Old Town Nice Travel Guide

Nice

Old Town Nice
Old Town Nice
Old Town which includes signage and food
Castle Hill featuring general coastal views, a coastal town and a sandy beach
Castle Hill featuring a marina, boating and a bay or harbour

Food markets, tiny streets and packed cafés make up Nice’s picturesque old town.

Nice’s Old Town, “Vieux Nice”, is a sea of pastel-colored buildings, old churches and narrow alleyways. Its streets are filled with shops and restaurants, tiny squares and crowded cafés. Spend a day getting lost in the charming back streets or settle at an outdoor table in one of the squares to people-watch. Plenty of locals still live in the area. Look up to see washing lines strung between balconies and neighbours chatting through open shutters.

The Old Town lies between Castle Hill and the town centre, a block in from the beach and the Quai des Étas Unis (the beachfront promenade which extends from the Promenade des Anglais). Walk under a set of old archways and into the Cours Salaya, an outdoor market place surrounded by cafés and restaurants. Pick up fresh local produce and flowers every morning, except Mondays, when it becomes a flea market. Come early to avoid the crowds and shop with the locals.

Restaurants serve up local specialties such as Salade Niçoise, or “Pissaladière”, an anchovy and onion tart. Head into the alleyways for smaller, less crowded restaurants. Join the lines at Fenocchio in Place Rosetti, the most popular ice cream parlor in town. The Cathédral Sainte Reparate, or Nice Cathedral, is just across the square. It was built in 1699 and is characterised by a striking baroque façade. Wander inside to admire relics from the Glory Saint of Reparata.

Le Palais Lascaris on the busy Rue Droite is one of the grandest examples of Baroque architecture in the city. The palace was built in the 17th and 18th centuries and has been restored as a museum. It’s open every day except Tuesdays, and admission is free.

The best way to explore the Old Town is on foot. Don’t even attempt to drive many of the streets are narrow, one-way or pedestrian-only. Public transport, including trams and buses, runs to the Old Town but not inside. It is small enough to walk from one side to the other in a matter of minutes. Spend at least half a day to take it all in.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Old Town Nice

Albert 1'er Hotel Nice, France

Albert 1'er Hotel Nice, France

4 out of 5
4 avenue Max Gallo, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes
The price is Rp4.260.672 per night from 25 Aug to 26 Aug
Rp4.260.672
Rp4.818.448 total
25 Aug - 26 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Nice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the comfy rooms in their ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,005 reviews)
"Good food. Should offer a single sheet as well as the full blanket is too hot to sleep in. Should offer a few TV channels in English speaking."

Reviewed on 13 Aug 2025

Albert 1'er Hotel Nice, France
Hotel Beau Rivage

Hotel Beau Rivage

4 out of 5
24 Rue Saint Francois De Paule, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes
The price is Rp5.243.472 per night from 28 Aug to 29 Aug
Rp5.243.472
Rp5.899.785 total
28 Aug - 29 Aug
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Nice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a beach locale and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (998 reviews)
"Overall great! Floor of room was in need of redoing, but not a problem. Staff was super nice and helpful. They went out of there way to fix a tour snafu and made us happy! Close to beach, tram to trains, shopping and dining!"

Reviewed on 15 Aug 2025

Hotel Beau Rivage
Mercure Nice Marche aux Fleurs

Mercure Nice Marche aux Fleurs

4 out of 5
91 Quai Des Etats Unis, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes
The price is Rp4.055.848 per night from 21 Sept to 22 Sept
Rp4.055.848
Rp4.593.399 total
21 Sept - 22 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Nice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. Popular ...
7.8/10 Good! (844 reviews)
Friendliness
"Reception team very helpful from checking us in early and assisting with our departure"

Reviewed on 2 Aug 2025

Mercure Nice Marche aux Fleurs
Mercure Nice Promenade Des Anglais

Mercure Nice Promenade Des Anglais

4 out of 5
2 Rue Halevy, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes
The price is Rp4.266.435 per night from 3 Sept to 4 Sept
Rp4.266.435
Rp4.824.787 total
3 Sept - 4 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Nice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in ...
8/10 Very Good! (1,001 reviews)
"Perfect location and the staff was very helpful. Bed was confortable and the room was so spacious. The cleanliness of the room was great but there was a bit of mildew in the tub (although this is typical of hot and humid locations) so it wasn’t a huge concern. Besides that the bathroom was very clean. ..."

Reviewed on 18 Aug 2025

Mercure Nice Promenade Des Anglais
Le Meridien Nice

Le Meridien Nice

4 out of 5
1 Promenade Des Anglais, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes
The price is Rp8.084.048 per night from 16 Sept to 17 Sept
Rp8.084.048
Rp9.024.494 total
16 Sept - 17 Sept
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Nice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a rooftop terrace and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in their reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (620 reviews)
"Everything was good"

Reviewed on 17 Aug 2025

Le Meridien Nice
Westminster Hotel & Spa Nice

Westminster Hotel & Spa Nice

4 out of 5
27 Promenade Des Anglais, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Nice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful staff ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"A beautiful building with a blend of history and the modern day. Friendly staff who were always happy to help. Lovely bar with sea views, great drinks, and prompt staff. 10/10 ⭐️"

Reviewed on 19 Aug 2025

Westminster Hotel & Spa Nice
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Old Town Nice

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Carabacel

4.5/5(46 area reviews)

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Carabacel. A stop by Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art or Nice Theatre might round out your trip.

Carabacel
Nice showing interior views, markets and food

Jean-Médecin

While you're in Jean-Médecin, take in top sights like Promenade des Anglais or Nice Étoile Shopping Center, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Massena Tramway Station or Jean Medecin Tramway Station.

Jean-Médecin
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Carre d'Or

While you're in Carre d'Or, take in top sights like Promenade des Anglais and jump on the metro at Massena Tramway Station to see more of the city.

Carre d'Or
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Quartier du Port

While you're in Quartier du Port, take in top sights like Place Garibaldi and jump on the metro at Garibaldi Tram Station to see more of the city.

Quartier du Port
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Lazaret

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

Lazaret is known for its waterfront views, and you can plan a trip to Nice Ferry Terminal and Port of Nice while you're in town.

Lazaret
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Nice City Centre

4.5/5(154 area reviews)

Known for its stunning beaches and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Nice City Centre. Check out top attractions like Promenade des Anglais and Hôtel Negresco, and jump on the metro at Alsace - Lorraine Tram Station or Massena Tramway Station to see more of the city.

Nice City Centre

Old Town Nice Travel Guide