Nice Itinerary in 3 Days

Nice is one of the most beautiful cities on the French Riviera, the perfect place for a weekend getaway, especially if you live in Northwestern Italy. In this case, you can easily reach it by car! Nice is a mix of art, culture, wonderful sea, and nature, a destination truly suitable for everyone.
Here's how to organize the perfect 3-day Nice itinerary!
See also: Things to see in Nice

First time in Nice? Let yourself be guided: for an initial approach to the city and to get accustomed, join a guided walking tour of the old town with a local guide or hop on the double-decker sightseeing bus.

Start your first day at Place Massena, the most famous square in Nice, located in the heart of the city and easily reachable from various points (Get directions).

It is truly a unique place, completely surrounded by arcades. Don't miss a photo with the most famous work in the square, namely the Fountain of the Sun, known in French as Fontaine du Soleil, which features a large statue of Apollo.

Visit duration: 30 min

Start the day on the right foot: just behind the square is Patisserie Lac, the perfect place for a sweet breakfast! From macarons to éclairs, from croissants to pain au chocolat, here you will find various classics of French Pâtisserie and Boulangerie, as well as some international options.

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To reach this stop: 1 minute on foot (Get directions).

From Place Massena, continue to the Promenade du Paillon (Get directions), a large public park of 12 hectares, which connects the square to the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC) and to Place Giuseppe Garibaldi, the next stop of the morning.

The main attraction is a large water mirror near Place Massena, called Fontaine Miroir d'Eau, with 128 water jets and covering an area of 3,000 square meters.

Visit duration: 30 min

To reach this stop: 10 minutes on foot (Get directions).

From Place Massena, walking along the entire Promenade du Paillon, you will reach the oldest square in Nice, Place Giuseppe Garibaldi, in about 10 minutes.

Here you will find the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC) and the Chapelle du Saint-Sépulcre, along with the large monument dedicated to Giuseppe Garibaldi, facing Italy. Unmissable.

Visit duration: 30 min

Taste Socca at Chez Rene Socca: near Place Garibaldi, this establishment is a true institution for tasting Socca, a traditional French chickpea pancake. Order a piece and enjoy it on one of the benches at Place Garibaldi.

To reach this stop: 10 minutes on foot (Get directions).

Place Garibaldi is also the gateway to Vieux Nice, the historic center of Nice. Spend the rest of the morning wandering through this maze of alleys and streets rich in shops, craft stores, and small establishments.

Enjoy a walk along Cours Saleya, the liveliest and most picturesque square in the historic center. Here every day a vibrant farmers' market and a wonderful flower market take place.

Visit duration: 1 hour

To reach this stop: 3 minutes on foot (Get directions).

Amidst your strolls in the historic center, make sure to visit one of the most beautiful churches in the city, namely the Nice Cathedral, or Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate de Nice. It is only a 3-minute walk from Cours Saleya.

Dedicated to the Patroness of the city and built in Baroque style, this cathedral became a historical monument of France in 1906. A must-see, your visit will not take much time.

Visit duration: 30 min

To reach this stop: 5 minutes on foot (Get directions).

In the early afternoon, visit the wonderful Palais Lascaris, an example of civil architecture in Baroque style. It is located in the historic center, so you can easily reach it by foot.

Declared a Historic Monument in 1946, the palace was built in 1648 at the behest of the aristocratic family Lascaris-Vintimille, from which its name derives. Today the palace is open to visitors and, in addition to admiring its splendid frescoed rooms and period furniture, numerous works of art are also on display.

Visit duration: 1 hour

To reach this stop: 10 minutes on foot (Get directions).

Next, head to Colline du Château, or the hill of the Castle of Nice, one of the most beautiful viewpoints in the city. You can also easily walk there, including to reach the top.

This is not an actual castle; instead, the hill hosts a large 19-hectare park, with an incredible view of the city. Once there, a castle existed, but it was destroyed in 1706 by order of Louis XIV. Enjoy a walk on its paths, admire the remains of the cathedral and the citadel, reach the observation deck, and enjoy the nature and the large artificial waterfall.

