10 Most Popular Streets and Squares in Nice

Named after a military commander of the French Revolution, the elegant Place Masséna (Massena Square) is the vibrant centre of Nice, attracting both tourists and locals. Whenever you come here, during the day or at night, the square will please you with its vivid splashes of colour. The deep red neoclassical arcaded buildings, black-and-white tiled floor, a large fountain, and a tramline create the distinctive scenery of the square.

Located between the Old City of Nice and the main shopping avenue, Place Masséna is an excellent spot to go sightseeing, shopping, or simply dining in one of many restaurants nearby. If you are tired in the middle of the hot day, enjoy water jets in the nearby Promenade du Paillon.

Nice is often associated with the Promenade des Anglais (English Promenade), or simply ‘’La Prom’’, as locals call it. Stretching from the airport to Castle Hill, this 7-km avenue is one of the most iconic seafronts in Europe. The most beautiful part of the promenade lays between the Old Town of Nice and the stunning Negresco Hotel, which is a national historic monument.

If you want to explore the splendid avenue end-to-end, you can rent a Vélobleu bike and follow a safe cycling lane that covers the promenade's entire length. This is also a great place to hang out at night, enjoy beachfront bars and restaurants or see buskers and street artists at work.

Cours Saleya is a lively square in the centre of old Nice. Bordered by beautiful bright yellow and ochre palaces with ornate façades, the place is known for its markets, including a famous colourful flower market, as well as food and antique markets. You can find plenty of local produce, artworks, and nice souvenirs here.

There’s also plenty of cafés, restaurants, and bars around Cours Saleya. Connected to the seafront by passages under arcades, the square is close to popular nightlife spots. On summer nights, you’ll appreciate the buzz of the crowds going out for a drink and party in Old Nice.

Rue Droite, meaning ‘straight street’, is one of the most picturesque streets in the Old Town of Nice. This narrow road hosts a 17th-century Lascaris Palace, which has the second-largest collection of musical instruments in France. The street will also attract art lovers with several notable galleries.

As you stroll down Rue Droite, you can find several old grills over the doorways, which served as a natural cooling system in the city. While looking at the walls, you’ll see another historical feature – a cannonball from the 16th-century Turkish siege stuck in the corner of a building. If you would like to taste some history, try a traditional socca (chickpea pancake) at Chez Theresa, which has been serving Nice specialities since 1925.

Located in the centre of the Old Town, the lively and pretty Place Rossetti is popular both for its architecture and its nightlife. The beautiful baroque St. Reparate Cathedral, flowered balconies of deep red and yellow buildings, and many café terraces surrounding the fountain in the middle create a unique atmosphere.

Place Rossetti is very attractive at night when a cosmopolitan crowd gathers here to enjoy bustling vibes and live music from local bars and restaurants. You can also discover nice ice cream shops, including the popular Fennochio’s.

Close to the Port of Nice, Place Garibaldi is one of the largest and oldest squares in Nice. Named after the hero of the Italian unification, the place is an architectural attraction. It’s bordered by beautiful baroque arcades with green shutters – a reminder of the city’s Italian heritage. In the centre of the square, there’s a majestic fountain adorned with a statue of Garibaldi himself.

Take your time to drink coffee in one of the cafes sheltered under the arcades or in the shade of trees to enjoy the harmony and proportions of the façades. You can extend your visit by taking a look at the nearby Modern and Contemporary Art Museum.

Quai des Etats-Unis (Quay of the United States) is named in honour of the USA’s decision to join the Triple Entente in WWI. It starts from the Promenade des Anglais and stretches to Castle Hill. Similar to the promenade, Quai des Etats-Unis is bordered by palm trees and has blue lounge chairs and a cycle path along the way.

By walking along this seafront avenue, you’ll discover charming houses leading to Castle Hill. You can challenge yourself by climbing 220 steps to the top or take a lift if you don’t fancy the exercise. Either way, it’s worth coming to Quai des Etats-Unis at night as there are plenty of trendy bars and restaurants to discover.

Place de l'Ile-de-Beauté is a scenic square overlooking the Port of Nice – in fact, it’s known as Place du Port (Port Square). It’s surrounded by neoclassical buildings, which are aligned symmetrically on either side of the Notre-Dame Du Port church. This is a great place to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and watch the ferries to Corsica come and go.

There are plenty of restaurants along the perimeter of the harbour, including excellent seafood options. The spot is also known for magical sunsets, so why not take a glass of rosé wine and share this unique moment with your loved one?

Avenue Jean-Médecin is a pedestrian-friendly street with a tramline in its centre. Many know it as the main shopping avenue in Nice. Starting from Massena Square, it hosts multi-storey shopping malls and famous designer shops. You’ll find the 5-floor Galeries Lafayette shopping centre here – climb to the top to take a snack break with an amazing panorama of Massena Square.

Further along the avenue, you’ll discover another shopping centre called Nice Etoile, which has over 100 shops, as well as fashion shows and notable events. The avenue is also known for the Notre Dame de Nice, an impressive 19th-century neogothic basilica with beautiful stained-glass windows and amazing acoustics for concerts.

Sentier du Littoral is a scenic pedestrian path running from the Jardin Félix Rainaud in Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer. Not well known by tourists, the 2.4-km seafront trail will allow you to enjoy the breathtaking panorama of the famous Villefranche-sur-Mer bay and the peninsula of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

You’ll need sport shoes to make a series of climbs and descents on stairs carved into the rock. It’ll take you 45 minutes to reach Villefranche-sur-Mer, where you’ll discover the remains of Lazaret, the Paganini Tower, the port of Darse, and the Citadel of Saint-Elme, a vestige of the 16th century. If you want to come back to Nice without walking, you can take bus 15 or 100.