Where to Stay in Nice: My 7 Favorite Areas & Hotels [2024]
Are you planning a trip to southern France and trying to figure out where to stay in Nice? I’ve got you covered – read on for my top recommendations!
The Mediterranean city of Nice is one of my very favorite destinations in all of France. It’s got a golden-hued old town, a bustling port, gorgeous beaches and a seaside promenade, and a host of museums, churches, and parks to visit. There are so many interesting and beautiful things to do in Nice!
Plus, it’s very close to many other villages and cities along the French Riviera, making it an ideal place for a home base. I’ve visited Nice 3 times and I’m convinced it’s one of the absolute best cities in all of France.
In this post, I’m sharing my recommendations for the best places to stay in Nice, drawing on my experience of spending over two weeks crisscrossing the city.
My Top 3 Picks: Best Hotels in Nice
#1 TOP PICK
Palais Saleya Boutique Hotel
✔️ Spacious suites
✔️ Rooms are beautiful, updated, and comfortable
✔️ In the heart of Old Town
#3 PICK
Hotel Suisse
✔️ Amazing location at top of Promenade des Anglais
✔️ Luxurious rooms
✔️ Views over the sea and easy access to beach
#2 PICK
Hotel Florence Nice
✔️ Central location between train, Old Town, and beach
✔️ Lovely, stylish rooms
✔️ Many rooms have a terrace
✔️ Good budget option
Where to Stay in Nice: 7 Best Neighborhoods
Each of the following sections describes the neighborhood and its pros and cons. I’m also recommending excellent hotels and vacation rentals, to help you plan your trip quickly and efficiently!
1. Old Town – Perfect for First-Time Visitors and Being in the Center of the Action
Nice’s Old Town is cute and charming and well-preserved in all its orange and yellow hues. Here, you’ll find many of Nice’s best restaurants and cafes, and specialty shops down the narrow, winding streets.
Closer to the sea, you’ll find the Cours Saleya, home to the Marché aux Fleurs flower and produce market. If you’re staying in a rental with a kitchen, you can pick up food here for some fresh, easy meals at home.
Place Rossetti is a square in the middle of old town, with gelato shops and cafes, and the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate de Nice. The tall Castle Hill borders the Old Town on the eastern edge.
I love staying in Old Town, the vibe is just so quaint and charming.
- Pros: About as central of a location as you can get, lots of character and charm, beautiful golden buildings
- Cons: Can be hard to drive in (if you’re driving), it’s definitely one of the most touristy areas of the city.
- Best For: If you want to be in the heart of the action and close to everything, if you love staying in the most historic and charming part of town, if you like vacation rentals (fewer hotel options in this area). This is a great spot for first-time visitors.
Best Hotels in Old Town:
($) Albert Premier: Right on the edge of the Jardin Albert I and Old Town, and close to the Promenade, this hotel is close to everything. Higher-priced rooms have balcony views that include the sea.
✔️Check prices and availability here
($$) Mercure Nice Marché aux Fleurs: Near the flower market, and facing the sea, this hotel delivers on location and beautiful views.
✔️Check prices and availability here
($$$) Palais Saleya Boutique Hotel: This lovely hotel is in the heart of Old Town and is a modern, updated, and very comfortable hotel offering spacious suites.
✔️Check prices and availability here
Where to Stay in Old Town – Vacation Rentals:
($) Charming French Style Apartment in Old Town: This apartment in Old Town is cozy, updated, and decorated in a French style. The location is fantastic – set among the beautiful, colorful streets of Old Town.
($$) Stylish, Newly Renovated Apartment on Rue Rossetti: This recently updated apartment is incredibly modern and luxurious. You’re on more of a main street in Old Town, and right around the corner from the main square (Place Rossetti).
2. The Port: Best for Maritime Enthusiasts and LGBTQ Visitors
The Port of Nice (known as Port Lympia) is home to speedboats, fishing boats, sailboats, and larger yachts. The buildings surrounding the Port are beautiful and colorful – I love the port and think it’s a beautiful, historic spot in Nice.
Castle Hill is on the western edge of the Port neighborhood, and there is easy access to the hill from here.
Nice is a very gay-friendly city, but Rue Bonaparte, and the area around it, are known for being the center of gay bars and restaurants in Nice, and Place du Pin is a popular gay hangout square.
- Pros: A beautiful port, trendy, lots of gay-friendly establishments
- Cons: Not very many hotels (this could be a pro as well depending on your POV!) – many more options for vacation rentals than hotels close to the port.
