Things to Do in Nice
50 curated spots from Nice itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Visit this modern art museum housed in Peggy Guggenheim’s former Grand Canal home, featuring works by Pollock, Picasso, Dalí, and major 20th‑century artists.[3]
1h 30m · $20-25
Cours Saleya Market
Wander flower and produce stalls for socca and tapenade tastings (10-min walk).
1h 30m · $10-20
Gallerie dell’Accademia
Explore Venice’s premier collection of Venetian painting, including works by Bellini, Carpaccio, Veronese, and Tintoretto; allow time for the grand halls and quieter side rooms.
2h · $16-22
Colline du Château (Castle Hill)
Hike or bike uphill to hilltop park featuring breathtaking panoramic views, waterfall, and family playground. Benches and amenities available.
2h · Free
Promenade des Anglais
Walk the waterfront, stop for beach photos, and enjoy a low-effort Riviera afternoon with the sea in view.[3][7]
2h 30m · Free
Castle Hill (Colline du Château)
Ascend to this historic hilltop for 360-degree panoramic views of Nice, the Baie des Anges, and the surrounding coastline; explore ruins and lush gardens.
2h · Free (elevator €1)
Doge's Palace
Self-tour Gothic halls, Bridge of Sighs, and prisons—enter early for light on golden facades.
2h · $30 or Free (exterior)
Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
Tour the former seat of the Venetian Republic’s government, including the grand council chambers, Tintoretto ceilings, and the Bridge of Sighs leading to the old prisons.[2][3]
2h · $30-40
Promenade des Anglais Stroll
Walk the palm-fringed seafront path from Jardin Albert 1er to Plage des Ponchettes.
1h 30m · Free
Promenade des Anglais Sunset Walk
Walk along the waterfront from Old Town towards the west, stop on the famous blue chairs, and enjoy the Mediterranean sunset.
1h 30m · Free
Rialto Bridge & Market Stroll
After lunch, wander the Rialto Bridge’s arcades and the nearby market, browsing stalls, specialty food shops, and small boutiques for gifts while capturing classic views over the Grand Canal from the bridge.[1][4]
1h 30m · Free (shopping extra)
Bellet Wine Tasting Tour
Vineyard visit, tasting crisp whites/rosés; hillside photos (bus 15, 20 min).
2h · $40
Fondamenta della Misericordia
Spend the evening bar-hopping lightly along the canal-side strip for spritzes, people-watching, and a social nightlife finish.
2h · $15-$40
Gallerie dell'Accademia
See Venetian painting highlights in a calm museum setting, then continue into nearby waterfront streets for photos.
2h · $15-$20
Ghetto Ebraico (Jewish Ghetto)
Walk the historic Jewish quarter, with its tall houses and quiet campi; visit the small museums and synagogues with a guided tour if open.[2]
1h 30m · $15-25
Murano Island
Vaporetto to glass factories, watch demos, shop studios (15-min ride from Fondamente Nove).
3h · $10 vaporetto + Free demos
Musée Matisse
Small museum in a Genoese-style villa dedicated to Henri Matisse’s work and his connection to Nice.
1h 30m · $10-12
Musée Matisse Nice
Continue the art day with Matisse’s collections in a quieter, leafy area; don’t rush, and use the surrounding gardens for a break.
1h 30m · $12 or less
Musée National Marc Chagall
Vibrant Chagall art collection with gardens; family audio guides available.
1h 30m · $15
Piazza San Marco
Arrive early for the square, lagoon edges, and classic wide-angle photography before the crowds fill in.
1h 30m · Free
Piazza San Marco & St. Mark’s Basilica
Arrive mid-morning, admire the square, then visit the basilica’s golden mosaics and terrace for panoramic photos over Venice.[1][2]
2h · $15-25
Port Lympia Stroll
Walk the quays around Nice’s colorful small-boat harbor, admiring the candy-colored facades and traditional fishing boats.
1h · Free
Rialto Market
Browse the historic fish and produce market in the morning, watching restaurant buyers and locals shop among vivid displays.[4]
1h · Free
Rialto Market & Bridge
Arrive by mid‑morning to wander the produce and fish stalls and then walk up to the Rialto Bridge for classic Grand Canal views.[2][3]
1h 30m · Free
Riva degli Schiavoni to Giardini Walk
Walk from near St. Mark’s along the broad Riva waterfront past San Zaccaria and the Arsenale towards the Giardini della Biennale, taking in lagoon vistas and quieter backstreets.
