Set on France’s glamorous Cote D’Azur, Nice is the country’s fifth largest city sitting at its southeastern tip, between Marseille and the Italian border. With more than a million inhabitants, holidays in Nice can appear daunting on arrival, but skip the large urban sprawl and you will find most of its attractions clustered around one area, near to the beach. Staying in Nice accommodation in the old town puts you close to its famous port district and a rabbit warren of ancient streets packed with mementos of the city’s rich cultural history.
Despite its size the city is reasonable easy to navigate, with the mountains of Provence at its eastern end and the old town sitting at the base of Le Chateau, one of the Nice’s great landmarks, orientation is straightforward. The elegant Promenade des Anglais is a 5km palm fringed seafront boulevard just a short walk from the Place Massena, the city’s main square, transformed over the last few decades, from a bustling transport hub to a centre of cultural activity.
Located in the heart of the old quarter is the enclosed Place Rossetti, renting an apartment in this part of downtown Nice puts you close to its cultural heart and the square is transformed at night, when musicians play in front of the Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate. The nearby Cours Saleya is perhaps Nice’s most traditional square, leading to the Palace of the Kings of Sardinia.
Nice’s beachfront is rocky, with the exception of a few private areas, meaning visitors looking to laze by the sea often opt to rent a villa close to neighbouring Villefranche-sur-Mer, where the golden sands and gentler currents are preferred by many. For the brave Nice’s municipal beach offers great views of the Baie des Anges, while its bars and cafes, strung out along the Promenade des Anglais, are the perfect place to spend a relaxing afternoon.
Food is a real highlight of the city and plenty of visitors choose to stay in the old town, close to many of its great restaurants. Places around the port are best for locally caught seafood, but expect to pay a hefty bill, while further into town prices drop and choice increases. Be sure to check out local delicacies such as Tourtes aux Blettes, a sweet tart made with cabbage and of course Salad Nicoise. For visitors opting to rent a self-catering apartment in Nice, the daily produce market offers some fine cheeses and cured meats as well as other regional specialties.
Nice has a generally temperate climate and rarely gets cold, making it ideal to visit outside of the busy summer season, which runs from July to September. October can be very wet, but spring from February to May is generally warm and sunny, making it a great time to see the city.
Browse the range of Nice accommodation today and discover the glamour of the French Riviera for yourself.