Discover Nice: A One-Day Walk Through the City’s Highlights

Here’s a short walk you can do if you have a short time slot in Nice. In just 1 to 2 hours, you’ll pass by some of the city’s best sights along a 2.8 km route. At the end of this article, you’ll also find tips for families with babies and visitors with disabilities.

1️⃣ Start: Promenade des Anglais 🌊

Along the Mediterranean coastline, the Promenade des Anglais is the heart of Nice’s seaside charm. With its wide walkways, gentle sea breeze, and endless shades of blue, it’s the perfect place to start your short walk in Nice city.

You can walk or take one of the blue chairs to enjoy this spot that captures the true essence of the French Riviera.

2️⃣ Vieux Nice 🌸🍋

From Promenade des Anglais, turn left and cross the road to head to Vieux Nice. (Once you reach Plage Ponchette, enter through the arch.) You will find a large French market and a flower market. From here, you can head to Cours Saleya later on. This itinerary will take you around the area. Just enjoy the small streets of old Nice town and explore the history

2️⃣ Cours Saleya 🌸🍋

My favorite lunch spot on a short walk in Nice is at Cours Saleya, one of the most charming markets in France. It’s the heart and soul of the city, offering the perfect chance to savor local specialties like pissaladière, daube niçoise, panisses, and socca, a chickpea pancake baked in a wood-fired oven. Be sure not to miss trying the delicious cuisine of Nice!

3️⃣ Sainte-Réparate Cathedral 🏛️

In the heart of Cours Saleya, the cathedral is located on Rue Rossetti, the same street that connects the Cours to La Colline du Château (our next stop). The cathedral has a Baroque style and was constructed—but not finished—between 1650 and 1699.

4️⃣ Castle Hill 🏞️Colline du Château

Continue along Rue Rossetti and climb a little to reach Colline du Château. For families with babies and people with disabilities, there is an elevator outside Cours Saleya near the entrance of the arch.( where we entered for the first time – from Promenade des Anglais).

Bonus tip: There are also two elevators located on Quai des États-Unis, near Tour Bellanda and the Lesage staircase – at 1 Rue des Ponchettes, which are convenient for people with babies, strollers, and people with disabilities.

5️⃣ Port Lympia 🚤

From Colline du Château, you can enjoy a panoramic view of Nice and Port Lympia, a harbor with pastel-colored and colorful buildings. There are also paintings by famous artists presented in Nice’s museums. Take a break in the garden or in the Jardin des Enfants, and enjoy the fresh air from the top. End your day by taking a picture with the ‘I Love Nice’ sign.