Nice is the capital of the French Riviera, located at the centre of the popular and glamorous region of Southern France. As the main location of the international airport, many tourists book flights to Nice every year, keen to explore the glitzy location, famed for its celebrities and expensive yachts. The town of Nice itself, though, is less upmarket than its neighbours such as Cannes and St Tropez. One of the larger and more modern towns in the Riviera, this is the place from which to explore the expensive surrounding regions. That’s not to say the town isn’t a destination in its own right. It too sports a popular beachfront for promenading, a selection of fine restaurants and more than 300 days of sunshine every year.
Long, hot summers and mild winters are typical in Nice. January temperatures can drop to the very low temperatures. August averages in the 20s but it can reach 37 degrees. Sea breezes keep you cool, requiring a light jacket for summer evenings.
The best time to visit Nice is from March till August when you can enjoy long daylight and warm weather. As it is the peak season, book your flight well in advance to get the best deal.
Peak season:
July and August are the peak season months in Nice. The hotels, beaches, and clubs are all crowded. February’s Nice Carnaval, the main winter event on the Riviera also brings in lots of visitors. As it is one of the largest carnivals in the world, expect a variety of unforgettable events and the crowds to match. Colourful parades take place day and night, a number of large floats make up carnival processions and entertainment is provided by over 1000 international musicians and dancers. The atmosphere in the city is buzzing, however, if you're looking for a relaxed holiday and some peace and quiet you might want to consider visiting Nice at another time.
Off season:
The weather in spring and autumn is still warm and most of the crowds have left. November is also pleasant, but many of the local hotel and restaurants are closed as their owners and staff go on holiday. The weather remains warm till fairly late in the year, so this can be a good time to get a good deal on a cheap flight to Nice.
Winter is being rediscovered as a pleasant time to visit, but it is a little chilly for sunbathing and swimming. The mistral may blow through for a few days making it feel quite cold.
Though the modern town is sprawling, its old town centre is a romantically delightful medieval part of town, packed tightly with red roofed-houses, cobbled narrow streets with local shops, restaurants and small open air markets. It is the perfect place for a wander after swimming in the sea.
Getting from the Airport to the CityNice Cote d'Azur Airport (NCE) is well connected by bus, taxis, airport shuttle and trains. Train station is not in the airport so you have to walk to reach it but the airport shuttle bus stop is close to the station. Airport express buses travel from the airport to the city and from the airport to central railway station.
The beautiful scenery, brightly lit streets, quaint buildings and sunny beaches are well worth exploring on foot. The best walks are through historic Old Town and Promenade des Anglais, a stretch along the bay. If you do get tired of walking, most of the buses run until midnight. The Sunbus, which stops at some of the city’s main attractions, is the most popular. Buy Sunbus tickets at local cafés. The other bus option is Nice By Bus, which conveniently sells passes for one, five or seven days.
Taxis are available, but drivers are known to overcharge tourists, so keep an eye on the meter and discuss the rate before you get in.
To get yourself around the city, try renting a bike, moped, motorcycle or yacht. Trains can take you beyond the city limits.
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