How to spend 2 Days in Nice: The Best Itinerary + Where to Stay

You’re planning to spend 2 days in Nice and you’re looking for the best things to do?

You’re at the right place!

In order to help you plan your stay, I have prepared for you the perfect 2-day itinerary in Nice.

As Nice is my hometown, I know the city very well, so you can be sure to discover the best of Nice by following this guide (including hidden gems unknown to most tourists!)

During your trip, you will discover iconic location of Nice such as the Promenade des Anglais, Nice old town or the Castle Hill as well as the best places to visit in the surroundings.

In addition to the best things to do and activities for each stage of your itinerary, I will also give you all my best tips and accommodation suggestions depending on your budget.

So, what are the best places to visit in Nice in 2 days? Where to stay?

Let’s find out!

One Last Tip for a Perfect 2-Day Stay in Nice

If you already know your travel dates (or as soon as you will have them!), you should really book your accommodation.

As Nice is one the most touristic city in France, the hotels offering the best value for money are often fully booked months in advance.

As a seasoned traveler, I can assure you that it’s always by planning as far in advance as possible that I’ve found the best hotels or apartments deals.

You agree that it would be a shame to somewhat ruin your stay in Nice by ending up in a not-so-great hotel that costed you a fortune, right? 😅

So your best bet is to take 5 minutes now to have a look at traveler’s favorite hotels in Nice.

And if you like one of the hotels you find, book it!

It’s fast, it’s easy and most accommodation offer free cancellation. That’s the best way to protect yourself from the inconvenience of finding nothing but mediocre rooms at exorbitant prices.

To check the best hotels deals in Nice, simply click on the green button below:

After securing your dream stay, it’s time to continue reading this guide!

The Best Itinerary for 2 Days in Nice

It’s now time to plan your 2-day itinerary in Nice!

For each day of your stay, I will give you all the details you need to organize your visits, as well as a map showing the attractions of the day. I assume that you will be staying in Nice for 2 full days.

If you have any questions about organizing your 48h trip to Nice after reading everything, feel free to ask me in the comments section at the very end of the article. I will be glad to help you out!

Day 1 – Discovering the best of Nice

A. Nice old town (Vieux Nice)

You should start your 2 days in Nice by visiting the city’s most typical area: the old town of Nice.

With its houses featuring warm-colored facades and Mediterranean-style louvered shutters, you’ll be instantly immersed in the holiday vibe!

You can wander in the shaded alleyways, where many small boutiques and restaurants are located.

And don’t miss a visit to the Cours Saleya market (open every morning except mondays), to stock up on local products. In addition to fruits, vegetables, and other local goods, a section of the market is dedicated to flowers.

In Nice old town, you should also check out:

• Palais de Justice square, flanked by the clock tower with its recognizable pink facade
• Rossetti Square, where you can admire the beautiful Sainte-Reparate Cathedral. Listed as a historical monument, it’s dedicated to the city’s patron saint. You can visit the interior to see the various chapels.
• Saint-François Square, the site of the traditional fish market.

B. Promenade des Anglais

Let’s continue this walking tour with another must-see location in Nice: the famous Promenade des Anglais.

Named after the many English people who used to come to Nice in the winter to enjoy the warmer temperatures and sea air, the promenade is now known worldwide.

It stretches along the seaside for nearly 7 km from Castle Hill to Nice Airport. The promenade also provides access to the city’s long pebble beach, where you can swim if you feel like it.

To get there from Nice old town, simply take one of the passages near Cours Saleya.

You can walk along the Promenade des Anglais up to the Negresco Hotel and Villa Massena, where the Massena Museum is located.

Very popular, it houses a collection of paintings, artifacts, and furniture that trace the history of the city.

Then, head back towards the city center by either walking along the Promenade des Anglais or taking Rue de France.

C. Place Masséna

Walk through Albert I Garden and you’ll come across the most famous square in the city: Place Masséna.

This magnificent square, always bustling with activity, is home to the Sun Fountain, featuring a colossal statue of the god Apollo.

With the red façades of the houses and its arcades, the Place Massesna is one of Nice’s most iconic locations!

Beneath the arcades, you’ll find many shops as well as the Galerie Lafayette shopping center. From place Massena, you can also go to the “Zone Piétone”, a fully pedestrianized area with numerous bars and restaurants.

