Bonjour! Welcome to Cannes, the world capital of cinema where glitz and glam reign. It’s a picturesque town on the French Riviera that perfectly blends old-world charm, luxury, and natural beauty. From the iconic film festival and colorful historic old town to magnificent sandy beaches, turquoise waters, stunning views, high-end shopping, and glamorous parties – Cannes truly has it all! It’s no surprise this chic destination attracts thousands of visitors every year. Will it enchant you too? Keep reading and discover what to do in Cannes in one day.
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Cannes, France FAQ
Cannes is located in the Provence-Alpes-Cote d’Azur region in the Alpes-Maritimes department in southeastern France. It’s just a short drive from other popular places nearby like Antibes, Nice, Saint-Raphael, or Grasse.
Cannes is best known for hosting the annual prestigious film festival that attracts countless celebrities keen to walk the most popular red carpet in the world. The city is also known for its charming old town, holiday-perfect beaches, and various luxurious experiences.
One day in Cannes is enough to see most of the main landmarks and get a good feel of what the city is all about. But it’s not enough to see all that the city offers. So if you want to experience the glamor of Cannes more, we recommend staying at least 3 days.
Thanks to a pleasant Mediterranean climate, Cannes is a great destination all year round. If you prefer smaller crowds and lower temperatures (15-20°C), choose any month in the lower season. If high temperatures (around 30°C) don’t bother you and you want to spend time on the beach – visit during the high season. We’d recommend against visiting during the Cannes Festival – it’s the most expensive time to visit.
It’s pronounced [kan]. Still don’t know how to read it? Here’s a YouTube video where you can listen to correct pronunciation.
What to do in Cannes in one day?
Le Suquet District
Le Suquet district is the oldest part of Cannes, where the town began its existence as a Roman camp. It’s located on a small hill offering breathtaking views over the town, bay, old port, and the Lerins Islands. The area is also filled with cobbled streets full of pastel-painted houses often decorated with colorful flowers. Just let yourself be carried away by the beauty of the streets, and soon you’ll discover every corner. Wherever you turn, you’ll find something interesting in the Le Suquet district.
In Le Suquet, you’ll find points of interest like:
- Medieval castle of the monks of Lerins, currently housing the Museum of World Explorations (fr. Musée des Explorations du Monde). There you’ll find interesting collections from all over the world, like Mediterranean and Oriental antiquities, early art from the Himalayas or Tibet, and various musical instruments. There is also a square tower offering magnificent views over Cannes. Entrance is paid – for current prices and opening hours, visit the cannesticket.com website.
- Church Notre-Dame de l’Espérance is located at the top of Le Suquet. It’s a Gothic-style stone church, the oldest in Cannes, completed in the 17th century. It features a plain facade and a richly decorated interior.
- Cannes sign – perfect for Instagram-worthy photos!
Strolling in Le Suquet district and admiring amazing views from its highest point is definitely a thing to do in Cannes in one day that you don’t want to miss. For us, this area quickly became one of our favorites in town!
Discover: Accommodation options in Cannes
Forville Market
Forville Market (fr. Marché Forville) is located at the foot of the old town, Le Suquet. It’s Cannes’ main indoor market and a real heaven for foodies! Fruits, vegetables, fish, meat, cheeses, seafood, olives, flowers, and fresh dishes and snacks, including freshly cooked socca in a traditional oven!
Forville’s food market is open every morning from Tuesday to Sunday. On Mondays, from 7AM to 5.30PM, it transforms into a flea market full of antiques.
Cannes Old Port
Old Port (fr. Vieux Port) is a great place for a walk in Cannes peppered with amazing views, not only for yachting enthusiasts. Luxurious yachts, boats, and views over both the Le Suquet district and Cannes new center await you there.
Every September, the Old Port hosts the Cannes Yachting Festival, the world’s number-one trade show for large sailing boats. We can imagine it’s one of the coolest things to do in Cannes for boat enthusiasts!
Book now: Private Customized French Riviera 8H Tour from Port of Cannes
Palace of Festivals
Visiting the Palace of Festivals and Congresses (fr. Palais des Festivals et des Congrès) is another amazing thing to do in Cannes which you simply can’t miss during your one day there. It’s a modern convention center hosting many professional events, including one of the most important film festivals in the world – the Cannes Film Festival.
