5 Day Nice Itinerary: The Efficient Guide to the French Riviera
Nice is the strategic hub of the Côte d'Azur. It offers the best transport links, the most diverse food scene, and a central location that makes exploring the Mediterranean coast easy. Most travelers rush through in 48 hours. Five days is the correct amount of time to actually see the city and the surrounding coastline without burning out.
This 5 day Nice itinerary balances the classic landmarks with local spots and a day trip to the surrounding hills.
Day 1: Old Town and the Promenade
Your first day focuses on the historical core. The layout of Nice is simple: the Old Town (Vieux Nice) sits at the base of Castle Hill, bordered by the sea and the modern city center.
Morning: Vieux Nice and Cours Saleya
Start in the Old Town. The streets are narrow, shaded, and cool even in July. Walk to the Cours Saleya market. It runs every morning except Monday (when it becomes an antiques market). Buy local socca—a savory chickpea pancake—from a street vendor. It’s the definitive Niçois snack.
Check out the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate. It’s a 17th-century Baroque masterpiece located in Place Rossetti. Grab a gelato at Fenocchio nearby; they have over 90 flavors, including lavender and olive.
Afternoon: Castle Hill and Promenade des Anglais
Walk up the stairs (or take the free elevator) to Colline du Château. The castle is gone, but the park offers the best view of the city and the port. Look for the artificial waterfall and the panoramic lookout over the Baie des Anges.
Descend back to the sea level and walk the Promenade des Anglais. This 7-kilometer walkway is the city’s social spine. If you want to swim, the beaches here are pebble (galets). Rent a blue chair or head to a beach club like Castel Plage if you want a mattress.
Evening: Place Masséna and Jean Médecin
Walk toward Place Masséna, the city’s main square characterized by red buildings and the "Apollo" statue. As the sun sets, the seven statues on poles (representing the continents) light up. Continue up Avenue Jean Médecin for shopping or dinner in the musicians' quarter (Quartier des Musiciens).
Day 2: Art and Architecture in Cimiez
Nice has the highest concentration of museums in France outside of Paris. Day two moves away from the water and into the hills.
Morning: The Matisse Museum
Take the #5 bus up to the Cimiez district. This was the preferred neighborhood of the Roman elite and, much later, Queen Victoria. Visit the Musée Matisse. It’s housed in a 17th-century Genoese villa and contains one of the world’s largest collections of his works.
Right next door is the Monastery of Cimiez and its gardens. The view of the city from the monk's garden is underrated and usually empty of tourists.
Afternoon: Roman Ruins and Marc Chagall
Steps away from the Matisse Museum are the ruins of Cemenelum, an ancient Roman city. You can see the remains of the amphitheater and the thermal baths.
Walk 15 minutes downhill to the Musée National Marc Chagall. Even if you aren't an art buff, the Biblical Message cycle—seventeen large-scale paintings—is impressive. The building was designed specifically for these works, and the acoustics in the concert hall are world-class.
Evening: The Port (Le Port)
Head to the Port Lympia area for dinner. This is where the locals eat. It’s less touristy than the Old Town and has a high concentration of "Cuisine Nissarde" certified restaurants. Look for places serving petits farcis (stuffed vegetables) or daube niçoise (beef stew).
Day 3: Coastal Cliffs and Villefranche-sur-Mer
Day three takes you just outside the city limits to see why the wealthy have flocked here for centuries.
Morning: The Coastal Path (Sentier Littoral)
Start at the Coco Beach area near the port. Follow the Sentier Littoral. This is a rugged walking path that hugs the limestone cliffs. It’s a 45-minute trek that leads you toward Mont Boron. The water here is crystal clear and perfect for a quick deep-water dip away from the crowds.
Afternoon: Villefranche-sur-Mer
Continue over the hill or take a 5-minute train ride to Villefranche-sur-Mer. This is a deep-water harbor town with pastel-colored houses. It’s significantly quieter than Nice.