And if you’ve decided to spend a weekend in Nice during the holiday season, the Christmas market is usually located on the square.

As a hub of festivity, Place Masséna is also the venue for concerts during the Fête de la Musique and the Nice Carnival, which takes place every year in February.

D. The Green Corridor and the Water Mirror

Continue your stroll in Nice by taking the Promenade du Paillon, also known as the Green Corridor.

First, you’ll come across a giant water mirror, a large space with water jets where local children (and adults!) come to cool off.

The Green Corridor is a very long park, highly frequented by locals. And has it feautres several playgrounds, it’s the ideal place if you’re visiting Nice in 2 days with your children.

E. Place Garibaldi

At the exit of the park, you will have in front of you National Theater of Nice and the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC), recognized by its quite original architecture.

It houses a collection focusing on art from the 1950s to the present. The entrance ticket at 6€ also grants access to the museum’s panoramic terrace, offering a beautiful view of the city.

Nearby, you will find another famous square of Nice: Place Garibaldi.

The oldest large square in the city is the perfect place to sit on a terrace at one of the many cafes and enjoy a moment of relaxation for your first day.

On the square, you can for example eat or have a drink at a true institution, Café de Turin, specializing in seafood.

F. Port of Nice

Leave Place Garibaldi via Rue Cassini and you will arrive at Nice Port.

There, you can admire two completely different types of boats:

• The Pointus, small typical wooden boats with colorful hulls and pointed front and back
• Immense luxury yachts owned by the world’s great fortunes.

Stroll along the Quai de l’Amiral, pass by the impressive war memorial, then by the famous I LOVE NICE sign which quickly became a must-visit photo spot, and you’ll reach the foot of Castle Hill.

G. Castle hill

To reach the top of Castle hill (“Colline du Château” in French), you have 2 options: take the stairs or use the elevator to go up. Both options are free of charge.

It’s up to you, but you should either go up or come back down on foot to admire the views from the 5 different viewpoints along the stairs.

The most famous one is the view from Bellanda Tower, offering a breathtaking panoramic view of the Bay of Angels.

At the top of the hill, there’s also another viewpoint overlooking the mountains. It truly is one of the most beautiful panoramas you can see in Nice!

In the Castle park, you will also find a children’s playground and a waterfall.

And to end your first day in Nice in style, you should go for a delicious dinner in one of the old town’s restaurants. The old town is located less than 5 minutes walk from the Castle hill stairs and elevator.

Day 2 of your weekend in Nice: what to do?

A. The Coastal Path

For your 2nd day in Nice, I’ve planned another nice walking route on the coastal path.

This trail, which is still unknown to tourists, offers you the chance to walk from Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer along the seaside.

It’s one of the most picturesque walks you can do around Nice!

The start of the coastal path begins near Coco Beach, on Jean Lorrain Avenue.

You’ll pass by the Cap de Nice before ascending towards the Maeterlinck Palace. This is where the first part of the path ends, as there are large cliffs to bypass next.

You’ll then need to walk about 200 meters along the road before you can go down the stairs that mark the second part of the trail.

From there, you can continue strolling along the sea up to Villefranche-sur-Mer.

The walk takes between 1h30 to 2 hours to complete.

B. Villefranche-sur-Mer

In Villefranche, I recommend focusing on the most characteristic part of the town: Villefranche old town.

The area around the harbour is really delightful, with its small beach, cobblestone alleys, and traditional houses. The magnificent Saint-Elme Citadel, listed as a historical monument, is also worth seeing.

It houses the city hall and several small museums about painting and sculpture. Entry is free.

The place is pleasant and offers a great view over the bay of Villefranche-sur-Mer and the Cap Ferrat peninsula.

C. Mont Boron / Fort du Mont Alban

Next, I suggest walking back to Nice via Mont Boron.

To do this, head to the Escalier de Verre, located on Boulevard Princesse Grâce de Monaco.

Continue walking up to the Fort du Mont Alban, famed for its splendid view over Villefranche bay and Saint-Jean Cap Ferrat.

After visiting the fort and enjoying the view, backtrack a bit and head to the southern part of Mont Boron where you can enjoy numerous viewpoints overlooking Nice.

