Old Town Nice Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Old Town Nice
Old Town Nice
Old Town featuring food and signage
Castle Hill featuring a beach, general coastal views and a coastal town
Castle Hill featuring a bay or harbour, a marina and boating
Narrow twisting streets, bustling food markets and charming cafés all combine to make Nice’s Old Town and area bursting with life and character.

This ancient area of Nice is a patchwork of old buildings in colourful pastel undertones. Stroll through the many side alleys and lose yourself in the maze of cobblestoned back streets that all lead to small squares and plazas. Soak up the French café culture like a local and marvel at your surroundings in this paradise of culture and urban activity. Many locals still live in the area and can be heard chatting high above, across streets, over washing lines and balconies.

Situated on the edge of the town centre, amid the foothills of Castle Hill, the Old Town is just a short walk from the beach. Upon entering from the Quai des Étas Unis (the beachfront promenade extending from the Promenade des Anglais), visitors walk straight into the Cours Salaya market place, a thriving square packed with cafés and restaurants. Visit the authentic food markets held every morning except for Mondays when it becomes a flea market. Visitors should try to come early to avoid the crowds during the day and shop with the locals.

Sample local specialties such as the famous Salade Niçoise, or “Pissaladière” (an anchovy and onion tart) from one of the many restaurants in the area. For ice cream lovers, Fenocchio is the most popular ice cream parlour in town and can be found at Place Rosetti. Just across the square is Nice Cathedral, originally built in 1699 and famous for its striking baroque exterior.

Architecture and history enthusiasts will love the Le Palais Lascaris on Rue Droite. A majestic example of 17th and 18th Century architecture, this amazing palace has been renovated into a museum and is open every day except Tuesdays. Admission is free.

The Old Town is designed with pedestrians in mind and can be traversed in just a few minutes. Visitors should not attempt to drive as the streets are narrow and often very crowded. Public transport (trams and buses) will bring you to the outskirts of the town but not directly inside.


Popular places to visit

Activities


Our pick of the best Old Town Nice Hotel Deals

Albert 1'er Hotel Nice, France
Albert 1'er Hotel Nice, France
3 out of 5
4 avenue Max Gallo, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes
The price is AU$263 per night from 3 Apr to 4 Apr
AU$263
includes taxes & fees
3 Apr - 4 Apr
Stay at this 3-star hotel in Nice. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the comfy rooms in our reviews. ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,000 reviews)
"Walks were very thin in some areas. Luckily not a lot of noise late at night"

Reviewed on 31 Mar. 2025

Albert 1'er Hotel Nice, France
Hotel Beau Rivage
Hotel Beau Rivage
4 out of 5
24 Rue Saint Francois De Paule, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes
The price is AU$279 per night from 6 Apr to 7 Apr
AU$279
includes taxes & fees
6 Apr - 7 Apr
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Nice. Enjoy free WiFi, a beach locale, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (1,000 reviews)
"Nice hotel in the middle of many attractions in Nice."

Reviewed on 24 Mar. 2025

Hotel Beau Rivage
Palais Saleya Boutique Hôtel
Palais Saleya Boutique Hôtel
4 out of 5
21 rue du marché, Nice
The price is AU$390 per night from 2 Apr to 3 Apr
AU$390
includes taxes & fees
2 Apr - 3 Apr
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Nice. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (740 reviews)
Great location
"Great location in Old Nice, room was very good, we had the Junior Suite with mezzanine and kitchenette. Had Everingham we needed."

Reviewed on 26 Mar. 2025

Palais Saleya Boutique Hôtel
Mercure Nice Marche aux Fleurs
Mercure Nice Marche aux Fleurs
4 out of 5
91 Quai Des Etats Unis, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes
The price is AU$260 per night from 27 Apr to 28 Apr
AU$260
includes taxes & fees
27 Apr - 28 Apr
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Nice. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
7.8/10 Good! (807 reviews)
Great location
"The location is fantastic - right on the edge of the old town and walking distance of the train and tram stations. Fantastic for seeing everything you would want to see in Nice. Interesting rooms in two levels - with the bathroom and small living room on the lower floor and bed on the upper floor ..."

Reviewed on 17 Mar. 2025

Mercure Nice Marche aux Fleurs
Hôtel Suisse
Hôtel Suisse
4 out of 5
15 Quai Rauba Capeu, Promenade Des Anglais, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes
The price is AU$431 per night from 3 Apr to 4 Apr
AU$431
includes taxes & fees
3 Apr - 4 Apr
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Nice. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (981 reviews)
Amazing
"Beautiful hotel. Perfect location, staff was very friendly and welcoming: room was absolutely beautiful.!!!!!!!!"

Reviewed on 11 Mar. 2025

Hôtel Suisse
Hotel Du Couvent, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Nice,  France
Hotel Du Couvent, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Nice, France
5 out of 5
1 Rue Honoré Ugo, Nice
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$841 per night from 13 Apr to 14 Apr
AU$841
includes taxes & fees
13 Apr - 14 Apr
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Nice. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 3 restaurants. Popular attractions Promenade des Anglais and Place Massena ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (50 reviews)
"Amazing hotel with plenty of dining options nearby. It offers a unique experience, showcasing how missionaries lived in the past. The only downside is the need to walk a few hundred meters for a taxi or Uber pickup, but the hotel conveniently provides a golf cart for pickups and drop-offs."

Reviewed on 19 Mar. 2025

Hotel Du Couvent, A Luxury Collection Hotel, Nice, France
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Other neighbourhoods around Old Town Nice

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Carabacel

3.5/5(4 area reviews)

The pristine beaches and ample dining options are top of the list for many visitors to Carabacel. A stop by Nice Theatre or Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art might round out your trip.

Carabacel
Nice showing interior views, markets and food

Jean-Médecin

While you're in Jean-Médecin, take in top sights like Promenade des Anglais or Nice Étoile Shopping Center, and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Massena Tramway Station or Jean Medecin Tramway Station.

Jean-Médecin
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Carre d'Or

While you're in Carre d'Or, take in top sights like Promenade des Anglais and jump on the metro at Massena Tramway Station to see more of the city.

Carre d'Or
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Quartier du Port

While you're in Quartier du Port, take in top sights like Place Garibaldi and jump on the metro at Garibaldi Tram Station to see more of the city.

Quartier du Port
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Lazaret

Lazaret is known for its waterfront views, and you can plan a trip to Nice Ferry Terminal and Port of Nice while you're in town.

Lazaret
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Nice City Centre

4.5/5(26 area reviews)

Known for its stunning beaches and popular shops, there's plenty to explore in Nice City Centre. Check out top attractions like Promenade des Anglais and Hôtel Negresco, and jump on the metro at Alsace - Lorraine Tram Station or Massena Tramway Station to see more of the city.

Nice City Centre

Old Town Nice Travel Guide

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