Nice -easy walk around day?

[Chris]

we do not have a excursion planned for our stop in Nice. Is this a day we can walk off the ship and wander around without anything planned?

 

Thanks

[Cornishpastyman1]

we do not have a excursion planned for our stop in Nice. Is this a day we can walk off the ship and wander around without anything planned?

 

Thanks

Very much so, in fact it's hard to think of a better place for doing just that. It's big enough to do a lot if you want yet still has plenty to enjoy if you don't want to go far or fast. This was our day there (out of Cannes). All the best, Tony

 

OXW5R66Td2o

[marazul]

Completely agree. Except that you will be tendering in Villefranche, not in Nice itself, so you need to get there. There are lots of threads here about using public transport. If you want to know how far it is, look at the picture posted by Tony above. Look at the promontory in the center of the picture - the far point on the shore. Villefranche is behind that. About 5 miles away form the center of Nice where the picture shows the little train.

And Villefranche is also nice to wander around in.

[Chris]

Thank you so much

[Hlitner]

Not only can you spend the day walking around Nice, but it is a delightful city with plenty to do and see :). You can easily get from the port to Nice by taking the #100 bus (just ask for directions to the nearest bus stop) which costs 1.5€ per person (you pay the driver). The buses are quite nice, less expensive than the trains, and run more often. We suggest starting your day at the Nice Flower Market (located in the Cours Selaya in Old Town) which if fun and offers lots of places where you can take a morning coffee break. Then you can walk along the water to the famous Promanade or perhaps go to one of the museums located in Nice. Spending the day also means you should have time for a nice lunch (Nice is quite famous for its wonderful fish soup).

 

Hank

[marazul]

OK, now that Hank has started with some suggestions let me add some of my favorites. :D

 

Go to the Flower Market first. Wander around and eat some socca at Theresa's socca stand - right at the center of the market in front of the little church. Walk over to La Merenda and make a reservation for lunch (or do that first). They do not answer the phone, but they take reservations in person. https://www.lamerenda.net/La_Merenda_Site_Officiel/La_Merenda_Nice_Eng.html

 

Walk around the back streets or take the Petit Train for a tour of old Nice and the chateau. Have lunch. Fish soup (soupe de poissons) by all means. Stuffed zucchini (courgettes) flowers if available, for fish, have the dorade. If you don't get in at La Merenda, try one of the many restaurants at the market, such as La Cambuse or the Safari - those have the most typical food. Don't pay attention to Trip Advisor reports. Or walk around and find one you like. You can't go wrong.

 

After lunch, take the ho-ho bus around the town and get off in Cimiez to see the Matisse Museum and the Roman ruins. On the way back, get off near the Meridien hotel and walk along the beach for a little bit to enjoy the views.

 

And that should keep you busy the whole day. Enjoy!

[Hlitner]

OK, now that Hank has started with some suggestions let me add some of my favorites. :D

 

Go to the Flower Market first. Wander around and eat some socca at Theresa's socca stand - right at the center of the market in front of the little church. Walk over to La Merenda and make a reservation for lunch (or do that first). They do not answer the phone, but they take reservations in person. https://www.lamerenda.net/La_Merenda_Site_Officiel/La_Merenda_Nice_Eng.html

 

Walk around the back streets or take the Petit Train for a tour of old Nice and the chateau. Have lunch. Fish soup (soupe de poissons) by all means. Stuffed zucchini (courgettes) flowers if available, for fish, have the dorade. If you don't get in at La Merenda, try one of the many restaurants at the market, such as La Cambuse or the Safari - those have the most typical food. Don't pay attention to Trip Advisor reports. Or walk around and find one you like. You can't go wrong.

 

After lunch, take the ho-ho bus around the town and get off in Cimiez to see the Matisse Museum and the Roman ruins. On the way back, get off near the Meridien hotel and walk along the beach for a little bit to enjoy the views.

 

And that should keep you busy the whole day. Enjoy!

 

Love your suggestion about La Meranda. We first experienced Chef Le Stenc when he was was at Chantecler where we did his degustation and had the most amazing meal of our lives (and we have dined in quite a few good restaurants). After he opened Le Meranda, we used to suggest (here on CC) that folks try to find a way to get into his restaurant for lunch. But it's never easy and we have heard from a few about being frustrated dealing with his weird no phone policy. So we no longer mention Le Merranda...even thought we do try go there for a meal whenever in Nice. Suffice it to say that Chef Le Stanc is somewhat unique in walking away from a career that would have had him as the Chef of nearly any great restaurant...which he gave up to escape the pressure of the "Michelin Game" and spend his life doing his own thing. Quite amazing.

 

Hank

[Chris]

Thank you for all of your input and handy video.

I am going to research your suggestions.

 

thanks

[brunello22]

Be sure to visit Gelateria Pinocchio. Yummy!

[Hlitner]

Just read back through the entire thread and realized that the OPs post raises another issue. Very few cruise ships (no large ships) actually dock in NIce! Most of the ships tender into Villefranche...but some cruise ship itineraries might say "Nice" which is not really the port. So getting back to the OP, it is unlikely you can just "walk off the ship" and stroll around Nice. You would likely get off a tender in Villefranche and need to either take a bus (the #100 bus) or the train to get to nearby Nice (about a 10 min ride).

 

One must be very careful when reading cruise line "itineraries" as some really are mis leading. We have even seen itineraries that list "Rome" as the port....when the reality is that Rome is landlocked and more then an hour from the Port!

 

Hank

[durante]

Chris, what cruise line are you taking? Only a few, such as Azamara actually dock in Nice Port, most of them anchor off Villefranche

[Eleteace]

Yes yes yes yes yes! Nice is one of the best cities to walk around. There is so much to do (I agree with the very detailed post above). It is such a lovely place to have a walk up and down the promenade. Make sure you walk up the castle on the hill for some incredible views! Hope I've attached this photo okay...

 

[Eleteace]

While I'm here I may as well add a destination guide that I have written about Nicee. http://cruisingisntjustforoldpeople.co.uk/2017/04/25/destination-guide-nice/ Lots more photos on there and my top things to do. Hope that helps!

 

Sounds like you have a very busy day planned....

[Chris]

Thank you again for all of your wisdom. Yes aware of the tendering situation -will take your advice and do the #100 bus to Nice. We do want a nice lunch and to stick our feet in the water :)

 

took notes from all of your posts and we are looking it all up now-

 

so fun

 

thanks again