Nice, France
48 hours in Nice, France
Where to stay, eat, shop and play in Nice
Want to make the most of your weekend in Nice? This sun-soaked city on the French Riviera, located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region of southern France, is a sensory delight. The air carries the scent of lavender and citrus mingled with the salty breeze of the Mediterranean. Pastel-coloured buildings with wrought-iron balconies line the narrow, winding streets, creating a vibrant mosaic of colours against the deep blue sky. The city hums with life, from the lively markets overflowing with fresh produce and flowers to the elegant squares where cafés spill out onto cobblestone pavements. Our curated 48-hour city guide captures the essence of Nice, directing you to the best spots to stay, dine, shop and experience the unique blend of French sophistication and Mediterranean charm that defines this beautiful coastal city.
Day 01
15.00
It’s check-in time
You’ve arrived. To make the most of your stay, the old adage ‘location, location, location’ holds true when selecting a hotel in Nice – your base for the upcoming days. Centrally located, intimate and exquisitely designed, Hôtel du Couvent ticks all the boxes. Just a stone’s throw from the city centre, shops, beaches and the old town with its ancient market, Cours Saleya, this spot offers easy access to all of the city’s neighbourhoods and has an abundance of restaurants, bars, shops and other attractions nearby. Hôtel du Couvent opened in June 2024 after a decade of renovations transformed the old convent.
Read the full article on Hôtel du Couvent. Also read the article on the best luxury and boutique hotels in Nice.
Hôtel du Couvent
1 Rue Honoré Ugo
Nice
France
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Photography courtesy of DePasquale+Maffini and Hôtel du Couvent
17.00
Time for a tipple
Le Bar du Negresco is a timeless place that invites you into a world of glamour and history. Located within the iconic Le Negresco, this bar exudes the elegance of the Belle Époque era. Opened in 1913, it has hosted a myriad of illustrious guests, from royalty to movie stars. The bar’s opulent decor creates an atmosphere of sophisticated old-world luxury. Try their signature cocktails, the Negresco Special and the Belle Époque Martini. A visit to Le Bar du Negresco is not a cliché but truly a journey through time.
If you have the time, do check out Les Distilleries Idéales, a beloved local haunt exuding old-world charm and a lively, convivial spirit and The Delano, known for its crafted cocktails, whether classic favourites or innovative creations. Also, read our article on Nice’s best rooftop bars.
Le Bar
37 Promenade des Anglais
Nice
France
Photography courtesy of Le Bar
19.00
Dinner with the stars
Restaurant Jan is a culinary Nice destination that blends South African roots with French elegance. Established by Chef Jan Hendrik van der Westhuizen, the first South African chef to earn a Michelin star, this intimate eatery is set in a former 20th-century motorcycle repair shop. The decor reflects a chic, rustic charm with a contemporary twist. Signature dishes like the biltong, a South African cured meat and the sublime truffle risotto showcase an exquisite fusion of flavours. Highlights include the seasonal tasting menu and the meticulously curated wine pairings.
If fine dining is not what you want on your first and perhaps jetlagged evening in Nice, we recommend La Petite Maison, Les Amoureux or why not Rouge, a charming eatery with easy going and friendly staff.
Restaurant Jan
12 Rue Lascaris
Nice
France
Photography courtesy of Restaurant Jan
Day 02
9.00
Breakfast for champions
With its location right in the heart of where things are happening, The Garden Café offers a serene escape for breakfast enthusiasts. This café provides a refreshing start to the day just opposite the leafy Jardin Alsace Lorraine. But come early. During the most hectic season, lines can at times be long. The history of the café is intertwined with the local community and has served as a popular spot for morning gatherings since the early 2000s. Their breakfast menu features delisious avocado toasts topped with poached eggs along with flaky, buttery croissants washed down with un petit noir – local lingo for an espresso. Seasonal fruit bowls and freshly squeezed juices add a fresh touch. From here, you are all set to hit the town properly energised!
Other breakfast venues that we like in Nice are Maizon, located behind the MAMAC Museum of Modern Art and close to Place Garibaldi, or Café Marché in the Old Town.
The Garden Café
37 Bd Gambetta
Nice
France
Photography courtesy of Garden Café
10.00
Hit the beach
Nice offers a wide range of private beach clubs, each with their own style and level of refinement. If you want something a little different, we definitely recommend Hôtel Amour Plage which is a stylish beach club that blends comfort and sophistication. Like all the rest, it is located on the famous Promenade des Anglais, it features chic decor and a relaxed atmosphere. The beach club is part of the Hôtel Amour, known for its eclectic style and unique furnishings, curated by founders Emmanuel Delavenne, André Saraiva and Thierry Costes. If you’re feeling peckish, the dining experience at Hôtel Amour Plage offers local cuisine and Niçoise specialities. The bar serves an array of refreshing cocktails and provides an endless supply of bone dry chilled rosé wines.
