What to do in Nice for 2 Days

Nice, situated on the southeast coast of France, is sometimes referred to as the capital of the French Riviera. It is a popular destination for national and international tourists, and its Mediterranean climate makes it the perfect place for a long weekend break.

In this article, we will discuss how you can make the most of 48 hours in Nice, covering all bases from food and drink, culture, where to stay and the best beaches that Nice has to offer.

Where to Stay in Nice

Because it is a tourism hotspot, there are many hotels in Nice suited to almost every type of traveller. So whether you’re on a budget, or looking to splash out for a big birthday or anniversary celebration, there’s something for everyone. Here are a few of our top picks:

Luxury: For those really looking to splash out on an unforgettable experience at not just one of Nice’s best hotels, but one of France’s, then we suggest paying a visit to Le Negresco. Expect Mediterranean Sea views, a spa, five-star dining and more.

Mid-range: There are still plenty of fantastic hotels in Nice that you can stay in without spending a fortune. These include Le Méridien and Hotel de France.

Budget: A cheap price doesn’t necessarily mean a bad hotel – Hotel Apollinaire is a prime example of this.

Boutique: Perfect for those wanting a more personal experience, or those wishing to avoid big hotel chains where possible. Try Hotel Gounod, nestled in the chic musician’s district of Nice, for an idyllic boutique hotel stay.

Where to Eat in Nice

It’s no secret that French food is one of the most sought-after cuisines in the world, and what better place to sample it than on the sun-soaked streets of Nice?

Of course, the other advantage of Nice is because it sits on the Mediterranean Sea, there’s more than enough fresh seafood to fill every belly in the city, day in, day out. And because of its close proximity to the Italian border, there is a strong southern Mediterranean feel to the cuisine in Nice. For example, La Favola, located on the beachfront, is renowned for its generous portion sizes and Italian-French cuisine. Expect the freshest mussels, tossed in a garlicky-tomato-based sauce, with fresh pasta, all washed down with a chilled glass of Pinot: the stuff that dreams are made of!

You can start your day off with a traditional French breakfast (freshly brewed coffee and a croissant, s’il vous plaît), sample some of the freshest seafood in the country at a beachside restaurant at lunchtime, and treat yourself to dinner at somewhere like La Cucina, where you can choose between French or Italian food.

And of course, you simply must try Nice’s world-famous namesake dish: salad Niçoise! For those who don’t know, it is a salad consisting of tomatoes, Niçoise olives, anchovies, hard-boiled eggs, and dressed in olive oil. You can really get the feel of both French cuisine and the Mediterranean influence when you try salad Niçoise. Chez Palmyre, found in the Old Town, is the perfect setting to try this iconic dish in. Surrounded by architecture that was there when the salad was invented, you’d be hard-pushed to find another venue as stunning to try it out in Nice.

Where to Get Your Culture Fix in Nice

You would be forgiven for thinking that Nice does not have a rich cultural background, as on the outside it does not exactly look the most historical of places.

However, there a ruins of castles and forts dating from as far back as the 16th century, where you can take guided tours to learn all about the rich history of Nice.

In addition, Nice has a vibrant live music scene, so you can expect to see some of France’s best up-and-coming artists performing in local bars and clubs in Nice.

The city’s markets are also a must-see when in Nice, filled with colourful produce ranging from hand-crafted items such as pottery and jewellery to the freshest fruits and vegetables on the French Riviera.

Moreover, there are numerous museums in Nice, from art and history to culture and sport.

And speaking of sport, if you are a football fan, why not try and catch a match at The Allianz Riviera, where you can watch local team OGC Nice take on other French teams such as PSG, Marseille, Lyon and more in Ligue 1, the French top division.

For those wanting something a bit different, how about paying a visit to the Cathédrale Orthodoxe Russe Saint-Nicolas, a beautiful Russian Orthodox Cathedral in Nice? As well as the beautiful Russian-style architecture on the outside, its interior is filled with stunning icons, telling a story of the Russian Orthodox branch of Christianity.

