Located a few kilometers from the Italian border, Nice, in France, charms visitors with its beaches and its Provençal atmosphere. It invites you to stroll under the Mediterranean sun, to wander through the colorful historic district, to enjoy the Baie des Anges while enjoying an ice cream on the “Promenade des Anglais”, or to lose yourself in the many museums and cultural sites to visit. This city, which is brimming with history and shops, will appeal to both culture vultures and strollers. But where to stay in Nice to enjoy the beauty of its promenades and its historic center?
In this guide, we take you on a tour of the best places to stay and present our favorite accommodations.
Main information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting your accommodation in Nice, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view. This should give you a better idea of the city and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Nice:
- $ this hotel, offers attractive prices in a typical Nice neighborhood.
- $$ this hotel, immerses you in a Provençal atmosphere just a stone’s throw from the tourist sites.
- $$$ this luxury establishment, is emblematic of the Promenade des Anglais.
Map of Nice’s different districts to stay in
To give you a quick overview of where to stay in Nice, you’ll find on the map below all the Monaco accommodation recommendations we’ll be sharing in this guide. You can also use it to locate the different neighborhoods we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay in Nice
Where to stay in Nice
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Nice.
Accommodation in the heart of Old Nice
Located at the end of the Promenade des Anglais, Vieux Nice plunges you into a warm and colorful Nice, a vestige of a time when the city was still Italian. Here, buildings steeped in history stand side by side with tourist sites such as the Colline du Château and the Palais Lascaris Museum, a must for culture lovers. Close to the beaches, it only takes a few minutes to go from the colorful buildings to the pebble beaches that line the Baie des Anges.
Although buses and streetcars only go around the area and not through it, they are still within easy walking distance and will quickly take you to the city's other points of interest.
During the day, the area comes alive with the many shops (clothing, tattoos, vegetables, local specialties, flowers...) and artists' galleries that flourish here and there. In the evening, restaurants, bars and nightclubs transform the atmosphere, making it more festive and electric. If you want to stay undisturbed by the music and chatter of customers on the terraces, it's best to avoid staying in this area, especially on Rue de la Préfecture, a street packed with bars.
Because of its strategic location a stone's throw from the beaches and tourist sites, the accommodation here is generally expensive, with prices rarely dipping below 120e a night. But rest assured, there are other more affordable areas to stay just a few minutes' walk away.
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Le Rossetti offers you the chance to stay in charming, authentic accommodation in an ideal location. Le Rossetti is located in the heart of the old town, just a 6-minute walk from Place Masséna and 400 meters from the beach.
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Le Palais Saleya combines the comfort of a 4-star hotel with the intimacy of an individual apartment, offering guests fully-equipped suites and apartments. Ideally located on the Place du Palais de Justice, this first-class palace is close to the sights and beaches of Vieux Nice.
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Situated on the seafront, this 4-star hotel offers breathtaking views over the Baie des Anges. The old town and harbor are just a few minutes' walk away, making it a choice accommodation for those wishing to be close to the main attractions.
Nice city center: an ideal area for staying and exploring the city
The city center of Nice, called Jean Médecin, is one of the liveliest areas of the city. Bordered by Boulevard Jean Jaurès, a section of the Promenade des Anglais, Avenue Clémenceau and Rue Lamartine, it is home to must-see tourist sites such as the Museum of Modern Art, the Jardin Albert 1er, Place Masséna and the Basilique Notre Dame de l'Assomption.
Stroll from one shop to another on the central avenue, known for its blend of Belle Epoque architecture and retail outlets, such as Fnac, nestled in a Belle Epoque Riviera building, or Monoprix, which occupies an Art Deco building. Food lovers will find something to delight their taste buds in the various restaurants and brasseries that populate the area.
At the end of the day, the hustle and bustle gradually disappears, giving way to tranquility, making it an ideal place to stay without fear of noise pollution. This area is perfect for those looking for accommodation that is quiet and close to all amenities.
You can stay for less than a hundred euros or opt for more prestigious establishments, with a wide choice of hotels and individual apartments.
Where to stay in Jean Médecin?
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Just a stone's throw from Nice-Ville train station and a 15-minute walk from the beach, this 2-star establishment offers a range of affordable rooms in all seasons. It's the ideal place to stay close to activities on a tight budget!
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Ideally located near the train station and the old town, this 3-star hotel is also a 10-minute drive from the airport. Take advantage of this choice accommodation to make your travels easier.
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This 5-star establishment is located on the border between the Jean Médecin and Vieille Ville sectors. So you can stay just a stone's throw from the tourist sites and beaches of the Baie des Anges.
