Perched on the shores of the French Riviera (or Côte d’Azur), Nice offers an effortless mix of history, culture and nature. It's one of our favourite destinations in France – and for good reason. Just a step away from its idyllic beaches, the Old Town is filled with art, music and culinary delights waiting to be discovered, while pristine natural landscapes are just a short drive away. Our travel experts at Plum Guide have spent plenty of time here, sipping on cocktails and dancing the night away in jazz clubs (all part of the research, we promise). Still deciding whether this is the right holiday destination for you? Take a look at our top reasons to visit Nice below.

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One of our favourite reasons to visit Nice is that you'll be well-placed to explore the beautiful French Riviera. Dotted with charming towns and picture-perfect cities, this stretch of coastline has plenty to offer visitors. Enjoy a day of celebrity-spotting in glamorous Cannes, admire the spectacular views of the sea and mountains in Antibes, or stroll around the medieval hilltop village of Èze.

Grasse is an ancient village just a short drive inland from Nice. It’s been known for its perfumes since the 16th century, with around thirty perfumeries still open today. Visit the International Perfume Museum and swing by the Fragonard perfumery to learn how the fragrances are made – you can even create your own signature scent.

When you’re not sightseeing in the hilltop villages, take a moment to unwind at the many beaches. At over 100 kilometres long, the French Riviera has a wealth of pretty bays and secluded stretches of sand. Take a short walk along a scenic coastal path to Plage de l’Escalet with its incredible azure waters. Just a twenty-five-minute drive from Nice is Plage Petite Afrique, a small bay surrounded by palm trees and white cliffs. Also nearby (practically next door to Nice) is the pretty resort town of Villefranche-sur-Mer, home to a fine gravel beach and colourful streets that ooze charm.

Stretching for 7 kilometres, the Promenade des Anglais is Nice’s most well-known attraction. This wide paved walkway gets its name from the English aristocrats who spent their holidays in Nice during the 1800s. They wanted a comfortable surface to walk on and enjoy the sea views, so they paid for the promenade to be built. Now, it's a fantastic place for everyone to walk, jog or cycle, whether you’re an aristocrat or not. There are also a few iconic landmarks along the way – keep an eye out for the Hôtel Negresco’s lavish facade, the art-deco Palais de la Méditerranée and the massive iron sculpture La Chaise de SAB, created by Niçoise sculptor Sabine Géraudie.

Just off the promenade is Jardin Albert 1er, a beautiful 19th-century park with ponds, fountains, lawns and shaded areas. Enjoy a spot of sunbathing or a picnic, and if you’re lucky, you may even catch one of the many cultural events that frequently occur in the gardens.

Also known as Vieux Nice, the city’s Old Town is not to be missed. Bursting with character, this neighbourhood is full of colourful buildings with quaint wooden shutters and wrought iron balconies. Lining its cobbled streets are alfresco cafes, old churches and charming little squares. It’s one of our favourite reasons to visit Nice, where you can let your feet guide you down the winding lanes, popping into independent boutiques and ice cream shops along the way. Keen photographers should stop by the Musee de la Photo Charles Negre to check out the vintage cameras and photo exhibitions.

One of the best things to do in the Old Town is visit the Cours Saleya. From Tuesday to Sunday, the square comes alive with the colours and scents of the Marché aux Fleurs, or flower market. Browse the stalls for locally made produce like honey, lavender soap and olives, or pick up a bouquet of fresh flowers to brighten up your room. If you happen to be here on a Monday, don’t worry if you miss the Marché aux Fleurs – instead, you’ll find the Marché à la Brocante with its range of bric-a-brac and antiques.

