Cannes

Travel Guide

Cannes Old Town which includes a bay or harbor, landscape views and a coastal town
Cannes Harbour which includes a marina
Cannes featuring a sunset
Route Napoléon which includes a bay or harbor
Cannes City Hall which includes a city
Cannes is host of a world-famous film festival and is known for its beaches, luxury hotels and glamorous visitors.

Cannes is one of the most fashionable destinations on France’s Côte d'Azur. The once sleepy fishing village is now a luxury tourist destination. The city’s waterfront promenade, La Croisette, epitomizes the city’s glamour with its high-end shops and luxury hotels, including the belle époque-style InterContinental Carlton.

Much of the activity in Cannes is based along the oceanfront. Check out the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, the building where movies are screened during the Cannes Film Festival. The festival began in 1946 and nowadays runs for two weeks in May, when the city is teeming with celebrities. Look for the handprints of stars, such as Bruce Willis and Joan Collins, on the sidewalk outside the Palais.

Visit the Le Suquet district to see a slice of old Cannes. Cobblestone streets lead to an 11th-century hilltop fort and views of the city and French Riviera coastline. Find a collection of 200 antique musical instruments at the Musée de la Castre (Castre Museum). Stock up on locally grown produce at Marché Forville (Forville Market), which takes place on Rue Louis Blanc Tuesday through Sunday. Nearby Rue d’Antibes is the city’s main shopping street.

In the La Bocca district, enjoy the public beaches spread along Boulevard du Midi. Try watersports, including windsurfing, wakeboarding and kayaking.

Take a short boat trip to the Lérins Islands, which sit just off the coast of Cannes. Nature lovers will enjoy spotting birds and plants while wandering the trails on St. Marguerite Island. The Fort Royal’s prison famously held an unknown, hooded prisoner, better known as the Man in the Iron Mask, during the 1600s. On St. Honorat Island you can buy wine produced by Cistercian monks. 


Central Cannes is easy to get around on foot. Alternatively, buy a ticket for the “toy” train, which passes by many of the major attractions. The 35-minute tour leaves from the Palais des Festivals every hour. Driving isn’t recommended in Cannes, as parking is expensive. The city’s low-cost bus service will take you to La Bocca, and as far as Antibes, Monaco and Nice.

Where to stay in Cannes

Forville Provencal Food Market showing street scenes as well as an individual femail

Cannes City Centre

4.5/5(178 area reviews)

The stunning beaches and popular shops are just a few highlights of Cannes City Centre. Make a stop by Promenade de la Croisette or Mace Beach while you're exploring the area.

Cannes City Centre
Cannes Old Town showing heritage architecture

Palais des Festivals - Old Port

Palais des Festivals - Old Port is known for its pristine beaches, and you can make a stop by Promenade de la Croisette and Cannes Harbour while in the area.

Palais des Festivals - Old Port
Pointe Croisette

Pointe Croisette

You'll enjoy the beaches and casinos in Pointe Croisette. You might want to make time for a stop at Promenade de la Croisette or Casino Palm Beach.

Pointe Croisette
Looking out over Cannes, France. If you like to run, the promenade is perfect - it stretches all the way along the beach and up towards Palais de Festivals, so if you're lucky you might bump in to a few film stars on the way...

California - Pezou

4.5/5(10 area reviews)

You'll enjoy the mountain views and coffeehouses in California - Pezou. You might want to make time for a stop at La Californie or Villa Domergue.

California - Pezou
Midi Beach showing dining out

La Bocca

3.5/5(6 area reviews)

La Bocca is noteworthy for its beaches, and you can make a stop at top attractions like Bocca Beach and Midi Beach.

La Bocca
Midi Beach showing dining out

La Croix des Gardes

If you're spending some time in La Croix des Gardes, Midi Beach and Plage Waikiki are top sights worth seeing.

La Croix des Gardes
Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes
Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes
5 out of 5
10, La Croisette, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes
The price is ¥158,814 per night from Jul 24 to Jul 25
¥158,814
¥176,071 total
Jul 24 - Jul 25
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cannes. Enjoy free WiFi, an outdoor pool, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the room service ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
"The employees are top notch very professional and courteous except the beach club very new and not knowing what to do"

Reviewed on Jul 5, 2025

Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes
Canopy by Hilton Cannes
Canopy by Hilton Cannes
4 out of 5
2, boulevard Jean Hibert, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is ¥62,007 per night from Jul 15 to Jul 16
¥62,007
¥69,220 total
Jul 15 - Jul 16
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star beach hotel in Cannes. Enjoy free WiFi, 2 restaurants, and a marina. Popular attractions Promenade de la Croisette and Cannes Harbour are ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (129 reviews)
"to celebrate my daughter’s PhD. We had a wonderful stay - room upgrade gave us more space for our celebration. Breakfast in the roof top restaurant was superb with the most amazing view. Cocktails and dinner later in the evening also"

Reviewed on Jun 15, 2025

Canopy by Hilton Cannes
Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel
Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel
5 out of 5
58 Boulevard la Croisette, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes
Stay at this 5-star luxury hotel in Cannes. Enjoy 3 restaurants, a private beach, and 2 bars/lounges. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9.4/10 Exceptional! (127 reviews)
"5 Star property, excellent staff and location."

Reviewed on Jun 16, 2025

Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
ResidHotel Cannes Festival
ResidHotel Cannes Festival
2 out of 5
107 Avenue Francis Tonner, Cannes
Stay at this aparthotel in Cannes. Enjoy free WiFi, parking (surcharge), and onsite car rentals. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
6/10 (478 reviews)
"The property is not maintaied properly. The shower cubical drain was almost blocked. Water passed very slowly. The microwave which was given first was broken, but when I complained, they changed it immediately. The lock of the property was bad. Sometimes the lock won't open and you have to remove ..."

Reviewed on May 29, 2025

ResidHotel Cannes Festival
Residéal Premium Cannes
Residéal Premium Cannes
4 out of 5
11 Rue Bertrand Lepine, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes
Stay at this 4-star spa residence in Cannes. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and 2 hot tubs. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (654 reviews)
Amazing stay
"I had such a lovely stay. The location is prime, the hotel is nice clean and quiet and the staff was incredibly helpful and nice."

Reviewed on May 22, 2025

Residéal Premium Cannes
Hôtel & Spa Belle Plage
Hôtel & Spa Belle Plage
5 out of 5
2, rue Brougham - Square Mistral, Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes
Stay at this 5-star luxury residence in Cannes. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (126 reviews)
"Did not care for the 2nd floor room that was busy in the early morning with trash pickup and traffic."

Reviewed on May 29, 2025

Hôtel & Spa Belle Plage
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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