Panoramic Aerial View of Cannes
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La Croisette Beach (Plage de la Croisette)
Seaside Promenade on La Croisette
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Beachfront Cafe along Boulevard de la Croisette
Famous Red Carpet at Palais des Festivals
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Rue Félix Faure
Le Suquet View from the Old Port
Rue Saint-Antoine
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Rue Louis Perrissol
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Panoramic View of Cannes from Le Suquet
Panoramic View of Cannes from Le Suquet
CITY
Cannes is one of the best-known destinations on the French Riviera in southern France. The city is famous for red carpets, film stars, luxury hotels and yachts, but it offers much more than its glamorous image. Its compact centre brings together sandy beaches, a lively food market, a historic hilltop quarter and one of the most recognisable seafront promenades in Europe. The main places to visit in Cannes are close enough to explore on foot, while the Lérins Islands add nature, swimming and history just offshore.
For centuries, Cannes was a small fishing settlement below Le Suquet. Its modern story changed in 1834, when British statesman Lord Brougham stayed in the area and helped attract wealthy European visitors. The first full Cannes Film Festival followed in 1946 and gave the city a new international identity. Today, the contrast between old streets, Mediterranean scenery and cinema culture makes Cannes rewarding even for travellers who have little interest in celebrity life. These things to do in Cannes show both its glamorous side and the older coastal town beneath it.
The map below shows all 12 attractions covered in this guide, including La Croisette, Le Suquet, Marché Forville, the Old Port and both Lérins Islands. It also marks three useful local restaurants: Da Bouttau Auberge Provençale, Astoux et Brun and Aux Bons Enfants. Cannes railway station, the city’s ferry departure points, the island landing stages and three convenient central car parks are included to help with planning.
Most central sights can be combined on foot, while the Lérins Islands require a separate ferry journey. The list begins with Cannes’ famous waterfront before moving through its old town, beaches and cinema landmarks.
La Croisette is the street that defines the public image of Cannes. The palm-lined boulevard follows the Bay of Cannes for about three kilometres, with sandy beaches on one side and grand hotels, designer shops and restaurants on the other. Before Cannes became a major resort, this was little more than a coastal path. Today, people come to walk, cycle, sit on the famous blue chairs and watch life along the waterfront.
The section between the Palais des Festivals and the Carlton and Martinez hotels has the strongest classic Cannes atmosphere. Farther east, the promenade becomes calmer as it approaches Port Canto.
Tip: Walk La Croisette early in the morning for a quieter promenade, or near sunset for softer light and a livelier atmosphere.
The Palais des Festivals is Cannes’ most famous cinema landmark and the home of the annual Cannes Film Festival. The current building opened in 1983, although the first full festival took place in 1946. Outside, the 24 steps and red carpet create the photograph that many visitors associate with the city.
The steps are normally open to the public, except when an event takes over the entrance. The large halls inside are not open like a regular museum. Guided visits are offered only on selected dates and may be available in French only, so they need advance checking.
Tip: Check the Palais event calendar before visiting, as congresses and festivals can block access to the steps.
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© TouristState
© TouristState
© TouristState
Le Suquet is the oldest part of Cannes and the best place to see what the city looked like before luxury hotels reached the seafront. Narrow lanes climb from the port through pastel houses, small squares and restaurant terraces. Rue Saint-Antoine is the best-known street, but the quieter side lanes give the area much of its character.
At the top, Place de la Castre opens towards wide views over the Old Port, the bay and the Lérins Islands. The climb is short but steep, with steps and uneven paving in several places.
Tip: To avoid the steep uphill walk, take the electric Suquet shuttle from Hôtel de Ville to the church and museum area, then explore the old streets while walking downhill.
The Old Port shows the maritime side of Cannes and creates one of the city’s best waterfront views. Traditional fishing boats, sailing boats and large yachts share the harbour below Le Suquet, while the Palais des Festivals stands at the opposite end. This mix makes the port feel more varied than a marina built only for luxury vessels.
Quai Saint-Pierre is pleasant for a slow walk, especially when the evening light reaches the old town. The harbour also hosts major sailing events and remains an active departure point for trips along the coast.
Tip: Stand near the western side of the harbour for the clearest view of the boats with Le Suquet rising behind them.
The Lérins Islands are the strongest reason to spend more than a few hours in Cannes. Ferries reach the islands in about 15 to 20 minutes, yet the pine forests, rocky coves and clear water feel far from the busy Croisette.
Sainte-Marguerite is the larger island. It has shaded walking paths, Fort Royal and the former prison cell linked to the Man in the Iron Mask. Smaller Saint-Honorat has a working monastery, historic chapels and vineyards cared for by the resident monks. Each island has its own ferry service, so visitors normally choose one unless they have a full day and plan carefully.