Foodies will love Nice as the cuisine here is absolutely delicious. Combining Mediterranean, Provençal and Italian influences, you’ll find plenty of fresh seafood, flavoursome soups, and sweet and savoury pastries. One of the most famous dishes is salade Niçoise, a salad with vegetables, anchovies, hard-boiled eggs, tuna and olives. Another well-known dish is ratatouille, a tomato-based stew made with aubergine, courgettes and peppers. You also can’t miss socca, a savoury pancake made from chickpea flour. You’ll find this street food favourite all around the city, which makes for the perfect snack while sightseeing. Another light bite is pissaladière, a savoury tart with caramelised onions, olives and anchovies.

There are also plenty of desserts to satisfy your sweet tooth. Tourte aux blettes is a tart made from Swiss chard (you may think a vegetable in a dessert is odd, but trust us – it’s delicious) and can also include apples, pears, pine nuts and grapes. If you’re around during the Nice Carnival, be sure to try ganses, a deep-fried pastry that melts in your mouth.

For outdoor lovers, one of the best reasons to visit Nice is the range of hiking trails accessible from the city. With such incredible Mediterranean weather, it would be rude not to get out and about. One of our favourite locations is the Mercantour National Park. Covering an area of 650 square kilometres, this vast protected site boasts a variety of stunning landscapes, from lush valleys to peaceful wildflower meadows. You’ll find a handful of charming alpine villages and ski resorts, as well as Lac d’Allos, Europe’s largest high altitude mountain lake. With its turquoise waters and dramatic peaks surrounding it, this is one of the most beautiful walks in the park.

Another popular hiking spot is the Vésubie Valley. Trek through idyllic alpine scenery, enjoying the views of mountains, forests, rivers and sleepy little villages. The valley is also a good spot for canyoning, while thrill-seekers can make the most of the various climbing sites. Don’t forget to swing by Belvedere, a medieval village with pretty buildings and a Baroque church.

Art and architecture often go hand in hand, and Nice is blessed with both. Thanks to its fantastic scenery, Nice and the French Riviera were once popular destinations for famous artists such as Matisse, Picasso, Van Gogh and Chagall. Head to the Musée Matisse to discover a remarkable collection of his paintings, drawings, sculptures and gouache cutouts. Also not to be missed is the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild. Less than a thirty-minute drive from Nice, this magnificent villa was built in the early 20th century for Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, a socialite and art enthusiast. It’s home to her collection, where you can admire ornately decorated rooms packed with amazing art pieces. Outside, the themed gardens offer unrivalled views of the sea.

Meanwhile, architecture lovers can admire the blend of architectural styles found throughout Nice. In addition to the Old Town’s Italian and Provençal techniques, you’ll also find Belle Epoque buildings with their ornate facades and Art Nouveau flourishes. The Art Deco style arrived in Nice in the early 1900s, with many of the city’s buildings featuring geometric patterns and bold colours.

Want to enjoy some live music? We recommend hitting up some of Nice’s excellent jazz clubs. This city has a long history with jazz, dating back to the 1920s when American immigrants brought it over. You’ll come across plenty of bars and venues like Shapko Bar and La Cave Romagnan where you can enjoy jazz, soul, funk and blues – there are often jam sessions lasting well into the early hours. Each summer (usually in July), the Nice Jazz Festival comes to town. Taking place since 1948, it’s one of the best reasons to visit Nice, where local and international musicians take over multiple outdoor stages.

As well as the Nice Jazz Festival, there are plenty of other events happening throughout the year. One of the most famous is the Nice Carnival, usually held in February or early March. This is one of the world’s most popular carnivals, up there with Venice Carnival, the Carnival of Brazil and Mardi Gras. With parades, fireworks, costumes, floats, puppets and lots of music and dance, get ready for a dazzling spectacle of colour.

Music fans shouldn’t miss the Fête de la Musique, or World Music Day. Taking place on the 21st of June each year, everyone from amateur musical groups to professional musicians take over the streets of Nice, performing every kind of genre imaginable. If you’re visiting during the winter, you’ll get to witness the Feast of St Nicholas with its parades, concerts and children’s activities, as well as the festive Christmas markets that fill the city with holiday cheer.

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