Things to Do in Cannes
4 experiences in Cannes
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About Cannes
Cannes is a small city with an outsized reputation. For eleven days each May, it becomes the center of the film world, but the other 354 days it settles back into being a well-groomed Riviera resort town of about 75,000 people, where retirees walk poodles along the Croisette and the biggest daily drama is finding a parking spot near the Forville Market. The palm-lined waterfront promenade, the Boulevard de la Croisette, is genuinely worth the hype — a two-mile stretch of Belle Époque hotels, private beach clubs, and yacht-filled marinas that photographs exactly as well in person as it does on Instagram.
What makes Cannes work as a destination is its size and its position. Unlike Nice or Monaco, it's compact enough to explore on foot in a day or two, with a genuinely old quarter (Le Suquet) rising above the harbor that gives it some history beyond casinos and film premieres. It also sits within 30 minutes of Antibes, Grasse, and the hilltop villages of the Alpes-Maritimes, making it a workable base for day trips even if you're not planning to spend a full week in town. The beaches themselves are a mixed bag — mostly private and paid, with a few public strips like Plage du Midi — so this isn't a budget beach holiday in the way Spain or Greece might be.
Cannes suits people who want a taste of glamour without the price tag or pretension of Monaco, couples looking for a romantic long weekend, and film buffs who want to see the red carpet steps even when no one famous is on them. It's less suited to backpackers, families chasing free beach access, or anyone wanting a wild nightlife scene — Cannes closes early and behaves itself outside of festival season. Come for the walk along the water at golden hour, the old town views from Le Suquet, and the sense of being somewhere that still takes dressing well for dinner seriously.
Good to Know
- Tipping isn't obligatory since service is included by law (service compris), but rounding up or leaving 5-10% for good service is appreciated
- Book accommodation 6+ months ahead if visiting during the Film Festival (mid-May) — prices can triple and rooms sell out
- Beaches are mostly private and paid (€20-60/day for a lounger); Plage du Midi and Plage Gazagnaire are the main free public options
- Dress smartly for dinner, especially on the Croisette — beachwear and flip-flops are frowned upon at restaurants after midday
- EU SIM cards work fine roaming-free; visitors from outside the EU should get an Orange or Free Mobile prepaid SIM at the airport or a Cannes tabac
- Petty theft (bag snatching, pickpocketing near the beach and station) is the main safety concern — keep valuables off the sand and out of sight in the car
- Cash is still useful for markets and small cafés, though cards are widely accepted; contactless is standard almost everywhere
- Many restaurants and shops close for a few hours mid-afternoon (roughly 2-4pm) outside peak tourist season, so plan lunch accordingly