Visit duration: 1.5 hours

Take a photo with the I Love Nice sign: the classic souvenir photo of Nice. The large "I love Nice" sign is located on one of the many panoramic terraces of the castle hill, with the entire bay and the Promenade des Anglais in the background!

To reach this stop: 5 minutes on foot (Get directions).

And it is the Promenade des Anglais that serves as the last stop of this wonderful day. This is the most famous walk in Nice, a must-see without a doubt.

Stretching 7 km, it starts from Colline du Château and reaches the city's airport. Obviously, we recommend you walk only along the first stretch, with the beach on one side and wonderful buildings on the other. Stop to admire the view by sitting on one of the many blue chairs and benches, which have become a true symbol of this place, and take a picture in front of Le Negresco, the iconic hotel of Nice.

Visit duration: 1 hour

Spend the evening in Vieux Nice: one of the nightlife hot spots in Nice. Here you'll find many venues. For a lively night out, head to Le Bulldog Pub Pompeï or Nuits Blanches - Nightclub. For cocktails with friends, try Bar Movida, Waka Bar, or Les Distilleries Idéales.

Start your second day in the Cimiez neighborhood, one of the most characteristic areas of Nice (Get directions). It is located in the northern part of the city and can be easily reached by bus.

Cimiez is also one of the oldest neighborhoods in Nice. While strolling through its streets, you might come across Roman archaeological remains or the wonderful Monastère de Cimiez, or Cimella Monastery. This place was founded by Benedictine monks and later managed by Franciscans. It houses various works by Ludovico Brea and is accompanied by a monumental cemetery where Matisse is also buried.

Visit duration: 1 hour

To reach this stop: 7 minutes on foot (Get directions).

Dedicate the rest of the morning to visiting one of the museums in the neighborhood, the Matisse Museum or the Chagall Museum, both dedicated to important figures in art.

We recommend visiting the Matisse Museum. Located right next to the Roman ruins, as the name suggests, the museum is dedicated to the great artist Matisse. Inside, 31 paintings, 454 drawings and prints, 38 cut paper collages, and 57 sculptures are on display, allowing you to discover Matisse's evolution.

Visit duration: 1.5 hours

Snap a photo at Le Régina: almost opposite the Matisse Museum is Le Régina, a historic former hotel from the 1800s, where Queen Victoria also stayed!

Alternatively, you can dedicate the rest of the morning to visiting the Marc Chagall Museum, located in the southern part of Cimiez, closer to the historic center (Get directions).

This museum houses the largest collection of public works by Marc Chagall and keeps 17 canvases that make up the Biblical Message. Truly unmissable if you are an admirer of this artist.

Visit duration: 1.5 hours

To reach this stop: 20 minutes by bus (Get directions).

Then reach the Russian Cathedral of Saint Nicholas, the largest Orthodox church in Europe outside Russia. It is about 3.3 km from the Matisse Museum, so take bus line 5 to the historic center, stop Désambrois (8 min), then take line 57 to the Thiers / Gambetta stop (10 min), just a 2-minute walk from the cathedral.

The Cathedral of Saint Nicholas was built in 1912 to host Russian nobles who chose Nice as a winter destination and, as you will see, it is inspired by Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow. Admire its beautiful exteriors and then enter inside; the visit is free and will truly take you little time.

Visit duration: 30 min

To reach this stop: 15 minutes by tram (Get directions).

Dedicate the remainder of the afternoon to Parc Phœnix, one of the largest tropical greenhouses in Europe. Reach the tram stop Alsace-Lorraine from the Cathedral and take line L2 that will take you directly to the park (15 min).

This place is truly unique in its kind. It houses numerous plants and animals from around the world, but the main attraction is its large greenhouse. Spanning 7,000 square meters and standing 25 meters tall, it features 6 different tropical and subtropical climates. A must-see stop in Nice, especially if you are traveling with children.

