Planning a trip to dreamy Nice, France and the alluring French Riviera? Nice is the perfect base and one where you’ll find delicious cuisine, colorful streets, and some of the best beaches in France.
In this guide, I tell you how to spend the most amazing 2 days in Nice, France. My Nice itinerary will walk you through Vieux Nice (the Old Town) to Promenade des Anglais, and beyond.
If youʻre booking your trip to Nice last minute, you may want to book your tours and hotels ASAP to ensure availability!
🌴 Most popular day tours from Nice:
- French Riveria in a day (Cannes, Monaco, Eze, Antibes, & more!)
- Gorges of Verdon and Fields of Lavender tour (a Nice top-seller; perfect in summer)
- Round-trip boat trip to beautiful St. Tropez (such a time-saver)
🇫🇷 Best tours, tickets, and activities in Nice:
- Nice gourmet food walking tour (takes place in the Old Town – AMAZING!)
- Perfume Creation Workshop (such a unique option)
- Nice: 1 or 2-Day Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour (cheap way to see the highlights)
🛌 Top places to stay in Nice:
- Palais Ségurane Boutique Hôtel (near MAMAC; has air-conditioned rooms)
- Appartements Massena (central location near Plage Beau Rivage)
- Palais Gioffredo (6-minute walk to the beach)
🚗 Looking for the best way to get around Nice? Click here to check rental car rates for France!
I have curated this 2-day Nice itinerary for first-time visitors, making sure to cover the city’s top attractions and can’t-miss spots.
At the end of this itinerary, I have included an interactive map that you can save to help you navigate Nice on your trip. I have also thrown in some additional places and things to do in case your weekend in Nice is longer than just two days!
If you have any questions, please let me know in the comments. Thanks!
In this post...
2 Days in Nice Itinerary Overview
Day 1 Overview
- Start the day with breakfast at Marinette
- Walk around Vieux Nice (Old Town)
- Check Out the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate de Nice
- Wander around Marché aux Fleurs at Cours Saleya
- Stop by the Opéra de Nice
- Have lunch at Olive & Artichaut
- Check out Place Garibaldi
- Go to Le Plongeoir for a drink
- Watch the sunset from Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill)
- End the day with dinner at Chez Pipo
Day 2 Overview
- Start your day with a coffee at Canopée Coffee Lounge
- Take a walk around Port Lympia
- Grab a chocolate souvenir at Confiserie Florian
- Walk along Promenade des Anglais
- Have some beach time at Plage des Ponchettes or Plage Beau Rivage Beach
- Stroll through Jardin Albert 1er
- Stop for lunch at Bocca Mar
- Visit Villa Massena’s museum
- Go to Le Patio Restaurant & Terrasse for dinner
Day 1 in Nice
Have breakfast at Marinette.
While you can always opt to save money by enjoying breakfast at your hotel, if you’d rather venture out early, I highly recommend heading to Marinette for a delicious breakfast!
Breakfast is served from 8:30am until 11am and you can choose from a variety of tasty options like smoothie bowls, homemade granola, or pancakes. Paired with coffee, this is the best way to start your weekend in Nice!
Marinette is open from 8:30am until 6pm daily except on Mondays and Tuesdays when it is closed.
Location: 16 Rue Colonna d’Istria, 06300 Nice, France
Walk Around the Old Town (Vieux Nice).
One of the city’s most iconic areas is Vieux Nice, or the Old Town. A lot of the places I list below on the first day of your Nice itinerary are located in Le Vieux-Nice, so I won’t go too much in-depth here, but it is great to get acquainted with the neighborhood and to take some photos before it gets busier in the afternoon.
Some of the top places to see in Vieux Nice are the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate de Nice, Colline du Chateau (on Castle Hill), Opera de Nice, Lascaris Palace Museum, Place Rosetti, Cours Saleya, and the ‘I Love Nice’ sign.
Be sure to grab an ice cream cone from one of the most famous ice cream places in Nice, Fenocchio. They have over 50 ice cream flavors and are a family-run establishment.
Discover the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate de Nice.
A symbol of the city’s Baroque architecture, the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate de Nice is a must-visit when exploring Vieux Nice. The cathedral was dedicated to Saint Reparata, the patron saint of the city.
