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Planning a trip to Nice on the French Riviera? This guide covers the parts that matter once you are actually there: where to stay, how to get around, what to see, what the beaches are really like, and which small details can save you time and frustration. I have also included the things I noticed on my first trip that were much harder to find in other travel guides.
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Parking in Nice falls into four main categories: street parking, underground garages, airport parking, and park-and-ride facilities. The city's park-and-ride network is called Parcazur. You leave the car beside a tram or bus stop and continue by public transport. For a visit of a couple of hours, a street space or a garage with a free first hour is usually best. For a full day, it often makes more sense to head straight to a garage. If you are arriving via the A8, the motorway that runs along the French Riviera, leaving the car at a Parcazur facility and taking the tram can be cheaper.
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My first trip to the French Riviera lasted five days. I stayed in Nice, took the train to Monaco and Cannes, and left the rest of my time for Nice itself and local food. I traveled in March, so beaches did not shape the itinerary. For five days, that choice made more sense than trying to collect every town along the coast.
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Nice has famous landmarks, historic streets, museums, markets, coastal walks, and so many good viewpoints that choosing what to see is harder than it first appears. This guide covers the places I would prioritize on a first visit, along with quieter corners and less obvious photo locations worth adding if you have more time.
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Nice is easy to get around without a car. Tram Line 2 connects Nice Côte d'Azur Airport directly with the city center and Port Lympia, while many central sights are close enough to reach on foot. Trams cover longer journeys around the city, and trains are often the simplest option for day trips along the French Riviera.
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Nice is a year-round destination, but the best time to visit depends on what you want from the trip. Summers are hot and sunny, winters are generally mild, and spring and autumn can be more comfortable for exploring.
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France is difficult to fit into one itinerary. Paris, the Atlantic coast, the Alps, Provence, and the French Riviera each call for a different pace, transport plan, and season. Before buying tickets, choose one or two regions that genuinely fit your trip.
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What surprised me most was not one high price, but the difference between the free and expensive versions of almost the same day. In Nice, you can walk everywhere and sit by the sea for free. In Cannes, one lunch at a beach club can easily cost as much as several regional train journeys. Below, I separate my own expenses from prices I checked but did not pay myself.
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For a walk around central Sanremo, I would first check Palafiori, the railway-station garage, or Calvino/Dapporto. These three municipal car parks have clear rates and 24-hour access. For a guaranteed place over several days, ask Autosilo Colombo or Autosilo Via Volta for a price in advance.
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Sanremo is best known for its music festival. The city itself can seem like scenery behind the Ariston stage. It is worth visiting outside festival week too: climb the lanes of La Pigna, walk to the Madonna della Costa sanctuary, see the Russian Church, follow the seafront, and visit the gardens of Villa Ormond.
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