A Travel Price Comparison for France Cannes vs. Calais for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Beaches

Should you visit Cannes or Calais?

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 Calais 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.

Calais

Calais is a coastal, authentic, and undiscovered city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. Other popular activities here include shopping, museums, and nightlife.

Cannes and Calais: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cannes or Calais?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cannes. Although Cannes and Calais are popular destinations, Cannes has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cannes is very popular for its food, nightlife, music, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, historical sights, shopping, and impressive beauty, while Calais attracts visitors for its museums and big city activities. Cannes is more touristy than Calais 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. Calais is famous for being a gateway for travelers to France.

How is Cannes different from Calais?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Calais 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 Calais. It's a port city with a few good museums and landmarks to see. Check out the Town Hall, Burghers of Calais, La Cité de la Dentelle et de la Mode, and Musée de la Guerre de Calais, as well as the Calais Lighthouse.

Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Cannes is a must-visit destination for its restaurant scene. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its local flavors and cuisine.

For foodies, Cannes is an obvious choice, as it is one of the food capitals of the world. 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.

There are plenty of up and coming restaurants around Calais. The region is known for its mackerel, andouillette sausage, and endive and ham gratin. If you're passing through, this is also a good place to stock up on wine and cheese.

Is Cannes or Calais Better for Nightlife?

Cannes is well known for its evening party scene. Also, Calais 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 Calais has a few options to choose from. You'll find bars and pubs around town as well as a few clubs. Places range from trendy and high end to local dive bars.

Is Cannes or Calais Better for Music?

Cannes is a must-visit destination for its music scene. However, Calais 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.

Calais is not a live music destination.

Is Cannes or Calais Better for Resorts?

Cannes is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Calais is not a resort destination.

For the ultimate resort vacation, Cannes is a great 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.

Calais is not a resort destination.

Is Cannes or Calais Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cannes is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Calais is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Cannes has a few good snorkeling spots. 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.

Calais is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cannes or Calais Better for Beaches?

Cannes is well known for the beach. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its beaches.

Cannes is considered a top beach destination. 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.

Many people head to Calais to enjoy the beach. There are some sandy beaches near town that have nice stretches of sand and plenty of sand dunes. Many locals enjoy sunbathing at the beaches.

Is Cannes or Calais Better for its Old Town?

Cannes is well known for its historic old town charm. However, Calais does not have a historic old town.

Many visitors explore the old town while visiting Cannes. 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.

Calais does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cannes or Calais?

Cannes is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Calais 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 Calais. Many visitors stock up on wine and cheese when they're passing through. It's common to head straight to Auchan or Carrefour to stock up on some items.

Is Cannes or Calais Better for Families?

You'll find nice kid-friendly activities in either Cannes or Calais.

Cannes is a family-friendly place to visit. 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.

Calais is a family-friendly resort city. There's the Nausicaa Aquarium, the Museum of the Atlantic Wall, and the Second World War Museum. There are also beaches and parks to explore as well as some nice playgrounds.

Is Cannes or Calais Better for Couples?

Cannes is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for romance.

Cannes makes for a terrific place to visit as a couple. 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.

Calais is a nice destination for couples. Couples can picnic with wine and cheese or eat their way through the town's great restaurants. There are also some nice beaches where people enjoy sunbathing or relaxing.

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

Both Cannes and Calais offer nice public transit options.

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

Calais has some public transit options. The city has 13 bus lines that run through town and into the surrounding areas. If you're arriving by ferry from the UK, there are shuttle buses that connect the ferry terminal to the train station.

Is Cannes or Calais a more walkable city?

Cannes is well known for its ease of walking around. Also, Calais is still popular, but not quite as popular for its walkability.

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

Calais is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are more walkable than others.

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

Should I spend more time in Calais or Cannes?

How long in Cannes or Calais?

Visitors can find plenty of fun things to do in both Cannes and Calais. With generally more activities and things to do, visitors tend to spend more time in Cannes than in Calais. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Cannes, and 1-3 days is enough time in Calais.

Families should spend more time in Cannes than Calais. 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 Calais. 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 Calais 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 Calais?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Cannes. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

Many travelers enjoy the museums and nightlife when visiting the destination of Calais. One day is often enough time to do most activities.

A weekend in Cannes or Calais?

Cannes 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.

Calais 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 Calais?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cannes. 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.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Calais. 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 Calais?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the glitzy destination of Cannes. This resort city 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.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the undiscovered destination of Calais. This city 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 Calais, we can see that Calais 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 Calais Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cannes or Calais?

Calais has a larger population, and is about 6% larger than the population of Cannes. When comparing the sizes of Cannes and Calais, 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 Calais?

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 Calais in the Summer?

The summer attracts plenty of travelers to both Cannes and Calais. Most visitors come to Cannes for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Also, the summer months attract visitors to Calais because of the beaches, the city activities, and the family-friendly experiences.

Cannes is a little warmer than Calais in the summer. The daily temperature in Cannes averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Calais fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

In July, Cannes usually receives less rain than Calais. Cannes gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Calais receives 45 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cannes or Calais in the Autumn?

The autumn brings many poeple to Cannes as well as Calais. The autumn months attract visitors to Cannes because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the city's sights and attractions and the shopping scene are the main draw to Calais this time of year.

In the autumn, Cannes is a little warmer than Calais. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cannes in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Calais averages at about 12°C (54°F).

Cannes receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cannes usually gets more rain in October than Calais. Cannes gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cannes or Calais in the Winter?

Both Calais and Cannes are popular destinations to visit in the winter with plenty of activities. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Cannes this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Calais for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

Be prepared for some very cold days in Calais. In January, Cannes is generally much warmer than Calais. Daily temperatures in Cannes average around 9°C (48°F), and Calais fluctuates around 4°C (40°F).

In January, Cannes usually receives more rain than Calais. Cannes gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Calais receives 46 mm (1.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cannes or Calais in the Spring?

Both Calais and Cannes during the spring are popular places to visit. Many travelers come to Cannes for the beaches and the natural beauty. Furthermore, many visitors come to Calais in the spring for the beaches and the activities around the city.

Cannes is much warmer than Calais in the spring. The daily temperature in Cannes averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Calais fluctuates around 9°C (47°F).

Cannes usually gets more rain in April than Calais. Cannes gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Calais receives 42 mm (1.7 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Calais and Cannes