- Best For: People who love boats or the sea, want to be in the historic part of Nice but slightly more away from the crowds, or want to stay near gay-friendly establishments.
Recommended Hotels in the Port:
($) Ibis Styles Nice Centre Port: Straightforward and modern, this hotel is an excellent value for money – as it’s clean, centrally located, updated, and rooms are fairly spacious. Bonus – complimentary breakfast is included.
✔️Check prices and availability here
($) Hotel du Pin Nice Port: Trendy and modern, this hotel is in a great location near the port and has very comfortable rooms and helpful staff. If you’re staying with a family, larger family rooms are available.
✔️Check prices and availability here
Best Vacation Rentals in the Port:
($$) View of the Port Apartment: This apartment is newly renovated in a historic building, with some touches of old world charm mixed with modern amenities. The real draw for this location, though, is the view – a stunning vista over the port from every window in the flat! Book on VRBO here
3. Promenade des Anglais: Perfect for Beach Lovers and Strolling Enthusiasts
The Promenade des Anglais is one of my favorite spots in all of Nice. It is a very wide, very long, beautiful sidewalk lined with palm trees, pergolas, and benches that runs for 7 km right along the beach.
Old Town, Castle Hill, the Port, the Jardin Albert I, and the Hotel Negresco are all located right off of the Promenade.
You can see people running, walking, skating, biking, hanging out with friends, and accessing the beach from the Promenade.
- Pros: You’re right along the beach and promenade, and can enjoy incredible sea views.
- Cons: The street along the Promenade des Anglais is fairly busy, and there is some traffic noise. Accommodations with sea views can be more expensive.
- Best for: People who want those gorgeous ocean views, or easy access to the beach or walking path.
My Hotel Recommendations on the Promenade des Anglais
($) Hotel West End Promenade: This is a fantastic value option right on the beach, as it has lovely, clean, and comfortable rooms (some of them have sea views) and very helpful staff.
✔️Check prices and availability here
($$$) Westminster Hotel and Spa Nice: This hotel has absolutely gorgeous Belle Époque rooms, an on-site spa, views over the ocean, and a fitness center (which is very rare in France).
✔️Check prices and availability here
($$$) Hotel Suisse: Located right on the Promenade, this gorgeous hotel has views over the beach and town. Rooms are light and airy, with balconies featuring picture-perfect views. The arched windows and pretty décor are the cherry on top!
✔️Check prices and availability here
Recommended Vacation Rentals on the Promenade des Anglais
($$) Stunning Beachfront Apartment along Promenade: This flat just screams “I’m on holiday in the French Riviera!” Views directly over the sea, the modern amenities, and some classically French décor and architectural details make this a really good spot for close access to the beach.
($$$) Waterfront Panorama Seaview Apartment Near Negresco: This apartment is set up really well for a family, has a lot of really nice spaces, and is steps from the ocean!
4. Jean-Medecin: A Great Central Area
The Jean-Medecin neighborhood of Nice includes the Place Massena, the biggest square in Nice lined with red buildings and black and white checkerboard streets.
The heart of this area is the Avenue Jean-Medecin, a wide, grand avenue for pedestrians and the city tram (no other automobile traffic allowed). This avenue takes you up to the train station in Nice as well.
On this avenue and in the streets nearby, you’ll find plenty of shopping opportunities, from independent boutiques, to well known brands, to souvenir shops. Of note is the famous Galeries Lafayette store, and the Nice Etoile mall.
Finally, the Jean-Medecin neighborhood includes the Jardin Albert I and the Promenade du Paillon, a long, skinny park that divides Old Town from the New Town and has a lot of amenities.
- Pros: Close to Old Town, close to a lot of shops and restaurants. The farther north you go, the closer you are to the train station.
- Cons: Some parts can be farther from the sea
- Best for: This is the best area to stay in Nice for anyone who wants to be in a central area to old and new town and close to the train station. It is also a good option for families with little kids if being near a park and playground is important to you.
Where to Stay in Jean-Medecin – Recommended Hotels
($) Hotel de la Mer: Located right on Place Massena, this hotel has stylish, comfortable rooms and friendly staff, and is steps from several big attractions in Nice.
✔️Check prices and availability here
($$) Hotel Florence Nice: Just a block away from the pedestrian Avenue Jean Medecin, but off the busy main street, there’s a tram stop nearby and the train station is not too far away. Rooms are clean and comfortable.
