43.70° N · 7.28° E · Nice
A free park at the top of the rock that separates Vieux Nice from the port, with a waterfall from 1885, pine shade and the two views everyone photographs. Open every day from 8:30.
Part of Nice
Step by step
From the Cours Saleya, by the stairs at the end of the old town or by the lift at the quai des États-Unis.
The west terrace, with the light in your face over the sea.
The walk under the pines to the waterfall and the play area.
By the east side, straight to the Lympia port, where the boat trips leave.
Castle Hill is the rock of about ninety metres that rises between Vieux Nice and the Lympia port. For centuries the fortress that protected the city stood at the top; it was demolished in the early 18th century and today only remains of walls and foundations are left. In its place there is a public park with pines, paths, benches and a large artificial waterfall built in 1885, which in summer cools the air across the whole esplanade. It is part of the site that UNESCO declared a World Heritage Site in 2021 as the winter resort city of the Riviera.
You climb up for two things: shade and views. From the terrace facing west you see the whole Baie des Anges, with the roofs of the old town at your feet and the Promenade des Anglais curving towards the airport. From the east side, the port, with its fishing boats and the red and ochre façades of the Place de l'Île de Beauté district.
There are three ways. By the stairs that start at the eastern end of Vieux Nice: lots of steps, but in the shade and with viewpoints along the way; allow twenty minutes without hurrying. By the free lift that leaves next to the quai des États-Unis, at the end of the Promenade des Anglais, which does not run in the rain or when under maintenance. Or from the port side, by gentler ramps. The park is accessible by pushchair and wheelchair once you are up.
Entry is free. From April to September the park is open every day from 8:30 to 20:00; from October to March, from 8:30 to 18:00. There are public toilets with a baby-changing table and two buvettes, the kiosks for a drink. Picnics are allowed and the tourist office says animals are admitted.
It is one of the best places in Nice for them: there is a play area for ages 2 to 6, a spider-web climbing net from age 6 and a meadow where they run and play ball. The waterfall hooks them. If you have a pushchair, go up in the lift and come down by the ramps on the port side.
Map
What you have around the starting point.
More to do
Itineraries
Tips
The light falls fully over the bay and the port. In the afternoon the sun is in front of you and the photo of the bay is backlit.
Go down the east side and in ten minutes you are at the quai Lunel, where the boat trip to Villefranche leaves.
The kiosks at the top do not always open out of season.
Questions
Nothing: the park and the lift are free.
Every day from 8:30; it closes at 18:00 from October to March and at 20:00 from April to September.
Very little: remains of walls and foundations. You go up for the park, the waterfall and the views.
Yes, according to the Nice tourist office listing animals are admitted in the park. Keep it on a lead.
Geocaliahttps://www.geocalia.com/en/france/provence-alpes-cote-dazur/nice/things-to-do/castle-hill
