Cannes is best known for its film festival and polished Riviera image, but the city is more than a red-carpet destination. It is compact, walkable, and scenic enough to work for a day trip, a weekend, or a longer French Riviera itinerary.
The best things to do in Cannes mix simple pleasures with a few signature experiences: waterfront walks, historic streets, beaches, island escapes, museums, shopping, and the occasional splash of Riviera luxury.
This guide keeps that balance in mind, covering the classic sights first before moving into the higher-end experiences that are part of Cannes' identity.
Sights and sounds of La Croisette Cannes, France
1. Walk or drive La Croisette
La Croisette is the most famous street in Cannes. Like Promenade des Anglais in Nice, the street is bordered by beaches on one side and numerous fascinating buildings on the other. Landmarks you'll come across include the famous Carlton Cannes Hotel, Hotel Barriere Le Majestic, and Le Palais des Festivals (home of the Cannes Film Festival).
Driving down La Croisette in a convertible car and stopping at various stores along the way may be the highlight of your trip. You can shop at Hermes, Valentino, and Cartier in between basking in the summer sun and enjoying the melody of the car's exhaust pipes.
Few things can beat driving down a scenic coastal road while enjoying the Mediterranean weather. While we didn't feature this drive in our French Riviera tour videos, it was the highlight of day 1 of filming for members of the team who got to drive the Ferrari. During our third visit to the city in September 2025 for the Cannes Yachting Festival, we took some time to capture what La Croisette is like as you can see in the video above.
Practical tip: La Croisette is easiest to enjoy on foot, especially if you want to stop for photos, beach views, hotel facades, and window shopping. Go early for quieter sidewalks or around sunset for the most atmospheric waterfront walk.
2. Le Suquet
Le Suquet is another of Cannes's most popular destinations. Like Nice's Vieille Ville, this historic part of town has winding streets, multi-colored houses, and rustic squares with numerous historical attractions. Many visitors are attracted by Le Suquet's labyrinthine streets, boutique shopping, cafes, and restaurants offering local cuisine.
Popular places to visit in Le Suquet include Marche Forville, a local market, and the clock tower and church, where you can enjoy wonderful views of the Bay of Cannes.
Practical tip: Wear comfortable shoes for Le Suquet because the old town is best explored on foot and includes uphill streets. Arrive in the late afternoon for views over the bay, then stay in the area for a relaxed dinner.
3. Le Vieux Port
Le Vieux Port is Cannes's historic harbor, with space for vessels up to 140 meters long. The area is at the foot of Le Suquet, Cannes's oldest and most historic area. It is close to the Museum of Explorations of the World and the Notre-Dame d'Esperance Church. It is a popular destination for tourists to relax while enjoying unobstructed views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Le Vieux Port offers more than maritime facilities. This part of Cannes is also a popular dining destination. Travelers visit the port to have lunch at its many fine dining establishments and climb the nearby hills for spectacular port and city views.
Practical tip: Le Vieux Port works well as a midpoint between La Croisette and Le Suquet. It is an easy place to pause for lunch, watch the boats, then continue uphill into the old town.
4. Palais des Festivals et des Congres
Palais des Festivals et des Congres is the city's most famous destination. It hosts over 150 events annually, the most popular being the Cannes Film Festival.
Even if you can't visit during the festival, you can attend one or more other events hosted here. Keep an eye on the calendar to see what interests you.
Practical tip: Even without an event ticket, the Palais des Festivals is worth a quick stop for photos and context. It sits close to La Croisette and Le Vieux Port, so it is easy to include in a short walking route.
5. Beaches
Cannes is home to some of France's most prestigious beaches. You can access private beaches if you stay at the Carlton or Barriere Le Majestic. Here, hosts will spoil you while you enjoy the Mediterranean weather. However, if you're curious about other beaches, select from one of the following options:
Plage du Midi is one of four public beaches along Boulevard du Midi Louise Moreau, west of the Old Port. This beach is popular among families looking for shallow waters and gentle surfing.
Further out west, you'll find Plage de la Bocca, close to La Bocca District and Cannes Airport. Popular activities here include pedal boat rides and kayaking.
Finally, there's Palm Beach, a small, family-friendly beach famous for watching kitesurfers performing at sea. But don't be fooled by the name. Palm trees, while present, are not in abundance at this location.
Practical tip: Public beaches are the simplest choice for a flexible Cannes itinerary, while private beaches make more sense if you want reserved loungers, service, and a polished Riviera setting. In the summer months, reserve private beach space ahead of time.