In the Palace of Festivals, be sure to pose like a movie star on the most famous red carpet in the world. Is it one of the most satisfying things to do in Cannes? We won’t deny! And don’t forget to see the Walk of Fame (fr. Chemin des Étoiles) where actors and directors left their handprints.
The Cannes Tourist Office is located on the ground floor of the Palace of Festivals, right next to the Walk of Fame. And if you’re up for trying your luck, you’ll find Casino Barriere Le Croisette next door.
Book now: Exciting Private Tour on the Roads of Cannes by Ferrari
Boulevard de la Croisette
Boulevard de la Croisette is an iconic 3-kilometer-long seaside promenade in Cannes that stretches from the Palace of Festivals to Palm Beach. It’s lined with palm trees, 5-star hotels, chic restaurants, and luxurious shops. It’s the perfect place for lazy strolls, running, or cycling – all with amazing views all around. Boulevard de la Croisette is a gateway to amazing beaches like Mace Beach or Croisette Beach. During your one day in Cannes, be sure to walk at least part of it – it’s really worth it!
Iconic shopping streets
While in Cannes, you also don’t want to miss a stroll among its iconic shopping streets filled with luxurious brands, both international and local. Be sure to visit Rue d’Antibes – the busy epicenter of Cannes shopping with more than 800 shops, and the Croisette – a street with the most emblematic luxury brands facing the beaches.
Other streets you don’t want to miss are Rue Commandant André – linking Croisette and Rue d’Antibes, Rue Meynadier – a historical street of Cannes’ commerce, and Rue Hoche with some contemporary boutiques. Even if you don’t plan to buy anything, those are chic, must-see places in Cannes.
Also, while strolling among Cannes streets keep your eyes open for some murals connected to the cinema. Charlie Chaplin, Marylin Monroe, Pulp Fiction… Our favorite, named ‘The Cinema of Cannes’, is located right next to Old Port and Cannes Town Hall.
Discover: Accommodation options in Cannes
Beaches in Cannes
Cote d’Azur is a real beach paradise, and we don’t think anyone needs to be convinced of that. Along the 8 km-long coastline in Cannes, you’ll find 13 magnificent public beaches and some private ones too. All are perfect for soaking up the sun and taking a refreshing dip in clear azure waters. What distinguishes the beaches in Cannes from their neighbors is the fact that most of them feature fine, golden sand instead of pebbles.
The most popular beaches in Cannes include La Croisette Beach & Plage Macé – a long stretch of sand running alongside the Boulevard de la Croisette promenade, and Plage du Midi – the largest public beach located to the west of the Palace of Festivals. Visiting one of them, even for a little while, especially after the whole day of sightseeing, is an amazing and very relaxing thing to do in Cannes.
Other nice beaches in Cannes include Plage Palm Beach, Plage de la Bocca, Plage des Rochers de la Bocca, and secluded beaches of the Lérins islands.
One thing is sure – in Cannes, you’ll be spoiled with beach choices! No matter if you’re looking for a lively beach with many amenities around, or a quieter and secluded spot, you’ll find it here.
Book now: 6-Hour Private French Riviera Shore Excursion From Cannes
Lerins Island
If you’re looking for more things to do in Cannes in one day, and you still have some time on your hands to spare, we have one more suggestion for you. You can take a 15-minute-long boat ride to one of the Lerins Islands – a natural treasure of the city where you’ll be able to recharge your batteries in peace. You can choose between Sainte-Marguerite Island and Saint-Honorat Island.
Sainte-Marguerite is the bigger island and is the ideal place to enjoy peaceful walks along coastal paths or spend relaxing time on pristine beaches. There you can also visit Fort Royal, a 17th-century fortress with prison cells (including a cell of (in)famous Man in the Iron Mask) and some Roman relics as well as a unique Underwater Ecomuseum featuring 6 underwater sculptures created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor.
Saint-Honorat Island is a smaller island that has been home to monks since the 5th century. There you can visit the 11th century Lérins Monastery and Saint Honnorat fortress which provide amazing views. Both places are free to enter.
Book now: Round-Trip Ferry to Ste. Marguerite Island
Explore local attractions
How to get to Cannes, France?
Cannes is located about 35km from Nice, 55km from Monaco, 65km from Menton, and 95km from Saint Tropez. The most convenient way to get to the town is by car, train, or bus.
Where to park in Cannes?
