The Best Itinerary for a Day in Nice, France
I believe that landing in Cote d’Azur in the middle of the day is one of the most breathtaking sights I’ll see in my lifetime. There are luscious green trees, white buildings with red roofs, and countless yachts trickling the shores of the magnificent blue sea. The moment you step off the plane and the Mediterranean sun hits your face, you’ll feel a delightful warmth unlike any other. The palm trees sway and it almost feels like home does, in San Diego. I’m instantly in love.
The view from the airplane: Landing in Nice, France
If you want to rely on public transportation while in the French Riviera, getting around Nice, France is extremely easy. The trams are easily accessible and very clean. When you leave the airport, grab a 7-day pass for just 15 euros.
Once you board the tram, validate your ticket on the tram in the little machine. You can’t just think that purchasing the ticket is your way into Nice. We learned this the hard way! I was chatting with a sweet French old man on the train towards our hotel, when the Ticket Inspectors came on, ordered us off the tram, and hit us with a huge fine! Haha. It’s those types of events that remind you…you’re far away from home. You just have to roll with the punches. Welcome to France!
After you’re settled and a new day has begun, start your day at One Love Cafe. Order a cappuccino and the salmon avocado toast. Top it off with a green juice. Nothing will taste so good as getting your morning started on the right track!
Neighborhood: Jean-Medecin
From there, we decided to go to two Art Museums in Nice:
These two museums are very small and very easy to hit in one morning. To be honest, Nice doesn’t seem to be known as a huge museum spot. It is more of a go-outside and enjoy all the beauty the location has to offer, rather than going inside to view beauty in art. That being said, if you plan on going to two or more museums, I recommend purchasing the Nice Museum Pass, which costs 15 Euros and provides access to a dozen museums.
Hike up to the Musée Matisse for a splash of color to your day. It doesn’t take much time to move through the museum (literally 30 minutes). It’s fun to see the colors and the creativity Matisse has in his pieces. My personal favorite part of the museum was reading through Matisse’s Timeline of Life, so that’ll show you just how much of a fan I am of modern art.
Neighborhood: Cimiez
Musée Matisse
Musée Matisse
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice is named for the artist Jules Chéret and is in a beautiful private mansion that was built by a Russian Princess. It houses many works by Chéret and even some sculptures by Rodin! I honestly didn’t know much about the museum before we went (the website is pretty awful), but I was pleasantly surprised. This is where I discovered the work of Jules Chéret (1836-1932), who was a French painter and lithographer who became a master of Belle Époque or literally “Beautiful Age” Post Art. He has been called “the father of the modern poster”. His whimsical paintings transported my imagination in the best way.
Neighborhood: Gambetta
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice
Painting by Jules Chéret
By this time it’s lunchtime, and we’ve created an appetite due to climbing up some hills. We headed over to Old Nice and dove into an array of seafood at Peixes Opéra. I would say every little dish and sauce we had was bursting with flavor.
This would be the spot to wash it down with a Hugo Spritz.
Neighborhood: Old Nice
Hugo Spritz at Peixes
Eggplant and chickpea salad, Tuna Tartar and Patatas Bravas at Peixes
Now it’s time to move again! Hike 30 minutes up the steps of Colline du Château (Castle Hill) to see the most beautiful, extensive view of all of Nice. You literally cannot miss this opportunity.
Neighborhood: Old Nice
Extensive View from Castle Hill
Cool off a bit by grabbing a gelato from Fenocchio.
“That’s all a vacation is: just us eating in a place we’ve never been. Well why don’t we eat somethin’ and then we’ll go and get somethin’ to eat!” -Jim Gaffigan
Place Rosetti
There are two Fenocchio locations in Old Nice. Both are great, but I prefer the location in Place Rossetti next to Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate de Nice. There are plenty of places to sit down and enjoy your flavors while gazing at the beautiful Cathedrale.
Pro Tip: If you are a chocolate lover, order the Chocolate Sorbet. Somehow they make their Chocolate Sorbet 10x more chocolatey than anything (a close first would be Extra Black Gelato I discovered on the Amalfi Coast).
Indulge in drinks at the stunning and picturesque Le Negresco bar.
Le Negresco Bar
I recommend ordering the “Purple” - Blueberry and Champagne Rosé. Yum! Before you leave, take a gander at the beauty of the place. It really is a stunning hotel, and iconic for a reason.
Neighborhood: Le Carré d'Or
The “Purple” and “New Cuban” at Le Negresco Bar
Le Negresco Hotel
Inside Le Negresco Hotel
Take a nap! Don’t question it. Do it.
After recharging, head over to Mamma Mia Saleya for a lengthy enjoyable dinner. Be sure to ask for a spot on the sidewalk, where the people watching is prime! We ordered Aperitivos first. Their Rose Spritz quickly became a new favorite of mine. Then we perused the wine menu and paired a bottle with our salad and pizza. You must order the pizza del diavolo! It is sensational!
Neighborhood: Old Nice
Dinner and Spritz’ at Mamma Mia Saleya
Pizza and Salad at Mamma Mia Saleya
The backdrop of dinner almost looks fake. I promise it’s not!
This area is called Cours Saleya, which means: “Nice beating heart”. This square has become a strategic point of Old Town, Nice. A different type of market happens here almost everyday during the day.
The way the sun sets on the buildings is beautiful.
Cours Saleya: “Nice beating heart”
After dinner, dance the night away at Waka Bar. The international vibes are high here! Drinks are great, music is great, people are smiling, and the dance floor is calling your name!
Waka Bar
Waka Bar is also a fantastic place to go during the day! They have a balcony essentially overlooking the beach. Not a bad time to get a mojito and enjoy the sunshine.
View from the Balcony at Waka Bar
When you’re ready to call it a night, walk back to your hotel through Place Masséna. It’s amazing how different this plaza looks lit up at night!! I’m not even going to include a photo of it here, as I was so stunned at my own first glace of the plaza in the evening.
Au revoir!
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