Cannes

Red carpets, sandy beaches and a hilltop old town on the Croisette.

Overview

Why go to Cannes

Cannes is best known for its film festival, but it also offers long sandy beaches, a pretty old town and boat trips to the Lérins Islands. It suits a glamorous, beachy break or a base for the wider Riviera.

BeachCouplesFood & drinkCity breakFamily

Where
French Riviera, France
Recommended stay
2–4 nights
Best time to go
May–June and September; festivals in May push prices up.
Approx. daily budget
£100–210 a dayPer person, excluding flights. Indicative.

What does Cannes cost?

Full cost guide
  • Budget traveller£90–130a day
  • Mid-range traveller£190–275a day
  • Luxury traveller£380+a day

Approximate per person per day, including a share of a twin room, and excluding flights. Not live prices.

Things To Do

Top picks in Cannes

See all 9
Must SeeFree

La Croisette

Croisette

The famous seafront boulevard of grand hotels, boutiques and private beaches.

  • Suggested time: 2 hrs
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples · Beach lovers

Open-air; always accessible

Must SeeFree

Palais des Festivals

Croisette

The film festival’s home, with the red-carpet steps you can climb for a photo.

  • Suggested time: 30 min
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples · Culture lovers

Open-air steps; interior only during events

Day Trips~£8

Antibes Day Trip

Antibes (12 km)

A walled port town with a market, Picasso Museum and a walk around the cape.

  • Suggested time: Full day
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples

Trains run frequently from Cannes

Hidden GemsFree

Le Suquet Old Town

Le Suquet

A hilltop old quarter of narrow lanes leading to a tower with views over the bay.

  • Suggested time: 1h 30m
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Photographers

Open-air; tower and museum daily

Hidden Gems

Beyond the checklist

See all 4
Hidden GemsFree

Le Suquet Old Town

Le Suquet

A hilltop old quarter of narrow lanes leading to a tower with views over the bay.

  • Suggested time: 1h 30m
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Photographers

Open-air; tower and museum daily

Day Trips~£18

Lérins Islands Boat Trip

Lérins Islands

A short ferry to two car-free islands, with a fort prison, a monastery and quiet coves.

  • Suggested time: 5 hrs
  • Booking recommended
  • Suits: Families · Beach lovers

Ferries run daily; more frequent in summer

View Tickets
Day Trips~£12

Grasse Perfume Day Trip

Grasse (20 km)

The perfume capital of the world, with factories offering free tours and workshops.

  • Suggested time: Full day
  • Booking recommended
  • Suits: Culture lovers · Food lovers

Bus from Cannes; factories open most days

View Tickets
Hidden GemsFree

Mougins Village

Mougins (10 km)

A hilltop village of galleries and gourmet restaurants above Cannes.

  • Suggested time: 2h 30m
  • No booking needed
  • Suits: Couples · Food lovers

Open-air; galleries open daily

Hotels

Best-value hotels in Cannes

Well reviewed and fairly priced for what you get: not simply the cheapest.

All 3 hotels
Plage du Midi, near Plage du Midi in Cannes (illustrative photo: example hotel)
Best Mid-Range HotelPopular Choice
Example listing

Midi Beach Hotel

Plage du Midi, Cannes

8.4Guest rating 8.4/10 · Very good

Very good valueValue score 76 out of 100

Rated 8.4/10, about 8% below typical 4★ prices in Cannes, right by the beach.

From £150 per night · check current availability
Le Suquet Old Town, near Le Suquet in Cannes (illustrative photo: example hotel)
Best ValueBest Budget Choice
Example listing

Suquet Hillside Hotel

Le Suquet, Cannes

8.7Guest rating 8.7/10 · Excellent

Very good valueValue score 74 out of 100

Rated 8.7/10, priced in line with similar 3★ hotels in Cannes, in a central location.

From £105 per night · check current availability
La Croisette, near Croisette in Cannes (illustrative photo: example hotel)
Best for FamiliesBest Location
Example listing

Grand Croisette Palace

Croisette, Cannes

9.2Guest rating 9.2/10 · Exceptional

Very good valueValue score 68 out of 100

Rated 9.2/10, priced above typical 5★ hotels in Cannes, for a higher-end stay, in a central location.

From £350 per night · check current availability
Food & Restaurants

Where to eat

Food guide
  • Bouillabaisse and grilled fish

    Best from the small harbour restaurants

  • Pan bagnat

    A tuna-and-vegetable sandwich, the Riviera’s picnic staple

  • Rosé de Provence

    Cold and pale, the Riviera’s drink of choice

A suggested Cannes itinerary

3 nights Couple

Cannes · Highlights

Cannes in 3 nights

A balanced first-visit plan built from our Cannes picks: the headline sights, a local favourite or two and time to breathe.

  1. Day 1 · Marché Forville, La Croisette, Palais des Festivals, Plage du Midi
  2. Day 2 · Antibes Day Trip, Le Suquet Old Town
  3. Day 3 · Mougins Village

Plan Cannes your way

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