In Cannes you can leave your car in one of many paid parking lots. We can recommend leaving a car in the Parking Suquet Forville located just a few steps from Rue d’Antibes and beaches or Parking Vallombrosa located just a few steps from Le Suquet District (free on Sundays, limited spots).
Airports near Cannes
The closest airport to Cannes is located in Nice, only 25km away. From the airport, you can get to the city by bus or by rented car. You can check the connections on the rome2rio.com website.
For great car rental deals visit: Rentalcars
To Cannes by train
You can easily get to Cannes by train from many nearby places like Nice, Antibes, Menton, Cagnes-sur-Mer, Grasse, or Villefranche-sur-Mer. To learn more about train connections that interest you, visit sncf-connect.com or rome2rio.com website.
To Cannes by bus
You can also reach Cannes by bus. For example, a trip from Nice will take about 50 minutes, 20 minutes from Antibes, and 1h45min from Menton. To learn more about bus connections that might interest you, visit rome2rio.com website.
Camping Cannes
If you’re traveling by camper, places like Les Bungalows du Golfe, Camping Les Embruns, or Camping Eden Biot might interest you. They are located near Cannes.
To Cannes with an organized tour
If you don’t want to put too much effort into planning, you can always take advantage of the guided tours and let someone else take care of all the details. You can, for example, take part in this exciting Private Tour on the Roads of Cannes by Ferrari or this unique Cannes City Tour in a Vintage Bus. Are you up for a cruise? Take a look at this Private Boat Trip to Lerins Islands & Cap d’Antibes.
For a wide selection and well-reviewed tour options, be sure to visit GetYourGuide or Viator.
What to do in Cannes in one day – Summing up
So now you know what to do in Cannes in one day, and you’re ready to explore, shop, relax, and eat like the stars! Cannes is a wonderful town on the Côte d’Azur, isn’t it? We hope you like our ideas of things to do in one day in Cannes that will allow you to spend a fabulous day in the city. A number of attractions and places to discover is quite long, so we’re sure that every traveler will find something perfect for themselves. No matter if you’re looking for cultural events, luxurious experiences, chic parties, sandy beaches, a charming old town, or natural beauty… Cannes has it all. Enjoy your time in the capital of cinema!
Our video from Cannes
Our opinion about Cannes
We lived in Cannes for a few weeks during our second and third seasons of digital nomad life. But to be honest, we visited the center only a few times! And no matter the season, low or high, the city was always busy. Maybe a little bit less during wintertime (except in December because there was a Christmas market).
Overall we liked Cannes and found it a pleasant city but… it didn’t steal our hearts. What we liked most about was definitely the old town, Le Suquet District. Gazing at fancy buildings, window shopping, posing on the red carpet, and spending time on the beaches was also fun. We even found 20 euros on the street there so… nothing to complain about! We also think that Cannes is a good starting point for discovering Cote d’Azur.
Biggest disadvantage? Huge crowds, but mostly in the newer part of Cannes, near the Palace of Festivals. Le Suquet District was more peaceful (surprisingly).
Book now: Cannes: Private Boat Trip to Lerins Islands & Cap d'Antibes
Restaurants, accommodations, and map
Check out various recommended places below.
Where to eat in Cannes?
Here are your best, high-rated options in Cannes:
Where to sleep in Cannes?
Barrière Le Gray d’Albion
Hotel Barrière Le Gray d'Albion offers luxurious accommodations just steps from the famed Croisette and the sparkling Mediterranean Sea. The hotel features elegantly appointed rooms and suites, fine dining options, and a private beach for a truly indulgent experience. Ideal for both leisure and business travelers, it provides easy access to Cannes' vibrant nightlife, upscale shopping, and major event venues like the Palais des Festivals.
Mondrian Cannes
Mondrian is a luxurious hotel located on the prestigious Boulevard de la Croisette, offering guests unparalleled views of the Mediterranean Sea. The hotel features elegantly designed rooms and suites with contemporary decor, state-of-the-art amenities, and private balconies. Guests can enjoy exquisite dining experiences at the on-site restaurants, relax in the beautiful gardens, or take a short stroll to the nearby beaches and city center.
Hotel America
Hotel America is a stylish boutique hotel ideally located just few steps from La Croisette and the Palais des Festivals in Cannes. It offers modern, comfortable rooms with chic décor and thoughtful amenities for a relaxing stay. With its central location, friendly service, and easy access to the beach, shopping, and dining, it's a perfect choice for both leisure and business travelers.
