This post may contain affiliate links which may mean I receive a small commission from any purchase you make on my recommendations at no extra cost to you.
Who is ready for Summer in Europe?! Planning a trip to the French Riviera (aka South of France, aka Côte d’Azur) can be overwhelming because there are SO many towns and villages to visit. I’ve been to the South of France 5 times now, and have stayed in small villages and large cities. I’ve created this quick travel guide to Cannes to make it a little easier for you to plan your trip.
Cannes is probably one of my favorites if you want a home base. It is more elevated and high-end than Nice, and while it’s famous for the Cannes Film Festival, the town itself is not as insanely expensive or as pretentious as Monte-Carlo or Saint Tropez. Cannes is also in a great location (with easy train station access), which makes it really easy to bop around for day trips from Cannes like Èze, Villefranche-sur-Mer, or Haute de Cagnes.
The food, beach clubs, and shopping here are *chef’s kiss*. It’s the perfect place to have a bougie OR relaxed vacation.
How to get to Cannes
Getting to Cannes depends on your starting point and preferred mode of transportation. Here are some common ways to reach Cannes:
Air:
- The nearest airport is Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE), which is located in Cagnes sur Mer (between Nice and Cannes) about 27 kilometers (17 miles). From there, you can take a private car (naturally, I chose this option), a taxi, or a train to Cannes.
Train:
- Cannes has its own train station, Cannes-Ville, which is well-connected to major cities in France and Europe. You can take a train from Paris, Nice, or other nearby cities.
Car:
- Cannes is accessible by road, and if you prefer driving, you can reach it via the French motorway network. The A8 motorway (La Provençale) passes close to Cannes, making it easily accessible by car.
Where to stay in Cannes
There are so many options for places to stay in Cannes, making it overwhelming to choose, below are some of the nicer/fancier hotel options with the best locations IMO.
Hotel Carlton: luxury, iconic, and newly renovated ($$$$)
Hotel Martinez: classic, beachy, and luxe ($$$$)
Hotel Barrier Majestic: big resort-style ($$$)
Hotel Barrier Grey D’Albion: smaller, a little more affordable, excellent location ($$$)
Drop me a message and I can get you booked at any of these hotels (and others) with exclusive perks! You can also rent apartments in Cannes, but I recommend staying near the Croisette to be within walking distance of the beach and town.
THE thing to do in Cannes: BEACH CLUBS
Best beach clubs in Cannes
There are a ton of private beaches in Cannes town along the Croisette and of course, spending some time at the beach is one of the best things to do in Cannes (you are in the French Riviera!). You book a sunbed/umbrella in advance for a fixed daily rate.
Daily rates at Cannes beach clubs can range from $40-100+ per bed depending on where you go and what row your chair is on. They also have beachside service for lunch and drinks. Below are some of my faves:
- Madamoiselle Grey la Plage
- La Mome la Plage
- Lucia Beach
- Hotel Carlton Beach Club
- Annex Beach Club
Walk along the Croisette and see which Cannes beach club catches your fancy. There are a ton, but book in advance and be prepared to shell out some $$, especially during high season.
Where to eat and drink in Cannes
Maison Charlotte Busset
A casual French bakery place, perfect for breakfast in Cannes. I came for breakfast and ordered about a thousand carbs.
Ladurée
Although Ladurée locations can be found worldwide, visiting one in France is especially enjoyable. You’ll find the most picture-perfect and luxurious macarons and pastries, but the soft-serve is what stood out to me (and something I haven’t seen at other locations). It was absolutely delicious.
Le Cirque
Delicious French food, super cute terrace with good cocktails. We came here our first night and it was loved by locals and tourists alike – definitely a top contender for places to eat in Cannes.
Vesuvio
One of the best restaurants in Cannes – this is old-school classic French. It’s been in business since 1969. My mom had a lot of great memories here from when she lived in France as a teenager, so this was her one request…I was not disappointed.
We got pizza, steak entrecôte, fries, and a framboise melba. This is also where I ordered my Orangina (ultimate nostalgia), which is truly what happiness tastes like in France.
Lenôtre
A stunning French patisserie in Cannes. Gaston Lenôtre was one of the best pastry chefs in the world, so it’s worth checking out.
La Môme
A super trendy/scene-y/party restaurant in Cannes with great food. I got scallops and truffle gnocchi. Sparklers are also involved which is always a 10/10 experience. This was my FAVORITE for things to do in Cannes at night!
La Guérite
The ultimate party lunch vibes on an island (you must take a boat). They also opened locations in St. Barths and Turkey. Taking a boat to lunch is the ultimate bougie vibes and a must-do on your Cannes itinerary.
Baôli
A rooftop bar, a restaurant, and a club all in one place! It’s poppin’, but not walking distance to the Croisette.
Bar 58 at the Carlton Hotel
Fancy cocktails ($$$), stunning terrace, cool to go for a drink and have the experience. Also worth it if you want to check out the insane hotel renovation.
The street Rue Hoche is also filled with restaurants. Many don’t take reservations, so part of the fun is exploring and walking around. The best part about France is that the food is SO GOOD, even a “meh” restaurant is better than most other restaurants. The food experience is one of the best things to do in Cannes, making it a HAVEN for foodies.
Where to shop in Cannes
The shopping in Cannes is also amazing, from designer stores to smaller and non-expensive boutiques, pack light and go shopping!
Most of the designer stores are along the Croisette, but then the side streets have a variety of smaller boutiques and Rue d’Antibes is the big main shopping street. I ended up buying a Ganni dress on sale, so that was a win.
This is also random, but one of the best things to do in France is to explore the pharmacies’ products. Sounds wild I know, but they have so many insanely good products that they don’t sell in North America. I went ham on some night serums, tinted sunscreen, and more.
Other places to explore in Cannes
Le Suquet: the cutest part of Cannes. It’s the old town
Les Iles de Léreins: Take a boat and visit some islands
Marché Forville: Provençal market with fresh products
There is truly no place like the South of France, it remains my favorite vacation destination in the world, and Cannes is no exception. I hope this guide to Cannes has inspired you to take a journey here and discover some of the best things to do in Cannes, France. From star-studded soirées to serene seaside escapes, a trip to Cannes is a taste of glamour, culture, and joie de vivre that’s sure to leave you spellbound.
Want to go to Cannes? Let me help you plan your trip!
