Explore Nice with this guide to packing essentials, must-see locations, and local cuisine. From stunning beaches to delicious Ratatouille, make the most of your French Riviera getaway!
Words by Marella Ricketts
The French Riviera usually comes to mind when you picture the favorite destinations of celebrities and jet-setters. However, Nice is a lot more than just sipping on champagne and riding yachts. Known as the fifth largest city in France, this location is a wonderful mix of culture, history, unforgettable cuisine and mesmerizing sights. If you’re a first-timer, you should definitely get ready to be charmed by this city.
What to Pack
1. Sunglasses by RAYBAN 2. Dress by TOPSHOP 3, Hat by ZARA 4. Sunscreen by CLARINS 5. Bag by BERSHKA 6. Shoes by ZARA
The weather in this area is said to be exceptional (around 300 days of sunshine, to be exact), so expect to be ready to hit the beach. While still very chic, expect the fashion in the South of France to be more laid-back—think of a mix between the Hamptons and Paris. Bring a lot of soft linens, breezy items and lighter colors to blend in with the locals. For your accessories, don’t be afraid to glam up your outfits with eye-catching sun hats and sunglasses. Last but definitely not the least, be sure to remember to load up on products with SPF!
IG-Worthy Locations to Visit
Thankfully, Nice is an Instagram-friendly city in general. But if you’re looking for something more specific, we have rounded up some of the best areas you should visit (your feed will thank you for it!).
French Riviera
What would your trip to Nice be if you didn’t spend a day at the French Riviera? If you’re lucky enough to visit the area during the warmer months, the beach is definitely a go-to. With its clear blue waters and pastel-colored sunset, you will surely feel like you’re in heaven.
Old Town
For a trip down memory lane, start your day with a visit to the Old Town. From the beautiful colored buildings to the quaint shops and restaurants, a stroll along these old streets will pleasantly surprise you.
Local markets
In the Old Town, many pay a visit to Cours Saleya, which is considered as Nice’s best-known food and flower market. It is a bustling, vibrant location where one can find fresh produce and trinkets that can serve as great gifts.
Museum of Modern Art and Contemporary Art (MAMAC)
This museum has its fair share of impressive works, with pieces created by artists such as Andy Warhol and Cesar Arman. The building itself is also something else with its glass passageways connecting the four square towers, which automatically gives an amazing view of Nice.
Castle Hill
Known as one of their prettiest parks and botanical gardens, this place also has its history: it was the area of the first town founded by the Greeks. A quick stroll around will bring you to some preserved areas, such as the remains of an 11th-century cathedral.
What to Eat
Don’t expect to go on a diet on this trip; simply relax and enjoy what the city has to offer!
Salade Niçoise
Nice serves different versions of this typical French dish, so go with your mood for the day! It basically includes sliced tomatoes, hard-boiled eggs, and vinaigrette dressing. Other possible toppings include fresh tuna, potatoes, olives, and anchovies.
Socca
Known as a street food favorite, this is a chickpea pancake made in a giant steel skillet over hot coals. The way it is cooked makes it crispy on the outside, yet soft on the inside. A perfect midday snack!
Rosé Wine
Cold, dry and often cheap, local rose wine pairs perfectly with a lot of Mediterranean dishes that one can find in Nice. Blend in with the locals and spend an afternoon sipping on this wine while watching the sunset.
Gelato
With influences from the Mediterranean Sea, expect to get quality versions of your Italian favorites such as gelato. Many would recommend going to Fenocchio’s for this dessert, as they offer flavors such as rose and lavender to unexpected mixtures such as avocado, olive, cactus, and chestnut.
Ratatouille
Fun fact: did you know that Ratatouille originated in Nice? Often served as a side, this vegetable dish is typically a delightful mix of bay leaves, thyme, marjoram, onion, garlic, carrot, onion, tomatoes, eggplant, and zucchini.
Frequently Asked Questions
For Nice, MEGA’s packing list includes Ray-Ban sunglasses, a Topshop dress, a Zara hat, Clarins sunscreen, a Bershka bag, and Zara shoes. The feature says the area gets around 300 days of sunshine, so travelers should expect to be ready for the beach and load up on SPF.
Fashion in the South of France is described as more laid-back, a mix between the Hamptons and Paris, so the guide recommends soft linens, breezy items, and lighter colors to blend in with locals. It also suggests glamming up outfits with eye-catching sun hats and sunglasses.
The guide names five Instagram-friendly spots in Nice: the French Riviera beach, the Old Town, the Cours Saleya food and flower market, the Museum of Modern Art and Contemporary Art (MAMAC), and Castle Hill. The Old Town is described as full of colored buildings, quaint shops, and restaurants.
MAMAC has works by artists including Andy Warhol, and its glass passageways connect four square towers. Castle Hill is described as one of the city’s prettiest parks and botanical gardens, the site of the first town founded by the Greeks, with remains of an 11th-century cathedral.
The guide recommends Salade Niçoise, socca, rosé wine, gelato, and ratatouille. Socca is a chickpea pancake cooked in a giant steel skillet over hot coals, and gelato is suggested at Fenocchio’s, which offers flavors from rose and lavender to avocado and olive. Ratatouille is said to have originated in Nice.
