The best months to visit Nice are May, June, September and October, when average highs land in a comfortable band and skies stay bright — June reaches 25.7 °C with just 6 rain days, while September sits at 25.2 °C with 5 rain days. July and August are the hottest and busiest stretch, with highs of 28.4 °C and 29 °C and school-holiday crowds along the Promenade des Anglais. Winter is the quiet, low season: still mild at around 12.7 °C in January but with shorter, cooler days.
Best months MayJuneSeptemberOctober
Nice month by month
Average highs and lows (°C), 2016–2025. Highlighted bars are the best months.
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.7 °C | 5.3 °C | 6 | 7.2 h |
| February | 13.6 °C | 6.2 °C | 7 | 8.2 h |
| March | 15.4 °C | 7.6 °C | 7 | 9.6 h |
| April | 17.7 °C | 10.5 °C | 8 | 10.8 h |
| May | 21 °C | 13.9 °C | 10 | 11.9 h |
| June | 25.7 °C | 18.8 °C | 6 | 13.7 h |
| July | 28.4 °C | 21.2 °C | 2 | 14.2 h |
| August | 29 °C | 21.6 °C | 3 | 12.7 h |
| September | 25.2 °C | 18 °C | 5 | 10.8 h |
| October | 21.2 °C | 14.2 °C | 8 | 8.7 h |
| November | 16.5 °C | 9.4 °C | 10 | 7.5 h |
| December | 13.7 °C | 6.3 °C | 7 | 7.1 h |
How the months are picked.A month qualifies when its average high sits in the comfortable 20–28 °C band (scored down towards 9 °C and 37 °C), rain days are few and sunshine hours are high — at least 78 % of the city's best-scoring month. July and August are then set aside as peak season (school-holiday crowds and prices) whenever at least three other months qualify; where summer is the only comfortable window they stay. Figures are ten-year averages (2016-01-01 to 2025-12-31) from ERA5 reanalysis data via Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0) for the city centre coordinates.
When to go, and what to expect
Spring (Mar–May)
Ideal for walkers and sightseers wanting warmth without summer heat.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Best for beach and sea lovers who don't mind the busy season; June is the sweet spot.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Excellent — warm sea, softer light and fewer people make September and October a top pick.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Worth it for a low-key city break, though too cool for the beach.
Notable events
- February
- Nice Carnival (Carnaval de Nice)
- June
- Fête de la Musique
- July
- Bastille Day celebrations
- December
- Christmas markets on the seafront
Frequently asked
Is Nice too hot in August?
August is the warmest month, with average highs of 29 °C and only 3 rain days. It's beach weather, but crowds and heat peak — June (25.7 °C) or September (25.2 °C) are more comfortable.
What is the rainiest month in Nice?
May and November are the wettest, each with about 10 rain days. Summer is the driest stretch, with July seeing just 2 rain days.
Is winter worth visiting Nice?
Yes, for a quiet city break. Winter stays mild by European standards — around 12.7 °C in January — with 7.2 hours of sunshine a day, though it's too cool for swimming.
Know when to go? Now decide where to stay — our Nice area guide →
Areas of Nice
Best time to visit near here
Sources
- Open-Meteo historical weather API — monthly climate normals, 2016–2025 (CC BY 4.0)
- ERA5 reanalysis (ECMWF / Copernicus) — the underlying temperature, precipitation and sunshine data
- ReasonStay methodology — how the best months are computed and checked
An independent guide to Nice — honest, verified, no invented data. Climate figures: ERA5 via Open-Meteo, 2016–2025 averages; the best months are computed from them, not opinion.