Cannes combines glamour, history, beaches, shopping and excursions along the Riviera — giving you both the feeling of a classic seaside stay and easy access to some of southern France’s most famous places.
Cannes, the city of film
Cannes is inseparably linked to the Cannes Film Festival, one of the world’s most prestigious film festivals. Every May, the city is transformed into an international centre for the film industry as directors, actors and producers gather by the Mediterranean. Even outside the festival period, you can feel how much the city lives on its global name and elegant aura.
At the centre of it all is Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, the building at the end of the harbour where the famous red carpet is rolled out. The surrounding area is a natural starting point for a visit to Cannes, both to feel the city’s film history and to experience its lively mix of beach life, shopping and international atmosphere.
Cannes has grown from a small fishing village into one of Europe’s best-known luxury destinations. Yet part of its charm lies precisely in the contrast between grandeur and everyday life — between haute couture and the morning market, between private beach clubs and the small streets of the old town.
La Croisette and the city’s elegant atmosphere
The most famous address in Cannes is without doubt Boulevard de la Croisette, the palm-lined seafront promenade that stretches along the Mediterranean. Here, some of the city’s most famous hotels, exclusive boutiques, restaurants and private beaches stand close together. This is the place to see and be seen, but also to enjoy the distinctive Riviera feeling that makes Cannes so iconic.
Along the promenade you will find names such as Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes, InterContinental Carlton Cannes and Hôtel Martinez Cannes — hotels that have become part of the city’s identity in their own right. Even if you are not staying here, the area is perfect for a relaxed stroll, a glass of wine with a sea view, or an evening where the atmosphere itself is the experience.
Shopping is also an important part of the Cannes experience. La Croisette and Rue d’Antibes offer everything from international luxury brands to smaller shops and local designers. For many visitors, it is exactly this combination of beach life and sophisticated city life that makes Cannes different from other resort towns on the Riviera.
Le Suquet, the harbour and the islands offshore
Above the harbour lies Le Suquet, Cannes’s historic old quarter. Here the city changes character. Narrow cobbled streets, smaller restaurants, local shops and viewpoints create a more authentic and calmer experience than down by the promenade. At the top stands Église Notre-Dame d'Espérance, where you get one of the finest views over the city, the bay and the yacht harbour.
Down at Port de Cannes you meet another side of the city. The harbour is a spectacle in itself, with luxury yachts alongside sailing boats and smaller vessels. It is a lovely area both for lunch and for an evening walk, especially when the light falls across the water and the city begins to glow in the evening sun.
From Cannes it is also a short trip to the Lérins Islands, one of the best day trips on the Côte d’Azur. Île Sainte-Marguerite is known for the fort where the mysterious “Man in the Iron Mask” was imprisoned, while Île Saint-Honorat offers monastic calm, wine production and an entirely different rhythm from the one you find in town. Together, these places give Cannes a depth that makes the stay far more varied than just sun and beach.
Food, beaches and excursions from Cannes
Cannes is an excellent destination if you want to combine a beach holiday with good food experiences. Along the harbour, in the side streets and up in Le Suquet, you will find restaurants serving everything from fresh seafood and bouillabaisse to Provençal salads, ratatouille and more modern Mediterranean cuisine. It is easy here to move between a simple lunch with a sea view and a more refined dinner in elegant surroundings.
The beaches are an important part of life in the city. Plage de la Croisette, Plage du Midi and Palm Beach are among the most popular areas, whether you prefer a private beach club or a more relaxed swim stop. In the summer months the atmosphere is lively, while May, June, September and October often offer the best balance between good weather and a calmer pace.
Cannes is also an excellent base for excursions. Antibes offers old ramparts and a marina, Grasse draws visitors with its perfume heritage, Nice gives you city life by the sea, and Monaco is a classic day trip if you want to experience some of the most extravagant places the Riviera has to offer. That is why Cannes suits both travellers who want to enjoy the city itself and those who want an elegant base on perhaps the most beautiful stretch of coast in southern France.
4 days in Cannes and around the Riviera
This plan gives you four rewarding days with Cannes as your base, combining city life, beaches, the old town, island excursions and some of the most classic experiences on the Côte d’Azur.
Discover central Cannes
Start the trip by getting to know Cannes itself. Walk along the iconic seafront promenade of Boulevard de la Croisette, see the area around Palais des Festivals, and continue down to the harbour. It is the perfect first day for feeling the city’s style, pace and Mediterranean atmosphere.
- Stroll along La Croisette and enjoy the view of the Mediterranean
- See Palais des Festivals and the famous festival atmosphere
- End the day with dinner by the harbour or near the beach
Le Suquet and beach time
Spend the morning in Le Suquet, the oldest part of Cannes. Here you will find small streets, restaurants and beautiful viewpoints over the city. The rest of the day can be spent on the beach, either at Plage du Midi or along La Croisette, with lunch and a relaxed swim stop along the way.
- Explore Le Suquet and walk up to Église Notre-Dame d'Espérance
- Enjoy the view over the harbour and the Bay of Cannes
- Set aside the afternoon for beach time and a calmer pace
Day trip to the Lérins Islands
Take the boat out to the islands off Cannes for an experience that feels completely different from the city itself. Île Sainte-Marguerite is perfect if you want to combine nature and history, while Île Saint-Honorat offers monastic life, wine and quieter surroundings. This is one of the finest day trips on the whole Côte d’Azur.
- Take the ferry from Cannes harbour and experience island life
- Visit the fort on Île Sainte-Marguerite or the monastery on Saint-Honorat
- Bring swimwear and leave time for a relaxed lunch by the water
Excursion along the Riviera
End the stay with a day trip from Cannes. Antibes gives you a charming harbour town with old ramparts, Grasse offers perfume history and a village atmosphere, while Nice suits travellers who want a larger city experience before heading home. Whatever you choose, you will get to see another side of the Riviera before the trip is over.
- Choose Antibes for the old town and marina
- Choose Grasse for perfume houses and Provençal small-town atmosphere
- Or spend the day in Nice with markets, the promenade and city life