Nice and Easy: Your Ultimate 4-Day Getaway Guide

The Côte d'Azur lures globetrotters with its laid-back charm, Gatorade waters, seamless interconnectedness and insatiable cuisine. However, in a place that attracts visitors from every corner of the world, how can you sidestep the tourist traps, save some cash, and still soak in the best of the South of France?

My friend and I recently spent just under four days in Nice, using it as our base to explore the Côte d'Azur by foot, train, bus, and tram. Our itinerary was a blend of local gems recommended by a friend and our personal, spontaneous, random finds - with a sprinkle of the classic tourist hotspots.

Below is our itinerary, featuring one beach, one drink spot, and one dinner recommendation. We’re more sandwich and crisps on the beach kind of people, so aside from suggesting Monoprix over Spa for a more budget-friendly grocery shop, there won’t be any fine dining lunch recommendations below...

Day 1

When exploring a new city, I follow a tried-and-true routine: start by getting to know the local area and focus on discovering the neighbourhood where I'm staying. Our first day in Nice was no exception. We struck gold with our rental—a tiny flat perfectly nestled in the heart of the postcard-worthy old town. Perched above a supermarket, cosied up next to a boulangerie, and just a two-minute stroll from both the beach and the tram, we had everything we could need on our doorstep.

Beach: Nice

On our first day, awaiting our check-in, we set up camp at the far left of Nice Beach, near a seemingly chic beach club named Castel. Throughout our four days, we decided to skip the pricey beach clubs and still managed to enjoy the stunning shoreline (and arguably more secluded areas of the beach) from the comfort of our towels—saving ourselves up to 30 euros each on sunbeds a day. Despite being located right in front of the city off the Promenade des Anglais, Nice Beach is beautiful and boasts some of the clearest, nicknamed "Gatorade" water (a strikingly turquoise blue) I have ever seen.

Drink - Castle Hill (Viewing Point)

If you’re looking for the perfect vantage point to get your bearings and take in all of Nice, head to Castle Hill (Colline du Chateau). Tucked away at the top of a staircase on the far left of Nice Beach - this spot is easy to miss but well worth the climb. After a quick five-minute ascent, you’ll find yourself at a charming overlook, often accompanied by the soft tunes of local musicians. It’s an ideal place to bring a few drinks from any of the local shops dotted along the seafront and soak in the panoramic views of the city.

Day 2

Beach: Villefranche

A friend insisted we visit Villefranche, and it definitely didn't disappoint. Just a quick six-minute train ride from Nice, it’s a fantastic option as it is easily accessible and dotted with vibrant, picturesque buildings. Step off the train, and in ten seconds, you’ve got your feet in the sand, which stretches the entire length of the bay. We discovered a charming spot, tucked-away at the far left end of the beach (about a ten-minute walk from the station), offering an idyllic view of Villefranche town. With two lesser-crowded coves and a delightful cluster of flat rocks to lounge on, it was the perfect sunbathing spot to escape the hustle and bustle.

Drink: Le Plongeoir

I had seen copious pictures and videos of this beautiful restaurant situated on a rock all over my social media prior to visiting Nice and had always wanted to try it. I tried to book a table, and it seemed impossible, so, when I stumbled across a post about their downstairs cocktail bar, nestled in between the rocks and open from 6 pm every evening without a reservation, I knew I had to go. In full transparency, a cocktail isn't cheap. We are talking 18 euros for a Basil Smash or Hugo Spritz, however, if you are like me and love nothing more than a delicious early evening drink with a fantastic view, then it's worth splurging for. There is additionally a sweet little cove next to the restaurant if you fancy a swim before/ after.

Reservations

Dinner: La Treille

We stumbled across this organic wine and tapas bar on our first day in Nice and knew we had to go back before leaving. Located deep in the old town off the beaten track, this place was boasting with locals, which in my opinion is always a sign of a great spot! The restaurant is reasonably priced for Nice, with a menu that is unmistakably local, authentic, and delicious. I would highly recommend the Pissaladière - I was not a fan of anchovies myself, but was enamoured by the local tart combining anchovies with caremalised onions. We also indulged in a bottle of some of the nicest white wine I've had. There is no specific menu which adds to the experience, instead they tailor recommendations to your preference.

Le Treille Instagram

Post Dinner: Wayne's

We didn't see any 'clubs' whilst in Nice, and were'nt particularly fussed about experiencing the nightlife, however, a friend recommended we head to Wayne's Irish Bar at least once, and when we walked past it post dinner one night we took the opportunity to pop in for a few hours. In all honestly, It is quite fun. Sure, it’s a bit pricey, and at first glance, it looks like any run-of-the-mill Irish pub you’d find across Europe, however, if you head through past the bar you are quickly met with a separate room, crammed with young people dancing on tables, whilst a dj blasts some pretty recognisible tunes. It's quite cool and is full of young people - so if you're in the mood for a dance it's not a bad option - it is open until 2am every day I believe.