Other beach club suggestions from us include Beau Rivage and Ruhl Plage. To blend with the locals, the public beaches are clean and accessible at no cost and provide fresh water showers to rid yourself from the salty Mediterranean water. A personal favourite for a refreshing dip is by the cliffs right below Palais Miramar. Here too, a fresh water shower is provided.
Hôtel Amour Plage
47 Promenade des Anglais
Nice
France
Photography courtesy of Hôtel Amour Plage
12.00
Lunch and rosé on the patio
Le Patio restaurant is located on the roof of the phenomenally located La Pérouse hotel, which reopened in 2023 after a thorough refurb. Finding Le Patio is a little tricky, so ask at the ground floor front desk. Once there you will have an extraordinary dining experience that captures the essence of the French Riviera. The restaurant boasts a secluded terrace shaded by lemon trees and filled with the fragrant scent of jasmine. The ambiance, enriched by Studio Friedmann & Versace’s recent renovations, combines modern riviera lux elegance with artistic touches inspired by Riviera icons like Cocteau and Matisse. Chef Damien Andrews, with a pedigree from Michelin-starred kitchens, has crafted a menu that showcases the best of Provençal cuisine. Signature dishes such as the daurade carpaccio with raspberry and ginger, and the tender tomahawk beef, exemplify his dedication to local flavors and refined culinary technique.
If you are in the market for something simpler but equally tasty, we suggest the charming restaurant Rouge, open all day, on the port-side of Castle Hill, or why not Bubu Burger or Hely. All come highly recommended.
Le Patio
11 Quai Rauba Capeu
Nice
France
Photography courtesy of La Pérouse
13.00
Take a stroll around Vieux Nice and Cours Saleya
A gentle stroll through Nice’s old town, or Vieux Nice, is a sensory delight that immerses you in the vibrant heart of the historic part of the city. The narrow, winding streets are flanked by pastel-hued buildings, their shutters closed, letting in the Mediterranean breeze but protecting from the midday sunshine. As you wander, the air is filled with the scent of freshly baked bread, herbs and the lively chatter of locals and visitors. The architecture, a blend of Baroque and Italian influences, showcases centuries-old charm.
The historic Cours Saleya, a bustling market square, is a must-visit. Here, stalls brim with colourful flowers, local produce and artisanal goods, offering a true taste of Provence. Don’t miss the daily flower market, a feast for the eyes and a fragrant reminder of Nice’s beauty.
15.00
Get your caffeine fixe
Even the most adrenaline-filled and motivated visitor needs a caffeine break every now and then. Mid-afternoon is the perfect time for a coffee and a pastry. Admittedly, we have an affinity for a pain au chocolat, but a flaky and buttery plain croissant is truly a must for a first time visitor! The list of delicious baked goods available in Nice goes on and on – whether typical French staples or delicacies from other parts of the world. So before continuing your Nice exploration, head to Café Fino for a refreshing ice latte in a sleek and cool Scandi style setting with plenty of opportunities for excellent people-watching before heading back out.
Regardless of being into the French national sport of road cycling or not, We really like Café du Cyliste in Port Lympia. It is lively and fun, and a pit stop for cyclists in need of a picker-upper. Other popular coffe places are Aux Délices de la Buffa, known for excellent pastries, but with limited seating, or Chez Maitre Pierre, both traditionally styled Niçois cafés.
Café Fino
39 Rue Gioffredo
Nice
France
Photography courtesy of Café Fino
16.00
Visit Port Lympia and do som antiquing
Before cocktail hour, head to the antique quarter of Nice. Along with the rest of the neigbourhoods around Port Lympia, Nice’s old port, this whole area has been spruced up, painted, polished and cleaned in later years and is home to an increasing number of eateries, bars and shops.
The antiques quarter, located on the west side of the old port is a must visit for antique buffs. Curated selections of anything from Louis XIV to modern classics can be found. The days of a great bargain might be gone, but there’s always wiggle room for some negotiation. If there’s a need for a quick hydration stop, a craft beer at BDA Bar at Rue Cassini is a great alternative.
17.00
Sip all natural
La Part des Anges is a bar and wine merchant, located in a quiet residential area just a few blocks from Place Massena. They were natural wine pioneers in Nice and to this day, the majority of their offerings fall under that category of wines. After a day of exploring in the hustle and bustle that is central Nice, winding down with an ice cold glass of dry Provençal rosé on a quiet backstreet might be just what the body and mind needs. And just so you know, asking for ice cubes to put in that wine is not frowned upon! If you fancy something else, the menu contains a host of small batch wines of different colours from independent producers in the region and elsewhere. Red, white, orange and rosé – whatever you fancy, you’ll find it here. La Part des Anges is a lovely place to wind down and get ready for dinner while listening to the patron’s chatter and interactions with regulars.
