Drawn in by the Beauty of Nice
Striking the perfect balance between big city (France’s fifth largest) and laid back coastal town, Nice is an undisputed gem on France’s Mediterranean coast.
What to see
There is plenty to see in Nice. Take time to explore the park, the old city, and the port. Make your way up the Ancient Chateau to catch a fantastic view. Make it a walk or hike if you’re feeling energetic. Otherwise, take le Petit Train, which travels up here and stops for ten mins for you to have a quick look around before descending. If you are in Nice for 48 hours, do a day tour, this city is in a great location and provides easy access to make a day trip to the Antibes a quiet seaside town, or luxurious Monaco (it’s also cheaper than staying the night!). Goway offers a day excursion to Monaco. The Hills of Provence are located behind you, just begging to be explored, while art lovers can dive into the Musee Matisse or Musee Chagall. Goway’s Nice stopover is an excellent introduction and takes in some of the highlights of this destination.
Where to stay
In some destinations, it doesn’t make much difference where your hotel is. However, we strongly recommend staying in central Nice, close to the coast and the main park, a great spot to relax in between sightseeing. Be sure to snap a few pictures of the water dancing out of the tiles in a space the size of half a soccer pitch, while locals relax on the grass or take their children on the classic carousel. The Nice tourist office is also located in the northern part of the park and has plenty of information about goings-on in the city. It is easy to wander from the top of the park down to the waterfront to explore the pebble beach. Le Petit Train and the Hop on Hop off buses both have pick-ups near the sea.
Eating in Nice
The French are known for cuisine. You will also find plenty of Italian influence here, with lots of olive oil used as olives grow in this area of France. There are plenty of excellent restaurant options in the Old Quarter, with lots of outdoor seating. Most cafes are open and serving dinner by 6:30 pm, but you will find a smaller selection before then for an early dinner or late lunch. For something trendier, drop by the waterfront in the Old Quarter. There are plenty of two-story bar/restaurants offering a larger variety of food and a great view of the sea. The balconies on these historic buildings are only big enough for a row of chairs looking straight out and eating at a bar-style countertop, so while it’s not ideal for someone planning on staring into their dinner companion’s eyes, it’s perfect for enjoying the stunning view.
The Boscolo Plaza hotel on the park has a fantastic rooftop bar that looks over the park, out to the Mediterranean. It is open to non-guests and is open all year round, though they do close for dinner in the winter, as locals find it too cool to eat outside. Goway’s 6 day Nice and the Côte d’Azur is ideal for those with at least 6 days.
