Discover the Best Areas to Explore and Stay in Nice, France

From leafy residential areas packed with art museums to picturesque old town streets brimming with bars, shops, and restaurants, find the best areas to explore in Nice with our neighborhood guide.

Whether you love food, art, culture, or nightlife, the UNESCO-listed capital of the French Riviera offers plenty of vibrant districts to discover and gorgeous places to lay your head. Moreover, Nice is very easy to get around, so no matter where you base yourself, you’ll never be more than a few tram stops away from the city’s top sights and attractions.

Promenade des Anglais and City Center

Best for History, Shopping, and Seaside Fun

Begin your exploration with a visit to the scenic Promenade des Anglais along the Mediterranean Sea. This beautiful 7km (4.3mi) stretch of seafront is the perfect place to get your bearings, lined with architectural landmarks, palm trees, and pebble beaches. Consider spending an afternoon strolling along the waterfront, taking dips in the azure blue waters of the Med, and people-watching from the Promenade’s famous blue chairs. History buffs may want to visit the fascinating Musée Massena located in a sumptuous belle-époque villa.

Some of the city’s most iconic and luxurious hotels are also situated here, including the pink-domed Hôtel Negresco and the art-deco Palais de la Méditerranée. While accommodations here can be expensive, enjoying a drink at the bar is a delightful experience. A lovely spot for cocktails with a view is the summer rooftop terrace of the AC Hôtel Marriott, Farago on the Roof.

Affordable stays are available in the streets adjacent to the Promenade, from self-catering accommodations to boutique hotels and hip hostels. Consider options like Hôtel Windsor, Hostel Meyerbeer Beach, or Hôtel Villa Victoria.

The city center is a short walk away. Start at Place Masséna, the most recognizable square in Nice, featuring hypnotic black-and-white tile work, a stunning baroque-style fountain, and 19th-century red-ochre buildings. From here, explore the stores along Avenue Jean-Médecin, or relax on the Promenade du Paillon, which has ample green spaces, engaging water features, and play areas that kids will love.

Vieux Nice

Best for Local Flavor and Nightlife

With its colorful architecture, charming narrow streets, and buzzing nightlife, Vieux Nice is one of the most scenic and vibrant neighborhoods in Nice. It’s a great place to wander and immerse yourself in local culture. The famous Cours Saleya market square is filled with bars, restaurants, and café terraces, while picturesque alleyways are packed with shops, galleries, and Baroque churches.

Enjoy local street snacks while browsing the stalls and marvel at the colorful displays and fragrances of the Cours Saleya food and flower markets. Highlights include the stunning Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate and the 17th-century Palais Lascaris. Seek out local wines at Cave de la Tour and indulge in sweets at Maison Auer. At sunset, soak in the breathtaking views over the red-tiled rooftops of Vieux Nice and the Baie des Anges from the Colline du Château before venturing into the lively local bar and restaurant scene.

For drinks, consider locals’ favorite Les Distilleries Idéales, the rooftop haven Bocca, or the lively atmosphere at Le Bateleur. For a scrumptious meal, you can find fantastic Mediterranean fare at Olive & Artichaut, Le Comptoir du Marché, or Peixes.

Note that most hotels and self-catering accommodations in the old town do not have elevators due to the area’s layout, an important consideration when planning your stay if you have mobility issues or are traveling with small children.

Place Garibaldi and Port Lympia

Best for Trendy Art, Food, and Drinking Spots

Historically a stronghold for port merchants and antique dealers, the area between Place Garibaldi and Port Lympia has evolved into one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city.

Start by visiting the Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain (MAMAC). Opposite Place Garibaldi, this impressive modernist building houses important works from Yves Klein, Niki de Saint Phalle, and other avant-garde artists, showcasing pop art and realism pieces from notable American and European creators.

From here, take a short stroll to the lively cafés, trendy restaurants, LGBTIQ-friendly bars, and quirky boutiques on Rue Bonaparte, an area affectionately referred to as the “Petit Marais Niçois.” Satisfy your sweet tooth with patisseries at Déli Bo, indulge in Niçoise cuisine at Chez Pipo, or enjoy dinner at the pop art-clad L’Uzine. A variety of atmospheric drinking spots abound, including Café des Chineurs, Rosalina Bar, and Comptoir Central Électrique.

At the port, be sure to check out the free art exhibitions in a former prison and clock pavilion at Galerie Lympia. Additionally, the nearby Village Séguane is essential for antique lovers. The area is easily navigated on foot or by tram, making it a convenient place to explore.

Cimiez

Best for Museums and Architecture

Perched on a hill and easily accessible by bus, the leafy residential neighborhood of Cimiez is home to elegant villas, two outstanding art museums, Roman remains, and the city’s archeological museum.

Cimiez boasts the monumental Le Régina, where Queen Victoria spent her winters in the 1890s and where French painter Henri Matisse lived in the 1940s after its conversion into apartments.

Meander over to the Musée Matisse to explore one of the largest collections of the celebrated artist’s work, including oil paintings, drawings, sculptures, and paper cut-outs. The museum, located in a stunning 17th-century, red-ochre Genoese villa surrounded by olive trees, is directly across from the Monastère Notre Dame de Cimiez, where Matisse is buried.

Art enthusiasts should not miss the excellent Musée National Marc Chagall, dedicated to the poetic universe of the Belarusian painter. The museum showcases a comprehensive collection covering his entire career, featuring biblical paintings, a mosaic, sculptures, and stained glass.

Libération

Best for a Slice of Local Life

Venture to the culturally diverse Libération neighborhood for a genuine slice of Niçois life. Located just north of the busy shopping area around Avenue Jean-Médecin, it’s close to the city center and easily accessible on foot or by tram.

The main attraction is the Marché de la Libération, the largest fruit and vegetable market in Nice after the Cours Saleya produce market, providing an authentically local experience. At its peak, the stalls stretch along Avenue Malausséna, on Place du Général de Gaulle, Place de la Gare du Sud, and other adjacent streets.

Adjacent to the market, the magnificent neoclassical Gare du Sud (a former railway station restored in 2019) features a vibrant food court and vintage fashion stores.

The area is also home to cool craft-beer pubs and microbreweries, including Brasserie Artisanale de Nice and Beer District Libération, as well as lively cafés, bars, and restaurants worth trying—from the family-run Lebanese eatery Au Petit Libanais to local favorite Kiosque Chez Tintin, renowned for its Niçois sandwiches and other delectable local treats.