Tip: Bring water, sun protection and suitable shoes, as the best parts of both islands are explored on foot.
Book St Marguerite Ferry 
Book St-Honorat Ferry
Marché Forville is Cannes’ main food market and one of the best places to experience local life. Its stalls offer fruit, vegetables, fresh fish, cheese, flowers, prepared food and Provençal products. Local residents shop here alongside visitors, especially during the busy morning hours.
A major renovation is currently taking place and is expected to continue until late 2027, but the market remains open. Traders are divided between the original Forville market area and a temporary covered hall on Allées de la Liberté, opposite the bandstand. The exact position of individual stalls may change as the work moves between phases. The food market opens from 7 am to 1 pm, from Tuesday to Sunday outside summer and every day in July and August.
Tip: Check both market areas, as visiting only the original building may mean missing part of the current market.
Cannes has long sandy beaches, which give it a different feel from several pebble-covered destinations farther east on the French Riviera. The central shoreline includes both public sections and private beach clubs with sunbeds, restaurants and changing facilities. Plage Macé is convenient for the Palais and city centre, while the beaches west of the Old Port offer a broader, more relaxed setting.
The Cannes coastline stretches for about eight kilometres, so visitors do not need to stay only beside La Croisette. The La Bocca area is useful for longer beach time away from the busiest central hotels.
Tip: Use a public beach early in the day during summer, as the most central sandy sections fill quickly.
Rue d’Antibes is the main shopping street for visitors who want more choice than the luxury boutiques of La Croisette. The road runs parallel to the waterfront and is lined with fashion stores, beauty shops, food businesses and long-established local addresses. Its architecture also shows traces of the city’s 19th-century growth, with decorative façades above many modern shopfronts.
The busiest section is close to the railway station and the streets leading towards La Croisette. Rue Hoche, just nearby, adds cafés and restaurants in a more pedestrian-friendly setting.
Tip: Visit in late morning, then use Rue Hoche for lunch before continuing towards the waterfront.
Notre-Dame d’Espérance Church is one of the main historic buildings in Cannes and gives the top of Le Suquet its distinctive skyline. Completed in 1627, the church dates from a period when Cannes still had only a small population. Its plain stone exterior and square bell tower feel very different from the polished buildings along La Croisette.
Inside, the space is quiet and simple, with side chapels, religious art and a cooler atmosphere on hot days. The square outside is equally important because it opens towards the bay and sometimes hosts concerts and cultural events.
Tip: Keep voices low and avoid entering during a service, especially when the doors are open for worship rather than sightseeing.
The Museum of World Explorations is Cannes’ most distinctive museum because it combines unusual collections with a medieval setting above Le Suquet. Formerly called the Musée de la Castre, it occupies part of the old castle of the Lérins monks. The displays include Mediterranean antiquities, objects from Oceania, the Himalayas and the Arctic, and musical instruments from around the world.
The major extra is the square tower. Reaching the top requires climbing 109 steps, but the reward is a 360-degree view over Cannes and the coast. Large luggage and prams are not accepted inside.
Tip: Allow about one hour and save the tower climb for clear weather, when the view becomes the strongest part of the visit.
Official World Museum Website
The Cannes Painted Walls turn parts of the city into a free open-air cinema gallery. Large murals appear on apartment blocks, car parks and street corners, with images linked to film stars and classic movies. The collection includes tributes to Charlie Chaplin, Marilyn Monroe, Buster Keaton and many other figures from French and international cinema.
Several useful examples sit near Le Suquet and the city centre. The Charlie Chaplin mural is close to Place du Suquet, while the Marilyn Monroe wall stands on Boulevard d’Alsace. The works are spread across Cannes, so seeing every mural would require a longer route.
Tip: Add two or three central murals to a normal walking plan instead of trying to find the entire collection in one visit.
View Cannes Painted Walls Map
The Cannes Walk of Stars is a quick cinema-themed stop beside the Palais des Festivals. Known in French as the Chemin des Étoiles, it contains the handprints and signatures of almost 400 actors and directors. The idea resembles the Hollywood Walk of Fame, but the marks are set into the ground around the Palais and nearby paths rather than arranged along one long avenue.
Names include major French performers as well as international stars who attended the festival. Some prints are easier to find and read than others, so the experience feels more like a small search than a formal exhibition.
Tip: Visit in daylight, when the names and signatures are easier to see without glare from evening lights.
Cannes has a central railway station with frequent regional trains along the French Riviera. The journey from Nice is usually around half an hour, and direct trains also connect Cannes with Antibes, Monaco, Marseille and other coastal destinations. Long-distance TGV services link the city with Paris and several major French stations.
