Why You Should Holiday in Nice

Nice, the capital city of the French Riviera is a well-rounded destination that offers everything you need for a fun-filled holiday. There’s the beaches, museums and art galleries, historic monuments, beautiful Mediterranean scenery and a vibrant nightlife scene to discover.

Villas to rent in Nice

Look to rent a villa in Nice? We offer a wide selection of luxury villas, including seafront properties, hilltop holiday homes and centrally located vacation rentals (perfect for holidaymakers who want to be right in the heart of the action).
We’re rigorous when it comes to selecting the right villas for our customers. Each of our villas in Nice check off all the right boxes: you’ll enjoy five-star amenities, privacy and exclusivity and impeccable service.

Family activities in Nice

Nice offers a four-mile stretch of seafront, and there are great beaches in and around the town, so you’re spoilt for choice. Consider renting a villa in Nice near the coast—you’ll wake up to postcard-perfect sea views, and enjoy easy access to the beaches.
La Réserve, located close to the town centre is a popular choice among the locals. It’s a small beach, so it may get crowded. From here, take a few minutes’ stroll and you’ll arrive at Coco Beach. Like La Réserve, it’s a fairly small beach—but it does offer a range of amenities, including showers, a restaurant and a lifeguard on duty during the summer months.
Le Voilier Plage is a wide stretch of coast consisting of a mix of public and private beaches. There’s a restaurant, play area, showers and washrooms, so it’s a great option for a beach outing with young children. Castel Plage is a private beach that feels far removed from the crowd—just perfect for beach-goers who want to get away from it all.
There’s plenty to explore at the Castle Hill of Nice. Most visitors hike up an extensive flight of stairs leading from the old town to the hilltop, but if you’re visiting with young children, consider taking the elevator (Ascenseur du Château) or the Petit Train de Nice. Key attractions on the hill include the Parc du Chateau, Monument aux Morts, Bellanda Tower and Cimetière du Château.
Theater L'alphabet offers a wide range of shows for kids and adults, including boulevard and modern plays, comedies, musicals, puppet shows and more. Kids can also take part in theatre awareness courses, created for children aged three and above.
Learn how to make your own hand-crafted perfume at the Molinard boutique. The workshops cover the history, tradition and production of French perfume, and participants can sample an extensive range of scents, bases and essential oils before mixing their own. Your little ones can join in the fun too—the Le Petit Parfumeur workshop caters to children aged four and above.

Activities and points of interest in Nice

The old town of Nice (Vieux Nice), with its Belle Époque architecture, pastel coloured buildings and alleyways offers plenty of photo-taking opportunities. There’s a wide selection of Nice villas for rent in the area—a great option for vacationers who want to be within walking distance to key attractions in the vicinity.
Wander to Vieux Nice Port, Place du Palais de Justice and Place Massena. Visit the Musée du Palais Lascaris, and admire the museum’s stunning exterior, opulent rooms and collection of ancient musical instruments. And there’s the iconic Promenade des Anglais, a seafront promenade that stretches out over seven kilometres. There are bars and restaurants lining the promenade, and you’ll come across skaters, artists and street performers during your walk.
Culture and history buffs will relish in visiting the many museums within and around Nice. Planning on visiting several museums during your stay? Getting a museum pass or a tourist pass—rather than paying to enter each museum individually—could be a better option. If you’re renting a villa in Nice, the concierge can help recommend a pass that would best fit your needs, and arrange transportation for sightseeing trips.
Musée Matisse, housed within a 17th century villa, houses a wide collection of artworks by Matisse. Visitors can view some of his early paintings, sketches that he completed in the later part of his life, as well as engravings and sculptures. Just a stone’s throw away is the Musée Archéologique de Nice-Cimiez, a museum situated on a Roman archeological site.
Villa Masséna Musée, once the residence of aristocrat Victor Masséna, features a collection of carvings and paintings from the Belle Époque period. Musée National Marc Chagall is home to the largest public collection of Chagall’s artworks worldwide. The collection includes Chagall’s iconic Bible Illustrations, a series of paintings that depict important events from the Old Testament.
The St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral is located away from the city centre, but it’s worth a visit for its beautifully kept grounds, ornate exterior and vast collection of artefacts.

Nice’s restaurants, cafes & bars

Nice offers a wide variety of dining options, ranging from Michelin-starred venues, to fusion restaurants, family-friendly cafes and cosy bistros. The restaurants can get busy—especially around peak tourist periods—so making a reservation is recommended (your Nice villa concierge can assist with this).
Restaurant Jan, an intimate 24-seater diner serves innovative French fare that are inspired by the chef’s South African heritage. Le Chantecler, set within the Hotel Negresco is a great option for a special night out. The 18th century decor is elegant, and service is impeccable. The food is exquisite—which doesn’t come as a surprise, given that the kitchen is helmed by award-winning chef Virginie Basselot. Both Restaurant Jan and Le Chantecler are Michelin-starred restaurants.
Les Sens stands out with its industrial-style decor and quality fare. Just about everything on the menu—including the bread, desserts and ice cream—are made in-house. If you’re in the mood for something, try the Japanese-inspired French cuisine at Keisuke Matsushima.
For a more casual dining set up, head to Chabrol. The bistro is cosy and inviting, offers a small menu featuring seasonal dishes prepared with fresh, quality ingredients. Le Séjour is one of those places that make you feel at home right away. The restaurant is decked out with books and photographs, and the staff are warm and friendly.
If you’re renting a villa in Nice, you’ll have the option of enjoying an in-villa dining experience. A private chef will take care of the meal planning, shopping and cooking—so you’ll have the restaurant experience brought right to your table.