Life in France

How to Spend Four Relaxing Days in Nice, France

October 18, 2023

Jalen and I love beach vacations. Summer just doesn’t feel complete without a trip to the coast, a dip in the sea, and some delicious food! For the second year in a row, we decided to spend a few days exploring a French beach town near the end of the season. This time, we headed to one of the most iconic cities on the French Rivieria: Nice, France. Located on the southeastern seaboard of France, Nice is the perfect combination of French charm, Mediterranean climate, and tourist attractions. Though Jalen and I prioritized relaxing on the beach, we also made time for seeing the sights and trying new restaurants. As this seemingly never-ending summer finally fades into fall, we guarantee you’ll already be dreaming about your next coastal holiday once you get a peek into our stay in Nice. To find out more about how we spent our four-day vacation in the south of France, keep reading!

Best Attractions in Nice

Opéra Plage

We spent two days relaxing on the oldest beach in Nice, Opéra Plage. This private beach, located on the Promenade des Anglais, was the perfect place to kick back in a deck chair, enjoy a cold drink, and swim in the Baie des Anges.

Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain

The Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain is a five-story museum highlighting art from the 1950s to today. After winding through the temporary and permanent exhibitions, we relished the panoramic view of Nice from the museum’s rooftop terrace.

Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice

The largest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Western Europe is located in Nice, and we couldn’t pass up the opportunity to explore this unique monument. The distinctive architecture and ornate decorations were definitely worth seeing!

Colline du Château

Climbing the Colline du Château was a sweaty undertaking, but we were rewarded with a gorgeous view of the Baie des Anges. To get the panorama without ascending a few hundred steps, we recommend taking the elevator (that was exceptionally closed when we tried to take it – go figure!).

Best Coffee Shops in Nice

Café Fino

Café Fino is a chic coffee shop with yummy breakfast and brunch options. Jalen still won’t stop talking about the brouillade d’oeufs au saumon gravlax (cured salmon egg scramble) that he had!

Hug Café

Hanging out on Hug Café’s cozy terrace is a great way to begin your day on the French Riviera. Their specialty coffee and organic sweet treats are sure to hit the spot!

Best Drinks in Nice

Le Bateleur

If you’re looking for a bar that puts as much effort into the decor as they do into their drinks, Le Bateleur is the place for you. This self-described “mystical and sophisticated cocktail bar” is one you don’t want to miss.

Le Plongeoir

Le Plongeoir, and its lounge bar, Le Vivier, is a glamourous place to savor exquisite food and drinks right on the water. We recommend visiting in the evening to watch the sunset on the Baie des Anges.

Movida

We can’t decide which was better at Movida: the delectable appetizers or the tasty frozen drinks! Equipped with fans and misters, this bar is a great place to beat the heat beside the beach.

Best Restaurants in Nice

Babel Babel

Babel Babel offers Mediterranean-inspired small plates and an adorable beachfront setting. You have to try the panisses (chickpea fritters) and the caille au BBQ (BBQ quail and cucumbers with diavola sauce and cilantro)!

Lou Gesù

In the heart of Old Town Nice, Lou Gesù serves up succulent dishes with a view of the Église Saint-Jacques-le-Majeur de Nice. The fresh pasta and local beer were out of this world!

La Favola

La Favola’s Italian specialities and copious portion sizes make it a restaurant that stands above the rest in the lively Cours Saleya of Nice. The pizza favola, made with tomato, eggplant, ricotta, basil, and mozzarella, is a must-try.

Milo’s Pizza

Fancy a relaxing night in during your beach vacay? Milo’s pizza boasts a varied menu of dishes that can be delivered straight to your door without sacrificing quality or flavor!

Mr Mathieu

Though we initially pegged Mr Mathieu as an ordinary spot to grab a cheap bite to eat, these sandwiches ended up being our favorite meal of the entire trip! Order the Mr Poulet Rôti or the Mr Fromage Comté and you won’t be disappointed.

Best Ice Cream in Nice

Azzurro

Since the 1990s, Azzurro has been the place to be for gelato lovers in Nice, and was even voted 2nd best ice cream maker in France in 2014. Jalen tried stracciatella and berry yogurt while I had lavender and rose.

Fenocchio

At Fenocchio, 94 flavors and over five decades of experience mean that a delicious cup or cone is guaranteed. Jalen had rhubarb with whipped cream and I enjoyed violet and jasmine.

If these suggestions didn’t convince you to book an excursion to the south of France, we don’t know what will! Nice is a vibrant city with something for everyone, and we won’t soon forget our four-day vacation there. Whether you’re looking to stroll through art exhibits, lay out on the beach, try new foods, or simply enjoy the French pace of life, we’re confident that Nice will live up to your expectations. Do you like vacationing at the beach? Have you ever spent time on the French Riviera? Let us know in a comment!

Explore Nice, France with us!

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