✔️Check prices and availability here
($$$) Les Suites Massena: Also right on the gorgeous Place Massena, this hotel has very spacious rooms and gorgeous bathrooms. Each room comes with a little sitting room – combining the comfort of a VRBO with the amenities of a hotel.
✔️Check prices and availability here
Top Vacation Rentals in Jean-Medecin
($$) Beautiful, Spacious Garden View Flat: This is really the French apartment of my dreams – it has parquet hardwood floors, a French style fireplace, gilded mirrors, decorative molding, full length windows, and a garden overlook. Book on VRBO here
5. Carre d’Or: The Heart of the Belle Epoque in Nice
Carré d’Or means “Golden Square”, and this neighborhood is one of the most chic, upscale parts of town.
There are several pedestrian-only zones here, filled with restaurants and designer and boutique shops.
Buildings tend to be built in the beautiful Belle Époque style. The Hotel Le Negresco is the most famous example of an upscale, beautiful, historic building. It iconically overlooks the Promenade des Anglais.
Musée Massena (art from the French Riviera) and the Casino du Palais de la Méditerranée are also in the Carré d’Or district.
I’ve stayed in this area several times – it’s a great area, only minutes from the beach and very close to Old Town.
- Pros: Beautiful area, close to tons of sites without actually being in the sites, close to the sea
- Cons: Honestly, not any big cons come to mind!
- Best for: If you want to stay in a more residential area that is beautiful, but still very close to the sites.
Recommended Hotels in the Carré d’Or Neighborhood
($) Hotel Villa Rivoli: This hotel is set in a pretty Belle Époque building, with a lot of charm. Rooms have historic and very “traditionally French” décor and architecture, adding to the feeling of having gone back in time.
✔️Check prices and availability here
($$) Hotel Le Meurice: This hotel is just a stone’s throw from alllll the action. It’s just a minute to the Promenade des Anglais, the Jardin Albert 1, and Old Town. Plus, there is a boulangerie AND fromagerie (cheese shop) just around the corner!
✔️Check prices and availability here
($$$) Hotel Le Negresco: This is THE most famous hotel in Nice, and it absolutely delivers on the hype. It’s almost like staying in a museum, with beautiful art, decor, architecture, and design throughout the main areas and the guest rooms.
✔️Check prices and availability here
Recommended Vacation Rentals in the Carré d’Or Neighborhood
($) Fantastic Modern One Bedroom: Bright, airy, modern, and comfortable, this flat is close to everything and has beautiful parquet floors. Book on VRBO here
($$) Villa on the Roof Apartment: Perfect for a family or group, this apartment oozes old world charm and has a charming and very large rooftop terrace, perfect for enjoying summer evenings on the French Riviera. Book on VRBO here
6. Gambetta – Where to Stay in Nice on a Budget
Gambetta is a residential neighborhood on the western side of Nice, with a mixture of architectural styles (modern, Art Deco, and Belle Epoque styles).
Of course, being a residential neighborhood, there aren’t that many sites here, so one of the main draws is wandering the streets like a local.
There are a few attractions in this neighborhood, though. You’ll find the Alsace-Lorraine Gardens (a small garden with a playground), the Musée des Beaux Arts de Nice (The Museum of Fine Art), and the Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice (The Russian Cathedral).
Gambetta is bordered by the Promenade des Anglais and the sea on the south, so there is still easy access to the beach. It’s about a 20-25 minute walk to the Old Town, otherwise, the bus regularly comes through the neighborhood.
This neighborhood does tend to have somewhat lower prices on accommodations.
- Pros: A quieter neighborhood away from the busiest parts of the city
- Cons: Farther away from most sites, will require a walk in to visit attractions in Nice
- Best For: Best for families, people on a budget, and those who want to stay away from the main tourist areas
Recommended Hotels in Gambetta
($) Locarno Hotel: Rooms are comfy and modern and the rooftop terrace is a nice touch. Overall, this hotel is a really excellent value for price.
✔️Check prices and availability here
($$) Hotel Amour Nice: This hotel is cozy, moody, and stylish – like you could just settle in for a long, quiet afternoon. Décor is top notch and views from the rooftop (and pool!) over the city are perfection.
✔️Check prices and availability here
($$) Hotel La Villa Nice Promenade: This hotel has really beautiful rooms, with hardwood floors, in a central location – close to the Promenade, the tram, and not far from the Old Town.
✔️Check prices and availability here
Recommended Vacation Rentals in Gambetta
($) Maison Cournichée Apartment: This apartment is an amazing value, with a full, comfortable, and clean apartment with modern amenities for a really low price.
