Nice & the Riviera · HISTORICAL TOURS

5 Historical Tours in Nice to Plan a Day Around

5 tours  ·  from $34 a head

A Riviera week always has one free day too few. These 5 historical tours earn the slot, priced and timed so you can decide quickly and get back to the beach.

From Nice: Historic Train Ride & Alps Villages - Climbing to the first village’s castle
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From Nice: Historic Train Ride & Alps Villages

1.Historic Train Ride & Alps Villages

★★★★★★★★★★4.8 · 312 reviews · 11 hours · from $200Our pick

Leave Nice by historic mountain train for two Alpine villages, with a guide such as Cyril, Carmela or William to explain the region’s past and point out sights along the route. Expect medieval lanes, a Baroque cathedral, a village lunch and optional hiking among chestnut trees and sandstone formations. It is a long, active day, not a gentle train excursion.

“Guide was absolutely fantastic all day. So knowledgeable. He was amazing”

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Nice: Theatrical History Tour - Secrets of the Castle Hill - The walk from the square toward Castle Hill
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Nice: Theatrical History Tour – Secrets of the Castle Hill

2.Theatrical History Tour – Secrets of the Castle Hill

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 21 reviews · from $34Best value

Meet Marie by the statue at Place Garibaldi for a 1.5-hour English-language walking tour through Nice’s history. Actors portray figures including Captain Barbarossa, Louis XIV, Garibaldi, and Scottish Niçois Smollett as you make your way toward Castle Hill. Expect historical reenactments, a moderate amount of walking, and a route that finishes at Castle Hill.

“Beautiful, interesting, funny - a must even for someone who knows about the history of Nice!”

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Nice: Exclusive Private Guided Tour of Historic Center - Vieux Nice: look beyond the colorful streets
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Nice: Exclusive Private Guided Tour of Historic Center

3.Exclusive Private Guided Tour of Historic Center

★★★★★★★★★★4.5 · 13 reviews · 2 hours · from $217

Meet your private guide at Place Masséna for a two-hour walk through Vieux Nice, Cours Saleya, Sainte-Réparate Cathedral, and the Promenade des Anglais. You can steer the tour toward history, architecture, local traditions, or simply the feel of the Old Town. Past guides have included Genevieve, Jacques, and Philippe.

“Jacques was an excellent tour guide. Tons of interesting facts and details from recent and long past history. Don’t pass this up. It’s amazing how much you miss just walking past on your own!”

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Jewish Heritage Tour of Nice - Synagogues and the value of seeing both traditions
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Jewish Heritage Tour of Nice

4.Jewish Heritage Tour of Nice

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 5 reviews

Walk through Jewish Nice with a private guide, Robert Levitt, for about three hours. The route can include the old Jewish quarter, the cemetery, the Mur des Justes and synagogues, with time for questions and, if possible, contact with Judeo-Spanish-speaking communities. Expect uneven paving and steps, and bring passport copies when booking.

“Our tour with Robert was excellent. He is extremely knowledgeable and personable. He went above and beyond. The tour included visits to both an Ashkenzi and a Sephardi synagogue and covered hundreds of years of history -- from medieval times to the present.”

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Unique Heritage of Monaco - Walking Tour - Starting at the Oceanographic Museum
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Unique Heritage of Monaco – Walking Tour

5.Unique Heritage of Monaco – Walking Tour

★★★★★★★★★★5.0 · 3 reviews · from $344

Join a local guide for a private, approximately two-hour walk through Monaco-Ville, starting at the Oceanographic Museum and ending at the Exotic Garden. The route connects the cathedral and Prince’s Palace, with possible views of other city landmarks. Admission tickets are extra, so budget for the museum, palace and garden if you plan to enter them.

“The tour guide immersed us into the charm of Monaco city. The Oceanographic Museum has captivating diversity of marine life on display, with it's vast collection of marine specimens. The Saint Nicholas Cathedral was grand and historic and The Exotic Gardens of MoRead more”

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