Last Updated on 6th March 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
Cannes is a gorgeous city which has been inhabited for over two thousand years and is today most famed for its annual film festival which attracts movie critics and stars from all over the world each May. However, there’s much more to see in this French Riviera city, and so even if you only have a short time in Cannes, here’s how to spend the perfect one day in Cannes itinerary.
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Is one day in Cannes enough?
I have been to Cannes on a handful of occasions over the years and, to be honest with you, it’s not my favourite French city! I personally much prefer the vibrant colours of Villefranche-sur-Mer and the coastal vibe of Menton.
With this being said, Cannes does have several attractions which are worth checking out, though these can all be seen in a single day. So, yes, one day in Cannes is plenty! If you’re looking for more inspiration for attractions in town, then check out our suggestions for the best things to do in Cannes.
Is Cannes expensive?
Yes, I would say that Cannes is on the pricier side of things, particularly when you compare it with other popular destinations in the area. Shopping for any kind of clothing or jewellery here is also quite expensive thanks to the abundance of luxury good shops such as designer brands along La Croisette.
One day in Cannes itinerary
Start your day bright and early if you want to squeeze in everything we have put in this itinerary! Be sure to wear comfortable shoes and do take a jacket with you as the island can sometimes have an unexpected cool breeze, as can the boat ride over.
Have breakfast outside!
One of the nicest things about visiting Cannes is that it’s possible to enjoy breakfast 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.
Take a photo on the red carpet
As long as there’s no event going on, you can actually walk onto the red carpet steps and get your photo taken there! The red carpet is permanently out and can be found on the steps leading up to the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. One of the only times a year when you won’t be able to do this is in the latter half of May, when the Cannes film festival takes place.
See the Cannes walk of fame
If there’s one attraction in Cannes that I definitely don’t see spoken about enough, it’s the Cannes Walk of Fame. 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.
Head to Île Sainte-Marguerite
Spend the rest of your morning in the most relaxing way possible: by heading out on a boat ride 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.
- 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
Lunch
There are a few different things you could do for lunch. As we wanted to spend some extra time on Île Sainte-Marguerite, we opted to gather together a picnic of sorts by purchasing some snacks from the supermarket and a panini from a local bakery. If you visit Île Sainte-Marguerite in the summer months, then you can get food at one of the seasonal eateries on the island.
Visit le Suquet
After exploring Île Sainte-Marguerite, hop on a ferry to head back to Cannes. Once there, it’s around a ten to fifteen minute uphill walk to reach Le Suquet. This is the oldest part of Cannes and is the hill which overlooks the rest of the city.
The stairs to reach the top can feel pretty steep, but once you’re at the top you’ll find that the view more than merits the walk up! Once at the top you can visit a museum, head inside the Notre Dame d’Esperance church, wander around some calm gardens, and admire the city laid out below.
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.
Dinner
There are a number of fine dining as well a fast food establishments scattered across the town centre, so there’s pretty much something to suit every budget! I particularly enjoyed dining at Bobo bistro as they have indoor and outdoor seating, as well as a number of vegetarian dishes on the menu. Just be sure to book well in advance, especially if you visit on a Friday night like we did, as space fills up fast!
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.
Where to stay in Cannes
As Cannes is such a popular city for events, there’s no shortage of accommodation but you’ll want to book something earlier rather than later to secure a good place to stay. We stayed in a small studio in this former hotel turned apartment block and loved that we could see the sea from our little balcony!
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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Sophie Nadeau loves dogs, books, travel, pizza, and history. A Francophile at heart, she runs solosophie.com when she’s not chasing after the next sunset shot or consuming something sweet. She splits her time between Paris and London and travels as much as she can! Subscribe to Sophie’s YouTube Channel.