Nice
France
3 places to explore
Nice – A Sun-Drenched Escape Where the Mediterranean Meets Effortless Elegance
Some places just have that magic, and Nice is one of them. Maybe it’s the way the sunlight turns the Baie des Anges into a shimmering canvas of blues, or how life here seems to unfold in slow motion, between leisurely market strolls and afternoon dips in the sea. It’s a city that makes you want to breathe deeper, move slower, and savor every moment—whether that’s sipping a crisp rosé on a breezy terrace or watching the waves roll in along the Promenade des Anglais.
Mornings in Nice are meant for wandering. Start in Vieux Nice, where the streets smell like fresh-baked bread and espresso, and the colors of the Cours Saleya Market burst against the golden-hued buildings. Stalls overflow with sun-ripened peaches, stacks of herbs de Provence, and bundles of fresh lavender, their scent lingering in the air. Tucked between the market stalls, tiny cafés spill onto the cobblestones, locals swapping stories over buttery croissants and tiny glasses of strong coffee.
For the best views, climb up to Colline du Château, where the entire city unfolds beneath you—the terracotta rooftops, the curve of the coastline, the endless blue beyond. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the echoes of history here, in the ruins of an old fortress that once stood guard over the bay. After taking it all in, make your way down to the Promenade des Anglais, where rollerbladers glide past sunbathers stretched out on the famous pebble beaches, soaking in the Mediterranean sun.
And then, of course, there’s the sea. The kind of blue that doesn’t seem real, shifting from sapphire to turquoise as the light changes. The beaches here are lively, but if you want something quieter, take the coastal train just a few stops to Villefranche-sur-Mer, a dreamy little bay where the water is impossibly clear and the only thing on your to-do list is to float and let the world fade away.
Afternoons in Nice are for long, lazy lunches. A crisp Salade Nicoise drizzled with olive oil so fresh you can taste the sunshine, or a warm, crispy socca, eaten straight from the paper at a tiny stand tucked between two alleyways. Here, food is simple, but never boring—flavors shaped by the sun, the sea, and centuries of Provençal tradition.
By evening, the whole city seems to glow. In Place Rossetti, the hum of conversation and clinking wine glasses fills the air as street musicians strum soft melodies. Over by the port, people gather at harborside bistros, the scent of grilled fish drifting from open kitchens. And up in the hills of Mont Boron, the sunset turns the city golden, fading into deep indigo as the first stars begin to appear over the Mediterranean.
There’s something about Nice that stays with you, long after you’ve left. Maybe it’s the rhythm of the waves, the warmth of the people, or the feeling that here, life is meant to be savored. One thing is certain—once you’ve been, you’ll always find yourself longing to return.
Nice – A Sun-Drenched Escape Where the Mediterranean Meets Effortless Elegance
Some places just have that magic, and Nice is one of them. Maybe it’s the way the sunlight turns the Baie des Anges into a shimmering canvas of blues, or how life here seems to unfold in slow motion, between leisurely market strolls and afternoon dips in the sea. It’s a city that makes you want to breathe deeper, move slower, and savor every moment—whether that’s sipping a crisp rosé on a breezy terrace or watching the waves roll in along the Promenade des Anglais.
Mornings in Nice are meant for wandering. Start in Vieux Nice, where the streets smell like fresh-baked bread and espresso, and the colors of the Cours Saleya Market burst against the golden-hued buildings. Stalls overflow with sun-ripened peaches, stacks of herbs de Provence, and bundles of fresh lavender, their scent lingering in the air. Tucked between the market stalls, tiny cafés spill onto the cobblestones, locals swapping stories over buttery croissants and tiny glasses of strong coffee.
For the best views, climb up to Colline du Château, where the entire city unfolds beneath you—the terracotta rooftops, the curve of the coastline, the endless blue beyond. If you listen closely, you can almost hear the echoes of history here, in the ruins of an old fortress that once stood guard over the bay. After taking it all in, make your way down to the Promenade des Anglais, where rollerbladers glide past sunbathers stretched out on the famous pebble beaches, soaking in the Mediterranean sun.
And then, of course, there’s the sea. The kind of blue that doesn’t seem real, shifting from sapphire to turquoise as the light changes. The beaches here are lively, but if you want something quieter, take the coastal train just a few stops to Villefranche-sur-Mer, a dreamy little bay where the water is impossibly clear and the only thing on your to-do list is to float and let the world fade away.
Afternoons in Nice are for long, lazy lunches. A crisp Salade Nicoise drizzled with olive oil so fresh you can taste the sunshine, or a warm, crispy socca, eaten straight from the paper at a tiny stand tucked between two alleyways. Here, food is simple, but never boring—flavors shaped by the sun, the sea, and centuries of Provençal tradition.
By evening, the whole city seems to glow. In Place Rossetti, the hum of conversation and clinking wine glasses fills the air as street musicians strum soft melodies. Over by the port, people gather at harborside bistros, the scent of grilled fish drifting from open kitchens. And up in the hills of Mont Boron, the sunset turns the city golden, fading into deep indigo as the first stars begin to appear over the Mediterranean.
There’s something about Nice that stays with you, long after you’ve left. Maybe it’s the rhythm of the waves, the warmth of the people, or the feeling that here, life is meant to be savored. One thing is certain—once you’ve been, you’ll always find yourself longing to return.
