Cannes travel guide - where to stay, what to do, and where to eat in Cannes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur, France.
Top beaches
A ranked editor’s shortlist of the coastline worth planning a day around in Cannes.
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- local, relaxed and less crowded than the Croisette
- Free public sand beach
- Showers and toilets in season
- Beach restaurants
- Lifeguards in season
Plage du Midi
Editor’s tip. Arrive before 10:00 in July and August to find free sand and nearby street parking
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- lively and central, busy with festival visitors and day-trippers
- Free public beach
- Showers
- Lifeguards in season
- Sunbed rental nearby
Plage Macé
Editor’s tip. Arrive in the morning in July and August, as the narrow strip fills by early afternoon
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- casual public strip between upmarket beach clubs
- Free public beach
- Showers
- Lifeguards in season
Plage Zamenhof
Editor’s tip. Arrive early in July and August, as the public strip fills quickly
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- quiet, residential and local
- Free public beach
- Quieter than central beaches
- Lifeguards in season
Plage du Mouré Rouge
Editor’s tip. Arrive in the morning on summer weekends, as roadside parking is limited
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- quiet, local and village-like
- Free public sand beach
- Showers
- Quiet local atmosphere
Plage de la Bocca
Editor’s tip. Take the TER to Cannes-la-Bocca to avoid parking difficulties on summer weekends
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- upmarket, service-led beach club at the end of the Croisette
- Beach club facilities
- Restaurant
- Water sports nearby
Plage de Palm Beach
Editor’s tip. Reserve sunbeds in advance for July and August
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- polished, service-led Croisette beach club
- Sunbeds and umbrellas for hire
- Restaurant and bar
- Showers
Carlton Beach
Editor’s tip. Reserve sunbeds ahead for July, August and festival periods
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- upmarket, relaxed Croisette beach club
- Sunbeds and umbrellas for hire
- Restaurant
- Showers
Z Plage (Hôtel Martinez)
Editor’s tip. Reserve sunbeds in advance for July, August and festival periods
Things to do at the beach
Beyond swimming and sunbathing — the activities that make a coastal day in Cannes memorable.
Practical beach info
What to know before you head to the coast — season, getting there, facilities, and what it costs.
Best season
Swimming season runs roughly May to October; the sea reaches about 20-24 C in July and August.
Transport
Bus 8 runs along the Croisette; Palm Bus lines serve the western beaches. Most Croisette beaches are a 10-20 minute walk from the Palais. Timetables: palmdeplacements.fr.
Cost
Public beaches are free. Private clubs charge about EUR 30-70+ (~$35-80+) for a sunbed and umbrella in summer; confirm with each club.
Booking
Reserve private-beach loungers directly with the club in July and August.
Private Beaches
Carlton Beach, Z Plage, Plage de Palm Beach
Accessibility
Some public beaches have ramps and mobility equipment in summer; confirm with the tourist office.
What to bring
A short packing list for a comfortable beach day — adjust for season and the specific spot.
- Sun protectionHigh-SPF sunscreen, hat, polarised sunglasses, light long-sleeve cover-up.
- HydrationReusable bottle, salty snacks for longer days, electrolyte sachets if it’s hot.
- FootwearWater shoes for pebble or rocky entry, flip-flops for sand, dry pair for the trip home.
- Swim & coverQuick-dry towel or sand-resistant mat, change of swimwear, light cover-up for restaurants.
- Cash & valuablesSmall notes for beach clubs and rentals; waterproof pouch for phone, keys, cards.
- ExtrasReef-safe sunscreen near protected coastline, a book, a small first-aid kit for jellyfish or scrapes.
Beach safety
Hard-earned guidance — read this before you swim, especially if you’re unfamiliar with the coast.
Critical
Swim where lifeguards are posted and follow flag warnings — green is safe, yellow is caution, red means no swimming. Rip currents are the leading beach hazard worldwide.
Caution
Watch for tide changes and marine life — jellyfish blooms, sea urchins on rocky entries, occasional shark or stingray advisories. Don’t swim alone, especially at dawn or dusk.
Tip
Reapply sunscreen every 90 minutes and after every swim. Take shade between 11 am and 3 pm — the sun is harsher than people expect, even when the air is cool.
Practical
Keep valuables out of sight or back at the accommodation. Beach theft is a small-but-real risk at busy beaches; never leave bags unattended while you’re in the water.
Common questions
Quick answers to the questions we get asked most about Cannes’s coast.
Is Plage du Midi free?
Yes, the public sections are free to use. Beach restaurants charge for sunbeds and parasols on their own stretches.
From the Plage du Midi editorial.
How far is Plage du Midi from the Old Port?
It is about 1.5 km west of the Old Port, roughly a 25-minute walk along the seafront or a short bus ride.
From the Plage du Midi editorial.
Is Plage Macé free to enter?
Yes, it is a free public beach. Sunbeds are available for hire from nearby operators.
From the Plage Macé editorial.
Where is Plage Macé?
It is on the Boulevard de la Croisette beside the Palais des Festivals, about three minutes on foot from the Palais.
From the Plage Macé editorial.
Is Plage Zamenhof free?
Yes, the public section is free. The neighbouring private beach clubs charge for sunbeds and entry.
From the Plage Zamenhof editorial.
How do visitors reach it?
It is on the Boulevard de la Croisette and is reachable on foot along the promenade or by Bus 8.
From the Plage Zamenhof editorial.
Is Plage du Mouré Rouge free?
Yes, it is a free public beach.
From the Plage du Mouré Rouge editorial.
How far is it from the Palais des Festivals?
It is about 3 km east of the Palais, reachable by Bus 8 along the Croisette.
From the Plage du Mouré Rouge editorial.