R
Riana Ang-Canning
Guest
- Thread Author
- #1
When you think of Nice, France you might think of summer days on the coast, strolling along the promenade with the sun on your back, and visiting nearby towns and beaches by boat.
But visiting Nice in the winter? How nice can that really be?
Turns out, very nice! My husband, Colin, and I visited Nice and other stops along the French Riviera in winter 2024 and I truly think winter is one of the best times to visit this popular part of France.
I’ve long been a fan of low-season travel, especially as places like France get busier and hotter in the summer months. So I was thrilled to find out that Nice was the percect low-season destination!
Sure, you probably won’t get a sun tan in Nice in February, but you will enjoy so much more! There are markets, museums, sunny days and an epic annual festival, plus plenty of nearby day trips.
I promise, you won’t regret visiting the Cote d’Azur in the winter. It was one of my favourite winter trips I’ve ever taken and made me fall in love with this part of France.
If you’re still skeptical, let me convince you with seven great reasons to make Nice your next winter holiday!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
A Barbie float at the 2024 Carnaval de Nice
One of the absolute best parts of visiting Nice in the winter is that you can attend Carnaval!
Carnaval de Nice is en epic celebration that takes over the city of Nice for two weeks every February/March. It’s one of the largest Carnaval celebrations in the world and has been held in Nice since the 1200’s.
Colin and I were lucky enough to attend the Carnival Parade of Lights in Nice in February 2024 and it was one of the best parts of our South of France trip. We had a blast watching the impressive floats go by, dancing to the music and being wowed by all of the performers.
Besides the nighttime Parade of Lights, there’s also a daytime parade, a flower parade and lots of other Carnaval activities, events, workshops, rides and more.
Plus, if you’re in Nice around Carnaval time, odds are you can pop over to nearby Menton for their annual Lemon Festival, which is another can’t-miss. Seriously, I was so blown away by the giant citrus sculptures they create each year!
If you want to attend Carnaval de Nice, check out my post with top tips for what to expect, what to wear and where to sit!
Enjoying the winter sun on Promenade des Anglais
At the top of Castle Hill
Coming from Canada, Nice was downright balmy compared to the winter weather we had left behind at home. Goodbye to scarves, snow and shivering!
We spent five days in and around Nice in February and enjoyed beautiful weather on every single one of those days. It was about 15 C (60 F) most days, so we wore sunglasses and left our jackets behind!
The French Riviera is known for its sunshine, which is what first attracted rich European tourists to its shores and made this area so popular. But that sun isn’t just reserved for June, July and August.
While there’s no guarantee that your winter visit will be cloud-free, Nice is one of the sunniest cities in all of France, so the odds of a sunny vacation are in your favour!
For more winter vacation ideas, check out my list of the best places to visit in Europe in the winter!
There’s lots to do in Nice – like this food tour we did with olive oil tasting!
Lots of open waterfront restaurants in Nice in winter
One of the problems with travelling in the off-season is that some places shut down. They only open for tourist season, meaning that dining, accommodation and activity options are very limited when you’re the only tourists in town.
But because Nice is a large city, it doesn’t shut down in the off-season. There’s a full-time population of locals here – plus a good number of tourists – to still make the city feel lively, no matter what time of year!
That means you don’t have to worry about restaurants or museums being closed, tours not running, or having a limited number of itinerary items to choose from. Nice has you covered all year long!
We arrived in Nice after spending 5 days in Provence, where things were much quieter than they were on the French Riviera.
In Provence, we ran into quite a few museums that were closed for the winter months and restaurants that claimed to be open online, but really were closed. We walked all around Orange and couldn’t find a single place open for lunch!
In Nice, we never had that problem! The streets were lively and we had no issue eating delicious local Nice food, finding museums and booking accommodation.
Nice’s famous Cours Saleya market is easy to navigate in the off-season
Lots of space on the popular Promenade des Anglais
While Nice is still lively in the off-season, it’s not cramped. Which, to me, is one of the top selling points of a winter vacation on the French Riviera.
We’ve all heard of tourists spending hours waiting in lines in Europe in the summer, impatient and overheated. Activities book out days – if not weeks/months – in advance and even walking outside your hotel can feel like fighting against a current of fellow travellers.
But Nice in the winter is nothing like that! Yes, there were people around, but it never felt crowded. We never had to make a dinner reservation, nor did we prebook any of our trains for our day trips around the coast.
Parts of the city were busy – there were crowds to get into the Carnaval parades and we had to squish onto some packed train cars. But it was nothing compared to the crowds this area sees in the summer!
