The old port of Nice – the port Lympia
This is one of the most popular ports in Europe and it is only quite natural with its central and beautiful location by the Mediterranean.
Here are spectacular views of colorful fishing boats (pointus) drifting in and out of the old port, while the harbor quay hosts a busy commercial life and ferry transports, to Corsica in particular.
When you reach the port Lympia, where the local fisherman’s small boats “pointus” mix with luxury yachts, you are just a 5 minute walk away from the famous seafront Promenade des Anglais and the many other sights of Nice.
Party at the harbor
Every year in September, thousands of visitors flock to the city’s ports party, offering lots of tastings of the local specialties as well as concerts and entertainment performed on the quay and on the water.
The port also receives hundreds of daily passengers who take the ferry to Corsica. Just like all year round, you can go on countless boat trips and experience the French Riviera from the Mediterranean.
The port area is located in the southeastern part of the city just around the corner at the Hotel Suisse and the Bellanda Tower.
It is the perfect place to sit back and relax and have a drink or a meal in one of the bars or restaurants in the area, while absorbing the vibes of the Mediterranean and the maritime atmosphere.
History of port Lympia
The port was built in the mid-17th century at the instigation of the Sardinian king. It was then a very swampy area and berths were needed to attract trade from the sea route. The first part of the harbor and was ready in 1751.
The development of the port gained particular momentum after Nice passed to the French kingdom in 1860 and the expansion was to extend over almost 150 years to the port we know today.
The creation of the port of Nice offered new economic growth for the city. New trade agreements were concluded, especially with the Italian peninsula. In 1860, the port, which specialized in food, generated a significant traffic of 37,000 tons of goods, especially grain and wine. In 1910 this number was multiplied by ten.
Passenger transport has also been a very successful source of income with regular connections to Corsica from 1860 until today.
The harbor today, for sailors and visitors
The Port is one of the most important hubs in Nice and in fact of the entire French Riviera, standing out as one of the most important ports for boats sailing across the Mediterranean.
Port Lympia contains all the facilities that a modern sailor can expect from a port of this caliber.
The ferry routes from the port
Ferries depart from the port of Nice for Corsica and Sardinia, respectively, with up to 14 weekly departures.
To Corsica there are landings in the ports of Ajaccio, Bastia, L’Ile Rousse and Calvi and in Sardinia there is a landing in the port of Golfo Aranci.
The crossing to Corsica takes approx. 5 to 8.5 hours depending on the choice of port of arrival and 17.5 hours to Sardinia. Ticket prices range from approx. 65 euros for a return ticket per person and if you want to bring your car, the price level is from approx. 165 euros depending on the individual departures and choice of port of arrival.
Nearby attractions
In the harbor area itself is the Lympia barracks, which is the oldest building in the harbor and today functions as a cultural exhibition space with 230 m² available over several floors.
Originally when the barracks was built back in 1750, it was used as a warehouse and workshop with its large wide vaults, but in 1802 it was turned into a prison for a longer period. In 1826, the “Clock Pavilion” was built. Today, the entire barracks has been beautifully restored and easily recognizable with the beautiful clock on the yellow facade of the main building and with the barracks building on the right.
Just a few minutes walk from the port is the Promenade des Anglais and thus a pearl of the many interesting sights that Nice has to offer. Look forward to the old town, Place Masséna, the Jardin Albert 1er, the Matisse and Chagall Museum and many more. You can see all the experiences together below.
By Tommy Sverre / 2021
- All
- Art
- Castles and palaces
- Churches & chapels
- Excursions
- Food & Wine
- Gardens & parks
- Markets
- Museums
- Ports & Islands
- Squares & Promenades
- Viewpoints
Churches & chapels Monastery Notre-Dame de Cimiez
If you feel like venturing away from the sea and strolling in the hills behind Nice, don’t hesitate to take a trip to colline de Cimiez, or Cimiez hill, to visit the magnificent monastery of Notre-Dame de Cimiez.
Squares & Promenades Garibaldi Square in Nice
Beautifully situated in the North of the old town of Nice, you will find Garibaldi Square. It is the oldest square in Nice, which dates back to the year 1773.
Boat trips Boat trip from Nice to Villefranche
Enjoy the beautiful views of Nice, Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat on a 1-hour boat trip along the French Riviera.
Excursions Hop-on Hop-off bus tour in Nice
Explore Nice with a 1- or 2-day pass to the open-top Hop-on Hop-off sightseeing bus. Hop on and off as often as you like and take the time to experience the most popular places
Squares & Promenades Old town of Nice – Vieille Ville
There are many reasons to fall in love with Nice. One of the obvious ones is the charming old town with its cozy little streets, narrow houses painted in breathtaking southern colors.
Gardens & parks Phoenix Park
Phoenix Park is a beautiful botanical and zoological park with exciting experiences for both children and adults. With one of Europe’s largest greenhouses…
Art Museum of Modern Art – MAMAC
Located in the heart of the city, close to Place Garibaldi, the MAMAC Museum exhibits modern and contemporary art from the 1950s to the present day.
Castles and palaces Villa Masséna museum
Villa Masséna is an architectural jewel from the Belle Epoque period and today houses a museum of the history of Nice and the memorabilia of Napoleon.
Excursions Excursions Nice
Nice is the heart of the Côte d’Azur and many of the most interesting excursions depart from here. Book securely with free cancellation.
Castles and palaces Colline du Château
Colin du Chateau is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the city and at the same time the place where Nice saw the light of day.
Art Matisse Museum Nice
The Matisse Museum in Nice is a city museums and it’s dedicated to the life and works of Henri Matisse as he spent much of his life in Nice and in the Côte d’Azur region.
Churches & chapels Russian church in Nice – Cathedral Saint-Nicholas
This is one of the most beautiful Russian churches of its kind outside of Russia. It is like a section of St. Peter’s Square in Moscow, just located in the middle of Nice.
Markets Markets at Cours Saleya
The markets at Cours Saleya hosts four different markets. Most famous is the Marché aux Fleurs or Flower Market, open Tuesday through Sunday.
Castles and palaces Casino Palais de la Mediteranée
This is one of the most beautiful palaces on the Promenade des Anglais and an architectural testimony to the Art-Deco period from the beginning of the 20th century
Castles and palaces Lascaris Palace
In the heart of the old town on rue Droite lies this extraordinary mansion. It is a true monument in the French Baroque style, decorated with frescoes, luxuriously furnished rooms and ..
Food & Wine Food Mecca at Gare du Sud
The large steel hall has now been transformed into one large cultural and gastronomic mecca and the hall is enriched with a 1,000 square meter mezzanine that is being laid ….
Squares & Promenades Place Masséna
Place Masséna is a historic square in Nice, which connects the old town with the more modern northern part of the city.
Art Marc Chagall museum Nice
Chagall Museum Nice is the first national museum built to pay homage to an artist while he was still alive. It is located on the Cimiez Hill.
Gardens & parks Jardin Albert 1.
Jardin Albert 1 is one of Nice’s absolutely oldest public gardens and you can hardly avoid meeting it either ..
Squares & Promenades Promenade des Anglais
This seven-kilometer long promenade is the epitome of Nice and the French Riviera. An iconic landmark that today attracts …
