Nice in 7 Days: a guidebook for getting the most out of your visit

Nice is a city with an ancient history. It was founded by the Greeks in 350 BC with the name Nicea, probably in honour of the goddess Nika. It soon became an important commercial centre and in the following centuries it discovered two distinct vocations: industrial and, above all, touristic.

As you can imagine, there is plenty to see and do in and around Nice. A week in the capital of the Côte d'Azur will give you the chance to see everything from its splendid coastline to some of France's best museums.

The older part of Nice is lively by day and night and retains that typical Mediterranean charm. Narrow alleys, colourful houses and the inevitable laundry are three omnipresent elements of the cityscape.

Explore Vieux Nice

The original core of Nice is the perfect starting point to soak up its history and understand its idiosyncrasies. To get the most out of it, I recommend hiring a tour of Nice. The local guides know how to handle a group and know the most interesting anecdotes.

You'll touch all the landmarks of the old town - the Sainte-Réparate Cathedral, Place Garibaldi, the baroque chapel of La Miséricorde, Palais Lascaris, etc. - while enjoying the pleasant and not at all heavy explanations.

Climb the castle hill

The old town of Nice is dominated by a hill overlooking the ruins of a medieval fortress. In 1828, the King of Sardinia ordered the construction of a garden with a spectacular waterfall. Since then, this green area has been one of the city's most famous attractions. To get there you have three options:

• Walk up (the path has more than 200 steps)
• Take the tourist train that leaves from the Monument du Centenaire (Promenade des Anglais, near the Albert I Garden). The ticket costs about 12 €
• Take the free lift (1 Rue des Ponchettes).

Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art

The MAMAC (Musée d'Art moderne et d'Art contemporain) focuses on three main trends: Pop Art, New Realism and Assemblage. The exhibition spaces are arranged on four levels, with the first level housing temporary exhibitions and the following levels housing the permanent collections.

Among the most outstanding works are "The Blue Venus" by Yves Klein, the Loch Ness Monster by Niki de Saint Phalle and "Dollar Sign" by Andy Warhol. The museum is open daily from 10am to 6pm (except Mondays) and admission is around €10.

Dinner at Le Café de Turin

It is a Nice institution since it opened its doors more than a century ago. It is best known for the other Roumegous, seafood farmed in a family-run fish farm in Bourcefranc-le-Chapus. It is also worth ordering an assortment that also includes snails, mussels, prawns and winkles.

If you are tired and have booked a rented house, you can also order take-away. Otherwise, I recommend booking a table through the official website. Le Café de Turin is located in one of the most picturesque areas of the old town: Place Garibaldi.

For the second day of your holiday, I suggest a boat trip. In this case, the destination is the island of Sainte-Marguerite, just a few kilometres from Cannes and Antibes. Note that there are other guided tours available, for example, excursions to Cannes from Nice.

Reach Sainte-Marguerite Island

The island of Sainte Marguerite is a natural paradise and can only be reached on foot. Its pine and eucalyptus forests are criss-crossed by numerous paths that touch the Batéguier pond (home to numerous species of migratory birds) and the tip of the Convention. The paths are signposted and when you are tired, you can take a dip in the splendid beaches.

It is opposite Cannes and if you prefer, you can opt for a day trip to Cannes from Nice and complement it with a stop on the island of Sainte-Marguerite. You'll see the famous Croisette and the old town before reaching this spur of the Côte d'Azur.

The company Trans Côte d'Azur provides connections between the two towns. You can book in advance, just note that tickets purchased on the website are valid for one month after the date of purchase.

Enter the Fort Royal

It is the largest building on the island and was erected in the early 17th century to block maritime access to Cannes. It later became a prison and the most famous detainee was the Man in the Iron Mask who was imprisoned within these walls between 1687 and 1698.

Today the fortress houses the Museum of the Sea (Musée de la Mer) which houses a collection of terracotta dishes, goblets, wall paintings, vases, oil lamps and other objects found at Sainte Marguerite. Opening hours depend on the season but, as a general rule, it opens at 10:00 and closes at 17:45.

Visit the Church of Notre-Dame du Port

When you arrive in Nice, I recommend you enter the temple that watches over the port. It was built between 1840 and 1853 by the will of King Carlo Felice and according to the design of the architect Joseph Vernier. The majestic neoclassical façade is a later addition by Jules Fèbvre. It is open daily from 9am to 12pm and from 3pm to 6pm.

End the day at Gare du Sud

In the Libération district, the former train station has been transformed into a gastronomic and cultural space. The structure is inspired by the works of Gustave Eiffel and dates from the Universal Exhibition of 1889. Under the vault you will find restaurants of all kinds. You can find more information on the official website (35 Avenue Malaussena).