2h · Free
St. Mark’s Basilica
Enter the basilica to see golden mosaics and Byzantine domes; visit the museum and terrace for close‑up mosaics and panoramic photos over the square.[2][4]
1h 30m · $10-20
St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)
Visit early with a timed‑entry or skip‑the‑line ticket to admire the golden mosaics, Pala d’Oro, and the view over Piazza San Marco from the terrace.[2][3]
1h 15m · $10-25
St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace
Visit the glittering 9th-century basilica with Byzantine mosaics and the adjacent Gothic Doge's Palace. Allow 2-3 hours combined. Book skip-the-line tickets online. Best morning light for interior photography is 9-11 AM.
3h · $32 (combined ticket)
Accademia Bridge & Zattere
Start at Accademia Bridge for Grand Canal photos (best east view of palazzi/Salute dome); walk Zattere promenade to Punta della Dogana for Giudecca lagoon shots—golden hour sunset ideal, less crowded southern tip.
2h · Free
Afternoon Seaside Relaxation at Coco Beach
Rocky coves popular with locals; sit on the concrete platforms, swim if conditions are good, or simply enjoy the quieter vibe.
2h · FreeRestaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Chez Pipo
Tripe à la niçoise or pissaladière (onion-anchovy tart); lively no-frills spot 5-min walk from Castle Hill.
1h 15m · $20-30 per person
Al Timon
Lively canal-side restaurant and bar known for hearty meat dishes and cicchetti; share a ribeye or a plate of mixed grilled meats and enjoy a spritz by the water.
1h 30m · $25-40 per person
Osteria Enoteca Ai Artisti
Try **bigoli in salsa** (thick pasta with anchovy sauce) and seasonal veggies—cozy post-sightseeing spot.
1h 30m · $18-25 per person
Acchiardo
Classic Niçoise dinner spot where you can order local specialties in a lively but comfortable setting.
1h 30m · $30-45 per person
La Voglia
A dependable Italian-Mediterranean lunch spot for pasta, salads, and easy midday dining.
1h 15m · $20-35 per person
Osteria al Squero
Order cicchetti (small toasts with toppings) and a spritz or house wine, then eat on the canal edge facing the gondola workshop for great photos.
1h 15m · $8-14 per person
Osteria Enoteca San Marco
Stylish but comfortable wine-focused osteria just off Piazza San Marco; try the seafood risotto, tagliatelle with truffle, and a regional wine flight.
1h 30m · $35-50 per person
Pasticceria Tonolo
Beloved pastry shop near Campo Santa Margherita; grab krapfen or cream‑filled pastries and coffee at the bar.
30m · $5-8 per person
Fenocchio
Legendary gelato with 100+ flavors like lavender; post-market treat.
30m · $10-15 per person
Lou Pilha Leva
Informal counter-service Niçoise canteen with outdoor tables; try socca, pissaladière, and stuffed vegetables.
1h 15m · $10-15 per person
Osteria alle Testiere
Book ahead if possible and focus on lagoon seafood dishes, especially if you want a polished mid-range lunch.
1h 15m · $35-$50 per person
Torrefazione Cannaregio
Sleek coffee roastery with a modern interior; have an espresso and pastry at the bar or a slow pour‑over.
30m · $5-10 per person
All'Arco
Order **sarde in saor** (sweet-sour sardines) and **baccalà mantecato** (creamed cod) at this tiny Rialto stand—standing room only.
45m · $12-20 per person
Caffè Florian
Have a polished lunch or coffee break in Piazza San Marco; order a light Venetian plate or espresso if you want the full historic-café experience.
1h · €25-€50 per person
Cantina Do Spade
Historic osteria near the Rialto; try spaghetti alle vongole or seafood risotto plus cicchetti at the bar.[4]
1h 30m · $30-45 per person
Flaveur
Michelin bistro; light pastries, coffee.
45m · $20-30 per person
Le Chantecler
Hotel dining; final niçoise feast (10-min walk).
1h 15m · $40-50 per person
Le Safari
Popular Niçoise spot on Cours Saleya; opt for pasta, grilled fish, or local specialties with a shared dessert.
1h 30m · $20-26 per person
Osteria ai 40 Ladroni
Canal-side osteria known for good-value seafood pastas and classic Venetian dishes; try the seafood risotto or grilled fish.
1h 15m · $25-45 per person
Bacarando in Corte dell’Orso
Casual spot a few minutes from the Rialto Bridge serving cicchetti, seafood pastas, and Venetian classics.
1h 15m · $25-35 per person