros for an umbrella, chair and drink service. This is a private beach and it has a beachside restaurant that is pretty popular. Book here.
- Blue Beach – check for prices, but you can get sun loungers, parasols and access to a restaurant as well. Book here.
- Ruhl Beach – one of the oldest private beaches in Nice. You can rent loungers and umbrellas and there’s access to a swimming pool. Book here.
- Plage Publique de Beau Rivage – this is a public beach in Nice that is free, which is fabulous.
Visit Villefranche-sur-Mer for the afternoon
Now, keep in mind that Nice’s beaches are almost all pebble beaches, which can be somewhat uncomfortable to walk around in. If you’d rather find a sand beach, I highly recommend taking a bus or Uber to Villefranche-sur-Mer, a seaside town only ten minutes away. From there, you can go to Plage des Marinières, a public sand beach with crystal waters. We loved it here – it was a little busy but we found spots for our towels and enjoyed swimming. There are snack bars nearby as well as restrooms if you need it. You can also spend some time getting lunch in the village and shop around, as it is packed with quaint spots to sit and dine.
Find some good eats
Nice has plenty of restaurants in Old Town that you can just walk up to and get a table, so you don’t need to worry too much about planning ahead of time. However, we did book just a couple in advance for fun. Here’s a couple places we really liked:
- HOBO Coffee: This is a great cafe for breakfast and brunch foods, like cappuccinos, smoothies and avocado toast. You can easily walk in.
- Bocca Nissa: enjoy Mediterranean tapas with a spritz or a glass of wine. Book the rooftop in advance if you can and get the croquettes, carpaccio, and chocolate bar for dessert. Be sure to make a reservation here.
- Le Plongeoir: splurge on this nice dinner where you are seated on gazebo sitting on top of the French Riviera. Enjoy some Rosé wine and the boeuf and watch the sunset. Be sure to get a reservation in advance (like at least a month out). Book here.
- Fenocchio: delicious gelato. My favorite was the plain yogurt flavor but they have so many to choose from.
Enjoy the nightlife
Restaurants and bars stay open late, and so do the people. After dinner, just sit and enjoy some people watching with some dessert or a bottle of wine. Civette du Cours in Old Town is a great option to sit outside and have some tiramisu!
Other day trips to consider
Have a third day to fill on your itinerary? Consider taking a day trip to some nearby destinations:
Monaco – 25 minutes by train or 30 minutes by car. Monaco is known for its casinos, architecture and luxury. You can got to the Monte Carlo Casino, the Oceanographic Museum, or take a boat cruise.
Cannes – 30–40 minutes by train or car. You can shop upscale boutiques and walk the Croisette Promenade, a boardwalk along the Mediterranean or go explore the charming Le Suquet (Old Town) for panoramic views and dine at waterfront restaurants.
The Gorges Du Verdon – 2 hours by car. Limestone cliffs create the deepest gorge in France, and it is stunning. The water looks like Gatorade and the views are breathtaking. You can rent paddle boats or kayaks by the hour and enjoy a swim. It’s a further drive, but so worth it. Consider renting a car that you can pick up at the Nice airport (consider driving the car to your next stop in Provence, perhaps). Be sure to get there before 10 AM if you want a paddle boat, they rent out quickly! The water is a bit brisk but still worth taking a swim. There are free parking lots to leave your car behind and a few spots to pickup sandwiches or coffee before you get started.
What to wear in Nice
Nice weather is pretty phenomenal if you aren’t going at the height of winter. Late spring (April-May) and early fall (September-October) are often considered the best times to visit Nice. The weather is warm and pleasant without the intense summer heat, and there are fewer tourists compared to the peak summer months.
Pack swimsuits, hats, sunglasses, and sundresses. A light cardigan or jean jacket works too for the evening. Don’t forget a beach bag and towel!
Where should Nice go in my larger itinerary?
Nice is a great place to start a France trip because you have time to rest from the jet lag and adjust to the time change. It’s more leisurely than Bordeaux or Paris. Here’s my full itinerary that you can check out at my larger blog post:
- 2 days in Nice
- 1 day trip to the Gorges du Verdon (in Provence)
- 2 days in Avignon
- 2 days in Bordeaux (including a day in Saint Emilion)
- 4 days in Paris
- 1 day in Champagne country
- 2 days dedicated to travel
I hope you enjoyed this quick guide and feel like you know how to spend 48 hours in Nice, France! It’s the perfect place to relax, have a glass of wine and explore the narrow streets.
Have questions?
If you have more questions about Avignon, feel free to leave a comment below or DM me on Instagram: @caroline_hoffman.
Other travel guides
Check out my other travel itineraries for your future trips:
How to spend five days in Paris, France (including Champagne)
How to Spend 48 Hours in Avignon, France
How to spend 10 days in Europe: Dublin, Paris and London
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