The third day starts a short distance from the centre, hits the outskirts and returns to the city for a well-deserved dinner. Read on to find out the plan.

Discover Nice's past at Villa Masséna

Villa Massena is a building that blends the architectural features of an Italian villa with the neoclassical-inspired Empire style. Its interiors retain the glitz and beauty of when it received international guests during the Belle Époque. Today it houses a museum that traces the history of Nice. A ticket costs around €10.

Take your little ones to the Phoenix Park

The Phoenix Park is a place specially designed for children. It's home to lontras, lemurs, peacocks, turtles, iguanas and hundreds of other species. The centrepiece of the park is the "Diamant Vert" (Green Diamond), a glass greenhouse of more than 7,000 m² that overlooks the surrounding trees.

Inside, six tropical and subtropical climates are recreated, each with its own characteristic flora and fauna. The ticket costs about 5 euros and the opening hours depend on the season: from 9.30am to 7.30pm (from April to September) or from 9.30am to 6pm (from October to March). To get there from Villa Masséna, take tramway line 2 and get off at Parc Phoenix.

Take a tram to the Allianz Riviera

The home of OGC Nice was built for the 2016 European Football Championship. It is a state-of-the-art stadium and, in addition to football, can host rugby matches, lawn tennis, concerts and other events. At the foot of the stadium is the National Museum of Sport, which houses the most important memorabilia and objects of French sport.

They also organise guided tours of the Allianz Riviera (whenever there is no match). The price is affordable - around €15 - and can be reached from the Parc Phoenix by tram line 3 (from the Grand Arenas stop to the Stade).

Enjoy the food and atmosphere at La Cave du Fromager

This restaurant in the old town is perfect for a romantic evening. You dine by candlelight and under a beautiful stone vault. As you can imagine from the name, cheese is a recurring ingredient. Open every day except Thursday from 19:00 to 22:45. Reservations recommended (29 rue Benoit Bunico).

One of the most renowned towns on the Côte d'Azur, its name is synonymous with luxury and worldly life. It stands on a promontory jutting out into the Mediterranean and is just a short distance from Nice. To get there you'll need to opt for a hire car or book a day trip to Saint Tropez from Nice.

Lose yourself in La Ponche and Place aux Herbes

The old town, also known as La Ponche, borders the old harbour and is the most picturesque area of Saint Tropez. It is an almost entirely pedestrianised area with dozens of cafés and restaurants. Its landmark is undoubtedly the baroque church of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption and the Palais des Bailli Pierre-André de Suffren, the residence of one of the most important admirals of the 18th century French fleet.

Also worth a stroll is Place aux Herbes which hosts a famous market with flowers, cheeses, fresh seafood and other characteristic products. If you have time, I recommend a visit to the curious museum dedicated to butterflies: La Maison des Papillons. It is open from 14:00 to 18:00 and the ticket costs only about €2.

Visit the Musée d'Histoire Maritime

What is now a place frequented by the rich and famous was once a thriving port for both fishing and exploration. Saint Tropez's maritime history comes alive at the Musée d'Histoire Maritime, a cultural institution that opened in 2013.

The museum is housed in the Citadel, a hilltop fortification along the coast. Its construction was commissioned by Henry IV to prevent a Spanish invasion and remained in use until 1873. It is open from 10:00 to 17:30 (18:30 in spring and summer) and admission is about €4.

Have lunch by the sea

In the port of Saint Tropez, not far from La Ponche is a highly recommended Mediterranean restaurant, especially if you fancy fresh fish dishes: La Sardine. Among its most outstanding creations, it is worth mentioning the turbot fillet with fennel confit or the grilled octopus with vierge sauce (26 Quai Frédéric Mistral).

Sentier du littoral (to Plage des Canoubiers)

After a good lunch, you can lighten up your meal with a stroll along the coast.

Day 5 starts at the Basilica of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption, the youngest church in the city. Before entering you can have a coffee and a croissant at Columbus Café & Co (Avenue Jean Médecin, inside the FNAC).

Notre-Dame de l'Assomption Basilica

It is the largest church in the city and its appearance is reminiscent of the most famous cathedral in Paris. It was designed by Louis Lenormand, the same architect who designed Monaco Cathedral. It was built thanks to donations from all over the country. From time to time, it also hosts concerts.

Go shopping at the Galeries Lafayette

Opened in 1893, the Galeries Lafayette in Paris was the first department store in Europe. The pearl of the Côte d'Azur also has its own branch located in the Jean Médecin district, a few minutes' walk from the Basilica of Notre-Dame de l'Assomption. It's a Nice shopping landmark, especially if you stay here during the January and July sales.

