Nice, the picturesque city, rests peacefully on the French Riviera, with its rich cultural experiences and historical sites melding beautifully with the modern metropolitan lending itself to some of the best walking tours in Nice, France. The city is popular among tourists looking to enjoy the French experience because of its convenient access to traditional and online hotel reservations that have entertained almost 4 million guests every year.
Despite being a historic city with deep roots in French and Italian culture, Nice has much more to offer than just monuments to visit. Most people would agree that any extraordinary vacation entails a harmonious blend of serene moments with wild nights, and Nice, with its beautiful beach and invigorating nightlife, has got it all. When my family and I visited Nice to celebrate our post-COVID freedom, we learned a few things that could be helpful for anyone planning a trip to this Mediterranean city.
Nice Can Get Expensive
Nice is a popular summer vacation spot for people all across the world. It has the perfect blend of all the activities and sights that make a city a vacation destination. There are sunny beaches, historic castles, modern bars, high-standard hotels and restaurants, and cozy little shops set up by local vendors for traditional delights, fresh produce, and memorabilia items.
These picture-perfect locations carry a price tag worthy of their sights and sounds. Yes, so be ready to lighten your wallet considerably on your beautiful trip to Nice. This is not to say that every activity and all tourist amenities are overpriced. However, if you are visiting Nice intending to eat delectable seafood like Bouillabaisse, truffle risottos, or pasta with fine French wines every day, know beforehand that they will be expensive, and the price would get even higher if you eat at high-end restaurants like Le Chantecler or La Reserve de Nice. Even the local specialties at these high-end Michelin-starred restaurants are cooked with a twist and are offered at quite a high price point.
Is it Worth the Money? Well… yes! Definitely!
This is a once-in-a-lifetime chance for many to experience such a unique French fine dining experience. The guests are treated like royalty, with the serving staff pouring your wine and bringing you fresh French bread with butter at the slightest nod. But if this is not your style or budget, do not despair. Nice also has many lovely bakeries, bistros, and local vendor shops that sell delicious food at much more budget-friendly rates.
Nice Summers Get Quite Hot
Nice has the typical Mediterranean climate. Here, the winters are short and mild, and the summers tend to get from pleasantly warm to very hot quite often. Summers in Nice run from June to September and peak around late June to August. Heat waves are not that uncommon. However, local businesses and establishments are well accustomed to these conditions and have their facilities well equipped to counter the effects of the expected heat waves. Keep in mind that the ongoing heatwaves might disrupt your plans for outdoor activities, such as sightseeing, visiting Castle Hill, or spending an extended time at the Promenade des Anglais Beach to cool off.
The high temperatures can make it almost impossible to enjoy the beach during the day, as the water tends to become uncomfortably hot and only cools off significantly hours after sunset. So be mindful of the weather predictions made by the local authorities before planning the next full-day outing in the summer.
Expect a Heavy Italian Touch in the Cuisine
Nice is quite close to the modern Italian border. It was, in fact, a part of the Italian political landscape until the 19th century. This explains the heavy Italian touch clearly visible in Nice Niçoise cuisine. Tourists can find classic French seafood and trendy meat dishes, right alongside many tortellini and pasta dishes. The sublime blend of these two exceptionally delicious cruise styles is just pure heaven for foodies.
Expect Crazy Nights Following Tranquil Days
It would be accurate to say that in Nice, “the nightlife is popping!” to use more Gen Z terms. There are uber-popular music festivals all around the year. The people crowd the beaches and party into the wee hours of the night to celebrate all the festivals. The bars and clubs are dotted all across the city in the Vieux Nice, Promenade des Anglais, and even the Cours Saleya. Places like High Club, Le Ghost, Le Feeling, and Les Distilleries Idéales, to name a few, play host to a dynamic international crowd every night, and the music brings everyone together for the perfect night out in the town.
Beware of the Stoney Beaches
If you are one of those beachgoers who wants to land directly in the water without going through the pesky sand that takes forever to get rid of, you will love the beaches in Nice. Most of the beaches in Nice have pebbles instead of white or gold sand! These can be tricky to walk on in the summer, but nothing a handy pair of beach slippers cannot handle. But if you can not envision a vacation without feeling the gritty beach sand between your toes, Nice has a few options. The Plage Beau Rivage, on the eastern edge of the Promenade des Anglais, and Plage de la Réserve, which spreads right beside Plage Beau Rivage, are both beautiful sandy beaches that offer tourists a place to appreciate the Mediterranean Sea while in Nice.
Take Advantage of the Stellar Bus Service
As mentioned before, the budget can become tight when visiting all the auspicious fine-dining restaurants in Nice. The perfect way to balance out this effect is to save on commute expenses when visiting the different tourist spots. Tourists can use this facility to save money on accommodations by choosing to stay at amenities away from the city center and traveling to and fro using the reliable and easily available bus service. The Nice bus service works conveniently inside the city and also connects Nice to nearby towns and villages. Tourists often use the Nice bus service for traveling to and from the airport.
Nice Is A Safe Heaven For Solo Travelers
Nice is a very safe city in general. Like any other busy metropolitan area, Nice also has a few pickpockets lurking about in heavy footfall places like La Promenade des Anglais and some odd characters near the bus and train stations. But overall, solo travelers are highly unlikely to find themselves facing anything or anyone dodgy exploring the city.
However, just like traveling in any city, stay aware of your surroundings. Always take precautions when walking alone at night, and stay in well-lit areas. The locals are always happy to help the tourists, so do not hesitate to ask for help or directions. You will always find someone to guide you in the right direction.
With these points in mind, we bid you Bon Voyage and hope your next vacation to Nice will be as magical as mine.