Nice is the easy base for the French Riviera, and its neighborhoods range from atmospheric old lanes to seafront glamour. Here are the best areas to stay, plus where to base for day trips along the coast.
Where to stay in Nice: best areas
| Area | Best for | The vibe |
|---|---|---|
| Vieux Nice (Old Town) | First-timers, charm | Atmospheric, lively |
| Promenade des Anglais | Sea views | Iconic, hotels |
| Carré d’Or | Upscale shopping | Chic, central |
| Cimiez | Quiet & residential | Leafy, museums |
Best areas to stay in Nice
The atmospheric old quarter — narrow lanes, the morning market on Cours Saleya, restaurants and buzz.
The upscale heart by the Promenade des Anglais — designer shops, grand hotels and the beachfront.
Local and quieter, with excellent restaurants and a more residential feel, walkable to the Old Town.
A leafy hillside residential area with the Matisse Museum and Roman ruins — calm and green.
Quick picks by traveler
| If you want… | Stay in |
|---|---|
| Best for first-timers | Vieux Nice |
| Best for seafront | Carré d’Or |
| Best for value & food | The Port |
| Best for quiet | Cimiez |
Getting around
Nice is walkable, with trams linking the station, Old Town and port. It is the Riviera’s transport hub — frequent trains reach Monaco, Èze, Antibes and Cannes in under 30-40 minutes, so it is the ideal base for coastal day trips.
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Planning Nice? Things to do in Nice
Where to stay in Nice: the best areas
- Vieux Nice (Old Town) — charming, atmospheric lanes and markets.
- Promenade des Anglais — along the seafront, with the famous beach.
- Carre d’Or — the central golden square, upscale shopping.
- Near the train station — better value and handy for day trips along the Riviera.
First-timers should base in or near Vieux Nice for charm and walkability to the beach.
Picking your area by who you are (and the one room type to skip)
Your base in Nice should match your trip, not just your budget. First-timers and couples who want to roll out of bed into the action belong in Vieux Nice (Old Town), the tangle of ochre lanes behind Cours Saleya market. The trade-off is real though: most of it is pedestrianised, so you carry bags in from the nearest drop-off, and many old buildings have no lift. Mid-range rooms here run roughly €140–230 a night ($150–250); the 4-star Novotel Nice Centre Vieux-Nice sits around €228.
If you want polish and a sea view, the Carré d’Or (the grid of streets behind the Promenade des Anglais, near Place Masséna) is the upscale shopping-and-grand-hotel zone, priced above Old Town. Travellers chasing value should look at the Port (Lympia) a short walk east: real restaurants, fewer tourists, lower rates. Families and quiet-seekers do well up in leafy Cimiez near the Matisse Museum, though you’ll lean on the bus or tram.
- Avoid: booking a Promenade-des-Anglais-facing room expecting calm. The seafront looks dreamy but traffic and crowds run late, and Old Town’s bar streets stay loud past midnight. If you’re a light sleeper, ask for a courtyard-facing room or shift one block back.
Where To Stay In Nice FAQ
Where should I stay in Nice first time?
Vieux Nice (the Old Town) or near the Promenade — charming, central and by the beach.
Is Nice a good base for the French Riviera?
Yes — easy train connections to Monaco, Cannes, Antibes and Eze make it an ideal base.
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Written by
John Morrison is the founder and lead travel writer at Packzup. Over the past decade he has explored destinations across Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe, the Middle East, and Oceania — always self-funded, never on a press trip.