You can then walk down to Nice in about 30/45 minutes or take bus no. 30 from Mont Boron plateau.

What about spending 3 days in Nice?

If you’re lucky enough to spend 3 days in Nice, in addition to the detailed 2-day itinerary I just gave you, you should make use of your 3rd day to discover the surroundings.

Here is the perfect itinerary, it will allow you to discover Eze, Menton, and Monaco.

It’s totally doable in one day by combining public transport with a bit of walking.

• From Nice, take bus 82 up to Eze Village. You can visit this beautiful hilltop village and its magnificent exotic garden. Definitely one of the most beautiful villages in France!
• Head down via the Nietzsche Path to reach Eze Beach.
• From there, take bus no. 100 and stop at Menton to explore the old town.
• Next, it’s possible to walk from Menton to Monaco in about 3 hours by going all around Cap Martin and passing through Roquebrune. If you don’t want to walk from Menton to Monaco, no problem, you can take the bus no.100.
• Finish your day by visiting the Principality of Monaco: the Rock, the Prince’s Palace, the Oceanographic Museum.
• To return to Nice, take the bus no. 100 or train.

To make the most of your visit to Monaco, you should read my other article: The 25 Best Things to do in Monaco.

And of course, if it feels too much for one day, you can choose to visit just 1 or 2 places. As Eze, Menton and Monaco are well connected by public transportation, it’s very easy!

More activity ideas for your 2 days in Nice

While this itinerary is perfect to discover the best of Nice and its surroundings in 2 days, you might want to modify it a bit or add other activities.

No problem! Here are other great things to do in and around Nice:

• Explore the hill of Cimiez: the park, the arenas, the monastery garden, the archaeological museum, and the Henri Matisse Museum.
• Visit Parc Phoenix, a 7-hectare botanical and zoological garden. For a weekend in Nice with children, it’s an excellent idea!
• Walk the trail around Cap Ferrat to discover the peninsula of billionaires and their luxury villas.
• 2h Guided Segway tour of Nice. Book it here!
• Explore Nice on an electric bike
• Go on a boat trip to admire Nice and the Bay of Villefranche. Make your reservation here!
• Visit Antibes: read my definitive guide of the city by clicking here!
• Stroll around Cannes. For things to do in Cannes, click here!
• Opt for the most comprehensive day trip from Nice and visit Eze + Monaco + Antibes + Cannes. It’s the best way to discover the French Riviera without hassle, and it needs to be booked directly by clicking here!
• Half-day excursion to Monaco and Eze

And if you prefer water activities, you’ll also have plenty of choices:

• Parasailing over the Bay of Angels, right in front of Nice old town
• Introductory diving with two 20-minute dives or freediving initiation
• 3-hour snorkeling trip to observe the fish
• Stand up paddle, jet ski, or flyboard
• Kayaking down the Var river
• Canyoning – There are several beautiful canyons to explore around Nice: Cramassouri Canyon – Riolan Canyon – Riou de la Bollène Canyon – Gorges du Loup Canyon – Imberguet Canyon.

Where to Stay during your 2 days in Nice?

You now know what to do during your 2 days in Nice.

However, there’s still one important step left to finish preparing your perfect weekend in Nice: finding a great hotel!

To help you out, I have selected the best hotels in the city depending on your budget and preferences.

• Hôtel Ozz by Happyculture: Located about 15 minutes from the beach on foot. Nice place, very friendly staff, great location and comfortable beds. Only 20€ per night in dormitory. Double room at 55€. This is the best hostel for a budget stay in Nice!
• Hôtel Brice Garden: Located in the hear of Nice, 5 minutes walk from the beach and Promenade des Anglais. Very well furnished and clean room from 80€ per night. Excellent value for money. Friendly and welcoming staff. The best value hotel if you want to stay in the city center! Needs to be booked as soon as possible, lots of demand.
• Hôtel le Saint Paul: Located 50 meters from the Nice harbor, in a quiet area, with an amazing sea view. Large bright room from 95€ per night, buffet breakfast for 12€. Plus: free private parking. My favorite in Nice!
• Hôtel Le Royal Promenade des Anglais: Located right on the Promenade des Anglais in a historic building. Prestigious room decorated in a classic style, very bright, from 135€ per night, breakfast at 15€.
• Hôtel Negresco: Located on the Promenade des Anglais, this exceptional hotel is simply the best in Nice. The rooms are magnificent, the view is stunning, the staff is amazing and the restaurant is one of the best in town. More details about it below!