Situated above one of the most bustling squares of the Old Town, the cathedral’s exterior is intricate and even has gargoyles and rose windows that are worth seeing in person.
Inside, on the other hand, you will see ten chapels with stained-glass windows, frescoes, and even a huge organ! Don’t miss the grand altar, which was constructed from marble and has gold statues around it.
You can learn more about the Catholic church (including how to attend a mass) on its official website.
Location: 3 Pl. Rossetti, 06300 Nice, France
Adore the flowers and more at Marché aux Fleurs at Cours Saleya.
A must-visit when you’re wandering around the Old Town is the Cours Saleya flower market, known as Marché aux Fleurs.
You’ll find everything from local crafts to gourmet products to delicious fruit. Keep your eyes peeled for Nice favorites of socca, pissaladière, pan bagnat from Chez Theresa, and local rosé.
Marché aux Fleurs at Cours Saleya is open daily from 9am until 1pm, but is closed on Mondays.
Location: Cr Saleya, 06300 Nice, France
Visit the Opéra de Nice.
Okay, so Opéra de Nice is not as jaw-dropping from the outside as it is inside (but still remarkable), but it is still worth stopping by and grabbing a photo. And if opera is your thing, you can head inside and purchase tickets for a show.
Home to the Ballet Nice Méditerrannée and the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra, it has three different types of performances: classical music concerts, operas, and ballets. It was opened in 1885 and is one of the top spots to visit in Vieux Nice.
The box office is open from Tuesday until Saturday (10am until 5pm). You can see what’s on by visiting their official website.
Location: 4-6 Rue Saint-François de Paule, 06300 Nice, France
Grab lunch at Olive & Artichaut.
A Nice favorite on Michelin’s Bib Gourmand list, Olive & Artichaut was opened by Aurélie Marion and Thomas Hubert after experience catering at the Lycée Paul Augier in Nice. Their recipes strive to make people happy and it has become one of the top places to eat in Nice in the 12+ years it has been open.
The menu contains a variety of entrees, mains, and desserts. There are also options for vegetarian diners. The restaurant is open for lunch from 12pm until 1:30pm (and dinner 7pm until 9:30pm). It is closed on Sundays and Mondays.
Do be sure to make a reservation as this is a hot dining spot! This includes lunch!
Location: 6 Rue Sainte-Reparate, 06300 Nice, France
Visit Nice’s oldest square, Place Garibaldi.
La Place Garibaldi is the oldest square in Nice and a must on this Nice itinerary. While it may not be as famous as Place Massena, it has been around since 1773-1784 and is situated on the northern edge of the Old Town and in the Port Quarter.
In the center of it is a statue of General Giuseppe Garibaldi, after whom the square was named.
Have an afternoon drink at Le Plongeoir.
Thanks to social media, Le Plongeoir has become one of the most popular spots in Nice. This photogenic seaside restaurant and beach club hovers over the sea and offers visitors Mediterranean flavors and cocktails/wine with a view!
While I think Le Plongeoir is a worthwhile stop, I don’t recommend the food there as it is a bit pricy and mid, but the drinks are great because you can enjoy them with a view of the sea.
They are open from 12pm until 4:30 daily but are closed on Wednesdays.
Location: 60 Bd Franck Pilatte, 06300 Nice, France
Watch the sunset from Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill).
If you have run out of time, I recommend saving this for Day 2 (or one of the additional days if you’re around longer). Colline du Chateau is a large, green park that is perched above the city of Nice and it offers some of the best views in the city! I think it is a great place to watch the sunset or head to around dusk.
You can walk up there from a few different spots that surround the 92-meter (300-feet) hill, or you can take the Ascenseur du Château (elevator) up from 10am until 5:25pm.
The elevator is free and the park closes at 8pm, so just plan accordingly to ensure you can get down with ease.
End the day with dinner at Chez Pipo.
To end your first day in Nice, I think enjoying dinner at Chez Pipo is a wonderful thing to do! Renowned for its wood-fired socca, this restaurant is one of the top places to try it in the city.
Opened in 1933 to diners, Chez Pipo offers other French specialties like Pissaladière, mini Pan Bagnat, Provencal Pistou Soup, and Sweet Chard Pie.