Visit duration: 3 hours

Spend the evening at Place Massena: return to the historic center and head to Place Massena, one of the hotspots of Nice's nightlife. Here you will also be just a stone's throw from the Promenade des Anglais. You can spend the evening at Casino Barrière Le Ruhl Nice or at nightlife spots like Cabaret Le Boa, Kwartz Club, or Maze Club.

Dedicate this third day to exploring the French Riviera, by taking part in a 1-day tour from Nice, the best option to discover all the most beautiful places!

The first stop of the day is Monte Carlo (Get directions), in the Principality of Monaco, but first you will stop for a quick visit to Eze, one of the most charming villages of Provence, with a romantic and old-fashioned atmosphere.

Then you will arrive in Monte Carlo, one of the richest cities in the world. Don't miss a stop at the famous Casino from the outside, and then enjoy a walk through the beautiful streets of the historic center, with stunning views of the sea.

Visit duration: 2 hours
See also: Things to see in Monte Carlo

Be well-organized: the tour of the French Riviera from Nice is one of the most requested excursions. Book in advance and plan accordingly. In Monte Carlo, you will have time to have lunch in a restaurant, but if you want to explore the city as much as possible, we recommend packing a lunch.

To reach this stop: 1 hour by car (Get directions).

The second stop of the day is Antibes, an absolute gem of the French Riviera, a must-visit during a trip to Nice.

Protected by 16th-century fortifications, it lies along the road between Nice and Cannes, the last stop of the day. It is a destination that combines history and entertainment: it is indeed one of the centers of nightlife on the French Riviera, with bars and beach clubs frequented by celebrities. At the same time, however, it retains its ancient and romantic charm, thanks to its little streets and the shops of the historic center. If you visit the area in summer, you certainly cannot miss its beautiful beaches.

Visit duration: 1 hour
See also: French Riviera: things to see, where it is, and when to go

To reach this stop: 1 hour by car (Get directions).

After visiting Antibes, you will make a quick stop at Saint-Paul-De-Vence, a village in Provence with a medieval charm. Artists and craftsmen have lived here, and even today it is a place rich in art where you can take a real step back in time.

Finally, you will arrive at the last stop of the day, famous Cannes, known for its film festival. Stroll along the Walk of Fame near the Palais des Festivals looking for the stars of the artists who passed through here, follow the Boulevard de la Croisette, the seafront of Cannes, with beautiful beaches and a unique view of the sea.

Visit duration: 2 hours
See also: Things to see in Cannes

Return to Nice for the evening: in the evening, you will be taken back to Nice. We recommend spending this last evening again in Vieux Nice, at one of the many places present, or strolling along the Promenade while enjoying a good ice cream!

If you are traveling to Nice in summer, you might want to dedicate at least half a day, or even a full day, to relaxing on the beach. The sea here is crystal clear, and the pebble beaches stretch along the famous Promenade des Anglais (Get directions). If you do not have your own vehicle, you can still easily reach them on foot.

Throughout the promenade, sections of public beach alternate with beach establishments, featuring beach bars, lounges, and sunbeds for rent, as well as all the necessary services, making it ideal for families with children. One of the most famous beaches is definitely Plage du Voilier, one of the liveliest and most frequented, but also one of the priciest. Just in front of the Old Town, you will find the beautiful public beach Plage des Ponchettes. Along the entire coast, you can also go snorkeling or participate in various activities like stand-up paddleboarding, canoeing, and beach volleyball.

Visit duration: 8 hours

Nice is an expensive destination and, like throughout the French Riviera, costs tend to rise significantly in summer. From Italy, you can reach it by car from the Northwest; alternatively, you can fly (compare flights).

For accommodation, the best solution is to stay in Vieux Nice, the historic center. Here costs are higher than in other outer areas, but it allows you to get around mostly on foot. Alternatively, you can use trams or buses. The sightseeing bus is highly recommended as it allows you to reach the main attractions directly, without changing too many modes of transport. Finally, costs for lunches and dinners are high: at lunch, we recommend stopping at typical French cafes for a quick bite.

Let's break down the costs for a weekend in Nice: