Best time to visit Nice
Re-score for me — drag the dial — every chart recolours live for your heat & sea limits 27°C · sea 29°C
Default 27 °C is the upper edge of the Holiday Climate Index "ideal comfort" band (Scott, Rutty, Amelung & Tang, 2016). Above this, most warm-tourism travellers report measurable discomfort.
Default 29 °C is the Beach Climate Index "bathtub" line (Morgan et al.) — where the sea stops being refreshing and starts feeling like a warm bath.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
Greyed factors are scored normally — extreme heat overrides them, so a clear sky or low rain can't lift the period.
How is this scored? HCI / Steadman / CCI gate — full methodology and citations below.
Compare with another destination
Add as many as you like — stacked below the main strips above. Each row is just the recent-window score strip and (for beach destinations) sea-temperature strip.
Tours in Nice
30 top-rated tours via Viator. Booking links earn this site a commission at no cost to you. Map locations are approximate (centred on Nice).
- 1
Private Boat Tour from Nice to Monaco, Cannes, Eze or Menton - 2
Half Day Guided Boat tour to Mala caves with stop in Villefranche - 3
Viator Exclusive: Local Cooking Class & Dinner with View of Nice - 4
From Nice : Secret Riviera Boat Tour to Mala cave with Snorkeling - 5
Full day Guided Tour: Monaco-Monte Carlo-Èze from Nice or Cannes - 6
French Riviera Villefranche Bay Snorkeling Tour from Nice - 7
Monaco, Monte Carlo, Eze, La Turbie 7H Shared Tour from Nice - 8
Nice: Verdon Gorge Day Trip · Napoleon Route & Provence - 9
From Nice: Cannes, Antibes and St Paul de Vence Private Tour - 10
French Wine Tasting in Nice: Tour de France in 8 Wines - 11
Nice Sunset Food Tour – A Full Taste of France by Do Eat Better - 12
Private French Riviera tour with your local Guide Nice-Eze-Monaco - 13
Local Wine Tasting , Grasse perfumerie , and Provençal villages - 14
Nice | The Sunset | Villefranche-sur-Mer - 15
Sunset Bliss: Boat Excursion with Aperitif on French Riviera - 16
Eze and Monaco Private Half-Day Tour - 17
Monaco, Monte Carlo & Eze Private Tour - 18
City Tour: Original tour of the city of Nice. - 19
Nissa La Bella 1H40h - 20
French Riviera Full Day Private Tour - 21
Private Driver/Guide to Monaco, Monte-Carlo and Eze Village - 22
Full Day Tour of Nice Eze and Monaco from Nice - 23
Nice: Drive a convertible to Monaco F1 and visit Èze village - 24
Nice, Eze, Monaco, and Monte Carlo Private Tour - 25
Private Boat Tour from Nice to Monaco, Cannes, Menton - 26
Eze & Saint-Paul de Vence Private Half-Day Tour - 27
Private Boat Tour Nice, Villefranche, St Jean Cap Ferrat - 28
Nice Airport Transfer Service - 29
Nice | Le Brunch en Mer | Villefranche-sur-Mer - 30
Bonjour Riviera : Vintage Citroën Méhari Tour of Nice, Èze, Monaco
Last refreshed 2026-08-13.
Similar climatesMonaco99% · Menton99% · Antibes99%
Other destinations with the most-alike year-round climate to Nice (apparent temperature, rain hours, sunshine — matched within the same trip-profile). The ±N chip compares each match's typical score for the current month against Nice's. Based on the 2020-2024 climatology, not this year's actual weather.