($$) Appartement Le Victor Hugo: Cheery, full of light, and incredibly spacious, this rental is in a residential area, and is updated, modern, clean, with a cute little terrace. A variety of baby gear items are also available for a small fee in this apartment.
7. Cimiez – Perfect for Families and Lovers of Roman History
Cimiez is a beautiful, upscale, and ancient historical neighborhood in the north part of Nice.
During Roman times, this area was called Cemenelum and had a number of classic Roman structures. Today, visit the Jardins des Arènes de Cimiez, and see the ruins of the Roman amphitheater and baths.
Durding the late 1800’s and early 1900’s this area became a popular vacation spot for European royalty and nobility. The Ancien Hotel Regina was the most grand and popular hotel for the royals.
Visit the Monastery of Cimiez, and don’t miss the beautiful Monastery gardens and cemetery with views out over the city.
Several well-known painters (Chagall, Matisse) also worked in the area. You can see their works at the Musee Matisse or the Musée Chagall.
The bus conveniently connects Cimiez to Place Massena in Nice; it’s an easy 15 minute ride, or 25-30 minute walk down into the city.
This area is quiet and generally very residential, and definitely away from the main tourist crowds of Nice – perfect if you are with a family, want to get away from it all, or love Roman ruins.
- Pros: Lots of interesting and off-the-beaten path things to see in this quarter, good if you want to stay in a residential neighborhood away from other tourists
- Cons: Pretty far from many sites, including the sea, and there’s a decent walk uphill into Cimiez
- Best For: Families, people who want to stay in residential neigborhoods, lovers of Roman history
Recommended Hotels in Cimiez
($) NH Nice Hotel: Modern, clean lines, and rooms that are really quite spacious for France, this hotel also offers a rooftop bar and pool with gorgeous views over the rooftops of Nice. This hotel is an excellent value!
✔️Check prices and availability here
($$) Hotel Le Petit Palais: This hotel definitely gives off elegant villa vibes, with the traditionally and individually decorated rooms, the exterior architecture of the building, and the charming courtyard. You’ll enjoy views over the city and towards the sea, and a quiet area.
✔️Check prices and availability here
Recommended Apartments in Cimiez
($) Appartement Liberation: This apartment has a large, wide balcony, and a light, open, and breezy layout.
To Summarize, This is Where to Stay in Nice:
- For Families: Carré d’Or or Jean Medecin (close to everything, including the park), Gambetta (more residential), or Cimiez (also more residential)
- For First-Time Visitors: Old Town, Promenade, Carré d’Or
- For Beach and Sea Lovers: Promenade des Anglais (Beach), The Port (Sea Lovers)
- For a More Local, Quiet Experience: Gambetta or Cimiez
- On a Budget: Gambetta
- To Be Close to the Most/Best Restaurants and Bars: Port, Carré d’Or, Jean Medecin, Old Town
- For the LGBTQ Area: The Port
Looking for the Best Hotels in Nice with a Pool?
I actually have an entirely separate list for great hotels with pools in Nice!
Important Things to Know About Hotels in France
When to Book Your Hotel (or Rental) for Nice
Nice is a popular destination, and so I would highly recommend you book your accommodations as soon as possible. Hotels and vacation rentals can get booked up many months in advance, particularly if you are traveling between April through October.
Book early so you can get your top choice for where you want to stay in Nice!
A Few Important Notes About Hotels in Nice
When choosing where to stay in Nice, keep in mind that generally speaking, hotel rooms in France are much smaller (we’ll just call it cozier) than hotel rooms in the United States. Because these are old buildings, the rooms are just a bit tighter and there is definitely less floor space. This is just something to be aware of!
Expect elevators to also be very tiny – and not all places have elevators. I actually really love the teeny tiny elevators in France – they’re such a novelty!
On the same note, almost no hotels offer free breakfast. Almost every hotel *will* offer breakfast, but it costs extra. We rarely pay for the hotel breakfast, preferring instead to grab some pastries from the closest boulangerie as we start our day.
Final Thoughts on Best Areas in Nice to Stay
Nice is just such a beautiful city, and there are gorgeous, vibrant, interesting neighborhoods all over the city. Some of these hotels offer a pool, others great views, and some are in the *perfect* location.
Whether you stay in Nice for a few days, spend a week taking day trips from Nice into the countryside, exploring hidden gems, or going on a wine tour or a food tour, you will have a great time in southern France!
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