Beaches — Along Nice’s seafront, beaches extend uninterrupted for more than 7km (4 1/4 miles), going from the edge of Vieux-Port (the old port, or harbor) to the international airport. Tucked between the public areas are several rather chic private beaches. Many of these beach bars provide mattresses and parasols for around 30€ per day. Most outfits offer waiter service, beach toys, and fixed-price menus no more expensive than those offered at restaurants in town. The coolest club, Castel Plage (www.castelplage.com; tel. 04-93-85-22-66), is a celebrity hangout in summer. In 2023, new beach club La Plage (www.hotel-negresco-nice.com; tel. 04-93-16-64-00), from hotel Le Negresco, staked its claim by offering lobster rolls from a Michelin-starred chef, with mattresses plus parasol for 45€. Beau Rivage Plage (http://plagenicebeaurivage.com; tel. 04-42-00-46-80) is a beach stalwart. The largest of les clubs, it offers white sun loungers shaded by white linen drapes. Not feeling flush? Pitch up to almost any beach club at sunset to order a 20€ bottle of rosé on a seashore table to share between your friends.
Scuba Diving — Of the many diving outfits in Nice harbor, Nice Diving, 13 quai des Deux Emmanuel (www.nicediving.com; tel. 06-14-46-04-06), offers bilingual instruction and baptêmes (dives for first-timers) around Nice and Cap Ferrat. A dive for experienced divers, equipment included, costs around 50€; appropriate diver’s certification is required.
Hiking--A newly marked Grande Randonnée hiking trail loops around Nice for 42km, passing by art museums and chestnut forests. The Camin Nissart is easy to follow. It rises from Nice Port to the Roman fort on Mont Boron, then the Nice Observatory, before passing the art museums in the ritzy suburb of Cimiez.
The most rural part of the region’s only GR de Pays trail runs along abandoned rail lines to AOC Bellet, one of France’s smallest wine appellations, 400m above sea level, near Nice Airport. Spare a thought for the 8,500 volunteers of the Fédération Française de la Randonnée. They traveled with pruners, paintbrushes, and GPS trackers to create Nice’s grand new hiking trail.
Note: This information was accurate when it was published, but can change without notice. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.
