A Traveler's Guide to Nice: Insider Tips for Visitors

[Velimira Velikova]

Nice is one of Europe’s oldest tourist resorts and the beach is right in town, just a stone’s throw from shopping, entertainment and culture in the world. Nice is France‘s fifth largest city and a perfect destination for those who want to combine sunbathing with sightseeing. Furthermore, it is only a day trip away to the mountains and the beautiful Provencal villages.

1. Stunning 7 km of beach right in town

Promenade des Anglais is a 7 km long walk avenue along the Mediterranean coast. The crowd here is an exciting mix of everything – from casual beach loungers to sophisticated ladies on their high horses or limos. It is close to the city center where are all the lovely restaurants, shopping and culture.

2. Loads of charm in the Old Town

Someone once said that Nice gets prettier the further east you go, and the old parts of town have really been blessed with a unrivaled charm. Although this is the tourist district, it is still nice to stroll down the streets and wander among the old houses. One of the terraces in the marketplace Cours Saleya is the perfect place to wait for the evening.

3. Cap Ferrat – beaches and billionaires

Would you like a taste of the Beverly Hills upscale lifestyle? Then an excursion to Cap Ferrat, a peninsula into the Mediterranean Sea, 20 minutes drive, east from Nice, is just the right experience for you.

4. Close to Provence

Tucked away in the mountains, behind the town are many charming mountain villages, where you can sit in the shade and enjoy in the lavender scented air.

5. The artsy Riviera

This area has attracted artists for centuries and in the city there are both Chagall and Matisse own museums and MAMAC, the museum of modern art, is a great addition.

6. Shopping

No wonder Nice is one of women’s favorite places – the exclusive boutiques around Place Macena, Nice Etoile shopping mall and large shopping centers in the outskirts, make the city just the place to be, especially with a credit card in hand .

7. The best of two cultures

The local cuisine is an unique blend of French and Italian, Provence and the Mediterranean. Of course, you should taste the city’s salad, Nicoise (consists of egg and tuna or anchovies) and the brown fish soup de poisson.

8. Affordable chick

The best thing about the city of Nice is that it offers extravagant living to travelers with any budget. Rent a holiday apartment for your holiday in Nice and save 50% on accommodation.

 

[TED JONES]

Good post Vilemira - take it from a long-time resident. Just one brief comment: a former mayor of the city, Jacques Medecin who wrote a book on the subject, once told me, "hard-boiled eggs have no place in a salade nicoise"!

Ted, (Author: The French Riviera: A Literary Guide)