Nice Holidays

Located on the glittering French Riviera between Monaco and Cannes, Nice is the sun-soaked capital of the Côte d’Azur, a city of pastel-coloured Old Town streets, palm-lined promenades and turquoise Mediterranean water, where beach life, art, food and southern French elegance combine into one of Europe’s most iconic coastal escapes.

Nice Holiday Highlights 2026

• Mediterranean glamour, Italian influence and Riviera sunsets, Nice is the French Riviera at its most vibrant and accessible 🇫🇷🌊

• Vieux Nice (Old Town) – a maze of ochre-coloured alleyways, baroque churches, flower markets and bustling squares that feels more Italian than French thanks to centuries of Savoyard and Italian rule

• Promenade des Anglais – the legendary seafront boulevard stretching along the Bay of Angels, lined with palms, beach clubs and Belle Époque hotels overlooking the Mediterranean

• Beaches with Riviera views – from the lively central beaches beneath the Promenade to quieter coves east towards Cap de Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer

• Incredible food scene – fresh seafood, Niçoise cuisine, Provençal markets and some of the best Mediterranean dining anywhere in France

• Easy Riviera access – Monaco, Cannes, Antibes, Èze and Saint-Tropez are all reachable as day trips from Nice by train, ferry or coastal road

• Brilliant climate – over 300 days of sunshine a year with warm Mediterranean summers and mild winters that make Nice a year-round destination

Good to Know - Holidays to Nice ☀️

• ☀️ Summer temperatures average 27 to 31°C from June to August with long sunny days and warm Mediterranean water perfect for swimming from late spring into early autumn

• 💶 France uses the Euro (€). Nice is more expensive than Spain or Portugal but still manageable outside peak season, with coffee around €2, wine from €5 and restaurant mains typically €15 to €30

• 🏖️ Nice’s beaches are mostly smooth pebbles rather than sand, bringing some of the clearest water on the Riviera. Water shoes are highly recommended for comfort

• 🚋 Nice has one of the best public transport systems on the Riviera with trams connecting the airport directly to the city centre in under 30 minutes

• 🎨 Nice has long attracted artists including Matisse, Chagall and Picasso, drawn by the Riviera light, Mediterranean colours and relaxed southern atmosphere

🏖️ Best Beaches In Nice 2026

At over 4.5km long, Nice’s main stretch of sand is a magnet for sun-seekers, with both public and private sections spread around the bay, we won't be surprised if you struggle to choose, so we thought we'd do you a solid and give you some of our faves as a starting point - check em out:

• Plage Beau Rivage - the largest beach in Nice, so you know it's packing a punch with plenty of sand and sea to scratch those jolly itches - oh and this a Green Beach if that makes your ears perk up.

• Plage Blue Beach - this beach is private, so you might not be able to plonk down on it for free, but we reckon the calm vibes and stun restaurants are enough to sway your pennies.

• Opéra Plage - a true taste of luxury, this private beach is a place to be pampered to your hearts content with gourmet restaurants and lush waters.

• Castel Plage - a day by the sea with a side serving of style and sophistication, this popular private beach is one of the best places to enjoy the sun, sea and sand.

• Coco Beach - this is a true hidden gem set towards the city’s southern tip tucked away from the tourist trails. Picture it: pristine sands, azure waters a snorkellers and swimmers dream along the crystal-clear shoreline. If you wanna indulge your wanderlust even more, ferries to Corsica set sail just a mile up the coast.

• Hi Beach - never heard of a beach greeting you before... but this one welcomes you in all it's private Mediterranean glory with a beach club, delish dining spots and plenty of space to lay a towel down and keep that bronze skin bronzing.

📍 Where to Stay in Nice 2026

Vieux Nice (Old Town)

The most atmospheric part of the city with lively squares, restaurants, bars and narrow historic streets just steps from the beach. Ideal for couples and first-time visitors wanting Riviera atmosphere from morning until late evening.

Promenade des Anglais

Classic Riviera hotel territory with sea views, beach access and some of Nice’s most famous hotels directly facing the Mediterranean. Perfect for those wanting relaxed beach days and sunset walks.

Jean-Médecin & City Centre

Best for shopping, transport links and overall convenience. Easy tram access to the airport, beaches and train station makes this an excellent base for wider Riviera exploration.

Cimiez

A quieter, greener hillside district north of the centre known for Belle Époque villas, Roman ruins and museums dedicated to Matisse and Chagall. Ideal for visitors wanting a calmer, more refined stay.

