Although Nice is notoriously expensive and chic there's also plenty to do and cheap accommodation to be found if you’re travelling on a budget. Nice is on the south-east coast near Monaco and Cannes and the glamorous Cote d'Azur, and is swamped with an influx of tourists in high summer.
Things to see and do:
- The beaches - in high summer the sea is very warm and the beaches busy on Nice’s strip of Mediterranean coastline. The main beach in Nice is called Le Baie des Anges - the Bay of Angels.
- Olives - because of the great weather and fertile hills there are plenty of olive groves around Nice. You can buy these cheaply from local shops but don't trespass in the olive groves or you may find farmers chasing you and shouting.
- Nice carnival - If you want to travel off peak then go to Nice in February for the famous annual carnival. It’s been going on for eight centuries and comprises street parties, parades and lots of drinking.
Getting there:
The Cote D'Azur airport is six kilometres from Nice so you can get a quick bus into town and a taxi won’t cost you much either. You can connect to national rail services at Nice station or catch a ferry to Corsica from the coast.
Location and weather:
Nice is on the Cote d'Azur on a stretch of coastline that faces the Mediterranean sea. Nice enjoys very warm weather and temperatures in midsummer can approach the high thirties (Celsius).
Top tip:
Artists Van Gogh, Matisse and Picasso all came to Nice to paint so if you've got some time, read up on their cultural legacy (or have a go yourself).
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