The iconic city of Nice is known as the capital of the French Riviera, a place also known for wealth and extravagance, so it is the last place you would consider for a budget-friendly vacation.
However, you don’t need a super-yacht in the marina to enjoy this wonderful city, amongst its leafy boulevards, and designer boutiques there is an affordable side to Nice.
Despite its expensive reputation, many of Nice’s amazing attractions are enjoyable on a small budget. The Promenade des Anglais is a great place to enjoy an afternoon wander and many excellent historical sights are free to enter, such as the Cathedrale Sainte Réparate.
So whether you are looking to stroll down the Promenade or enjoy the vibrant nightlife of Nice, we have sourced the best three budget accommodations, to ensure you can enjoy a visit to the stunning city of Nice regardless of your budget.
Hostel Ozz
Hostel Ozz is conveniently located 2 minutes from the train station, in the center of Nice, close to the New Town area. The hostel is a stylish yet affordable stay and is situated in a renovated artistic building with light and airy rooms decorated with natural wood and hues of blue.
The hostel does not have a communal kitchen, however, breakfast is offered daily, although not included in the price of the stay. Guests can also use the spacious communal areas, including gaming areas and an outdoor terrace.
The guest rooms are available as private double rooms or shared dormitory style and each room has its bathroom, security lockers, unlimited wifi, and fresh bed linens.
Hostel Ozz benefits from a wonderful location close to Nice’s popular attractions such as the Marc Chagall National Museum, and the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Nice church, the largest church in Nice with beautiful neo-gothic architecture.
The hostel is also in a great position for experiencing Nice’s fantastic restaurants and bars and the beach is a 15-minute walk away.
Hostel Ozz is a great budget-friendly accommodation in the heart of Nice, ideal for anyone looking to explore the city with the option to book single or group stays.
Hostel details
Address:
18 Rue Paganini, Nice, France.
Guest rating:
4.5 out of 5.
Price per night:
from $16
Hostel Meyerbeer Beach
This popular hostel is located on the sunny coast of Nice, with quick access to the beach and a central location. It is so close to the beach that the hostel even lends its guests beach towels.
Hostel Meyerbeer is bright and colorful with plenty of communal areas, internet access, and a communal kitchen for guests to use. Rooms are spacious and consist of shared dorm rooms and private rooms.
Bathrooms are private and clean with showers, and individual safes or security lockers are available to keep possessions safe.
Breakfast at the hostel and a great selection of restaurants and cafes nearby are available. The hostel is popular with students and offers an affordable stay for people on a budget. The hostel has 24-hour security and is in a great position to see or travel to Monaco or Cannes.
This hostel has a great location for anyone looking to explore Nice. The Promenade des Anglais is a few streets away, and the train station is nearby. The St Nicholas Cathedral and the bustling shopping avenue of Jean Medecin are both just over 1 km away.
Hostel details
Address:
15 Rue Meyerbeer, Nice, France.
Guest rating:
4.5 out of 5.
Price per night:
from $22
Villa Saint Exupery Beach
Located close to the Old Town, Villa Saint Exupery is in an excellent position to walk to the beach and the famous Promenade des Anglais. Nice’s Museum of Modern Art is also close by. This hostel attracts a lively crowd, mostly thanks to the hostel’s bar, and is bright and spacious with vibrant communal areas.
The hostel guest rooms are offered as private doubles or dormitory-style rooms, with private modern bathrooms, security lockers, and fresh bed linens. The hostel can accommodate large group bookings for schools, universities, or smaller groups of travelers.
Breakfast is available from the attractive dining room area for a small fee and the hostel is also wheelchair friendly. Guests can also make use of the small kitchen facilities and the onsite gym. Onsite computer areas offering free internet access and games tables are available, adding to the relaxed and fun vibe of the hostel.
There is a very social atmosphere at hostel Villa Saint Exupery with game nights, live music, and televised sports events hosted at the onside bar. The hostel staff arranges bar crawls and yoga sessions on the beach, making the hostel ideal for younger travelers looking to meet people during their vacations.
The central location of Villa Saint Exupery means that most of Nice’s attractions are within a ten-minute walk, including the Promenade du Paillon Park located just a few streets away.
Hostel details
Address:
6 Rue Sacha Guitry, Nice, France.
Guest rating:
4.2 out of 5.
Price per night:
from $19
About our Nice hostel recommendations
If you’re an individual adventurer in search of a private place or a group of explorers on a budget seeking comfortable, affordable accommodation, the top hostels in Nice to suit your requirements are listed above.
Please be aware that we only feature hostels on our site that have achieved an overall guest review rating of no less than 4.0 out of 5. These ratings are compiled from multiple booking sites and independent review platforms, meaning they reflect the views of thousands of guests.
Consequently, rest assured all aforementioned hostels guarantee excellent value for money during your stay in Nice, France.
Best price guarantee
For our hostel recommendations, we work together with Hostelworld and Booking. These partnerships don’t have any influence on the recommendations we make or on the order in which our recommended hostels are listed. The reasons why we have chosen to partner with these companies are that they’re trustworthy, offer excellent service and both apply the best price guarantee.
This means you can claim a refund for the difference if you find your reservation cheaper on another website. It has to be for the same property, accommodation type, dates, cancellation policy and conditions, otherwise, you can’t claim a refund for the difference.
If you book through Booking.com then all you need to do is contact them at least 24 hours before your check-in date. If you book through Hostelworld you must claim the refund within 24 hours after you made the booking.
Top 3 hostels in Nice
To summarize again, based on thousands of guest reviews, these are the best hostels in Nice:
Why you should be careful when booking the cheapest hostel available
Opting for the most budget-friendly hostel isn’t always the best choice, and here’s why:
- Hostels with the lowest rates often fall short when it comes to location. If your plans include exploring Nice or immersing yourself in its nightlife, you might find yourself spending extra on public transportation or a cab ride to reach your destination. In such scenarios, staying somewhere more central could be less costly eventually. We generally suggest a centrally located stay for those new to travel; however, even seasoned travelers may find value in paying slightly more for convenience.
- The other factor discouraging one from choosing an extremely cheap hostel is related to its inhabitants. People residing in these places are usually not those who can afford frequent travel like you do, but rather migrant workers or locals struggling economically. Hence, they gravitate towards these budget accommodations, as they are cheaper substitutes than maintaining an apartment of their own much of the time. This demographic might not be ideal if you’re a solo adventurer seeking companionship during your journey.
- The third rationale for steering clear of the cheapest hostels lies in security concerns. These establishments often neglect to verify identification, fail to collect signatures, or only handle transactions in cash upon arrival. As a result, it’s impossible for the hostel management to accurately know who resides within their premises.
- Customer service is typically lacking at these budget accommodations. For example, should you decide to leave your luggage with them temporarily, your belongings will be left unguarded in common areas instead of being securely logged and stored away in a safe room.
So, it may make more sense to allocate slightly more financial resources toward securing better accommodation during your visit to Nice.
As a concluding piece of advice: always prioritize reading the most recent reviews about any prospective hostel! While all places garner both praise and criticism over time, it is indeed the freshest reviews that hold significant weight when making an informed decision.
More Nice tips
Get to know the city even better and check out our other articles about Nice:
