Luxury Holidays to Nice

Walking the winding lanes of Vieux-Nice is a step back in time, with architecture from 1700s that reflect centuries of French and Italian influence. We recommend taking your time exploring its independent shops, cafés and restaurants tucked into narrow alleyways. These all lead the highlight of Old Town, the Cours Saleya which draws visitors day and night with its variety of markets. The nearby Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate, dedicated Nice’s patron saint, is also well worth a visit for its beautifully preserved Baroque architecture.

Stretching for near seven kilometres along the Baie des Anges, the palm tree-lined Promenade des Anglais is one of the Riviera's most recognisable landmarks. The Promenade gets its name for English patrons who paid for its creation in 1822. Today it’s popular with locals and visitors alike for strolling, cycling, running and rollerblading beside the sea. The promenade also connects many of Nice's best-known sights, including Vieux-Nice, Colline du Château, the Musée Masséna, the iconic Le Negresco hotel and the Art Deco Palais de la Méditerranée.

Rising above the old town, Colline du Château, or Castle Hill, provides a different perspective on Nice. Visitors can hike up steps or take a lift to the hilltop park, where pathways wind through gardens, archaeological remains, an impressive waterfall, and open green spaces popular with families and picnickers. From the summit, you can look out on the rooftops of Vieux-Nice, waters of Baie des Anges and the French Alps.

Markets are central to life in Nice, and nowhere captures this better than Cours Saleya. By day, stalls overflow with flowers, seasonal fruit, vegetables and regional produce, offering the chance to sample local favourites such as Niçoise olives, Alpine cheeses, pastries and street food. Beyond Cours Saleya, you can see the bounty of seafood at Place Saint François fish market.

We recommend stopping by for seasonal markets if you’re spending multiple days in Nice. On Mondays, the square transforms into a popular antiques market. Typically, from May to September evening craft markets bring jewellery, ceramics and artwork to the streets after dark.