Nice in 1 day – Walking tour + route map

You go on weekends, holidays in Provence, on a honeymoon on the French Riviera and want to visit Nice in 1 day? Well, if you want to know how to discover the must-see attractions of Nice in 1 day, here is a walking tour to discover the most beautiful places in Nice!

In fact, this walking route (see map below) gives the opportunity to make a loop around the most beautiful monuments of Nice but at a pace that allows time to enjoy the atmosphere and relaxing breaks.

How to visit Nice in 1 day?

To visit Nice in 1 day, you can:

Nice in 1 day - My must-see list

There are many themed tours for visit Nice on foot (see on the official website of the Tourist Office), but the one that I am offering you here only brings together the essentials of Nice, that is to say only the sites which seem to me the most interesting to visit in 1 day.

To fully enjoy a leisurely walk, here is the list of these essentials that I have planned for my Nice in 1 day tour:

  • The promenade des Anglais
  • The Mediterranean Palace
  • The Negresco
  • The Masséna Museum and its garden
  • Saint-Pierre d'Arène church
  • The Alsace-Lorraine garden
  • The Place Masséna
  • The Cours Saleya
  • Bellanda Tower
  • The Castle Hill
  • The old town of Nice

Nice in 1 day - Map of the must-see itinerary

Click on "More options" in the map to follow the GPS

Nice in 1 day - Visits on my itinerary

Nice walking tour - Promenade des Anglais

My tour starts with the most famous address in Nice. The Promenade des Anglais dates from 1822 and was made thanks to Pastor Lewis Way. This one had launched a subscription near the rich English of Nice in order to help the niçois without work by making them build a road 2 m wide from Paillon to rue Meyerbeer.

Nice walking tour – Palais de la Méditerranée

Dating from 1929, the Mediterranean Palace was the 3rd major historic casino in Nice after the Municipal Casino and the Casino de la Jetée-Promenade. Today, it is a must in Nice for its listed facade and its Art Deco architecture.

Nice walking tour - Le Négresco

Perhaps as well known throughout the world as the Promenade des Anglais, the Negresco is a magnificent palace dating from 1912. Completely renovated in 1957, their new directors, the Augier couple, give the Negresco all its prestige and its international fame of yesteryear. .

Nice walking tour - Masséna museum and its garden

The Masséna museum is housed in a superb Belle Époque villa from 1878. This museum tells the story of Nice from the 19th century to the end of the 30s. It houses emblematic works such as Napoleon's death mask or Josephine's diadem.

Nice walking route - Alsace-Lorraine garden

This beautiful park, which dates from 1885, is located in the heart of Nice and covers one hectare.

Nice itinerary on foot – Place Masséna

Too beautiful, too elegant, too colorful… I love this square with its red facades and its arcades. Located in the center of the city, it is a major gathering place for the Nice people and the famous Nice Carnival.

Nice walking route - The magnificent Place Masséna

Continuing towards the circuit in the direction of Cours Saleya, do not miss to admire the facade of theNice opera house.

Nice itinerary on foot – Cours Saleya

Cours Saleya is the main pedestrian street in Old Nice. This esplanade goes from the bottom of the castle hill to the area around the opera. It is a very lively and lively place in Nice with many cafes and restaurants. This is where you will find the famous Nice flower market!

NICE WALKING TOUR IN 1 DAY

After the Marine Gallery, you will find 2 covered passages that lead to the beach.

You will have to walk along the Quai des Etats-Unis to a small square. After crossing the rue des Ponchettes, you will find stairs (Montée Lesage) to go to the hill of the Castle. The less courageous can take an elevator to go up to the Castle.

Nice itinerary on foot – Bellanda Tower

The Bellanda tower is located on the castle hill. From here, you will have a panoramic view over all of Nice and the Baie des Anges.

Nice itinerary on foot – Colline du Château

Built in the 17th century, the citadel encircled the entire city. By the winding stairs, you will climb to a waterfall and cross the magnificent 19-hectare park from where you will have a view overlooking the city.

Nice walking tour - View from the Castle Hill

Nice itinerary on foot – Old Nice

To end this circuit, I suggest you take a walk and even get lost in the old Nice to soak up the atmosphere of the streets and the people of Nice.

Old Nice is the oldest part of the city of Nice but also one of the liveliest. With its charming little streets, its colorful facades, its numerous shops (sale of olives, spices, flowers, Provençal fabrics, souvenirs), old Nice attracts tourists as much as artists. At night, that's when you have to go out. Indeed, its narrow streets are dotted with cafes and small restaurants where you can taste Nice culinary specialties.

Nice walking route - Old Nice for my Nice tour in 1 day

Weekend in Nice - Recommended hotel

For a weekend or a little stay in Nice, I advise you to check the district you are going to choose. Indeed, there are places not recommended to tourists: See neighborhoods to avoid in Nice.

I therefore recommend that you take a hotel well located in the city center for more safety and not to waste time in transport.

My good tip is the Mercure Nice Marché aux fleurs. This hotel is ideally located on the Promenade des Anglais, very close to the Flower Market and convenient for visiting old Nice. In addition, parking lots are located near the hotel. In short, an ideal location at an unbeatable price for Nice!

More info about this hotel in Nice

And to continue the city tours of South of France, here is: Marseille in 2 days ou Toulouse in 2 days

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