Belle Époque palaces glittering along the seafront, Roman ruins hidden beneath modern streets, baroque churches tucked into medieval lanes: Nice’s landmarks tell a 2,000-year story of evolution from ancient settlement to Mediterranean capital. Some you’ve seen in countless photos (that famous Promenade), while others remain surprisingly overlooked despite their beauty.
I’ve explored every corner of this city countless times, and certain attractions never lose their power to captivate: the ones that reveal why Nice has drawn travelers for centuries, from Roman elites to European aristocrats to modern wanderers chasing that particular Riviera magic.
Here are the true landmarks worth your time, from iconic seafront stunners to hidden historical treasures.
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Where to stay for your Nice sightseeing trip
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Tourist attractions in Nice not to miss
The most bucket list-worthy landmarks of Nice are located relatively close to each other and can easily be explored on foot. Walking from one attraction to another also allows you to discover the beautiful sights in between and soak in the city’s catchy ambiance.
I’d recommend combining the top sightseeing spots in this article with one of the other amazing things to do in Nice and with a couple of day trips to nearby destinations.
Here’s an overview of the best attractions in Nice.
Psst… At the end of this article, you’ll find a map showing the best attractions in Nice.
1. Promenade des Anglais
The Promenade des Anglais, affectionately called “La Prom” by locals, stretches majestically for 7 km (4.35 mi) from Nice Airport in the west to the Quai des États-Unis in the east. Its name refers to English visitors who spent their winters in Nice and financed this once-humble coastal walkway that hugs the Bay of Angels.
Today, the Promenade des Anglais is Nice’s most emblematic must-see. It’s where the Niçois take their morning walk or go for a run, where cycling visitors take in the Mediterranean views, and where countless kids – including yours truly! – have learned to rollerblade.
At sunset, the palm-lined promenade comes alive with street performers. It’s an ever-bustling hub of activity.
Unfortunately, this place of joy was also the site of a tragic event when, on Bastille Day in 2016, a truck drove into the celebrating crowds at high speed and killed 86 people. The serene Angel of the Bay sculpture pays tribute to the victims of this horrific attack.
The Promenade des Anglais also showcases some of Nice’s most prestigious landmarks. The magnificent Palais de la Méditerranée, built in 1929, is a testament to Art Deco architecture with its remarkably restored façade. Just steps away, you’ll find Le Negresco, the iconic luxury hotel with its eclectic art collection, and the stately Villa Masséna, dedicated to the history of Nice.
2. Vieux Nice (Nice Old Town)
Vieux Nice is nestled against the west flank of Castle Hill. It’s bordered by the Jardin Albert I in the west, the Port Lympia in the east, and the Place Garibaldi, the Place Masséna, and the Promenade du Paillon in the North.
The southside gives out to the Baie des Anges and includes the Quai des États-Unis, which is the extension of the Promenade des Anglais.
The Old Town of Nice tells a story that spans centuries but most of the construction that you see today dates from the 16th century. The warm ochre and red-tinted buildings show Italian influences from Nice’s time as part of the House of Savoy, who would later also rule the Kingdom of Sardinia, which lasted until 1860.
At the heart of the Old Town lies Place Rossetti, dominated by the impressive Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate. This picturesque square traditionally serves as the neighborhood’s social hub. It’s also where you’ll find some of the best ice cream in Nice.
The streets and alleyways of Vieux Nice are home to an eclectic mix of restaurants, cafés, boutiques, and Baroque churches. It’s the best place in Nice to soak in the atmosphere.
For a deeper dive into this must-see of Nice, read my complete guide to Vieux Nice.
3. Cours Saleya markets
Cours Saleya is part of Vieux Nice but it’s such a popular landmark that it deserves its own place on this list of tourist attractions in Nice.
This former salt redistribution spot is now a lively marketplace that stretches for 350 m (0.22 mi). This is the number one social hub of Nice and is bustling with activity from the early morning to late at night.
The markets that take place at Cours Saleya are favored by locals and visitors alike. From Tuesday through Sunday, the famous flower market blooms to life at 6:00 am, filling the air with fragrance until 5:30 pm. The produce market runs alongside it until 1:30 pm, offering some of the freshest local ingredients.
Mondays bring a change of scene with the antiques market, while summer evenings transform the space into an artisan market. Evenings are spent at one of the many bars that line this historic market square.
The colorful low-rise buildings on the south side of Cours Saleya are known as Ponchettes. Their flat rooftops used to form a promenade during the early Belle Époque, known as Les Terrasses des Ponchettes. It was the most popular coastal walkway before the Promenade des Anglais was created a few decades later.