If you enjoy exploring a city with a little elbow room and like to be more spontaneous with your plans, skip the summer and enjoy your Nice itinerary in the off-season instead!
Only $60/night for this lovely room at Villa Bougainville!
Not only is low-season travel in Nice less crowded and less hot, it’s also less expensive!
The French Riviera is a notoriously expensive area (yes, I’m looking at you, Monaco, Cannes and St. Tropez). It’s often seen as a luxury destination for people who dine out at Michelin restaurants each night before returning to their mega-yachts.
But we actually found Nice in February to be pretty more affordable!
Obviously there are things you can do all year to make a destination more affordable – choose cheaper restaurants, walk or take transit, visit free attractions, etc. Even expensive Monaco can be visited on a budget.
But when you visit a place in the low-season, you can save a ton on big ticket items like transportation and accommodation.
We scored a great deal on our flights to France from Vancouver ($410 USD per person, round trip), as well as paid cheap train fares to get around the coast.
Our city centre hotel, Villa Bougainville by HappyCulture, was also a steal at just $60 USD per night! That was a serious bargain for a stylish, clean and comfortable room in a hotel that was walkable to the old town and the train station.
Enjoying the Fete du Citron in Menton, an easy train ride from Nice
Monaco
Antibes
Eze
One of the reasons why Nice was so attractive to us when we were planning our South of France trip is that it makes a great base for French Riviera day trips.
From Nice, we easily visited Eze, Monaco, Antibes, Menton and Villefranche-sur-Mer all by quick, direct and convenient train!
PS: Wondering where you should spend more of your time? Find out if Monaco or Nice is right for you.
That meant we didn’t have to pay to rent (and park!) a car, worry about traffic and navigation, or change hotels every night to see a new place.
We DIY-ed our day trips by train, because we were in Nice for five days and happy to take on the navigation and logistics ourselves. But you can also visit the French Riviera on a convenient day tour.
This is a great option if you’re short on time (most day tours visit multiple cities in one day) or if you just don’t want to deal with the hassle of planning train trips and itineraries.
Here are some top-rated day tours from Nice:
Nice is easily connected by train, plane and public transport
The final reason why Nice makes such a great winter getaway is how easy it is to travel to Nice. When you’re looking to escape from cold and dark winter days, you don’t want the hassle of a long travel day.
Nice’s international airport is very close to the city, unlike many major cities where you have to spend hours getting from the airport to the city, lugging your bags on and off trains, tubes and taxis.
Nope, Nice makes it easy! Simply hop on a tram from the airport and you’ll be in the city centre in just 30 minutes (and for only $10 USD round trip).
If you’re arriving by train, there’s one train station within walking distance of the airport, as well as one in the city centre within walking distance of the Vieux Nice old town area.
We stayed at Villa Bougainville near the Nice-Ville train station, meaning we could easily hop on trains along the coast and walk into the old town of Nice for local exploring. Win-win!
Click here to book your transportation to Nice, France
Enjoying the views from Nice Castle Hill
I first visited Nice in the summer of 2012, and while it wasn’t as busy then as it is now, I didn’t fall in love. It wasn’t until this return trip in the winter that Nice really got to me.
Spending a week on the French Riviera in February absolutely made me fall in love with this region of France. Experiencing it sticky with sunscreen, stuck behind walls of tourists and priced out of nice accommodation would make me change my tune!
So forget ski slopes or all-inclusive resorts – this winter, you’re going to Nice, France!
Nice truly is one of those perfect places to visit in the winter. You can still enjoy the best of the city – including the famous Carnaval de Nice – but without the crowds, heat or expense of summer.
The city doesn’t shut down nor does it feel crowded. It strikes the perfect balance! And it’s a convenient place to get to/around, including as a base for day trips along the Cote d’Azur.
Yup, Nice really is as nice as they say…especially if you visit in the winter. In fact, I’ve got it on my short list for our next winter break in Europe. See you there!
The post 7 Reasons to Visit Nice in the Winter appeared first on Teaspoon of Adventure.
But visiting Nice in the winter? How nice can that really be?
Turns out, very nice! My husband, Colin, and I visited Nice and other stops along the French Riviera in winter 2024 and I truly think winter is one of the best times to visit this popular part of France.
I’ve long been a fan of low-season travel, especially as places like France get busier and hotter in the summer months. So I was thrilled to find out that Nice was the percect low-season destination!
Sure, you probably won’t get a sun tan in Nice in February, but you will enjoy so much more! There are markets, museums, sunny days and an epic annual festival, plus plenty of nearby day trips.
I promise, you won’t regret visiting the Cote d’Azur in the winter. It was one of my favourite winter trips I’ve ever taken and made me fall in love with this part of France.
