A Travel Price Comparison for France Cannes vs. Arles for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Nightlife

Should you visit Cannes or Arles?

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 Arles 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.

Arles

Arles is a historic, charming, and compact town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Cannes and Arles: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cannes or Arles?

Tourists will generally find more to do in Cannes than Arles. It is bigger and it has more sights, attractions, and activities for travelers. Cannes is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping, while Arles attracts visitors for its museums and historical sights. Cannes is more touristy than Arles 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. Arles is famous for its Roman history and its influence over Vincent van Gogh.

How is Cannes different from Arles?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

Let's take a look at the differences and similarities between Arles 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 Arles?

Arles is an amazing town to visit for its sights and museums. However, Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Arles on the map. It's a small town but it's filled with Roman ruins and remarkable landmarks. Popular sights include L'Amphithéâtre Romain, Les Alyscamps, Cloître Saint-Trophime, and Théâtre Antique.

Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

Is the Food Better in Cannes or Arles? Which Destination has the Best Restaurants?

Cannes is an unbeatable place for its restaurant scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

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.

The food selection at local restaurants is excellent in Arles. The cuisine is heavily influenced by the region's local agriculture. Popular dishes include agriade (beef stew), tellines soup, and fougasse (a local bread).

Is Cannes or Arles Better for Nightlife?

Cannes is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular 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.

If you're looking for night time activities Arles has a few options to choose from. There are countless bars and pubs where you can enjoy a cold drink and a relaxing night out.

Is Cannes or Arles Better for Music?

Cannes is an unbeatable place for its music scene. However, Arles 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.

Arles is not a live music destination.

Is Cannes or Arles Better for Resorts?

Cannes is an unbeatable place for its resorts. However, Arles is not a resort destination.

If you're looking for a fantastic resort destination, Cannes is a perfect choice. The city is filled with luxury resorts and elegant hotels. Among the best are Hôtel Martinez, Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, and Five Seas Hotel.

Arles is not a resort destination.

Is Cannes or Arles Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cannes is very good for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Arles is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's worth going snorkeling or scuba diving in Cannes. 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.

Arles is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cannes or Arles Better for Beaches?

Cannes is well known for the beach. However, Arles is not a beach destination.

Cannes is a very popular place to visit for its beaches. 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.

Arles is not a beach destination.

Is Cannes or Arles Better for its Old Town?

Arles is an amazing town to visit for its historic old town charm. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for its historic old town.

Arles offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The large old town is filled with Roman ruins and historic sights. There are narrow streets and many interesting places to explore.

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.

Is the Shopping Better in Cannes or Arles?

Cannes is an unbeatable place for its shopping areas. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for shopping.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy shopping while in Arles. There are many boutiques that are filled with local art, crafts, and merchandise.

Is Cannes or Arles Better for Families?

Cannes is very good for its family-friendly activities. However, Arles 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, Arles is not always the best place to visit. Filled with Roman ruins and beautiful art, this is a great town, but can make for a long day for younger kids.

Is Cannes or Arles Better for Couples?

Cannes is an unbeatable place for couples. Also, Arles is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

For those traveling as a couple, Cannes has plenty to offer. 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.

Arles is a great resort city if you're traveling as a couple. Couples who enjoy history, roman ruins, and beautiful art will appreciate a weekend getaway to this town.

Is Cannes or Arles Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Cannes and Arles offer nice public transit options.

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

Arles has some public transit options. There are shuttle buses that run between the city center and the train station, which is less than a kilometer out of town.

Is Cannes or Arles a more walkable city?

Cannes and Arles both are very good when exploring on foot.

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

Arles is very walkable. It's a historic walled city that is very walkable.

For even more information, also check out Is Cannes Worth Visiting? and Is Arles Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Arles or Cannes?

How long in Cannes or Arles?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cannes or Arles to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cannes than Arles because of the number of activities and things to do in the area. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Cannes, and 1-2 days is enough time in Arles.

Families should spend more time in Cannes than Arles. 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 Arles. 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 Cannes than Arles 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 Cannes.

One day in Cannes or Arles?

In Cannes, many people enjoy the live music and food that this luxury destination offers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. This resort city offers a variety of activities to choose from. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Arles. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Cannes or Arles?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cannes. For many, it makes a great getaway for a weekend. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. This would be the perfect place to spend a weekend, as it has just the right amount of activities. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision.

Arles is a great place to explore. It is common to spend a weekend here. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. 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 Arles?

Cannes is a fun place to experience. Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the destination of Cannes. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. 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 Arles. Don't miss the museums, as that's what most people do. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. 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 Arles?

You'll find shopping and nightlife around the opulent destination of Cannes. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. 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 Arles. This town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. 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 Arles, we can see that Arles 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 Arles Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cannes or Arles?

Cannes has a larger population, and is about 31% larger than the population of Arles. When comparing the sizes of Cannes and Arles, 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 Arles?

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 Arles in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cannes and Arles. The summer months attract visitors to Cannes because of the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, the family-friendly experiences are the main draw to Arles this time of year.

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

In July, Cannes usually receives less rain than Arles. Cannes gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Arles receives 31 mm (1.2 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cannes or Arles in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cannes as well as Arles. The shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cannes this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Arles for the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area.

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

It's quite rainy in Arles. Cannes receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cannes usually gets less rain in October than Arles. Cannes gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 130 mm (5.1 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cannes or Arles in the Winter?

Both Arles and Cannes are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. Many travelers come to Cannes for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, many visitors come to Arles in the winter for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

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

In January, Cannes usually receives more rain than Arles. Cannes gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Arles receives 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cannes or Arles in the Spring?

Both Arles and Cannes during the spring are popular places to visit. Many visitors come to Cannes in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, most visitors come to Arles for the natural beauty during these months.

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

Cannes usually gets more rain in April than Arles. Cannes gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Arles receives 57 mm (2.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Arles and Cannes