4. Castle Hill
Castle Hill or Colline du Château is where Nice was founded and where the Niçois lived for centuries.
Despite its name, you won’t find a castle atop the 92-meter-high Castle Hill today. The mighty fortress that once dominated Nice’s skyline stood here for nearly a millennium until 1706 when Louis XIV’s troops were ordered to destroy it.
Today, this imposing hill between Port Lympia and Old Town is a lovely 19-hectare (40-acre) park with panoramic views overlooking the Bay of Angels, the Port Lympia, the Old Town, and the Hills of Nice.
As you explore the park, you can still see some ruins of ancient structures as well as a Christian and a Jewish cemetery. There’s also a beautiful waterfall, fed by the waters of the Vésubie, that dates back to 1885 when it was built on the ruins of the Castle. Kids love the vast playground.
You can access Castle Hill from the Quai des Ètats-Unis by stairs or using the free elevator at the foot of the Bellanda Tower. There’s also a staircase from Rue Rossetti in the heart of Vieux Nice and plenty of spots to catch your breath while admiring the view. The Little Tourist Train also makes a stop here.
5. Place Masséna
Place Masséna seamlessly blends Italian and French architectural influences. Constructed in 1850 under architect Joseph Vernier’s direction, the square is distinguished by buildings in warm red ochre with green shutters. The design draws from Turin’s architectural style (Turin being the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia that ruled Nice) while incorporating French urban design elements.
The square evolved from two distinct spaces split by Le Pont Neuf, which spanned the Paillon River connecting Nice’s old and new quarters. The southern portion started as a semicircular neoclassical plaza in 1830. In 1843, it merged with the northern section to create today’s pedestrian-friendly esplanade with its distinctive black and white checkerboard ground pattern.
Seven illuminated figures have perched above the plaza since 2007, part of Jaume Plensa’s “Conversation in Nice.” These sculptures, each representing a different continent, come alive at night, casting a magical glow over the space.
The Fontaine du Soleil is the top attraction of the square’s southern end. Created by Alfred Janniot in 1956, this fountain features a marble Apollo statue, encircled by bronze figures depicting Earth, Mars, Mercury, Venus, and Saturn. Though temporarily removed in 1970 due to controversy over its nudity, Apollo returned in 2011. Today, the fountain’s jets create dynamic water displays, particularly striking when lit up after dark.
6. Promenade du Paillon
The Promenade du Paillon, opened in 2013, marks one of Nice’s most successful urban transformations.
This green corridor follows the course of the historic Paillon River, which once served as a natural divider between Nice’s old and new towns. Coming down from four different mountain areas, this 35 km (22 mi) river formed a natural defense for the lower town (today’s Old Town) before flowing into the Mediterranean.
The Paillon was also the city’s lifeline: Mills, tanneries, and rope-makers all used the power of the Paillon. Farmers watered their animals there, fishermen did their thing, and local washerwomen would gather to do laundry along its banks.
But living with the Paillon wasn’t always easy: floods happened suddenly and unpredictably. Initially, bridges were built to cross the river but over time, the Paillon was gradually covered.
The first part to be covered, in 1867, connected two existing squares and created the Place Masséna as we know it today. Two decades later, the part towards the Promenade des Anglais was transformed into the Albert I Garden (Jardin Albert Ier), home to the Théâtre de Verdure where public and private events take place regularly. The green belt has been extended ever since and is popular with locals and visitors alike.
The part of the Promenade du Paillon directly east of Place Masséna features an impressive 3,000-square-meter water mirror with dozens of jets. It’s a delight for little ones during the high season and creates the most beautiful reflections of the Christmas tree during the winter holidays.
Today, you’d never guess there’s a river flowing under the city, but the Paillon’s still there, hidden beneath the streets and gardens where it once flowed openly. The once troublesome river became the foundation for some of Nice’s most beautiful public spaces and has become one of the top tourist attractions in Nice.
7. Beaches of the Baie des Anges
The famous pebble beaches stretching along the entire length of Nice’s Baie des Anges are more than just a place to sunbathe – they’re a remarkable geological feature millions of years in the making.
Those smooth stones beneath your feet, ranging from 2 to 15 centimeters in diameter, traveled here from the Alps via the Var and Paillon rivers over countless millennia. They seem larger towards the Old Town or Vieux Nice and smaller and more manageable towards the airport.
Because of the particular geology of the coastline, sand is not an option in Nice and would lead to beach erosion. If you’re not a fan of pebbles then you’ll need to seek out one of the sandy French Riviera beaches.
