Best Time to Visit Nice

Summer: hot, bright and busy

July and August are the warmest months, with highs around 25 to 26°C and nights that barely cool down. August is the hottest, just ahead of July. July is also the driest, with rain on only four days. The sea is warm and the sun shines for most of the day.

It's also the busiest time. French school holidays fill the hotels, and the pebble beach along the Promenade des Anglais gets crowded. Beach clubs charge for loungers, so if you want a free spot, head for the public sections early. Evenings are the best part. Cours Saleya market turns into a street of dinner tables, and you can try socca, a thin chickpea pancake, with a cold drink.

Spring and early summer: the sweet spot

May and June are our pick if you want warm days without the August crush. June brings long, bright days and highs around 23°C. May is milder and a bit showery, with rain on nine days, but showers tend to pass quickly.

May is also a busy month for events. The Cannes Film Festival, a short train ride west, pushes up prices along the whole coast. Nice itself stays calmer. Walk up Castle Hill for the view over the Baie des Anges, then wander the Old Town's lanes. Hiking in the hills behind the city is pleasant now, before the heat sets in.

Autumn: warm sea, wetter days

September is a good all-rounder. It's still warm, the sea holds its summer heat, and crowds thin out once schools reopen. October is also rated Excellent, but it's wetter, with 91 mm of rain. Expect a few grey days and some heavy downpours.

November is the wettest month, with 123 mm on 11 days, and it's the only month rated Fair. Sunshine is short too. It's a quiet time for museums, such as the Matisse Museum in Cimiez, and for cheaper rooms.

Winter: mild and calm

Winter in Nice is gentle. Highs sit around 12 to 13°C, so you'll want a jacket but not a heavy coat. Skies are clearer than in autumn, and the seafront is peaceful.

Carnival is the big draw. It runs for about two weeks in February, with parades of giant floats and flower battles along the seafront. In nearby Menton, the Lemon Festival happens at the same time. If you like city breaks without queues, this is a lovely time to come.