Where to Drink in Nice

Few things in life beat a nice, chilled drink by the seaside as the sun is going down – and in Nice, you are truly spoiled for choice.

Blue Beach doubles up as a Mediterranean restaurant and a cocktail bar, so you can sit back and enjoy some fresh seafood and an ice-cold beer or glass (or bottle!) of wine while the Mediterranean Sea laps up gently against the white sands in front of you – what a perfect way to spend an evening.

For those wanting a touch of home, try out Wayne’s Bar, located in the Old Town, serving up drinks in a British-style pub.

However, if you’re a fan of live music and a real party animal, then you’ll want to visit Shapko: open until 04:30 every night of the week and until 05:30 on Saturdays. This is the place to be to party the night away!

Best Beach

There are several beaches in Nice, all of which could easily grab the title of the best beach in Nice, but here are some of the very best.

Coco Beach: Not a traditional, sandy beach, but with ladders built into the rocks, perfect for those who would like to go swimming, snorkelling or take part in watersports.

Plage des Ponchettes: A long, thin, stretch of beach with sun loungers and parasols, this is the perfect place to spend an afternoon with a good book and an ice-cold beverage.

Blue Beach: Slightly busier than the aforementioned beaches, Blue Beach is a tourist hotspot, and with good reason: golden sands, crystal-clear waters and plenty of bars and restaurants around, this is in a prime location in Nice.

Plage d’Eze-sur-Mer: Situated just outside of Nice and on the way to Monaco, Plage d’Eze-sur-Mer is another fantastic beach to visit. Small and quiet, you can easily spend an afternoon snoozing under the Mediterranean sun here.

48 Hours in Nice: The Itinerary

Because most people visit Nice for a weekend break rather than a whole week’s holiday, there are plenty of things to do in this timeframe. Below, we will outline the best ways that you can make the most of your visit to the capital of the French Riviera.

Day 1

• It’s best to get up early and start your day on a positive note, so if you can see the sunrise over the Mediterranean Sea with a coffee and a pastry, it doesn’t get much better than that! Nice has plenty of traditional French cafes such as Maison Karlie or Café de Max.
• Exploring the history and heritage of Nice is a good way to spend the rest of your morning – a visit to the Old Town and the winding streets of Nice makes for a fantastic morning – why not pick up some souvenirs while you’re here too?
• At lunchtime, heading down to the city’s markets to pick up some freshly-made baguettes or perhaps a salad or fresh fruit is a good way to keep you going throughout the day. Or, if you’re ready to slow it down a bit, why not visit a sea-front restaurant for some fresh seafood to satiate your appetite?
• After lunch is the perfect excuse to hit the beach to top up your tan.
• By the time dinner comes around, you’ll be ready to visit some of Nice’s best restaurants – whether it’s French food you’re craving, or if you’ve got a hankering for an Italian meal, there’s plenty of places to choose from. Why not find a quiet restaurant for a candle-lit dinner for two, and enjoy a couple of glasses of cold, brilliant French wine to wash it all down with?
  
  

Day 2

• Starting your day off on a positive note is top of the agenda again for day two, so we just can’t look past a traditional French breakfast at a cafe, such as a pain au chocolat, or a croissant, with freshly brewed coffee.
• There’s still plenty to do culturally in Nice, so why not pay a visit to some museums? We can highly recommend Musée National Marc Chagall, which, unsurprisingly, is a museum dedicated to the works of the artist Marc Chagall, who lived in Nice for most of his later life.
• For lunch, how about a nice meal at a fancy restaurant? La Rotonde, which is part of Le Negresco offers some of the most luxurious fine dining in the city.
• After a long lunch, we love a stroll through Cimiez Monastery and its gardens.
• Why not enjoy some olives and light small plates while spending an evening at a rooftop bar, overlooking the beach? A great way to end your 48-hour stay in Nice.