Taste the wines of Provence at Cave Bianchi

After some shopping, you can leave your bags at the hotel and head to Cave Bianchi, a wine cellar in the heart of the old town. They offer different packages and each programme includes an introduction to visual and sensory appreciation and tasting techniques.

This is one of the few destinations where you can taste Vin de Bellet, the wine produced in the hills near the Promenade des Anglais. The guides speak several languages, including Spanish (7 Rue Raoul Bosio).

Watch a film

For the next day I am going to propose a somewhat hectic itinerary. Therefore, this day can only end with a quiet plan. There are several cinemas in the city but not all of them offer films in the original language. Luckily, the Pathé Gare du Sud cinema has this kind of offer. It is located at number 9, Allée Charles Pasqua.

The Verdon Gorge is one of the most important canyons in Europe. It is located between the towns of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie and Castellane, just over two hours drive from Nice.

If you don't want to drive, you can opt for an organised excursion. In any case, I recommend you read the post on how to visit the Verdon Gorge.

Drive along the scenic roads

For millennia, the Verdon River has carved this canyon creating rocky walls with a height ranging from 250 to 700 metres. I recommend two itineraries: the Sublime Corniche (on the south side) or the Route du Nord (North Road). In both cases, you will find different viewpoints with breathtaking views.

Swim in turquoise waters

After admiring the rock walls, the forests and the river flowing at the bottom of the canyon, take the time to take a dip in this corner of paradise. Bathing is not allowed everywhere - there are many streams in the canyon - but it is possible to swim in the region's lakes:

• Lac d'Esparron, among the wildest in the Verdon. You can take an electric boat to the beaches of Le Quartier or L'Ile du Barbu
• Lac de Sainte-Croix, the third largest lake in France. It extends over an area of 2200 hectares and is perfect for swimming, windsurfing, pedal boating and other sports
• Lac de Castillon, a mirror of water with an alpine atmosphere. You will find many peaceful coves

Swimming is forbidden only at Lac de Quinson and Lac de Chaudanne. In these sites you will have to limit yourself to a few hiking trails.

Descend the river

Since you're in such an impressive site, why not canoe or kayak down the river? If you've never sat in a canoe or kayak before, there's nothing to worry about. There are several routes adapted to everyone's level. For more information, I recommend you check the Raft Session website. The routes run from March to October.

Refresh yourself at La Rossettisserie

A few minutes' walk from the Place Rossetti, there is a characteristic restaurant with a cosy atmosphere: La Rossettisserie. The menu favours meat, here you can try braised lamb, half a chicken with herbs, roast pork, roast beef and the dishes of the day. Also worth a try are the desserts (8 Rue Mascoïnat).

Before heading home and booking your transfer through Nice airport, you have time to see a few last things in the city.

Spend the morning at the Marc Chagall Museum

The Marc Chagall National Museum was born from the artist's desire to bring together in one place the 17 canvases that make up the biblical message. Paintings, sculptures, ceramics and stained-glass windows form a poetic journey into his universe.

The cultural institution is located on the Cimiez hill and was designed by the architect André Hermant. It is open from 10:00 to 18:00 (10:00 to 17:00 in winter) while the price is around 10:00. It is a museum that tends to appeal even to those who are not passionate about Chagall's work.

Admire the Église Sainte-Jeanne d'Arc

Any self-respecting French city can't help but have a church or monument dedicated to Joan of Arc. In Nice there is a singular place of worship in the Liberatión district, specifically at number 11 rue Grammont. It is very easy to get there, you only have to walk for 10 or 15 minutes.

The church was designed by the Parisian architect Jacques Droz and stands out above all for two elements: its futuristic appearance and its white colour. The foundation stone was laid in 1926 but work was not completed until 1933.

Buy a souvenir at Le Chatelard 1802

Nice and Provence are famous for many things but above all for lavender. Le Chatelard 1802 is a family-run shop that sells a myriad of lavender-scented objects: candles, diffusers, soaps, perfumes and more. It is located in the old town, a short walk from the Place Centrale (2 Rue du Pont Vieux).

Indulge yourself at Keisuke Matsushima

What happens when a Japanese chef falls in love with French cuisine? The result is Keisuke Matsushima, a restaurant that combines the produce of Provence with a typically Japanese sensibility. It's not very cheap, but it's well worth a walletful (22 ter Rue de France).

It depends on what you want to do. If you want to limit yourself to sightseeing, 3 days in Nice is enough. A longer stay, on the other hand, is perfect for exploring the nearby towns. Within easy reach of Nice are Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (the millionaires' peninsula), Cannes, the Principality of Monaco, the splendid village of Eze and some of the most beautiful beaches in France.