Villas in Nice

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a villa in Nice?
• Villas in Nice: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Nice: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Nice?

• Choice of villas: From cosy hideaways in Lanterne to secluded properties with private pools in La Trinité, Nice offers luxurious villas for couples, families and groups alike, many within easy reach of the sea.
• Where to stay: Base yourself in Vieux Nice for atmosphere, along the Promenade des Anglais for the beach, or in the quiet hills of La Trinité for peace and privacy.
• Highly rated by guests: Travellers give villas in Nice high scores for their central locations, cleanliness and proximity to the sea, with several earning ratings above 9.5 over the past year.
• Where to eat: Try a salade Niçoise, ratatouille or socca at local institutions, from refined dining at La Petite Maison to a casual plate at Chez Pipo.
• Things to do: Walk the Promenade des Anglais, wander the Cours Saleya market, hike up Mont Boron and take easy day trips to Cap-Ferrat and along the Riviera.

Villas in Nice range from compact, cosy retreats tucked into the Lanterne quarter to spacious, secluded homes in the leafy hills of La Trinité, where private gardens and pools come as standard. Couples and small groups often prefer a central apartment in Nice or a quaint bed and breakfast, whilst families and friends travelling together tend to favour a villa with room to spread out and a base close to the Bay of Angels. Whatever your plans, you will find villas in Nice fitted with the features that make a holiday feel effortless:

• A private terrace or garden for long Provençal evenings
• A swimming pool, the focus of our villas with a private pool
• A sea-view setting - check out villas near the beach
• A sauna or hot tub to unwind after a day of exploring
• Private parking, a real bonus in the busy city centre

From hilltop hideaways to homes moments from the promenade, there is a villa in Nice to suit every kind of stay.

What are the best areas to stay in Nice?

The best base depends on your priorities: Vieux Nice for atmosphere, the Promenade des Anglais for the beach, and La Trinité for peace and privacy. The table below details areas in and around Nice for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Guests consistently praise their trips to Nice for its sunshine, its walkable centre and the warm welcome from local hosts. Properties here score highly for cleanliness, central locations and that unbeatable proximity to the sea, with many just a short stroll from the Promenade des Anglais. Ratings on Holidu are given on a scale of 0 to 10, and the three villas below have earned some of the highest marks in the city over the past year.

Here are three of our top-rated stays in Nice from the past year:

1. Vinaigrier Hills Vi3086 by Riviera Holiday Homes - 9.2+: Guests love the private pool in the garden of this spacious villa for 10, and enjoy the chance to have a barbecue out on the terrace.
2. Villa Reve D'Azur by Riviera Holiday Homes - 10.0: With room for 10 people, this spacious villa offers a magnificent sea view and beautifully well-kept gardens
3. Le Cap De Nice by Riviera Holiday Homes - 9.1+: Just a few steps from the sea, this delightful Art Deco villa sleeps 6. Its private pontoon gives unbeatable access to the Mediterranean.

Nice sits on the French Riviera in south-east France, curving around the Bay of Angels where the foothills of the Alpes-Maritimes meet the Mediterranean. This stylish city has long been a playground for people in search of a glamorous summer holiday, and rewards travellers in search of the finer things in life.

🥗Where to eat in Nice?

Niçoise food makes the most of the wonders of the Mediterranean: fresh fish and seafood are almost always on the menu, and the luscious summer vegetables will convert even the fussiest eater. Choose from elegant fine dining establishments with refined tasting menus and relaxed terraces for casual al fresco dining. Here are a few of our travel experts' favourites:

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Charlotte and Henry recommend Le Plongeoir in Nice: perched on a rocky outcrop above the water, its romantic setting and polished Mediterranean menu made for an unforgettable anniversary dinner overlooking the sea.

1. Stroll the Promenade des Anglais
2. Explore Vieux Nice and the Cours Saleya market
3. Sample true Niçoise cuisine
4. Hike up to Mont Boron
5. Visit St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral
6. Discover glamorous Cap-Ferrat
7. Take a day trip along the Riviera

1. Stroll the Promenade des Anglais

   Nice's most famous walkway runs for roughly three miles around the Bay of Angels, and locals treat an evening stroll here as a daily ritual. Hire a pair of skates at the Roller Station, settle onto one of the signature blue chairs, or simply watch the sun slowly sink into the Mediterranean.

2. Explore Vieux Nice and the Cours Saleya market

   The Vieille Ville is a maze of ochre lanes, hidden squares and tempting bakeries. At its heart, the Cours Saleya market bursts with colour from Tuesday to Sunday, selling Provençal flowers, fresh produce and freshly griddled socca, the local chickpea flatbread. Arrive early to beat the crowds, then lose an hour browsing the stalls before stopping for a coffee in one of the historic cafés nearby.

3. Sample true Niçoise cuisine

   Nice has its own proud culinary tradition. Start with a genuine salade Niçoise, move on to a slow-cooked daube or a rich ratatouille made with the freshest local tomatoes, aubergines and courgettes, and pair it all with a crisp rosé from nearby Bellet. In the mood for something special? Hire a private chef to prepare dinner at your villa.

4. Hike up to Mont Boron

   Just east of the centre, Mont Boron is a wooded headland dotted with pine, carob and olive trees. A gentle climb rewards you with sweeping views over Nice on one side and Cap-Ferrat on the other. Follow the ridge to the 16th-century Fort du Mont Alban, open to visitors in summer, and pack a picnic of market finds to enjoy at the top.

5. Visit St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral

   A reminder of the Russian nobility who once wintered on the Riviera, the St Nicholas Orthodox Cathedral is one of the finest of its kind in Western Europe. Its spectacular domes and richly decorated interior feel a world away from the Mediterranean streets outside.

6. Discover glamorous Cap-Ferrat

   A short drive east brings you to Cap-Ferrat, synonymous with Riviera luxury. Stroll the coastal path past turn-of-the-century mansions, slip down to a quiet cove for a swim, and admire views across to the Massif de l'Esterel.

7. Take a day trip along the Riviera

   Nice is the perfect base for exploring the wider coast. Within an hour you can reach Antibes, Monaco, Menton and the hilltop village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, while the lavender fields and markets of the wider Provence region lie a little further inland. Trains run frequently along the coast, so you can leave the car at the villa and let the Riviera unfold one stop at a time.