More about: Nice Tours
If your next trip in France will take you to beautiful Nice, congratulations! Considered the capital of the South Coast of France; there are plenty of things to see, do and enjoy. Nice is one of the favorite vacation destinations for the French and also for the millions of tourists who visit this country year after year.
The city is famous for its warm weather all year round, its beautiful old town and its excellent food and drink; consequently the excursion options in Nice are plentiful and diverse. Here is a list of some popular alternatives in the hope that on your next vacation you can include as many of them as possible in your itinerary.
Bon voyage!
1. Cultural tour of Nice: Old Town and surroundings.
No visit to Nice would be complete without a trip to get lost in the streets of its beautiful old town. Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Nice's streets and monuments are filled with significant historical events.
The tour is offered by numerous local companies in an educational and entertaining format; so that any traveler exploring the city for the first time will feel involved and moved by its history.
Please note that the specific details of the itinerary may vary slightly depending on the company you finally hire for the experience. However, most local companies include in their itinerary the following monuments or sightseeing tours: Place du Palais de Justice, Les Ponchettes, La Opera de Nice, The Promenade des Anglais promenade; the Art Deco masterpiece Casino Du Palais and more.
This tour format is usually conducted in several languages and in small groups of approximately 8 participants. The group is accompanied at all times by a certified expert guide, usually an art historian. It is the perfect tour to take at any time of the year, even if you decide to visit Nice at Christmas time during the winter vacations.
Details of interest
- Price of the tour: Available from 40€ per participant.
- Duration: Varies depending on the company you hire and the itinerary, it usually takes about 3 hours to complete the experience.
- Advantages of this option: It is an economical and traditional tour option that allows you to really enjoy the city.
- Disadvantages of this option: It is one of the most demanded tours in Nice, if you travel during peak tourist seasons advance booking is almost mandatory to ensure availability.
2. Gastronomic tour of Nice
The gastronomic tour experience in Nice is conducted by an expert and certified local guide. Small groups of travelers are organized with the intention of offering a closer and more personalized treatment.
The guide will take participants through a variety of popular commercial establishments to taste the best of the traditional gastronomy of Nice and the Mediterranean. The tour also allows you to get to know the city but with a different vision more focused on discovering the best places to eat in Nice.
The gastronomy of the south of France is characterized by the mixture of Italian and French influences. On this tour get ready to enjoy local wines, amazing cheeses, dried meat, sauces and pates, fruit vinegars and many more. On the pastry side you can miss the cakes and chocolates, as well as homemade cream ice cream.
Travelers with allergies or special dietary needs should contact the company organizing the tour and communicate such details so that a specific menu can be designed for them.
Details of interest
- Price of the excursion: Around 90€ per participant. The price usually includes several tasting dishes.
- Duration: You should reserve about 4 hours of your itinerary for this excursion.
- Advantages of this option: It is a good alternative to do close to lunch or dinner time.
- Disadvantages of this option: The main disadvantage of this alternative is the price, it is one of the most expensive city tours in Nice.
3. Bike and Segway tour of Nice.
Another very popular way to tour the most outstanding and beautiful areas of the Capital of the South is on a bike or Segway tour of Nice. These vehicles allow you to cover long distances in a short time so you will be able to get quite an overview of Nice in just a few hours of exploration; it is an excellent alternative if you go to Nice in summer or in the good weather seasons.
The experience is one of the most popular adventures for visitors, which is why many local companies offer the experience in small groups of just a few participants. You will see the beautiful architecture of the Bellé Epoque, pass the trendiest bars, walk the Promenade des Anglais and much more, all while listening to the most exciting local stories.
Depending on the company you hire; this adventure is usually offered in two different formats: bike tour or segway tour; both in very similar price ranges. The choice of one or the other will depend mainly on the traveler's tastes.
It is a way to explore the highlights of Nice in a short duration tour. Highly recommended for those traveler friends who are going to the city for a short period of time, for example 3 days to get to know Nice.
Details of interest
- Price of the tour: The price to pay is approximately 35€ per participant. This price includes all the necessary equipment for the experience and the guide.
- Duration: It varies depending on the company you hire, you will have to reserve about 2 to 3 hours to take this tour.
- Advantages of this option: It is an easy and quick way to get to know the city as well as economical.
- Disadvantages of this option: Segway tours usually have age limitations. Many companies do not allow children under 10 years old to participate.
