Cannes: All destinations, advice & information for your holidays!
In the east of the French Côte d'Azur lies the fashionable seaside resort of Cannes. The city is considered a meeting place for the rich and beautiful, but ordinary tourists can also find comfortable accommodations near the coast or directly by the sea. A wide sandy beach, charming promenades, and the picturesque old town of Le Suquet guarantee varied vacation days.
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Cannes - Must-see attractions
The Croisette
The approximately 2-kilometer-long La Croisette stretches along the Côte d'Azur on the Mediterranean and offers some highlights of Cannes. Shady gardens, the fragrant rose park, or the Canto harbor make the promenade special. In summer, film stars gather on the Croisette when the Cannes Film Festival takes place at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès. Directly below the promenade runs the beach of the same name, where you can relax after strolling.
Le Suquet
Worth seeing in the traffic-free district with a view of the bay and the Croisette of Cannes are the old city wall, the church Église du Suquet, and the defensive tower Tour du Mont Chevalier from the 11th century. Below Suquet, which is referred to as the cradle of Cannes, lies the old port, where both sailing ships and yachts anchor. At the Forville market, you will find fresh and typical foods from the region.
Palace of Festivals & Walk of Fame
Cannes would be almost unimaginable without its film festival. The Palais des Festivals was specifically built for the film festival and today serves as a venue for various events. Due to its central location on the Boulevard de la Croisette, the Palais is a popular meeting point. In addition, they have taken inspiration from Hollywood and therefore created a Walk of Fame. The handprints of 300 stars from the film industry can be seen here, including those of Angelina Jolie, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Sylvester Stallone.
Old Port
The Old Port of Cannes is a place where tourists and locals can stroll and enjoy the sea. The port hosts magnificent yachts, especially during the Cannes Film Festival, as well as old sailing ships during the Régates Royales in September. From the "Vieux Port" of Cannes, you can see the beautiful Lerins Islands. You can take a boat to get there. The Vieux Port is more than just a simple port in the heart of the city, it is a place of life with its commercial and marina activities.
Our Lady of Hope
In the year 1521, the planning for the impressive church Notre-Dame-d’Espérance began, but its completion took until the year 1641. The Gothic bell tower and the Italian organ, installed in 1857, are considered particularly worth seeing. From the church, it is only a few minutes' walk to the chic Boulevard de la Croisette, the world-famous waterfront street. In the warm summer between May and September, you can also look forward to perfect conditions for sunbathing on the nearby beaches.
Sainte Marguerite Island
Only a few minutes by boat separate Cannes visitors from Sainte Marguerite, where nature, culture, and relaxation harmoniously unite. The Fort Royal bears witness to the time when the island played a strategic role and today houses a maritime museum. Marked paths lead through the island's green nature, where around 40 residents live year-round. Birdwatchers' hearts soar at the idyllic pond, as numerous migratory birds stop here. During the high season, several restaurants cater to visitors' culinary needs.
Cannes - Secret spots
Art enjoyment at the La Malmaison Gallery
Even from the outside, you can tell that art awaits you at La Malmaison in Cannes. In front of the former 19th-century hotel, which has been converted into a gallery, there are often colorful artworks and statues. Inside, you will find changing solo exhibitions by renowned artists of the 20th and 21st centuries, such as Salvador Dalí.
Ethnological in the Musée de la Castre
To enter the exhibition house in Cannes, renamed Musée des explorations du monde, you must climb a hill in the old town. At the top sits a medieval castle that houses exciting collections. You can admire regional and international art and musical instruments from around the world. From the tower, you have a great panorama.
Shopping spree in Rue Meynadier
A shopping street of a special kind invites you to take a stroll in Cannes. In Rue Meynadier, you wander through a narrow alley lined with houses from the 18th century. There, you discover charming shops with regional specialties in the areas of wine, fashion, cheese, or patisserie. Try the macarons!
Mediterranean flair at the Marché Forville
Visit a traditional market in Cannes at the halls of Marché Forville. Here you will find everything your heart desires: wine, vegetables, seafood, fruits, regional specialties, and intoxicatingly fragrant flowers and spices. Tasting is allowed! You can also sample diverse street food or watch the lively hustle and bustle from a café chair.
Cannes - In 3 days
Day 1
Cannes, the capital of cinema on the Côte d'Azur, welcomes you with a glamorous flair. On the first day, you start your tour of the city with a walk along the palm-lined promenade Boulevard de la Croisette. Here you will find numerous restaurants, cafes, shops, and historic buildings. At the western end of the boulevard is the Festival and Congress Hall, which serves as the venue for the annual film festival, among other events. In the afternoon, continue past the harbor, where you can admire the yachts of the jet setters. In about a 15-minute walk, you reach the district of Le Suquet, located on a hill. A highlight is the Forville Market with its extensive range of goods. In the medieval Château de la Castre, a collection of paintings by local artists awaits you. A charming view over the Bay of Cannes is offered from the Gothic church Notre-Dame d'Espérance.
Day 2
On your second day in Cannes, you discover the famous Corniche d'Or. This enchanting coastal road runs between Fréjus and Cannes along the Esterel Massif and offers breathtakingly beautiful panoramas. The Esterel coast is primarily known for its calanques. These picturesque coves are surrounded by steep cliffs, making them particularly impressive. From Cannes, you can reach the charming Calanque des Anglais near Anthéor in about an hour by car. It consists of three small coves with red pebbles and turquoise water. In the neighboring Agay, you can take a diving course or relax on the beach. A little further south is Cap Dramont with its characteristic red rocks. Take a short walk on the Sentier littoral hiking trail before trying freshly caught seafood in a restaurant. In the evening, head back to Cannes via the Corniche d'Or. The evening drive is the perfect opportunity to enjoy the sunset.
Day 3
Start your last day in Cannes with an exciting trip to the legendary Îles de Lérins. The archipelago is located a few hundred meters off the coast and consists of a total of four islands. The two larger islands, Sainte-Marguerite and Saint-Honorat, are worth seeing. Ferries run from Cannes to the Îles de Lérins all year round, and the trip takes about 15 minutes. The smaller island, Saint-Honorat, is managed by the monks of the Cistercian monastery. A walk along the coastal path of the Mediterranean takes about two hours. Taste the monastery wine and the Lérina liqueur. Then enjoy the beautiful view of the sea from the terrace of the restaurant La Tonnelle. On the island of Sainte-Marguerite, stroll along cozy paths that lead through pine and eucalyptus forests. Circle the freshwater lake Etang du Batéguier and visit the fort, which once served as a prison.
Cannes - Climate
The Mediterranean climate of Cannes at the foothills of the Southern Alps ensures hot and dry summers as well as mild and humid winters. From May to October, the maximum temperatures range between 20 and 27 °C. The hottest months are July and August with around 10 hours of sunshine per day. In winter, the average temperature is still 9 °C. Most of the rainfall occurs in the winter months, while the summers are low in precipitation. October brings a lot of rain. If you book your holiday apartment between June and September, you will enjoy the pleasant water temperatures, which do not drop below 20 °C during this period.