It’s not hard to see why it’s called the Cote d’Azur, the sea glistens the brightest blue I’ve ever seen. At the heart of this stunning stretch of coastline sits Nice. A buzzy city, where groups watch the waves crash against the shore till late, runners and walkers pass up and down the promenade all day long and people sit facing the sun in cafes and bars in the central square. Nice is perfect for an easy weekend away, or as a jumping off spot for a longer holiday in the South of France, it’s just an hour and half flight from London but it couldn’t feel further.
Things to do
Explore on foot
One of my favourite things to do in any new city is just wander around. So, kick start your city break in Nice by exploring on foot, taking in the sights from the Promenede d’Anglais to the old town.
Take a walk up the winding paths to Colline du Château for stunning views across the city below. The castle itself was destroyed in 1706 but you can still see the remains and there’s a maze of paths and viewpoints to explore at the top of the hill. Lots of green space, a waterfall and landscaped gardens mean you can easily enjoy an afternoon at the top, overlooking the sea. It would also be a lovely spot to watch the sun go down with a picnic.
If you’re into it, Nice is a runner’s paradise. The long, flat Promenede d’Anglais offers a perfect 7km stretch along the coastline. It’s busy even early in the morning, and you will have to dodge other runners, walkers, tour groups and cyclists, but that’s all part of the fun. Starting the day running along the seafront was amazing, one of those ‘I could live here’ moments. I’ve learned that I really love running on holiday – sorry to be that guy! – it’s a great way to explore somewhere new.
Hit the beach
Obviously, one of the main draws of a weekend in Nice is the beach. As soon as you land in the airport, you’re on the seafront. The stony stretch of coast is backed by beach bars and restaurants so you can spend your day dipping in the sea, drying off in the sun, grabbing a drink or something to eat and then repeating. I also sat on the beach with my book until sunset and there are lots of others doing the same, so it feels very safe as a destination for solo travellers too.
Eat
One thing I found unusual for Europe was that restaurants closed pretty early. Maybe because we visited in May, which is not quite the height of tourist season, or perhaps just the places we tried closed at around 10pm. Compared to other cities I’ve visited, like Barcelona where things are open until 1-2am, it felt a bit quieter. That being said, there are loads of good spots to try, part of the joy of being on holiday is stumbling on places and enjoying the evening sat out late. Favourite spots included: Ginette for brunch, Boccaccio for seafood and Amorino for gelato in every flavour you could think of.
Day trips
If you have a long weekend and a day to spare, take the train to neighbouring Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and visit Plage Paloma, known as one of the most beautiful beaches in the area.
Èze is another popular spot for a day trip out of Nice. This cliffside village offers a step back in time as you walk through cobbled streets and take in medieval architecture. The Jardin Exotique is a must-visit, these terraced gardens on the cliffside are home to plants from all around the world.
Normally, I’d probably pack more into a city break and try and visit a museum or gallery too (Musée Matisse is on the list) but this was the perfect, relaxed weekend away. I hope you enjoyed this short travel guide as I’ve got lots more planned for over the summer!
