What to do in Nice with family?

In this article, I’m taking you to a city that’s very close to my heart, since I spent some of the best years of my life there. No less! The perfect destination for unplugging over a weekend (and much more), let me introduce you to Nice. What to do in Nice with family? Here’s everything you need to know!

Getting your bearings

As usual, let’s start with a quick overview. Nice sits at the far southeastern tip of France, right on the coast at the foot of the Alps, less than 30 kilometers as the crow flies from the Italian border. Nice is the “Côte d’Azur” part of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. Bordered by the Baie des Anges and surrounded by hills, Nice is a real gem! Welcome to the French Riviera!

As I mentioned in the intro, Nice is a city that means a lot to me. I did part of my studies there, I met my husband there, and nearly 20 years later, I can say I’ve built lasting friendships there too. We went back a few years ago with the kids, almost like a pilgrimage! Here are my must-sees for discovering Nice with family.

Visiting Nice with family

If you don’t know the region, forget everything you think you know about the Côte d’Azur: glitz, glamour, luxury, and retirees. Nice is above all a human-scale city, culturally rich, with a stunning setting to live in. The Mediterranean Sea sparkles under the sun and you’ll find shade at the foot of the palm trees. The Baie des Anges is waiting for you!

The Promenade des Anglais

I have to start this discovery of Nice with the Promenade des Anglais. It’s legendary, it’s iconic, “the Prom'” as locals call it is obviously a must! A little over 5 kilometers of seafront walkway. The Prom’ runs right through the city: on one side, the blue of the sea, on the other, buildings, a hospital, hotels, shops, and Art Deco façades you shouldn’t miss, like the Palais de la Méditerranée or the Negresco, both iconic buildings in Nice.

To take in the view and rest from the walk, there are benches all along the promenade, plus the famous blue chairs.

Where to stay in Nice: right on the Prom’!

You could, for example, book a hotel right on the Prom’, so you can start your walk straight from your doorstep! On the way back, or partway through, don’t hesitate to hop on a bus or the tram. You can get your tickets very easily on your phone (more information here).

For a more affordable option without compromising on comfort, I can suggest this apartment where we stayed last time. It is ideally located near the train station, the sea, and public transport.

The old town, the Vieux-Nice

A stroll through the old town is a must. Adorable little streets await, some bathed in sunshine, others fully in the shade (which is a nice change). In the old town, you’ll obviously find plenty of places to eat and a few charming little shops.

• Worth seeing: Sainte-Reparate Cathedral, the Chapelle de la Miséricorde, the Church of the Annunciation
• Don’t miss: the Cours Saleya flower market. It’s a classic, and it’s not just flowers! You’ll also find fruit and vegetable stalls smelling of Provence. While you’re there, try the famous Socca, specialty of the city. (Flower market: Tuesday to Saturday, 6am to 5:30pm. Sunday, 6am to 1:30pm. On Mondays, it becomes an antiques market, and from June to September, a night market offers crafts and souvenirs.)
• A must-try: the ice cream from Fenocchio, an institution!

Castle Hill Park

Also a must, you absolutely have to (yes, it’s basically an obligation) climb up to Castle Hill Park. From up there, you’ll get a breathtaking view over the Baie des Anges! Don’t go looking for the castle though, there isn’t one anymore.

Along the way, enjoy the view by the #ILoveNice sign, which seems to have been put there specifically for Instagrammers! At the same spot, there’s a huge sundial set into the ground. And the view… it’s stunning.

Keep climbing all the way to the top, take in the view (again and again, you never get tired of it), and enjoy a well-deserved rest: playgrounds, lawns, and a lovely wooded park await! There’s even a small waterfall!

For the way down, you can take the other side of the hill and end up at Nice’s harbor.

Good to know: there’s an elevator that takes you straight up to the top of Castle Hill Park. It’s located right next to the stairs, at the far end of the Quai des Etats-Unis (15, quai Rauba Capeu, to be precise).

The Paillon Promenade

Another must-do walk, one that your little ones will especially love: the Paillon Promenade. This area, along with Place Masséna, was entirely under construction when I was a student there. When we went back with the kids, we found it absolutely gorgeous! The Paillon Promenade is a long, wide walkway dedicated to strolling and relaxing. A green corridor running through the city, dotted with playgrounds, a water mirror, and benches for admiring the buildings. After the yellow and ochre tones of the old town, here you shift to pink, orange, red, and terracotta. The electric tram (wonderfully quiet) runs nearby. Place Masséna, with its fountain, red façades, and black-and-white checkerboard pattern… I love it.

At the end of the promenade, you reach the outdoor amphitheater and connect back to the Promenade des Anglais! For some shopping, turn onto Avenue Jean Médecin near Place Masséna.

The beach

Naturally, the beaches of Nice will catch your eye. One important note though: nearly all the beaches are pebble beaches! Not exactly the comfiest for sunbathing on a towel.

There are two ways to enjoy the beach comfortably in Nice: private beach clubs that rent out sun loungers, and a few small patches of sand scattered here and there. You’ll find one of these little pockets of sand at Carras beach.

Just outside Nice, family-friendly of course!

I know I titled this article What to do in Nice with family?, but I can’t resist sharing a few gems just outside Nice with you. All of these are reachable by train from Nice, which is genuinely convenient! I had to be strict and narrow it down to just four spots, but there are plenty more and some that you can discover in this article.

Villefranche-sur-Mer

On the east side of Nice, the bay of Villefranche is absolutely charming: a lovely little harbor and a really pleasant beach. It’s a great spot for a first scuba dive, for instance. That’s where I did mine! You can get more information and make your reservation here.

Eze

In Eze, you get a taste of the hilltop villages further inland. It’s technically on the coast, but it gives you a sense of that mountain-village landscape. Old stone, narrow streets and staircases, hikes, a real mountain-village feel. It’s lovely. Highly recommended!

Cagnes-sur-Mer

On the west side, I wanted to give a little shoutout to Cagnes-sur-Mer. Back in my student days, I went a few times to watch horse races at the racecourse. You don’t need to be an expert, everyone is welcome! From the stands, you get a sea view too, of course! If there happen to be races while you’re in the area, it’s a fun, out-of-the-ordinary activity worth trying! Children will love it as well!

Cannes

It’s a bit further, about half an hour by train west of Nice, but it’s another city you shouldn’t skip. The Croisette is lovely, of course. But I’d especially recommend the old town of Cannes. It’s genuinely lovely, charming, and has viewpoints that will blow you away!

With all that, I still haven’t told you about Nice’s many museums, the Orthodox church that’s well worth a visit, or Parc Phoenix at the far west end of the Prom (and it’s really lovely too!). Anyway, as you can tell, a little trip to Nice is a guaranteed success. Personally, I’d recommend going off-season, maybe during the fall school break, which is coming up soon!

♥♥♥ Flo & co ♥♥♥

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