10 Money Saving Tips in Nice
How to Enjoy Nice With a Small Budget
Nice is one of the few cities in France you can explore without needing a substantial budget. It’s a city of many faces, serving as a coastal resort, historic landmark and a tourist magnet for the southern region.
To fully appreciate this, you can take a stroll in the sun along a famous pier or find some shade among the picturesque little side streets, while enjoying all the amenities of an urban city. We’ve put together a list of money-saving tips to help you experience what Nice has to offer in terms of culture and leisure, all at a reasonable price.
1. Promenade du Paillon
A spot of green in central Nice
Ideal para: Casais, Famílias, Econômico
Promenade du Paillon is a large urban park in Nice’s city centre, running from Albert 1 Garden’s seaward side to the Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC).
The park separates the Old Town and modern Nice with a tree-lined pedestrian walkway. You can find lush gardens and lawns, children’s areas, and art installations throughout its 29.5-acre space. Stop at the Place Massena for a drink or some food at one of the cafes there. During the Christmas season, Promenade du Paillon is decorated with beautiful lights. Leia mais
Localização: Plassa Carlou Aubert, 06300 Nice, France
Abre: April–September: daily from 7 am to 11 pm. October–May: daily from 7 am to 9 pm
Promenade du Paillon
2. Garden of Arenas Cimiez
Beautiful spot for picnics under the shade of the olive trees
Ideal para: Famílias, História, Econômico
The Garden of Arenas Cimiez contains a vast olive grove and the remains of Roman arenas. The park is at the top of Boulevard Cimiez, close to the Musée Matisse and Musee D’Archeologie. It’s a great place to unwind while taking in the magnificent panorama of Nice. You can picnic on the lawns or grab a snack at the onsite refreshment bar. A small amusement park with rides for children is available, too.
The arenas that gave the park its name offer a glimpse of Nice’s rich past. In May, locals come to the garden to celebrate the return of spring. The park comes alive with folk dances and songs, with entertainment for children and stalls offering regional food.
Localização: 184 Avenue des Arènes de Cimiez, 06000 Nice, France
Abre: Daily from 8.30 am to 6 pm
Telefone: +33 (0)4 93 81 08 08
Garden of Arenas Cimiez
3. St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral
An Orthodox church with beautiful Russian religious art
Ideal para: História, Foto, Econômico
The St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral is a good example of Old Russian architectural styles in Nice. Located in Piol. its unexpected Byzantine design stands out from the city’s residential buildings. The church was built in honour of Tsarevich Nikolay Alexandrovich, the eldest son of Tsar Alexander II, who died in 1865.
As a place of worship, you can visit freely but women should cover their hair before entering. Scarves are provided at the entrance, too. Inside, you can see intricate patterns, metal altar screens, carved woodwork, frescoes and numerous religious icons.
Localização: Avenue Nicolas II, 06000 Nice, France
Abre: Monday–Friday from 9 am to 1 pm then from 2 pm to 6 pm, Saturday from 9 am to 6 pm, Sunday from noon to 6 pm
St Nicholas Russian Orthodox Cathedral
4. Sentier du Littoral
A coastal footpath from the port to the cape of Nice
Ideal para: Foto, Econômico
Sentier du Littoral is a popular coastal walk that’s great for appreciating nature and the Mediterranean Sea. It takes you out of central Nice in the direction of Villefranche-sur-Mer. Venture out early in the morning, as the sun is at its strongest between the sea and limestone rocks.
Sentier du Littoral, with its mix of rock-carved steps and wooden footbridges, leads you away from crowded beaches towards beautiful properties, creeks, cliffs and wild vegetation. Stops along the way include the pebbly Coco Beach and Palais Maeterlinck. Ocean views stretch westwards towards the Lérins Islands, Cap d’Antibes and Massif de l’Esterel, while the eastern side overlooks Villefranche harbour and Cap Ferrat.
