For your next stay on the Côte d'Azur, you want to identify the areas of Nice to avoid in order to choose accommodation in one of the best areas.
It may be surprising to mention the insecurity for this beautiful city because Nice is not a big city like London, Marseille ou Paris.
However, it must be realized that Nice is not as sure as it would like to make it appear. Indeed, even if everything is done to reassure tourists and the people of Nice (cameras, police, communication from the Municipality), Nice is unfortunately a city where there is insecurity in certain places.
This is what I myself was able to discover when I organized my little tourist weekend in Nice. As usual, I studied the different neighborhoods to avoid choosing my hotel in a dangerous area of Nice.
My sources of information were multiple: press articles, local and national media, rankings and statistics on the Internet.
You will therefore find below a summary of information on the main places to avoid in the city with (to locate them) the map of the districts of Nice.
Nice dangerous city in 2024?
NO more than other tourist towns. Indeed, if we compare with other French cities, for 2 years, Nice has no longer been one of the 20 most dangerous cities in France in the city-data ranking.
To assess the level of insecurity in Nice, this ranking compares all crimes with other municipalities of similar size. According to the most recent indicators, Nice ranks 79th out of 373 cities with more than 22500 inhabitants in terms of crimes and misdemeanors per inhabitant.
However, analysis of delinquency figures in Nice reveals a complex reality. While certain categories of delinquency have seen an encouraging decline, others have seen a worrying increase. Indeed, if burglaries are decreasing, insecurity in general is increasing as is the rate of intentional assault and battery.
Now let's compare the level of crime in Nice with other European cities:
According to the last Numbeo ranking, in 2024 Nice ranks at the top of the table of the most criminal cities inEurope. Indeed, with a crime index of 55.74, Nice is ranked 14th out of the 132 European cities ranked.
In comparison, Nice is more dangerous than Brussels, Toulouse, Lille et Palermo.
Is Nice safe for tourists?
Even if there is insecurity in Nice, the acts of violence are not directed towards tourists. They are mainly generated by tensions between rival gangs and because of drug trafficking.
In addition, they are concentrated outside the center of Nice and only in certain sensitive areas.
In fact, apart from a few difficult areas, Nice is not dangerous for either tourists or locals! Of course, provided you avoid the few neighborhoods that we will detail below.
Visitors therefore have no fear in going to enjoy the city's tourist sites (see how visit Nice).
It would be a shame not to enjoy this magnificent city (beaches, old Nice, flower market, Promenade des Anglais, Château hill, palaces).
Neighborhoods to avoid in the center of Nice
While these neighborhoods are problem-free during the day, certain areas should be avoided in the center of Nice at night:
- Arson and Riquier district ;
- The area around the Michel Bridge and around the Station at night;
- Neighborhoods Pastor and Saint Roch ;
- French Street which is the red light district of Nice (poorly frequented at night);
- Rue Trachéal, Rue Vernier and the old districts of Nice are also areas to avoid after a certain time.
But the least safe districts of Nice are mainly located around the public housing projects (L'Ariane, Les Moulins, Les Liserons, Las Planas, Bateco, le Vallon des Fleurs, Balcon du Ray): See list of the most dangerous districts below below:
The most dangerous neighborhoods in Nice
Ariane – Dangerous city of Nice
Some say that L'Ariane is the most dangerous district of Nice. Classified as a priority district, Ariane is in fact a city located in the north-east of the city. See location of this neighborhood
Las Planas: Neighborhood at risk
Located in the north of the city, Las Planas is also considered one of the most dangerous neighborhoods in Nice. This neighborhood is regularly the scene of shootings and drug trafficking, making it particularly dangerous for residents and visitors. It is therefore preferable to avoid investing in real estate or looking for accommodation in this area. See location of this neighborhood
Les Moulins – Sensitive area
Another priority district which is part of the sensitive districts of Nice: Les Moulins. This district is located in the South West of Nice right next to the international airport. See location of this neighborhood
Les Liserons another district to avoid in Nice
The Liserons district is located to the north-east of Nice. It is a city which is part of the Roquebilière district. See location of this neighborhood
It is a neighborhood where violence is increasingly present: drug trafficking, settling of scores, shootings ...
See France Bleu article: " Strong tensions between communities in the Liserons district", The article of CNews or the article on Le Figaro.
Best areas to stay in Nice
Whether you are on an internship, on a professional trip, on vacation or looking for accommodation, it is better to choose your apartment or hotel in one of the best areas of Nice:
- The Mont Boron district
- Cimiez
- The Liberation district
- Gairaut
- The Valrose District
- Gambetta Flowers
- Promenade des Anglais
- Center of Nice
Most beautiful district of Nice
For those looking for luxury, haute couture boutiques and above all the most majestic palaces, the Carré d'Or district is what you need.
Check location of this area
Indeed, it is in this district that you will find the most beautiful addresses in Nice: The Negresco palace, the Casino in the Palais de la Méditerranée, the Masséna museum.
Best neighborhoods to visit Nice
Neighborhood of the old town of Nice
This historic district of Nice is the favorite area for tourists.
Indeed, it is an unmissable place which is full of sites to visit, activities, restaurants, bars, shops. See location of the old town of Nice
The Port district
Due to its proximity to the old town of Nice, the Port district is quite nice for a tourist stay.
The Gambetta district
This small neighborhood is located by the sea, on the Baie des Anges. It is a residential area which has become very touristy. See location of this neighborhood
Where to choose your hotel in Nice?
It is difficult to recommend a district to choose a hotel there because everything will depend on your budget and your type of stay.
Having said that, for those looking for a nice hotel in a safe area, facing the beach but with a decent price, I recommend:
If you are programming holidays on the French Riviera, make a small hook up to Hyères Islands !