An Insider’s Guide to the Best Things to do in Cannes

Last Updated on 17th June 2024 by Charlotte Nadeau

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Picture perfect Cannes is world-famous thanks to its annual film festival, which sees previews of movies from almost every genre imaginable. Pastel hued houses line the sparkling Mediterranean Sea and the glamorous city can be found along the equally glittering French Riviera. Here’s your guide to the best things to do in Cannes, as well as what to know before you go.

What is Cannes known for?

Cannes is undoubtedly most famous for it annual star-studded film festival which takes place for two weeks in May each year. During this time, the city is transformed into a large meeting place for actors, directors, and producers from all over the world.

The city is also famed thanks to its iconic position along the Côte d’Azur, a sparkling stretch of coastline stretching between Théoule-sur-Mer in the west to Menton in the east. Cannes is one of the largest towns on the French Riviera, boasting a population of just over 74,000 residents.

How long do you need in Cannes?

In truth, Cannes is not the most attractive nor charming of French Riviera towns and so you only need around half a day to see all of the main attractions. If you have more time to spare, then here’s our suggested one day in Cannes itinerary.

Everything can be explored on foot and so be sure to wear comfortable shoes and avoid bringing a car into the city centre if possible (parking can be difficult to find and is really pricey).

If you don’t have a great deal of time, then I would personally recommend forgoing the town in favour of places like Antibes, Nice, or Menton. If it’s your first time in the Côte d-Azur, be sure to check out our suggested French Riviera itinerary.

When is the best time to visit Cannes?

Like many places in the South of France, the best time to visit is during the shoulder season (late spring/ early autumn) or in the summer. During these times you’ll be rewarded with the best weather, the longest days, and everything actually being open.

Many bars, restaurants, and even hotels along the French Riviera are pretty seasonal and so will shut up shop for the winter season. With this being said, if you visit end of January/ beginning of February, then you can enjoy the beautiful bright yellow mimosa blooms, which flower during this time.

When it comes to visiting Cannes, you should avoid visiting during the Film Festival (typically from the middle to end of May) as everything will be really crowded, many of the attractions you want to see will be closed, and hotel rates will be extortionate.

Things to do in Cannes

Cannes was known as Canua during the 10th-century. At this time, the town was little more than a sleepy village, though it had probably functioned as a Ligurian Port and then a Roman outpost in centuries prior.

If you want a greater insight into the story of Cannes together with a local guide, consider booking a walking tour like this one. If you would prefer to discover the city on two wheels, consider booking this 2.5 hour e-bike tour.

I visited Cannes on a sunny afternoon in the spring. The sun was shining, the sea looked inviting, and the streets were calm. One of the greatest joys was simply strolling the streets, snapping photos of the pastel-hued shutters, and taking the time to admire the small details of architecture. Here are some of the best Cannes attractions that you shouldn’t miss out on during your trip:

Notre Dame d’Esperance

Presiding at the very top of a hill overlooking the glittering port, in one of the oldest parts of town, Église Notre-Dame d’Espérance is a Gothic church which began construction in 1527, though was only completed in 1627.

The rather plain façade belies a surprisingly ornate interior, with a 19th-century Italian organ from Pavia, stained glass windows depicting scenes from the bible, and frescoes surrounding the central altar.

Walking up to the church can be a little bit of a challenge (particularly during the heat of the summer), but the views from the square surrounding the church are unparalleled. Once in the square, you can sit under the shade of the pine trees and rest for a short while.

Walk along the sea front

There is perhaps no better way to admire Cannes than by taking a walk along the sea front. A large part of the city centre has a footpath lining the side of the water, and from there you can admire boats bobbing in the water and the reflection of the sunny buildings.

Though Cannes may have started off in life as a humble fishing village, the designer shops and luxury hotels and restaurants now draw a rather wealthy clientele and so it’s not unusual to spy super yachts anchored in the waters surrounding the town.

Wander around Le Suquet 

The oldest district in Cannes is nestled on a steep hillside and is known as Le Suquet. Cannes began life as a small fishing village, protected by its dominating castle. It’s in this district where you’ll find the remains of the castle, cobbled lanes, and some pretty historic houses.

This is the one area of Cannes that you certainly shouldn’t miss, particularly because it’s home to some truly splendid views. Other highlights of Le Suquet include the Forville Market (open every morning from Tuesday through to Sunday) and the suqare of the Suquet des Art(iste)s.

