Nice is one of the few cities in France you can explore without needing a substantial budget. It's a city of many faces, serving as a coastal resort, historic landmark, and a tourist magnet for the southern region.
To fully appreciate this, you can take a stroll in the sun along the famous Promenade des Anglais, find some shade among the picturesque little side streets in the Old Town, while enjoying all the amenities of an urban city. We've put together a list of money-saving tips to help you experience what Nice has to offer in terms of culture and leisure, all at a reasonable price.
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Promenade du Paillon
A spot of green in central Nice
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- Couples
- Families
Read morePromenade du Paillon is a large urban park in Nice's city centre, running from Albert 1 Garden's seaward side to the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC).
The park separates the Old Town and modern Nice with a tree-lined pedestrian walkway. You can find lush gardens and lawns, children's areas, and art installation throughout its 12-ha space. During the Christmas season, Promenade du Paillon is decorated with beautiful lights.
Location: Plassa Carlou Aubert, 06300 Nice, France
Open: April–September: daily from 7 am to 11 pm. October–May: daily from 7 am to 9 pm
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Garden of Arenas Cimiez
Enjoy a picnic under the shade of the olive trees
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- Families
- History
The Garden of Arenas Cimiez contains a vast olive grove and the remains of Roman arenas. The park is at the top of Boulevard Cimiez, close to the Musée Matisse and Musee D'Archeologie. It's a great place to unwind while taking in the magnificent panorama of Nice. You can have a picnic on the lawns or grab a snack at the onsite refreshment bar. A small amusement park with rides for children is available, too.
The arenas that gave the park its name offer a glimpse of Nice's rich past. In May, local families come to the Garden of Arenas Cimiez to celebrate the return of spring. The park comes alive with folk dances and songs, with entertainment for children and food stalls offering regional specialities.
Location: 184 Avenue des Arènes de Cimiez, 06000 Nice, France
Open: April–September: daily from 8.30 am to 8 pm. October–May: daily from 8.30 am to 6 pm
Phone: +33 (0)4 93 81 08 08
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St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral
An Orthodox church with beautiful Russian religious art
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- History
- Photo
The St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral is a good example of Old Russian architectural styles in Nice. Located in Piol. its unexpected Byzantine design stands out from the city's residential buildings. The church was built in honour of Tsarevich Nikolay Alexandrovich, the eldest son of Tsar Alexander II, who died in 1865.
As a place of worship, you can visit freely but women should cover their hair before entering. Scarves are provided at the entrance, too. Inside, you can see intricate patterns, metal altar screens, carved woodwork, frescoes and numerous religious icons.
Location: Avenue Nicolas II, 06000 Nice, France
Open: Monday–Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday from noon to 6 pm
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Sentier du Littoral
A coastal footpath from the port to the cape of Nice
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Sentier du Littoral is a popular coastal walk that's great for appreciating nature and the Mediterranean Sea. It takes you out of central Nice in the direction of Villefranche-sur-Mer. Venture out early in the morning, as the sun is at its strongest between the sea and limestone rocks.
Sentier du Littoral, with its mix of rock-carved steps and wooden footbridges, leads you away from crowded beaches towards beautiful properties, creeks, cliffs and wild vegetation. Stops along the way include the pebbly Coco Beach and Palais Maeterlinck. Ocean views stretch westwards towards the Lérins Islands, Cap d'Antibes and Massif de l'Esterel, while the eastern side overlooks Villefranche harbour and Cap Ferrat.
Location: 8 Avenue Jean Lorrain, 06300 Nice, France
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Halle de la Gare du Sud
Gourmet food hall and market inside a former train station
- Budget
- Food
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Halle de la Gare du Sud is a food market occupying a former railway station that dates back to 1892. It's in the Libération district of Nice, just opposite the General Thiole Garden. The building has a large market hall where you can choose from a variety of gourmet food vendors, as well as a central area with plenty of shared tables.
Halle de la Gare du Sud is also great for shopping, thanks to a couple of stalls operated by local craftspeople and artists. Concerts and shows are regularly scheduled in the evenings, especially on Thursdays and weekends.
Location: 35 Avenue Malaussena, 06000 Nice, France
Open: Friday–Saturday from 11 am to midnight, Sunday and Tuesday–Thursday from 11 am to 11 pm (closed on Mondays)
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Asian Arts Museum
Learn about Asia through workshops and wellness events
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- History
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The Asian Arts Museum in Nice lets you explore Asia through its extensive exhibits and activities. The museum, with its white walls and glass walls, looks as if it was floating on a lake in Parc Phoenix. It has a collection of objects and sculptures from China, Japan, India and Southeast Asia.
You can visit the Asian Arts Musem for free, but you can book guided tours, sign up for a calligraphy or origami workshop, and take part in a Japanese tea ceremony for additional fees. On Saturdays (except in July and August), qi gong and tai chi sessions take place on the museum's terrace.
Location: 405 Prom. des Anglais, 06200 Nice, France
Open: July–August: Wednesday–Monday from 10 am to 6 pm. September–June: Wednesday–Monday from 10 am to 5 pm
Phone: +33 (0)4 89 04 55 20
Mapphoto by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra (CC BY 2.0) modified
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Nice Museum Pass
Free access to municipal galleries and museums in Nice
- Budget
- History
The Nice Museums Pass is a great option for residents to enjoy free entrance to the city's 14 museums and galleries. All you have to do is show your identification and proof of address to any venue. The card is valid for 3 years, giving you plenty of time to check out Nice's cultural venues.
Enjoy unlimited trips to the Museum of Naive Art, Modern and Contemporary Art Museum (MAMAC), and the Fine Arts Museum (Musee des Beaux-Arts), as well as the Natural History Museum of Nice and Musee D'Archeologie. Note that kids can enter all museums for free, so the Nice Museums Pass is only applicable to adults.
photo by Jean-Pierre Dalbéra (CC BY 2.0) modified
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RécréaNice
Enjoy reduced prices for family activities
- Budget
- Families
RécréaNice is an initiative that offers information and tips for a family day in Nice and surrounding areas. The website lists all places and activities suitable for children, including parks, gardens, cultural visits, creative leisure activities, sports, and shows.
RécréaNice often has promo codes and discounts on selected activities and attractions. Its Facebook page announces unmissable events in the region, as well as workshops and courses to keep your children busy and entertained during the holidays.
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Côte d’Azur Card
Enjoy Nice's many attractions at a reasonable price
- Budget
- Families
The Côte d'Azur Card gives you access to cultural places and leisure activities on the French Riviera for a fixed price. You can buy the card online, at a tourist office, Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, and selected hotels in Nice.
Rates depend on the type and number of activities you want to enjoy. The card gives you excellent discounts on sea excursions, guided tours, and sightseeing buses. You don't have to choose your activities when purchasing the card, so you can organise your outings as you wish. There are 60 options to choose from, and the card is usually valid for 1 month after the date of purchase.
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French Riviera Pass
Great for short stays in Nice
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The French Rivera Pass is a value card that allows you to enjoy attractions in Nice for free. It's available online on the Tourist Office's official website. Prices vary according to the duration, either 24, 48 or 72 hours. You can also add on to enjoy free public transport, including the bus and tram networks of Nice.
This pass helps reduce your travel costs in Nice and the French Riviera, especially if you want to see the city's many museums and historical landmarks. The French Rivera Pass also lets you enjoy discounts at selected shops.