Arrive at Nice Côte d'Azur Airport or the SNCF station and take a short tram or taxi ride to your hotel near the Promenade des Anglais; drop your bags and step out for your first taste of Niçoise life. Stroll along the Promenade, breathe in the sea air, and pause at Place Masséna to admire its checkerboard square and Jardin Albert I — a perfect, gentle orientation to the city's layout and pace.
After a light lunch of socca or salade niçoise at a seaside café (try Chez Pipo or La Rotonde), continue exploring the waterfront by renting a bike or e-scooter to ride the full stretch of the Promenade des Anglais toward the port. Pop into the Musée Masséna if you want a short cultural detour, or wander the shaded alleys off the quai to discover local patisseries and the small shops of the Carré d'Or.
As the sunset paints the Baie des Anges, settle in for dinner at a bistro on Rue Saint-François de Paule or a waterfront table at Le Plongeoir for seafood with a view, then take a leisurely post-dinner walk along the pebble beach. If you're still energized, enjoy an apertif at a lively bar near Old Town (Vieux-Nice) to set the tone for tomorrow's deeper exploration of markets and museums.
Wake up to a café crème and fresh viennoiseries before diving into Vieux-Nice’s bustling Cours Saleya market — sample olives, socca from Chez Pipo, and brightly colored produce while browsing flowers and local crafts. From there, wander the maze of narrow lanes past Baroque facades to the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate and climb toward Colline du Château for sweeping morning views over the Baie des Anges.
After a leisurely lunch in the Old Town (try a classic salade niçoise at Restaurant Acchiardo or a Provençal dish at La Merenda), spend the afternoon at Musée Matisse in the leafy Cimiez quarter or the Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain (MAMAC) for contrasting takes on local and modern art. If the weather’s mild, stroll the coastal path from the port to the Castle Hill gardens, lingering at the waterfall and viewpoints that look back toward the Promenade.
As evening falls, return to Vieux-Nice for dinner at a cozy bistro — La Petite Maison or Oliviera offer regional flavors — then sample pastis or a local rosé at a pavement café. Finish with a moonlit walk along the Promenade des Anglais or a pause at Place Masséna to enjoy the square’s lights and the gentle sound of the Mediterranean before turning in for your Èze and Monaco day tomorrow.
Early this morning catch the 15-20 minute bus (Ligne 82/112 from Nice) or a short drive up the Moyenne Corniche to the medieval village of Èze; wander the cobbled lanes to the Jardin Exotique and linger at the panoramic terrace for sweeping views of the Côte d'Azur and dramatic cliff edges. Pop into the Fragonard perfumery for a guided tour or a quick perfume-shopping stop, then descend the Nietzsche Path if you’re feeling adventurous for a scenic, heady walk down toward the coast.
Midday, continue along the coast to Monaco — arrive at the Prince’s Palace in time for the changing of the guard or stroll through the Old Town’s narrow streets to the Cathédrale and the Oceanographic Museum for a cultured, seaside afternoon. After exploring the harbor, pause at Café de Paris or Le Louis XV (for window-shopping rather than a full splurge) to watch luxury yachts and the glitter of Monte Carlo, then take the coastal walk toward the Casino square and the glamorous boutiques of the Carré d’Or.
Return to Nice in the early evening or stay in Monaco for sundown drinks on a terrace overlooking Port Hercule; enjoy a relaxed dinner of Mediterranean seafood at a port-side brasserie such as La Marée or return to Nice for a quieter meal back near Vieux-Nice. Finish the night with a gentle promenade along the Promenade des Anglais or a digestif at a cozy bar in Place Masséna, reflecting on the day’s contrast between cliff-top medieval charm and Monaco’s modern glamour.
Savor a final café crème and a warm croissant at a neighborhood bakery near your hotel, then take a relaxed last walk along the Promenade des Anglais to soak up the morning light on the Baie des Anges and watch local joggers and pétanque players. If time allows, pop into the Cours Saleya for one last browse of the flower stalls and a quick purchase of olive tapenade or local biscuits as edible mementos.
Return to your room to pack, check out, and leave luggage at the front desk if your departure is later; enjoy a leisurely lunch of salade niçoise or a slice of pissaladière at La Rotonde or Fenocchio for one last taste of local flavors. Stroll up to Place Masséna or along Rue Masséna for any final window-shopping, then make your way to the tram stop or arrange a taxi to Nice Côte d'Azur Airport or the SNCF station, allowing extra time for security and traffic.
