Like many of the best European cities, Nice combines beaches with city life, and sunshine with culture. Soak up the rays on pristine golden sand and then dine in the best restaurants in town.
The Riviera’s reputation might have led you to believe that it’s all about seeing-and-being-seen here, but nothing could be further from the truth – Nice is also a feast of art, history and architecture.
Beach bonanza
If you plan on catching some sunshine, you won’t be disappointed. The warm Mediterranean waters gently lap at soft, sandy beaches all along the Riviera. There are both private and public beaches available for you to lounge on, with busy spots and really quiet stretches a short drive away.
The best beaches in Nice include Plage du Carras and Plage du Centenaire. They are both great public beaches with adaptive facilities making access to the sea easy for the disabled.
At the cozy private beaches you’ll get plush mattresses and parasols, along with cubicles for changing in privacy, plus restaurants serving the catch of the day.
If you don’t want to get sand between your toes, stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, which curves around all two-and-a-half ciles of the Baie des Anges. You’ll be joined by cyclists and skaters in a spot that’s perfect for people watching.
Wander the Old Town
Nice’s Old Town, Vieux Nice, has been pretty much untouched since the 18th century. A wonderful food and flower market lies at the heart of it – the Cours Saleya – where you can sample local delicacies and enjoy the riot of color and aroma.
The area has plenty of picture-perfect buildings to discover, including the Palais Lascaris, which was built in the early 17th century and now houses a musical instrument museum full of rare pieces dating back to 1581.
The Chapelle de la Misericorde is a Baroque masterpiece with incredibly luxurious interior decoration. It’s just a short walk from the Cathedrale Sainte Reparate which was consecrated in 1699 on the site of religious buildings dating from 1049. The striking adjacent bell tower was an 18th century addition.
On Mont Gros, overlooking Nice, sits the Observatoire de Nice – the Nice Observatory. Built at the end of the 19th century, its dome was designed by the man behind Paris’ famous tower, Gustave Eiffel, with the rest by Charles Garnier, who designed the Monte Carlo Casino.
Car rental in Nice is perfect for reaching it but you’ll need to get tickets in advance for a tour. Be aware that the tours are delivered in French, but still worth it for the views and rare access to this marvelous treasure of a building. Group tours in English can be arranged in advance.
What’s nice to eat in Nice?
The Nicoise have a long culinary tradition with their own range of tasty delights. Salade Nicoise has circled the globe, but you should definitely try it in the place of its creation. The chickpea flour pancake Socca is also very popular with locals.
Look out too for Pissaladiere (similar to pizza, but without tomato and with onions, olives and anchovies) and petits farcis (stuffed vegetables) of which you’ll taste an exemplary version at L’Acchiardo on Rue Droite, a family restaurant open since 1927.
With the city itself to wander, and the tantalizing coastline begging to be discovered, car rental in Nice is your key to unlock a myriad of possibilities on your visit.
