You can make it work on a budget in Nice, French Riviera

I thought I’d write a little post about why you should consider the South of France as a holiday destination for those of you wanting a mix between relaxation and exploration – and why Nice may just be the perfect base.

If you are anything like me, you have probably heard about the splendid French Riviera and were probably taken aback thinking of how expensive that is as a destination. While it is true that it won’t be the cheapest place to spend some days in (do not expect South Eastern Asian prices, of course), I found that it is possible to do it on a budget.

Plus, what I really liked about my days in Nice is that I actually wasn’t only in this place all the time, just lying on the beach sunbathing. I loved how Nice offered not only the beach but also a vibrant town centre, an authentic old town, old as time restaurants serving delicious food. How it has history and culture to offer. And, perhaps even most exciting, you can visit so many other places by train, cheaply both in money and time.

Nice is pricey. But you can manage your costs.

If you live in Europe, particularly Western Europe, or even if you come from the US, the prices won’t shock you. I have been to more expensive places (hello Nordics) and I also find that you can control what kind of holiday you want to take.

Accommodation: basic but enough!

This is where you are going to struggle in Nice. If you are really tight with your budget, you have the hostel option. But since I was on holiday and one of my friends was coming with me, we were able to choose a relatively affordable hotel that includes breakfast in the price as well. This was the Hotel Boreal – located next to the main shopping street, just a 10-minute walk from the beach. It was a clean, basic hotel room, but it was all I needed bearing in mind I wasn’t really expecting to spend that much time at the hotel. I have also noticed that seasonality is everything. The first week of June is not exactly the peak season just yet, so my rate was a bit lower.

Public Transport: easy & affordable

It only cost me €1.50 from the airport to my hotel. I found public transport on the French Riviera affordable and very easy to use. My friend and I used Uber once to get to the village of Èze, simply because after waiting for about half an hour for a bus, it did not stop as it was full. The Uber costs us €20 (and it was a Tesla). In the end, it was worth it, but we came back to Nice by train. Bear in mind that Èze Villages is at the top of a mountain, and so we had to take a bus from there to the train station, and then a train back to Nice. The maximum I paid on a single train ride was about €10.

Food – supermarket fresh meals with sea views & skip the restaurant desserts!

Having breakfast included in your room rate is definitely a plus. I was trying to eat a good amount of food, so I wouldn’t feel hungry until mid-afternoon. Expect to pay on average at a restaurant €20 euros per person. Desserts are especially expensive, around 8 to 10 euros each… Save those euros and go and get some gelato at one of the locals’ favourite spots. I recommend Fenochio at Pl. Rossetti. One scoop was €2.50, and the ice cream is absolutely delicious.

If you are on a tight budget and want to skip the restaurants together, french supermarkets offer incredibly good sandwiches and salads to eat on the go or even to take back to the hotel for dinner. A very good option is to use the supermarket that offers incredibly good salads and sandwiches to eat on the go. To me, this was such a fantastic way to also enjoy more time outside. I would take my salad to the beach, and eat by the ocean. Low cost, but in my opinion quite a luxury! Couldn’t have a better view!

Activities – The best in life is FREE 😉

I am a fervent believer that the best things are typically free, and that cannot be truer about Nice and the French Riviera in general. Sure, you can go on an expensive luxurious yacht ride, do water activities that can be pretty pricey, etc.

Walk the Promenade des Anglais

The views of the beautiful blue and green Mediterranean are FREE. I did not get tired of walking along the Promenade des Anglais, at different hours of the day, but particularly at dusk. You can get some ice cream and eat it by the beach, and I loved to see how groups of people gathered on the beach for drinks, for conversations, and simply to meditate or read a book alone. And bear in mind that the Promenade des Anglais was built with the funds of wealthy English aristocrats, who use to come to Nice for Winter Holidays. So, if you think about it, you are living like an aristocrat, without paying the premium rate.

Get lost in the Old Town & explore the local markets

The Old Town. Get lost in the narrow streets of the Old Town of Nice, and travel to the past. Browse the little shops selling souvenirs and locally made and sourced products. And you don’t have to buy them 🙂

Stroll in the local markets. You don’t have to buy anything, but you also may find some cool stuff at a much more affordable price. On Monday there is an antiquities market, but for the rest of the week, there is a flower and grocery market. At night, it transforms into a jewellery mart, lined with stalls with shiny accessories for any taste. This is also a fantastic place for people-watching.

A bit of Russia in Nice

The Russian Orthodox Cathedral of St. Nicholas is free to visit but you may be able to only get a peek inside if there is any sort of ceremony happening. There was a wedding when I visited, but it was worth it. The Church is beautiful inside and out, so definitely worth it!

Best view of Nice

Also free! Hike to Colline du Château for amazing views from the top of the hill

Go on a Free Walking Tour

This is one of my favourite things to do when travelling. I always learn so much, the guides are always very passionate, and in the end, you pay what you can – but please always do pay! Whilst it is, in theory, a free walking tour, take into consideration the guides are volunteers, often students or young people unemployed, who are passionate about these places and will much appreciate some sort of payment for their time. Please always take a bit of cash with you (I have seen people only being able to pay by card, and of course, these guides don’t carry card readers around) and offer as a minimum. In Nice, I booked with Riviera Bar Crawl Tours.

Simply relax at the beach

Again, free. The rocky beaches of Nice may be a bit uncomfortable so be sure to bring appropriate shows and a good towel.

Use the affordable train to visit other places!

Visit other places by train. I visited Antibes, Villefrance-sur-Mer, Monaco, Cannes and the village of Eze. The train tickets are quite affordable, and you get there in 30 minutes or less. Nice is strategically located just in between plenty of other interesting places.

Hope you find these tips useful and can visit the beautiful French Riviera without breaking the wallet!

Love, Nic