Luxury Weekend in Nice

For a luxury 2-day stay in Nice, there’s nothing better than spending the night at the city’s iconic hotel: Le Negresco.

This 5-star hotel is ideally located on the Promenade des Anglais, just a 15-minute walk from Nice old town.

Built in the early 20th century, the famous Hotel Negresco is undoubtedly one of the finest luxury hotels in France, and many celebrities choose to stay here during their visit to Nice.

The hotel was restored a few years ago to offer all modern comforts while retaining its authentic charm. The setting is exceptional, and the atmosphere is very refined.

It offers elegant and cozy rooms, each decorated differently in a style ranging from Louis XIII to modern art. Most of them have a breathtaking view of the Bay of Angels and overlook the Promenade des Anglais.

You can of course enjoy the 5-star services of the palace: a private beach, a limousine service to pick you up at the airport, and above all, I recommend dining at the Michelin-starred restaurant of the hotel.

It’s the perfect choice for your luxury stay in Nice!

Book your stay at the Negresco by clicking on the button below:

Map of Your 2 -day itinerary in Nice

To help you visualize your itineraries during your 2-day itinerary in Nice, I’ve created a map listing the places to visit day by day. You can display the map legend by clicking on the upper left button with a little arrow.

This will allow you to view the routes for each day.

Renting a Boat in Nice

If you want to rent a boat for a nice day at sea during your stay in Nice, you should book it with Samboat.

Motorboats, sailboats, yachts, small boats without a license, with or without a skipper: they simply have the most complete offer for boat rental!

So, what are you waiting for to book your boat trip in Nice? 😊

What’s the best time for a weekend in Nice?

You can go for a 2-day trip to Nice at any time of the year.

The sun is almost always shining, and the temperatures in South of France are quite mild all year round.

No matter which month you choose for your 2-day stay in Nice, you are sure to find a bustling and very lively city. Shops, bars, and restaurants are always open, unlike in some other smaller seaside towns.

In winter, the Christmas market attracts a lot of people, as does the carnival in February, which is one of the most popular in the country.

If you want to enjoy the beach, it’s best to go in July-August, but, like everywhere else, it’s the peak tourist season, so it’s very crowded.

For me, the best time to go for a weekend in Nice is during the months of May-June and September-October. It’s less hot, (a bit) less crowded, and the weather is great, so your short stay will be perfect!

How to Get to Nice?

By Plane

With flight prices to Nice varying greatly, it’s a good idea to check them as early as possible. To do this, you can use our flight comparison tool, in partnership with Skyscanner. It’s the best way to get a great deal.

If you then need a private transfer between the airport and the hotel where you will stay during your 2-day stay in Nice, you can book it by clicking on the button below:

By Train

I recommend you check the train schedules and fares for your 2-day itinerary in Nice and book your tickets right here:

Do you need help organizing your weekend in Nice? Feel free to ask me any questions in the comments.

France travel Guides

• Buy the Lonely Planet France guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk
• Buy the Rick Steves France guide on Amazon.com or on Amazon.co.uk

You’re traveling in France? These articles will help you!

Discover all my articles about France: All Voyage Tips articles about France are listed here.

French Riviera

• French Riviera: Top 25 best places to visit and activities

• Itinerary: 1 Week in French Riviera – the definitive guide for your 7-8 days trip

• Antibes: Top 20 best places to visit
• Cannes: The 20 best things to do and activities
• Monaco: 25 Best places to visit
• Nice: 15 things you must do and see

Other French Cities

• Annecy: 12 things to do and see
• Honfleur: Top 15 things to discover
• La Rochelle: Top 15 things to do and must-see attractions
• Lyon: 21 Best things to do
• Marseille: Top 33 best things to do and see
• Nantes: The 15 best things to do
• Reims: Top 15 things to do and see
• Rennes: The 15 things you must do!
• Strasbourg: The 25 must-see attractions

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