Nice Côte d’Azur Airport is roughly 25 to 30 kilometres away. Travellers can use an airport coach, a taxi or a combination of local transport and train. Driving is simple via the A8 motorway, but traffic can become slow during summer and major events.
Central Cannes is compact and most major sights can be reached on foot. The railway station is only a few minutes from the Palais des Festivals, while La Croisette, Rue d’Antibes, the Old Port and Marché Forville form an easy central route.
Le Suquet is the main exception because its lanes rise steeply above the port. Visitors with limited mobility can use local transport towards the upper area, although the oldest streets still include slopes, steps and uneven surfaces. A car is not useful for normal sightseeing in the centre.
Palm Bus operates local services across Cannes and the wider Pays de Lérins area. Buses are most useful for reaching La Bocca, Palm Beach, residential districts and places beyond the compact centre. A small local shuttle also serves the Le Suquet area, although routes and schedules can change by season.
Regional TER trains are usually faster for day trips along the coast, including Antibes and Nice. Check live timetables during strikes, engineering work and major Cannes events, when normal travel patterns may change.
The area around La Croisette suits travellers who want beach access, famous hotels and the most polished Cannes atmosphere, but it is usually the most expensive choice. The city centre near the railway station gives better transport access and places most attractions within a short walk.
Le Suquet offers older streets, evening restaurants and more historic character. However, some accommodation involves steep approaches or stairs. La Bocca, west of the centre, can offer better value and longer public beaches, but it requires a bus or local train for regular sightseeing in central Cannes.
Covered car parks are easier than searching for street spaces in the busiest parts of Cannes. Palais car park is convenient for the Palais des Festivals and La Croisette. Suquet Forville works well for the old town and market, while Ferrage Meynadier is useful for the pedestrian centre. Laubeuf is practical for the western beaches and ferry departures.
Many municipal car parks offer a short free period, but rates and access rules can change. During the Film Festival and large trade events, central spaces fill early and road restrictions may affect the normal approach.
Late spring and early autumn offer the best balance of warm weather, open restaurants and manageable crowds. July and August bring the strongest beach atmosphere, but accommodation is more expensive and the central shoreline becomes busy.
The Cannes Film Festival takes place in May and changes the whole city. It creates a unique atmosphere, but hotel prices rise, private events take over venues and some public areas become harder to access. Winter is quieter and often mild, although some beach clubs and seasonal businesses reduce their hours.
Yes. Cinema is an important part of the city’s identity, but Cannes also has sandy beaches, coastal walks, a historic old town, a Provençal market and easy access to the Lérins Islands. Most visitors can enjoy the city without attending an event or entering the Palais des Festivals.
One full day is enough for the main central highlights. Two days are better when you want to visit one of the Lérins Islands, spend several hours on the beach or explore the museum and old town at a slower pace.
Cannes is an easy day trip from Nice because the railway station is close to the main attractions. A full day gives enough time for the centre and Le Suquet. Adding an island visit is possible, but it leaves much less time for Cannes itself.
The main Festival de Cannes is primarily for accredited film professionals, so public access to official gala screenings is limited. However, visitors can still enjoy the atmosphere, watch arrivals from public areas and use public programmes such as Cannes Cinéphiles or the free Cinéma de la Plage screenings. Rules and schedules change each year, so check the official programme before travelling.
Cannes can be expensive around La Croisette, private beach clubs and major events. However, public beaches, harbour walks, Le Suquet viewpoints and the cinema murals cost little or nothing. Staying several streets away from the seafront can also reduce accommodation and restaurant costs.
Cannes has active nightlife, especially during summer and major events. The Carré d’Or around Rue du Commandant André and Rue des Frères Pradignac has cocktail bars, restaurants and late-night venues. La Croisette is better for hotel bars and beach clubs, while Le Suquet offers a quieter evening with restaurant terraces and wine bars.
La Croisette is the main area for luxury fashion and jewellery. Rue d’Antibes has the widest mix of international brands and local shops. Rue Meynadier is better for gifts, food and a more traditional pedestrian-street atmosphere, while Rue Hoche combines smaller shops with cafés and restaurants.
Cannes works well for families because the centre is compact, the beaches are sandy and the ferry ride to Sainte-Marguerite adds an easy outdoor adventure. The main difficulty is Le Suquet, where steep lanes and steps can be tiring with a stroller. Families should also bring shade and water for island walks.
Nice offers a larger old town, more museums and stronger transport connections for exploring the eastern French Riviera. Cannes is smaller, has sandier central beaches and provides easier access to the Lérins Islands. Nice is usually the better base for a longer first trip, while Cannes is well suited to one or two focused days.