If you’re still skeptical, let me convince you with seven great reasons to make Nice your next winter holiday!
Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning if you click through and make a purchase, I will earn a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thanks for your support!
1. You can attend Carnaval de Nice
A Barbie float at the 2024 Carnaval de Nice
One of the absolute best parts of visiting Nice in the winter is that you can attend Carnaval!
Carnaval de Nice is en epic celebration that takes over the city of Nice for two weeks every February/March. It’s one of the largest Carnaval celebrations in the world and has been held in Nice since the 1200’s.
Colin and I were lucky enough to attend the Carnival Parade of Lights in Nice in February 2024 and it was one of the best parts of our South of France trip. We had a blast watching the impressive floats go by, dancing to the music and being wowed by all of the performers.
Besides the nighttime Parade of Lights, there’s also a daytime parade, a flower parade and lots of other Carnaval activities, events, workshops, rides and more.
Plus, if you’re in Nice around Carnaval time, odds are you can pop over to nearby Menton for their annual Lemon Festival, which is another can’t-miss. Seriously, I was so blown away by the giant citrus sculptures they create each year!
If you want to attend Carnaval de Nice, check out my post with top tips for what to expect, what to wear and where to sit!
2. It’s still sunny and warm
Enjoying the winter sun on Promenade des Anglais
At the top of Castle Hill
Coming from Canada, Nice was downright balmy compared to the winter weather we had left behind at home. Goodbye to scarves, snow and shivering!
We spent five days in and around Nice in February and enjoyed beautiful weather on every single one of those days. It was about 15 C (60 F) most days, so we wore sunglasses and left our jackets behind!
The French Riviera is known for its sunshine, which is what first attracted rich European tourists to its shores and made this area so popular. But that sun isn’t just reserved for June, July and August.
While there’s no guarantee that your winter visit will be cloud-free, Nice is one of the sunniest cities in all of France, so the odds of a sunny vacation are in your favour!
For more winter vacation ideas, check out my list of the best places to visit in Europe in the winter!
3. There’s lots to do in Nice in the off-season
There’s lots to do in Nice – like this food tour we did with olive oil tasting!
Lots of open waterfront restaurants in Nice in winter
One of the problems with travelling in the off-season is that some places shut down. They only open for tourist season, meaning that dining, accommodation and activity options are very limited when you’re the only tourists in town.
But because Nice is a large city, it doesn’t shut down in the off-season. There’s a full-time population of locals here – plus a good number of tourists – to still make the city feel lively, no matter what time of year!
That means you don’t have to worry about restaurants or museums being closed, tours not running, or having a limited number of itinerary items to choose from. Nice has you covered all year long!
We arrived in Nice after spending 5 days in Provence, where things were much quieter than they were on the French Riviera.
In Provence, we ran into quite a few museums that were closed for the winter months and restaurants that claimed to be open online, but really were closed. We walked all around Orange and couldn’t find a single place open for lunch!
In Nice, we never had that problem! The streets were lively and we had no issue eating delicious local Nice food, finding museums and booking accommodation.
4. You can enjoy Nice with much smaller crowds
Nice’s famous Cours Saleya market is easy to navigate in the off-season
Lots of space on the popular Promenade des Anglais
While Nice is still lively in the off-season, it’s not cramped. Which, to me, is one of the top selling points of a winter vacation on the French Riviera.
We’ve all heard of tourists spending hours waiting in lines in Europe in the summer, impatient and overheated. Activities book out days – if not weeks/months – in advance and even walking outside your hotel can feel like fighting against a current of fellow travellers.
But Nice in the winter is nothing like that! Yes, there were people around, but it never felt crowded. We never had to make a dinner reservation, nor did we prebook any of our trains for our day trips around the coast.
Parts of the city were busy – there were crowds to get into the Carnaval parades and we had to squish onto some packed train cars. But it was nothing compared to the crowds this area sees in the summer!
If you enjoy exploring a city with a little elbow room and like to be more spontaneous with your plans, skip the summer and enjoy your Nice itinerary in the off-season instead!
5. Low season travel is more affordable
Only $60/night for this lovely room at Villa Bougainville!
Not only is low-season travel in Nice less crowded and less hot, it’s also less expensive!
The French Riviera is a notoriously expensive area (yes, I’m looking at you, Monaco, Cannes and St. Tropez). It’s often seen as a luxury destination for people who dine out at Michelin restaurants each night before returning to their mega-yachts.
But we actually found Nice in February to be pretty more affordable!
