Nice in 3 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Nice is a city with an ancient history, famous for its lively atmosphere and the splendid Promenade des Anglais. Nestled between the Mediterranean and the mountains, it is the perfect destination for a long weekend.

Being a world famous tourist destination, there are plenty of things to see and do in Nice. If that's not enough, glamorous destinations such as Monaco, Cannes and Saint Tropez are located nearby.

The oldest part of the city reveals its Italian past. The winding streets and colourful houses are reminiscent of the alleys of Genoa. Your first day in Nice can only start here.

Explore Vieux Nice

The old town of Nice is the starting point of any itinerary. Pastel-coloured house facades alternate with baroque churches and picturesque squares. On Rue Saleya, there is a market every day. Monday is dedicated to antiques while from Tuesday to Sunday it is full of flower and plant stalls.

Before visiting the Sainte-Réparate Cathedral and strolling along Place Giuseppe Garibaldi, I recommend a good brunch. This will give you the energy you need to see the original heart of the city. Next you will find the specialised restaurants of Vieux Nice:

• Le Makassar, they offer three different formulas (Salé, Sucré or Le Petit), each with an "open bar" of orange juice. The reviews are unbeatable (5 Rue Alexandre Mari).
• Maranna, where everything is taken care of. In addition to being delicious, the dishes are a real delight for the eyes (36 Rue Droite).
• HOBO. If you can't start the day without a good coffee, this is the place for you. The bruch costs about 20 € but is very complete (5 Bis rue Sainte-Réparate).

Reach the harbour district

Nice's fishing port is a narrow strip of water between the old town and the slopes of Mont Boron. Work began in the 18th century by decision of King Charles Emmanuel III of Sardinia and was completed in 1860, by which time the city had already been annexed by France.

The surrounding neighbourhood is very dynamic and its landmark is the picturesque Place Île de Beauté crowned by the Church of Notre-Dame-du-Port. You will recognise it by its monumental entrance reminiscent of an ancient Greek temple. Also worth seeing is Place Giuseppe Garibaldi, which houses a monument dedicated to the eponymous figure.

If you are looking for an original gift, I recommend Puces de Nice, a flea market with objects from the last century, paintings, second-hand books, musical instruments and thousands of other trinkets and curiosities (Rue Robilant).

Stroll down to Villefranche sur Mer

While you're in the port district, you can take the opportunity to walk along the Cap de Nice path. It starts at the Félix Rainaud Gardens, near Coco Beach, and ends in the Lazaret district of Villefranche. Along the way you will enjoy breathtaking views of the sea.

The walk is of medium difficulty and takes about an hour at most. If you don't want to waste too much time, you can take the train back to Nice. Villefranche sur Mer station is in the city centre and you can simply take the TER C3 line and get off at Nice Riquier or Nice-Ville. It's two stops at most.

Taste the Provençal food at L'Escalinada

After a long hike, it's time to take comfort at the table. For the first evening I suggest a genuine restaurant offering Provencal classics such as marmite du pêcheur (a seafood soup with rouille sauce and croutons), grilled lamb kebab, cuttlefish a la niçoise (with tomatoes and peppers).

The restaurant is located within walking distance of the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and is open every day (except Tuesday and Wednesday lunchtimes) from 18:30 to 22:30. I recommend booking through their official website (22 Rue Pairolière).

Located in the hinterland, the district of Cimiez became particularly famous in the 19th century. At that time, Edward VII, Queen Victoria, George V and other English monarchs stayed here. It is worth a visit to discover another side of Nice.

Start the day in Cimiez

Perched on the hill of the same name is Cimiez, an elegant neighbourhood dotted with Belle Epoque residences. Getting there is easy, from the city centre - for example on Rue Gioffredo, a stone's throw from Place Massena - just take bus 5 and get off at the Arènes/Musée Matisse stop.

The first destination is just a few metres away: the Arena de Cimiez and the surrounding park. It's a Roman amphitheatre built between the 2nd and 3rd centuries near the ancient Cemenelum, the ancestor of modern-day Nice. If you travel to the city in May you can coincide with the Fête des Mai.

Also within walking distance is the Monastery of Cimiez, known for its large baroque altarpiece and the green area surrounding it. From here you can enjoy one of the best views of the city. The ruins of the Roman baths and the Museum of Archaeology (160 Avenue des Arènes de Cimiez) are also worth a visit.

