Best Things to Do in Cannes, France

What to Do in Cannes, France

So, what to do in Cannes? The list of places to see in Cannes is long! Here are my favorite Cannes attractions and things to do for your next holiday to Cannes. If you need some extra guidance, consider this walking tour with a local guide that covers the main places to visit in Cannes.

If you are in a hurry, here’s a quick summary:

1. Explore e Suquet
2. Climb up to Place de la Castre for the Best Views
3. Visit the Old Port
4. Take a Boat Tour
5. Look for Cannes’ Painted Walls
6. Get a Taste of Local Food at Marché Forville
7. Palais des Festivals & Walk of Stars
8. Take a Stroll along La Croisette
9. A Lazy Day on the Beach
10. Don’t Miss the Best Ice Cream in Cannes!
11. Admire the View from La Croix des Gardes
12. Visit Villa Rothschild
13. Visit the Lérins Islands
14. Explore the Wines of Provence
15. Take a Day Trip from Lyon

How Many Days in Cannes? With one day, you will be able to see the main attractions in Cannes. Spend two days in Cannes to cover the best places to visit in Cannes and get a good taste of what the city has to offer. Spend more time if you want to explore the city’s surroundings on day trips.

1. Explore Le Suquet

Most of Cannes is sleek and modern, but Le Suquet is another story. Le Suquet is Cannes’ oldest neighborhood and one of the most beautiful places to visit in Cannes. Looming above the city, you can wander through the streets enjoying the pastel-colored buildings that have stood since the 18th and 19th centuries.

Originally a Roman settlement, Le Suquet is today a maze of narrow, ascending streets, underground bars, and family restaurants, so take the time to wander and explore this lovely neighborhood. Le Suquet is also home to the church and the medieval castle of Cannes, which hosts the Musée de la Castre,

As you begin to climb the stairs, you will see the Tour du Masque (13th century), where the famous Man in the Iron Mask is said to have taken refuge after escaping from the prison on Sainte-Marguerite Island. Then, continue up to Place de la Castre.

2. Climb up to Place de la Castre for the Best Views

In addition to the picturesque alleys and houses, you want to climb all those stairs in Le Suquet for the panoramic views. The terrace of the Place de la Castre offers the best views of Cannes and the Bay of Napoule!

In the picture above, you can see the Old Town, the Old Port, and La Croisette. Out of this picture, you can also see the Lérins Islands in the distance, with the island of Sainte-Marguerite in the foreground, and the island of Sainte-Honorat behind.

The square is dominated by the Church of Notre-Dame-d’Espérance, in a rather austere Romano-Provençal style. Notre Dame d’Espérance is one of the oldest churches in the city and the main historical monument of Cannes.

3. Visit the Old Port

The Old Port is an area that perfectly mixes the old and the new, making it one of the top Cannes tourist attractions. It’s located at the foot of the Le Suquet neighborhood and overlooked by the charm of a medieval castle, which makes it a curious sight compared to the luxury yachts that crowd the port.

This is where the rich come to moor up and enjoy Cannes’s charms, as it offers beautiful sunrise and sunset views. There are also a number of chic bars and restaurants along the Quai Saint-Pierre, so choose one and settle in to enjoy the atmosphere.

In September, the Old Port hosts the Cannes Yachting Festival, one of the largest boat shows in Europe and one of the top Cannes things to do for boat lovers.

4. Take a Boat Tour

Some of the best things to do in Cannes aren’t actually in the city itself. Cannes is located right on the coast of the Mediterranean, and it can also be explored from the sea. That’s why there are numerous catamaran tours on offer.

You can choose a full-day tour or a half-day tour. Top up your tan as you relax onboard, and enjoy some time to swim and snorkel in the gorgeous waters of the Mediterranean. You can also sail to the Calanques of the Esterel Natural Park or to Saint-Tropez from Cannes. Who could resist that?