🏨 Hotels To Stay at in Nice

When it comes to booking a holiday to Nice in 2024, we know the top of your priorities is gonna be what swanky hotel you can bag yourself, whether it's a cheap holiday or something totally last-minute, we've got you covered. From boujee rooms, to the perfect amenities, these hotels are some of our faves:

• NH Nice - it felt appropriate to start with this central spot close to old town that comes with a boujee rooftop pool and bar - they even do barbecues up there in Summer!

• Le Riviera Collection, BW Signature Collection - an art deco fanatics dream in the heart of Nice only a short stroll away from the nearest beach.

• La Perouse Nice - this one is perfect for a relaxing jolly - we're talking a gorge outdoor pool, a sauna and a gym. You'll be back in touch with yourself in no time.

• Le Meridien Nice - a heated rooftop pool and a 9th floor spa centre, the perfect way to relax in bliss with ultimate views of the Mediterranean.

• HI Hotel Eco Spa & Beach - king-size beds, stunning pool, massage treatments... sounds like the kinda stuff dreams are made of if you ask us.

• Villa La Tour - this lush hotel is nestled in the centre of Old Town, which means your steps away from all the culture you could ever hope for from your holiday to Nice, better yet you're not far away from the beach either, this is what Hannah Montana meant when she said, "you get the best of both worlds".

🗣️ Local Lingo

• Bonjour (bon-ZHOOR) – Hello

• Merci (mehr-SEE) – Thank you

• S’il vous plaît (seel voo PLEH) – Please

• Oui / Non (wee / non) – Yes / No

• Combien ça coûte ? (kom-BYEN sa KOOT) – How much does it cost?

• Santé ! (san-TAY) – Cheers!

• Au revoir (oh ruh-VWAHR) – Goodbye

• Boulangerie (boo-lon-zher-EE) – Bakery

• Apéro (ah-pay-ROH) – Pre-dinner drinks and snacks, essentially a Riviera way of life

🗺️ Nice Holidays 2026 – Travel Guide

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Families

🏖️ The beaches along the Promenade are extremely family-friendly with calm summer water, lifeguards and easy access to cafés, ice cream shops and public facilities.

🚂 The little tourist train climbing Castle Hill is always popular with younger children and gives brilliant views across the Bay of Angels without the steep walk.

🐠 Marineland Antibes, about 25 minutes away by train, remains one of the Riviera’s best-known family attractions with aquariums, dolphin shows and water activities.

🍦 Evening walks through Vieux Nice are perfect for families, especially around Place Rossetti where gelato shops and street performers keep the atmosphere lively well into the evening.

💑 Couples

🌅 Sunset from Castle Hill (Colline du Château) is one of the classic Riviera experiences, with panoramic views stretching from the Old Town across the entire Bay of Angels.

🍷 Long lunches in Vieux Nice are part of the city’s rhythm, especially in shaded squares where seafood, rosé wine and slow afternoons become the entire plan for the day.

⛵ Day trips to Monaco, Èze or Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat offer some of the most romantic scenery anywhere on the Mediterranean coast.

🚤 Sunset cruises departing from Nice Port provide spectacular Riviera coastline views as the city lights begin reflecting across the bay.

🎉 Groups

🍸 The Old Town bars around Rue de la Préfecture and Cours Saleya are where most evenings begin, with cocktail terraces and wine bars spilling into the streets throughout summer.

🎶 Nice’s beach clubs become increasingly lively into the evening, particularly along the Promenade where DJs and sunset sessions continue late into the night.

🎰 Monaco nightlife is only around 25 minutes away by train, making Nice an excellent base for groups wanting both beach days and high-end Riviera nights out.

🍹 Rooftop bars including those around Place Masséna and the Promenade offer some of the best sunset drinks spots anywhere on the Côte d’Azur.

🌍 Other Destinations

🌍 More French Riviera

🇲🇨 Monaco – superyachts, casinos and cliffside glamour packed into the world’s second-smallest country

🏖️ Cannes – luxury beach clubs, designer shopping and the world-famous film festival city on the Riviera coast

🌅 Saint-Tropez – glamorous beach clubs, pastel harbour streets and Mediterranean nightlife legend status

🏰 Èze – a spectacular medieval hilltop village overlooking the Riviera between Nice and Monaco

🌍 More Southern Europe

🇮🇹 Amalfi Coast – dramatic cliffside villages, lemon groves and some of Europe’s most beautiful coastal scenery

🇪🇸 Barcelona – beach city energy, Gaudí architecture and nightlife that rivals anywhere in Europe

🇭🇷 Dubrovnik – medieval walls, Adriatic sunsets and one of the most photogenic cities in the Mediterranean

🇵🇹 Algarve – golden cliffs, Atlantic beaches and some of the best-value sunshine holidays in Western Europe