Obviously there are things you can do all year to make a destination more affordable – choose cheaper restaurants, walk or take transit, visit free attractions, etc. Even expensive Monaco can be visited on a budget.
But when you visit a place in the low-season, you can save a ton on big ticket items like transportation and accommodation.
We scored a great deal on our flights to France from Vancouver ($410 USD per person, round trip), as well as paid cheap train fares to get around the coast.
Our city centre hotel, Villa Bougainville by HappyCulture, was also a steal at just $60 USD per night! That was a serious bargain for a stylish, clean and comfortable room in a hotel that was walkable to the old town and the train station.
6. Nice makes a great base for French Riviera day trips
Enjoying the Fete du Citron in Menton, an easy train ride from Nice
Monaco
Antibes
Eze
One of the reasons why Nice was so attractive to us when we were planning our South of France trip is that it makes a great base for French Riviera day trips.
From Nice, we easily visited Eze, Monaco, Antibes, Menton and Villefranche-sur-Mer all by quick, direct and convenient train!
PS: Wondering where you should spend more of your time? Find out if Monaco or Nice is right for you.
That meant we didn’t have to pay to rent (and park!) a car, worry about traffic and navigation, or change hotels every night to see a new place.
We DIY-ed our day trips by train, because we were in Nice for five days and happy to take on the navigation and logistics ourselves. But you can also visit the French Riviera on a convenient day tour.
This is a great option if you’re short on time (most day tours visit multiple cities in one day) or if you just don’t want to deal with the hassle of planning train trips and itineraries.
Here are some top-rated day tours from Nice:
- Best of the French Riviera: Full day tour visiting Antibes, Eze, Saint-Paul de Vence, Monaco, Cannes and Villefranche-sur-Mer
- Small Group Half Day Tour: Half day tour visiting Eze, Monaco and scenic viewpoints along the way
- Medieval Villages Tour: Full day tour visiting Grasse, Gourdon, Tourrettes-sur-Loup and Saint-Paul de Vence
7. It’s easy to get there and away
Nice is easily connected by train, plane and public transport
The final reason why Nice makes such a great winter getaway is how easy it is to travel to Nice. When you’re looking to escape from cold and dark winter days, you don’t want the hassle of a long travel day.
Nice’s international airport is very close to the city, unlike many major cities where you have to spend hours getting from the airport to the city, lugging your bags on and off trains, tubes and taxis.
Nope, Nice makes it easy! Simply hop on a tram from the airport and you’ll be in the city centre in just 30 minutes (and for only $10 USD round trip).
If you’re arriving by train, there’s one train station within walking distance of the airport, as well as one in the city centre within walking distance of the Vieux Nice old town area.
We stayed at Villa Bougainville near the Nice-Ville train station, meaning we could easily hop on trains along the coast and walk into the old town of Nice for local exploring. Win-win!
Click here to book your transportation to Nice, France
Wrapping up: Have I convinced you to visit Nice in the winter?
Enjoying the views from Nice Castle Hill
I first visited Nice in the summer of 2012, and while it wasn’t as busy then as it is now, I didn’t fall in love. It wasn’t until this return trip in the winter that Nice really got to me.
Spending a week on the French Riviera in February absolutely made me fall in love with this region of France. Experiencing it sticky with sunscreen, stuck behind walls of tourists and priced out of nice accommodation would make me change my tune!
So forget ski slopes or all-inclusive resorts – this winter, you’re going to Nice, France!
Nice truly is one of those perfect places to visit in the winter. You can still enjoy the best of the city – including the famous Carnaval de Nice – but without the crowds, heat or expense of summer.
The city doesn’t shut down nor does it feel crowded. It strikes the perfect balance! And it’s a convenient place to get to/around, including as a base for day trips along the Cote d’Azur.
Yup, Nice really is as nice as they say…especially if you visit in the winter. In fact, I’ve got it on my short list for our next winter break in Europe. See you there!
Plan your trip to the French Riviera with these posts:
- How to Spend 5 Days on the French Riviera
- 7 Reasons Why You Should Visit Nice in the Winter
- 15 Foods to Try from Nice, France
- The Ultimate 3 Day Nice Itinerary
- What to Expect at the Carnaval de Nice
- Is Menton’s Fete du Citron Worth It?
- The Perfect Nice to Antibes Day Trip
- How to Travel from Nice to Eze
- How to Travel from Nice to Villefranche sur Mer
- How to Travel from Nice to Monaco
- 1 Day Monaco Itinerary (on a budget!)
- Should You Visit Nice or Monaco?
- 6 Cities You Must Visit on the French Riviera
The post 7 Reasons to Visit Nice in the Winter appeared first on Teaspoon of Adventure.