Summer is the peak tourist season in Nice. But travelers will find several fun things to see and do in winter, including outdoor adventures, cultural festivals, and incredible museums to explore. The place is brimming with endless winter opportunities if visitors won’t mind keeping warm in jackets and cozy scarves. Nice is always exciting, thanks to its relaxed vibe and emphasis on the local life. The city is one of the best on the French Riviera but has no busy vibe as Paris. The mile temperatures in winter give vacationers both indoor and outdoor options for fun activities. Planning a winter vacation in Nice? This is what you can expect.

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Winter Weather In Nice

The fact that this city boasts over 300 sunny days makes it an incredible destination for both summer and winter getaways. Nice features mild weather in winter, with high temperatures between 13°C and 16°C. The city rarely experiences snow in winter, and it lasts a day if it happens. The rainiest month in winter is February. So, visitors planning a visit at this time should park warm, and not forget an umbrella. The city’s mountains get covered in snow, creating a perfect environment for skiing. The city is peaceful, and it's the most impressive time to explore without having to rub shoulders with other tourists.

The mild climate gives the scenery a breathtaking look, as it preserves the lush vegetation. The colors and smells of fruits, such as lemon and oranges, are enticing. There is so much natural beauty surrounding Nice, and vacationers can experience it in the brightened gardens, mountains, or the gorgeous seaside of the city.

Why Visit Nice In Winter?

Apart from the splendid weather, Nice, France, is best visited in winter because of its lower prices. Travelers can enjoy the best rates in accommodation, flights, and restaurants in winter. The locals are always relaxed when they don't have the pressure of the high demand of the large crowds of tourists. At this time of the year, visitors should expect Nice to have the vibe of a village – relaxed and quaint. Travelers will not also deal with overcrowding like in summer. There is more room to roam, and travelers won't have to rub shoulders on the beaches or wait in long queues to explore the major attractions.

Things To See And Do In Nice, France In Winter

There are so many fun things to see and do in Nice in winter, and travelers can be assured of an unforgettable adventure.

Attend Festivals And Events

Nice Carnival is one of the world's oldest festival events - and occurs in February. The event sees over 1,000 artists and dancers performing in the vibrant celebration. The festival can be noisy, but it is colorful, friendly, and guarantees a Nice winter vacation to remember. Featuring costumes, parades, and a fantastic food scene, Nice Carnival is one of the best ways to connect with the locals and get an insight into their amazing culture.

Christmas is always lit anywhere on the French Riviera, but travelers must book accommodations and flights in advance because more than five million vacationers visit the region for the occasion. The festival features beautiful decorations in the parks, streets, and squares.

Related: 10 U.S. Autumn Festivals You Shouldn't Miss This Fall

Explore The Colorful Markets in Nice’s Old Town

Nice’s local markets are beautiful, packed with all the wonderful things travelers can think of, and exploring them is one great way of making an acquaintance with the locals and learning a bit of the culture. Exploring these markets is easier in winter than in summer. One of the best local markets is found in Vielle Ville. The area is packed with stalls selling flowers, fruits, vegetables, and everything in between. The market is open every day except Mondays. Within the Vieille Ville’s streets are magnificent fish markets to explore. It’s always good to listen to the locals’ advice on how to prepare whichever kind of fish one has chosen to take home. Markets are the best places to go shopping, especially for travelers renting Airbnb.

Visit Promenade Des Anglais

Nice became a world-famous destination thanks to this gorgeous seven-kilometer stretch overlooking the perfect blue waters of the Mediterranean. Promenade des Anglais is one of the most famous promenades in France. Visiting this place comes with a lot of fun, ranging from enjoying the breathtaking ocean views from the cafes’ terraces, cycling or biking on the designated lanes as one takes in the spectacular scenery, and catching Nice carnival parades passing by the promenade. The promenade hosts several concerts that vacationers can attend too. Along the stretch, there are other attractions to explore, including Jardin Albert 1er, one of the oldest parks in the city.

Hike The Castle Hill For A Breathtaking View Of The City

With winter's mild temperatures, it's a perfect time to visit Castle Hill and enjoy the incredible view of Nice and the surrounding. This hill once hosted a castle that has been non-existent since 1706. Castle Hill features a gorgeous park with fantastic views of the Port, Old Town, and Baie des Anglais. Travelers can use an elevator to get to the top of the hill or simply hike through the 400 steps to get to the summit. The hike sounds difficult, but it is actually manageable and worth the effort.

Go Out In One Of Nice’s Seafront Bars

Nice boasts several seafront bars along its promenade, offering a variety of drinks, including delicious cocktails. These bars feature magnificent balconies overlooking the sea, so travelers can enjoy sipping some drinks as they enjoy the beautiful view of the Caribbean Sea. Some of the best seafront bars include Waka Bar, L’Eden, and Movida. Perfect sunset moments with an apero at hand are guaranteed in these bars.

Explore Some Artworks In A Local Museum

Nice boasts 19 museums and art galleries, making it the city with the highest number of museums in the country after Paris. One of the museums to check out is the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art Nice, which stores an incredible collection of 1300 pieces of art from different artists. Palais Massena, one of the city's grandest palaces, is another spot to explore and connect with the history of Nice. With a fascinating story of Napoleon up to the 20th century, Palais Massena is an amazing place to visit.

Other places to visit in winter include downtown, Opulent Mansion, Saint Jean Cap Ferrat, and Promenade Du Pailon.

Where Can You Stay In Nice In Winter?

Hotel Le Negresco, one of the city’s most iconic landmarks, is nestled right across the Promenade des Anglais and is a great place to stay in winter. The hotel was built by Henry Negresco and features an amazing lounge and incredible artwork. Radisson Blue Hotel is another amazing place to check out in winter. The hotel has a gorgeous rooftop terrace, from which vacationers can enjoy spectacular views of Nice’s entire coast.

What’s better than spending a winter vacation in the Mediterranean? Winter is an amazing time to explore Nice, as there is so much to see and do.

Take A Day Trip To The Tiny Country Of Monaco

Just 30 minutes down the road along the coast from Nice is the micro-state of Monaco. Monaco is one of the micro-European states everyone should visit before they die. Monaco is one of the world's richest countries and is only around half a town in size. The streets from the France half of the city and the Monaco side seamlessly cross the border and one may need to refer to GPS to know which country one is standing in (even buildings straddle the unmarked border).

• Population: 38,000 (Of Which around 9,500 Are Citizens)
• Size: 2.1 km2 (0.81 sq mi)

The official language of the country is French, although most people also speak English and Italian. The country is tiny and one can walk the length and breadth of the principality in an afternoon (only the Vatican City is smaller).

The principality is ruled by Prince Albert II with the country having a constitutional monarchy. It has been ruled by the House of Grimaldi since 1297 (like something out of Game of Thrones).

There are buses that connect Nice with Monaco with the rides taking around 25 minutes and having four stops, so it is a very easy day trip to another country and one that visitors can see in the afternoon.

Another microstate in Europe to visit is San Marino completely surrounded by Italy dating from the days of the Roman Empire.