This Nice, France 2 day itinerary will show you the top things to do in Nice and how to make the most of your short trip.
Nice is the capital of Côte-d’Azur in the southeastern region of France, and a Mediterranean gem worth a visit.
Known for its pebbled crystal clear Mediterranean beaches and slower lifestyle, Nice is the perfect getaway!
Grab your passport and bags because this Nice, France 2 day itinerary will show you how to make the most of your short 2 day visit.
What To Know Before You Go
Language – French is the official language in France. English is often spoken, though knowing some basic French phrases is helpful.
*From experience, the French appreciate it when you try to speak French.*
- Hello – Bonjour (always start with bonjour!)
- Goodbye- Au revoir
- Thank you – merci
- Please- S’il vous plaît
- Excuse me- Pardon
- How much is it?- Combien ça coûte?
- Do you speak English? -Parlez Anglais?
Currency – France’s currency is Euros (EUR).
1 USD~.95 EUR
Climate- Winters are relatively cold and long in Nice. From November through March Nice has an average high of 60°F. The coldest month of the year is January with an average high of 54°F and an average low of 41°F. The summer months are warm and last around 3 months. From June through September Nice has an average high of 76°F and a low of 68°F, with August being the hottest month of the year.
Safety- Nice is considered one of the safest cities in France, with low crime rates mainly due to the several security cameras around the city. Walking around at night was very safe and I would highly recommend female solo traveling to Nice. Though do keep in mind there is still pickpocketing that may happen.
In case of any emergency, the number to dial is 112.
Daily Budget- I would budget around 50€ to 65€ including food, attractions, and accommodations (a hostel). Food is relatively affordable, you should be spending around 40€ a day on food. Breakfast and lunch prices are cheaper (~10€) compared to dinner prices (20-25€). If you want to upgrade to more comfortable accommodations I would add another 100/200€ per day.
Nice, France 2 Day Itinerary
Day 1 – Exploring The Town
Place Massena
Nice’s main square, characterized by its checkered pavement tiles, its noble “Fountain of the Sun” with a statue of Apollo right in the middle, and its statues sitting on top of polls makes it a great place to people watch. This is a great place to start your Nice tour as you’ll find Nice’s main shopping street and the streets that will connect to the most popular attractions like Vieux Nice, Promenade des Anglais, and La Tour Bellanda! It’s the plaza of all plazas in Nice and it is a can’t miss spot!
Explore Vieux Nice (Old Town)
A place where I suggest getting lost and allowing yourself to have a main character moment. The narrow cobblestone alleyways encircled by vibrant-colored buildings will have you taking pictures every chance you get. Vieux Nice is a popular hub for cafes, bars, restaurants, and shops. The perfect place to discover the authenticity of the French Riviera!
Promenade des Anglais
Take a walk along the Mediterranean coast on the Promenade des Anglais (Walkway of the English) and enjoy the ocean breeze and seafront beach clubs. Promenade des Anglais has a distance of about 7km (4.35 miles) where it is best to take in the scenery, especially for sunset.
Castle Hill / Panorama de la Baie de Anges
If you’re looking for a panoramic view of Nice, climbing up several stairs to get to La Tour Bellanda is so worth it as your reward is a beautiful view of Nice and the Mediterranean sea! You can locate the stairs next to Hotel Suisse. Once up the hill, you can explore cemeteries, the ruins of an old church, and an artificial waterfall. It’s worth climbing up several steps to catch amazing views of Nice and immerse yourself in some of Nice’s history.
The Port
As you’re making your way along the Promenade des Anglais, you will come across the port where several boats and yachts are docked there. A nice scenic view as you enjoy your stroll.
Marché Aux Fleurs Cours Saleya (Flower Market)
Located in the heart of the city, the flower market of Cours Saleya offers flowers, fruits, vegetables, antiques, and artisanal. Locals flock to the flower markets to purchase their daily produce, making for a picturesque shot for tourists. Highly suggest taking a stroll here, especially if you are interested in Nicoise cuisine!
Jardin Albert I
Known to be one of the oldest gardens in Nice, Jardin Albert I is located adjacent to Promenade de Anglais and links to Vieux Nice. It’s popular among locals and tourists enjoying a leisure walk surrounded by fountains, large lawns, and many exotic plants from Japan, China, and Australia to name a few. During the summer months Jardin Albert I is popular for hosting many events and festivals such as the Nice Jazz Festival in July. Jardin Albert I is a peaceful park to spend a relaxing afternoon!
Day 2 – Monaco And an Afternoon At the Beach
Spend a couple of hours in Monaco
It is fairly easy to visit Monaco from Nice. I took the train from Nice to Monaco for 15 euros round trip! The train ride was about 30 minutes with several stops in between. You can take the TER trains from Nice Ville station, where trains depart every 30 minutes to Monaco. Then, you will arrive at Gare de Monaco-Monte Carlo station in about 25-30 minutes. The same train takes you to Éze (between Nice and Monaco) and Menton (by the Italian border) which are other lovely cities on the French Riviera worth visiting as well.
Once you arrive in Monaco you will be greeted with luxury cars and nicely curated parks. Although Monaco can be quite expensive, it is worth spending a few hours visiting The Monte Carlo Casino, Jardin Exotique, Monaco Cathedral, walking around Old Town, and Place du Palais. Then, you can hop back on the train to head back to Nice. Or take a bus to Paloma Beach.
Paloma Beach
A hidden gem to spend a nice relaxing beach day away from tourists. When I think of what a beach on the French Riviera looks like, Paloma Beach is the epitome of that.
Making your way back from Monte Carlo, you should stop at Paloma Beach for an afternoon at the beach. You can hop on 2 buses from Monaco that will take you to this beach. First, you’ll take bus 607 by the Monte Carlo Casino for about 20 minutes then get off at Gare SNCF and take the 15 bus for 8 minutes and get off at Ferme de May. After that, you’ll walk 11 minutes to the beach. It may be helpful to get directions on Google Maps to avoid getting lost.
Once you arrive at Paloma Beach, there is a small beach resort if you want to rent a beach chair for 50€ or get lunch. I opted out of that and just laid beachside and brought some snacks. I highly recommend this beach if you want to have a relaxing afternoon beachside.
Final Thoughts
Ahhh the French Riviera! A slow relaxing getaway where everything feels like a dream. I had an amazing time in Nice, especially as a solo traveler. The food, lifestyle, and best of all the beaches are truly worth visiting.
I believe that in 2 days you can see just about all Nice has to offer from its historical old town to its relaxing beaches. I hope this Nice, France 2 day itinerary was helpful even if you are planning 2 or more days in Nice France.
Thanks for reading this Nice France 2 day itinerary and found it useful to plan your trip.