Curator’s statement
Nice was honestly one of the biggest surprises of my entire South of France trip—and in the best way. We saved it for the end after Cannes and St. Tropez, and if I’m being honest, I expected it to be my least favorite…but it completely proved me wrong. I ended up loving it so much, and it felt like the perfect place to wrap up the trip. After the glamour of Cannes and the high energy of St. Tropez, I felt like Nice brought everything back down to a more relaxed, effortless pace without losing any of the beauty or charm. I loved how the Old Town felt—small, colorful, and almost like a little Italian village—but then you step just outside of it and there’s so much more to explore, from the coastline to the newer parts of the city. It felt incredibly walkable, easy, and just really enjoyable to be in.
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Where to stay in Nice
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Things to do in Nice
Nice flower market
Explore nearby coastal towns
One of my favorite things about staying in Nice was how easy it was to explore the surrounding towns, Èze, Monaco, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat & Villefranche-sur-Mer. We did a day trip to Èze for lunch and it was so simple to get to—and absolutely worth it. We had lunch at Château Eza and the views were unreal, like one of those meals you don’t forget. Each town nearby has its own vibe, but I loved how effortless it felt to experience multiple places while staying in Nice.
Take a private Provence wine tour
This was hands down the highlight of our entire trip. We booked a private wine tour and our guide picked us up right from our hotel, then took us to four different vineyards throughout Provence for tastings and snacks. What made it so special was how connected he was—it honestly felt like he was best friends with everyone, and we got access to areas and experiences that other guests didn’t. It felt completely VIP and so personal, and I would recommend this to anyone. If you’re interested, I can absolutely help set this up—it was one of those unforgettable days.
Explore the Cours Saleya Flower Market
We arrived in Nice on a Sunday and the Cours Saleya Flower Market was in full swing, which made it such a perfect introduction to the city—it was the very first thing we did. I loved how lively and colorful it felt right away, with flowers, food stands, and local vendors everywhere. We ended up browsing the stalls, picking up postcards, and I even grabbed some lavender essential oils from a few great local vendors. It was such a simple moment, but it really set the tone for how much I ended up loving Nice.
Beach day along the pebble beaches
The beaches in Nice are definitely different (hello, pebbles), but the water is so clear and refreshing, and the overall vibe felt much more relaxed compared to Cannes and St. Tropez. We spent one of our beach days at Castel Plage, which was lovely because it felt a bit more secluded being right at the end of the beach. It was the perfect spot to lay out, order drinks, and just enjoy a slower day by the water without the full beach club scene energy.
Places to eat & drink in Nice
Bocca Mar truffle pasta
Bocca Nissa
Bocca Nissa is a lively rooftop restaurant in Old Town with a fun, social atmosphere. The vibe was really energetic, with great food, cocktails, and a crowd that picks up as the night goes on. It’s perfect for a girls’ night out that feels festive but still stylish. I preferred this vibe to the sister Restauarnt Bocca Mar, which is on the beach, which may be an unpopular opinion. While both had great food, Bocca Nissa’s greenery filled rooftop right in the middle of Old Town had a fun vibe.
Bocca Mar Nice
Bocca Mar is the sister restaurant to Bocca Nissa, and it’s right on the beach. Like many places on this trip, I ordered the Truffle Pasta and it was phenomenal. We ended up staying after dinner, and it completely transformed into a beach club vibe with a DJ and people dancing—it felt like a full night out without ever leaving the sand. Also random but worth mentioning… it has one of the coolest restaurant bathrooms I’ve ever seen, which honestly just added to how memorable the whole place was.
Le Plongeoir Nice
We went to Le Plongeoir because it felt like one of those “you have to go once” spots—it’s so famous online and the setting is undeniably incredible. Sitting over the water is such a unique experience, and I totally understand why people are drawn to it for the views and the photos. That said, I’ll be honest—the food didn’t stand out to me as much as other places we went, and it’s also a bit outside the main part of town. If you’re short on time in Nice, I’d probably skip it, but if you have a few extra days, it’s still worth experiencing at least once for the setting alone.
Chez Acchiardo
Chez Acchiardo ended up being one of those dinners that just felt really special in a simple, authentic way. It’s family-run, and you can feel that the second you walk in—the atmosphere is warm, welcoming, and completely unpretentious. I loved being able to sit down and have a more traditional Niçoise meal after a few days of trendier spots. It felt like a true local experience and was the perfect cozy dinner after a full day of exploring.
Le Panier Nice
Le Panier was one of our more elevated dinners in Nice, and it definitely felt like a step up in terms of the overall experience. The setting is intimate and refined, and every course felt really thoughtful and beautifully presented. I remember leaving thinking it was one of the most memorable meals of the trip. If you’re looking to do one nicer, more culinary-focused dinner in Nice, this is such a good choice.
Need to know
Stay in Old Town for the best experience: Staying in Old Town is definitely the way to go, especially if it’s your first time in Nice. I loved waking up and stepping right out into the colorful streets, grabbing coffee nearby, and being in the middle of all the charm. It felt so much more local, and authentic, but still super walkable to the beach and newer parts of the city. Just keep in mind, it’s not easy for cars to drive through Old Town. We had to get dropped off a couple blocks away from our hotel since it was in a no-car zone.
If you’re traveling to Nice from a different city, get a private transfer: One of the things we were debating while planning our trip was if we should save money and just get a taxi to get from St. Tropez to Nice. Thank god we didn’t do that. We ended up setting up a private transfer for the transition and it was so worth it. The drive is long and to be in a comfortable car with all our luggage was worth the extra money. Need help setting up a private transfer? Contact me and I can get one set up for you.
End your South of France trip in Nice: Ending the trip in Nice was definitely the best decision as it made the departure so easy. It’s just a short Uber ride to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, which took so much stress out of a travel day. After a busy trip, I really appreciated having a simple, seamless exit rather than having to drive over an hour to get to the airport.
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Kelley Franklin
Kelley Franklin
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