Nice

Worried about not staying busy while abroad? Or scared that you will be lonely abroad? That is okay, because as someone who likes to keep busy, I know how to stay busy. Here are 7 tips I have found to help me when I have felt bored abroad that are applicable anywhere:

1. Participate In IES Abroad Activities

While some activities may feel silly, like playing cards with “peer guides” (in my case, local French students) or doing a cooking class, they are actually a great opportunity to meet people. Spending more time with people in your program outside of class is a great way to make new friends who might have some similar interests as you. And in my case, meeting the peer guides was a great opportunity to become more immersed in the local culture and practice my French.

2. Go On A Hike

Nice is a beautiful city with some amazing hiking spots. Hiking along the coast of the Mediterranean has taken my breath away because of the huge blue skies, clear blue water, and the sound of the waves crashing on the rocks. I have also done a hike to a fort which gave me a great view of the city of Nice and another small French Riviera town. Hiking is great to do in solitude or great to invite people with you!

3. City Walk

Go on a walking tour of your city is a great way to explore parts that you may not have been to yet. In Nice, I have followed a travel book’s walking tour and found great new places in Old Nice. There are many free walking tours offered by hostels that only require a tip for the tour guide, so it is a great, inexpensive option to see new places.

4. Don’t Be Afraid To Reach Out

Don’t be afraid to reach out to your fellow study abroad classmates or even a local student you have chatted with in class. Everyone loves making new friends but sometimes it can be hard to reach out so don’t be scared! Ask people to coffee or for a drink and learn what they think of where they are studying. It could be a fun hour or a new lifelong friend!

5. Go To City Activities

Find something new to do! Go to a soccer game, visit a museum, or see a play. I went to see an Opera in Nice two weeks after arriving and it was an amazing experience. While the opera was in Italian and subtitles in French, it was a fun experience to dress up and go into the beautiful old opera building. Whether it’s a recurring event like the opera, a once in a lifetime opportunity like Carnival in Nice, go for it!

6. People Watch

One of my favorite things to do in Nice is to sit in a café or on the Promenade des Anglais and people watch. Most cafes in Nice are set up to people watch, with the chairs turned towards the street. Most of Europe has a strong café culture where people sit for hours with an espresso or two. From seeing old French women with their little dogs to people wearing crazy costumes for Carnival, it’s never a boring day in Nice.

7. Actually Study

The craziest thing to do while studying abroad is, well, studying! I do have readings, homework, tests, midterms, and papers to write in Nice. Doing homework in a café, working on projects with friends, or studying in the IES Abroad Center is a great opportunity to do well academically and learn some really cool things. Most of my classes this semester have been about the Mediterranean so it really is fascinating to learn about where you are living.

A perfect weekend in Nice involves beautiful water, good food and fun people to spend it with. Three days in Nice is the perfect amount of time to soak up the glamour of the French Riveria without breaking the bank. Hopefully, after following this itinerary you will love the Côte d’Azur as much as me. 

Day 1 

Highlights: Promenade d’Anglais, Castle Hill, and Old Nice

After arriving in Nice and settling into your hotel, start by taking a stroll eastward down the Promenade d’Anglais. The Promenade d’Anglais is one of Nice’s most famous site and is known as the heart of Nice for the locals and tourists alike. Locals love to sit in the famous blue chairs to watch the sea so sit for a minute and absorb the beautiful coastline. Keep walking past the Albert Garden and many cafes until you get to the I Love Nice Sign. From there, go left up the large hill, which is called Castle Hill. While climbing the hill make sure to look around and see how beautiful the city looks. At the top of the hill, you will find an amazing waterfall and ruins of a castle that once overlooked Nice. From the top, you will also see views showing the port and old town. Enjoy the ruins and maybe grab an espresso up on the top of the hill and then head back down. Back at the bottom of the hill, you will want to enter Old Nice. Walking into Old Nice is like entering a maze. You will enter near the famous flower market, make sure to stop and smell the roses. Continue through the market and just wander down the twists and turns. There are numerous restaurants and gelaterias to stop and eat at. I would also recommend staying in Old Town for the nightlife because the rest of Nice gets quiet early. 

Day 2

Highlights: Monaco 

The second day I would recommend taking a half-day or full-day trip to Monaco. A train from Nice, at the Nice Ville station, will take about 20 minutes to get to Monaco and round trip should cost less than €10. Arriving in Monaco, go straight to the oceanographic museum and enjoy the aquarium and stunning views. The palace is also near the museum and is worth a visit. From the museum walk down the hill and see various monuments. At the port take time to look at the mega-yachts and maybe enjoy gelato. From the port walk up the hill (opposite side as the palace) and window shop in the designer shops. At the top of the hill, the famous Monte Carlo casino waits for you to play (and lose all your money). The tables open at 2:00 pm and cost €17 euros to enter (it includes €10 of chips to play with). Be mindful of their dress code as shorts or ripped jeans will get you turned away in the afternoon and the evening requires even nicer outfits. Once you’ve lost your money playing with the rich and famous, explore the gardens and great views on the hill. From there I would recommend heading back to Nice for a less expensive dinner (there are plenty of options near the train station) or if you won big, stay in Monaco and enjoy a fancy meal. 

Day 3

Highlights: Beach and Shopping (Optional: Matisse Museum)

For the third and final day in Nice, there are two major options. On one hand, Nice is famous for the beaches and they deserve several hours of laying on the rock beaches with a nice towel. After a day of laying on the beach, I would recommend the shopping near Jean Medicin where there are designer stores and more affordable yet cute local shops as well. On the other hand, if the sun and shopping aren’t appealing (or it’s a rare cloudy day) visit one or two of Nice's famous museums. The most famous are the Modern Art Museum, the Matisse Museum, and the Chagall Museum. The Modern Art Museum is closest to Old Town and showcases many French and international artists. The Chagall and Matisse Museums are in the Cimiez residential neighborhood and requires a longer walk uphill or a short bus ride. The Cimiez neighborhood is a beautiful neighborhood to walk around in and has a lovely park and cemetery where Matisse is buried. Walk back down to Old Town to enjoy a final great dinner in Nice. 

Three days in Nice is not enough time to do everything but I hope you will enjoy the highlights Nice has to offer. There are many more things to do in Nice and many amazing day trips to take as well, such as Cannes, Antibes, or Menton. Nice is a town for everyone - those who enjoy sun, culture, and food will have a great time. I hope after visiting Nice you will love it as much as me.