Where to Stay in Nice, France – The Best Areas & Hotels

Where to Stay in Nice for YOU

Click on the link you’re interested in above to see the best hotel in the area.

The Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Nice – Pros & Cons

Discover what each neighborhood has to offer and the pros and cons of each right below.

The BEST Area to Stay in Nice: Vieux Nice

Not many places in the south of France are as magnificent and iconic as the Vieux Nice. If you want to experience the best of the Côte d’Azur and want to try the Mediterranean lifestyle, it is for sure your best bet.

First off, you’ve guessed it, it is located in the center of the city and features some of its best monuments and sights. If you elect to stay in the Vieux Nice, you won’t find a better location!

That’s not all there is to it though, as it also features plenty of lovely markets, where you’ll find vibrant flowers and excellent local products. Plus, what I personally love most about it is definitely its incredible, colorful architecture, and its cute, paved streets.

Here’s my selection of the best accommodations in Vieux Nice by travel style:

✅ Best Hotel – Aparthotel AMMI Vieux Nice: This is the best accommodation and also a good budget option with an ideal location and superb interior. 

✨ Luxury Choice – Cosy modern studio: You’ll immediately fall in love with the interior design of this studio in the heart of Nice, in one of the best possible locations in all of the city.

💰 Budget Pick – Cosy studio: This place is all you need for a budget-friendly holiday. On top of its ideal location, you will love the cleanliness of its interior and the comfort of its bed.

Where to Stay in Nice France on a Budget: Pasteur

Nice is pretty famous for being a quite expensive city in France. But, if you travel off-season or cook your own food, you can make pretty significant savings.

Another great idea would be to stay in a cheaper neighborhood, and that comes in the form of the Pasteur Quarter in Nice.

Located in the northeastern part of the city, this neighborhood is definitely the best compromise when it comes to value for money. Named after the Pasteur Hospital, which covers a large portion of the area, it is more popular and cosmopolitan than its neighboring areas.

In the Pasteur Quarter, you will love strolling around on one of its many walks, or simply resting in a large green space.

Here’s my selection of the best accommodations in Pasteur by travel style:

✅ Best Hotel – Escapades Ensoleillées: It is ideally located in the southernmost tip of the Pasteur quarter (closest to the city center), and is both immaculately clean and modernly equipped.

✨ Luxury Choice – Le Loft: This entire apartment has all you need for a comfortable and fancy stay. For a crowded city such as Nice, it is particularly spacious, and it is equipped with so many amenities you will never want to leave it.

💰 Budget Pick – Superbe appartement style architecte/unique: If you decide to stay there, you will enjoy a bright and fully equipped apartment, with its own lovely balcony.

Where to Stay in Nice with Kids: Valrose

Located in northern Nice but still reachable via tramway, the Valrose Quarter is the ideal place for a stay with kids. It’s both safe and peaceful, and you won’t ever be bothered by anyone if you decide to stay there.

As already mentioned, this neighborhood still offers easy access to the center of Nice, without being buzzing with activity: you can either take the bus or the tramway and reach the Vieux Nice in a heartbeat.

There are plenty of small shops, in which you can find all you need for your stay, and I’m sure you and your family will adore the laid-back lifestyle Valrose has to offer.

Here’s my selection of the best accommodations in Valrose by travel style:

✅ Best Hotel – Apartment Saint Christophe by Interhome: Although relatively small, this apartment is smartly designed and furnished, and it just feels welcoming and cute. But the highlight of this place is definitely the exceptional views! 

✨ Luxury Choice – Divine Villa: This villa is particularly relaxing with a large swimming pool, and is the ideal getaway if you want to disconnect from your busy life.

💰 Budget Pick – En plein coeur de Nice: This cozy little apartment is located in southern Valrose, near the center of Nice. Not only is it thus nicely located, but it is also furnished with all you need, including a long balcony. 

Best Place to Stay in Nice for Beaches: Carras

Nice and the rest of the Côte d’Azur are renowned for boasting some of the best beaches in Europe. And if you want to try and enjoy them as much as possible, then you should stay in the Carras Quarter.

This lively neighborhood, although perfect for resting by the seaside, isn’t that far away from the center of the city, and it offers an unforgettable French summer experience.

That’s not all there is to it though, otherwise, I wouldn’t have put it on this list. As a matter of fact, Carras used to be a fishermen’s village, and it thus has its own charm and authenticity. Plus, it is famous for playing boules, which is a pretty funny French sport!

Here’s my selection of the best accommodations in Carras by travel style:

✅ Best Hotel – Nice west cosy flat: this accommodation is the best you will find in Carras district. So, if you want a stay by the beach in a great hotel, go ahead and pick this one!

✨ Luxury Choice – Douceur d’Azur: This place located right by the beachfront is very well-designed, with an exceptionally comfortable and relaxing outdoor area.

💰 Budget Pick – La ChAmBRe FAitE pOuR TOi: This room is located a few minutes away from the beachfront of Carras and offers beautiful views of the garden. Plus, it has its own terrace and a free parking spot.

Where to Stay in Nice for Nightlife: Le Port

Can you imagine how it feels like to step on the beach in the early morning after a fun night out in Nice?

