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 ฿3,115 per night from 2 Nov to 3 Nov
฿3,115
฿3,691 total
2 Nov - 3 Nov
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! (1,020 reviews)
Staff was knowledgeable, friendly and accommodating. I love the area because he beach is right there.y room had a balcony where I can see the view of the ocean.

Reviewed on 19 Oct 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 ฿3,737 per night from 17 Nov to 18 Nov
฿3,737
฿4,376 total
17 Nov - 18 Nov
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! (1,010 reviews)
Overall Beau Rivage is a very nice hotel with attentive and accomodating staff. Hotels.com lisiting raved about the access to the Beau Rivage beach club, with chairs and free towels. I decided to pay much more that competing hotels and reserve on Sep 29. When I arrived on Sep 30, I was very disappointed ...

Reviewed on 16 Oct 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 ฿2,703 per night from 23 Nov to 24 Nov
฿2,703
฿3,238 total
23 Nov - 24 Nov
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 ...
8/10 Very Good! (862 reviews)
Lovely staff and comfy rooms! We enjoyed our stay!

Reviewed on 9 Oct 2025

Mercure Nice Marche aux Fleurs
Le Meridien Nice

Le Meridien Nice

4 out of 5
1 Promenade Des Anglais, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ฿6,951 per night from 14 Nov to 15 Nov
฿6,951
฿7,912 total
14 Nov - 15 Nov
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! (651 reviews)
Excellent location with amazing views. The room was well designed, spotless and spacious. The breakfast buffet had a wide array of options, all of high quality, and was regularly replenished. The staff do a fabulous job at keeping every element of the stay at an exceptional level.

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

Le Meridien Nice
OKKO Hotels Nice Aéroport

OKKO Hotels Nice Aéroport

4 out of 5
147 Boulevard René Cassin, Nice
The price is ฿2,794 per night from 24 Oct to 25 Oct
฿2,794
฿3,339 total
24 Oct - 25 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star eco-certified hotel in Nice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, breakfast (surcharge) and a fitness centre. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean ...
9/10 Wonderful! (983 reviews)
Yes

Reviewed on 17 Oct 2025

OKKO Hotels Nice Aéroport
Hotel Le Negresco

Hotel Le Negresco

5 out of 5
37 Promenade Des Anglais, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes
The price is ฿12,112 per night from 6 Nov to 7 Nov
฿12,112
฿13,680 total
6 Nov - 7 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Nice. Enjoy free Wi-Fi, a full-service spa and 2 restaurants. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (1,006 reviews)
Javier checked us in and was the most accommodating host ever.

Reviewed on 11 Oct 2025

Hotel Le Negresco
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