Nice has plenty to offer travelers of the French Riviera, as it’s the second largest tourist destination in the country. It is filled with wonderful hilltop lookouts, restaurants, glamor, tons of scenery, and the beautiful beaches of the Mediterranean coast. Sun seekers sip cocktails on the parasol-ed terraces that line the pebbled shores and rollerbladers cruise the curved Baie des Anges that flanks the promenade. Nice is used as a jumping-off point to many of the nearby beach towns of the Cote de Azur. I loved Nice (though not as much as I did some of the nearby cities), but be prepared to spend a lot of money here. Its’ glitz mean that there are very few budget options.
Typical Costs
Hostel prices – You can find a number of centrally located hostels within walking distance to the beach starting at 14 EUR for a 6-bed dorm. Private rooms with ensuite bathrooms at these same hostels run start at 50 EUR per night. Hostel Mayerbeer and Baccarat are my two favorites.
Budget hotel prices – You can find two-star hotels located in the city center with free WiFi and air-conditioning starting at 35-40 EUR per night for a double room. On Airbnb, you can find shared rooms for around 25 EUR per night and entire apartments starting at 55 EUR per night.
Average cost of food – Eating out in Nice is expensive. Expect 9-13 EUR for starters, 14-30 EUR for the main dish, desserts 5-10 EUR, and wine 4-9 EUR a glass. To save money, try doing a prix-fixe meal. It’s a set menu that offers you a deal on a 2-3 course meal. It’s the cheapest at lunch at about 15 Euros. You can also save money by picking up some ingredients at one of the many bread, cheese, and meat shops and putting together your own meal. The supermarkets in Nice also provide a cheap source of beer and wine and deli-style food. You can buy groceries for a week for 45 EUR (and they’re even cheaper if you find a discount grocer like Aldi or Lidl). There is always fast food or ready made sandwiches for about 6 EUR.
Transportation costs – Local bus and tram services are 1.50 EUR per ride and day passes are available for 5 EUR per day. You can also save money by purchasing a “multi-10” ticket, which is 10 rides for 10 EUR. Remember to stamp your ticket whenever you board a bus or tram, even if your transfer is still valid. Service runs until around 1am, but is way less frequent after 9pm.
Suggested daily budget – 50-60 EUR / 51-62 USD (Note: This is a suggested budget assuming you’re staying in a hostel, eating out a little, cooking most of your meals, and using local transportation. Using the budget tips below, you can always lower this number. However, if you stay in fancier accommodation or eat out more often, expect this to be higher!)
Money Saving Tips
- Free fun – Take advantage of all of the free sights including the beach, Vieux Nice, Jardin Albert I (the city’s central park), and the Promenade des Anglais, which fills up at night with music and street performers.
- Drink wine – Beer is expensive in Nice and can cost up to 10 EUR a glass so stick to the house wine when eating out. Buy beer at the local supermarkets to enjoy at the hostel or hotel before you head to the restaurant.
- Avoid the summer – Nice is ground zero for summer holidays when people flock to the beaches of the region. Prices more than double so if you want to save money, visit in the shoulder months. Skip June-September!
- Couchsurf — Nothing’s cheaper than sleeping for free. Couchsurfing connects you with locals who will give you not only a free place to stay, but also a local tour guide who can introduce you to all the great places to see.
- Get the set lunch menu — If you eat out, do so at lunch and get the prix-fixe menu (two- or three-course set menu). Restaurants throughout town offer this set menu during lunch, and with prices between €10 and €20, it’s a way better deal than the regular dinner menu!
- Free walking tours – Nice has a free walking tour of the old city that starts at Massena Square Fountain at 11:25am, and lasts for about 2 hours. At the end of the tour, you pay-what-you-can based on your budget.
- Save money on rideshares – Uber is way cheaper than taxis and are the best way to get around a city if you don’t want to wait for a bus or pay for a taxi. The Uber Pool option is where can you share a ride to get even better savings (though you can get your own car too). You can save $15 off your first Uber ride with this code: jlx6v.
Top Things to See and Do in Nice
- Stroll the 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 day’s fresh-made 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 aisles and aisles of fresh flowers. It is open six days a week, with the exception of Monday, when there’s a flea and antique market in its place.
- Visit the Matisse Museum – An innovative museum showcasing the works of Henri Matisse. Matisse spent a lot of time in this region and painted many nature scenes. He 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. Open 10am-6pm (closed on Tuesdays). Admission is 10 EUR for a ticket that’s good for 48 hours.
- Head to 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.
- Check out the 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 can just grab a map and go yourself. Guided bike tours start at 30 EUR. You can rent city bikes, called Velo Bleu, at convenient locations throughout the city. They’re free for the first 30 minutes. Otherwise, you can rent a bike for the day at a rental shop starting at 15 EUR.
- Spend time at the 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 the museum is situated on a lake. Open from 10am-5pm (closed on Tuesdays). Admission is 10 EUR.
- Take in the 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. Open from 10am-6pm (closed on Mondays). Admission is 10 EUR for a ticket that’s good for 48 hours.
- Relax on beautiful beaches – If you want 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 that great when 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.
- Head to Vieux Nice – This is the ‘old town’. Below the hill of the main city lies a maze of streets and tight alleyways, lined with amazing architecture. There are many boutiques here, as well as, the Cours Saleya—a daily fruit and flower market.
- Take a day trip to Monaco – Even if you can’t afford to stay in this luxurious city, there’s no reason why you can’t make it a day trip. Catch either the train or a bus between the cities, and spend your day exploring the casinos, yacht culture, and chic restaurants that line the water. You can take a bus that takes 45 minutes for 2 EUR or a train that takes 20 minutes for 10-15 EUR.
- See a little slice of Russia – One of Tsar Aleksandr II’s sons died in Nice at the beginning of the 20th century after coming down with tuberculosis. The St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox cathedral was constructed in his memory. The architecture is impressive and seems very out of place. A dress code is strictly enforced, so don’t wear shorts if you want to enter.
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