Month-by-month
| Month | Temp °C | Feels °C | Rain days | Rain h | Rain h/day | Humidity | Wind km/h | Sun h | UV | Interest | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 5–13 | 10 | 5 | 70 | 14.0 | 64% | 14 | 168 | 1 | Quiet | 8 |
| Feb | 6–14 | 12 | 5 | 51 | 10.2 | 63% | 16 | 185 | 2 | Quiet | 8 |
| Mar | 8–15 | 13 | 7 | 72 | 10.3 | 58% | 18 | 221 | 3 | Quiet | 9 |
| Apr | 10–18 | 15 | 8 | 78 | 9.8 | 57% | 17 | 250 | 5 | Quiet | 9 |
| May | 14–21 | 21 | 9 | 90 | 10.0 | 64% | 15 | 274 | 6 | Quiet | 9 |
| Jun | 18–25 | 27 | 7 | 66 | 9.4 | 65% | 14 | 303 | 7 | Quiet | 9 |
| Jul | 21–28 | 31 | 2 | 20 | 10.0 | 60% | 13 | 332 | 8 | Moderate | 8 |
| Aug | 22–29 | 31 | 4 | 33 | 8.3 | 54% | 14 | 293 | 7 | Peak | 8 |
| Sep | 18–25 | 25 | 5 | 61 | 12.2 | 55% | 16 | 237 | 5 | Busy | 10 |
| Oct | 14–21 | 21 | 9 | 105 | 11.7 | 65% | 15 | 201 | 3 | Quiet | 8 |
| Nov | 10–17 | 15 | 8 | 68 | 8.5 | 62% | 15 | 173 | 2 | Quiet | 8 |
| Dec | 6–14 | 11 | 7 | 89 | 12.7 | 67% | 14 | 163 | 1 | Quiet | 7 |
UV Index in Nice by Month
UV index in Nice peaks at 8 (high) in July, dropping to 1 (low) in January. June, July, August have high UV — SPF 30+ and sunglasses recommended.
Best months in detail
September
10/1018–25°C · 5 rain days (61h) · 237 sun hours · 55% humidity · Busy crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 6 (high)
June
9/1018–25°C (feels 27°C) · 7 rain days (66h) · 303 sun hours · 65% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (very high)
April
9/1010–18°C (feels 15°C) · 8 rain days (78h) · 250 sun hours · 57% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 5 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 6 (high)
Every month
Show the other 9 months in detail
January
8/105–13°C (feels 10°C) · 5 rain days (70h) · 168 sun hours · 64% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 1 (low)
February
8/106–14°C (feels 12°C) · 5 rain days (51h) · 185 sun hours · 63% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 2 (low)
March
9/108–15°C (feels 13°C) · 7 rain days (72h) · 221 sun hours · 58% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 3 (moderate)
May
9/1014–21°C · 9 rain days (90h) · 274 sun hours · 64% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 6 (moderate) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 7 (high)
July
8/1021–28°C (feels 31°C) · 2 rain days (20h) · 332 sun hours · 60% humidity · Moderate crowd · UV 8 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 9 (very high)
August
8/1022–29°C (feels 31°C) · 4 rain days (33h) · 293 sun hours · 54% humidity · Peak crowd · UV 7 (high) · sunniest 1 in 10 days reach 8 (very high)
October
8/1014–21°C · 9 rain days (105h) · 201 sun hours · 65% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 3 (moderate)
November
8/1010–17°C (feels 15°C) · 8 rain days (68h) · 173 sun hours · 62% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 2 (low)
December
7/106–14°C (feels 11°C) · 7 rain days (89h) · 163 sun hours · 67% humidity · Quiet crowd · UV 1 (low)
The sea is warmest after the summer ends
The Mediterranean off Nice lags the air temperature by roughly two months. The water is at its coldest in February and March, well after the coldest air, and it peaks in August at around 23C, holding near 21C through September. Air temperatures in September sit comfortably in the low-to-mid twenties.
The practical consequence is that September is often the best swimming month of the year on this coast: the sea is still at its warmest, the July and August crowds have gone, and prices have come off their peak. June can look identical on paper for air temperature while the water is several degrees cooler.
One other thing the guidebooks tend to underplay: the beaches at Nice are pebble, not sand. It is comfortable enough with a mat, and uncomfortable without.
Sources: Beach Weather — Promenade des Anglais averages , Sea Temperature — Nice
What is the best month to visit Nice?
September. The sea is still near its late-summer peak of about 23C, the air sits in the low-to-mid twenties, and the summer crowds have thinned considerably after the French holidays end. May and June are lovely for walking and the gardens, but the Mediterranean lags the air by roughly two months, so the water is noticeably colder then.
Are the beaches in Nice sand or pebble?
Pebble — smooth rounded stones rather than sharp shingle, but emphatically not sand, and this catches out a lot of first-time visitors. Bring beach shoes and a mat, because lying directly on the stones is uncomfortable. For sandy beaches on this coast, head west towards Antibes, Juan-les-Pins and Cannes, all within about half an hour by train.
How many days do you need in Nice?
Three. One for the old town, Cours Saleya and Castle Hill; one for the Matisse and Chagall museums up in Cimiez; and one as a base day for Èze, Monaco or Antibes, all within about half an hour by train. Nice works better as a base than most Riviera towns precisely because the coastal rail line makes day trips so easy.
