Nice is one of the most charming cities to visit in the South of France. As the capital of the famous French Riviera, it has plenty to do and see. It is also one of the most photogenic places not only in the south, but in France in general. The stunning coastline, brilliant architecture and Mediterranean lifestyle make it such a special destination to visit all year round. So, if you want to create beautiful memories and photos during your vacation, Nice is the right place. In this article, you will find the 5 best photo spots for your next trip to Nice.
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Things to know before visiting Nice
Nice is one of the most vibrant places in France. The adorable old town with its colorful houses and narrow alleys give off all the typical French vibes. At the same time, the beautiful coastline makes it the ultimate summer destination. So, Nice has it all and can undoubtedly cater for all tastes ! Although it is a big city with countless places to explore, it is very walkable. Since all the main attractions are around the city center, we recommend that you book your accommodation near the old town or somewhere to the center. If you visit in the summer, you should know that there are no sandy beaches in Nice. That is why we advise you to bring water shoes to avoid uncomfortable walks or swimming. There are many photogenic cafés and restaurants to enjoy delicious food and take amazing photos ! In case you want to visit the tourist sites of Nice and the French Riviera, we suggest you to buy the French Riviera Pass online (24H, 48H or 72H pass). Lastly, if you want to save time and money on your mobile data in France, purchasing a digital e-SIM card is a game-changer.
How to get to Nice ?
Nice is one of the most accessible destinations in France. You can fly directly to Nice Côte d’Azur Airport where many European or international flights depart or arrive daily, especially in the summer season. Once there, you can get to the city center in less than 30 minutes by tram, bus, taxi or private airpot transfer ! However, the best way to reach Nice from any French city is definitely by train or even bus. You will find countless daily services connecting it to other major cities of the country. If you do not want to use the public transport, you always have the option to visit by car.
In case you are pressed for time but still want to get a first taste of the gems of the French Riviera, we recommend booking a guided tour. You will have the opportunity to visit the adorable towns of this wonderful region in one day without worrying about tickets, time, places to visit etc. You cannot fully experience the uniqueness of the French Riviera without visiting its charming towns !
Where to stay in Nice ?
As we said before, the best place to base yourself in Nice is the Old Town, because it has incredible architecture and hundreds of shops, cafés and restaurants. Plus, you will be within walking distance of the main tourist attractions and the beach. Since it is a large city, you will have many accommodation options available at better prices compared to other small towns of the Riviera ! Nice covers all tastes and budgets ranging from luxury hotels and resorts to budget hotels. However, if you are on a budget, you can alternatively find hostels. If you are visiting Nice by car or renting one, you can find affordable accommodation outside the city center. But, only in this case we would recommend to find a place away from the center !
The best time to visit Nice
Although Nice is one of the best summer destinations, especially in France, you should expect overcrowded places and beaches in the peak summer season (late June – mid August). That is why we suggest you visit Nice and French Riviera in general during the shoulder season (spring or fall). You will have the opportunity to enjoy the sunny weather without too hot temperatures and with less crowds ! But, we would also visit in winter, if we wanted to avoid the cold weather of Northern France or most European countries.
Best photo spots in Nice
1-Place Masséna
Nice has many amazing photo locations, but we could not start this list without mentioning Nice’s main square. Place Masséna is one of most lively and charming locations in the city with its characteristic chessboard and the Fountain of the Sun located in the middle of the square. Just a few steps from this famous spot, you will also find the main shopping street of Nice ! As you can guess, Place Masséna gets very crowded during the day. So, we recommend getting there as early as possible to have it to yourself. If you are brave enough and visit at the sunrise, you will have the chance to photograph it with the pastel colors of the sky blending perfectly with the vibrant colors of the square.
2-Promenade des Anglais (coastline)
Nice’s coastline is one of the must-see places on the French Riviera. It is 7 kilometers long and the views along the way will leave you in awe. The azure waters will make you feel like you are visiting a tropical destination ! Any spot on Promenade des Anglais offers magical ocean views and is ideal for watching the sunset. If you visit Nice in summer or shoulder season, you will find plenty of spots to swim, snorkel etc. But obviously, you will also have the opportunity to relax at the beach bars admiring the wonderful views and the beautiful atmosphere. Whatever you do, grab your phone or camera and get ready for some amazing photo opportunities, especially at sunrise or sunset. If you are looking for special travel experiences, we suggest booking a sunset boat tour with wine and snacks to fully enjoy the Mediterranean Sea. It is a great opportunity to capture the magical colors of the sunset while learning more about this unique French city. Of course, you always have the option of having a picnic or a romantic walk along the shore.
