A Travel Price Comparison for France Cannes vs. Aix-en-Provence for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Cannes or Aix-en-Provence?

Which is cheaper to visit? Which is more expensive for vacation?

Which city is more affordable and which is best for your travel style? If you're trying to figure out where to go next, comparing the travel costs between Cannes and Aix-en-Provence can help you decide which place is right for you.

Cannes

Cannes is a glitzy, opulent , and luxury resort city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Aix-en-Provence

Aix-en-Provence is a historic, vibrant, and laid-back town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include museums, food, and shopping.

Cannes and Aix-en-Provence: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cannes or Aix-en-Provence?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cannes than Aix-en-Provence. While Aix-en-Provence is larger than Cannes, Cannes has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cannes is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and historical sights, while Aix-en-Provence attracts visitors for its museums. Cannes is more touristy than Aix-en-Provence and is known for its popularity with celebrities and its role as host for the international film festival. It is also well known for Boulevard de la Croisette. Aix-en-Provence is famous for its Provençal cuisine made with local produce, its many art galleries, and its beautiful fountains and square.

How is Cannes different from Aix-en-Provence?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Aix-en-Provence and Cannes. Then, you can decide for yourself which place is better for your next trip.

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Cannes or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence is very good for its sights and museums. However, Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

If you're looking for an educational opportunity, there are a decent number of museums and historical sights around Aix-en-Provence. In addition to its many squares and fountains, there is also Cathédrale Saint-Sauveur, Musée Granet, and Musée des Tapisseries.

Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Cannes or Aix-en-Provence? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Cannes and Aix-en-Provence can be difficult as they are each terrific in their own way.

Cannes has long been recognized as a culinary destination with great restaurants. The city is known for its fresh seafood and produce, local markets, and innovative chefs. There are also a number of traditional dishes that you should try in town including bouillabaisse, daube, and farcis niçois.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Aix-en-Provence is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. The range of restaurants includes everything from modern and trendy to traditional and casual. The town is surrounded by a region that is known for its local produce. There are also many markets worth checking out in town.

Is Cannes or Aix-en-Provence Better for Nightlife?

Cannes is well known for its evening party scene. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for nightlife.

Cannes is a popular destination for visitors looking to party into the night. The nightlife scene is all about the glamour and prestige that this city is known for. There are exclusive nightclubs and luxury cocktail bars where the goal is to see and be seen. Parties last late into the night and the glitz and glamour fill the streets.

Aix-en-Provence doesn't have the most active nightlife scene. The nightlife scene that does exist is mostly influenced by the town's large student population.

Is Cannes or Aix-en-Provence Better for Music?

Cannes is terrific for its music scene. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a live music destination.

In Cannes you'll find nightly musicians performing at a variety of venues. The city is famous for its music festivals, but there are also many bands, DJs, and performers who visit year round.

Aix-en-Provence is not a live music destination.

Is Cannes or Aix-en-Provence Better for Resorts?

Cannes is terrific for its resorts. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a resort destination.

Cannes offers an unforgettable resort vacation. The city is filled with luxury resorts and elegant hotels. Among the best are Hôtel Martinez, Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, and Five Seas Hotel.

Aix-en-Provence is not a resort destination.

Is Cannes or Aix-en-Provence Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cannes is a nice place to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Cannes has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. You can arrange scuba diving and snorkeling trips from a few vendors in town. You might see sponges, sea slugs octopus, cuttlefish, lobsters and even stingrays.

Aix-en-Provence is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cannes or Aix-en-Provence Better for Beaches?

Cannes is well known for the beach. However, Aix-en-Provence is not a beach destination.

You'll have a great beach vacation in Cannes. You can choose from both public and private beaches in the area. You'll find more amenities and convenience at the private beaches which are closer to La Croisette (the main promenade in town). These beaches also come with a price tag attached. The public beaches have a more relaxed and natural vibe but are a little less convenient to get to.