Visit the Citadelle Saint-Elme, a 16th-century fortress that now houses the town hall and several free museums. Walk the Rue Obscure, a medieval "hidden" street that is entirely covered. The beach here, Plage des Marinières, has finer gravel than Nice and is better for swimming.
Evening: Sunset at Mont Boron
For your final evening of the "essentials" portion of your 5 day Nice itinerary, head to the top of Mont Boron. You can take the #33 bus. Watch the sunset over the Baie des Anges on one side and the bay of Villefranche on the other. It is the most cinematic spot in the region.
Day 4: Off-the-Beaten-Path Nice
Most visitors never leave the grid of the Old Town and the Promenade. Today, you visit the parts of Nice that feel like a real French city, not a resort.
Morning: Liberation Market and South Gare
Head north to the Libération district. The open-air market here is where the locals actually shop for groceries. It is cheaper and more authentic than Cours Saleya.
After the market, visit "Gare du Sud." This former train station has been converted into a massive food hall. The ironwork architecture was designed by Gustave Eiffel’s workshops. It’s a great spot for an informal lunch with dozens of local vendors.
Afternoon: St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral
Walk west to the Russian Cathedral. It is the largest Eastern Orthodox cathedral in Western Europe. Built in 1912 by Tsar Nicholas II, its onion domes look surreal against the Mediterranean palm trees. Note: there is a strict dress code (shoulders and knees covered).
Afterward, head to the Musée des Beaux-Arts in the Les Baumettes neighborhood. It’s located in a former palace built for a Ukrainian princess and houses a significant collection of Rococo and Impressionist art that most tourists skip.
Evening: The Petit Marais
Spend your evening in the neighborhood behind the port, often called "Le Petit Marais." It’s the center of Nice’s LGBTQ+ scene and home to the city’s best cocktail bars and experimental bistros. It feels more like East London or Brooklyn than the French Riviera.
Day 5: The Medieval Hilltop Escape
For your final day, leave the coast for the Alps-Maritimes foothills.
Morning: Èze Village
Take the #602 or #82 bus to Èze Village. Do not confuse this with Èze-sur-Mer (the beach). The village is perched 1,400 feet above sea level. It’s a labyrinth of stone alleys and artisan shops.
Pay the entry fee for the Jardin Exotique at the very top. The collection of succulents and cacti is impressive, but you’re really there for the 360-degree view of the coastline. On a clear day, you can see all the way to Corsica.
Afternoon: Saint-Paul-de-Vence or Antibes
You have two choices for your final afternoon.
- For Art: Take the bus to Saint-Paul-de-Vence. It’s a walled medieval village famous for modern art galleries and the Fondation Maeght.
- For the Sea: Take the TER train to Antibes. Walk the ramparts, visit the Picasso Museum in the Château Grimaldi, and explore the massive yacht quay known as "Billionaire's Row."
Evening: Final Dinner in Nice
Return to Nice for a final celebratory meal. Head back to the Old Town but look for the small, hole-in-the-wall spots in the northern corner near Place Garibaldi. Order a bottle of Bellet wine—it’s produced in the vineyards within the city limits of Nice and is rarely exported.
Where to stay for 5 days in Nice
Choosing the right base is essential for a 5 day Nice itinerary. You want to be near transport links but close enough to the water to enjoy the breeze.
- Vieux Nice (Old Town): Best for atmosphere. You’ll be in the middle of the action, but streets can be noisy at night and apartments are usually walk-ups (no elevators).
- Le Port: The best balance. It’s trendy, has great food, and is a short walk to the Old Town. It also has the direct tram line to the airport.
- Carré d’Or: The luxury choice. This is the area behind the Promenade near the Negresco Hotel. High-end hotels, wide boulevards, and very central.
- Libération: The budget/local choice. You’ll get more for your money here. It’s a 15-minute tram ride to the beach, but you’ll be surrounded by authentic markets and bakeries.
Stick to the South side of the Nice-Ville train station for convenience, and ensure your accommodation has air conditioning if you are visiting between June and September. The Mediterranean humidity is no joke.