3-The Negresco Hotel
Along Promenade des Anglais, you will find yourself in front of one of the most luxurious and Instagrammable hotels in Nice. Hotel Negresco is a masterpiece that is equally beautiful inside and out. It has a unique private collection of paintings and other artworks which adds up to its uniqueness. Thus, luxury and history combine perfectly to give a unique experience. Thanks to its location, it overlooks the Mediterranean Sea offering epic ocean views. Although we only visited it for a drink at the bar, we left with a full heart and it was definitely one of the highlights of our trip. However, for our content, we chose to shoot outdoors with the road and palm trees creating the perfect backdrop ! In case you want to set up a tripod to take photos or videos, you should visit early in the morning so that the road is empty.
4-The Castle Hill of Nice (Colline du Château)
The Castle Hill of Nice (Colline du Château in French) offers the best panoramic view of the city. The turquoise water of the sea and the colorful houses will blow your mind. You can get there either on foot with lots of stairs to climb or by elevator (address : 1 Rue des Ponchettes, 06300 Nice). Once there, you will find a park with a restaurant and even an artificial waterfall. If you are short on time, we recommend that you first visit the Promenade des Anglais and then head straight to the Castle Hill ! Keep in mind that depending on the season you visit, it can be full of tourists. So, once again, you can skip the crowds by visiting early in the morning. As you can see from the photos below, we visit at noon and there was hardly anyone around. However, if you plan to visit at sunset, it will be quite a mission to find a free photo spot, but the pastel colors will make everything seem more magical.
5-The Phare of Nice
We decided to end our list with the lesser-known photo location that is the Phare of Nice (or Phare de Nice in French). At the entrance of the Lympia port, you will find this beautiful lighhouse where you can take a walk or sit on the rocks to admire the endless blue ! It also offers magnificent views of the city and port, so it is the perfect spot to photograph even in the middle of the day. However, if you visit at sunset, it will be much more crowded, as tourists and locals gather to witness the most beautiful time of the day. Nothing beats starting or ending your day with the relaxing sound of crashing waves. Obviously if you are taking a winter trip to Nice, it is best to check the weather forecast, because the waves can get pretty high in Nice !
Other photogenic places near Nice
1-Villefranche-sur-Mer
About 4 kilometers from Nice, you will find one of the most aesthetic places on the French Riviera. Villefranche-sur-Mer is a small town full of colors and amazing views ! Getting lost in the narrow alleys of the old town is one of the best things you can do. Another must visit is the port where you will find many waterfront restaurants for fresh seafood. Villefranche beach is considered one of the best beaches in the area with beautiful surroundings. But, it is small and crowded even before 10am in the peak season. The same goes for the little streets that fill up quickly. We highly recommend taking a day trip by speedboat with snorkeling in the Villefranche beach to enjoy its stunning waters and incredible views.
2-Cannes
If you are looking for glamorous places on the French Riviera, Cannes should be at the top of your list. Located approximately 35 kilometers from Nice, it is ideal for a luxury summer vacation. You will find almost everything, from 5 star hotels and restaurants, high-end end clothing and accessories stores, charming eating places and more. But, it also has a picturesque old town to enjoy a more authentic side of Cannes. In case you prefer sandy beaches, it is the right place for you, as it has a long coastline where you will find public swimming areas or beach bars to rent a sunbed and umbrella to relax. If you can not spare a lot of time, we advise you to take a half-day catamaran cruise from Nice to get a good taste of its amazing beaches.
3-Menton
Menton is the most dreamy town on the French Riviera with vivid colors, lemons and palm trees. Words do not do justice to how beautiful this little town is. Despite its size, it has it all. The adorable port, the beautiful sandy beach and the colorful old town create a unique setting. It is the last French town before the Italian border, so you should expect a mix of French and Italian style and culture. If you are a foodie, Menton will not disappoint you. It has a wide range of cafés, bakeries and restaurants with delicous local specialties !
4-Monaco
You cannot get a full French Riviera experience without visiting Monaco. It is one of those places that you should visit at least once in your lifetime. Although it is the second smallest state in the world, it has many things to do and places to explore, especially in the summer. It is well-known for its ultra-luxurious lifestyle with the famous Monte Carlo casino, yachts etc. However, the breathtaking panoramic views are what surprised us the most. We strongly recommend visiting even as a day trip to experience its fancy lifestyle and take in the epic views. You can easily take a boat trip from Nice again and enjoy the stunning coastline !
Final Thoughts
Nice is the jewel of the South of France and the best place to use as a base during your trips to the French Riviera. Day trips to the other nearby towns are the best way to fully experience the beauty of this wonderful French region, without spending a fortune and a month in France. However, even if you only visit Nice, you will be left with the best impressions and photos ! Nothings beats the magical sunsets on the Promenade des Anglais and the Mediterranean beauty of this city. Nice will always have a special place in our hearts and it is always a pleasure to visit and create beautiful memories together.
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