Aix-en-Provence is not a beach destination.

Is Cannes or Aix-en-Provence Better for its Old Town?

Cannes is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors go to Cannes to see the historical old town. Known as Le Suquet, the old town has many historic landmarks including the the Château de la Castre. There are also cobblestone streets and many great restaurants around town.

Aix-en-Provence does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cannes or Aix-en-Provence?

Both Cannes and Aix-en-Provence are terrific shopping destinations.

Cannes is a world class destination for shoppers. With its many affluent visitors, the shopping scene in town is filled with luxury brands and posh boutiques. Perfume and porcelain are both popular things to buy in the area.

People travel from around the world to go shopping in Aix-en-Provence. It has some of the best shopping in France outside of Paris. There are many shopping streets where you can pick up trendy fashions or boutique local finds. Head to Rue Marius Reynard, Les Allées Provençales, or Rue Clemenceau for some of the best shopping.

Is Cannes or Aix-en-Provence Better for Families?

Cannes is a nice place to visit for its family-friendly activities. However, Aix-en-Provence is not particularly known for its kid-friendly activities.

You'll find plenty of kid-friendly things to do in Cannes. Most people associate the city with the film festival and late night partying, but there are also kid-friendly restaurants, fun beach activities, and plenty of kid-friendly entertainment along La Croisette Boulevard. Make sure you check out the Grand Carousel and the many playgrounds around town.

For families, Aix-en-Provence is not always the best place to visit. Many kids enjoy checking out the town's many fountains or taking a bike for a ride outside of town.

Is Cannes or Aix-en-Provence Better for Couples?

Cannes is terrific for couples. Also, Aix-en-Provence is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Cannes has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. It's grand hotels and luxury beach clubs make this a perfect romantic destination. There are world class restaurants, a vibrant nightlife scene, and many romantic spots around town that make for a memorable honeymoon or couple's getaway.

Aix-en-Provence is a great resort city if you're traveling as a couple. It's among the most charming towns in southern France and couples will enjoy the romantic buildings, beautiful fountains, and relaxing countryside. Whether you're on a honeymoon or a couple's getaway, this is a great town.

Is Cannes or Aix-en-Provence Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Aix-en-Provence is very good for backpackers. However, Cannes is not a good resort city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Aix-en-Provence is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a couple of hostels and cheap hotels that are good options for backpackers.

Cannes is a challenging destination for budget travelers and backpackers due to the higher prices. It's more famous for it's celebrity jetsetters than young budget travelers, but there are still several hostels and budget accommodation options tucked away in town.

Is Cannes or Aix-en-Provence Better for Students?

Aix-en-Provence is a well-known place for students. However, Cannes is not popular with students.

Aix-en-Provence is very popular with students. It's a university town with a lively but laid-back atmosphere. It's also a popular study abroad destination for American university students.

Cannes is not popular with students.

Is Cannes or Aix-en-Provence Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Cannes and Aix-en-Provence offer nice public transit options.

Cannes has a few public transit options. There are buses that travel around the city.

Aix-en-Provence has some public transit options. For the places you can't reach on foot, there is a bus network.

Is Cannes or Aix-en-Provence a more walkable city?

Cannes and Aix-en-Provence both are excellent when exploring on foot.

Cannes is a very walkable destination. Many areas are easily explored on foot including the historic areas and the coastline.

Aix-en-Provence is very walkable. It's walkable, particularly in the heart of the city, so it's fun to explore on foot.

For even more information, also check out Is Cannes Worth Visiting? and Is Aix-en-Provence Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Aix-en-Provence or Cannes?

How long in Cannes or Aix-en-Provence?

It's fun to spend time in either Cannes or Aix-en-Provence. In our opinion, Cannes has more to see and do, so we recommend that you spend more time in Cannes than Aix-en-Provence. However, 2-4 days is a good amount of time to spend in either destination.

