First time in Nice — what locals actually recommend
If it's your first weekend in Nice, this is the locals' shortlist — the sights worth the queue, the food you can't skip, and the neighbourhood walks that show you the place.
Top spots in Nice
Vieux Nice
CultureOld Town
Ochre alleys with socca stalls, ice-cream queues and baroque churches.
Villa Ephrussi Day Trip
CultureCap Ferrat
Pink palace and nine themed gardens on the peninsula — bus 15 from the port.
Èze Village
OutdoorsÈze
Cliff-perched medieval village above the Med — Friedrich Nietzsche's path is the way up.
Castle Hill (Colline du Château)
OutdoorsOld Town
Panorama of the Baie des Anges — climb for the view, ride the free lift down.
Cours Saleya Market
Food & DrinkOld Town
Flower-and-produce market by day, restaurant tables by night — Niçoise classics.
Promenade des Anglais
OutdoorsSeafront
7km of palm-lined waterfront — runners, rollerbladers, sunset apéro.
Where to eat
Acchiardo
$$Niçoise · Old Town
Family-run since 1927 — stuffed sardines, daube, pichet of local rouge.
Chez Pipo
$Socca · Port
Since 1923 — wood-fired chickpea pancake, glass of rosé, no fuss.
Fenocchio
$Gelato · Old Town
94 flavours including lavender, olive and tomato-basil — Place Rossetti queue.
La Petite Maison
$$$$Niçoise / Mediterranean · Old Town
Nicole Rubi's pastel room — courgette flowers, sea bream, table-hopping celebs.
Le Plongeoir
$$$$Modern French · Cap de Nice
Cliffside dining pavilion over the Med — go for sunset cocktails at least.
Frequently asked
- Standouts right now: Promenade des Anglais, Vieux Nice, Castle Hill (Colline du Château). The shortlist is curated by people who live in Nice and refreshed regularly so it reflects what's actually open and worth your time.