The restaurant will be a great introduction to the food and flavors of the French Riviera. Reservations are only accepted for groups larger than 8 people.
They are open daily from 11:30am until 2:30pm and for dinner service from 5:30pm until 10pm. Chez Pipo is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
Location: 13 Rue Bavastro, 06300 Nice, France
Day 2 in Nice
Start your day with a coffee at Canopée Coffee Lounge.
While I would suggest saving a bit of money and enjoying your hotel’s breakfast, I do think it is great to grab an early coffee afterward!
Canopée Coffee Lounge is located in the Port of Nice Quarter and is one of the top-rated spots in Nice for delicious coffee! It even won the city’s Aeropress Championship. They have everything from lattes to ristrettos to espressos and more. Grab a to-go coffee from this local, independent business and take it to the next stop on this guide.
They are open Monday, Thursday, and Friday from 8am until 4:45pm and on Saturday and Sunday from 9am until 4:45pm. Canopée Coffee Lounge is closed on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
Location: 25 Rue François Guisol, 06300 Nice, France
Take a walk around Port Lympia.
The Port of Nice, Port Lympia, is a must-visit on your second day in the city. This is where a lot of ferries and boat trips depart from, but it is worth a morning walk around it nevertheless.
You’ll see a lot of luxury yachts in the harbor and it is lined with bistros and and more. The buildings are extremely colorful and it makes for a vibrant photo in the morning before the light gets too harsh! This 18th-century port is one of the oldest in the French Riviera.
Grab a chocolate souvenir at Confiserie Florian.
Around Port Lympia is Confiserie Florian, a renowned chocolate and biscuit shop where you can grab a sweet treat or something to take home with you. In business since 1921, you can learn all about the shop’s history and old-fashioned chocolates inside.
They are open from 9am until 1pm (except on Sundays when they open at 10am).
Location: 14 Quai Papacino, 06300 Nice, France
Walk the iconic Promenade des Anglais.
Even if you tried to miss it, you couldn’t! The Promenade des Anglais, or ‘Walkway of the English’ stretches for 7 kilometers (4.3 miles).
The entire strip runs along the water and the iconic pebbled beaches. There is not much to say here about it except to spend a bit of time walking up and down it – and you can stop at some of the most popular beaches which I highlight below.
Enjoy beach time at Plage des Ponchettes or Plage Beau Rivage Beach.
Nice is brimming with gorgeous beaches and you must stop by a few on your trip! While the water may not be ‘refreshing’ in the winter months, it is still fun to see the beaches from the shore.
Plage des Ponchettes is situated between Opera and Castel beaches and is public. It tends to be the busiest beach of them all and is easily accessible from Vieux Nice.
Plage Beau Rivage Beach is trendy and has a lounge bar that is open year-round with 300 sunchairs. The beach is pebbled and be sure to grab a drink at the beach bar there (open daily from 10am until 4:30pm).
If you’re looking to escape the Promenade des Anglais for a gorgeous spot with fewer people, grab a taxi to Coco Beach.
It is a 10-minute drive and is a local favorite. While it is not a beach per se, it does have a collection of ladders and stone steps down to the water. This is Nice’s easternmost beach and it is about 200 meters long (650 feet).
Take a stroll through Jardin Albert 1er (if it is not beach weather).
Not a beach-goer or too cold to enjoy sitting by one? Visit Jardin Albert 1er instead! Dating back to 1852, this garden is one of the oldest in the city and is a stone’s throw away from the Promenade des Anglais.
It hosts cultural events throughout the year, but honestly, it is just perfect for escaping the crowds and adoring the statues, fountains, and plants inside.
Stop for lunch at Bocca Mar.
Located along Promenade des Anglais sits Bocca Mar, a restaurant and lounge that specializes in Mediterranean food.
On their menu, you will find Fritto Misto (fried calamari), Sea Bass Carpaccio (coming from Cannes), caramelized pork ribs, and more. They offer a full entree, main, and dessert menu, including plenty of vegetarian-friendly dishes.
They’re open daily from 10am until 5:30pm. They only take reservations for those looking to eat something. If you are just wanting to grab a drink, you can head straight to the bar.
Location: 15 Prom. des Anglais, 06000 Nice, France
Visit Villa Massena’s museum.
