Nice is a kid-friendly town, scattered with parks, gardens, the Promenade des Anglais and a long stretch of coast. The best part of exploring Nice with kids is that the whole family can enjoy the "kid friendly" attractions. All of the following things to see with children are in or near Nice and easily accessible by public transport.
See my selection of great family-friendly accommodation.
Hit the Beach
The
7km string of beaches in Nice that
run from the port to the airport are obviously great for kids to run around. Their little feet will be more comfortable on galets (pebbles) than adults! Are the beaches safe for swimming? Yes but small children should not be left unsupervised as the drop-off can be quite steep. Watch the safety flags carefully (green is good) as they indicate when the sea is too rough to swim. Best is to choose a beach with a lifeguard. See more about safety on Nice beaches.
Some private beaches in Nice have small playground areas for kids and special kids menus.
Best is Li Rateta, a sandy beach maintained by the city for kids 6-17 years old. There's supervised swimming in a pool plus a variety of watersports, beach soccer, beach volleyball, trampolines, frisbee and other organised games. It's open Monday to Saturday 10am-12.30pm and 2-6pm.The price is €12.50/15.50 morning/afternoon session or €20.50 for the whole day. Payment is by credit card only on site from 9-10am and 1.30-2.30pm. Open July and August and Monday to Saturday only. The club is at 71 Promenade des Anglais in front of the Marriott hotel. See here for more information.
Head to Villefranche-sur-Mer
Villefranche-sur-Mer is only 20 minutes by train from Nice and here's a shallow, sandy beach that's perfect for kids.
See more about Villefranche-sur-Mer.
Cool off in the Coulée Verte
The Coulée Verte that runs from Place Massena to MAMAC is a paradise for the little ones. From the water mirror (above) with its rows of spouting fountains to the unique slides and climbers in the playground area, kids can stay busy playing all day.
The whole family will enjoy checking out the well-labeled exotic plants that form the park's botanical garden.
Hop on a Carousel
There are two carousels in Nice, one in the Jardin Albert 1er and another on Place Garibaldi.
Wander the Park Phoenix
This green and shady oasis of exotic vegetation boasts a birdhouse, a petting zoo, an orchid garden, an aquarium and a lake with fish, reptiles, caimans and crocodiles. There's a terrarium, a kiddie park, and a pleasing array of fountains. Active kids will love climbing through the treetop adventure park. Don't forget to say hi to the peacock freely strutting the grounds.
Explore the Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill)
The Colline du Chateau offers a wealth of delight for curious kids. There are reconstructed remains of the old fortress, ancient ruins, a splendid cascade, and a playground in the midst of a vast park.
Don't miss the free Bellandarium that tells the story of Nice with dioramas (open weekends).
More on the Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill).
Grotte de Lazaret
This cave was inhabited by small groups of nomadic Neanderthals around 170,000 years ago. A clever lightshow illuminates the lifestyles and habits of these hunter-gatherers and adjacent exhibits explain (in French) the region's flora, fauna and topographical features.
More museums in Nice.
Naive Art Museum
Located in an old villa in west Nice, the Naive Art Museum is a fun and un-museumy place to visit with kids. The art is accessible to young tastes and it's in the middle of a manicured park dotted with colorful sculptures.
More museums in Nice.
Rent a Bike
Nice is a fantastic city for biking with clearly-marked bike paths running the length of the Promenade des Anglais and many interior streets. Yes, the city-sponsored bike-share program is a possibility but most bikes are electric. I recommend reserving a bike through bikesbooking.com. The minimum age for a rental is six and child seats are available for no extra charge. See more about cycling in Nice including maps, safety advice and more.
But what about winter attractions? No problem! Luna Park is an amusement park that takes over a vast lot outside the Palais des Expositions during the Christmas holidays. There are rides, games, toy stands and more.
Why not have some family fun solving riddles and puzzles on your smartphone? It's all about Nice's Christmas market.
Or an escape game with clues scattered through the Old Town?
Also during the holidays is the giant Ferris Wheel installed on the Place Massena.
And don't forget the colorful Nice Carnival with floats and flower battles that takes place around Fat Tuesday in February.
Hotel Cresp **
Located in the heart of the the Old Town, the beloved Hotel Cresp has triples and quads available with mezzanine beds. Some rooms have balconies and there's a communal terrace.
Hotel Florence ***
The excellent three-star Hotel Florence is practically on top of the Jean Medecin tram stop and faces the Nice Etoile shopping center. The doubles, triples and suites have fridges and coffee machines; the higher-priced rooms have a balcony or terrace.
With three bedrooms, three baths and a living room this luxurious apartment is perfect for a family or small group. It's perfectly located right on the edge of the Old Town and is the kitchen is well-equipped with all necessary devices.
L'Abeille Boutique Apartments ****
The stylish apartments in L'Abeille are in the Port neighborhood. offer a high level of style and comfort at a reasonable price. There are studio apartments, duplexes with a terrace or balcony and two-bedroom apartments. Having breakfast or cocktails in the common garden is a wonderful way to start the day or relax after a day of sightseeing.
Prestige Mont Boron ****
This high-end spacious apartment in Mont Boron boasts two bedrooms, two bathrooms, a terrace and a living room with panoramic sea views. It's in a luxury building with an elevator and a swimming pool.
The Jay Hotel Happy Culture ****
The Jay hotel in the Carre d'Or neighborhood offers a selection of fully-equipped apartments plus the convenience of a 24-hour front desk. It's even possible to order breakfast. There are studios and one-bedroom apartments available, all with AC and with elevator access, some with balconies.
Follow a self-guided walking tour with Nice Uncovered: Walks Through the Secret Heart of a Historic City which is filled with fun stories and out-of-the-way sights. More about the book here.
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Hi! I'm Jeanne and I've been living on the Riviera for years. With my local insights your trip will be easy and fun. And, do check out my book Nice Uncovered: Walks Through the Secret Heart of a Historic City. More about me here.
