48 Hours in Nice: A Chic & Instagrammable

Getting There With direct flights from Dublin to Nice Côte d’Azur, the Riviera is only a short escape away. In under three hours you can trade Irish skies for Mediterranean light, the kind that has lured artists, designers, and bon vivants for over a century.

Day 1: Riviera Glamour Unveiled

Morning : Arrival & The Promenade Check into Hotel Amour Nice, a boutique stay that marries Parisian chic with Riviera nonchalance. Its rooftop pool and terrazzo interiors make it as photogenic as it is fashionable. Drop your bags and slip immediately into Riviera rhythm: a stroll along the Promenade des Anglais, the city’s sweeping seafront boulevard, framed by palms and Belle Époque façades. Pause at Café de Turin for oysters and rosé, an institution that whispers understated glamour.

Afternoon – Old Town & Elevated Views, Wander into Vieux Nice, a labyrinth of pastel façades and shuttered windows, punctuated by flower markets and the scent of lavender. Stop at Cours Saleya for bouquets, candied fruits, and Provençal delicacies before ascending Castle Hill. The panoramic view, terracotta rooftops against the azure sea , is the Riviera at its most cinematic.

Lunch is best taken at La Petite Maison, where Mediterranean classics are reimagined with flair. The courtyard is alive with energy; a table here feels like a front-row seat at the Côte d’Azur’s eternal catwalk.

Evening : Dining on the Edge Cocktails await at Le Plongeoir, a restaurant and bar perched on a diving platform over the sea — gravity-defying, theatrical, and unforgettable. As night falls, reserve a table at JAN, the Michelin-starred creation of chef Jan Hendrik. His dishes, inspired by French technique and South African heritage, are as artful as they are exquisite. End the night at Farago on the Roof, where views of the Riviera are framed by lanterns and a cosmopolitan crowd.

Day 2: Culture, Colour & Côte d’Azur Light

Morning – Art & Architecture Begin with breakfast beneath striped parasols on Hotel Amour’s rooftop, then step into the artistic heritage that defines Nice. The Matisse Museum and Marc Chagall Museum each offer striking architecture and intimate collections, serene spaces where art and light converge.

Late Morning – Villefranche Interlude, A short drive brings you to Villefranche-sur-Mer, a jewel box of a village where candy-colored houses spill towards the bay. Take an espresso at the Welcome Hotel terrace, gazing across the water as fishing boats bob lazily in the harbour, a scene worthy of Slim Aarons’ lens.

Afternoon – The Riviera at Leisure, Return to Nice for languid hours at Castel Plage, one of the city’s most elegant beach clubs. Recline on a sunbed, sip an Aperol spritz, and savour the languor of a Riviera afternoon. Lunch is light yet indulgent: grilled fish, Provençal salads, and rosé that glitters in the sun.

Evening – A Farewell in Belle Époque Splendou For a fitting finale, reserve Le Chantecler at the legendary Hotel Negresco. The Belle Époque dining room, gilded, theatrical, and timeless, offers haute cuisine in a setting that epitomises Riviera grandeur. Conclude with a twilight promenade and a scoop from Fenocchio, Nice’s artisanal gelateria, as the palm-lined boulevard shimmers with evening light.

In Just 48 Hours Nice reveals itself as more than a beachside escape, it is Riviera elegance distilled: pastel façades, cultural depth, Michelin dining, and a seaside glamour that has seduced generations. With direct flights from Dublin, the Côte d’Azur is not only within reach, but impossibly irresistible.