You will feel the music of the nightclub you just left while staring at a magnificent sunrise, not many people (except the very early birds!) will witness; definitely a magical moment! If this idea sparks a light in your eyes, then you should stay in Le Port, the harbor of Nice.

There, you will have access to buzzing nightlife, from all of the restaurants, nightclubs, and bars to the beachfront and its magical views.

This neighborhood is not limited to its nightly entertainment though, as it is colorful and features beautiful monuments!

Here’s my selection of the best accommodations in Le Port by travel style:

✅ Best Hotel – Port de Nice: It is exceptionally spacious, clean, and well designed, and offers easy access to the tramway lines. Plus, it is fairly affordable despite being located in one of Nice’s best areas!

✨ Luxury Choice – Villa Lotus Penthouse by iVillamia: This otherworldly villa is all you’ve ever dreamt of and even more. Spotlessly clean, stunningly decorated, and offering jaw-dropping views, it is the place to be!

💰 Budget Pick – Studio 33: This original, cozy 1-room apartment is equipped with all the basic necessities for a comfortable stay.

Coolest Area to Stay in Nice: Jean Médecin – Masséna

Sure, what you will consider “cool” isn’t necessarily what I picture to be cool, but I think there are a few things we can agree on, at the very least.

For instance, I’m sure you will love having easy access to the beaches, without directly living on the crowded beachfront. And if that’s your case, then you should stay in the Jean Médecin – Massena neighborhood.

Place Masséna is a large, iconic plaza of Nice which you should definitely visit even if you don’t stay there; Avenue Jean Médecin is an avenue where you’ll find plenty of interesting shopping addresses.

Particularly well served when it comes to tramways, the Jean Médecin – Masséna <quarter is also well known for its lush green spaces and its carnival!

Here’s my selection of the best accommodations in Jean Médecin – Masséna by travel style:

✅ Best Hotel – Aparthotel AMMI Nice Lafayette: Ideally located, this hotel is extremely comfy, immaculately clean, and equipped with modern equipment. Besides, the staff will pamper you like a movie star!

✨ Luxury Choice – Hôtel Apollinaire Nice: This hotel offers the most pleasant and high-standard experience in the area. While its interior is fancy and very bright, its rooms are well soundproofed and its beds are of the utmost comfort.

💰 Budget Pick – Appartements Massena: Nicely located, clean, and fully equipped, these apartments offer all you need for a budget-friendly stay. And the area is very peaceful, so no one can ever bother you!

Best Place to Stay in Nice for Local Vibe: Libération

If you are one of these travelers who are looking for an authentic, local lifestyle during your holiday above anything else, I think you will be pleased with the Libération Quarter in Nice. And, trust me, living like a genuine southern Frenchman or woman is particularly enjoyable!

Named after the main square of the area, the Place de la Libération, the Libération Quarter is a cosmopolitan neighborhood. There, you will find the local market, local stores such as boulangeries (bakeries), tasty restaurants, and unique clothing boutiques.

The reason I believe it is ideal for its local vibe is because it is located a bit further away from the coveted beachfront, and you will enjoy a quiet atmosphere.

Here’s my selection of the best accommodations in Libération by travel style:

✅ Best Hotel – La terrasse: Fully equipped and well hidden from the sun without being too dark, it is the place to be to start or end a long, sunny day in Nice. The interior is tastefully designed, and you will feel just like home.

✨ Luxury Choice – La Casa Reine Jeanne: Brand new, this apartment is entirely equipped with absolutely anything you could ever wish for. Overall, an unforgettable experience awaits you there!

💰 Budget Pick – Hôtel & Appartements Monsigny: This hotel offers such high value for money that I have very rarely seen that, and I can only recommend you to stay there. Equipped with high-quality amenities and serving a fresh breakfast buffet, it offers well-rounded services.

Where is the best place to stay in Nice for first-timers?

If this is your first time in Nice and you are looking for the best overall experience, then my personal advice is to stay in the Vieux Nice, my favorite neighborhood of the southern city.

There, you will have access to all you need, won’t get lost with the transportation (because you can walk all around it) and will enjoy a concentrate of all the best things of Nice!

What are the areas to avoid in Nice?

Personally, I don’t think that there are particularly dangerous areas in Nice, and you don’t have to be afraid of anything prior to traveling.

However, if I had to pick a few areas to avoid, I wouldn’t stay in the Ariane – Bon Voyage (East), Les Moulins (West), and Las Planas (North). Aside from these, you should be good to go!

How many days is enough for Nice?

If you truly are in a rush, a single day in Nice will already give you a great overview of the Mediterranean city and its atmosphere.

Nevertheless, my personal opinion on that matter is that you should stay for at least 2 days there, and take some time to discover all about it.

Final Thoughts

These were my 7 favorite neighborhoods in Nice, alongside their best hotels. I hope you learned more about this magnificent city, and that you have made your decision for your next holiday.

Just in case you still haven’t, allow me to remind you of this: overall, there is no better place than the Vieux Nice, with its cute streets, gorgeous architecture, and ideal location, and you simply cannot go wrong with it!

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