The Opéra de Nice, built in 1885, stands on the site of a former theatre that had occupied the location for over a century. Its predecessor was tragically destroyed by a gas explosion during the opening night of Lucia di Lammermoor in 1881, which resulted in a devastating fire and the deaths of three singers. The new opera house was designed by François Aune, a student of Gustave Eiffel, and inaugurated on 7 February 1885 with a performance of Verdi’s Aida. Inside, the décor reflects a refined blend of Niçois tradition, French elegance, and Italianate style, with highlights including a ceiling fresco of the Chariot of the Sun, sculpted representations of the Muses, and an impressive chandelier illuminated by 600 bulbs. Declared a historical monument in 1993, the Opéra has since undergone modernisation of its stage and orchestra pit while preserving many of its original features. With seating for 1,093 guests, it continues to host a rich programme of operas, ballets, and classical concerts, and is the proud home of the Nice Philharmonic Orchestra. It’s a cultural experience not to be missed while in Nice.
No visit to Nice would be complete without wandering the charming streets of the Old Town. Known as Vieux Nice in French, it is the historic and cultural heart of the city with over 2000 years of stories to tell. Our private three-hour walking tour is a great way to make the most of your time in the city, covering the most iconic highlights of the Old Town as well as some lesser-known local favourites thanks to your expert guide.
On your 3-hour private tour, you will:
Step into the heart of the French Riviera on a captivating private walking tour of Nice with a passionate local expert guide who will guide you through the quaint streets and sun-drenched squares of the Old Town, weaving stories of ancient Greeks, medieval intrigue, and Belle Époque elegance into a rich tapestry of culture and history. Your journey begins in Place Masséna, the city’s elegant main square, where Italianate architecture meets modern glamour. Just steps away, you’ll be greeted by the striking Fontaine du Soleil and its commanding statue of Apollo. Soon you will make your way towards the seafront, pausing to admire the bold modernism of the Neuf Lignes Obliques sculpture before uncovering the surprising tale of Nice’s replica of the Statue of Liberty on the Quai des États-Unis, an unexpected nod to the shared histories of France and the United States.
The tour continues past the graceful façade of the Opéra de Nice, a beloved institution that reflects the city’s deep artistic roots. From there, you’ll slip into the sensory feast of the Cours Saleya market, where the scent of lavender, the flash of ripe produce, and the chatter of vendors invite you to linger (if open at the time of the tour). As you navigate the winding lanes of the Old Town with the help of your guide, you’ll uncover the grandeur of the Neoclassical Palais de Justice, the stately Palace of the Prefecture, which once housed dukes and royals, and the solemn beauty of the 17th-century Nice Cathedral, learning the importance of these landmarks to the city’s cultural heritage along the way.
You’ll feel the pulse of daily life in Place Rossetti, a lively square framed by cafés and gelaterias, before ascending Castle Hill, which is widely regarded as the original site of the Ancient Greek settlement that became Nice. From the historic Bellanda Tower, you will take in a breathtaking panoramic view of Nice’s rooftops spilling into the azure Mediterranean, an image you'll carry long after your travels end. You will then make your way back into the city to conclude your urban adventure at the promenade. Your guide will be happy to provide tailored recommendations for restaurants or things to do around the city before bidding you adieu.
Ideal for travellers looking for a culturally rich experience, this tour is a seamless blend of discovery, storytelling, and spectacular scenery. Whether it's your first time in Nice or you’re returning with fresh eyes, you'll come away with a newfound appreciation for its timeless charm.
Nice is a true gem of the Côte D’Azur, combining a rich, layered history shaped by many different cultures with gorgeous scenery and quintessential French Riviera glamour. Its compact and colourful Old Town is easily explored on foot, and venturing beyond the historic heart of the city, you’ll find a wealth of interesting architecture, Roman ruins, ritzy neighbourhoods and spectacular viewpoints. Our comprehensive full-day tour, combining a stroll through Vieux Nice with a scenic drive through the rest of the city, offers the best of both worlds, with your experienced local guide helping you discover the major highlights as well as some intriguing local favourites tailored to your particular interests.
