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Things to do in Nice

Located on the stunning French Riviera, Nice is a very popular seaside resort and offers a taste of the Mediterranean without losing its traditional French style.

There are lots of things to do in Nice, including discovering museums, immersing yourself in the city’s culture, and relaxing on the beach, so you are sure to find plenty to keep you occupied during your holiday here.

Driving from Calais to Nice takes around 11 and a half hours, and we guarantee that you will enjoy how scenic the journey is, especially with so many lovely places to stop off at on the way. Plus, you can enjoy all that scenery at a leisurely pace when you upgrade to one of our Flexi tickets! Our Standard Flexi and Fully Flexi tickets give you greater flexibility to your departure time, so you can travel with added peace of mind. Book now and start planning that road trip to Nice today!

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Morning	02:00	04:25	06:50	09:15
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Evening	18:55	21:15	23:40

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Nice old town
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Cultural sites
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Activities

Things to do in Nice

Explore Nice’s Old Town

One of the most popular things to do in Nice is to take time to explore the Old Town, or Vieux Nice, which is a maze of cobbled streets and narrow passageways that offer a choice of bars and restaurants tucked around every corner.

As you walk around you will notice quaint washing lines hanging from colourful shutters which help to make this area really picturesque, and its bustling atmosphere is sure to draw you in. You’ll find a number of cafés in Place Rossetti, and from here you can admire the Cathedrale de Sainte Reparate which is one of the architectural gems of the French Riviera.

A wander down the Promenade des Anglais will bring you to the Cours Saleya flower market where you can browse and buy fresh produce, food, and antiques, and parallel to the promenade is Rue de France, a pedestrianised shopping street where you can take part in a little retail therapy.

Cultural Sites in Nice

Nice has long earned its reputation as a hub for creatives, so if you love art and design you will feel right at home here.

The great painter Henri Matisse once lived in the city, and because of this you can see some of his finest work at the Musée Matisse on Cimiez Hill. A cultural way to spend the rest of your day is to explore the Roman Archaeological Museum and wander through the olive tree grove to find the Franciscan Monastery nearby. To see even more inspirational artwork, visit the remarkable Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain which is sandwiched between the Nice Theatre and the Museum of Natural History.

Impressive, ambitious architecture is everywhere you look in Nice, so seeking out some of the grandest buildings is essential. The vibrant yellow Chapelle de la Miséricorde is a fantastic example of Baroque construction, while the Cathédrale Saint Nicolas is a truly impressive sight.

Explore the Seafront

Unsurprisingly, one of the top things to do in Nice is to take the opportunity to relax and catch some rays on the long pebble beach that stretches along the Baie des Anges coastline.

Next to the shore, the palm tree-lined Promenade des Anglais is one of the longest and most famous seafront paths in the world, stretching 4km along the waterside. You can walk, cycle or even roller-skate along the entirety of this smooth esplanade, stopping for drinks or to relax in the sun on the way.

If you fancy trying something a bit different, give stand-up paddleboarding a go and find yourself rewarded with a different view of the city from the stunning waters of the Cote d’Azur while you benefit from a great workout.

Activities in Nice

Some of the best activities in Nice are those which help you to see all that the city has to offer, including travelling around on a Segway or electric bike, or jumping on board the handy hop-on-hop-off bus, all of which will give you the chance to listen to a guide who will tell you all about the city.

For something a bit different, head to a perfume creation workshop where you will be taught how to match different scents and can make a 50ml bottle of perfume to take away with you. Alternatively, wine tasting is a popular option in France due to the number of different wine regions, so why not try some great examples for yourself during your time in Nice.

There are so many amazing things to do in Nice, and you can discover them for yourself by booking your Dover to Calais crossing today and planning your perfect trip to the French Riviera.

One of the top things to do in Nice is to relax and catch some rays on the long pebble beach that stretches along the Baie des Anges coastline

Baroque Style Chappelle de la Misericorde

Top attraction to see in Nice

Nice bar crawl

Chamonix . France

Join the Riviera Bar Crawl and enjoy the best nightlife on the Cote D'Azur! With this crawl you'll experience the best party of your life.

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Hop-on hop-off bus tour

Nice . France

Explore Nice according to your own schedule and interests with a 1-day or 2-day pass for the open-top hop-on and hop-off sightseeing bus. Jump off and on as often as you like to see sights such as Place Garibaldi, Promenade des Anglais and more.

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Perfume workshop for children

Chamonix . France

Create your own perfume and personalize the bottle with a sticker of your choice at this fun perfume workshop for budding alchemists ages 4 to 8 years old. Learn about the different scents and smells to create a souvenir fragrance of your trip.

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Featured Blog Post Five Reasons to Visit Nice in Winter

Located in the south of France between Cannes and Monaco, the city of Nice is a popular holiday spot throughout the year. Here, we share the reasons why you should visit Nice in winter, and the great things it offers during the colder months.

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