Nice is located on the French Riviera, the southeastern coast of France on the Mediterranean Sea, at the foot of the French Alps. It is known for its beautiful location, culture, Mediterranean climate, yearly festivals, and parades like Carnival de Nice. It was founded by the Greeks and later retreated for the 19th-century European elite. The deep blue waters of the Cote d'Azur are the dramatic backdrop for elegant Nice. This world-famous shoreline is just the tip of the iceberg for Nice.
Nice is a place with a mix of year-round sunshine, stunning seaside location, old-world opulence, and vibrant street life. It is a perfect gateway for both young as well as older people. The city has several historical places, great architecture, local markets, shopping , and the hottest nightlife .
Below are a few things that one can do or see while cruising to Nice.
The Old Town of Nice is known as Vieille Ville and is made up of tall buildings and houses lined up along narrow and shadowed streets. One can get Italian vibes with the street full of small restaurants and local stores. It lies in the south of the Nice city and forms a triangle, hemmed in by the port to the east and Castle Hill to the west. The ground floors are fully packed with restaurants, bars, museums, shops, and galleries. And the upper parts are residential apartments adorned with wrought iron balconies and brightly painted wooden shutters.
Castle Hill is known as Colline du Chateau and is more than an impressive hill than a castle. Even though the castle structure has been crumbled away, travelers still recommend climbing those hundreds of steps to reach the stellar view from its peak. Moreover, the sweeping panoramic views of the castle and Baie des Anges (Bay of Angels) are worth the climb. One can consider the park a great place for families, as it has ample space for picnics and a playground for kids. After your summit is over, ensure that you take some pictures at the artificial waterfall, Belanda Tower, and cemetery.
The beautiful churches of Nice boast a rich history and some gorgeous architecture, making them one of the top tourist destinations. There are several churches in Old Nice, but you'll find beautiful churches all over the city. One of the most notable in the town is Cathedrale Sainte-Reparate. It was constructed in the 12th century. Another stunning church is the St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox. It boasts dramatic minarets and colored turrets in Russian architectural tradition that stands out in the city. One can also find out some other notable churches in the city includes Chapelle du Saint-Suaire in Cours Saleya, Chapelle du Saint-Sepulcre in Place Garibaldi, and Chapelle de la Misericorde in Cours Saleya.
Cours Saleya Market is known as Nice Flower Market. The most exciting thing about this market is finding more veggies and fruits than flowers. It is located between the Old Town and the beach, giving you plenty of options to sample some fresh local products and meet the local store owners. One must-try thing at Cours Saleya Market is the Socca. It is a chickpea flatbread and is an authentic local dish.
Mont Boron is a stunning 57-hectare forest park dotted with tree-shaded trails that offer breathtaking views of the sea, mountains, and city. It is a beautiful place to escape the chaos of the city and explore hundreds of varieties of natural Mediterranean plants. Wander miles of olive and carob trees and meander along lush green alleys and colorful floras. Enjoy picnics in the park, play boulles matches, walk miles on the trails, and exercise in the fresh air. Unspoiled wilderness is just minutes from the city center in this family-friendly leisure complex.
You can also see an ancient military fort dating from the 16th century can be seen. You can walk up to it and around it for anyone interested in visiting the 16th-century Alban Fort. Still, only guests who have pre-booked tours are allowed inside, so arrange that in advance. Disability-friendly trails are available in the park, but some trails may pose difficulty to those with mobility issues.
The ideal time to visit Nice is in the shoulder season of September to October or from mid-March to April. The Mediterranean weather is pleasant almost all year long. You'll find high temperatures ranging from the mid-50s in the winter to the low 80s in the summer. Nevertheless, even in the summer, many people recommend packing some layers of clothing in case the winds of the Mediterranean Sea whip up a cooling breeze.
