Nice, France: A 24-Hour Guide for Luxury Yacht Travelers

The sun-drenched French city of Nice is one of the many highlights along the iconic stretch of the French Riviera. As a longstanding Mediterranean gateway to yachting adventures, Nice isn’t just a yacht boarding hotspot. Instead, it’s a destination in its own right to explore before cruising off.

Nice offers a perfect balance between casual seaside charm and Mediterranean glamour. Thanks to its international airport and well-connected rail and road networks, arriving in the city is easy. Nice is the second-largest city on the Mediterranean coast of France after Marseille. However, it remains compact and walkable, perfect to explore in a day.

Spend your time relaxing on the beach and exploring historic streets. Additionally, you can visit galleries and museums, indulge in shopping, and savour culinary delights. Furthermore, Nice is the perfect launchpad to explore other renowned Riviera areas like Monaco, Cannes, and St Tropez.

Here’s how we recommend you experience 24 hours in Nice, a French Riviera favourite:

Morning: Promenade to Patisserie

Beginning early, take a sunrise stroll along Promenade des Anglais. This coastal path stretches for over 4 miles. The sunrise light creates a perfect setting for your day ahead as the city wakes up. Early morning joggers and cyclists add to the atmosphere. Enjoy the Mediterranean views and pause at the ‘I love Nice’ sign for a photo moment. Meanwhile, admire the Belle Epoque architecture that lines the front and keep an eye out for passing yachts.

Bridging the seafront with Nice’s old town (Vieux Nice) is the famous Cours Saleya market. This bustling hotspot is where the city comes alive in the morning. You will be welcomed by fresh flowers and an array of local produce. As you browse the market, keep an eye out to sample local specialities. These include Provencal olives and socca—a warm, crisp chickpea pancake. Continue meandering through the colourful and shady streets of Vieux Nice.

As your appetite builds, consider visiting one of the best patisseries in town. Patisserie Julien Dugourd offers the expertise of a pastry chef who once worked for the Prince of Monaco. Whether you opt for a fancy creation or a simple croissant paired with coffee, it’s the perfect breakfast to enjoy in Nice.

Afternoon: Galleries & Gourmet Dining

Spend the early afternoon enjoying a pick of the best museums and galleries the city has to offer. With many artists having resided on the Riviera for centuries, Nice has a rich history in art. Take a taxi up to Musée Matisse, set in a hilltop village within a 17th-century villa. Here, you can tour one of the world’s largest collections of Henri Matisse. A short walk away is the Musée National Marc Chagall. This museum showcases works of painter Marc Chagall, known for his religious inspiration.

Lunch with a View

Now ready for lunch, there are endless options to choose from. For waterfront dining, book a table at the famous Le Plongeoir. Boasting a unique location on a pillar of rock and the base of diving boards, the restaurant overlooks the Mediterranean. Enjoy the modern Mediterranean fare with views of the sea. Alternatively, head to Plage Beau Rivage for a beach club atmosphere. You can enjoy an afternoon of good food and beachfront relaxing on the loungers afterwards.

Afternoon Exploring

For those who would rather explore more of what Nice has to offer besides the beach, there’s a perfect late afternoon activity. Walk off lunch and take the path and steps, or the elevator, up to the Parc de la Colline du Chateau. This green park features the remains of an 11th-century castle. It’s an ideal shaded spot with views over the bay of Nice, anchored yachts, and the rooftops of the old town below. Additionally, it’s a great tranquil sunset spot if you time it right.

Early Evening: Twilight on the Riviera 

Back down in Nice, if you have time before dinner, why not head to Carre d’Or? This translates to Golden Square. This elegant district is just a stone’s throw from the main pedestrian streets. Here, you will find plenty of high-end shopping experiences. The avenues are lined with couture boutiques and department stores. These include Chanel, Hermes, and Louis Vuitton. The iconic department store Galerie Lafayette offers everything from designer clothing to cosmetics and concept stores. For a taste of Nice, Nery’s Fromagerie in this area is one of the best places to find French cheese. You can also find quality products to take home.

Pre-Dinner Drinks

As the afternoon blends into aperitivo time, Nice has a whole host of great bars to try out. Then, you can head out to sample the fine dining scene. For rooftop and sunset views, visit one of the highest in Nice. La Terrasse is located on the tenth floor of the Hotel Meridien. It offers panoramic Mediterranean views, comfortable sofas, and a long cocktail list.

Continuing along the Promenade, a short walk away is the elegant and iconic Le Negresco hotel. Choose to have a drink at either the historic Le 1913 bar or the Le Versailles champagne bar. Both make excellent pre-dinner spots. The hotel is also home to Le Chantecler. This Michelin-starred restaurant offers creative French classic dishes in a luxuriously glamorous setting.

Evening: Michelin Stars & Endless Bars

Depending on your mood and preference for the evening, there is a restaurant in Nice to suit. For an impressive and bold affair, dine at Flaveur, which holds two Michelin stars. The chefs here use local ingredients and play with exotic spices. These come together in the most innovative ways. You can choose from three, four, and seven-course tasting menus. All of these are sure to leave a lasting impression.

If you are looking for something more low-key and traditional, there are also plenty of restaurants that tick this box in Nice. To sample some of the finest French dishes, along with artisan pastas, have dinner at Bar des Oiseaux. Enjoy warm hospitality and classic dishes in a restaurant with decor inspired by pop art.

Cultural Entertainment and Nightlife

Aside from the selection of bars and restaurants, consider checking out the Nice Opera House for an evening cultural option. They have year-round performances, which can perfectly round off your day in Nice. On the other hand, if nightlife is more your scene, Nice delivers with plenty of bars that stay open until the early hours. For a chic atmosphere, head to Zitto, a Speakeasy bar. Once found, it has a cosy and intimate vibe alongside a spectacular cocktail menu.

For those interested in jazz, head to the historic Cave Wilson. This is one of the oldest jazz bars in the Mediterranean. Not only can you enjoy the music, but you can also indulge in some after-dinner cheese and wine here. At La Havane, a piano bar near the Promenade, you can experience some Latino jazz and salsa.

Beyond the 24 Hours

If you are staying in Nice or the surrounding areas for longer, there is plenty more on offer. With various charming towns to visit, be sure to add the medieval hilltop village of Eze to your list. Also consider the artistic enclave of Saint Paul de Vence and the perfume-making capital of Grasse. While at the coast, east of Nice, are Villefranche-sur-Mer, Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, and Cap d’Ail. These offer a chance to explore the coastal beauty. West of Nice lies the historic port town of Antibes, well worth discovering.

A Day Well Spent 

These suggestions for your 24 hours in Nice perfectly combine the French Riviera lifestyle. They include art and history, shopping, and culinary experiences to get a snapshot of this popular corner of France. In one day, you can experience what makes Nice truly special as a destination and a yachting gateway. Whether you begin or end a yachting vacation here or enjoy a pause between Riviera destinations, Nice will leave you tempted to linger for longer.