6. Lerins Islands
The Lerins Islands are a group of four islands south of Pointe Croisette. The largest is Ile Sainte-Marguerite, followed by Ile Saint-Honorat. Ile Sainte-Marguerite and Ile Saint-Honorat are worth exploring. The islands offer a tranquil haven to escape the stress of the city.
Ile Sainte-Marguerite exudes an air of mystery with the presence of Fort Royal. It once functioned as a prison famous for housing the man in the iron mask. Today, the island hosts the Musee du Masque de Fer et du Fort Royal, an archaeology museum. If you want to visit the Fort, note that you must hike about 500 meters uphill.
By contrast, Ile Saint-Honorat is a more spiritual location. It has stunning natural beauty and is home to the Abbaye de Lerins, a 5th-century Benedictine monastery with cloistered halls and quiet gardens.
Practical tip: Check ferry times especially outside peak season. Sainte-Marguerite is usually the better first choice for history, while Saint-Honorat is better for a quiet walk.
7. La Mairie de Cannes
La Mairie de Cannes is the city's town hall. In addition to its architectural magnificence, it offers insights into the city's unique history. Its location next to the old port makes it great for taking memorable photos.
The French built La Mairie de Cannes in 1876 in a neoclassic style to reflect the town's aspirations. Visitors can marvel at its unique decor, sculptures, and Doric columns.
8. Musee de la Castre
Musee de la Castre is an iconic museum in a medieval castle. It used to be home to the monks of Lerins. You can walk to the building from the city center in less than fifteen minutes. At over 1,000 years old, the building is a standout attraction. Known for housing an extensive collection of Mediterranean art and archaeological artifacts, it is a must-visit destination for history buffs.
Guided tours are available if you want a good explanation of the exhibits. The top of the medieval tower offers a fantastic panoramic view of the city.
9. Shopping at Rue d'Antibes
Rue d'Antibes is Cannes' main shopping street. Don't let the narrow street fool you. It has many high-profile local and international stores including Rolex, Mont Blanc, and Tommy Hilfiger.
With an abundance of cafes and restaurants in the area, you can take as many breaks as you need while shopping. You can also purchase great souvenirs to help keep your visit fresh in memory.
Practical tip: Rue d'Antibes is best paired with La Croisette because the two streets run close to each other. Use it for a shopping break, then return to the waterfront instead of treating it as a separate half-day plan.
10. Centre d'Art La Malmaison
Centre d'Art La Malmaison is an art gallery housed in a former Boulevard de la Croisette hotel. It closed in 2023 for extensive renovations, with plans to reopen in December 2024. It reopened on the 31st of January 2025 (a month late, but we'll cut them some slack). Previous art exhibitions at the place include Picasso's La Suite Vollard, Max Ernst's L'imagination en jeu, and Pierre and Gilles's Le Gout du Cinema. We visited the museum during our time at the 2025 Cannes yachting festival and as you can see in the photo below, the update reflects well.
If you're staying in the JW Marriott hotel on Boulevard de la Croisette, note that the gallery is right next door on the west side of the hotel.
11. Hike to La Croix-des-Gardes
La Croix-des-Gardes is a famous residential area in Cannes housing a large park overlooking the city and the bay. People visit this part of Cannes for hiking and cycling experiences. The views of the Mediterranean Sea, Esterel Massif, and Iles des Lerins are enough to keep your mind off the strain of the hike. Interesting landmarks in the park include the Robert W. Hornbaker Monument and Fontaine d'eau Potable.
The area is also home to some of France's finest mansions and villas. The famous 19th-century Florentine-style Chateau de la Croix-des-Gardes villa is located here. Alfred Hitchcock's 1955 movie To Catch a Thief featured the alluring Belle Epoque home as the Sanford Villa.
Today, the villa is a popular venue for events, including weddings and design shows. It also hosts some of the most exclusive parties during the Cannes Film Festival. If you want to spoil yourself, you can stay at the villa as it is available to rent. You'll enjoy days of a hard-to-match luxurious and memorable experience.
Another notable villa here is Mediatheque Noailles, also known as Villa Rothschild. James Mayer de Rothschild's widow owned the neo-classical villa built in 1881. He was a banker and a prominent member of the Rothschild family. The building is now a public library listed as an official public monument.
12. Snorkeling at the Underwater Museum
Cannes offers various snorkeling opportunities, but the best is at Ecomusee Sous-Marin (Underwater Eco-Museum). The museum has six large sculptures, each over two meters tall, close to Sainte-Marguerite Island's southern coast.
