Nestled on the Bay of Angels, Nice is a radiant introduction to the French Riviera and one of the most elegant starting points for a luxury yacht charter in the West Mediterranean. With sun-drenched beaches, stately boulevards, and an effortlessly relaxed pace, Nice is the sort of place where your yacht vacation begins before the yacht even leaves the dock. It captures the full Mediterranean spirit without losing its Riviera sophistication.

What sets Nice apart as a yacht charter destination is how it layers history, glamour, and everyday charm in a city that manages to feel both grand and intimate. This is the capital of the Alpes-Maritimes, and it has long attracted artists, aristocrats, and the international yachting set with its warm climate and soft coastal light. The city’s architecture is a visual time capsule: Belle Époque buildings, pastel facades, art deco touches, and Italianate churches come together in a style that is distinctively Niçois. The famous Hotel Negresco, with its candy-pink dome, looks out over the sea like a relic of a more glamorous age—and it still feels alive and current today.

A yacht charter from Nice lets you drift effortlessly into a rhythm of indulgence and exploration. Mornings might begin at the Cours Saleya market in the Old Town, where you can pick up fresh local produce, sunflowers, or handmade Provençal soaps. From there, stroll into the maze of narrow lanes and ochre-coloured buildings of Vieux Nice, which feels more Italian than French in spirit. This is one of the oldest parts of the city, filled with wine bars, independent boutiques, patisseries, and gelaterias. It’s where you’ll find the baroque Cáthedrale Sainte Réparate, and the energy here always feels lived-in and local, even with visitors around.

Just beyond Vieux Nice is the famous Promenade des Anglais, a broad seafront avenue stretching for seven kilometres, tracing the curve of the bay. Lined with palms, grand hotels, and casual beach clubs, it’s the kind of place where locals rollerblade past in the morning and luxury travellers sip cocktails at sundown. Yacht charter guests often enjoy stepping ashore for an afternoon here before boarding again for a golden-hour cruise along the coastline.

Nice also happens to be one of the best cultural hubs in the French Riviera. The light and colours of the region famously captivated artists like Matisse and Chagall, and their legacies remain strong in the city’s museums. The Musée Matisse sits on a hillside in a 17th-century villa surrounded by olive trees, while the Musée Marc Chagall houses some of the painter’s most vivid biblical works. These collections, along with numerous galleries and seasonal exhibitions, make Nice one of the more artistic stops on any West Mediterranean yacht charter.

When you're ready to escape the crowds, Castle Hill (Colline du Château) offers the best panoramic view of the bay. Though the castle itself no longer stands, the park and waterfall at the top create a peaceful, shaded spot above the bustle. It’s an ideal place for a morning walk or a quiet moment with a view before returning to your yacht.

Yachting from Nice opens up the full glamour of the Côte d’Azur. Charter itineraries often stretch along the coast to include Monaco, just 13 nautical miles to the east, where superyachts line Port Hercules and the glitter of Monte Carlo attracts high-stakes players and red-carpet events. To the west lies Antibes, known for its old town charm and the famous Port Vauban, one of the largest yacht marinas in Europe. Further still is Cannes, with its stylish boutiques, private beach clubs, and the world-renowned film festival in May. All of these stops are within a short cruise, making a Nice-based yacht charter ideal for guests who want variety without long crossings.

For a more secluded experience, the nearby Îles de Lérins offer a contrasting pace. Just off Cannes, these islands are covered in pine forests and quiet walking trails. Drop anchor near Île Sainte-Marguerite, known for its crystalline water and the Fort Royal, where the Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned. It’s a perfect afternoon stop for swimming, paddleboarding, or simply a long lunch on deck with the view of the forested shoreline.

Nice also acts as a natural gateway to inland Provence and the Maritime Alps. For charter guests looking to pair sea and mountain, it’s easy to arrange a short helicopter ride or drive to villages like Èze or Saint-Paul-de-Vence. These hilltop towns are famous for their cobbled lanes, sweeping views, and Michelin-starred restaurants. You can enjoy a gourmet meal surrounded by medieval walls, then be back on your yacht for sunset cocktails along the coast.

As a yachting destination, Nice delivers access, elegance, and ease. Its central location makes it a superb embarkation point for both short charters and longer itineraries through the West Mediterranean. Whether you’re planning a week hopping between the ports of the French Riviera or venturing further toward Corsica or Italy, a Nice yacht charter gives you full flexibility.

The port infrastructure here is well-suited for all types of yachts, from sleek motor yachts to full-crew superyachts, with facilities for provisioning, fuelling, and boarding all within close proximity to the Old Town. The airport is just 15 minutes away, with international connections that make embarking in Nice as smooth as it gets. For East Mediterranean yacht charters looking to link with the West Mediterranean, Nice is a convenient bridge between both styles of cruising.

Nice’s enduring appeal lies in its balance. It offers all the luxury you expect from a French Riviera yacht charter, but it does so with an air of authenticity. It’s a place where you can eat socca at a market stall one moment and sip vintage champagne at a five-star rooftop the next. The coastline is dazzling, the art scene is vibrant, and the surrounding ports and anchorages are some of the finest in the Mediterranean. Every detail of a yacht vacation here feels curated yet effortless.

This is the French Riviera at its most refined—where every turn of the head reveals another picturesque view, and every port of call delivers something new. See yachts for charter in the South of France and begin your French Riviera yacht charter with the city that makes elegance feel timeless.