An Insider’s Guide to Cannes: Best Things to Do, Hidden Gems & One Day Itinerary

Last Updated on 31st July 2026 by Sophie 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.

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.

How to spend one day in Cannes

Though it would be preferable to have two days in Cannes to explore at a relaxed pace, sometimes a day is all you have and so here’s a suggestion for how to spend one day in Cannes (with timings):

8:30 AM — Breakfast at a café

• Start your day with a classic French breakfast outdoors.
• Enjoy coffee, fresh pastries, and viennoiseries at a local café.
• Recommended spots:
  • L’Affogato — known for sweet treats, desserts, coffee, and juices.
  • La Cannoise des Cafés et Thés — a cosy option for coffee, tea, and pastries.

9:30 AM — Visit the Palais des Festivals & Cannes Walk of Fame

• Take a photo on the famous red carpet steps outside the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès (unless an event is taking place).
• Discover the Cannes Walk of Fame, featuring hundreds of celebrity handprints inspired by Hollywood’s version.

10:30 AM — Take a boat trip to Île Sainte-Marguerite

• Escape the city and spend the morning on Cannes’ largest Lérins Island.
• Explore:
  • Fort Royal — the former prison where the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask was held.
  • Peaceful forest trails and coastal paths.
  • Hidden beaches and swimming spots.
  • The underwater ecomuseum for snorkelling enthusiasts.

1:00 PM — Lunch on Île Sainte-Marguerite or back in Cannes

• Enjoy a relaxed picnic with bakery treats, snacks, and local produce.
• During summer, seasonal restaurants and cafés on the island are also available.

2:30 PM — Explore Le Suquet (Old Town)

• Return to Cannes and climb up to the city’s oldest neighbourhood.
• Wander the charming cobbled streets and visit:
  • Notre-Dame d’Espérance Church — a historic hilltop church with beautiful views.
  • Musée des Explorations du Monde — located in the former monastery.
• Admire panoramic views over Cannes, the harbour, and the Mediterranean.

4:30 PM — Stroll along La Croisette

• Walk Cannes’ famous waterfront promenade.
• Relax on the iconic blue chairs overlooking the sea.
• Admire luxury hotels, sandy beaches, and the glamorous Riviera atmosphere.

6:00 PM — Enjoy a beachside moment or sunset drink

• Relax at one of Cannes’ beaches or watch the sunset from the waterfront.
• Popular options:
  • Plage de la Croisette — the classic Cannes experience.
  • Plage du Midi — quieter and more local.

7:30 PM — Dinner in Cannes

• Finish your day with French or Mediterranean cuisine.
• Recommended restaurant:
  • Bobo Bistro — a stylish restaurant with indoor and outdoor seating and plenty of vegetarian options.
• Book ahead, especially on weekends and during busy periods.

9:00 PM — Evening stroll through Cannes

• Take one final walk through the illuminated streets and along La Croisette to enjoy Cannes after dark.

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.

Getting to Cannes

Thanks to its strategic position on the train line, it couldn’t be easier to reach Cannes as a day trip from Nice, or even as a direct weekend escape from Paris if you have a little bit more time to spare. The main train station in town is Cannes station and it is served by both regular local trains as well as high speed offerings such as the Ouigo from Paris.

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.

Wander around the city

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:

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.

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.

Enjoy terrace dining

One of the nicest things about visiting Cannes is that it’s possible to enjoy breakfast, lunch, and dinner outside pretty much all year round. There are a number of cafés serving up piping hot coffees, pastries, and other classic French breakfast foods, but here are some of my favourites:

• L’affogato: Their speciality is ice cream but they also do all sorts of other sweet treats, desserts, juices, and hot coffees.
• La Cannoise des Cafés et Thés: Here you can get vienoisseries, teas, and a variety of other hot drinks.

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. Here are some of the best beaches in Cannes:

• Plage de la Croisette — Cannes’ most famous beach area, located along the iconic Boulevard de la Croisette. Expect soft sand, beautiful Mediterranean views, and a mix of public stretches and stylish private beach clubs.
• Plage du Midi — A quieter, more relaxed beach west of the Old Port, popular with locals thanks to its sandy shoreline, clear waters, and views towards the Esterel mountains.
• Plage Macé — One of Cannes’ central public beaches, located close to the Palais des Festivals. A convenient spot for a quick swim after exploring the city.
• Plage Zamenhof — A family-friendly public beach along the Croisette with calm waters, showers, and facilities, making it a good option for a longer beach day.
• Bijou Plage — A peaceful public beach at the eastern end of Cannes, known for its clear waters, relaxed atmosphere, and views towards the Lérins Islands.
• Palm Beach — Located at the tip of the Pointe Croisette peninsula, this area offers beautiful views over the bay and is popular for swimming, watersports, and watching boats pass by.
• Gazagnaire Beach — A more local-feeling beach near Palm Beach, loved for its clear turquoise waters and quieter atmosphere away from the busiest parts of Cannes.
• Plage de la Bocca — Situated west of central Cannes, this sandy beach is often less crowded than those along the Croisette and is a good option if you want more space.
• Mouré Rouge Beach — A charming neighbourhood beach near Palm Beach, popular with locals and families thanks to its calm waters and relaxed vibe.
• Private beach clubs along La Croisette — For a more glamorous Cannes experience, rent a sun lounger at one of the city’s private beaches, many of which offer restaurants, cocktails, parasols, and waiter service directly on the sand.

Stroll along La Croisette

You can enjoy watching the sea and the sky above from one of the iconic sky blue metallic seats which are free to use and can be found scattered along La Croisette. If you happen to be travelling with your own chess set then you can even play chess at one of the little chess tables on the seaside promenade.

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. Book your Round-Trip Ferry to Ste. Marguerite Island here in advance.

I personally enjoyed a visit to Île Sainte Marguerite. Departures to and from the island take place almost every hour but I would recommend heading to the island earlier rather than later so that you can return to the mainland to continue exploring Cannes later in the day. Here are some of the best things to do on the island:

• Visit the Fort Royal (the former prison where the mysterious Man in the Iron Mask was held)
• Relax on the beach
• Hike on one of 22 km worth of hiking trails
• Snorkel an underwater ecomuseum

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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