Now is the perfect time for a weekend in Nice. The summer crowds have melted away and the weather is still golden. The city strikes a lovely balance between Riviera glamour and local life. Nice is a city with a lot to offer for a weekend break: the sweep of the Baie des Anges, colourful markets and alleyways and more restaurants and bars than you could ever fit into a weekend!
Stay
La Pérouse
La Pérouse is built directly into the limestone cliff at the edge of Parc du Château. Just steps from the seafront, this 56-room hideaway has recently been stylishly reimagined by Studio Friedmann & Versace, who have brought a fresh Riviera elegance to the interiors—think creamy whites, pale blues, and lots of natural textures that echo the light and sea outside.
The hotel’s standout feature is its location: you can step straight onto the Promenade des Anglais in minutes, but once inside you feel tucked away and private, with terraced gardens that climb the cliffside. Many of the rooms have balconies overlooking the bay—exactly the spot for an early evening glass of rosé as the sun dips. Rooms vary from bright, compact doubles to larger sea-view suites with more generous terraces, all done in the same soothing coastal palette.
Le Patio, the hotel’s leafy courtyard restaurant, is a favourite for both guests and locals, serving Mediterranean-inspired dishes with a focus on seasonal produce. Breakfast under the lemon trees is one of those Riviera rituals that makes you want to linger. For downtime, there’s a small pool hidden between the rock and the gardens, plus a wellness area with sauna and treatments.
Dine
Les Agitateurs
For contemporary fine dining, Les Agitateurs is our top pick. Chef Samuel Victori brings creativity and flair to Mediterranean flavours, crafting tasting menus that are as visually striking as they are inventive. The intimate space, tucked into the up-and-coming Port district, has a relaxed atmosphere that belies the precision and sophistication of what’s on the plate. Book ahead!
Castel Plage & Les Bains du Castel
For dinner on the beach, Castel Plage is our favourite place to go. By day it’s a lively beach club, but come evening the tables are laid out right on the pebbles and the atmosphere turns romantic. The Mediterranean menu features grilled fish, fresh pastas and Niçoise salads with Provençal flavours throughout. For something more elegant, head upstairs to Les Bains du Castel, a refined cliffside restaurant overlooking the same bay, but with a sleeker, more intimate setting. Either way, it’s one of the best sunset views in town, and unsurprisingly, a hugely popular spot—reservations are essential!
Drink
Le Plongeoir
Perched on stilts above the sea just east of the port, Le Plongeoir is as dramatic a sundowner setting as you’ll find on the Riviera. The restaurant occupies what was once a diving platform, originally built in the 1940s, and today offers two levels: an elegant upstairs dining room with panoramic sea views, and a more casual downstairs terrace where drinks and sharing plates are the order of the day. The sea wraps around you on three sides, and at sunset the whole place glows. Arrive early if you don’t have a dinner reservation—this is one of Nice’s most iconic spots for an apéro.
Babel Babel
For a more relaxed terrace facing the sea, Babel Babel is a local favourite. Set along the Promenade des Anglais, it’s perfect for a late afternoon pause with a glass of rosé or a beer. The vibe is young, buzzy and friendly, and they have a range of bar snacks to go with your drink.
Do
Promenade des Anglais
The beating heart of Nice is the Promenade des Anglais, the long seafront boulevard that runs the curve of the bay. Walking or cycling here is a must. Start near the port and work your way west, passing joggers, roller-skaters and families perched on the famous blue chairs. Stop to admire the legendary Hôtel Negresco, with its pink dome and Belle Époque glamour, and take in the view of the Mediterranean that stretches endlessly in both directions. Along the way you’ll notice a scattering of pastel fisherman cottages—once humble homes, now selling for over €1.6 million!
Vieille Ville
Nice’s Old Town is a labyrinth of narrow alleyways, colourful façades and bustling squares. Begin at the Cours Saleya market (below left), which is alive each morning with stalls piled high with flowers, fruit and Provençal specialities. From here, lose yourself in the twisting streets lined with small cafés, ice-cream shops, and boutiques. This is where Nice feels most Italian in spirit, with laundry strung across balconies and church bells chiming. Our brunch favourite is Marinette (below right) , where the Tartine de Marinette (poached egg, avocado, smoked salmon) is as delicious and the side-street terrace is a lovely spot.
A Nice short break is the perfect Riviera escape. You get sea views, colourful old town streets and plenty of buzz along the Promenade des Anglais. The city is compact enough to explore on foot or bike, while offering endless cafés, restaurants and bars, plus markets, beaches and a good dose of Mediterranean charm.
For other European short break ideas, see our selection of curated trips here.
