A Long Weekend in Nice, France: Sun, Culture, and Style on the Côte d’Azur
Planning a long weekend in Nice? This guide offers travel inspiration, insider tips, and a few personal favourites to help you enjoy the best of the Côte d’Azur—from sea swims and cultural stops to rosé-fuelled lunches.
Nice on the Côte d’Azur is one of our favourite places for a weekend escape. From two-week holidays to long weekends, we’ve always found something new—and familiar—to enjoy. If you’re looking for sun, sea, sand, and shopping, look no further. Here are some ideas to make the most of a long weekend in Nice, France.
Just two hours by direct flight from the UK, and only twenty minutes from airport to city, Nice is an ideal destination for a quick getaway. Located on the French Riviera, it sits between Monaco and the Italian border to the east and Cannes, St Tropez, and Marseille to the west.
We usually recommend a Thursday-to-Monday stay, giving you three full days to soak up the sights, with a little breathing room either side (plus the flights are usually a little cheaper!)
What to Do on a Long Weekend in Nice, France
To help plan your trip, I’ve broken the inspiration into five categories:
Beaches
Shopping
Art & Culture
Eating Out
Just Chilling
Beaches in Nice: Where to Swim, Sunbathe & Sip Rosé
Nice offers a long stretch of beach just steps from the main hotels and shops. The beaches here are mostly stony—a contrast to the soft sand of Cannes—but you’ll still find plenty of opportunity to lounge by the sea.
You can opt for a private beach club like Blue Beach or Neptune Plage, where a lounger, towel, bar, and lunch spot are all within reach. Or do as the locals do: bring a towel and squeeze onto a public stretch if you can find a patch.
Our regular base is Le Negresco, which puts us closest to our preferred beach clubs. A day spent on the pebbles with chilled rosé and a seafood lunch makes the weekend feel longer. If one of you fancies sunbathing and the other prefers shopping, Nice makes that split effortless.
The newer Negresco Beach Club has have taken over from Neptune—so it’s worth checking in advance.
Shopping in Nice: Boutiques to Boulevards
Nice has four main shopping areas, all easy to navigate on foot.
Rue Massena: pedestrianised and eclectic, with mid-range clothing, pharmacies, and restaurants. Start at Pizza Cresci and work your way west.
Rue Paradis: for luxury names like Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and Aubade.
Rue Alphonse Karr & Avenue de Verdun: a mix of European and American fashion brands. Once home to a wine shop rumoured to sell Pink Floyd Rosé.
Avenue Jean Médecin: big-name brands (Zara, H&M), department stores like Galeries Lafayette, and fnac (think French HMV).
Vieux Nice: tiny boutiques, galleries, and sweet shops open late into the night.
Art & Culture in Nice: Museums, Music & Riviera Charm
Nice rewards the curious. Stroll the Promenade des Anglais, scout out Riviera filming locations, or dive into world-class art:
Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nice: 19th-century villa showcasing Monet, Rodin, and van Loo. A 10-minute walk from Le Negresco.
Mamac - The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art is currently closed, but displaying Tous Lejers in Paris this summer.
Musée Masséna: a Riviera time capsule celebrating Belle Époque history.
Marc Chagall Museum: religious works and prints, just a short ride uphill.
Musée Matisse: perched above the city in a 17th-century villa. Light, quiet, and deeply evocative.
While you’re in Cimiez, explore the Jardin des Arènes de Cimiez and Monastère gardens, or visit the Roman amphitheatre ruins.
In summer, catch the Nice Jazz Festival in July or live music along the Promenade for Bastille Day.
Where to Eat in Nice on a Long Weekend
I suggest saving your fancy dinners for Friday and Saturday, keeping Thursday simple and Sunday flexible.
Pizza Cresci: our traditional first-night spot. Casual, buzzy, with hearty pizzas and fast service.
Le Chantecler: Michelin-starred French dining at Le Negresco. Rich, theatrical, and worth the occasion.
La Réserve de Nice: go for the top deck at sunset. The views, the rosé, and the light are unforgettable.
Le Plongeoir: dining on a rock in the sea. Once a diving board, now a romantic dinner spot.
Sunday can be tricky with closures—best to explore and see what you find.
Le Plongoir, Nice
Just Chilling in Nice
Don’t want to rush? Easy.
Walk (or cycle) the Promenade des Anglais
Relax in the Castle Hill gardens for panoramic views
Sit on the iconic blue chairs that line the Promenade Des Anglais
Linger over coffee in the lanes of Vieux Nice
Watch the world go by
Nice is made for meandering.
The iconic Blue chairs painted to honour the Tour de France 2024
Where to Stay for a Weekend in Nice, France
We always choose Le Negresco — it’s unique, glamorous, and part of the holiday experience. But we’ve also enjoyed the Hotel West End (next door) and further afield the Château de la Chèvre d’Or in nearby Èze.
Other luxury hotels to consider include the Hotel Le Meurice, The Westminster or the Hyatt Regency Palais de la Méditerranée.
The beautiful hotel Negresco
Getting Around Nice
Nice is flat (except the castle!) and walkable, but you can hop on:
The new tram system (airport to port)
A half-hour walk from Le Negresco to Old Town is part of the charm, especially along the Promenade.
How to Get to Nice for a Weekend Trip
Flights: Direct flights from London, Manchester, Liverpool, Bristol, Edinburgh, Birmingham, and more. The airport (NCE) is 20 mins from town.
Trains: TGV from Paris Gare St. Lazare (home of le Train Bleu restaurant) to Nice Ville (5-8 hours). Combine Eurostar and TGV for a rail (long) day trip from London. You can now buy tickets on the (GB) trainline app, which is a major boon if your French isn’t up to scratch.