Day 3

Beach: Mala Beach, Cap D'Ail

Another local gem that came highly recommended was Mala Beach, a hidden oasis just a 15-minute coastal walk from Cap D'Ail train station. Tucked away in a secluded bay, you can reach it by boat or enjoy a stunning walk that winds along cliff edges, leading you to this perfectly situated haven for local swimmers. Despite its seclusion, you won't be completely isolated—there are two charming restaurants where you can grab a bite or a drink and soak in the view. The sunsets here are incredible, so make sure you stay long enough to experience them!

Drink: Eze-sur-mer

We had heard a lot about Eze and were

eager to visit, so decided to make a quick stop on our way back from Cap D'Ail. Hopping on and off the train as and when you want is relatively easy since no one checks tickets on the fully crammed carriages, but getting on or off during peak times (morning or late afternoon) requires some determined shoving and standing your ground! There were a few instances where we were waiting on the platform with ample time to spare, but simply couldn't get on the train and had to wait a half hour for the next one.

We were surprised to learn that Eze town is actually perched high in the hills, requiring a short bus ride or Uber from the train station. We hadn't realized this and, unable to initially spot the town from the station, we ended up saving time and having a drink at a little beach nearby instead. Spiaggia, a charming spot right on the shore, offered stunning views, but the prices were quite steep, especially considering how quiet the area was.

Dinner: Bocca Nissa

Wow. An unbelievable setting, delicious food, and amazing cocktails—this place is absolutely worth the splurge. Following a local recommendation, we booked in advance, and thank goodness we did, as they weren’t letting anyone in without a reservation! If you go, try to reserve a spot on the terrace; the atmosphere is fantastic, and they sometimes host live music nights, so it’s worth checking the website calendar beforehand.

The restaurant isn’t cheap—we spent 75 euros each—but that covered two cocktails, a bottle of wine, two generous starters, a squid ink and calamari risotto, and two ice creams. Given the quality of the food and the overall experience, I’d say it’s definitely worth it! NOB: make sure you book Bocca Nissa, as there are two different locations in the old town!

Reservations

Day 4

Beach: Paloma Beach, San Jean Cap Ferrat

Paloma Beach has garnered quite the buzz thanks to its cameo in 50 Shades of Grey, but with San Jean Cap Ferrat's sky-high prices and the beach's challenging access, was it really worth the visit? On our last day, we debated between Menton and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat for our final beach outing. Ultimately, we chose Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, drawn by the allure of Paloma Beach's reputation, and the fact the journey was marginally shorter. To get there we opted for an Uber, which cost about 22 pounds in total - as we were running late so waiting for a train followed by a 45 minute walk in the midday heat seemed a bit of a stretch. However, had we known that the Cap would be riddled with Lime bikes, we probably would have saved our pennies and cycled from Beau-sur-mer station (we ended up doing this on the way back).

In hindsight, I’d say the hype surrounding Paloma Beach wasn’t entirely justified. The beach itself was less impressive and naturally beautiful than the others we’d visited. However, the true charm supposedly lies in the scenic coastal walk around the cap, dotted with small coves and swimming spots—a part we unfortunately didn’t have time to explore. So, unless you're up for the long coastal walk, I'd recommend either skipping Paloma Beach or making it a pit stop on your Cap-Ferrat tour. Personally, it’s not remarkable enough to dedicate an entire beach day to.

Drink: Nice Old Town

In the few hours we had left, we collected our bags from 'Bagguys' (we had to check out of our airbnb in the morning, so our airbnb host recommended leaving them there - 7/8 euros a bag from 11-19:00pm) and then we went for a drink in the Old town before heading to the airport. Happy hour is a big thing here, so heading for a drink between about 17:00 and 19:30/ 20:00 is pretty easy on the wallet.

Nice old town drink/ food recommendations:

***HOBO

5 Bis Rue Sainte-Reparate

Coffee shop in the Old Town—prices are high, as is typical for anything beyond an espresso in Europe, but it satisfies cravings for an oat milk iced latte or other specialty drinks.

***Ice Cream 

Fenocchio - Located in Rossetti Square

***Local tarts/ quiche

Lou Pilha Leva - 10 Rue du Collet

Transport Recommendations:

Get the Lignes D'Azur mobile app - once you have a physical card (available from any tram machine), you can reload your card with money directly from the app. Since these cards can be used on both the trams and buses, it is the easiest way to purchase tickets.

NOB: Don't forget to vaildate your pass once on the tram. They have policemen everywhere who fine you 60 euros on the spot, without hesitation. We witnessed this happen to so many people over 4 days.

Hope this helps! Enjoy!

Pernilla xxx