This unique piazza has been established on the site of a former morgue. Visit today and you’ll find temporary installations by various local artists. The square is open from 10 AM- 1 PM and 2 PM – 6 PM from Tuesday through to Sunday and, thanks to the ever changing artists exhibiting, no two visits will ever be the same.

Be amazed by the view from Le Suquet

As you are wandering around Le Suquet, one thing will swiftly become apparent: the views on the various streets in this district of Cannes are simply stunning, especially during the early morning or late afternoon when everything is bathed in a golden glow.

Admire the architecture

Thanks to its rich history over the ages, Cannes presents the opportunity to enjoy a variety of architecture. From the medieval Château to the Belle Epoque architecture of Intercontinental Carlton Hotel, there’s plenty of unique buildings to admire.

Musée de la Castre (Musée des explorations du monde)

There is a handful of museums in Cannes, but one of the most famous is located in the Suquet district, just behind the Notre Dame d’Esperance Church. Musée de la Castre, also known as Musée des explorations du monde, is dedicated to showcasing 19th-century French Riviera artworks and other artefacts set against the backdrop of the former medieval castle.

See the Cannes sign

Over the past decade or so, it has become quite the trend in Europe for towns to erect a giant Hollywood sign in order to appeal to growing tourist numbers who love snapping photos of the signs for social media.

Cannes is no different and the larger than life Cannes sign can be found on the side of the hill that makes up Le Suquet district (just below the Notre Dame d’Esperance church) and is best-viewed from the port.

Visit the Forville Market

If you’re looking to dive deeper into the local foodie scene while in Cannes, then you can’t go wrong by heading to the Forville Market. This local’s covered market is known as Marché Forville in French and the structure you see today dates all the way back to 1929, though this was built on the site of a former 19th-century market. Wander in today and you can expect to find all kinds of local goodies, including fresh fruit and vegetables and local cheeses.

Discover the Cannes Walk of Fame

One of the more ‘hidden gems’ of Cannes that many people pass on a daily basis but few actually notice is the Cannes Walk of Fame. This is known as  L’Allée des Stars in French and can be found at 1 Boulevard de la Croisette.

The walk comprises of over 300 hand printed hand prints (close to 400 in actuality) of various celebrities, inspired by the Walk of Fame in Los Angeles, USA.

See the red carpet

There is a permanent red carpet on the steps of the Palais des Festivals. If there’s no event going on, then you can walk on the steps for yourself to snap a photo on the red carpet. Unfortunately, there was an event on during my trip to the city and so I wasn’t able to take a photo on the Cannes red carpet!

Cannes beaches

As you would expect from a sizeable town along the French Riviera, Cannes has its own fair share of beaches, which can get pretty popular among sunbathers and swimmers alike during the summer months. Some of the most popular beaches include La Croisette, Plage du Martinez, and Plage de la Bocca.

Go shopping

As with most towns and cities associated with luxury, Cannes has no shortage of designer shops, and these are largely concentrated along Boulevard de la Croisette. Stores of note include Prada, Dior, and Louis Vuitton. If you’re looking for high street shop names, then head to rue d’Antibes.

Take a day trip to the Lérins Islands

The Lérins is a small group of four Mediterranean islands which are a short boat ride away from the coast of Cannes. The largest of these is Île Sainte Marguerite. Once on the islands, you can go hiking, visit the historic Fort Royal (which contains Roman relics), and admire the turquoise water. Book your Round-Trip Ferry to Ste. Marguerite Island here in advance.

Take the tourist train

The best way to get around Cannes is on foot, but you can also opt to take the local tourist train if you want a little bit more information. The tour will take you to places such as the Palais des Festivals, the Provençal market of Forville, up to Le Suquet, and show you the beaches of the Midi.

Where to stay in Cannes

I personally don’t think it’s really worth staying in Cannes and would urge you to opt to stay further down the coastline in Antibes or Nice instead. However, if you do want to stay in Cannes, then there are a variety of establishments to suit a variety of needs and budgets. Here are some of the best places to stay in Cannes (-based on location and web-reviews):

InterContinental Carlton Cannes Hotel: If you’re looking for the crème de la crème of places to stay in Cannes, then the InterContinental Carlton Cannes Hotel is a five-star establishment that is situated within a gorgeous Belle Epoque building. Check prices and availability here.

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