Traveling is the thing that fills our souls with memories and positivity. France is a place that’s full of love and beauty, and there’s no way you can experience it to the fullest without going to Nice. It’s an amazing place that’s full of attractions for new tourists, and it’s one of the best ways to experience the local culture.
An optimal time to see everything is three days, but even if you’re passing by, you can pack everything into a single day. Here are some of the best things that you can see in this city, and how to schedule your day so that you don’t lose any time. Click on this link to read more.
The Promenade
The English promenade is the thing that you absolutely need to see. It’s seven kilometers long, and this is the essence of the city. It’s always full of lively people, and this landmark got its name because it was the favorite place to go for English people during the winter.
Now, it has evolved to become the most popular thing in the city. If you’re just passing by and you don’t have enough time to walk it entirely, then the best thing to do would be to rent a bike. This will make it much quicker.
Or, if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of renting a bike, stroll through the old town all the way to the Hotel Negresco. This will give you an idea of the place. If you want to thoroughly enjoy the place, you can also get a tour. This will include a guide who will tell you everything about the history, the castles, and the landmarks.
The Old Town
When you travel, it’s important to think of the history of the people that lived before you. This place is filled with a typical Mediterranean look, as well as colorful buildings and short alleys. Every morning, in the early hours, the Cours Saleya becomes the liveliest place in the town.
Tons of people gather together and open a flea market. For you, this will be a great way to sit down and eat and drink breakfast at a restaurant or a café. Watching the people haggle for everything and all the happy noise will instill a nostalgic feel into your body, even if this is the first time you have ever come there.
It will make you feel connected to the times where global trade wasn’t a thing, and everything was sold peer to peer. In the old town, there are also a couple of other things that you can do. Going to Castle Hill is quite close, and there are also the Courthouse Square and the Rossetti Square.
The Castle Hill
Just like the name sounds, this is an old castle that was built all the way back in the 11th century. It was used as a military base all the way until the 18th century. This place has a lot of stories to tell. The strategic point is marvelously placed since you can look at the entire city.
The people who built it chose that spot because you can see enemies coming from far away. The view from there is breathtaking. You can visit Leiebilguiden – Leiebil Nice for more info. However, that’s not all there is to it. It’s open to the public, and you can walk the stairs inside like a soldier would.
If you go through the entire structure, you can even take a look at the cemetery, which is the perfect place to see the sunset. During the summer months, it’s open from 8 AM all the way until 8 PM, so you can have the chance to see the sunset at least once.
The Beaches
The beaches are a beautiful sight when you see them on a postcard or on social media like Instagram or Facebook. But, there’s one peculiar thing about them. The pebbles that look like marbles aren’t that comfortable to walk on like small sand.
Another interesting thing about the beaches is that the water gets deep quite quickly. This means that you won’t be able to splash around and have a fun family time with your kids. However, there are plenty of activities that you can do instead.
One of those things is parasailing. There are also guided diving and snorkeling tours that will make you feel like one with the sea. If you want to experience an adventure, then kayaking and jet skiing would definitely be a better option.
The Russian Orthodox Cathedral
This is a protected historical monument. It’s the most important Orthodox building outside of Russia. This is definitely a place to see if you’re a Christian. Sure, the Catholics and the orthodox have their difference, but the premise is still the same.
This is a church that has a different architecture than everything you know, and you can go inside and see all of the frescas of famous saints. One of the ways in which orthodox believers express their faith is by painting the saints in different biblical stories.
The contrast you will feel from everything you know will be stark, but it will definitely make you feel closer to God. You can get to this place by taking a bus, or you can walk there, depending on how much time you have available.
The Coastal Walk
Many tourists don’t know that you can get to Villefranche Sur Mer from Nice, and you can walk next to the sea for the majority of the time. Everyone wants to walk near a body of water. There’s something about the breeze and the saltiness that freshens up the air and makes you walk lighter.
You start the walk-in Nice, and it will take you less than two hours to get to Villefranche Sur Mer. There are two parts to the walk, and you can pick where you want to start and finish. The way back is best by bus since you’ll get to see another part of the city. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can also do this by boat.
Find more travel ideas in our archives.
Meg is an author at Cinnamon Hollow. She writes on a variety of topics sharing tips and ideas for daily life.
