The beautiful city of Nice, nick-named Nice-la-Belle, is located right on the seaside, with a 5m long (stony) beach and promenade, as well as a lovely old town and great shopping and cultural districts to explore. The airport is in the city centre, accessible within minutes by tram and local bus, and Nice is an access point for Monaco and Italy (by train and car) and Corsica (by ferry).
Nice city is well worth spending a day or two in, even just to stroll its 5km-long Promenade des Anglais – named after all the English aristocratic families who were fond of spending their winters here in the late 18th century – and to wander into the old town for lunch. There are lots of lovely squares and good museums and galleries in the city. We also love to climb Colline du Chateau for the panoramic views of the city from one side and Port Lympia from the other.
But the surrounding Riviera seaside resorts and medieval hilltop villages with their stunning coastal views are really what a visit to Nice is about. Base yourself at a campsite in a Mediterranean village nearby to really soak up the Provençal atmosphere, enjoy the scenery, and take advantage of excellent cycling, hiking, cultural opportunities and more.
