10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Nice
What Not to Do in Nice on Your 1st Visit
These typical mistakes people make when visiting Nice might be obvious to some, but they can affect your traveling experience if not taken to heart. We’ve also listed some misconceptions about this charming city of art and culture on the French Riviera. Hopefully, knowing a few of these insider tips will make planning your trip easier.
We provide you with things to consider like when is the peak season and where Nice’s main highlights are found. It’s always worth learning about this beautiful seaside city before you travel, even down to simple things about the beaches. Read on to learn more on what to expect and what not to do in Nice on your first visit.
10 Mistakes People Make When Visiting Nice
- Thinking summer is the best time to go
- Failing to get the French Riviera Pass
- Expecting sandy beaches in Nice
- Ignoring areas beyond Nice
- Booking a hotel far from the Old Town
- Thinking Nice is a small seaside town
- Forgetting to pack walking shoes
- Booking a budget stay without air conditioning
- Driving yourself within the city
- Missing out on the local dishes
1. Thinking summer is the best time to go
July and August are the French “off months”
Good for: Budget, Couples, Families
Summer in France sure is a great time to experience the Mediterranean and the French Riviera. The season spans between June and September. But it’s important to remember that the July–August period, particularly August, is when French cities partially shut down as locals take their summer beach breaks.
This means higher prices and fully booked hotels, especially in the high demand parts of Nice such as the Promenade des Anglais. Consider booking your travels from late September to late April for better prices and availability.
Thinking summer is the best time to go
2. Failing to get the French Riviera Pass
Especially if you have a full itinerary
Good for: Adventure, Budget
If your Nice travel plan is packed, you might want to consider getting yourself a French Riviera Pass. For the active types wanting to see and experience as much as they can during your time in the city, the pass means savings on entry fees to museums and historic villas and when booking sightseeing tours in Nice and around the French Riviera.
This city card is provided by the tourist office or you can buy it online. Even though regular public transport is not included, you can still use the pass to get around the city. Just hop on the Nice Le Grand Tour sightseeing buses or Petit Train Touristique and go exploring.
Failing to get the French Riviera Pass
3. Expecting sandy beaches in Nice
Most beaches in and around Nice are pebbly
Good for: Budget, Couples, Families
The beaches in Nice and along most of the length of the French Riviera are pebbly, and even if there are sandy stretches, the grains vary greatly. Nice’s main beach is covered in what locals call “galets,” which are large and flat grey stones that, in a way, contribute to the deep azure of the sea.
The bright and clean pebbles can be fun, especially for kids, who can stack them up to build pebble castles. To ensure comfort, packing water shoes might be useful for frolicking on the coast. Looking for a sandy alternative? Take a 15-minute drive east to Villefranche-sur-Mer’s beaches.
Expecting sandy beaches in Nice
4. Ignoring areas beyond Nice
Small, charming villages and French Riviera cities worth discovering
Good for: Adventure, Photo
It’s worth fitting in a day trip out of the city and getting off the beaten paths to discover the many other charming locations along the French Riviera. These include smaller coastal places like Villefranche-sur-Mer, with its sandier beaches, to the east, and Antibes, with its stunning maze-like Old Town and large port and marina, to the southwest.
For a taste of the high life, consider going on a day trip to glitzy Monaco and Monte Carlo, both within just a half-hour’s drive north-east of Nice.
Ignoring areas beyond Nice
5. Booking a hotel far from the Old Town
It’s where most of the highlights are
Good for: Food, History, Shoppers
It’s wise to book your stay near Old Town Nice (Vieux). This is especially true if you want to be within easy reach of all that the charming city has to offer, and there are plenty of hotels to choose from.
Old Town Nice is also right by the beach, and it’s where you’ll find all the great dining spots, as well as the small and pretty Insta-worthy streets. It’s also where you’d want to be for most of Nice’s bubbly nightlife. Set up camp in Old Town Nice, and you’ll be able to easily switch from beach to shopping, from enjoying afternoon coffee to getting back to your hotel, all within walking distance.
Booking a hotel far from the Old Town
6. Thinking Nice is a small seaside town
It’s a big city in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
Good for: Adventure, Photo, Shoppers
Images of Nice may predominantly showcase its curved bay, lined by the Promenade des Anglais and the azure waters of the Mediterranean, typical of a seaside town. Though there aren’t the skyscrapers common in megacities, look closer and you’ll see that the red roofs are those of large, proper city buildings.
In a large city, it’s easy to underestimate distances. Reaching attractions such as the Matisse Museum or hilltop neighborhoods may involve a significant walk, a bus, or a tram ride. And choosing the right neighborhood for your stay can significantly affect your experience. So, check the map and distances when you’re planning your itinerary and booking your hotel.
Thinking Nice is a small seaside town
7. Forgetting to pack walking shoes
Long promenade, walkable city streets, and scenic hills to hike
Good for: Adventure, Couples, Families
Since Nice is very walkable and quite casual, it can be a mistake not to pack a pair of walking shoes. For one, the seaside city’s major highlight, Promenade des Anglais, has plenty of sights along its 4.3-mile (7-km) length that are best explored on foot. On the narrow alleys in Old Town Nice, walking is pretty much the most convenient way of getting around.
You’ll definitely need a pair of comfy shoes for the hike up to Castle Hill (Colline du Château). Don’t miss the seascape overlooking the city and the Bay of Angels (Baie des Anges) from the top.
Forgetting to pack walking shoes
8. Booking a budget stay without air conditioning
Especially in the heat of summer
Good for: Budget, Couples, Families
In Nice, the summers can be hot and humid, with temperatures averaging between 77°F (25°C) and 88°F (31°C), and higher during heatwaves. If you’re looking for a budget stay in the city during summer, check that your room comes with air-conditioning to make your nights more bearable.
It isn’t uncommon for lodgings along the French Riviera, or in all of Europe for that matter, to not feature any AC in their rooms. If you can’t find anywhere suitable, try staying near the coast and take advantage of the sea breeze to cool you and your room.
Booking a budget stay without air conditioning
9. Driving yourself within the city
The most interesting parts of the city are walkable
Good for: Couples, Families
Unless you’re planning a day trip out to discover other small towns around Provence, getting a car in Nice isn’t necessary. After all, you’ll likely be spending most of your time strolling along the seaside Promenade des Anglais, and most parts of the city are very walkable.
Newcomers may find the one-way streets a little confusing. If you do plan on taking a day trip, you can rent a car just for the day. Top tip: pick the car up on the outskirts rather than in the city center to avoid navigating the unfamiliar traffic.
Driving yourself within the city
10. Missing out on the local dishes
There’s more to local cuisine beyond Niçoise salad
Good for: Food, History
In one way, the cuisine that you’ll find in Nice isn’t truly French. That’s because much of the French Riviera is close to Italy, and Nice was actually part of Italy until 1860. The resulting dining scene is an eclectic mix.
Sure, you’ll find restaurants specializing in various world cuisines in Nice, from Italian to Portuguese, and from Chinese to Lebanese. But your culinary adventure starts with the exotic local delights. Among the must-tries beyond the more novel Niçoise salad are “socca” (chickpea pancakes similar to crepes) and “moules marinière” (mussels with cream sauce). If you crave Riviera’s version of pizza, order a “pissaladière” with a thin crust, slow-cooked onions, anchovies, and black olives. Read more
Missing out on the local dishes
This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.