Nice has a way of getting under your skin. One moment you're sipping rosé with a view of the Mediterranean, the next you're wandering through centuries-old alleyways trying to remember why you ever considered anywhere else. If you're putting together your list of things to do in Nice, you're in for a treat — this city rewards curious travellers at every turn.
Here are 11 experiences that belong on your itinerary.
1. Get Lost in the Old Town (Vieux-Nice)
Vieux-Nice is where the city really comes alive. The narrow lanes are painted in shades of ochre, terracotta, and faded yellow, and the whole neighbourhood smells of fresh bread and coffee in the morning. Spend at least half a morning here — duck into the Cours Saleya market, pick up some socca (a crispy chickpea pancake that's essentially Nice's unofficial street food), and let yourself wander without a plan.
2. Take a Guided Walking Tour of the Old Town and Castle Hill
If you want the history behind what you're looking at, a guided tour makes a real difference. The Nice Old Town and Castle Hill Guided Cultural Walking Tour takes you through the Baroque architecture, the stories of the old aristocracy, and up to Castle Hill for sweeping views over the rooftops and the bay. It's a great way to spend a morning, especially on your first full day.
3. Walk the Promenade des Anglais at Sunrise
Everyone walks the Prom. But do it at sunrise and you'll have a completely different experience. The light is soft, the crowds are thin, and the sea is almost impossibly blue. It's a 7-kilometre stretch along the seafront — you don't have to walk the whole thing, but even a 30-minute stroll will set you up for the day in the best possible way.
4. Explore the French Riviera in a Single Day
Nice is one of the best base cities in Europe for day trips. The coastline around it is spectacular, and you really can cover a lot of ground in one day if you plan it well. The French Riviera Panorama Day Tour takes you along the coast to some of the most iconic spots on the Riviera, with a guide who knows the region inside out. It's one of those days you'll be talking about for years.
5. Visit the Marc Chagall National Museum
This one often gets skipped in favour of the beach, which is a mistake. The Chagall Museum houses the largest public collection of the artist's work, and the building itself is beautiful — light-filled and calm. Chagall spent much of his later life on the Riviera, and you can feel that connection in the paintings. Allow about 90 minutes, and go on a weekday morning to avoid the crowds.
6. Take an E-Bike Along the Coast to Villefranche-Sur-Mer
If you want to see the coastline without sitting on a tour bus, this is the way to do it. The Panoramic E-Bike Tour from Nice to Villefranche-Sur-Mer takes you along clifftop paths with the sea stretching out below you. Villefranche itself is a gorgeous little harbour town that feels quieter and more local than Nice. The e-bike means the hills don't have to be a problem, even if cycling isn't usually your thing.
7. Day Trip to Monaco, Èze, and Monte Carlo
Yes, it's a classic. But there's a reason everyone does it. Monaco is genuinely unlike anywhere else — tiny, immaculate, and dripping in money. Èze is a medieval village perched on a cliff above the sea that looks almost too perfect to be real. The Èze, Monaco and Monte Carlo Afternoon Tour from Nice packs both into a single afternoon, which is ideal if your schedule is tight. Don't leave Monaco without walking through the casino square, even if you're not going inside.
8. Explore the Matisse Museum
Henri Matisse lived in Nice for much of his adult life, and the museum dedicated to his work sits in a beautiful 17th-century villa in the Cimiez neighbourhood. It's a short bus ride from the centre and well worth the trip. The collection spans his entire career, and seeing the paper cut-outs up close is genuinely moving. The surrounding Roman ruins and olive grove are a nice bonus.
9. Make Your Own Perfume in Èze
This is one of those experiences that sounds gimmicky but turns out to be genuinely fascinating. The Fragonard Eze Perfume Making Class and Factory Tour gives you a proper insight into how fragrance is created, and you leave with a perfume you've blended yourself. Grasse, the perfume capital of the world, is just up the road, so this region has real heritage in the craft. It's a great option if you want something a little different from the usual sightseeing.
10. Watch the Sunset with Wine and a 4x4
This one is worth doing just for the story. The Nice Sunset and Wine Tasting in Defender with Panoramic Views takes you up into the hills above the city in a classic Land Rover Defender, stopping at viewpoints that most tourists never reach. You sip local wine as the sun drops into the sea. It's relaxed, it's scenic, and it's one of the more original ways to spend an evening on the Riviera.
11. Visit Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
Just along the coast on the Cap Ferrat peninsula, this pink Belle Époque villa is one of the most extraordinary places in the South of France. The Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild sits between two bays and is surrounded by nine themed gardens, each one more elaborate than the last. The interior is filled with an extraordinary art collection assembled by Béatrice de Rothschild in the early 1900s. Go on a clear day and the views alone will make the trip worthwhile.
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Nice is the kind of place that makes you wish you'd booked a longer trip. Start with the Old Town and the Promenade, then use the city as your base to explore everything the Riviera has to offer. Ready to make it happen? Browse experiences and book your trip through TixLayer before the best slots fill up.