One Night in Nice + Monte Carlo: Is the French Riviera Overrated?
The French Riviera is one of the most desired vacation spots in the world: with Cannes being famous for its annual film festival and Monte Carlo in Monaco being known for its glitz & glam – but is this popular France vacation destination overrated?
View of Nice from Castle Hill; September 2025
Despite having lived in Paris for almost two years and been traveling to Europe for almost a decade, I had never made my way to the French Riviera – and Nice and Monte Carlo were always at the top of my list.
I took the train down to Paris, which a non-stop train from Paris to Nice is around 5 hours and 42 minutes. It’s a long ride, but worth the trip – especially if you end up staying for multiple days in a row.
First Impressions of Nice
First off the bat, Nice surprised me with how colorful it was. The streets are named in both French and Italian, and I even heard people speaking Italian “preggo” while I was walking the streets – and that’s because this region of France once belonged to Italy.
Church in Nice; June 2023
Nice is basically like being on the Italian Riviera (such as Cinque Terre) but being like being in France.
Personally, I prefer this over the Italian Riviera – but some of that may be due to the fact I speak French and live in France.
How to Spend One Night in NicE
In my short time in Nice, here’s what I did and saw:
Promenade des Anglais
Old Town Nice
Place Masséna
Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption
2 hour trip to Monte Carlo
If you have more than one night in Nice, here’s what I also recommend seeing and doing:
🌊☀️ Additional Things to Do in Nice
🏰 Castle Hill
Castle Hill offers some of the best panoramic coastline views in all of Nice. If you don’t feel like hiking to the top, there’s also an elevator available. Once you’re up there, you’ll find scenic viewpoints, waterfalls, shaded walking paths, and a peaceful park atmosphere overlooking the Mediterranean.
⛪ Russian Orthodox Cathedral
One of the most unique buildings in Nice, the Russian Orthodox Cathedral stands out for its colorful domes and striking architecture. Despite being so beautiful, it’s usually much quieter than other tourist attractions and is easily walkable from the city center.
🚆 Explore Nearby Villages
From Villefranche-sur-Mer and Èze to Cap-d’Ail and Menton, there are endless places to visit as a day trip from Nice . One of the best parts of staying in Nice is how easy it is to explore the rest of the French Riviera by train.
MY Honest Take on Nice: Is the French Riviera Overrated?
There are lots of places in the world that people deem as overrated, with the French Riviera being one of them.
Luckily, I’m going to break down all of the main places I visited in Nice, and have since visited numerous times, to share my honest opinion on whether I think the French Riviera is overrated or not.
Promenade Des Anglais
A 7 kilometer (about 3.5 mile) stretch from old town Nice to the airport, the Promenade des Anglais is a beautiful walk that hugs the coast.
Famous white-and-blue stripped beach chairs on Promenade des Anglais; Nice in June 2023
The beach is mostly made up of pebbles, but the great thing about Nice is that you can easily take a train to nearby villages such as Villefranche-sur-mer or Cap-d'ail (again, making this all very reminiscent of Cinque Terre).
Overrated? Maybe a little for Americans who are expecting more of a boardwalk lined with lots of shopping or food vendors – but it’s still worth seeing as it makes for a nice stroll when sunny, bike ride, or just to take a pause at the end of the day.
Main Beach in Nice
All along the Promenade des Anglais the main beach in Nice, which doesn’t have the nicest sand – but does have lovely vibes all times of day, as it’s pretty family friendly.
Beach in Nice off of Promenade des Anglais; June 2023
Overrated? Yes, Nice's main beach is a bit overrated – but this one isn’t Nice’s fault – it’s just that the best beaches are alongside the villages, which are all only a short train ride away from Nice!
Want to see some of the better beaches near Nice? Watch me explore them in my travel vlog below!
Old Town Nice
If you’ve traveled around Europe, the Old Town in Nice won’t phase you too much as it won’t be anything you haven’t seen before. However, I will say – it is one of the more colorful and lively old towns in Europe that I’ve seen.
Walking around Old Town Nice; September 2025
Overrated? Absolutely not! The old town in Nice is one of the best ones I have seen all over Europe, making it a must-see while in the French Riviera.
Don’t forget to get a gelato, while you’re here – as Nice has a lot of cultural elements of Italy!
Lots of sorbet options in Nice for vegans, too!