The pebbles can be somewhat uncomfortable so be sure to add a pair of water shoes to your French Riviera packing list. I also recommend bringing a padded beach mat to place under your beach towel if you plan on lazing at one of the public beaches in Nice.
Or, go for the comfortable option and rent a beach chair at one of the private beaches. Prices vary from around €20 to €150 per chair, depending on the proximity to the water and the size of the sunbed.
Notice the sound that the pebbles make when the waves come across. I love hearing it because it’s so quintessentially Nice.
8. Art museums
Nice has the most abundant art scene of all French Riviera cities and towns. Many museums in Nice are located in beautifully restored city palaces.
One of the top tourist attractions in Nice is the Matisse Museum, housed in the 17th-century Villa des Arènes in Cimiez. It opened in 1963 to honor the artist who made Nice his home from 1917 until he died in 1954. The museum houses over 200 drawings and prints, 31 paintings, but also many sculptures, cut-outs, and more objects from Matisse’s studio.
The Musée national Marc Chagall, inaugurated in 1973, features the world’s largest public collection of Chagall’s work. The artist himself contributed to the museum’s design, ensuring his Biblical Message paintings would be displayed in optimal conditions. The museum’s Mediterranean garden, designed by Henri Fish, provides a peaceful setting for contemplating Chagall’s work.
If you plan on visiting multiple museums, then you might consider purchasing the 4-day Museum Pass at the first museum you visit. And, if your French Riviera itinerary includes more tourist attractions in Nice and beyond, then the French Riviera Pass is a great option. Most museums offer free admission on the first Sunday of the month.
Beyond these cultural hotspots, Nice offers some fascinating specialty museums worth exploring. Palais Lascaris, a baroque mansion in the Old Town, houses an impressive collection of historical musical instruments. The Villa Masséna Museum, an opulent mansion surrounded by stunning gardens on the Promenade des Anglais, offers a fascinating glimpse into Nice’s golden age through its collection of period furniture, artworks, and personal items belonging to Nice’s aristocratic families.
9. Architectural landmarks
Nice’s evolution from an Italian-influenced medieval town to a winter retreat for European aristocracy, and the subsequent transformation into a modern French resort city, is reflected in its architectural heritage.
The Franciscan Monastery of Cimiez, dating back to the 9th century and rebuilt in the 16th-17th centuries, stands as one of Nice’s most serene architectural treasures.
Vieux Nice showcases the city’s Italian baroque heritage, with its warm ochre and yellow facades, narrow winding streets, and ornate churches. A true highlight is Palais Lascaris, featuring spectacular frescoed ceilings, trompe l’oeil decorations, and a monumental staircase.
The Belle Époque era transformed Nice’s skyline with elaborate hotels and private villas. The iconic hotel Le Negresco stands as the crown jewel of this period with its distinctive pink dome and luxurious facade. Villa Masséna represents the more restrained elegance of this era, while the Opéra de Nice shows how Belle Époque architects adapted classical styles to create buildings of imposing grandeur.
The interwar period brought Art Deco sophistication to Nice, best exemplified by the Palais de la Méditerranée‘s striking facade on the Promenade des Anglais.
More recent additions to Nice’s architectural landscape include bold contemporary structures, such as MAMAC (the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art), featuring four towers connected by glass walkways, which demonstrate how the city continues to evolve while preserving its rich architectural heritage. Note that MAMAC is currently closed for renovations.
10. Religious heritage
The evolution of religious buildings in Nice mirrors the city’s changing identity and influences across centuries.
Nice’s religious architecture begins far earlier than its visible churches suggest, with the ruins of the Sainte-Marie cathedral on Castle Hill dating back to the second half of the 5th century. This first cathedral, discovered through archaeological excavations, stood in what was then Nice’s upper town, long before the development of the Old Town (Vieux Nice).
In Vieux Nice, baroque churches from the 17th and 18th centuries cluster along narrow streets. The Sainte-Réparate Cathedral, completed in 1699, stands as the quarter’s architectural centerpiece.
Other religious treasures include the Chapelle de la Miséricorde (also known as the Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs), distinguished by its yellow facade and cupola fresco, at Cours Saleya. Nearby, there’s Église Sainte Rita (or Église de l’Annonciation) with its impressive frescos and Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur (also called Église des Jésuites or Église du Gesù), concealing within its walls a hidden bar called Le Béthel.
When Nice joined France in 1860, its religious architecture began reflecting French influences. The Basilique Notre-Dame enchants with its neo-Gothic style, featuring dramatic twin towers and magnificent stained-glass windows crowned by a sumptuous rose window.
