Holidays to Nice
Set on the French Riviera, Nice holidays are perfect for super-chic sunset strolls, stumbling upon hidden-gem restaurants down cobblestone lanes and taking glitzy trips along the coast.
Sensational city breaks
Jet into Nice for a long weekend of chilled-out beaches, market stalls, pretty backstreets and elite café culture. Pop into the old town (Vieux Nice) for some ice cream and people-watching, before heading for the famous Promenade des Anglais, where you can stroll under palm trees along the Med. While you’re here, take a dip or hire a bike or some skates for proper Le Prom action.
Wicked day trips along the coast
From Nice, you can tick off some big-ticket day trips. Start with the quaint port town of Antibes and its pure laid-back Med vibes. Amble around the 16th-century Fort Carré or check out the surreal wonders at Musée Picasso. A short train ride away, Cannes brings its A-lister energy even when the film fest isn’t on.
Alternatively, head east to Monte Carlo in Monaco – a playground for the rich and famous, stacked with posh boutiques around the iconic casino. Hit the Prince’s Palace for the changing of the guard spectacle too.
Oozing with culture and class
You’ll understand Nice’s age-old allure as you take in the pastel cityscape from Castle Hill. Once a lookout for old-time armies, this cool little hilltop refuge is home to cathedral ruins, a neat little waterfall and loads of greenery. In town, sip a swish cocktail under Hotel Negresco’s iconic pink dome, take a moment of quiet in the striking baroque Cathédrale Ste-Réparate and remember how much you like colour at Musée Matisse.
Mooch the market at Cours Saleya
Cours Saleya market is a sensory explosion of bright flower bouquets, yummy dried fruits and vivid fresh veggies. Grab a socca – a local chickpea pancake you load with salad and stuff – or some focaccia doused in caramelised onions. Hubba-hubba! There are so many cafés and bistros here you could literally eat all day! Top tip: the market converts to a fun arts and crafts haven in the evenings in May and June.
Sneak Peek
Best for... Pretty wanders, amazing markets and top-drawer French food 🥖 🥐
Go... In spring or autumn for still-balmy days without the crowds 🍁
You have to... Explore Vieux Nice (the old town) and zip across to Antibes for a day 🧭
Nice holiday deals
Novotel Suites Nice Airport Hotel
4.4
Excellent
- 28 Dec 2025
- 4 nights
- Room only
- From Manchester
Prices from
Hôtel Le Grimaldi By HappyCulture
4.5
Excellent
- 28 Dec 2025
- 4 nights
- Room only
- From Manchester
Prices from
Hotel Nice Excelsior
- 28 Dec 2025
- 4 nights
- Room only
- From Manchester
Prices from
ibis Styles Nice Vieux Port
4.2
Very Good
- 28 Dec 2025
- 4 nights
- Bed & breakfast
- From Manchester
Prices from
Details
Currency
Euro
Language
French
Time difference
GMT +1
Cost of a beer
€6
3-course meal
Around €27
Flight time
2 hours
Top beaches: Pebbly Riviera heaven
Long stretches of Nice’s sweeping, pebbly beach are open to the public, and there are a few private spots, like Beau Rivage and Blue Beach, too. Over near Port Lympia, La Réserve is a smaller, quieter beach – but it’s kinda rocky, so take some sturdy sandals! For a beachy stunner, Villefranche sur Mer is just around the coast. It’s a cracking walk or a quick train ride to reach the colourful fishing town – and it has loads of bistros and sandy spots to crash at when you get there.
Food and drink: French favourites with a seaside twist
Nice’s style of cuisine – aka cuisine Nissarde – is fresh and local. Tomatoes, lettuce and potatoes from the garden, and tuna and sardines from the sea – et voila, the Niçoise salad! Visit the local boulangeries for classic butter croissants or a dreamy croque monsieur – aka a cheese toastie extraordinaire. Explore the old town’s labyrinth of fab French eateries. Try out the popular Chez Acchiardo and gastro-smash-hit Lavomatique tapas bar. And Le Plongeoir is epic for fresh seafood overlooking the waves. For cheap Nice holidays, hunt out the set lunch menus of traditional hearty pot-au-feu (beef stew) with plump gnocchi in order to dine without breaking the bank!
Best of the rest: Oh, it’s all just really Nice
Fancy spending some dosh? Wander Avenue Jean Medecin for lush perfumes, artisan soaps and standout wines from nearby Provence. Later, grab a golden hour tipple at Place Garibaldi, where yellow brickwork glimmers like the yachts moored down the way at Port Lympia. Between these hotspots, dip into any of the edgy bars around Rue Cassini. Old Town’s Le Shapko is a must if you’re into jazz. And if you pick up a French Riviera Pass, you can save big on museums, public transport, bus tours and more!
When to go to Nice
Nice holidays are glorious year round, but spring and autumn (March to May and September to November, loosely) offer the possibility of balmy days and alfresco evenings without being too hot or crowded.
June to August, it’s feelin’ hot hot hot. At this time of year, prices hike, crowds hit the beaches across Côte d’Azur, and Nice’s squares come to life with revellers, especially during the annual Jazz Festival in July.
Winter’s still a winner – in Nice it’s much milder than on the UK’s frosty shores, and a bit kinder on your purse strings too. February’s Carnaval de Nice offers a lively little pick-me-up after the festive season.