What I Loved About Nice
I didn’t know what to expect from Nice as many of my French friends don’t think much of it, but honestly – I was surprised by its beauty. Colorful, lively, on the water, and surrounded by hills – I think it makes for the perfect base for a French Riviera holiday.
View from Nice Riquier station; June 2023
Place Masséna
One of the main squares in Nice’s city center, you’ll definitely want to walk by Place Masséna while in the French Riviera.
Place Masséna in Nice; June 2023
This place is probably the quintessential image you have in your head of Nice when you think of this Southern French city. It’s quite pretty and the colors reminded me of Spain, here!
Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption
If you like the Notre-Dame in Paris, you’ll really want to see the one in Nice.
Basilique Notre-Dame de l’Assomption in Nice; September 2025
In retrospect, I probably should’ve headed to Castle Hill before it closed at 8PM instead of seeing this church – but I’m not mad about it, as I got to see Nice start to liven up at night. This is where I noticed that just like Paris, Nice has a lot of shopping – and is a city that livens up near the end of the day.
I had heard some people say before that Nice is like Paris on water, but it couldn’t be any further from the truth.
The overview cards below will reveal some of the expectations vs. reality for visiting Nice:
👀✅ Nice Expectations vs. Reality
| 👀 Expectation | ✅ Reality |
👥 CrowdsNice will feel completely packed and overwhelming because it’s one of the most famous places on the French Riviera. |
👥 CrowdsNice Old Town can be somewhat crowded at night, but the French Riviera as a whole really isn’t that overwhelming — especially if you’re used to cities like London and New York . |
💸 PricesNice will be wildly expensive everywhere you go, especially when it comes to restaurants, cafés, and dinners by the water. |
💸 PricesNice isn’t really that expensive unless you’re dining at super touristy places on the water or choosing a typical brasserie where the food isn’t worth the price. Overall, dining really isn’t that bad. |
🏖️ Beach QualityThe beaches will be soft, sandy, and easy to lounge on like other classic Mediterranean beach destinations. |
🏖️ Beach QualityNice’s beach is beautiful, but it’s pebbly rather than sandy — so water shoes or a thicker towel can make a huge difference if you plan to actually lounge there. |
🚆 Train LogisticsGetting around the French Riviera by train will be confusing, stressful, or only realistic if you rent a car. |
🚆 Day-Trip PracticalityNice is extremely easy for day trips with trains from both Nice-Ville and Nice-Riquier to places like Monte Carlo, Èze, Cannes , and more. |
🌙 Atmosphere at NightNice will be sleepy at night, with not much going on after dinner outside of the main promenade. |
🌙 Atmosphere at NightNice is alive at night! The Old Town is super fun and charming without being overwhelming. In fact, I sometimes prefer Nice at night — especially around the Old Town — over the daytime. |
Downtown Nice; June 2023
Before I did all of these things in Nice, I took a two-hour trip to Monte Carlo & Monaco!
Monte Carlo, Monaco
In my two hours in Monaco, I saw almost everything in Monte Carlo besides the Princess Grace Japanese Garden.
Porte de Fontvielle
Prince’s Palace & Old Town
Saint Nicolas Cathedral
Monte Carlo Cassino
Hotel de Paris
First Impressions of Monte Carlo
Right off of the bat, Monte Carlo reminded me of Luxembourg City – except more manicured and upscale.
I was also surprisingly stunned how beautiful it all was. If there’s one word for Monaco, it’s manicured. I have never seen a place better well kept – and I’ve traveled to 28 different countries!
View of Monaco walking down from Monaco train station; June 2023
Porte de Fontvielle
I arranged this walking tour so I could do everything in two hours before heading back to Nice. However, you have to be cognizant of the time and climb up all the stairs at a good speed to make it. If you stay in Nice for multiple days, you could plan a half day trip to Monaco – but more than that may have you a little bored unless you’re a millionaire willing to drop a pretty penny somewhere.
My first stop, heading down the “mountain” of Monaco – was this old port.
Porte de Fontvielle; Monte Carlo in June 2023
Prince’s Palace & Old Town
Next up is the Prince’s Palace, and while I’m not a fan of castles – the VIEW heading up to Prince’s Palace is, well… priceless.
Simply stunning – a magnification view of Monte Carlo.
Is Monte Carlo Walkable?
No, Monte Carlo isn’t in the slightest sense walkable – as it’s a city truly made for cars. I would even venture to say that Monte Carlo is the least pedestrian city I have ever seen in my entire life.