On your private full-day tour, you will:
Your guide will meet you at your hotel and lead you into Vieux Nice, the old town that has been the soul of the city since its earliest days. These narrow, cobblestone streets reward slow exploration, and your guide will ensure you see both the landmarks and the hidden corners that most visitors walk straight past. You'll take in the grandeur of Place Masséna, the city's elegant central square, before weaving through the old town to discover impressive buildings like the Palais de Justice and the Palace of the Kings of Sardinia, both of which speak to Nice's layered and often surprising history.
Your route may take you to the Cathédrale Sainte-Réparate, a lovely Baroque church that presides over the intimate Place Rossetti with quiet authority, and to the Opéra de Nice, whose ornate facade is a reminder of the city's longstanding appetite for culture and spectacle. You’ll also step inside the charming Cours Saleya, Nice's irresistible open-air market, where the stalls are piled high with olives, fresh produce, flowers, and the kind of local specialities that you'll find yourself thinking about long after you've left.
The morning culminates with a climb up Castle Hill, rising dramatically above the old town and the sea. The panoramic views from the top are among the finest in Nice, with the curve of the Baie des Anges laid out below you in one direction and the glittering harbour in the other. Along the way, you'll pass the Bellanda Tower, a distinctive round fortification with its own quiet history, and a picturesque waterfall that tends to catch visitors pleasantly off guard. It's a fittingly dramatic high point to the morning's explorations, after which you'll stroll back down into the city and along the Promenade des Anglais to lunch. Your guide will be happy to suggest somewhere that suits your taste, whether you're after a classic Niçois bistro or something a little more relaxed.
After lunch, you’ll avail of your private transportation to cruise along the Promenade des Anglais, with its procession of grand facades and that endlessly photogenic sweep of coastline. You'll pass the legendary Hôtel Negresco, with its pink dome and Belle Époque extravagance making it one of the most recognisable buildings on the entire Riviera, before heading to the Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas, Nice's Russian Orthodox Cathedral, a building so ornate and unexpected in its surroundings that it tends to stop people in their tracks. Built in the early 20th century to serve the large Russian aristocratic community that wintered on the Riviera, it remains one of the most architecturally striking buildings in the city.
From there, the tour heads up to Cimiez, the hillside neighbourhood that rises above the city to the northeast. This is where the European nobility came to winter in the belle époque era, and the grand villas and hotels of that golden age are still very much in evidence. But Cimiez also holds older secrets: the remains of a Roman settlement, including baths, an amphitheatre and the traces of a significant ancient town, sit in the middle of a quiet residential neighbourhood, surrounded by beautiful gardens that are peaceful enough to feel like a world apart from the city below.
Next comes Mont Boron, the wooded hill to the east of the city, whose position makes it one of the great viewpoints in the area. From up here, the perspective shifts dramatically: behind you, Nice and the full arc of the Baie des Anges; ahead, the stunning Rade de Villefranche, one of the deepest natural harbours in the Mediterranean, its impossibly blue water enclosed by hills on every side. It's a view that puts the whole stretch of this coastline into perspective, and a deeply satisfying note on which to approach the end of the day. The tour rounds out with a visit to Place Garibaldi, the handsome arcaded square on the northern edge of the old town named after the Italian nationalist hero who was born in Nice, and a look at the striking MAMAC building (The Modern and Contemporary Art Museum) whose bold geometric architecture makes it one of the city's most distinctive landmarks even from the outside.
By the time your guide returns you to your hotel or any alternative central location of your choice, you'll have enjoyed a riveting ride through one of the most beautiful cities in France, and gained a deeper appreciation for its distinctive history, architecture and culture.
Join the fastest growing community of professional tour guides.
Use our easy to integrate toolset to include Tours & Attractions in your customer journey.