What is the rainiest month in Nice?
November, at around 134 mm, arriving as heavy autumn downpours rather than persistent drizzle. July is driest at about 26 mm. The Côte d'Azur records high sunshine totals year-round, so even the wet months carry plenty of bright days between the storms.
When can you swim in the sea in Nice?
June through October for most people, with September and early October the warmest water of the year. The Mediterranean lags the air temperature by roughly two months, so May can look inviting and feel cold. Note that Nice's beaches are pebble, not sand — water shoes help.
Is Nice worth visiting in winter?
Yes, if you want the Riviera without the crowds. Winter is mild with February lows around 5C, the museums are quiet, and the Nice Carnival in February is a major event. Beach life is over, but the old town, the markets and the coastal walks work perfectly well.
What is Nice best known for?
The Promenade des Anglais along the Baie des Anges, the pastel old town below Castle Hill, and its position as the practical base for the Côte d'Azur — Monaco, Antibes, Cannes and Èze are all within about half an hour by train. It also has serious art holdings, with dedicated Matisse and Chagall museums up in Cimiez.
What food is Nice famous for?
Socca, a chickpea-flour pancake cooked on a large copper pan and eaten hot in the old town, is the local speciality. Also pissaladière, an onion tart with anchovies, and pan bagnat, essentially a salade niçoise in a bun. Nice's cooking is closer to Ligurian Italian than to the rest of France, which reflects its history.
Is it better to visit Nice or Monaco?
Nice as a base, Monaco as a day trip. Nice is far larger, cheaper and has the old town, beaches, museums and the rail connections. Monaco is a compact and expensive city-state you can walk across in an afternoon — worth seeing for the harbour, the casino and the palace, but few visitors need to stay there.
Is Nice warm all year?
Mild rather than warm in winter — February lows average around 5C, so it is comfortable for walking but not for the beach. Summer peaks near 27C in August. The Côte d'Azur records high sunshine totals in every month, which is why the winter season here has drawn visitors since the nineteenth century.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Nice
When is the best time to visit Nice?
September is the highest-scoring month (10/10 on the Holiday Climate Index). Typical conditions: 18–25°C (5 rainy days). The top three months by score are September, June, April.
What is the worst time to visit Nice?
December is the lowest-scoring month (7/10). Typical conditions: 6–14°C (7 rainy days).
Is Nice too hot in summer?
2 months (July, August) trip the heat deal-breaker in our scoring: apparent temperature crosses the comfort cap, so even with clear skies and low rain the score is held down. Plan around it if heat tolerance is low.
When are crowds lowest in Nice?
Search-interest seasonality (Google Trends 2021-2025) is lowest in January and peaks in August. Interest tracks both in-trip visitors and lead-time planners, so treat it as a "destination is on people's minds" signal rather than literal arrivals.
Which months in Nice have good weather but fewer tourists?
March (climate 9/10, crowd index 36) and April (climate 9/10, crowd index 34) — shoulder months with above-average climate and below-median search-interest. Often the best value-for-weather trade.
What is the UV index in Nice by month?
UV peaks at 8 (high) in July and is lowest in January at 1 (low). Monthly peak values: Jan 1, Feb 2, Mar 3, Apr 5, May 6, Jun 7, Jul 8, Aug 7, Sep 5, Oct 3, Nov 2, Dec 1.
What is the UV index in Nice in July?
July is the peak UV month in Nice, with a daily-peak UV index of 8 (high). Apply SPF 30+, wear sunglasses, and seek shade during midday hours.
How high can UV get in Nice on the sunniest days?
Most days look like the monthly average, but on the sunniest ~1 in 10 days UV climbs higher than the mean suggests. July is the worst case: typical days average UV 8 (high), but the top 10% of days reach UV 9 (very high) — and even higher. Months where the sunniest days routinely exceed the typical reading: April, May, June, July, August, September. Plan sun protection for the worst case, not the average.
Is air quality in Nice bad for travelers?
PM2.5 (fine-particle pollution) exceeds the WHO sensitive-group guideline (15 µg/m³) in 1 month: February. The worst month is February with a typical-day mean of 10 µg/m³ (moderate); on the worst 10% of days PM2.5 reaches 18 µg/m³ (unhealthy for sensitive) and higher. People with asthma, heart conditions, or sensitive children may want to avoid these months or limit outdoor activity. Source: CAMS via Open-Meteo.