Old Town Nice

Nice
Old Town Nice
Old Town Nice
Old Town showing signage and food
Castle Hill showing general coastal views, a sandy beach and a coastal town
Castle Hill featuring boating, a bay or harbour and a marina
Food markets, tiny streets and packed cafés make up Nice’s picturesque old town.

Nice’s Old Town, “Vieux Nice”, is a sea of pastel-colored buildings, old churches and narrow alleyways. Its streets are filled with shops and restaurants, tiny squares and crowded cafés. Spend a day getting lost in the charming back streets or settle at an outdoor table in one of the squares to people-watch. Plenty of locals still live in the area. Look up to see washing lines strung between balconies and neighbors chatting through open shutters.

The Old Town lies between Castle Hill and the town center, a block in from the beach and the Quai des Étas Unis (the beachfront promenade which extends from the Promenade des Anglais). Walk under a set of old archways and into the Cours Salaya, an outdoor market place surrounded by cafés and restaurants. Pick up fresh local produce and flowers every morning, except Mondays, when it becomes a flea market. Come early to avoid the crowds and shop with the locals.

Restaurants serve up local specialties such as Salade Niçoise, or “Pissaladière”, an anchovy and onion tart. Head into the alleyways for smaller, less crowded restaurants. Join the lines at Fenocchio in Place Rosetti, the most popular ice cream parlor in town. The Cathédral Sainte Reparate, or Nice Cathedral, is just across the square. It was built in 1699 and is characterized by a striking baroque façade. Wander inside to admire relics from the Glory Saint of Reparata.

Le Palais Lascaris on the busy Rue Droite is one of the grandest examples of Baroque architecture in the city. The palace was built in the 17th and 18th centuries and has been restored as a museum. It’s open every day except Tuesdays, and admission is free.

The best way to explore the Old Town is on foot. Don’t even attempt to drive many of the streets are narrow, one-way or pedestrian-only. Public transport, including trams and buses, runs to the Old Town but not inside. It is small enough to walk from one side to the other in a matter of minutes. Spend at least half a day to take it all in.


Popular places to visit

Things to do


Top hotels in Old Town Nice

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 €85 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
€85
includes taxes & fees
24 Nov - 25 Nov
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. ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (1,002 reviews)
Park view
"This is a very nice hotel close to the ocean. Centrally located. And absolutely lovely view of the park"

Reviewed on 17 Nov 2024

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 €117 per night from 22 Nov to 23 Nov
€117
includes taxes & fees
22 Nov - 23 Nov
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! (998 reviews)
Great hotel
"We are sometimes in Nice twice a year and always book this hotel , consistently good,"

Reviewed on 16 Nov 2024

Hotel Beau Rivage
Palais Saleya Boutique Hôtel
Palais Saleya Boutique Hôtel
4 out of 5
21 rue du marché, Nice
The price is €113 per night from 9 Dec to 10 Dec
€113
includes taxes & fees
9 Dec - 10 Dec
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! (667 reviews)
"Loved this place. Big, clean room with a washer and dryer included, Not too far from anything."

Reviewed on 2 Nov 2024

Palais Saleya Boutique Hôtel
Hôtel La Pérouse Nice
Hôtel La Pérouse Nice
4 out of 5
11 Quai Rauba Capeu, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes
The price is €232 per night from 24 Nov to 25 Nov
€232
includes taxes & fees
24 Nov - 25 Nov
Stay at this 4-star luxury hotel in Nice. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the room service in ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (606 reviews)
"Beautiful hotel with a spectacular view of the Brach and town below"

Reviewed on 29 Oct 2024

Hôtel La Pérouse Nice
Magnificent air-conditioned apartment 50 metres from the sea
Magnificent air-conditioned apartment 50 metres from the sea
Nice
Stay at this apartment in Nice. Enjoy a water park, cable/satellite TV service, and an in-room coffeemaker. Popular attractions Promenade des Anglais and Place ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (75 reviews)
Lovely Little Apartment in an Ideal Location
"Lovely little apartment, ideal for a family of 3. Great location on the edge of old Nice."

Reviewed on 2 Nov 2024

Magnificent air-conditioned apartment 50 metres from the sea
Le Meridien Nice
Le Meridien Nice
4 out of 5
1 Promenade Des Anglais, Nice, Alpes-Maritimes
The price is €196 per night from 1 Dec to 2 Dec
€196
includes taxes & fees
1 Dec - 2 Dec
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Nice. Enjoy free WiFi, a rooftop terrace, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (517 reviews)
"A"

Reviewed on 8 Nov 2024

Le Meridien Nice
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

4.5/5(46 area reviews)

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

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

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(154 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

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