car hire nice
Pick up your hire car at Nice airport and you're ready to enjoy the beauty and the beaches of the French Riviera. Book car hire nice airport terminal 1 now
the 60-second guide to Nice
in its own head
"Azure seas, beautiful beaches and a Mediterranean climate - it's no wonder this city's called Nice. There's no better place to sit back, enjoy the sun and sip on an ice-cold G&T."
but more realistically
There's more to Nice than lounging on the beach. The city has enough museums to quench anyone's thirst for knowledge, while history buffs will be turned on by the ancient Roman ruins.
the vibe
Had your fill of sun, sea and culture? Then grab a seat in one of the many squares, enjoy an espresso and watch the locals stroll by wearing sunglasses.
the natives
Nice is, like much of the French Riviera, a playground for the rich and famous. Expect to rub shoulders with the odd Formula 1 driver in the local supermarket.
the weather
Don't forget to pack your flip-flops - Nice is pretty warm all year round, especially between May and October. Prepare for a spot of rain between September and March though.
the local speciality
A pan-bagnat - essentially a Nicoise salad in a bap - is a local lunch favourite. They're also partial to a bowl of ratatouille on the Cote d'Azur.
the celebrity
Celebrity babies Knox Leon and Vivienne Marcheline - the spawn of Hollywood superstars Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt - were born at the Lenval Hospital in Nice.
did you know?
During the 1500s local heroine Catherine Segurane apparently helped defend Nice from Turkish invaders by exposing her bare bottom and offending their morals.
they say
"Nice has an undeniably sophisticated touch with its cafe terraces and palm-lined seaside promenade stretching along the water." - Time Out Guide
5 to see in town...
- 1. Jardin Botanique de la Ville de Nice
- 2. Old Nice
- 3: Promenade des Anglais
- 4: Le Chateau
- 5: Cours Saleya Flower Market
Wake up and smell the roses. What better way than to start your day with a stroll around Nice's botanical gardens, home to more than 3,500 plant species?
where to park?
You can park your hire car for free in the botanical gardens' own on-site car park.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Jardin Botanique de la Ville de Nice
- 2. Old Nice
- 3: Promenade des Anglais
- 4: Le Chateau
- 5: Cours Saleya Flower Market
Old Nice hasn't changed much over the last 200 years, although the bars are probably livelier now. The baroque Chapelle de la Misericorde, the Palais Lascaris and various markets are all worth visiting.
where to park?
Old Nice is pedestrian only. You can park your hire car in the car park in Place Massena and walk from there. They charge €2.30 an hour.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Jardin Botanique de la Ville de Nice
- 2. Old Nice
- 3: Promenade des Anglais
- 4: Le Chateau
- 5: Cours Saleya Flower Market
Nice's seafront promenade is the place to be seen. Take a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais on a Sunday morning, but be careful not to get knocked over by the skaters.
where to park?
Parking Arenas in Avenue Charles Buchet is near this pedestrian promenade. It is free for the first 45 minutes and then €1.80 an hour.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Jardin Botanique de la Ville de Nice
- 2. Old Nice
- 3: Promenade des Anglais
- 4: Le Chateau
- 5: Cours Saleya Flower Market
Unfortunately the castle overlooking Nice was destroyed in 1706. But with great views over the city, Roman ruins and a waterfall, it's worth paying the site a visit.
where to park?
Either park your hire car in the car park in Avenue des Phoceens and then walk up the 113 steps or use the elevator, or park in Parking Arenas in Avenue Charles Buchet and take the train.
5 to see in town...
- 1. Jardin Botanique de la Ville de Nice
- 2. Old Nice
- 3: Promenade des Anglais
- 4: Le Chateau
- 5: Cours Saleya Flower Market
The Cours Saleya is a great place to grab a coffee, have a bite to eat, or browse the shops. As the name suggests, it also runs an impressive flower market.
where to park?
The market has its own parking in Cours Saleya. It's €1.10 per half an hour.
and 4 to drive to...
Among the attractions at the coastal town of Antibes is the Picasso Museum, home to one of the biggest collections of the Spaniard's work anywhere in the world.
how to get there?
Follow the coast road southwards towards Cannes, and you'll find the well-signposted Antibes about 13 miles from Nice.
and 4 to drive to...
The Italian city of Genoa isn't far up the coast from Nice. Check out the old city - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - and the famous Monumental Cemetery of Staglieno.
how to get there?
Take the A8 along the coast northwards. It becomes the A10, which takes you towards Genoa, about a 120-mile journey.
and 4 to drive to...
If you thought Nice's inhabitants like to flash the cash, take the short drive to the tax haven of Monaco, where some of Europe's highest rollers hang out at the world-famous casino.
how to get there?
Point your hire car north towards the A8 and follow signs to Monaco. It's only 10 miles from the centre of Nice.
and 4 to drive to...
Head for the old-style glamour of Saint-Tropez, famous for its spectacularly expensive yachts and sun-drenched beaches.
how to get there?
Take the A8 south to exit 36, where you can follow signs to Saint-Tropez. It's about an hour and a half drive.
ask a Nice cabbie!
Local taxi driver Karim Belkhadra on car hire in Nice: "Outside of summer, driving in Nice is a breeze - there are lots of parking spaces available and the roads are uncongested. In summer it seems that the whole of Europe descends on Nice and sometimes it might be easier to park your hire car in a central car park and walk around the centre of town. If you're out in the evening be aware that many areas that are pedestrianised during the day, such as the Marche aux Fleurs, become open to cars in the evenings and are a great place to park."