The Ultimate Guide to Nice on a Budget: Riviera Charm & Old Town Magic 2025

The easiest and most efficient way is by Tram Line 2. The tram stop is right outside Terminals 1 and 2 and takes you directly to the city center (Jean Médecin station) and the Port (Port Lympia station) in under 30 minutes. It's modern, clean, and very affordable. You can buy tickets at the machines on the platform before you board.

Socca is a must-try Niçois specialty! It's a thin, crispy pancake made from chickpea flour and olive oil, cooked in a huge pan in a wood-fired oven. It's naturally gluten-free and delicious. The best place to try it is in Vieux Nice (Old Town). Look for vendors with a long queue, like Chez Thérésa at the Cours Saleya market or Pipo Socca in the Port district.

Nice's famous beach along the Promenade des Anglais is a pebble beach (galets). There are large sections of public beach where you can lay your towel for free. Interspersed between them are private beaches where you pay for a sun lounger, umbrella, and access to amenities like restaurants, bars, and toilets. Private beaches are more comfortable, but public beaches are great for a quick dip and enjoying the local atmosphere.

The pass can be good value if you plan to do a lot of sightseeing in a short time. It includes access to many major museums (like Chagall and Matisse), a tour on the hop-on-hop-off bus, and other attractions. Before buying, list the things you want to do and add up the individual entry fees. If your total is more than the pass price for your chosen duration (24, 48, or 72 hours), then it's a good deal.

Nice is a fantastic base for exploring the Côte d'Azur. The train (TER) is the fastest way to get to Monaco, Cannes, and Antibes. For the stunning hilltop village of Èze, the bus is better. Take the Bus 82 from Vauban. For the scenic coastal route to Monaco, you can take the famous Bus 100 (now renumbered to 607), which offers breathtaking views for a very low price.

Nice offers plenty of free activities. You can:

• Stroll along the iconic Promenade des Anglais.
• Climb up Castle Hill (Colline du Château) for the best panoramic views of the city and the Baie des Anges.
• Get lost in the charming, narrow streets of Vieux Nice.
• Browse the vibrant Cours Saleya flower market (the sights and smells are free!).
• Relax in the gardens of the Monastère de Cimiez.

Yes, the main central areas of Nice are very walkable. You can easily explore Vieux Nice, Place Masséna, the main shopping areas, and the Promenade des Anglais on foot. For destinations further afield like the museums in Cimiez or the airport, the excellent and modern tram and bus network is the best way to get around.

The Cours Saleya is the main pedestrian street in Vieux Nice, famous for its daily markets. From Tuesday to Sunday morning, it's a vibrant flower market (Marché aux Fleurs) and fresh produce market. On Mondays, the flowers are replaced by a fantastic antiques and flea market (Marché à la Brocante). In the evenings, the market stalls disappear and the whole area becomes a huge outdoor dining room for the surrounding restaurants.

A true, traditional Salade Niçoise is a subject of fierce local debate! Purists insist it should contain only raw vegetables like tomatoes, bell peppers, and spring onions, along with hard-boiled eggs, anchovies, and tuna. Crucially, traditionalists say it should never contain cooked vegetables like potatoes or green beans. When you order one, you're tasting a piece of local culinary heritage!

You have two main options. You can take the scenic walk up the staircases from the eastern end of the Promenade des Anglais or from the Vieux Nice side. For an easier journey, there is a free elevator (ascenseur) that takes you most of the way up. The entrance is on Rue des Ponchettes, just across from the beach. It's a great option on a hot day!