You can walk around Monte Carlo, but bear in mind there will be lots of hills and it could get frustrating – as you’ll find yourself needing to cross the street a lot with no nearby crosswalk.
Prince’s Palace in Monaco; June 2023
Old Town Monte Carlo
Similar to Nice, there’s an Old Town at the top of the hill where the palace is. It is worth a quick walk through or peek, but the Old Town is more lively in Nice – so I wouldn’t spend too much time here.
Old Town in Monaco; June 2023
Saint Nicolas Cathedral
Nearby is another beautiful cathedral that you’ll probably stumble across while wandering near old town Monte Carlo,
Saint Nicolas Cathedral in Monaco; June 2023
This was nice, but honestly – I personally preferred my 20 minute walk back to the heart of Monte Carlo and discovering the country/city/state more.
Is Monte Carlo Worth Visiting?
Yes, I think everyone should see Monte Carlo at least once in their lifetime – as it’s a stunning port city and the Casino is absolutely beautiful. That being said, I don’t think you need to actually stay in Monte Carlo – as it works better as a short day trip from Nice or elsewhere in the French Riviera.
Every park and garden in Monaco is like a story book or fake universe – too perfect and manicured to be true.
Monte Carlo Casino
No trip to Monte Carlo is complete without a trip to the Casino, and yes – I did see some high-end red sports cars leaving the valet.
View of Monte Carlo Cassino in Monte Carlo, Monaco; September 2025
This is also the area where all the high end shopping is, and where the exterior shots for the Hotel de Paris were done in the Selena Gomez 2011 Movie – Monte Carlo!
Overrated? Not in the slightest. The Monte Carlo Casino is gorgeous both inside and out, making it well worth the visit while in the French Riviera.
View of water near Monte Carlo; June 2023
Is the French Riviera overrated?
Deciding on whether the French Riviera is overrated or not depends on what you’re looking for, but from my honest point of view with several trips to the Côte d’Auzr under my belt – no, I don’t think the French Riviera is overrated. In fact, I think it makes for a great few days to week long getaway if you make the most of the trains and visit all of the surrounding villages.
Who Would Love the French Riviera
Anyone who loves photography, beach time, or wandering around charming towns will love staying in the French Rivera – as it offers the perfect mix of exploration and relaxation.
🌊☀️ Who Should Visit Nice? ☀️🌊
🏖️ Beach Lovers
Nice is perfect for travelers who want beach days mixed with city life. Between the Promenade des Anglais, beach clubs, and quick access to nearby coastal towns, there’s endless water and sunshine to enjoy.
🐚 Slower Travelers
Nice is ideal for travelers who enjoy slower mornings, café culture, scenic walks, and soaking up atmosphere rather than rushing through packed itineraries every day.
🥂 Luxury Travelers
From upscale hotels and rooftop bars to yacht-lined harbors and designer shopping nearby in Monaco or Cannes, Nice works beautifully for luxury-oriented travelers.
📸 Photographers
Between the pastel buildings, turquoise water, colorful shutters, markets, sunsets, and nearby villages like Èze or Menton, Nice is honestly a dream for photography lovers.
🌴 Retirees
Nice has a calmer and more relaxed pace than many major European cities, making it especially appealing for retirees seeking beautiful weather, walkability, and peaceful scenery.
🎒 Solo Travelers
Nice is excellent for solo travelers because it feels safe, walkable, and easy to navigate while still offering plenty to do — especially if you enjoy wandering, beach time, cafés, or day trips.
Such beautiful architecture!
Who Might Find Nice Overrated?
I think Americans who are expecting a boardwalk kind of like fantasy beach towns found on shows like The Summer I Turned Pretty could be easily disappointed by Nice, as it’s not as glitzy or glamorous as other places on the French Riviera like St. Tropez or Cannes – presenting itself as a bit more rough around the edges than what people might expect.
Have additional questions about Nice and the French Riviera? Read more to find answers to anything else you might be wondering about before a trip to Nice.
🌊☀️🇫🇷 Nice & French Riviera FAQs 🇫🇷☀️🌊
Want to see more of Nice and Monte Carlo in action?
Watch my YouTube video below!
Looking to read more about France to plan your trip to the French Riviera?
Click here to read all about my travels in France, as I’m an American living in Paris with ample knowledge on my adoptive country!
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Last updated: May 17, 2026