3 Days in Nice — The Perfect Itinerary

Day 1: Old Town Charm & Seaside Strolls

Morning

Start at Place Masséna (the city's heart) for coffee and pastries at a boulangerie. Walk 10 minutes to Vieux Nice (Old Town), dodging cobblestones past pastel buildings. Explore Quartier de la Colline du Château – peek into hidden courtyards and snap photos at Church of Sainte-Réparate. Cost: €5 coffee/pastry, free walking.

Afternoon

Take bus #2 (€1.90) 15 minutes to Castle Hill (Colline du Château) for panoramic views. Descend via Passage de la Mairie (a covered alley) to Place Rossetti. Lunch at a provençal bistro (try socca – chickpea flatbread) near Place Masséna. Cost: €15 lunch, bus €1.90.

Evening

Stroll the Promenade des Anglais toward Le Negresco Hotel (iconic Art Deco landmark). Dine at a seafood shack on Rue de la Madone (try grilled fish with herbs). End with gelato at Gelateria dei Vini (near the harbor). Cost: €25 dinner, €5 gelato.

Day 2: Monaco & Riviera Glamour

Morning

Take the SNCF train from Nice-Ville Station (€10.50, 30 mins) to Monte Carlo Station. Walk past Prince's Palace and Monte Carlo Casino (admire exterior only). Explore Fontaine de la Fontaine du Parc (fountain in Monaco's park). Cost: €10.50 train, free sights.

Afternoon

Take bus #21 (€1.90) back to Nice. Head to La Closerie des Cèdres (a botanical garden near the airport) for a quiet lunch at a gourmet deli (sandwiches with local cheeses). Then visit Musée Matisse (Matisse Museum, €10) to see his vibrant works. Cost: €12 lunch, €10 museum, bus €1.90.

Evening

Return to Nice via train (€10.50). Dinner at a tapas bar in Le Cagnard (a lively neighborhood near the old port). Sip rosé while watching sunset over Port Lympia. Cost: €20 dinner, €10 train.

Day 3: Hilltop Views & Artisan Soul

Morning

Take bus #15 (€1.90) up to Castle Hill (Colline du Château) for sunrise views. Explore Théâtre de la Colline (a hidden theater garden). Then wander La Gare de Cimiez (a hilltop district with art galleries). Stop at a fromagerie for goat cheese tasting. Cost: €1.90 bus, €8 cheese tasting.

Afternoon

Walk 15 minutes to Musée des Beaux-Arts (Nice's art museum, €10) to see Renoir’s Beach at Nice. Lunch at a provençal brasserie in Place Masséna (try ratatouille). Cost: €10 museum, €15 lunch.

Evening

Relax at Plage du Paillon (a quiet beach near the river) for sunset. Dinner at a cozy wine bar in Le Vieux-Nice (try Niçoise salad with tuna). End with a nightcap at Le Bar à Vin (a wine bar under the arches). Cost: €25 dinner, €7 drink.