10 Best Views and Viewpoints of Nice

Castle Hill - Colline du Château is among the most visited parks in Nice, rising 93 meters above the city and sandwiched between the old town and the port. From here you can capture spectacular panoramic views. This site was historically the spot of the city’s chateau and lasted for several centuries until its destruction in the 18th century. Today, you can explore the remains of the historic monument and a cemetery stretching back hundreds of years.

The park offers 2 specific viewpoints. The first is Jardin d’enfant (the children’s playground). The other is the top of the hill. Both provide fantastic views of the port and sea. Castle Hill is about 15 minutes south of the Nice city centre.

The Coastal Path winds above the port and beaches and offers stunning views of the French Riviera coastline as well as leading to several other iconic spots to explore. This winding path also leads you past many small cove beaches along the way where you can stop to relax in the sun with calm, shallow waters that are ideal for a dip or for a romantic escape for two and a few intimate moments alone.

Along this path about 15 minutes south of Nice, you’re sure to capture photos of deep blue waters, stark cliffside views and lightly forested landscapes that will light up your social media feed. Cap de Nice is among the most popular spots along the way.

The Garden of Cimiez Arenas - Jardin des Arènes de Cimiez at the bottom of a historic monastery in the northern area of Nice offers superb panoramic city views. It’s just a stone’s throw away from the arena, 6 minutes from the city centre, and is reminiscent of an Italian garden. The garden itself provides plenty of photo opportunities, and once served as the kitchen garden and monks’ orchard for the monastery.

The garden covers nearly a hectare of land and still maintains its original layout with a central well and glorious pergolas covered with climbing roses. In addition to the variety of flora here, in the mornings and late afternoons 6 days a week, you can visit the church.

Mont Boron Park - Parc du Mont Boron is a communal forest that dates to the latter half of the 19th century and is marked by well-labelled hiking trails. The photo opportunities here allow you to capture gorgeous views of the city as well as the ancient trees throughout, including Aleppo pines and other rare species of foliage.

Within the park is the historic Mont-Alban fort, which you can explore as well as take photos of a panorama that allows you to see all the way from the Esterel to Italy and the whole of the Villefranche Bay and Cap-Ferrat peninsula with the Alps far in the distance. It’s all just 15 minutes south-east of the Nice city centre.

Rooftop bars can be found dotted all across Nice, a city that is famous for its vibrant nightlife, and all offer outstanding opportunities for city views, delicious cocktails and parties. Among the more popular locales is the Hotel Aston La Scala’s rooftop Moon Bar with views of the Promenade du Paillon’s gardens.

The B4 Plaza Hotel’s rooftop bar offers views of the sea and city gardens and birds-eye views of the Nice Carnival in season. La Terrasse at the Le Meridian Hotel or the rooftop bar of the Radisson Blu both provide stunning coastal views. The Skylounge Nice in the Notre Dame Basilica puts you in the heart of a historic building with trendy, modern vibes and great views.

Grande Corniche Park - Parc Naturel Départemental de la Grande Corniche rises above one of 3 roads linking Monaco and Nice, offering epic French Riviera views from 700 meters high. One of the most impressive views is that of the village of Eze far below. You can also, however, capture views of the gorgeous historic and cliffside buildings along the way. You’ll be able to see both cities from the park’s summit while you relax in expansive well-tended parklands.

It's both a fantastic way to highlight your social media feed and a spot where you can go to kick back, recharge and take in some peace and serenity after a day’s adventure. It’s only 11 minutes east of Nice.

Nietzsche’s Path is the famed and iconic route Friedrich Nietzsche took when his health began to deteriorate as he traveled to the coastal town of Èze, offering gorgeous natural surroundings. The village is actually two villages, one along the coast and the second a few hundred meters up a steep mountain. The first provides dramatic and iconic coastal views, while the second is a classic medieval town with narrow cobbled streets.

This route offers gorgeous seaside views, green forested paths, mountain vistas and historic avenues and architecture all in one. It is, however, a challenging hike, and for experienced hikers, the trip up the mountain takes about an hour. The path is about a half hour east of Nice.

Belvédère de Villefranche-sur-mer is one of several jaw-dropping lookouts in a small coastal village with quaint buildings, classic and historic fishing ports and dramatic cliffside views. What sets this viewpoint apart from other lookouts in the village is that it’s lesser known, a hidden gem of the region. It’s easy to find, however; simply take a few steps down from the Le Léopolda bus stop and you will be on the terrace.

It offers a broad, charming view over Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and Nice. You’ll see endless stretches of dark waters dotted with pleasure and fishing boats and a stunning cliffside with buildings built right into the stone. It’s only 13 minutes east of the Nice city centre.

Grand Panorama de Nice is among the most famous viewpoints along the shores of the city and is among the highest-rated visitor destinations in all of Nice. From here, you will capture superb views of the curving Riviera seashore, an endless view of the buildings, streets and cliffsides surrounding the city and even cascading human-made waterfalls tumbling down cliffsides through forested surroundings.

This viewpoint is famous for a good reason: it offers almost every kind of photo you could want and has even been the subject of famed paintings, which are detailed on plaques at the summit and whose vistas your photos will replicate. The Grand Panorama is 11 minutes south of the city centre.

Tête de Chien, or “Head of the Dog,” is a famed viewpoint that ascends 550 meters above sea level and looks down upon Monaco. It’s a popular destination for hiking enthusiasts and general travelers alike. Climbing and ascension can be a challenge, though, so be sure to bring your comfortable shoes, water bottles and stamina.

One thing to be aware of before visiting the Head of the Dog: no public transportation access is available here, so you will have to drive. It’s about a 30-minute drive to the north-east of the Nice city centre. If you can make the climb, however, you’re in for a treat with misty mountains in the background and endless dark blue waters