7 Reasons to Visit Nice in the Winter
When you think of Nice, France you might think of summer days on the coast, strolling along the promenade with the sun on your back, or visiting nearby towns and beaches by boat.
But visiting Nice in the winter? How nice can that really be?
Turns out, very nice! My husband, Colin, and I visited Nice and other stops along the French Riviera in winter 2024 and I truly think it’s one of the best times to visit this popular part of France.
I’ve long been a fan of low-season travel, especially as places like Europe get busier and hotter in the summer months, so was thrilled that Nice made for such a great low-season destination.
Sure, you probably won’t get a sun tan in Nice in February, but you will enjoy so much more! I promise, you won’t regret visiting the Cote d’Azur in the winter.
If you’re still skeptical, let me convince you with seven great reasons to make Nice your next winter holiday!
1. You can attend Carnaval
One of the absolute best parts of visiting Nice in the winter is that you can be in town to attend Carnaval!
Carnaval de Nice is en epic celebration that takes over the city of Nice for two weeks every February/March. It’s one of the largest Carnaval celebrations in the world and has been happening since the 1200’s.
Colin and I were lucky enough to attend the Carnival Parade of Lights in Nice in February 2024 and it was one of the best parts of our South of France trip. We had a blast watching the impressive floats go by, dancing to the music and being wowed by all of the performers.
Besides the nighttime Parade of Lights, there’s also a daytime parade, a flower parade and lots of other Carnaval activities, events, workshops, rides and more.
Plus, if you’re in Nice around Carnaval time, odds are you can pop over to nearby Menton for their annual Lemon Festival, which is another can’t-miss. Seriously, I was so blown away by the giant citrus sculptures they make!
2. It’s still sunny and warm
Coming from Canada, Nice was downright balmy compared to the winter weather we had left behind at home. Goodbye to scarves, snow and shivering!
We spent five days in and around Nice in February and enjoyed beautiful weather on every single one of those days. We wore sunglasses and left our jackets behind.
The French Riviera is known for its sunshine, which is what first attracted rich European tourists to its shores and made this area so popular. But that sun isn’t just reserved for June-August.
While there’s no guarantee that your winter visit will be cloud-free, Nice is one of the sunniest cities in France, so the odds are on your side!
3. There’s lots to do in Nice in the off-season
One of the problems with only going to places in the off-season is that some of those places shut down. They only open for tourist season, meaning that dining, accommodation and activity options are very limited when you’re the only tourists in town.
But because Nice is a large city, it doesn’t shut down in the off-season. There’s a full-time population of locals here – plus a good number of tourists – to still make the city feel lively, no matter what time of year!
That means you don’t have to worry about restaurants or museums being closed, tours not running or having a limited number of itinerary items to choose from. Nice has you covered!
PS: Speaking of restaurants, check out 15 of the must-try food items while you’re in Nice!
We arrived in Nice after spending 5 days in Provence, where things were much quieter than they were on the French Riviera. Almost, too quiet.
In Provence, we ran into quite a few museums that were closed for the winter months and restaurants that claimed to be open online, but really were closed.
In Nice, we never had that problem!
4. You can enjoy Nice with much smaller crowds
While Nice is still lively in the off-season, it’s not cramped. Which, to me, is one of the top selling points of a winter vacation on the French Riviera.
We’ve all heard of tourists spending hours waiting in lines in Europe in the summer, impatient and overheated. Activities book out days – if not weeks/months – in advance and even walking outside your hotel can feel like fighting against a current of fellow travellers.
But Nice in the winter is nothing like that! Yes, there were people around, but it never felt crowded. We never made a dinner reservation, nor did we prebook any of our trains for our day trips around the coast.
If you enjoy exploring a city with a little elbow room and like to be more spontaneous with your plans, skip the summer and come to Nice in the off-season instead!
5. Low season travel is more affordable
Not only is low-season travel in Nice less crowded and less hot, it’s also less expensive!
The French Riviera is a notoriously expensive area (yes, I’m looking at you, Monaco and St. Tropez). It’s often seen as a luxury destination for people who dine out at Michelin restaurants each night before returning to their mega-yachts.
But we actually found Nice in February to be pretty more affordable!
Obviously there are things you an do all year to make a destination more affordable – choose cheaper restaurants, walk or take transit, visit free attractions, etc.
But when you visit a place in the low-season, you can save a ton on big ticket items like transportation and accommodation.
We scored a great deal on our flights to France from Vancouver ($410 USD per person, round trip), as well as paid cheap train fares to get around the cost.
Our city centre hotel was also a steal at just $60 USD per night!
6. Nice makes a great base for French Riviera day trips
One of the reasons why Nice was so attractive to us when we were planning our South of France trip is that it makes a great base for French Riviera day trips.
From Nice, we easily visited Eze, Monaco, Antibes, Menton and Villefranche-sur-Mer all by quick, direct and convenient train!
That meant we didn’t have to pay to rent (and park!) a car, worry about traffic and navigation, or change hotels every night to see a new place.
So not only is Nice a great city with lots to do in the off-season, but it’s also a great base for further exploring the Cote d’Azur. What more could you ask for?
7. It’s easy to get there and away
The final reason why Nice makes such a great winter getaway is how easy it is to travel to Nice. When you’re looking to escape from the cold and dark winter days, you don’t want the hassle of a long travel day.
Nice’s international airport is very close to the city, unlike many major cities (like Paris or London), where you have to spend hours getting from the airport to the city, lugging your bags on and off trains, tubes and taxis.
Nope, Nice makes it easy! Simply hop on a tram from the airport and you’ll be in the city centre in just 30 minutes (and for only $10 USD round trip).
If you’re arriving by train, there’s a train station within walking distance of the airport, as well as one in the city centre within walking distance of the Vieux Nice old town area.
We stayed near the Nice-Ville train station, meaning we could easily hop on trains along the coast and walk into the old town of Nice for local exploring. Win-win!
Wrapping up: Have I convinced you to visit Nice in the winter?
I first visited Nice in the summer of 2012, and while it wasn’t as busy then as it is now, I didn’t fall in love. It wasn’t until this return trip in the winter that Nice really got to me.
Spending a week on the French Riviera in February absolutely made me fall in love with this region of France. Experiencing it sticky with sunscreen, stuck behind walls of tourists and priced out of nice accommodation would make me change my tune!
So forget ski slopes or all-inclusive resorts – next winter, you’re going to Nice!
Nice truly is one of those perfect places to visit in the winter. You can still enjoy the best of the city – including the famous Carnaval de Nice – but without the crowds, heat or expense of summer.
The city doesn’t shut down nor does it feel crowded. It strikes the perfect balance! And it’s a convenient place to get to/around, including as a base for day trips along the Cote d’Azur.
Yup, Nice really is as nice as they say…especially if you visit in the winter. In fact, I’ve got it on my short list for our next winter break in Europe. See you there!