Families should spend more time in Cannes than Aix-en-Provence. Because of the many family-friendly attractions and fun things to do for kids in Cannes, it's a great place to visit with the whole family.

Couples should spend more time in Cannes than Aix-en-Provence. You'll find plenty of romantic sights and fun activities in Cannes that are great for a weekend getaway or a longer couple's trip.

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Aix-en-Provence than Cannes if your budget allows for it. With a larger number of budget-friendly sights, good nightlife, and active things to do, anyone traveling on a budget would have a good time in Aix-en-Provence.

One day in Cannes or Aix-en-Provence?

The opulent destination of Cannes offers live music and food. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the destination of Aix-en-Provence. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Cannes or Aix-en-Provence?

The resort city of Cannes offers food and scuba diving and snorkeling. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. A weekend here is typical. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities.

Aix-en-Provence is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. With all of its activities, you can easily fill a weekend here. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Five days in Cannes or Aix-en-Provence?

Cannes is a great place to explore. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort city offers something for everyone. Most people find that five days is more than enough time to see everything.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Aix-en-Provence. Five days may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Cannes or Aix-en-Provence?

Many people enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting Cannes. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. One week is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the historic destination of Aix-en-Provence. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Bicycle Tours in France, Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France, The Best Coach Bus Tours in France, and The Best Adventure Tours to France.

When comparing the travel costs between Cannes and Aix-en-Provence, we can see that Aix-en-Provence is more expensive. However, the two cities are actually relatively comparable in price, as the difference is somewhat minimal. Generally, this means that you could travel with generally the same travel style and level of luxury in each place. Since both cities are in Europe, it's no surprise that their costs are relatively close, as many destinations here have somewhat similar travel prices overall.

If you're trying to decide if either of these two destinations are within your price range, also see Is Cannes Expensive? and Is Aix-en-Provence Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cannes or Aix-en-Provence?

Aix-en-Provence has a larger population, and is about 2 times larger than the population of Cannes. When comparing the sizes of Cannes and Aix-en-Provence, keep in mind that a larger population does not always imply the destination has more attractions or better activities. So, always research the type of place that you want to visit along with the activities and attractions that interest you.

When is the best time to visit Cannes or Aix-en-Provence?

Both destinations experience a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. And since both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cannes or Aix-en-Provence in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cannes and Aix-en-Provence. The beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Cannes this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Aix-en-Provence for the family-friendly experiences.

Cannes is around the same temperature as Aix-en-Provence in the summer. The daily temperature in Cannes averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 24°C (75°F).

In July, Cannes usually receives more rain than Aix-en-Provence. Cannes gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 14 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cannes or Aix-en-Provence in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cannes as well as Aix-en-Provence. Many travelers come to Cannes for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Aix-en-Provence in the autumn for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

In the autumn, Cannes is around the same temperature as Aix-en-Provence. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cannes in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Aix-en-Provence averages at about 16°C (61°F).

Cannes receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cannes usually gets more rain in October than Aix-en-Provence. Cannes gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 78 mm (3.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cannes or Aix-en-Provence in the Winter?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Cannes are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Cannes in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Aix-en-Provence for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Cannes is generally a little warmer than Aix-en-Provence. Daily temperatures in Cannes average around 9°C (48°F), and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 7°C (44°F).

In January, Cannes usually receives more rain than Aix-en-Provence. Cannes gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 47 mm (1.9 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cannes or Aix-en-Provence in the Spring?

Both Aix-en-Provence and Cannes during the spring are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Cannes for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Furthermore, the spring months attract visitors to Aix-en-Provence because of the natural beauty.

Cannes is around the same temperature as Aix-en-Provence in the spring. The daily temperature in Cannes averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Aix-en-Provence fluctuates around 13°C (56°F).

Cannes usually gets more rain in April than Aix-en-Provence. Cannes gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Aix-en-Provence receives 48 mm (1.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Aix-en-Provence and Cannes