Most popular catamaran tours from Cannes:

• Half-day catamaran cruise (3 hrs)
• Half-day catamaran cruise with lunch (4 hrs)
• Discover the Calanques of the Esterel (2.5 hrs)
• Full-day catamaran cruise with lunch

You can also rent a boat, with or without a skipper, in Cannes and craft the perfect boat tour for you.

5. Look for Cannes’ Painted Walls

An original initiative, about fifteen walls painted on the theme of cinema have appeared in Cannes since 2004. They are mainly located in the Suquet neighborhood and around the train station. If you are looking for unusual things to see in Cannes, don’t miss these painted walls:

• Cannes Cinema – 2, Quai Saint-Pierre
• Hôtel de la Plage – Place du Suquet (7, Rue Saint-Dizier)
• Trompe-l’oeil – 16, Rue Saint-Dizier
• Behind the Scenes – 7, Rue des Suisses
• Buster Keaton – 29, Boulevard Victor-Tuby, corner 9, Rue des Frères
• Gérard Philipe – 3, Boulevard Victor-Tuby

6. Get a Taste of Local Food at Marché Forville

When you visit Cannes, don’t miss the opportunity to taste the local food. The Marché Forville is one of the best places to visit in Cannes to taste Provençal specialties, including the famous socca. The socca is a Cannes staple which consists of a thin pancake made from chickpea flour, water, salt, and olive oil cooked over a wood fire and seasoned with pepper. The socca is eaten hot, right out of the oven.

This covered market has a great atmosphere and is a real invitation to a gourmet trip to Provence. It offers seasonal products, local fishing, and flowers. You can also explore the many shops and terraces that surround it.

TIP: If you want to learn more about local food in Cannes, take this top-rated Cannes food tour with tastings

Address: 6 Rue du Marché Fourville; Opening Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.

7. Cannes’ Palais des Festivals & Walk of Stars

The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès (the full name) is a cultural and congress center famous for hosting the world-famous Cannes Film Festival every May.

Even if you visit Cannes outside of the festival dates, you can have your photo taken on the red-carpeted steps, which have become a hallmark of the festival. You can also attend one of the many cultural performances that take place there, whether it is concerts, plays, ballets, or comedy shows. You can find the full program for your dates in Cannes here.

Cannes’s Walk of Stars (Chemin des Étoiles) is a copy of the Hollywood Walk of Fame with a unique local twist. Instead of having stars with signatures, the Walk of Stars in Cannes has palm prints and signatures.

The Cannes Walk of Stars has over 150 handprints, located in front of the Palais des Festivals on Esplanade Pompidou and the surrounding parks. Some of the handprints belong to Meryl Streep, Julie Andrews, and Sylvester Stallone.

8. Take a Stroll along La Croisette

La Croisette Walkway is one of the most popular streets in the city and all of France. It runs along Cannes’ seafront, and a stroll along this iconic street is one of the best things to do in Cannes.

This walkway not only has all the charm and beauty of the beach close by, but it’s also filled with the best shops, restaurants, and casinos in the entire city. You could spend hours exploring the designer boutiques along this walkway, which would make for a delightful afternoon.

9. A Lazy Day on the Beach

If you’re trying to decide what to do in Cannes, why not just hang out on the beach? Cannes has some of the best beaches on the French Riviera, and they’re definitely the place to see and be seen. Unlike the beaches in Nice, Cannes’ beaches are sandy beaches.

Cannes has both private and public beaches. The private ones are closer to the main street and can be expensive, while the public ones are more natural and have fewer amenities. Check out Carlton Beach for waiter service while you enjoy the sun, Long Beach for events, or Plage de la Bocca for a glimpse of everyday life in Cannes.

If you visit Cannes in winter, you will still see people sunbathing or playing volleyball on the beach. Join them, or sit in one of the beach restaurants, open for lunch on weekends, to enjoy an apéritif or a delicious meal while soaking up Cannes’s unmatched glam vibe. 

10. Don’t Miss the Best Ice Cream in Cannes!

An institution for more than 30 years, Vilfeu Glacier (18, Rue du Bivouac-Napoléon) is the best place for ice cream in Cannes. Not only are the ice creams great, but they also look beautiful!

