Why Nice is the Best Place to Stay on the French Riviera
The South of France has become one of my all time favorite destinations! The combination of history, city streets, stunning beaches, and limitless day trips make it the perfect location for any traveler! There are so many cities on the French Riviera and lots of people try to hit them all. Though this can be done and may be perfect for some people, I wanted an all inclusive experience of the area without the stress and hassle of hitting every town on the coast. Therefore, I researched all of the towns I was interested in ahead of time and narrowed it down to a few that offered everything I was looking for in my trip. This was also tremendously helpful when it came to budgeting because I chose to avoid the more lavish cities and visit others nearby instead.
Almost anyone you talk to about visiting the South of France will tell you that it is best to arrange your accommodations to stay in Nice, then take day trips to other cities as you wish. And I 100% agree! The Nice airport is the cheapest one to fly into on the Riviera, public transportation around Nice has a lot more options, and the prices of lodging/food are much cheaper! But the main reason I advise you to stay in Nice is that I just love the city! Throughout my time in the area, I only took two day trips and spent the rest of the week in town and loved every minute of it. So here are some of my favorite parts of Nice that I think make it so special.
Cours Saleya Market
This was, hands down, one of my favorite parts of Nice! This market sets up in the same street at the same times everyday (except Monday) to host local vendors. It’s open from 9am-1pm where you can find all kinds of fresh produce, baked goods, flower bouquets, art, and more! Its classy striped umbrellas between the cute buildings of Old Town Nice make for a truly charming experience that you will never forget.
Old Town
Most of the locals say that the Old Town of Nice is the heart of the city. The geographical triangle is the oldest remaining part of Nice and many of the buildings are not remodeled to retain the integrity of the area. Two of the most popular buildings to visit here are the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate de Nice and Palais de Justice. They both display traditional architecture and intricate detail. I also think that some of the best restaurants are in this area. Lastly, the Airbnb we stayed in was located on the edge of the Old Town and was the perfect location for all the places we wanted to go. Find my restaurant recommendations and Airbnb link in my itinerary
Coco Beach
My. New. Favorite. Place! This beach was by far the coolest thing I experienced during this trip. This was the only activity on the itinerary for Nice that wasn’t walking distance from the Airbnb, but was only about a 10 minute taxi. Find my Nice, France itinerary here. But once you arrive, you are not going to want to leave. The beach access is constructed of these eroded cliffs that have layered into the perfect spot to have fun in the sun. My day here consisted of cliff jumping, tanning, reading my book, and taking endless photos of this stunning location. If you are looking for a unique and gorgeous way to spend a summer day in Nice, this is your spot!
Pebble Beaches
For some beaches in the South of France, the sandy shore is replaced with smooth pebbles, giving a very different experience to your beach day. Growing up in Florida, I considered the pebble beaches to be an upgrade. You didn't track sand everywhere and it felt so nice to drip dry on the warm stones. Plus, the beaches in Nice were some of the bluest water I have ever seen, the Tiktok proclaimed “gatorade water” undoubtedly lives up to its name! Not only during sunrise, but even mid day it looks like you are swimming in the “glacier freeze” flavor and it is absolutely mesmerizing! My favorite pebble beach I visited in Nice was called “Opera Plage”.
Colorful Architecture
One of my favorite parts of the French Riviera was just how much personality the region has. One of the main pieces of evidence for this is the colors! All of the towns have their own take but each new place deserves their own “wow”. Though cities like Menton and Villefranche Sur Mer are known for their obvious theme of vibrance, the colors of Nice have more of a subtle, pastel palette that is just as, if not more striking to the eye. Getting lost in these streets will always give you a beautiful view and a perfect background for any photo!
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More photos from this destination can be found in the “Destinations” tab
Find my itinerary for this destination in the “Itineraries” tab
