Flight to Nice (NCE)

Flying to Nice: tips and information for your trip

Caught between the foot of the Alps and the shores of the French Riviera, the quiet town of Nice became a hotspot for wealthy British families looking to find the perfect winter-sun holiday in the 18th century. Since then, Nice has blossomed with tourists from all over the world coming for the weather, then staying for the food, beaches, nightlife and culture.

So, book your cheap Nice flights via Brussels Airlines today to discover the relaxed, sun-soaked lifestyle and glamour of this thriving Mediterranean town for yourself on a relaxing Nice holiday.

What to do in Nice?

1. The top thing to do in Nice: relax on the beach. Here, the sandy coastline stretches for four miles along some of the most picturesque locations the French Riviera has to offer. And for more active visitors, every type of water sport is on offer during the summer. Coco Beach and La Reserve are public options where the locals tend to gather, but there are also a host of private beaches to choose from.
   
   
2. Nice’s Promenade des Anglais makes for an excellent day of people watching under the shade of palm trees.
   
   
3. One of the most stunning buildings along the promenade is the magnificent Hôtel Negresco, named after Henri Negresco, who had the hotel constructed in 1912 – and which is worth visiting just to see the lavish interior.
   
   
4. At the other end of the beach, Vieux Nice (Nice’s Old Town) has barely changed in three hundred years. Narrow streets open into small courtyards, which lead to bigger squares, all accommodating the best boutiques, restaurants and markets the city has to offer.
   
   
5. Overlooking the Old Town, the Parc de la Colline du Château offers amazing views of Nice and the Bay of Angels – so called because, legend has it, this is where the angels took Adam and Eve when they first came to earth.
   
   
6. The Promenade des Arts sits between Nice’s National Theatre and the Modern and Contemporary Art Museum, both of which are perfect spots to soak up some culture.
   
   
7. Just north of the city centre in the leafy suburb of Cimiez, the life of Henri Matisse is celebrated at the Musée Matisse. The world-famous artist lived in the city for 37 years and the gallery has an impressive collection of his works.
   
   
8. Take a trip from Nice to St Tropez. This iconic seaside resort is, depending on traffic, as little as 2 hours from Nice by bus. Or, if you’re feeling particularly flush and want a memorable journey, you can take a helicopter from Nice airport.

Practical information for your trip

• Flights to Nice via Brussels Airlines land at Nice Cote d’Azur (NCE) International Airport located in the south-west of the city. There are two terminals at the airport and both provide transport options to the city centre. The main route is via TER tramways, while buses and trains also service the station. Registered taxi ranks can be found outside each terminal – taxis from the airport to the city centre cost a fixed rate of 32 euros.  
  
• Currency: The Euro.
• Telephone calls and Wi-Fi: : +33. Wi-Fi is available at all major hotels, and restaurants.
• Electric sockets: Sockets in France use type C and F European dual-pronged plug sockets, with most having a voltage of 220-240Vs.
• Travel Information: All travellers should make sure to have a passport that is valid for the duration of their trip. Passengers travelling from outside of the EU should check for required visas.

Dos and Don’ts

• Before it was ceded to the French in 1860, Nice was a city with a varied and colourful ownership. As such, its roots are a mix of Italian and French, and the Niçard dialect can still be seen on street signs and heard on television. So even if your French is good, don’t be surprised to see signs that you can’t decipher, particularly in the old town district.
• Do use a map when navigating Nice’s old town as the streets can become confusing.
• On religious holidays and Sundays do be prepared for things to close early, or not open at all.

Local phrases & essential vocabulary

Despite the region having its own dialect, everyone speaks French. The French are passionate about their language and appreciate when tourists make an effort to communicate in French.

• “Je voudrais…” is a simple way of saying “I would like”.
• “Excusez-moi” means sorry or pardon me.
• “Bonjour”/ “bonsoir” is a formal greeting or way of saying goodbye.
• “Je vous en prie” or “De rien” are the formal, and informal way of saying “you’re welcome”, respectively.
• When at a restaurant you can ask for “une carafe d'eau”, which is how to ask for tap water.
• Make sure to finish with a “s’il vous plait”, which means “please”.

Cultural events

• April – Nice Half Marathon. A yearly event, the Nice half marathon attracts some of the biggest names in long-distance running.
• Summer – Nice Jazz Festival. Held over six days, this is one of the biggest jazz festivals in the world, with music spilling out from the main stages into the jazz clubs and bars all over town.
• May – The Monaco Grand Prix. Because of the short journey by bus or train to Monaco, Nice has become an excellent base for seeing this iconic Formula One race. You’ll also need fly via Nice airport to Monaco as Monaco itself has no airport.
• May – Cannes film festival. Similarly, with hotels in Cannes in high demand, as well as the ease of reaching Cannes by train, both from Nice itself or the airport, many visitors stay in Nice and travel on to Cannes to see silver screen celebrities at this prestigious event.

When to go to Nice?

The temperature on the Mediterranean is almost always warm, but it can get quite hot in July and August. The summer months are May through to the beginning of October. Nice in September is particularly pleasant as the majority of tourists have left, but the weather is still excellent. November and December are also particularly busy tourist seasons in Nice, with people making their way through the city up to the Alps for some skiing.

What to eat?

Nice restaurants are among the finest in France, with a mixture of French- and Italian-inspired Mediterranean dishes. The Niçois culinary tradition is most famous for its salad Niçoise – a combination of eggs, tuna, anchovies and vegetables. But there is so much more to explore here.

• Ratatouille. Invented in Nice, this combination of aubergine, courgettes and tomatoes is a world-famous dish.
• Les Petits Farcis is a combination of local summer squashes that are stuffed with tomatoes and meat.
• Le Pan Bagnat is the local population’s favourite kind of sandwich. Tuna and eggs with salad wrapped in bread.
• Socca are a speciality street food. A chickpea pancake that is crispy on the outside but soft in the middle.