Things to Do in Nice

Welcome to Nice the Beautiful - a tour of Old Town and Castle Hill

Informative, inspiring and lots of fun!

Join Walkative! as we explore the history, the art, the architecture, and of course the food of Nice. You will very quickly see why “Nissa La Bella” (Nice the beautiful) is more than just the city’s motto. Learn tons of interesting, sometimes quirky facts along the way, and do so JUST IN TIME for lunch……or Happy Hour. And don’t worry, we will show you where to eat so that you can enjoy Nice like a local, because we know this city by heart! Just be warned, Nice can easily steal your heart. It stole ours. See you soon!

Nice, a gem on the French Riviera surrounded by majestic mountains and the sparkling sea, boasts a rich history, stunning architecture, and vibrant culture. From its Greek origins as Nikaia to its transformation into a 19th-century aristocratic retreat, the city has always been a beacon of elegance and artistry, inspiring legends like Henri Matisse and Marc Chagall. 

During the tour you will see all of Nice's treasures: the bustling Place Massena, the iconic Promenade des Anglais with its azure blue chairs, and the historic Vieux Nice, the Old Town. We will see the hyperrealistic paintings - Trompe L'Oeils, explore the lively Cours Saleya market, and learn about the city's fascinating history, from the House of Savoy's winter palace to the tales of the "bank heist of the century." We will admire architectural marvels like the Negresco hotel and the Opera House. The tour will finish at Castle Hill, offering breathtaking views of the city's picturesque landscape. 

Join our tour and discover the beauty of Nice, a city with a Greek name, an Italian feel, and a distinctly French flair. Experience why icons like Queen Victoria and Elton John have called it home. Book now and see for yourself!

During this 2,5 hour tour you will see and hear:

• Fontaine du Soleil at Place Massena
• The Underground River at Parc du Paillon
• Conversations a Nice – modern art installation
• 9 Lignes Obliques – “Nine Diagonal Lines” artwork
• Les Trompes l’oeil – hyperrealistic façade paintings
• The Promenade des Anglais 
• The history of the blue chairs
• The legendary Negresco hotel 
• The Opera House of Nice
• The Cours Saleya flower market
• Place Rossetti
• Palace of the Prefecture
• Palace of Justice
• Cathedral Sainte Reparate
• Rue Droite

Look for the yellow umbrella at the meeting point!

ℹ️ ⚠️ ATTENTION - booking rules

Please note that our free tours are designed for individual travelers and small private groups only. Hence, we do not accept parties of 8 or more people on regular free tours and guides have the right to deny participation to such groups. If you travel in a party of 8 or more please book a private tour in advance.

If you show up at the meeting point with the bigger group our guide will ask you for the payment (12 eur/person) before the tour or cancel your reservation on the spot. To confirm your reservation please arrive 10 minutes before starting. We can not guarantee participation when you will be late.                                  

Please note that multiply bookings (under different names) for 7 people who belong to one group will still be treated as one organized group and the guide has the right to deny participation to such parties.

This policy is implied in the best interest of our individual visitors. 

Please respect our rules.     

Hi there!

Do you want to do a historical and informative walking tour of Nice, discover some of the interesting places in the city and have recommendations of things to do, more places to go to, and places to eat? Then this is the tour you're looking for!

On this tour, I will show you and explain to you some of what there is to see and to know about the main part of Nice. The tour starts at the Fountain of the Sun (la Fontaine du Soleil) at Masséna Square (Place Masséna), then goes through the main part of the Old Town (le Vieux Nice), afterward on to the famous Promenade of Nice (la Promenade des Anglais) and it ends on Castle Hill (la Colline du Château) with a viewpoint of the city!

More precisely, during the tour you'll be visiting and learning about :

• Masséna Square, the Paillon Promenade (la Promenade du Paillon) and the Fountain of the Sun.
• The History of Nikaia and Nice, the Nine Oblique Lines (les Neuf Lignes Obliques), the optical illusions (les Trompe-l'oeil) and Molinard, one of the oldest perfumeries in France!
• The Opera House of Nice (Opéra de Nice) and Henri Auer, the oldest pastry shop in Nice!
• Cours Saleya and the famous Flower Market of Nice (le Marché aux Fleurs).
• The Canon Fire at noon and the Palace of the Kings of Sardinia (le Palais des Rois Sardes).
• The Bank Robbery of the Century (le Casse du Siècle) was done by Albert Spaggiari!
• The Nice Cathedral (la Sainte-Réparate) and Rossetti Square (Place Rossetti).
• The architecture in Old Town, the local food and even the local language!
• The Promenade of Nice, the Négresco, and the Dock of the United States (le Quai des États-Unis).
• Castle Hill: the Port of Nice (Port Lympia), Garibaldi Square (Place Garibaldi), some famous and wealthy people residing in Nice, and finally the highest viewpoint of the city!

So, see you soon!

Dear travelers!

If you would like to discover a charming and authentic town, then Villefranche Sur Mer from Nice is a perfect opportunity for you!

We'll meet in the port of Nice (at the top of the stairs of the tram stop "Port Lympia").

We will then take a bus to Villefranche (7 min. from Nice, 1.70 €).

You will be inspired while exploring magic colourful streets of the Medieval-like Old Town, admiring the best panoramic views and having the most romantic lunch (or dinner) with a beautiful sea view after the tour.

