Travel with You, Me, Away

Nice travel guide: Tram Line 2 airport link, Vieux Nice markets and seafront walks

Nice curves along the pebble shore of the Baie des Anges, framed by the Italianate ochre alleys of Vieux Nice to the east and Belle Époque seafront palaces to the west. Because Tram Line 2 runs directly from the airport terminals into the underground harbour station, you can reach your hotel and the coastal promenade within thirty minutes of landing.

Reviewed

Explore the map

Destinations on the map

The map shows selected approximate city locations. Individual hotels and restaurants are not mapped.

Dot: one place · Number: multiple places

On the mapApproximate locationNiceApproximate city locationView itinerary

Map data: Natural Earth · Place data: GeoNames, CC BY 4.0, modified

Map markers are for orientation.

1 place

All places
  1. Nice (Approximate city location)

Location coordinates: Nice.

Arrival and getting around in Nice

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) connects directly to the city centre on Lignes d'Azur Tram Line 2, reaching Jean Médecin in about 25 minutes and terminating at Port Lympia in 30 minutes.

  • Avoid the overpriced 10 € airport return ticket at terminal machines if staying in town: walk one tram stop from Terminal 1 to Grand Arénas (which is free between the terminals and Grand Arénas) or load standard 1.70 € multi-trips onto a rechargeable Lignes d'Azur card via the official app.
  • For day trips along the Côte d'Azur toward Villefranche-sur-Mer, Eze, Monaco or Antibes, board SNCF TER regional trains at Nice-Ville or Nice Riquier stations.
  • Bring cushioned water shoes if you plan to swim off Blue Beach or the public stretches of the Promenade des Anglais, as the shoreline consists of smooth, rounded galets (cobble stones) rather than sand.

Sources: Nice geographic reference (GeoNames 2990440)

Where to stay in Nice

Choosing between the baroque old town, the Belle Époque grid or the harbour basin depends on whether you want market alleys, beach clubs or evening port restaurants.

  • Vieux Nice and Place Masséna edge: step straight out to the Cours Saleya morning flower market and the Castle Hill lift.
  • Carré d'Or and Musiciens (around Hotel Le Negresco and Jean Médecin): flat, elegant 19th-century avenues midway between Nice-Ville train station and Blue Beach.
  • Port Lympia and Place du Pin: relaxed bistros around the Port with direct Tram Line 2 access back to the airport.

Sources: Nice geographic reference (GeoNames 2990440)

Two-day route for Nice

Pair the seafront promenade, old town lanes and harbour viewpoint on day one, then head uphill to the Roman and Franciscan gardens of Cimiez on day two.

  • Day 1: wander the shaded ochre alleys and Cours Saleya market of Vieux Nice at 08:30, climb or ride the free lift up Castle Hill to overlook both the Baie des Anges and the colourful wooden pointu boats in the Port, then stroll west along the Promenade des Anglais past Blue Beach to the pink cupola of Hotel Le Negresco.
  • Day 2: catch bus 5 up to the hilltop olive groves and formal pergola gardens of Cimiez Monastery (next to the Matisse Museum), then return downhill in the afternoon to visit the five ornate onion domes of St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral.
  • If a rare Mediterranean rain shower passes through, spend the afternoon inside the Matisse Museum and Marc Chagall National Museum on the Cimiez slope.

Sources: Nice geographic reference (GeoNames 2990440)

Seasonal timing and practical rhythm

Protected by the Maritime Alps from northern winds, Nice enjoys mild 14-degree winter afternoons and bright, dry summers along the Baie des Anges.

  • May to June and September to October combine warm sea swimming at Blue Beach with comfortable temperatures for climbing Castle Hill and exploring Cimiez.
  • Visit the Cours Saleya flower and produce market in Vieux Nice between 08:00 and 11:00 (closed Mondays, when an antiques market takes over).

Sources