A Coastal Getaway in Nice, France
By Carly Coombs | Posted: October 10, 2025
Nice, France, is the perfect city to visit if you’re looking to explore the French Riviera. The city is located right on the coast, with gorgeous beaches and seawater, along with a beautiful old town with French architecture, perfect for wandering.
I went earlier this year, in mid-May, and loved every second! May is considered shoulder season for tourism, and the weather was warm, but not too hot, and the city wasn’t overly crowded! For me, it was the perfect time to visit if you want to avoid some of the crowds.
Getting around
Nice is a very walkable city with plenty of public transportation options. I opted to mostly walk or bike everywhere and used Uber to get between the airport and my Airbnb.
Renting a bike was my favorite way to explore Nice! There’s a great bike lane running along the main beachfront through Nice that offers gorgeous views. There are plenty of restaurants and beach clubs lining this stretch of the coast, giving you the chance to bike hop from one to another and explore.
I also used a bike to get from Nice to Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat since biking was faster than the bus, and I didn’t mind taking my time and enjoying the journey there! I used the Lime bike rentals, which you can find through the Lime app. You’ll be able to find the bikes in dedicated parking locations, which are shown on a map on the app.
Place Masséna, a historic plaza in the heart of the city, lined with colorful buildings and plenty of shops and cafes.
Accommodation
Nice (and the general area) can be more expensive, so to save a bit, I chose to get an Airbnb about a 15-20 minute walk outside of Old Nice, which is the heart of the city. Not only will it save you some money, but the area was also quieter while still being safe. Visiting during the shoulder season in May also helped me avoid inflated prices you might find during the summer peak season, plus the weather wasn’t as hot, but still warm enough to enjoy the beach.
Things to do
Starting with the obvious: go to the beach! The beaches and coastline in this area are absolutely stunning. The water is such a vibrant blue and teal, it looks unreal!
One thing to remember when visiting the beaches is that most of them are pebble beaches and can be quite rocky. If you plan on swimming, you’ll likely want to bring water shoes, as walking on the rocks can be uncomfortable. For lounging on the beach, you may also want a beach chair or a thicker towel and/or a mat to lie on.
Plage Paloma is one of the more popular beach locations near Nice, located in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. This beach is on the small side, tucked away with gorgeous views of the ocean. While the beach wasn’t too crowded during my visit, it can become very crowded during the peak summer season, so keep that in mind when planning your trip.
Some other beaches to check out: Plage des Fossettes, Plage de Passable, and Plage des Ponchettes, which is right outside of Old Nice.
In addition to great beaches, there are also a few coastal walking paths in the area that allow you to explore the coastline. These paths are great for soaking up the views and finding hidden swimming and sunbathing spots.
I found two walking paths during my visit — Sentier du Littoral and Promenade des Fossettes. You can find the start of the first path at Jardin Félix Rainaud. It will take you down along the rocky shoreline with plenty of little spots to go for a swim or sit by the ocean for a bit. The path can be rocky and uneven, so you’ll want to have comfortable walking shoes and there’s no shade, so wear sunscreen!
I stumbled upon Promenade des Fossettes while at the Plage Paloma in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. You can find the path on the right side of the beach, and can follow it all the way to Plage des Fossettes.
I also recommend taking time to explore Old Nice! This part of the city is pedestrian-only, leaving you to explore its tight alleyways and streets and discover local shops and cafés along the way. The South of France is known for its perfumes and fragrances, so you’ll find a lot of shops selling perfumes, soaps, etc.! I bought a couple of cute bar soaps and they smelled amazing. If you’re looking to splurge on a new perfume or cologne, this is the place to look for it!
You can also check out the Libération Market, where you’ll find stalls selling fresh produce and fish, as well as fun trinkets for souvenirs.
Other things to do:
Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption: This historic church looks like a mini Notre-Dame!
Old Nice Port: Walk around and look at all the colorful boats.
Colline du Château: Public park with panoramic views of the city and the ocean.
Take a day trip to Monaco, Antibes, Cannes, and/or Menton!
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