Another great option is Pure Vins, just around the corner. Also a popular destination among wine lovers, albeit less specialised, but with a nice vibe (and full restaurant). If you prefer something livelier and with arguably better people watching, head to B Club, a rooftop bar in, or rather on, the Boscolo Exedra Hotel.
La Part des Anges
17 Rue Gubernatis
Nice
France
Photography courtesy of La Part des Anges
19.00
Catch of the day
Tucked away on Rue Bonaparte, Peixes is a hidden gem that captures the essence of Mediterranean dining with a modern twist. The intimate setting is characterised by its nautical-themed decor – think deep blues and whites, with subtle hints of maritime charm right in the heart of Nice. The open kitchen adds a lively buzz to the atmosphere, where the sizzle of fresh seafood fills the air. As you settle into one of the cosy tables, you’ll notice the attention to detail, from the thoughtfully curated wine list to the carefully plated dishes. Don’t miss the ceviche, a vibrant blend of citrus and spice, or the grilled sardines, perfectly charred and bursting with flavour.
Another recommendation is Flaveur. The restaurant’s small size ensures an exclusive experience, with attentive service that makes you feel like the centre of attention. But do book ahead! If that is fully booked, try Sejour Café whose menu is a celebration of refined comfort food and decor is a blend of classic and contemporary in the spirit of the Côte d’Azur.
Peixes
5 Rue Bonaparte
Nice
France
Photography courtesy of Peixes
Day 03
9.00
Start out gently
The following might almost sound a little cliché, but at Hôtel Amour in Nice, breakfast is an enchanting affair that feels more like a leisurely feast than a mere morning meal. We absolutely love the courtyard, lush with greenery and bathed in the soft morning light, offers a serene escape from the city. The fact that it is air conditioned in summer helps! Mismatched chairs and eclectic decor create a bohemian-chic vibe, inviting you to linger just a bit longer. The scent of freshly baked croissants and rich coffee fills the air, mingling with the sounds of gentle conversation. Indulge in scrambled eggs, creamy and light, served with crusty baguette and artisanal butter, or treat yourself to the house-made granola with yoghurt and fresh berries to mark the start of your last day in Nice.
If you are looking for a more hip and buzzing morning vibe to get you started, head to Déli Bo Café that offers an extensive menu to a hip crowd of both visitors and locals. Or head to Mama Baker, artisanal bakery with a modern twist and cool interior. A great selection of breads and gluten free alternatives.
Hôtel Amour
3 Av. des Fleurs
Nice
France
Photography courtesy of Hôtel Amour
10.00
Get a bit of culture
The Musée National Marc Chagall in Nice is a captivating tribute to the Russian-French artist, housing the world’s largest public collection of his works. The museum opened in 1973 with Chagall’s personal involvement and was specifically designed to showcase his Biblical Message series that contains 17 large-scale paintings that vividly reimagine scenes from the Old Testament. The museum’s architecture is modern and harmonious, with clean lines and an abundance of natural light that complements the vibrant colours of Chagall’s art. The intimate chapel-like room, featuring Chagall’s monumental stained glass windows, is particularly striking. Remarkably, Chagall designed the building’s gardens himself, ensuring they reflected the serenity and spirituality of his work. A visit here is an immersion in Chagall’s dreamlike, mystical world and a memory to bring home.
To further your cultural and artistic immersion, we also strongly recommend Musée Matisse that celebrates the artist’s strong connection to Nice, where he lived for over 40 years. If you fancy architecture rather than art, a visit to Palais Lascaris is a must. It is a gem that transports you to the grandeur of the 17th century and the opulent residence of the Lascaris-Vintimille family.
Musée National Marc Chagall
Av. Dr Ménard
Nice
France
Photography courtesy of Musée National Marc Chagall
12.00
The last meal
For your final meal in Nice, we strongly recommend family run Chez Davia. As unassuming as it is from the outside, as warm, inviting and beautiful it is on the inside. Often packed to the brim, booking ahead is a must. The tables are packed in tightly, but the more the merrier! And the friendly staff is always making the most of the experience. The menu celebrates traditional Italian cuisine, with dishes crafted from fresh, seasonal ingredients, with a French twist. Highlights include the handmade pasta, such as the tagliatelle al tartufo, rich with the earthy aroma of truffles, and the perfectly tender osso buco, simmered to melt-in-your-mouth perfection.
Comptoir du Marché in the old town is another spot that is well liked and comes highly recommended but usually closed during the month of August. A hidden gem in the true sense is La Merenda. Run by Michelin chef Dominique Le Stanc this eatery is both authentic and exceptional.
Chez Davia
11bis Rue Grimaldi
Nice
France
Photography courtesy of Chez Davia
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