Itineraries for Your Trip to Cannes
1 Day in Cannes for First Timers
As a travel writer who’s written multiple guidebooks to France, I have a love-hate relationship with the French Riviera: It’s overpriced, traffic-congested, and—especially in peak season—overflowing with tourists. But there’s also no denying the magnetic pull of Cannes with its palm-studded seafront boulevards, movie sites, and yachts for days. It’s the closest you’ll get to Hollywood in Europe, and love it or hate it, you shouldn’t miss it.
One day in Cannes is enough time to take in the highlights, and the city is a popular choice for a day trip from nearby St. Tropez or Nice. Here’s what to do in Cannes for first-time visitors.
Summer is swelteringly hot along the Mediterranean coast, so plan indoor activities between midday and 4pm.
If you only have time for one thing, make it a walk or drive down La Croisette Boulevard.
Mornings start slowly along the Côte d’Azur, so ease yourself into the day with a typically French breakfast, accompanied by sea views and a scenic stroll. Check out the morning farmers market (daily except Mondays) at Marché Forville for a taste of local life, then join a guided tasting tour to discover Cannes’ most popular cafés and boulangeries (bakeries). After feasting on freshly baked croissants, head down to the Port of Cannes to admire the glamorous yachts and traditional fishing boats.
Most of the must-see attractions in Cannes can be reached on foot, so a walking tour is the ideal way to get around. Start by exploring the historic district of Le Suquet with its cobbled streets and hilltop castle, then take in the views from the Notre-Dame d'Espérance de Cannes church. Pass by the Tour du Masque de Fer to learn the legend of the Man in the Iron Mask, browse the shops along Rue Meynadier, then follow the picturesque Boulevard de la Croisette to the famous Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, where the Cannes Film Festival is held.
A boat cruise is one of the best things to do in Cannes for first-timers, so set sail along the Mediterranean coast in time to watch the sunset from the water. There are plenty of options for boat tours in Cannes, but a private yacht charter means you can choose your perfect itinerary. Explore Île Sainte-Marguerite and the other Lérins Islands, dive in to swim and snorkel in the warm Mediterranean, or relax on deck and soak up the scenery. Back in Cannes, choose a beachfront restaurant for dinner and sip wine with the illuminated city as your backdrop.
