Destination guide
Nice weather by month
June, July and August are the best choices for summer weather in Nice, while September suits travellers who prefer less daytime heat without giving up a warm sea. June averages 24°C by day, rising to 28°C in August; September's sea remains at 23°C. The trade-off is straightforward: summer offers the strongest mix of warmth and sunshine, while cooler months suit walking and outdoor lunches better than long swims.
- Hottest month
- 27.5°CAugust
- Coolest month
- 11.6°CJanuary
- Warmest sea
- 24.8°CAugust
- Flight from London
- 2h/dayShort-haul (up to 4.5 h) · estimated
Nice, month by month
A little perspective
Nice through the year
Every month at a glance; "best" marks our three top months on warmth, dryness and sunshine.
| Month | Day | Night | Sea | Sun/day | Rain mm | Rainy days | Days 25°C+ |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 11.6°C | 5.1°C | 13.9°C | 4.5 | 66 | 7 | 0% |
| February | 12.1°C | 4.8°C | 13.3°C | 5.2 | 60 | 8 | 0% |
| March | 14.6°C | 6.9°C | 13.4°C | 6.1 | 63 | 8 | 0% |
| April | 16.9°C | 9.5°C | 14.4°C | 6.3 | 82 | 10 | 0% |
| May | 20.6°C | 13.4°C | 17.4°C | 6.8 | 64 | 10 | 6% |
| Junebest | 24.4°C | 17.5°C | 21.1°C | 8.4 | 48 | 8 | 42% |
| Julybest | 27.3°C | 20.3°C | 23.9°C | 9.9 | 26 | 6 | 85% |
| Augustbest | 27.5°C | 20.8°C | 24.8°C | 8.8 | 27 | 6 | 87% |
| September | 23.6°C | 17.4°C | 22.7°C | 6.8 | 74 | 8 | 29% |
| October | 19.5°C | 13.8°C | 20.2°C | 4.8 | 110 | 9 | 1% |
| November | 15.3°C | 9.5°C | 17.7°C | 4.1 | 134 | 10 | 0% |
| December | 12.4°C | 6.3°C | 15.5°C | 4.2 | 84 | 8 | 0% |
Day = average daytime high, night = average night-time low, 1991-2020.Sun is hours per day; rainy days count 1 mm or more.
Day, night and sea
Monthly average temperatures, 1991-2020
- Day
- Night
- Sea
Best months here
On warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, start with these.
When to go to Nice
For beach weather, look at months where the daytime average clears 25°C and rainy days stay low: July, August. November is the wettest month (134 mm, about 10 rainy days) and July the driest (26 mm). The sea is warmest in August at 24.8°C and coolest in February at 13.3°C.
Getting there
A direct flight from London Gatwick to Nice-Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE, 6 km from Nice) takes roughly 2 h - short-haul (up to 4.5 h) by UK standards. Time-zone: Europe/Paris.
Records and extremes, 1991-2020
The hottest day recorded in Nice between 1991 and 2020 reached 35.0°C on 29 June 2020; the coldest fell to -7.2°C on 7 February 2012. In August one day in ten tops 30.3°C and about 13% of days pass 30°C; in January one night in ten drops to 2.2°C or below. The wettest single month of the period was November 2014 with 380 mm, against a November average of 134 mm.
Sunrise, sunset and daylight in Nice
Local time on the 15th of each month; daylight-saving rules as of 2020.