Discover the collection of the Matisse Museum

In the same district of Cimiez is a 17th century villa with red walls and surrounded by a garden. This elegant residence has been converted into a museum dedicated to the artist from Cateau-Cambrésis.

The peculiarity of this museum is that it brings together works and objects from the artist's private collection or from his heirs. In this way it is possible to appreciate his stylistic evolution over the years. The ticket is priced correctly: about €10. If you want to book in advance, I recommend you consult the official website.

Enter the Basilica of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption

Notre-Dame de l'Assomption is a neo-Gothic building inspired by the basilicas of Paris and Angers. It was designed by the architect Louis Lenormand and is notable for its imposing square towers and the large rose window above the entrance.

It is located near Avenue Jean Médecin, a commercial artery with many shops and bars. The famous Galeries Lafayette ( 6 Avenue Jean Médecin) is 600 metres away.

End the day in a restaurant in the Old Town

Chez Acchiardo is the perfect destination if you want to try a classic of Provençal cuisine: the Daube. This word defines a veal stew cooked for long hours in a clay pot.

This dish is often accompanied by Merda de can. Don't let the name fool you, it's a delicious green gnocchi from Nice. Chez Acchiardo is open every day of the week (except Monday) from 12:00 to 14:00 and from 19:00 to 22:00.

Today's itinerary starts within walking distance of the centre and touches on the essential attractions of Nice. The first stop is a magnificent villa surrounded by a large garden.

Take a leap back in time at Villa Masséna

Villa Masséna is a neoclassical building on the Promenade des Anglais. It was designed by Hans-Georg Terslin, a Danish architect and leading exponent of the Belle Epoque. Since 1921, this splendid residence has become a museum dedicated to the history of Nice (between the end of the 18th and the beginning of the 19th century) and of Napoleon Bonaparte.

Indeed, on the first floor - after climbing a magnificent staircase - you will find the memorabilia of the last great emperor of France, such as the waistcoat he wore during his captivity on St Helena and his funerary mask. The first floor houses very interesting temporary exhibitions.

Villa Masséna is open every day of the year except Tuesdays and certain public holidays (1 January, Easter Sunday, 1 May and Christmas). A standard ticket costs around €10.

Phoenix Park

To get to your next destination, simply take the L2 tram towards the airport from the Alsace-Lorraine stop and get off at Parc Phoenix. This is a highly recommended destination, especially if you are travelling to Nice with children. Its 7 hectares are home to parrots, lontras, wallaby, iguanas, lemurs and a small farm with geese, horses, goats and other animals.

However, the huge pyramid-shaped greenhouse is the most famous attraction. It is called "Le Diamant Vert" (the green diamond) and is divided into five areas: Southern Africa, Central Greenhouse, Ferns, Louisiana and Orchids. A single ticket costs around €3.

The price includes another attraction located in the same park: the Asian Arts Museum. It is located near a lake and the building was designed by the famous Japanese architect Kenzo Tangé. If you like nature, I recommend another activity: a trip to the Verdon Gorge.

Admire the Saint-Nicolas Cathedral

Once you have finished your walk in the park, you can take tramway line 2 to the Alsace-Lorraine stop. From there, a 10-minute walk is enough to reach the largest orthodox church outside Russia.

The church was inaugurated in 1912 and has great symbolic value. In 1865, the son of Tsar Alexander II died of meningitis on this very spot. The project was entrusted to Mikhaïl Préobrajenski who designed a church with six colourful domes reminiscent of Moscow's St. Basil's Cathedral.

The interior is richly decorated and includes splendid frescoes and more than 3000 sacred icons. It can usually be visited from 10:00 to 12:00 and 13:00 to 17:00 (in winter) or from 9:00 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 18:00 (in summer). The price of a ticket is around €5.

Say goodbye to Nice in Jan

Before leaving Nice and returning home, you can enjoy dinner at a Michelin-starred restaurant: Jan. The establishment is named after its owner: Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, the first South African chef to win this prestigious award.

His creations include scallops and green asparagus sprinkled with sesame and white chocolate. The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Saturday from 18:00 to 22:00. You will find it in the port district (12 Rue Lascaris).

Nice has a Mediterranean climate, with mild winters and warm, sunny summers. There are at least two seasons when it is worth visiting and the first is undoubtedly spring. Nature awakens and temperatures do not reach excessively high peaks.

This is the perfect time to take a trip to Provence from Nice. It's an enchanting region where you can go horse riding in the Camargue, explore the Calanques National Park or admire the famous lavender fields in bloom.

