The French Riviera is home to some of the most beautiful cities in the world. Monaco is the playground for wealthy, Cannes is the hometown for the renowned film festival, and Nice has some of the best rosé and champagne in the world. There's clear blue waters, stone beaches, delicious food — what's not to like?
Nice may be at the complete different end of the spectrum from Paris but the French Riviera cannot be missed. On the coast of the water, there are oodles of free things to do. Just be prepared to wear your walking shoes because although you can lounge on the beach for free, there's plenty of hikes to take!
10 CLIMB ALL THE WAY UP CASTLE HILL
If you couldn't guess, on top of the hill is the Castle of Nice. The hill has steps that go all the way up the castle, making it an "easy" hike for anyone in comfortable footwear.
The higher you go, the better the view of Nice. You'll be able to see most of the city, beaches, and ocean when you reach the castle. There's also a park where you can take a breather. There's a gorgeous waterfall that you'll find by the castle — all you need to do is listen for the water to find your way.
9 THE CATHEDRAL SAINTE-REPARATE
Also known as Nice Cathedral, The Cathedral Sainte-Reparate began construction in 1049, finally being completed around the 1600s. Nowadays, it's still around for you to visit and marvel at. With its stunning interior featuring large pillars and beautiful colors, the Nice Cathedral is still open for Mass today.
8 PROMENADE DES ANGLAIS
The Promenade des Anglais is essentially what you would consider a "boardwalk" in America. It's a large path curving around the Nice's beaches that's perfect for walking, biking, or jogging.
The Promenade also has benches one can sit on to look off towards the Mediterranean. This Promenade isn't for the faint of heart, though. It actually spans from the airport all the way down the coast to Old Town (around 7 km or 4.3 miles).
7 WANDER THROUGH OLD TOWN
When one thinks of life by the Mediterranean, Nice's Old Town unexpectedly pops into your head. With gorgeous colored buildings and winding alleyways, Old Town is quaint and filled with such character. Old Town is also right across from the South end of the Promenade and just under Castle Hill, so there's a ton to do in such close quarters.
Once you've reached Old Town, you can roam the cobblestone streets and breathe in the fresh food being made or pop into local textile and soap shops.
6 COOL OFF AT LA COULÉE VERTE
Coulée verte René-Dumont is where a promenade meets a park. Here you'll find a simple park that's just under three miles. It's also right across from the railway station and bus stops, making it a beautiful place to take a breather before hopping on the next bus to Monaco.
In the summer months, the park has shooting fountains, making it a great spot for kids to cool down while mom or dad take in the views of the city around them.
5 FIND YOUR WAY TO NICE'S FLOWER MARKET
Also called Marché Aux Fleurs, Nice's Flower Market is exactly how you would picture a farmer's market in the South of France. It's colorful, local, and makes you feel like you're walking through poetry. The market has been around for over 100 years and also sells some local produce to accompany the flowers. Whether you're just strolling through the market or wanting to buy a flower for a special someone, this market is too historic to miss.
4 STROLL THROUGH JARDIN DU MONASTERE DE CIMIEZ
The Jardin du Monastère de Cimiez is a beautiful garden near a Franciscan monastery. Created in the 1500s, you'll see gorgeous greenery, rose bushes, a terrace, and an insane view of Nice from the top of a hill (Cimiez).
The gardens are actually the oldest in the French Riviera and are free to tour. If you need a break from the garden, you can take a look at the 17th-century monastery houses.
3 PEOPLE-WATCH AT PLACE MASSENA
Nice's Place Massena is the main square in the city. Think of it as Nice's Time Square without the high-rises and traffic. The square does not allow cars, so it's completely walkable. It's also a great meeting point before heading into the "new" part of the city (with more modern shops in comparison to Old Town) or visiting Coulée verte René-Dumont, which is right next to it. The square is known for its iconic titled flooring and it's a great spot to people-watch.
2 BEACH IT UP ON THE RIVIERA
When you're on the French Riviera, you have to spend a few hours on the beach. The Mediterranean has some of the clearest (and bluest) waters and is too beautiful not to touch.
The beaches are open year-round and are free to lounge on; however, it does get very crowded in the summer months. If you are visiting in the summer, get to the beach early to find a spot since the beaches are so narrow.
1 FREE WALKING TOURS OF NICE
Now, anyone can do a free walking tour of any city. But taking an official walking tour of Nice with a tour guide is a great way to learn more about the history of this beautiful city. Generally speaking, history tours are best to do when you first get there because tour guides will have some awesome points of view and recommendations on what to do in and around the city. Thankfully, there are a few companies that offer free walking tours — all you have to do is tip your tour guide at the end of the day!