4. Tour of bars and clubs in Nice.
Going to Nice to enjoy the city's vibrant nightlife is one of the best things to do once the sun goes down. As a result, many local companies organize the famouspub crawls; a sightseeing tour that takes you to enjoy the most popular entertainment centers in the area.
Keep in mind that the itinerary of places to visit will depend largely on the company you hire. These companies organize the adventure in small groups, who accompanied by an expert local guide will visit between 3 and 5 establishments, where they are greeted with a welcome drink.
Although the bars and nightclubs may vary according to the tour, the popular areas in Nice for nightlife include the following: the bars of the Old Town, those of Promenade des Anglais, around Place Masséna, around Place Rossetti, Quai des Etats Unis andothers.
In the establishments you will have the opportunity to dance and enjoy yourself; as well as to meet other intrepid travelers like you. At the end of the tour you will always have the option to enjoy the dance floor with the new friends you are sure to make during the tour.
Details of interest
- Price of the excursion: The price to pay is usually around 30€ per participant.
- Duration: The duration of this tour is approximately 4 to 5 hours and takes place at the end of the day.
- Advantages of this option: One of the best ways to party in Nice and meet other travelers.
- Disadvantages of this option: Most tours only include a few welcome drinks, the rest of the drinks will have to be paid for with your money and in the main nightclubs in Nice the price is usually high.
5. Photo tour of Nice.
Those traveler friends who are passionate about photography will find this tour format one of the best experiences to do in the city. Can you imagine discovering Nice through the lens of your camera? This you can do, while an expert guide in local history and architecture takes you through the highlights.
This photo tour consists of a photography class, ideal for training your skills, and can be taken by both beginners and advanced photographers. At the beginning of the tour the guide chooses a theme (linked to a color, architecture, street art, etc.) and as a game you and your companions will have to capture images that convey that theme.
Please note that although the tour is for all levels, some basic knowledge of photography and handling of photographic equipment is necessary. Cameras and tripods are not included, so you will need to bring your favorite camera and accessories.
The guide in charge of the experience is also an experienced urban photographer, so you can expect to learn certain notions about composition, colors, light management and other topics.
Details of interest
- Price of the excursion: around 70€ per participant; the excursion is organized in small groups of maximum 6 participants.
- Duration: The tour takes about 2 hours to complete, in this time numerous stops are contemplated to take the photographs around Nice.
- Advantages of this option: It is a different way of sightseeing around the city, away from the more conventional lines.
- Disadvantages of this option: Requires specialized knowledge and equipment to participate.
What are the advantages of taking a guided tour vs. touring Nice on my own?
When it comes to getting to know new destinations, both alternatives have notable advantages and disadvantages. I present the main ones below, so that you can choose the best alternative according to your needs.
Advantages of a guided tour of Nice...
Hiring a tour or several organized tours is an excellent alternative that allows travelers to save time planning before their vacations; your priority will be to relax at your destination without the worry that comes with complying with a detailed travel itinerary and last minute unforeseen events.
Although organized tours are an excellent alternative for first-time travelers to Nice, don't forget that these types of excursions are an excellent way to meet other adventurous travelers like yourself.
Advantages of touring Nice on my own...
Self-guided travelers have the most obvious advantage of all: independent travel is in most cases cheaper than paying for a tour.
This alternative is also recommended for those travelers whose stay in the South of France allows them to stay for several weeks as they have time to explore and the opportunity to go their own way.
Other tours beyond Nice...
When the time comes to talk about tours in Nice, it is almost impossible to avoid thinking about the cities, natural attractions or other tourist attractions in this part of the country.
So, taking into account the great beauty and graceful climate of the south of France, my recommendations for tours to do from Nice include the following.
Get to know Provence.
French Provence is a land full of good wine, good food, cultural traditions and history. There are several ancient cities and villages to explore, beautiful beaches and colorful markets.
You can experience Provence from Nice on a day tour as numerous local companies offer this experience in multiple formats.
Get to know the Gorges du Verdon
Starting from Nice it is possible to visit one of the most impressive natural landscapes in Europe: the canyon known as Gorges du Verdon.
Visiting the Gorges du Verdon from the city is one of the favorite activities for tourists and locals looking for cool, crystal-clear waters in which to take a dip during the summer.
Explore the French Riviera
The area of France's coastline that interacts with the Mediterranean Sea is called the French Riviera and includes cities such as Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez, Monaco and Èze and many more.
It is possible to see the French Riviera from Nice on a short excursion, as many local companies organize tours that take travelers to the most popular cities. You will see the beautiful architecture, swim in the fabulous beaches and finally enjoy the fabulous food.