Summer is also a highly recommended season, perhaps avoiding August. In this month, the city and nearby towns welcome a large number of tourists. Note that the sea is not particularly hot even in summer. The maximum temperature reaches a high of 23º/24º. This is ideal to alleviate the heat.

Most tourists visit the Côte d'Azur in spring and summer. At this time of year, there is nothing better than a good ice cream. The list below lists the best options:

• Neron, an ice cream parlour that uses only top quality ingredients such as Tahitian vanilla or hazelnuts from Piedmont. No artificial colours or flavours (15 place Saint François).
• Arlequin, voted best ice cream parlour in France in 2014 (but has not lost quality over the years). It is famous for its "Tour de France" flavour: almond and lemon cream from the Côte d'Azur with a topping of white chocolate and lemon zest (9 Avenue Malaussena).
• Fenocchio, an establishment in the heart of old Nice (2 Place Rossetti).
• César Milano, according to some, the best ice cream on the Côte d'Azur. There can be a queue, especially at weekends, but it's worth the wait (43 Avenue Jean Médecin).

The capital of the Côte d'Azur is surrounded by many places worth a visit, and not just on the coast. Below you will find the best destinations for a day trip:

• Roquebrune-Cap Martin, a beautiful medieval village near the Principality. Its main attractions are the Le Corbusier promenade, the castle (built in 970 by Conrad I, Count of Ventimiglia) and L'Olivier Millénaire, one of the oldest olive groves in the world. In addition to the car, you can get there by train (line C3 from Nice-Ville to Carnolès).
• Cannes, a former fishing village, has become a favourite destination for actors, directors and film fans. The famous festival is held every year in the second half of May. Its landmarks are La Croisette promenade, La Malmaison Museum and the old town (Le Suquet). If you want to take the organisation out of your hands, I recommend booking a day trip to Cannes from Nice.
• Grasse, the perfume capital of the world. It sits on a hilltop and is home to museums dedicated to fragrances - Musée International de la Parfumerie and the historic Parfumerie Fragonard factory, etc. - and a splendidly preserved old town. - and a splendidly preserved historic centre. If you don't have a car, you can reach Grasse by train (line C3 from Nice-Ville).
• Saint-Tropez, the most popular destination for the jet set. This beautiful town on the Côte d'Azur gained great popularity with the film "And God Created Woman", starring Brigitte Bardot. If you like walking, I recommend the Sentier du Littoral, which connects the centre with the Plage de Salins. You can get there by car or by booking a day trip to Saint Tropez from Nice.
• Daluis Gorges, "le petit Colorado niçois". Century after century, the Var river has carved the reddish rocks of the region, creating an impressive canyon. It is well worth renting a car and driving along the picturesque roads that criss-cross it.
• Menton, the city of lemons. According to legend, Adam and Eve, after being banished from Eden, came to Menton and planted a lemon seed. Since then, lemons have been omnipresent in the town, so much so that every February the Fête du Citron is celebrated. Here too, the C3 train line is the cheapest solution.
• Monaco, the most glamorous city on the Mediterranean. Despite its tiny size, there are dozens of attractions worth seeing: the Prince's Palace, the old town on a rock spur, the Grand Théâtre, the Oceanographic Museum and more. For more information, I recommend reading the post on how to visit Monaco and Èze from Nice.
• Vence, a typical Provençal village. For a period of his life, Matisse lived here and decorated the beautiful Chapelle du Rosaire. If you stop for lunch, I recommend Les Petit Tabliers (7 Avenue Marcellin Maurel) and Mama Gaïa (Place Godeau).

If you're coming to Nice in summer and want to enjoy the good weather, you've come to the right place! The pearl of the Côte d'Azur has some really beautiful beaches:

• Beau Rivage, the most glamorous of Nice. It is the private beach of the hotel of the same name but you can access it even if you are not a guest. For more information I suggest you visit the official website (107 Quai des Etats-Unis).
• Plage de la Réserve, a small cove surrounded by rocks. It is frequented by locals and stands out for its views of Mount Boron (122 Boulevard Carnot).
• Cocoon Beach, known for its lounge area. For more information, see the official website (165 Promenade des Anglais).
• Opéra Plage, the oldest in Nice. It stands out for the quality of its services, which include massages, swimming costume shop, international press and an excellent restaurant (30 Quai des Etats Unis).

If you have a rental car, I also recommend the beaches of the Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, Antibes and Villefranche-sur-Mer (especially Plage des Marinières).