wellness
Discover Nice's Three Best Running Routes Along Mediterranean Coastline
Nice's best running follows the Promenade des Anglais along the Baie des Anges, climbs Castle Hill for Mediterranean panoramas, and takes the coastal path around Cap de Nice to Villefranche-sur-Mer.
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Nice offers a genuinely spectacular seafront run alongside real coastal-trail climbs on the French Riviera. Here are the best running routes in Nice for 2026.
The Promenade des Anglais
The Promenade des Anglais runs about 7 kilometres each way, a roughly 10 to 14 kilometre out-and-back, flat and fully paved with a dedicated pedestrian lane separate from cyclists, along the Bay of Angels' pebble beaches from Parc Phoenix to the Quai des États-Unis at the foot of Castle Hill, best at sunrise over the Mediterranean. It dates to 1824, funded by the English Reverend Lewis Way, which is how the "English Walk" got its name.
Colline du Château
Castle Hill offers a short but steep staircase climb off the Quai des États-Unis up to the Bellanda Tower and Château Park, on stairs and park paths, a strong cardio interval rewarded with panoramic viewpoints over the Baie des Anges, Old Town and the port, plus an artificial waterfall.
The Sentier du Littoral to Villefranche
The coastal path runs about 5.7 to 6 kilometres from Port Lympia around the foot of Mont Boron to Villefranche-sur-Mer, on mixed rocky coastal terrain with numerous stairs and real elevation change, for experienced runners, passing hidden coves, historic villas and some of the best sea views on the Côte d'Azur. The wooded trails of Parc du Mont Boron above offer trail-style training with harbour views.
The Promenade du Paillon
The Promenade du Paillon is a 1.2 kilometre linear green corridor running inland from the Promenade des Anglais to the National Theatre, on paved and soft park paths, flat and shaded, good for easy recovery runs or connecting the seafront to the city centre, featuring a large water mirror.
Running the Nice-Cannes Marathon Route
The French Riviera Marathon Nice-Cannes is the region's flagship race, a flat, fast, seaside 42.195 kilometres from the Promenade des Anglais in Nice to the Boulevard de la Croisette in Cannes, passing Saint-Laurent-du-Var, Cagnes-sur-Mer and Antibes, with the 2026 edition set for 8 November.
Practical Guide to Running in Nice
The Promenade des Anglais is the most reliable, most scenic choice for a flat run at any time of day; the coastal path to Villefranche is worth the effort for experienced runners wanting real elevation and the best sea views.