| Month (15th) | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight | Sunshine/day |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 08:02 | 17:18 | 9.3 h | 4.5 h |
| February | 07:31 | 17:59 | 10.5 h | 5.2 h |
| March | 06:43 | 18:37 | 11.9 h | 6.1 h |
| April | 06:48 | 20:14 | 13.4 h | 6.3 h |
| May | 06:06 | 20:49 | 14.7 h | 6.8 h |
| June | 05:49 | 21:14 | 15.4 h | 8.4 h |
| July | 06:03 | 21:11 | 15.1 h | 9.9 h |
| August | 06:36 | 20:35 | 14.0 h | 8.8 h |
| September | 07:10 | 19:42 | 12.5 h | 6.8 h |
| October | 07:45 | 18:48 | 11.0 h | 4.8 h |
| November | 07:25 | 17:06 | 9.7 h | 4.1 h |
| December | 07:58 | 16:54 | 8.9 h | 4.2 h |
Spring: comfortable days, but the sea takes time to warm
March brings daytime averages of 15°C, making walking more appealing than sitting outside for long stretches. Nights remain cool, so bring a proper layer rather than relying on a light shirt. April reaches 17°C, though showers still deserve a place in your plans. May feels warmer at 21°C and suits travellers who want comfortable daytime weather without peak summer heat. The catch is that April and May each average 10 rain days: warmer does not mean reliably dry. May's sea averages 17°C, so swimming will still feel brisk. Pack layers, a light waterproof and clothes you can adjust as the day warms.
Summer: the strongest choice for sunshine and swimming
June offers a useful balance: days average 24°C and the sea reaches 21°C, with evenings mild enough for lighter clothing. July turns warmer at 27°C and has the most sunshine, averaging 10 hours daily. It is also the driest month, making it the strongest choice if avoiding rain matters most. August is hottest, with days around 28°C and sea temperatures of 25°C, suiting travellers who prioritise swimming. Neither month is rain-free, but showers are less frequent than in spring. Plan more active outings for the morning, leave room for shade at midday and expect warm evenings rather than a sharp drop in temperature.
Autumn and winter: lingering sea warmth, then cooler days
September is the best autumn compromise, with 24°C days and a 23°C sea: good for swimming without August's daytime heat. October eases to 20°C, with the sea also at 20°C, so beach time becomes more dependent on personal tolerance and the day's weather. November drops to 15°C and is the wettest month; keep outdoor plans flexible and bring waterproof clothing. December, January and February all average 12°C by day, making winter better suited to walking than lying by the sea. January and February nights average 5°C, so a warm jacket matters after sunset. Sunshine is more limited through the colder months, and a mild afternoon should not be mistaken for all-day warmth.
A little more detail
Nice weather FAQs
Plain answers, grounded in the averages.
What is the best time to visit Nice?
Judged on warmth, low rainfall and sunshine, the best months in Nice are July, August and June. August is the hottest month (average high 27.5°C) and January the coolest (11.6°C).
How many months a year is Nice over 25°C?
2 months in Nice average a daytime high of 25°C or more, and 5 average 20°C or more.
When is the rainy season in Nice?
November is the wettest month in Nice (134 mm on average) and July the driest (26 mm). Annual rainfall averages 838 mm.
What is the hottest temperature recorded in Nice?
The hottest day recorded in Nice between 1991 and 2020 reached 35.0°C on 29 June 2020; the coldest fell to -7.2°C on 7 February 2012. Records come from daily data for 1991-2020, not from a single station's all-time history.
When is the sea warmest in Nice?
August has the warmest sea, averaging 25°C, followed by July at 24°C. September remains inviting at 23°C, so it is a good alternative if you want warm water with less daytime heat than in August.
Is May or September better for a warm-weather holiday?
September is the better choice for swimming: its sea averages 23°C compared with May's 17°C. Days are warmer too, at 24°C rather than 21°C, and September averages fewer rain days. May suits travellers who prefer gentler daytime warmth.
Can I expect dry weather in July?
July is Nice's driest month and averages 10 hours of sunshine daily, so it offers the best balance for outdoor plans. It still averages 6 rain days, however, so do not assume every day will stay dry.
See also: France weather by month · where else is hot in August
About these averages
ERA5-Land climate reanalysis via Open-Meteo (11 km grid) and NOAA Coral Reef Watch 5 km sea temperatures, 1991-2020
Averages computed from daily values at Nice. Sea temperature from the nearest 5 km sea cell, 3.2 km from that point. Sunshine hours are estimated from average cloud cover.Records are the highest and lowest daily values in that 30-year period, not all-time records. These are climate averages, not a forecast for your trip. How we measure holiday weather
- Hot · 25°C+
- Warm · 20°C to below 25°C
- Mild · 15°C to below 20°C
- Cool · below 15°C