The artwork is the brainchild of English artist Jason deCaires Taylor. Over a 4-year period, he turned a once-neglected zone into a popular destination for keen snorkelers. The sculptures are between three and four meters deep, allowing you to explore them in the crystal-clear waters with basic equipment.
While you're snorkeling, you should be mindful of the rules, as water police often keep an eye on visitors.
13. Helicopter tour of Cannes
A private helicopter tour is a great way to see Cannes. Local outlets offer rides ranging from 12 to 60 minutes. These tours have incredible views of Cannes and other parts of Cote d'Azur. You'll be treated to breathtaking panoramas of La Croisette and the stunning blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Some tours also take you as far as Gorges du Verdon, a beautiful area with lakes and large canyons.
Access to the helipad is highly restricted, so book your tour in advance, and don't forget to bring your passport. While you won't be leaving France, tour operators usually request it.
14. Private Yacht Cruise
The main draw of the French Riviera is the Mediterranean Sea. What better way to enjoy that than a cruise on a private yacht? The city's setting makes it ideal for serene excursions along the coast. With its azure waters and nearby private beaches, few places can beat Cannes for having a yacht party.
Many private yacht charter companies run from Cannes, allowing you to explore the French Riviera in style. You can select from various options, from small single-engine boats to superyachts.
Glorious rock formations await you on the shores of the nearby resort town, Theoule-sur-Mer. You can visit one of many secluded pebble beaches like Pointe de l'Aiguille. The benefit of a private yacht cruise is the freedom to decide where to visit.
An extended cruise with visits to islands off the coast is a great idea. However, note that yacht rental prices don't usually include what is known as Advanced Provisioning Allowance (APA). APA is an additional cost that's not usually advertised. It's between 20-40% of the rental price and varies between charter companies. You should also pay attention to the charter company's cancellation policy.
Practical tip: Book yacht charters early in summer and around major events, then confirm the full price before paying a deposit. Ask what is included, where the yacht departs, whether fuel is extra, and how weather changes are handled.
15. Cannes Yachting Festival
If you're willing to plan your trip close to the time of the Cannes Yachting Festival, you're in for a treat. The trade show hosts more than 700 boats from 5 to 50 meters long yearly. You'll find exhibits at the city's main ports, Vieux Port and Port Pierre Canto.
Many big-name yacht builders are usually well represented at the show, so if you're shopping for your next luxury yacht, the show is a good place to explore options. The highlight of our visit to the festival in 2024 was a tour of Gulf Craft's Majesty 120 and an interview with a Gulf Craft executive. We also spoke with representatives from LIND about their new electric surfboard. For 2025, we got detailed walkthroughs of the Majesty 100 Terrace and the Oyster 565.
If you're not looking to make a purchase, we won't claim you'll get the same level of access to these yachts as we did, but you'll see enough to make your visit worth every minute.
Quick tips for visiting Cannes
Best beaches in Cannes
For a classic Cannes beach day, start with the public beaches near La Croisette or Plage du Midi. La Croisette is the easier choice if you want to stay close to the hotels, shops, and restaurants, while Plage du Midi is better for a more relaxed afternoon west of the Old Port.
Polished Riviera experience seekers can book one of the private beach clubs along the waterfront. For a lower-key option, Palm Beach and the beaches around La Bocca give you a different view of Cannes without feeling far from the city.
One day in Cannes
If you're in Cannes for only one day, spend the morning around La Croisette and the Palais des Festivals, then walk toward Le Vieux Port and climb into Le Suquet for old-town streets and city views. In the afternoon, choose between a beach break, a visit to the Lerins Islands, or shopping along Rue d'Antibes.
This route keeps the day compact and offers the best mix of Cannes: film-festival landmarks, harbor views, historic streets, shopping, and the Mediterranean.
Best day trips from Cannes
Cannes is a good base for exploring the French Riviera. Easy day trips include Antibes for its old town and Picasso Museum, Nice for a larger city experience, Theoule-sur-Mer for red-rock coastal scenery, and Saint-Tropez if you are willing to plan a longer day by road or boat.
The Lerins Islands are the simplest escape from Cannes itself because they sit just offshore. They work well when you want a nature-focused break without giving up much of the day to travel.
What to do in Cannes from a cruise ship
Cruise visitors can see a lot of Cannes without leaving the center. From the port, walk to Le Suquet for views, continue to the Palais des Festivals, then follow La Croisette for beaches, luxury hotels, and waterfront cafes. If you have more time, add Rue d'Antibes or a short beach stop before returning to the ship.
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