I am slowly coming into my museum-loving era and one that I think is a can’t-miss in Nice is the Musée Masséna inside the Villa Masséna.
Situated on the Promenade des Anglais and inside the Belle Epoque building, one can step back in time and see what life was like in the 19th and 20th centuries for the elite folks in Nice!
Today, guests can check out the museum’s permanent collection and wander its floors to learn more. Musée Masséna is open daily from 11am until 6pm but is closed on Tuesdays. Entrance is €10 per person.
Address: 65 Rue de France, 06000 Nice
Go to Le Patio Restaurant & Terrasse for dinner.
Le Patio Restaurant & Terrasse is a restaurant located off Promenade des Anglais close to Castle Hill and one that I highly recommend stopping into for dinner on Day 2. It has a suspended terrace and is perched above the city a bit, so it might be easier to grab a taxi there if you’ve exhausted your legs throughout the day!
There are three different places at the restaurant: a terrace under lemon trees, an indoor room near a coral fireplace, and a veranda that sits under the sun. All offer one of the top dining experiences in the city, in my opinion!
The menu is diverse and you can find everything from octopus to oven-baked veal shoulder on it. There are also vegetarian options as well as a plethora of entrees and desserts.
The restaurant is open for lunch from 12pm until 2pm and dinner from 7pm until 9:30pm. It is open 7 days a week. Reservations are suggested (and you can do so on their website).
Location: 11 Quai Rauba Capeu, 06300 Nice, France
More than 2 days in Nice?
If you have 3 days in Nice (or more), there are several cool day trips you can choose from, in addition to more things to see and do in Nice. Here are a few others I recommend adding to a long weekend itinerary:
- Cimiez Roman ruins (can see more in my Nice travel guide)
- Matisse Museum
- Marc Chagall National Museum
- Cap Ferrat (peninsula with beautiful views and nature)
- Villa et Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild
You can visit Cap Ferrat and Villa et Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild at the same time as the museum is located on the peninsula. The other three I listed (Cimiez, Matisse Museum, and Marc Chagall Museum) are all located close to each other and can be visited on the same day.
How to Get to (and Around) Nice
The most common way to reach Nice is via the airport. There is an airport about 8 km (5 mi) away from central Nice and it is called the Nice Cote d’Azur Airport (NCE). It serves both domestic and international routes.
From the airport, you have an array of trains and buses that will connect you with the city center.
Nice is a pretty easy city to walk around, but you can also catch one of the trams that go throughout the city.
Nice is a very walkable city, which means that you can easily reach many destinations on foot, providing great exercise and an even better opportunity to catch the beauty of the city.
You can also catch the tram, which can be found anywhere in central Nice. It costs €1.70 per ride and you can download the Lignes d’Azur app via their website.
Uber and Bolt also operate in Nice and are generally recommended in comparison to regular taxis, especially from a price point. Avoid grabbing taxis off the street, on the other hand.
Where to Stay in Nice
There are plenty of amazing places to stay in Nice – and these are some of my favorite picks!
- Palais Ségurane Boutique Hôtel (near MAMAC; has air-conditioned rooms)
- Appartements Massena (central location near Plage Beau Rivage)
- Palais Gioffredo (6-minute walk to the beach)
Do you have any questions about spending two days in Nice? Let me know in the comments. Thanks!
More South of France Travel Guides
- Best things to do in Nice
- Best Nice beaches
- Winter trip to Nice
- Nice day trips
- Visiting Antibes from Nice
- Nice to St. Tropez
- Best places to stay in Nice
- Cannes attractions
- Cannes in winter
- Top Eze attractions
- Best things to do in Marseille
- Marseille day trips
- 2 days in Marseille
- Things to do in Montpellier
- Montpellier itinerary
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Megan is a travel blogger and writer with a background in digital marketing. Originally from Richmond, VA, she now lives in Finnish Lapland after previous stints in Norway, Germany, Armenia, and Kazakhstan. She has a passion for winter travel, as well as the Nordic countries, but you can also find her eating her way through Italy, perusing perfume stores in Paris, or taking road trips through the USA. Megan has written for or been featured by National Geographic, Forbes, Lonely Planet, the New York Times, and more. She co-authored Fodor’s Travel ‘Essential Norway’ (2020) and has visited 45 US states and 100+ countries.