The early 20th century brought a striking addition to Nice’s religious landscape: the Russian Orthodox Cathedral of Saint Nicholas with its six distinctive onion domes. Built in 1912, it reflects the significant Russian presence on the French Riviera during this period.
11. Port Lympia
Tucked between Castle Hill and Mont Boron, Port Lympia is where glitzy multimillion-euro yachts share the water with brightly painted pointu fishing boats.
For centuries, Nice had little need for a dedicated port, as ships could easily be loaded and unloaded in the Baie des Anges. From the 13th century, major maritime activity took place at the Royal Port of La Darse in Villefranche-sur-Mer, just behind Mont Boron.
It wasn’t until 1749 that King Charles Emmanuel III ordered the marshy area at the mouth of the Lympia River to be transformed into a proper harbor. The work was carried out by prisoners, using stone salvaged from the Castle of Nice, which had been destroyed in 1706.
Port Lympia never rivalled the great commercial ports of Genoa or Marseille, but it does thrive as a hub for tourism. It’s a departure point for ferries to Corsica and welcomes cruise ships to the Riviera.
Insider tip: For a charming shortcut across the harbor, hop aboard the Lou Passagin, a small seasonal boat that takes passengers from one side to the other, free of charge.
12. Archaeological sites
Nice’s history stretches far beyond its glamorous seaside. As a result, the city is dotted with interesting archaeological sites.
On the slopes of Mount Boron, the Terra Amata Museum showcases one of the oldest human settlements ever discovered, dating back approximately 380,000 to 400,000 years. Here, early inhabitants built seasonal beach huts, hunted game, and tended the world’s oldest known controlled fireplace.
Nearby, the Lazaret Cave offers a rare glimpse into Neanderthal life between 170,000 and 130,000 years ago. Occupied roughly 30 times over millennia, its location shifted from shoreline to inland as sea levels rose and fell, until a rockfall sealed it forever.
Fast forward to Roman times, when Nice — then Cemenelum — was the capital of the Province of Alpes-Maritimes. The Cimiez site preserves thermal baths, streets, shops, and a 1st-century amphitheatre once used for gladiatorial combat. The adjoining Archaeological Museum Nice-Cimiez displays remarkable artifacts, from sarcophagi to ancient jewellery.
For a more medieval chapter, venture beneath Place Garibaldi into the Archaeological Crypt. Discovered during the development of the tramline in 2006, it contains the fortifications of 14th-century Nice, including those of the Pairolière gate that guarded the city until Louis XIV ordered its demolition in 1706.
13. Place Garibaldi
One of Nice’s most iconic squares is situated at the edge of Vieux Nice, just steps from the Port district. In the mid-18th century, the site in front of the old Pairolière gate was cluttered with remains from the dismantled castle. It was transformed into a grand esplanade reflecting its prestige as the starting point of the prestigious Turin route to the capital of the Kingdom of Sardinia.
Place Garibaldi is a perfectly rectangular square lined with elegant arcaded buildings, all following the Turin-inspired urban style imposed throughout the States of Savoy. Work began in 1773 under architect Antoine Spinelli.
To the north, there’s a monumental gateway that marks the entrance from Turin, while to the south, you’ll see the neoclassical facade of the Chapel of the Holy Sepulchre. Today, cafés, restaurants, and shops fill the arcades, making it a lively meeting spot that is largely pedestrian-friendly.
The square takes its name from Giuseppe Garibaldi, a general and national hero of Italy’s unification, who was born in Nice in 1807 when the city was part of the French Empire. Fiercely believing Nice should have belonged to Italy, Garibaldi’s statue now stands at the heart of the square, facing toward Turin.
14. Mont Alban
In 1543, Nice suffered a brutal attack by Franco-Ottoman troops led by the pirate Barbarossa.
Soon after, Duke Emmanuel Philibert of Savoy ordered the construction of the Citadel Saint Elme in Villefranche-sur-Mer and, between 1557 and 1560, the Fort du Mont Alban as a strategic link between the new citadel and the Château de Nice.
Though it never became the formidable stronghold envisioned, its hilltop position offers one of the most spectacular panoramas of the Côte d’Azur. Open for self-guided and guided tours, it’s worth visiting for the views alone.
Map of these Nice attractions and must-sees
For your convenience, I created this map showing the locations of all the Nice tourist attractions mentioned on this list.
Where will you go sightseeing in Nice?
That’s it for this complete guide to the must-sees in Nice. Whether you’re interested in history, art, beach life, or cultural experiences, Nice’s attractions offer something for every type of traveler. The city’s unique blend of French and Italian influences, combined with its stunning Mediterranean setting, makes it a destination that rewards both first-time visitors and those returning for a deeper exploration of its charms.
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