Things to Do in Nice
50 curated spots from Nice itineraries
Activities & Attractions
30 curated experiences
Peggy Guggenheim Collection
Modern art museum in a former palazzo on the Grand Canal with works by Pollock, Picasso, and more, plus a sculpture garden.[3][2]
1h 30m · $18-22
Cours Saleya Market
Wander vibrant stalls for flowers, olives, socca; photography of colorful facades.
1h 30m · Free
Gallerie dell’Accademia
Major collection of Venetian masters, including Titian and Bellini, just across from the Accademia Bridge.[2]
2h · $20-25
Colline du Château (Castle Hill)
Walk up from Old Town or take the free elevator to the park for panoramic views over the Baie des Anges, the port, and Old Town ruins.
1h 30m · Free
Promenade des Anglais
Walk the waterfront, stop for beach photos, and enjoy a low-effort Riviera afternoon with the sea in view.[3][7]
2h 30m · Free
Castle Hill (Colline du Château)
Ascend to this historic hilltop for 360-degree panoramic views of Nice, the Baie des Anges, and the surrounding coastline; explore ruins and lush gardens.
2h · Free (elevator €1)
Doge's Palace
Tour the palace rooms, bridges, and courtyards for major history and strong interior photography.
2h · €30-€40
Doge’s Palace (Palazzo Ducale)
Tour the former seat of Venetian power, including grand halls, Tintoretto ceilings, prisons, and the Bridge of Sighs; allow time to linger.
2h · $30-35
Promenade des Anglais Stroll
Seven-kilometer palm-lined seafront boulevard. Walk or bike at sunset (around 20:30 in late April), feel sea breeze, and absorb Riviera glamour. Stop at a café for aperitif before dinner. Couples enjoy romantic atmosphere and unobstructed Mediterranean views.
1h · Free (€5–10 for café drink optional)
Promenade des Anglais Sunset Walk
Walk along the waterfront from Old Town towards the west, stop on the famous blue chairs, and enjoy the Mediterranean sunset.
1h 30m · Free
Rialto Bridge & Market Stroll
Walk from San Marco to the Rialto Bridge, photograph the Grand Canal from the top, then browse the nearby produce and fish market.[3][4]
1h 30m · Free
Rialto Market & Bridge
Arrive by mid‑morning to wander the produce and fish stalls and then walk up to the Rialto Bridge for classic Grand Canal views.[2][3]
1h 30m · Free
Bellet Wine Tasting Tour
E-bike or small-group tour to organic vineyards (tram + short bus, 30 min).
3h · $110
Fondamenta della Misericordia
Spend the evening bar-hopping lightly along the canal-side strip for spritzes, people-watching, and a social nightlife finish.
2h · $15-$40
Gallerie dell'Accademia
See Venetian painting highlights in a calm museum setting, then continue into nearby waterfront streets for photos.
2h · $15-$20
Ghetto Ebraico (Jewish Ghetto)
Explore the historic Jewish Ghetto, one of the oldest in Europe, with its tall buildings, quiet campi, and optional guided visit to synagogues and the small museum.
1h 30m · $0 to enter area, ~$15-20 for museum/synagogue tour
Murano Island
Vaporetto to glass factories, watch demos, shop studios (15-min ride from Fondamente Nove).
3h · $10 vaporetto + Free demos
Musée Matisse
Small museum in a Genoese-style villa dedicated to Henri Matisse’s work and his connection to Nice.
1h 30m · $10-12Musée Matisse Nice
A world-class museum housed in a 17th-century villa showcasing the remarkable works of Henri Matisse, including paintings, sculptures, and paper cut-outs in an intimate setting.
2h · $12-15 per person
Musée National Marc Chagall
Spend a calm morning with Chagall’s vivid works, then take your time with the garden or museum café if you want a pause.
1h 30m · $12 or less
Piazza San Marco
Arrive early for the square, lagoon edges, and classic wide-angle photography before the crowds fill in.
1h 30m · Free
Piazza San Marco & St. Mark’s Basilica
Arrive mid-morning, admire the square, then visit the basilica’s golden mosaics and terrace for panoramic photos over Venice.[1][2]
2h · $15-25
Port Lympia Stroll
Yachts, fishing boats; golden-hour harbor photos.
1h · Free
Rialto Market
Browse the historic fish and produce market in the morning, watching restaurant buyers and locals shop among vivid displays.[4]
1h · Free
Riva degli Schiavoni to Giardini Walk
Walk the long waterfront from the Doge’s Palace toward the Biennale gardens, watching boats on the lagoon and photographing wide vistas.
