If you go on nice walking tour iconic landmarks and destinations with the aim of ticking them off a list, you miss out on much of what makes this French Riviera city so special. But if you seek to make the most of each location, whether that’s in taking in the views from atop Castle Hill or discovering the story behind the controversial Apollo statue at Place Massena, it pays to take a guided walking tour.
Promenade des Anglais: A Stroll Along the Seafront
The official history office in the Old Town (Centre de Patrimoine) runs tours, all free of charge. These are lead by volunteer greeters — not professional guides, but locals with a passion for their city that they want to share. The walks cover just about every topic you can imagine, including architecture, food and drink, shopping, urban hiking, churches and gardens.
There are also expert-designed self-guided walking tours. These are more structured than the Greeter tours and include stops at major attractions as well as hidden gems. To use these, download the GPSmyCity app to your smartphone, then follow the downloadable route map to visit each attraction at your own pace. You’ll also receive photos, background information and tips for each stop. Alternatively, join a private tour led by a local guide who can personalize your itinerary to suit your interests and time constraints.