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Nice

Nice has plenty to offer travelers being the second largest tourism centers in France. It is filled with wonderful hilltops full of villages, tons of scenery, and beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean coast. Sun seekers sip cocktails on parasoled lounges lining its polished pebbled shores and bladers cruise the curved Baie des Anges flanking the promenade des Anglais. It has a nickname of “The Beautiful Nice” and is the capital of the French Riviera as well as the 5th largest city in France. Because of this, it is also home to numerous museums of all kinds, and also being a vacation destination, it has various festivals throughout the year. Nice is used as a jumping off point to many of the nearby beach towns of the Cote de Azur.

Costs in Nice

• Hostel Prices: Dorm rooms cost between 16-20 Euros per night while private rooms in hostels begin at 45 Euros per night
• Budget Hotel Prices: Nice isn’t a real budget place and the cheapest hotels begin at 80 Euros per night.
• Average Cost of Food: Eating out in Nice is expensive. It’s 8-10 euros for starters, 15-20 euros for the main dish, desserts 5-6 euros, and wine 3-7 euros a glass. The supermarkets in Nice provide a cheap source of beer and wine and deli-style cost of food. You can buy groceries for a week for 30-60 euros. There is always fast food or ready made sandwiches for 5 Euros.
• Cost of Internet: 4 Euros for 1 hour. Many hotels and hostels have free wi-fi.
• Transportation Costs: Local bus service is available in Nice for approximately 1.40 Euro and day passes are available for 4 Euros per day.

Things to Do in Nice

• Promenade des Anglais – A very popular location that is always lively. There are always tourists relaxing along the shore, people rollerblading, biking, walking, and jogging. Vendors are in the background selling the days fresh baked crepes and best of all there are nice restaurants on the beach. You can pay to lounge while they bring you food and drink.
• Visit the Cours Saleya Flower Market – Nice is known for all of its beautiful flowers so this is a market you can’t miss. The market is lined with cafes, shops, and isles and isles of fresh flowers. It is open six days a week except on Monday. On Monday, there is a flea and antique market in its place.
• Matisse Museum – An innovative museum showcasing the works of Henri Matisse. He spent a lot of time in this region and painted many nature scenes. Matisse was a very important impressionist artist and if you like impressionist art, this museum is a must see. You can also buy prints of the artist’s work.
• Le Chateau – You must visit the Chateau for the best panoramic view of the city and the sea. You have the option to take an elevator or hike up the stairs, but it’s a long, long walk.
• Nice Port – The Nice Port is often forgotten by travelers, but it is definitely worth venturing to. Around the corner from Old Nice and the Quai des Etats Unis, the port is a great spot to watch the Corsica ferries lift off. Also, if you are going to check out the nightlife in this city, the hippest nightclubs are located here.
• Go Cycling – Nice and the surrounding area are a great place to go cycling. There are many tour operators here who will take you to some of the surrounding towns and lookouts or you could just grab a map and go yourself.
• Museum of Asian Art – This museum has an excellent collection of art of Indian, Chinese, southeast Asian, and world influence. The architecture of the building is also quite beautiful—and it is situated on a lake. Admission is free.
• Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art – The MAMAC has four connected tours, each featuring modern and contemporary art. There is a great collection of sculptures, conceptual installations, and paintings. The view from the top is amazing.
• Beaches – If you are wanting to head to the beach, be aware that the public areas consist almost entirely of large flat stones. If fact, the beaches of nice aren’t super nice compared to beaches in the surrounding area. Wear your sandals/shoes and be sure to bring a mat or towel. There are free showers on all beaches, which is also convenient.
• Hiking – Trails start from La Turbie and go high above Monaco and the Grande Corniche. There are a lot of amazing views of the Cote d’Azure from here.
• Vieux Nice – This is the ‘old town’. Below the hill of the main city lies a maze of streets and tight alley was, lined with amazing architecture. There are many boutiques here, as well as, the Cours Saleya—a daily fruit and flower market.

Budget Tips for Nice

• Use the Tourist Office: Stop by the local tourist office for information about special events, free concerts, and art festivals.
• Free Fun: Take advantage of all of the free sights including the beach, Viieux Nice, Jardin Albert I (the city’s central park), and the promenade des Anglais that fills up at night with music and street performers.
• Drink Wine: Beer is expensive in Nice. It can cost up to 8 Euros a glass, so stick to the house wine when eating out. It will be cheaper (plus you’re in France)! Buy beer at the local supermarkets to enjoy at the hostel or hotel before you head to the restaurant.

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