Embark on a frosty journey into the retro universe of Gilles Vilfeu, the master ice cream maker in Cannes! In its retro and colorful décor (USA’s 1950s and 60s), you will enjoy a selection of more than a hundred flavors of homemade ice creams and sorbets, from the classic to the most original.

And that’s not all! In addition to frozen treats, you will find sablés, donuts, and meringues. When the sun shines, sit on the terrace ready to experience a hilarious gourmet getaway!

During my last trip to Cannes, I tried the orange salad, cinnamon, and mint ice cream, and I highly recommend it!

11. Admire the View from La Croix des Gardes

Located on a hill overlooking the city behind the Suquet neighborhood, La Croix des Gardes is a Sensitive Natural Space nicknamed the ‘green lung’ of Cannes. Indeed, the large forest park of the Croix des Gardes constitutes a unique reserve for the fauna and flora of Provence and a great place for short hikes or to enjoy the view.

12. Visit Villa Rothschild

Located in the La Croix-des-Gardes neighborhood, Villa Rothschild is a historic mansion built in 1881 for Betty Rothschild, the widow of James Mayer de Rothschild. This stately old building, designed in neo-classic style, is surrounded by stunning English-style gardens filled with exotic species like palm trees and blue cedars.

Villa Rothschild now works as a media library, and it is free to visit. When you’re looking for things to see in Cannes, make sure you take a walking tour through the villa to enjoy the amazing architecture and the sheer luxury that went into every stone of its construction. Both the mansion and the surrounding gardens are listed as historical monuments.

Address: 1 Avenue Jean de Noailles; Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

13. Visit the Lérins Islands

The Lérins Islands are a group of four islands located just 20 minutes across the bay from Cannes. The islands have been inhabited since Roman times, but only two larger islands are popular tourist spots today.

If you are wondering what to do in Cannes out of the beaten path, the Lérins Islands are always a good option. Île Sainte-Marguerite is the first of the larger islands. It’s easy to access by ferry and has amazing beaches and a quiet vibe that makes it a good choice if you want some peace away from Cannes. It’s also the location of the Fort of St. Marguerite, where the famous Man in the Iron Mask was once held prisoner.

The second island, Île Saint-Honorat, is also accessible from Cannes by boat. On the island, there is a beautiful 11th-century monastery and a church worth visiting.

Shuttle ferries (different companies) sail to the islands several times a day. The point of departure is always the Cruise Terminal at Quai du Large. Check out the crossing times for Sainte-Marguerite and the crossing times for Saint-Honorat.

Catamaran tours (with or without lunch) and private boat tours are also a popular option to sail to the Lérins Islands. These experiences, however, are more focused on enjoying the spectacular waters in this area (snorkeling, exploring the coves) rather than exploring the islands.

Another fun way to explore this area is by renting a kayak for the day (or half day). Paddle at your own pace between the different beaches of Lérins in complete autonomy, and enjoy a visit to the islands as you wish.

14. Explore the Wines of Provence from Cannes

From Cannes, you are not far from Côtes de Provence, one of the AOCs or appellations of the Provence Wine Region. Here, you will find mostly (pale) rosé wines. They are made with grape varieties such as Cinsault, Grenache, Mourvèdre, Syrah, and Carignan, and have aromas of red and exotic fruits, with a hint of citrus.

If you prefer white wines, you’ll find nice bottles made with grape varieties such as Bourboulenc, Grenache Blanc, Roussanne, Marsanne, and Vermentino.

This Provence wine tour from Cannes visits three award-winning wineries, each with its own distinct character. Try their best bottles without worrying about who can drive back and buy your favorite wines. The tour includes the guidance of a wine expert and a stop in a typical Provençal village at lunchtime.

If you prefer a self-driving tour, you also have some nice wineries that accept individual visitors for wine tours and tastings. Château de Saint-Martin is one of the 18 (remaining) Cru Classés of Provence and offers different tours and tastings. Domaine Viticole du Bourrian, on the other hand, produces high-quality organic wines of AOC Provence.

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