Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill), Nice

911

Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill), Nice

Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill), Nice (must see)

Castle Hill is a must see with its breathtaking views of the city and the Mediterranean Sea. This area is where Nice was founded in the third century BCE. From high on the hill a trading post was established and then a defensive post was maintained. A large wall was built around the city only to be torn down in the early 1700s.

Don’t go to the hill expecting to see the “Castle”, as a few ruins still remain but that is all. The area is still intriguing nonetheless. Aside from the exquisite views, there is a beautiful park, the Naval Museum, stepping stones that depict the Odyssey by Homer and a beautiful old cemetery filled with gorgeous headstones.

There is also a man-made waterfall along the way, which sometimes gets shutoff in the late afternoon, so be sure to visit early if you want to see it. There are plenty of benches around the area so take a few minutes to revel in the Mediterranean splendor of the park. This is a great place to pack a picnic lunch and spend the afternoon. There is a small cafe in the area too.

Getting to the hill can be accomplished several different ways depending upon time constraints and fitness. For those who like to walk, take the steps up to the observation platform. There are 213 steps but the view is spectacular along the way. For a fee, there is also an elevator or a motorized train. The train does not really allow for any wandering, so for those who like to stroll and look on their own schedule, take the steps or the elevator or a combination of the two.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Nice. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "911: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

Download The 911 App

Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill) on Map

Sight Name: Colline du Chateau (Castle Hill)
Sight Location: Nice, France (See walking tours in Nice)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Nice, France

Create Your Own Walk in Nice

Create Your Own Walk in Nice

Creating your own self-guided walk in Nice is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Shopping Areas in Nice

Shopping Areas in Nice

Other than being just a fashionable French Riviera destination with lively streets, leisurely atmosphere, historical sites and beautiful architecture, Nice is also a true shopper’s paradise. With more than 7,000 shopping options scattered throughout its almost 72 sq km area, the city surely knows how to offer unique and varied goods to its trendy residents and similarly stylish travelers anxious...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.3 Km or 0.8 Miles
Nice Introduction Walking Tour

Nice Introduction Walking Tour

As Cocteau, a French poet, put it, we’re not simply visiting a pretty coastline — we’re stepping into “the greenhouse where the roots grow”. Let’s walk the streets of Nice and discover how they shaped the city’s many lives.

The site of Nice has been inhabited since prehistoric times: archaeological evidence from nearby Terra Amata suggests human presence some 400,000 years ago....  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.9 Km or 1.8 Miles
Historical Churches Walking Tour

Historical Churches Walking Tour

Centuries of somewhat turbulent history have left imprint on the face of Old Nice, which until the 18th century represented the entire urban area. The abundance of historic and often colorful churches – about nine per square mile – ranging from the most opulent to the most obscure, each with its own quirks and story behind their stained glass, has made Old Nice part of a heritage preservation...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.4 Km or 2.1 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Shopping, Dining, and Playing in Nice, France: Good for You, Good for the Planet

Shopping, Dining, and Playing in Nice, France: Good for You, Good for the Planet

When we travel, sometimes we forget to take care of ourselves. There are just so many wonderful things to see, do, eat, and drink that our well-being can suffer while we live it up. That’s why a stop in Nice is a great idea when you’re in France. A few years ago, the city of Nice decided to...