If you have an evening flight, settle in at a seaside café for a final apéritif and people-watching, or relax in the airport’s lounge with a glass of rosé as you reflect on the contrast between the Old Town’s alleys, Èze’s cliffs, and Monaco’s glamour. Otherwise, end your weekend with a quiet dinner near the port — grilled fish at Le Plongeoir or a comforting Provençal dish — before boarding your train or flight home, carrying the soft Mediterranean light and local flavors with you.
| Place / Activity | Cost |
|---|---|
| Nice Côte d'Azur Airport transfer (tram Line 2 to city / taxi) | Tram €1.70-€2.30 single; Taxi €30-€45 (day) / €35-€55 (night) |
| Promenade des Anglais (stroll) | Free |
| Place Masséna & Jardin Albert I | Free |
| Lunch — socca or salade niçoise at a seaside café (Chez Pipo / La Rotonde) | €8-€18 per person (socca/snack) to €15-€28 (full lunch) |
| Bike or e-scooter rental (Promenade) | Public bike (Vélo Bleu) €1.50-€5 for short rides; dockless e-scooter €1 unlock + €0.15-€0.30/minute; private bike rental €10-€20/day |
| Musée Masséna | Admission €6-€8 |
| Dinner at waterfront bistro (Le Plongeoir / Rue Saint-François de Paule area) | €25-€55 per person (mid-range to nicer waterfront) |
| Cours Saleya Market (flowers, food stalls) | Free to browse; food samples €2-€8 each; small souvenirs €3-€20 |
| Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate (Vieux-Nice) | Free (donations suggested); small fee if special exhibits |
| Colline du Château / Castle Hill (views & waterfall) | Free (lift closed sometimes; stairs free). If using lift: elevator token/ticket ~€3 |
| Lunch in Old Town (Restaurant Acchiardo / La Merenda) | €18-€35 per person |
| Musée Matisse (Cimiez) | Admission €6-€10 |
| MAMAC (Musée d'Art Moderne et d'Art Contemporain) | Admission €7-€10 |
| Coastal path from port to Castle Hill (walk) | Free |
| Bus to Èze (Ligne 82/112) or drive Moyenne Corniche | Bus €1.70-€2.30 single; regional bus €1.50-€2.50; taxi €45-€70 one-way |
| Èze village & Jardin Exotique | Garden admission €6-€10; village stroll free; small shops €5-€40 |
| Fragonard perfumery tour (Èze) | Free tour; products priced €10-€150 |
| Nietzsche Path (down to the coast) | Free |
| Travel Nice → Monaco (train or bus) | Train TER €4.50-€7 single; bus €1.50-€3; taxi €60-€90 |
| Prince’s Palace (Monaco) / changing of the guard | Palace interior admission €10-€12 (seasonal); exterior viewing free |
| Cathédrale de Monaco | Free entry; small donation suggested; tombs/museum area small fee €2-€5 if applicable |
| Oceanographic Museum (Monaco) | Admission €15-€20 |
| Café de Paris / Le Louis XV (Monte Carlo — window-shopping / coffee) | Coffee/soft drink €4-€8 (Café de Paris) up to €12-€25 for cocktails or pastries; expect high-end pricing inside Le Louis XV |
| Casino Square & Carré d’Or (Monte Carlo) | Free to walk; Casino entry (if you enter gaming rooms) €10-€20 cover + gamble costs; mandatory dress code for some rooms |
| Return transport to Nice (train/bus/taxi) | Train €4.50-€7; bus €1.50-€3; taxi €60-€90 |
| Final breakfast / last stroll & purchases (Cours Saleya / bakeries) | Coffee €1.50-€3; croissant €1-€2.50; small food souvenirs €5-€20 |
| Tram to SNCF station / airport or taxi on departure | Tram €1.70-€2.30; Taxi €30-€45 (day) / €35-€55 (night) |
| Optional airport lounge (if used) | €20-€50 single-entry (pay-per-use lounges) |
| Estimated Total (per person) | €380-€920 per person (estimated for a 3-night/4-day trip, mid-range spending). Breakdown example: Accommodation mid-range €90-€180/night (€270-€540 total), Food & drinks €40-€80/day (€120-€240), Local transport & excursions €30-€80, Attraction admissions & activities €35-€110, Misc/souvenirs €25-€50. |