1h 30m · Free
St. Mark’s Basilica
Visit the glittering Byzantine basilica, mosaics, and, if available, the terrace overlooking St. Mark’s Square; book a timed entry to minimize waiting.
1h 15m · $5-20 depending on options
St. Mark’s Basilica (Basilica di San Marco)
Visit early with a timed‑entry or skip‑the‑line ticket to admire the golden mosaics, Pala d’Oro, and the view over Piazza San Marco from the terrace.[2][3]
1h 15m · $10-25
St. Mark's Basilica & Doge's Palace
Explore the 11th-century Basilica and adjacent Doge's Palace. Arrive 7:30–8 AM to avoid crowds. Climb the bell tower for panoramic photography.
2h 30m · $28 per person (Basilica free, Doge's Palace €25–28)
Zattere Promenade
Walk scenic waterfront, gelato stops, canal views for photos.
1h 30m · Free
Accademia Bridge & Zattere
Start at Accademia Bridge for Grand Canal photos (best east view of palazzi/Salute dome); walk Zattere promenade to Punta della Dogana for Giudecca lagoon shots—golden hour sunset ideal, less crowded southern tip.
2h · FreeRestaurants & Food
20 local favorites
Chez Pipo
Order the socca and other Niçoise specialties for a casual, local lunch.
1h · $15-25 per person
Al Timon
Return to Venice for a relaxed final dinner with cicchetti, wine, and canal-side atmosphere.
1h 30m · $25-$45 per person
Osteria al Squero
Grab cicchetti and a spritz near the Zattere side of Dorsoduro; keep it casual and sample a few small plates.
1h 15m · €20-€35 per person
Osteria Enoteca Ai Artisti
Enjoy a relaxed lunch with cicchetti, seafood, and a glass of wine near the museum cluster.
1h 15m · €25-€40 per person
Acchiardo
Traditional Niçois bistro; socca, salade niçoise, and daube.
1h 30m · $30-50 per person
La Voglia
Italian-Riviera fusion pasta and wines; intimate candlelit ambiance.
1h 30m · $50-70 per person
Osteria Enoteca San Marco
House wines and cicchetti platters in welcoming enoteca.
1h 30m · $15-25 per person
Pasticceria Tonolo
Classic Venetian pastry shop near Campo Santa Margherita; order a cappuccino with a cream-filled cornetto or a fritella if in season.
45m · $7-12 per person
Fenocchio
Artisanal ice cream as light treat; lavender sorbet.
30m · $10-15 per person
Lou Pilha Leva
Go for socca and other Niçois specialties in a casual, fast-moving Old Town setting.
1h · $15-25 per person
Osteria alle Testiere
Intimate seafood spot; try lagoon fish risotto paired with Veneto wines.
1h 30m · $60-80 per person
Torrefazione Cannaregio
Stand at the bar for excellent espresso and cappuccino with a simple pastry before wandering the canals.
45m · $8-15 per person
All'Arco
Order **sarde in saor** (sweet-sour sardines) and **baccalà mantecato** (creamed cod) at this tiny Rialto stand—standing room only.
45m · $12-20 per person
Caffè Florian
Historic café on St. Mark's Square (1720) with elegant interior frescoes. Order espresso and a pastry at the counter (much cheaper than table service). No shellfish exposure.
30m · $6-10 per person (counter); $25-35 (table service)
Caffè Rosso
Classic student-area café on Campo Santa Margherita for coffee and pastries, with outdoor tables if you want to sit and people-watch.
45m · $8-15 per person
Cantina Do Spade
Historic bacaro near Rialto known for cicchetti like baccalà mantecato and polpette; share small plates and local prosecco or a Veneto red in a cozy setting.[4][7]
1h 30m · $25-40 per person
Flaveur
Creative tasting menu with sea views.
1h 30m · $60-80 per person
Le Chantecler
Hotel dining; final niçoise feast (10-min walk).
1h 15m · $40-50 per person
Le Safari
Lively terrace restaurant on Cours Saleya serving Niçoise dishes, salads, and pizzas with a people-watching view.
1h 15m · $18-25 per person
Osteria ai 40 Ladroni
Canal-side osteria known for good-value seafood pastas and classic Venetian dishes; try the seafood risotto or grilled fish.
1h 15m · $25-45 per person