A city with fewer than half a million people wouldn’t normally warrant entire city guide but for its extensive options for runners, cyclists and swimmers. As the capital of the Côte d’Azur, Nice is a heralded city for off-season cyclists which beats Girona by also offering swimming facilities for triathletes. With the Maritime Alps and the glistening Mediterranean Sea as backdrops, Nice is an easy place to channel a focus of endurance-themed modern Riviera chic.

Running

Running track at Stade d’Athlétisme Vauban can be used for interval workouts. Located in the immediate vicinity of tram line 1 (Vauban stop), the track surrounds basketball courts with a street workout area. Vauban’s weekday opening hours are from 6:30am to 8:00am, then 12:00pm to 2:00pm and from 5:30pm to 8:30pm On weekends, opening hours are 8:00am and 5:30pm in winter, and 8:00am and 8:30pm in summer.

Nice’s iconic Promenade des Anglais is the obvious run to clock after arrival, stringing together the harbour and Baie des Anges frontage spanning 7km. The IRONMAN France route uses this.

Use Parc du Mont Boron to the east of the port for a quick trail running and hill intervals, with a coastal route wrapping around the headland below restaurant La Reserve de Nice (plug in Sentier du Littoral).

Cycling

Nice is well known for having a combination of costal rides and interior climbs, easily fashioned into even weekday rides. Mountain ascents to bookmark are Col de la Madone and Col de Turrini. For a flatter route, head along the coast, then cut into Saint-Paul-de-Vence for a coffee or breakfast at Fondation MAC. Group rides via Cafe du Cycliste are posted on their Strava Club.

For your premium bike rental in Nice, Café du Cycliste offer Basso road bikes while Roadbike NICE offer a broader range of bikes for hire (The Service Course closed in 2024).

Swimming

With its prime location on the Mediterranean, open-water swimming is a natural choice in Nice. The calm, clear waters of the Baie des Anges are perfect for a refreshing dip or a serious training session, alternatively the more secluded Coco Beach.

For lap swimming, use the 25m outdoor tub at Piscine Fernand Anelli (Google Maps) – open year round but with varied hours during the summer holidays.

Sleeping & Eating

Nice’s culinary scene is less urban than Lyon or Marseille, but still offers with health pairing of coffee venues and juices. Start your day with a quality brew at Café du Cycliste, both popular with the cycling community and offering a great atmosphere.

For traditional Niçoise cuisine in Nice, try La Merenda. A Michelin-starred experience is served up Restaurant JAN, led by a South African head chef Jan van der Westhuizen. Lavomatique, a 30-seat bistro run by brothers Hugo and Grégoire Loubert, offers a more intimate and modern culinary experience. Le Plongeoir offers stunning views on the water while vegan options can be sourced at Caju Vegan (only open during summer season, see Google Maps).

Nice offers a wide array of accommodation, catering to various preferences and budgets. Sonder is your economical version, with Mama Shelter more pampered. Hotel Armour has surge pricing during summer months (€400+ per night) but has more favourable rates during the shoulder season and off-season (c. €150 per night). Hotel du Covent is Nice’s heritage hotel (now owned by Marriott) – dear but relevant for evening cocktail.

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