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Nice
The capital of the Côte d'Azur
- Best time to visit
- May, Jun, Sep, Oct
- Currency
- EUR
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Country
- France
A sunny seaside city of pastel houses, a lively old town and a famous promenade, with Monaco, Cannes and hilltop villages a short train ride away.
- Paris
- Marseille
- Lyon
- Toulouse
- Nice
Quick facts
- Country
- France
- Capital
- Paris
- City population
- 350,000
- Population of France
- 68.6M
- Country area
- 551,695 km²
- Official language
- French
- Currency
- Euro (EUR) · 1 USD ≈ 0.8929 EUR
- Time zone
- UTC+1
- Calling code
- +33
- Drives on the
- Right
- Elevation
- 10 m
- Plugs
- C / E · 230V
- Emergency numbers
- 112
- Best time to visit
- May, Jun, Sep, Oct
Temperatures through the year
Average daily high and low for each month in °C. Months marked with a drop are often rainy.
Temperatures through the year
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 13° | 14° | 16° | 18° | 22° | 25° | 28° | 28° | 25° | 21° | 17° | 14° |
| Low | 5° | 6° | 8° | 10° | 14° | 17° | 20° | 20° | 17° | 13° | 9° | 6° |
Best time to visitOther months
Approximate daily cost
Per adult per day: food, local transport and half a double room, without activities or flights.
- ConservativeSimple stays, free and low-cost sights first.$86
- HighComfortable hotels, a balanced mix of sights and trips.$182
- LuxuryLuxury hotels, more paid experiences and day trips.$445
Top things to do
- Free
Promenade des Anglais
Seven kilometres of seafront above the pebble beaches and the Baie des Anges; best on foot or by rental bike.
- Half day
- Promenade des Anglais
- Good for kids
- Good in the evening
- Free
Castle Hill (Colline du Château)
A park on the hill between the old town and the port, with a waterfall and the best view of the bay; there's a free lift.
- Half day
- Vieux Nice (old town)
- Good for kids
- Free
Old town and Cours Saleya market
Flower and food stalls every morning except Monday (antiques that day), then the lanes of Vieux Nice; try socca, the chickpea pancake.
- Half day
- Vieux Nice (old town)
- ≈ $12
Matisse Museum and Chagall Museum
Two artists' museums in the hills of Cimiez, among Roman ruins and olive groves; Matisse closes on Tuesdays.
- Half day
- Cimiez
- Indoors
- Closed: Tuesday
- ≈ $25
Day trip: Monaco and Èze
A 20-minute train to Monaco's casino, palace and harbour, and a stop at the hilltop village of Èze on the way back.
- Full day
- The Riviera
- ≈ $20
Day trip: Antibes and Cannes
The ramparts and Picasso Museum of Antibes, then the Croisette in Cannes; both are on the coast train.
- Full day
- The Riviera
Before you go
Entry and visas
France is in the Schengen area: stays of up to 90 days in any 180-day period. Many nationalities need a Schengen visa (france-visas.gouv.fr). Visa-exempt visitors are registered at the border in the EU Entry/Exit System (EES).
Official websiteFrom the airport
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport is on the edge of the city; tram line 2 reaches the centre and the port in about 25 minutes.
Getting around
Trams and buses cover the city; regional TER trains run along the coast to Cannes, Antibes and Monaco every few minutes at peak times.
Local tips
- The beaches are pebbly; water shoes or a beach mat help.
- Book summer stays early; July and August are the busiest months.
- Many restaurants in the old town close between lunch and dinner.
- Watch bags on the promenade and on crowded trains.
Areas worth knowing
- Vieux Nice (old town)
- Cimiez
- The Riviera
- Promenade des Anglais
The UK Foreign Office last updated its advice for this country on August 11, 2026.
Read the advice on GOV.UKMore cities in France
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Sources: France-Visas (official visa website) · Explore France (Atout France) · Nice Côte d'Azur Tourist Office