How to Spend 12 Hours in Nice, France
How to Spend 12 Hours in Nice, France
My 12 hours in Nice, France did not provide as much sightseeing as I had hoped due to the visit of Chinese President Xi Jinping. Much of Nice and all of Monaco were closed or under heavy security due to President Xi’s visit.
I was able to see a few tourist sights and highlight them below. My short, 12 hour visit in Nice began at Nice Ville Station. It was easy to take the train from my hotel near the airport to Nice Ville. The cost of the train ticket was under 2 Euros.
How to Spend 12 Hours in Nice, France - Table of Contents
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St. Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral
After arriving at Nice Ville Station, my first tourist sight that I visited was the Russian Orthodox Cathedral. From the station, it is easy to find by following the signs. The inside of the cathedral is free to visit, but photographs are not allowed.
Nice's Mediterranean Coast
As I tried to reach the beach area, street after street was blocked off by the police and military due to President Xi’s visit. The police were only letting people through who could prove they had hotel reservations within the blocked off area.
After walking almost a mile, I finally found an area that was open and made it down to the coast of the Mediterranean.
There were Chinese Flags on display, and the Promenade des Anglais (the Main Street) was closed. Still, I was able to get a few decent pictures and experience a little bit of coastal Nice.
Villefranche Sur Mer
On day two of my trip, I found a great place to stop on the way back from Monaco. Villefranche Sur Mer is a few stations away from Nice Ville and provided an excellent beach which was far less crowded than the Nice beaches.
I spent about an hour walking around and sitting on the beach before heading back to the station to catch the train back to Nice St. Augustine Station where my hotel was located.
Nice Area Tours and Packages
Some travelers like to book a tour or package to enhance their trip. Below are some tours/packages that caught my eye. Please note, that as an affiliate of Viator, I will receive a small commission if you book using my link. This commission is at no additional cost to you.
Prices are accurate as of June 2023.
 Capital City of the French Riviera the overview of Nice (From Nice) - $78.93 Capital city of the French Riviera – the overview of Nice (Sightseeing tour from Nice city) |
 Nice City Bike Tour - $55.20 Enjoy the best of Nice on a bike tour with a local English-speaking guide. This is an extraordinary opportunity to experience Nice as not many do! You will cycle along stunning beaches, grand streets and majestic plazas. Discover hidden Baroque churches, awe-inspiring Belle Époque palaces, super-cool bars and bistros, and winding medieval alleyways. The Nice City Bike Tour will take you from the chic hangouts of modern film stars to the haunts of prehistoric man. |
 French Riviera Villefranche Bay Snorkeling Tour from Nice - $43.31 Come on board from the port of Nice to discover the Mediterranean's marine life & seaside of Villefranche bay, one of the most beautiful bay of the world. After an amazing 20 minutes boat ride, we stop near Saint Jean Cap Ferrat coast in a safe place for more than 1 hour. |
 Small-Group Nice Food Tour: Provencal Specialties - $87.09 Eat your way around Vieux Nice – Nice’s old town – on a 3.5-hour food walking tour! Led by a local guide passionate about the region’s rich gastronomic heritage, your tour includes up to 20 samples of deliciously different dishes from Nice. Sip wine from the nearby Provence hills, and try the famous pissaladière onion tart, the chickpea based socca or the succulent petits farcis stuffed vegetables. Learn about the Italian influence on the city’s cuisine, and visit top Nice attractions like the Cours Saleya Flower Market and Castel Hill. |
 Discover Nice with my photo tour - $77.51 In the form of an urban safari, I will make you discover Nice. We will discuss photographic techniques in the form of games with a theme chosen at the beginning of the session (architecture, color, street art ...). Many breaks will be made to allow everyone time to capture the moment. We will finish our tour with a group photo that I will send you later. |
 Picturesque walk from Nice to Villefranche sur Mer with pic-nic and swim - $86.95 You will discover some of the most beautiful panoramas of the Côte d'Azur to go from Nice to the beautiful colorful fishing port of Villefranche sur Mer. |
 Private Luxury Yacht Cruise from Nice with Personal Skipper - $1487.75 Experience the French Riviera in luxury on this private yacht cruise from Nice. Let your personal skipper whisk you away along the stunning Côte d’Azur aboard an intimate private yacht, passing the picturesque coastal towns of Villefranche-sur-Mer, Beaulieu, Cap-d'Ail, Menton and more. Bask in the sun while sipping complimentary drinks, dive into the clear-blue Mediterranean Sea with your provided snorkel gear, and enjoy personalized attention from your expert skipper throughout your cruise. Choose from several cruise durations, from a 2-hour cruise to a full-day excursion to a romantic sunset cruise. |
 NICE / Private Walking Tour of Nice Old District - $172.42 Mediterranean coast, beach, sea, sun, and beautiful sights; we must be talking about Nice! This splendid city is the second-largest city in the Côte-d'Azur. |
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