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About Cannes
Cannes is a Mediterranean resort city on the French Riviera, in the Alpes-Maritimes department, best known for the Cannes Film Festival held each May at the Palais des Festivals. The 2 km Boulevard de la Croisette runs past palace hotels, boutiques and sandy beaches, while the hilltop old quarter of Le Suquet, with the Musée de la Castre and its tower, and the Marché Forville give the city its Provençal side. Ferries from the Old Port reach the Lérins Islands (Île Sainte-Marguerite and Île Saint-Honorat) in 15-20 minutes. TER trains link Cannes to Nice, Antibes, Grasse and Saint-Raphaël, so Grasse perfumeries, Antibes, Nice and Mougins are easy day trips.
- Capital
- Paris (national capital); Marseille is the regional capital of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
- Largest city
- Marseille (largest city of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur); Cannes is a major Riviera resort city of about 73,000 residents
- Population
- About 73,000-74,000 (commune of Cannes, recent INSEE estimates)
- Languages
- French
- Currency
- Euro
- Time zone
- Europe/Paris (UTC+1, summer UTC+2 CEST)
Explore Cannes by topic
Jump straight to the experience you're planning.
Best places to visit in Cannes
The 12 destinations our editors recommend — from iconic landmarks to under-the-radar finds.
Musée de la Castre and Tour du Suquet
Vieux Port (Old Port) and Quai Saint-Pierre
Palais des Festivals et des Congrès
Boulevard de la Croisette
Marché Forville
Recommended itineraries
Pick a length, follow the route. Each itinerary balances headline sights with breathing room.
5-Day Cannes Explorer
- Day 1Arrive in Cannes, explore city center
- Day 2Visit top attractions and museums
- Day 3Day trip to nearby highlights
- Day 4Local markets and hidden gems
- Day 5Final sightseeing, departure
7-Day Classic Cannes
- Days 1-2Cannes city highlights
- Days 3-4Regional exploration
- Days 5-6Cultural immersion and local experiences
- Day 7Return and departure
14-Day Ultimate Cannes
- Days 1-3Cannes comprehensive city tour
- Days 4-6Northern region exploration
- Days 7-9Eastern highlights
- Days 10-12Southern attractions
- Days 13-14Return to Cannes, departure
Where to stay in Cannes
Three tiers, every traveller covered — from cost-conscious to flagship hotels.
Budget EUR 77-153 (~$89-176)
Hostels, budget hotels, and guesthouses offer affordable stays without sacrificing experience.
Mid-range EUR 205-385 (~$236-443)
Boutique hotels and well-located accommodations provide comfort and convenience at reasonable prices.
Luxury EUR 680-2,250+ (~$782-2,588+)
World-class resorts and premium hotels deliver unforgettable experiences.
Hôtel Martinez
Art Deco palace on the Croisette, opened 1929, with a private beach, pool and the two-Michelin-star La Palme d'Or restaurant.
Check rates on Booking.comCarlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel
Belle Époque landmark on the Croisette, the Cannes Film Festival's best-known hotel, with its two domes and a beach club across the road.
Check rates on Booking.comHôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes
Palace hotel beside the Palais des Festivals with a pool, spa and private beach on the Croisette.
Check rates on Booking.comJW Marriott Cannes
Five-star Croisette hotel in the former Palais Stéphanie building, with a pool, spa and beachfront access.
Check rates on Booking.comWhere to eat in Cannes
Cafés, neighbourhood gems, and tasting menus worth the table reservation.
La Palme d'Or
Mantel
Aux Bons Enfants
Astoux et Brun
La Pizza Cresci
Le Festival
Book a food tour in Cannes We may earn a commission from bookings made through this link.
Getting around Cannes
Transportation options in Cannes include local buses, taxis, and rental cars. Check local conditions before planning your travel.
Budget breakdown
Daily spend by tier in EUR, broken out by category.
| Category | Budget | Mid-range | Luxury |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation | EUR 55-90 (~$63-104) | EUR 130-220 (~$150-253) | EUR 400-1,200+ (~$460-1,380+) |
| Food (per day) | EUR 22-35 (~$25-40) | EUR 50-90 (~$58-104) | EUR 150-350+ (~$173-403+) |
| Transportation | EUR 0-8 (~$0-9) | EUR 5-25 (~$6-29) | EUR 50-300 (~$58-345) |
| Activities | EUR 0-20 (~$0-23) | EUR 20-50 (~$23-58) | EUR 80-400+ (~$92-460+) |
| Daily total | EUR 77-153 (~$89-176) | EUR 205-385 (~$236-443) | EUR 680-2,250+ (~$782-2,588+) |
Best time to visit Cannes
Weather through the year in France
Best time Shoulder Worth avoiding
Average daytime temperature in °C. Figures are for France.
Late spring and early autumn combine warm weather, open beach clubs and manageable crowds.
Cannes has a Mediterranean climate with mild winters and hot, dry summers. One congress week can double hotel prices, so check palaisdesfestivals.com before booking.
Essential travel tips
- Book hotels months ahead for the Film Festival (May), MIPIM (March), Cannes Lions (June) and MIPCOM (October).
- Use TER trains for day trips to Nice, Antibes and Grasse.
- Visit Marché Forville before 10:00, Tuesday to Sunday.
- Take the first ferry to the islands in summer.
- Carry a little cash for market stalls and small cafés.
- Public beaches are free; private clubs charge for loungers.
Safety information
Keep phones, passports and wallets in zipped inner pockets or a cross-body bag worn in front on the Croisette, Rue d'Antibes, Rue Meynadier and around the Gare de Cannes
Do not leave phones on cafe tables or hang bags on chair backs along the Boulevard de la Croisette; scooter thieves snatch items from terraces
Never leave valuables on the sand or in a parked car; use the lockers or safe offered by private beach clubs, or swim in turns
Use taxis only from ranks (including the rank outside Gare de Cannes) or book through Uber or Bolt, and ask for the fare estimate before a long trip; during the Film Festival agree the price first
Swim only where the flag is green: orange means hazardous swimming, red means swimming is forbidden; lifeguard posts operate on the public beaches in summer
During orange or red storm alerts stay away from the seafront, underpasses and river banks; check vigilance.meteofrance.fr and follow the municipal alerts
Buy festival, ferry and event tickets only from official sites (festival-cannes.com, palaisdesfestivals.com, the ferry operators) or the tourist office in the Palais des Festivals, never from street sellers
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa to visit Cannes?
Entry follows France/Schengen rules. EU citizens need only a national ID card or passport; visitors from many non-EU countries may stay visa-free for up to 90 days in any 180 days; others need a Schengen visa. Check france-visas.gouv.fr.
What currency is used in Cannes?
Cannes uses the Euro (EUR). ATMs are on Rue d'Antibes and the Croisette; cards are widely accepted but carry cash for market stalls.
How do visitors get from Nice airport to Cannes?
Zou! express bus 81 runs from Nice Airport Terminals 1 and 2 to Cannes station in 45-60 minutes; a taxi takes 30-40 minutes outside peak traffic.
When is the best time to visit Cannes?
May-June and September to early October offer warm weather and open beach clubs; congress and festival weeks raise prices sharply.
Can visitors reach the Lérins Islands?
Yes. Ferries leave Quai Laubeuf by the Old Port for Île Sainte-Marguerite and Île Saint-Honorat; the crossing takes 15-20 minutes.