Accommodation close to the old port and tourist areas
Less than 15 minutes by carfrom the airport, the Garibaldi area is a popular choice for tourists looking for easily accessible, well-located accommodation. Bordered by Rue Catherine Segurane, Boulevard Risso, Mont Alban and the Mediterranean Sea, it has been the birthplace of Port Lympia since the 18th century.
This popular area adjoins Vieux Nice and is a crossroads for strollers and locals alike. Once a meeting place for many merchants and traders, it is now crossed by the tramway, which continues to encourage the comings and goings of both traditional and modern businesses.
This eclectic district is particularly appreciated for its Provencal ambience and affordable accommodation. In addition to the many restaurants and bars lining the quays and offering seafood specialties, the old port area is home to Place Garibaldi, renowned for its beauty and colorful arcades. The square Guynemer, located between Rue Foresta and Quai Lunel, is also home to the statue of Charles-Félix de Sardaigne. This spot is particularly popular with tourists who want to enjoy an unobstructed view of the port.
Although close to all amenities and well served by public transport, there are few places to stay in this area. The accommodation available is affordable, depending on the season. If you can't find any available and want to stay close to the Vieux Port, you can choose to stay in Vieux Nice or on Avenue Jean Médecin.
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Just 500 meters from the port, discover this 3-star establishment which also boasts a restaurant (breakfast, lunch and dinner). Ideally located close to public transport, it offers you easy access to the city, train stations and airports. It's a prime location if you're planning to explore the region.
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This 4-star establishment is ideally located on the border of the Old Port and Old Nice districts. You can stay in suites with balconies or sea views, yet be close to places of interest such as the Ponchettes and Rauba Capeu beaches, the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art and Avenue Jean Médecin.
Staying on the Promenade des Anglais: a unique experience
Listed as a World Heritage Site, the Promenade des Anglais is one of the most famous avenues in the world. It is the venue for numerous events such as the Nice Carnival and flower battles, and is made recognizable by its emblematic palm trees, "Blue Chairs" and pergolas. But the signature of the famous avenue lies above all in the palaces that face the Baie des Anges.
These include the Royal, the Negresco and the Villa Masséna, now a museum evoking local art and history through its collections. There's also the Palais de la Méditerranée, a prestigious hotel complex and casino whose facades were listed as historic monuments in 1939. Over 7 kilometers long, the avenue quickly links the airport to Vieux Nice, running alongside the sea.
Accommodation on the Promenade des Anglais is renowned for being luxurious and, consequently, expensive. It's not cheap to stay there, but the view is worth the detour! On the other hand, be careful about the time of year you plan to stay there: as it is the scene of numerous events, the most accessible accommodations are often quickly snapped up.
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Just 50 meters from the Promenade des Anglais, this 4-star hotel offers you the chance to stay in a typically Provencal setting, yet close to all the main attractions.
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An emblematic palace on the Promenade des Anglais, this 5-star establishment stands out for its excellent service and sumptuous decor. Much more than just a place to stay, the palace offers a wide range of services and activities, sometimes at extra cost.
Staying at Libération: find affordable accommodation in Nice
Located north of Avenue Jean Médecin and west of the Cimiez district, the Libération is a typical Nice neighborhood. It is the ideal place to immerse yourself in Nice life: let yourself be carried away by the Provençal scents of the market on Place du Général de Gaulle or opt for local dishes in the various restaurants in the neighborhood. You can also stop for a tasting in one of the many wine cellars among the Belle Epoque style buildings.
This area, which is intended to house the people of Nice rather than entertain them, offers far fewer activities and historical and cultural centers than the districts further south. But due to its somewhat outlying nature, on the heights of Nice, accommodation is affordable, although not numerous. You can enjoy the peace and quiet of a mainly residential neighborhood to stay without getting bored!
It is still a place well served by public transport, allowing you to find accommodation at a lower price and reach the city center and the beach in a few minutes by tram.
Accommodation in the Libération area
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This charming 3-star hotel is a fifteen-minute walk from the beach and close to the tourist areas. It is the perfect place for those watching their budget.
Summary
The city of Nice is full of activities and sites to discover – or rediscover! Each neighborhood tells a piece of its history and invites you to immerse yourself in a colorful and picturesque world to discover life in Nice. Whether through local specialties or by experiencing the various emblematic places of Nice’s culture, you will be charmed by this timeless coastal city.
Influenced by the palaces and other prestigious establishments of Nice, accommodation can be a little expensive, especially during events such as the Nice Carnival or in the height of the summer season. It is advisable to book your accommodation in advance and out of season to take advantage of attractive prices.
While staying in the center allows you to take full advantage of local activities without worrying too much about transportation, moving out to neighborhoods like La Libération can offer you a completely different experience, more in tune with the daily life of the locals, while also being a less expensive solution for accommodation.