Situated on one of Europe's most iconic coastlines, Nice, France has long been an enchanting destination for travelers. As the unofficial capital of French RivieraThe Provençal city offers a unique blend of cosmopolitan allure and laid-back Mediterranean lifestyle and, according to a new report, it could be the best value for money in 2025.
Recently, Skyscanner named Nice as the best value destination for 2025. According to the travel search engine results, annual travel trends reportNice saw the biggest drop in air ticket prices from the United States – down 27% – in 2024 compared to 2023.
Among the nine other cities of Skyscanner ranking “Best value for money destinations”four are in the United States, two in the Caribbean and the others in Africa, Europe and South America.
Read on to discover the cities that are expected to offer incredible value in 2025, with more competitive prices and potentially fewer crowds than more in-demand (and more expensive) hot spots.
What Makes Nice, France the Best Value City for American Travelers
As travel continues to rebound, many of the world's most iconic destinations remain overwhelmed by crowds, driving up prices for everything from plane tickets to accommodation. To find the best value cities, Skyscanner's report examined proprietary data based on millions of searches and insights from more than 20,000 travelers.
According to Skyscanner, Nice, in addition to having the most significant drop in flight prices, is also good value because it “offers a blend of natural beauty, cultural experiences and affordability.” . . . Once in Nice, there are plenty of affordable dining options and fresh, regional produce for foodies. Additionally, many of the city's top attractions, including the Promenade des Anglais, Chateau Hill, and the Matisse Museum, are either free or low cost.
The report also notes travelers' spending behavior. According to Skyscanner, the top factors determining a vacation destination for Americans are the cost of flights (51%), the price of food and drinks (34%), and the cost of hotels (50%).
Here's how the best value cities were ranked.
Just behind Nice as the best value destination is the eastern Caribbean island of Saint Lucia.
Photo by Corinne Kutz/Unsplash
10 Best Value Destinations for American Travelers
- Nice, France: 27 percent price drop
- Castries, Saint Lucia: 25 percent price drop
- Bridgetown, Barbados: 24 percent price drop
- Rabat, Morocco: 24 percent price drop
- Fargo, North Dakota, United States: 24 percent price drop
- San Jose, California, United States: 23 percent price drop
- Charlotte, North Carolina, United States: 22 percent price drop
- Salt Lake City, Utah, United States:19 percent price drop
- Amsterdam, Netherlands:19 percent price drop
- Barranquilla, Colombia: 19 percent price drop
Head to Nice's old town for its charming side streets, markets, cafes and restaurants.
Why is now the time to visit Nice, France
The year 2024 was an important year for Nice. The Tour de France ended in the coastal city in July, marking the first time in the race's 111-year history that it did not finish in Paris. American Airlines launched a service from Philadelphia to Nice during the summer, and United announced this would increase the number of daily flights from Washington-Dulles International Airport to Nice in 2025. The city also saw the opening of two new luxury hotels in 2024, including the 88-room Convent Hotela Luxury Collection hotel located in a former 17th century convent, and The Victoriaa charming establishment with 102 rooms and 30 suites which is part of the Preferred Hotels & Resorts group.
If you're going to Nice for the first time, start your exploration at the iconic Promenade des Anglais (Passerelle des Anglais, locally called “The ball“), a palm tree-lined boulevard of approximately four and a half miles that runs along the coastline. Whether you cycle along the waterfront or simply stroll, the views of the turquoise sea are spectacular, especially at sunset of the sun when the sky is ablaze with orange and pink hues. Bay of Angels (Baie des Anges), with its pebble beaches, is popular for sunbathing or swimming in the azure waters of the Mediterranean.
But Nice is much more than just a seaside town. The heart of the city is its old town, with a maze of narrow, cobbled streets, pastel facades and bustling markets. At the Cours Saleya market, local farmers and artisans offer fresh produce, fragrant flowers and artisanal products. For a real taste of the region, try the famous socca (a crispy chickpea pancake) or a traditional pan bagnat (a Nice sandwich) in one of the many cafes with outdoor terraces. You can also visit the Libération market, which includes the Docks de la Riviera food hall, which houses everything from bakeries and cheese shops to bars and delicatessens.
For art lovers, Nice is a real treasure. The city was once home to many renowned artists, including Henri Matisse And Auguste Renoirand their heritage is preserved in the Matisse Museum and the Renoir Museum, the latter of which is located in the neighboring town of Cagnes-sur-Mer. THE Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art offers a deeper dive into 20th and 21st century art, while the Museum of Fine Arts, Housed in a beautiful villa that was once the private residence of a Ukrainian princess, it houses an impressive collection of European art from the last four centuries.
Nice is also a gateway to discover the surrounding region of the Côte d'Azur. A short drive away is the charming seaside town of Cannesas well as the charming hilltop villages of Èze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence.