Sentier du Littoral
5. Halle de la Gare du Sud
Gourmet food hall and market inside a former train station
Ideal para: Foto, Alimentação, Econômico
Halle de la Gare du Sud is a food market occupying a former railway station that dates back to 1892. It’s in the Libération district of Nice, just opposite the General Thiole Garden. The building has a large market hall where you can choose from a variety of gourmet food vendors, as well as a central area with plenty of shared tables.
Halle de la Gare du Sud is also great for shopping, thanks to a couple of stalls operated by local craftspeople and artists. Concerts and shows are regularly scheduled in the evenings, especially on Thursdays and weekends.
Localização: 35 Avenue Malaussena, 06000 Nice, France
Abre: Friday–Saturday from 11 am to midnight, Sunday and Tuesday–Thursday from 11 am to 11 pm (closed on Mondays)
Halle de la Gare du Sud
6. Asian Arts Museum
An exploration of Asia through workshops and wellness events
Ideal para: História, Foto, Econômico
The Asian Arts Museum in Nice lets you explore Asia through its extensive exhibits and activities. The museum, with its white walls and glass walls, looks as if it is floating on a lake in Parc Phoenix. It has a collection of objects and sculptures from China, Japan, India and Southeast Asia.
You can visit the Asian Arts Musem for free, but you can book guided tours, sign up for a calligraphy or origami workshop and take part in a Japanese tea ceremony for additional fees. On Saturdays (except in July and August), qi gong and tai chi sessions take place on the museum’s terrace.
Localização: 405 Prom. des Anglais, 06200 Nice, France
Abre: July–August: Wednesday–Monday from 10 am to 6 pm. September–June: Wednesday–Monday from 10 am to 5 pm
Telefone: +33 (0)4 89 04 55 20
Asian Arts Museum
7. Nice Museums 4-Day Pass
Four days of art and culture for one price
Ideal para: História, Econômico
Nice has plenty of municipal museums and galleries within its centre, all of which are worth visiting for their fascinating exhibits. Save precious spending money by booking a 4-day pass, allowing you to visit 10 incredible museums for just one price.
Embark on a journey through the works and life of famous painter Matisse, marvel at an impressive collection of instruments at an aristocratic residence or delve into Roman history at an archaeological site. The pass is available at the ticket office of each museum or is bookable online.
8. RécréaNice
Reduced prices for family activities
Ideal para: Famílias, Econômico
RécréaNice is an initiative that offers information and tips for a family day in Nice and surrounding areas. The website lists all places and activities suitable for children, including parks, gardens, cultural visits, creative leisure activities, sports and shows.
RécréaNice often has promo codes and discounts on selected activities and attractions, making family trips easier and cheaper. Its Facebook page announces unmissable events in the region, as well as workshops and courses to keep your children busy and entertained during the holidays.
9. Liberation Market
Vibrant open-air local food market
Ideal para: Compras
Sampling high-quality French cuisine doesn’t have to make a hole in your budget thanks to bustling produce markets like The Liberation Market. It extends across the Place du General de Gaulle and is reachable via the Liberation tram stop on Line 1. Locals and visitors alike love shopping here for fresh fruit and veggies, honey, cheese and freshly caught fish, all at wallet-friendly prices.
As well as the huge variety of stalls, you’ll also find a historic building housing an eclectic food court that stays open late into the evening, providing tasty street food bargains. Why not purchase everything you need for a picnic and enjoy it in the verdant surroundings of Jardin Thiole?
Localização: Pl. du Général de Gaulle, 06100 Nice, France
Abre: Tuesday–Sunday from 6 am to 12.30 pm
Liberation Market
10. French Riviera Pass
Great for short stays in Nice
Ideal para: Foto, Econômico
The French Rivera Pass is a value card that allows you to enjoy attractions in Nice for free. It’s available online on the Tourist Office’s official website or in the Tourist Office in the city. Prices vary according to the duration, either 24, 48 or 72 hours. The time starts when you first use your pass, not from when you buy it or the start of that day.
The website has a calculator to help you work out whether it’s cheaper for your kids or not, so if you’re going to places where children enter for free, you won’t waste money, especially if you want to see the city’s many museums, which are often free for under-18s.
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