A nice day in Nice

Nice, the fifth biggest city in France, is simply beauty all around. No surprise its nickname is Nice la Belle. If you are looking for an elegant, well arranged, clean, sunny (300 days/year) and lively city, this is the one you should never miss. In just a day you won’t be able to see it all, but it sure is going to be a nice day in Nice.

Get lost in old city

First of all, you need to get lost inside the narrow streets curving in the old city of Nice (Vieille Ville). Forget the map, have your camera ready, so many things around are worth a snap. Pity a photo cannot capture smells of flowers and fruit and all the noises around this medieval maze. Don’t miss Cours Saleya. During summer there is a permanent market, packed with fresh fruit, vegetables, and flowers. At the end of the street the choice is difficult - either you turn right in the direction of the waterfront and treat yourself with an amazing view over the Baie des Anges or continue investigating the lively old town. Nevertheless, stop by chocolaterie Auer, just to check out once the favourite Queen Victoria's chocolate shop.

You will notice that the Vieille Ville looks more Italian than French, and not only because of many pasta restaurants. This is because it was ruled by Italians till 1860, when Napoleon III got it as a reward for his military intervention against Austria, alongside the troops of the kingdom of Piedmont.

Hit the Promenade!

Many people who had enough money to travel anywhere on Earth were, of all places, choosing to spend their time at this Promenade, and you should check out why! Some of them are: Elton John, Henry Matisse, Hitchcock, Dalí, Ava Gardner, Queen Victoria and Nietzsche. This 7km long walkway curves along the bay featuring palm trees, and it is a perfect spot for a stroll, a drink or simply to watch people passing by. The first ones do discover it were English people. It was even paved because of them, and named after them - Promenade des Anglais.

Go Orthodox!

In the beginning of 20th century 500 rich Russian families wintered in Nice and needed an orthodox church. They got it, in 1912 from Tsar Nicholas. Although its architecture seems a bit out of the place, the Cathédrale Orthodoxe Russe Saint-Nicolas is considered one of the most beautiful orthodox churches outside of Russia. Tsar was not saving on anything when building it. It is generously decorated with icons, murals and carvings and it is still used as a place of worship. Dress properly to get in. There is no entrance fee.

Don't miss Matisse.

There are several interesting museums in Nice and the best time to visit them is - on a hot day. According to your taste, you can choose from Chagall’s museum with a super rich, incredible collection, The Museum of Matisse, who was in love with the daylight of Nice, Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art or Fine Arts Museum.

Eat some yummy socca

South of France is a real heaven for foodies, so it’s not easy to make your choices. Whatever you eat (or not) make sure you try socca. Although is less famous that this super popular local dish, salade Niçoise, it’s a real delicacy. Socca's made with chickpea flour and you can eat it warm, pizza-style, in the middle of the street. Some say the first socca was made to defend the city when the Turks attacked it in 1543. Locals ran out of ammunition and, in despair, mixed chickpea soup and hot oil and poured it on the heads of the invaders. The Turks were stopped and the defenders licked their fingers and realised that what they made was actually tasty. More reasonable sounds another theory according to which socca was brought to Nice by immigrants from Genoa.