We finish the tour in Villefranche Sur Mer (5 minutes from the train station and 9 minutes from the bus stop). You can return to Nice by bus or by train. The last bus leaves Villefranche at 11pm. 

P.S. I will show you all the secret places (loved by locals) and you'll get my personal list of tips and recommendations about all the little towns and villages of the Cote d'Azure.

(There is so much more to see than just Nice and Cannes!)

 Join me for a journey through the heart of Nice’s Old Town, where every corner has a story and every street reveals something new. Over the course of 2 to 2.5 hours, we'll explore the city's most iconic spots — from Massena Square and the Opera House to Cours Saleya Market, Rossetti Square, and the panoramic views from Castle Hill. Along the way, I’ll share local legends, cultural insights, and hidden gems that bring Nice to life. We meet at the Apollo statue in Massena Square at 10:55 AM — just look for the red umbrella. This is a tip-based tour, so you’re free to contribute what you feel it was worth. Let’s discover the real Nice together. 

Salut !

Do you have a small level in French, and would you like to practice and improve your French listening and speaking skills, all while discovering Nice? Then this is the tour you're looking for!

This tour is in French for a foreign audience that is still learning the French language, and on it, I will show you and explain to you everything there is to see and to know about the main part of Nice.
 
The tour starts at the Fountain of the Sun (la Fontaine du Soleil) at Masséna Square (Place Masséna), then goes through the main part of the Old Town (le Vieux Nice), afterward on to the famous Promenade of Nice (la Promenade des Anglais) and it ends at Garibaldi Square (Place Garibaldi), one of the biggest squares of Nice!

More precisely, during the tour you'll be visiting and learning about :

• Masséna Square, the Paillon Promenade (la Promenade du Paillon) and the Fountain of the Sun.
• The History of Nikaia and Nice, the Nine Oblique Lines (les Neuf Lignes Obliques), the optical illusions (les Trompe-l'oeil) and Molinard, one of the oldest perfumeries in France!
• The Opera House of Nice (Opéra de Nice) and Henri Auer, the oldest pastry shop in Nice!
• Cours Saleya and the famous Flower Market of Nice (le Marché aux Fleurs).
• The Canon Fire at noon and the Palace of the Kings of Sardinia (le Palais des Rois Sardes).
• The Bank Robbery of the Century (le Casse du Siècle) was done by Albert Spaggiari!
• The Nice Cathedral (la Sainte-Réparate) and Rossetti Square (Place Rossetti).
• The architecture in Old Town, the local food and even the local language!
• The Promenade of Nice, the Négresco, and the Dock of the United States (le Quai des États-Unis).
• The Memorial for the 1st World War (le Mémorial), the Port of Nice (Port Lympia), some famous and wealthy people residing in Nice, and finally one of the biggest squares of Nice, Garibaldi Square!

So, for those who can't wait to put their French to use, à bientôt !

Hello, how are you? I invite you to a magical walk through the Old and Charming City of NICE, walk through its little streets that take us to another time with today's modernity, captivating stories, the robbery of the century, the devil's violinist, local restaurants, cafes ... An incredible mix between Italy and France, mountains and sea. If you want more than a simple tour and come to learn, have fun and have a great time .... I will wait for you in Place Massena at the FOUNTAIN OF THE SUN .. I will be with Apollo and my umbrella waiting for you .... the tour ends two hours later in front of the Castle Hill facing the Mediterranean, a walk of enjoyment from beginning to end

Come and discover the heart of Nice with its narrow and colorful streets, baroque churches and lively markets. We will pass by the unmissable Promenade des Anglais and then discover the Castle Hill and its magnificent panoramas.

Point of interest:

• Massena Square
• beautiful work
• Saleya Course
• Prefecture Palace
• Cathedral of Sainte Reparate
• Church of the Gesù
• Walk of the English
• Castle Hill
• San Francisco Square
• Garibaldi Square

To begin the visit we will meet at the Fountain of the Sun in Place Masséna , known for being the meeting point for all the inhabitants of Nice.

We will immediately immerse ourselves in the famous old town of Nice , heading towards the most popular street in the old town, Cours Saleya , with its famous multicoloured flower market and the magnificent Palais de la Préfecture.

We will then head towards Old Nice to discover its central square and its famous Sainte Réparate cathedral , as well as the enchanting glaciers that surround it.

And of course, a visit to Nice cannot ignore a stop on the Promenade des Anglais , where we will make a #i love Nice stop.

We will then climb the Castle hill and discover a splendid park where we can refresh ourselves after the short climb.

On this hill, the cradle of Nice's history, I will show you magnificent views of the city .

We will then go down towards Place Saint-François and its famous fish market.

Finally, we will enter the emblematic Garibaldi Square, crossing the narrow and colorful streets of the old town of Nice, where we will conclude our visit.

By booking a tour with a professional guide who is passionate about his or her region, you will be sure to discover all the little treasures of the city.

From this unique and little-known vantage point of the typical bistro where you can taste local specialties, I share my experience as a child from Nice who has explored every corner of the city and who has now made it his job. For the love of the territory, for sharing and human relationships.

So, do you want to discover Nice with expert advice from a local guide?

For original activities, there is a pleasant tour for all tastes , all times and all ages!