A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cannes vs. Cinque Terre for Food, Old Town, Couples, and Beaches

Should you visit Cannes or Cinque Terre?

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 Cinque Terre can help you decide which place is right for you.

Cannes

Cannes is a lavish, glitzy, and opulent resort city. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. It's also popular because of the shopping, nightlife, and live music.

Cinque Terre

Cinque Terre is a traditional, charming, and picturesque coastal region. Because it offers so much small town charm with a variety of activities, it attracts plenty of visitors for a good reason. You'll find world class beauty here as well. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

Cannes and Cinque Terre: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cannes or Cinque Terre?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cannes. Although Cannes and Cinque Terre are popular destinations, Cannes has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cannes is very popular for its nightlife, music, resorts, beaches, and shopping, while Cinque Terre attracts visitors for its historical sights, hiking, small town charm, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Cannes is famous 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. Cinque Terre is famous for its charming villages, beautiful vineyards, picturesque waterfront setting, and stunning walking trail.

How is Cannes different from Cinque Terre?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Picking the best cuisine and restaurants between Cannes and Cinque Terre 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, Cinque Terre is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. Like much of Italy, the area focuses on local flavors that include lots of seafood, as well as local fruits, vegetables, and herbs. The towns are known for their focaccia, which actually originated in nearby Genoa. Anchovies are a favorite here as well, and don't be turned off by your experience with anchovies outside of Italy. They don't compare. Also make sure you sample the pesto, mussels, and any fresh caught seafood.

Is Cannes or Cinque Terre Better for Nightlife?

Cannes is a very popular place for its evening party scene. However, Cinque Terre is lacking in good options for nightlife.

Cannes has a large number of nightlife venues. 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.

Things get quiet in the evenings in Cinque Terre. The whole point of a trip to the area is to soak up the quiet village atmosphere. There is basically no nightlife in most of the towns, but you will find a few bars in Monterosso.

Is Cannes or Cinque Terre Better for Music?

Cannes is renowned for its music scene. However, Cinque Terre is not a live music destination.

Cannes has become a mecca for musicians from around the world. The city is famous for its music festivals, but there are also many bands, DJs, and performers who visit year round.

Cinque Terre is not a live music destination.

Is Cannes or Cinque Terre Better for Resorts?

Cannes is renowned for its luxury resorts. However, Cinque Terre is lacking in good options for its resorts.

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.

While Cinque Terre is not known as a resort destination, there are some nice places to stay. Most people stay in apartments or rooms in local hotels or family homes. There aren't many resorts in the traditional sense, but again, that's part of the charm of the area.

Is Cannes or Cinque Terre Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cannes and Cinque Terre both offer nice scuba diving or snorkeling spots.

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.

Cinque Terre has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. The surrounding waters are part of the of the Pelagos Sanctuary. The area has many rocky coves which are fun to explore with a mask and snorkel. There are also boat excursions available that may let you stop to snorkel, as well as a few dive spots in the area.

Is Cannes or Cinque Terre Better for Beaches?

Cannes is a very popular place for the beach. Also, Cinque Terre is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its beaches.

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.

Plenty of visitors enjoy relaxing on the beach in Cinque Terre. The area is more about the towns than the beaches. The most typical beach setting is in the newer part of Monterosso. There's a long sandy beach with chairs and umbrellas available. There's also a beach near the town's old town. Several of the other towns have swimming areas, including a small stretch of pebbly sand in Vernazza. It's fun to swim between the months of May and October, when the water temperatures are fairly warm.

Is Cannes or Cinque Terre Better for its Old Town?

Cinque Terre is an amazing coastal region 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.

Cinque Terre offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. Each of the five towns have their own charming old town which have restaurants and local boutique shops.

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 Cannes or Cinque Terre Better for Hiking?

Cinque Terre is an amazing coastal region to visit for the nearby hiking options. However, Cannes is not a hiking destination.

Many people visit Cinque Terre specifically for its hiking. The five towns are part of Cinque Terre National Park and there are 120 kilometers of hiking trails in the park. Most people hike along the trails that follow the coastline and connect the towns. There are fees for the most popular stretch of trails which connect Monterosso to Vernazza and then go from Vernazza to Corniglia. All other hiking is free in the area.

Cannes is not a hiking destination.

Is the Shopping Better in Cannes or Cinque Terre?

Cannes is renowned for its shopping areas. However, Cinque Terre is lacking in good options for shopping.

Many people travel to Cannes specifically to go shopping. 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.

Cinque Terre is a good destination for shopping. The towns are more about the atmosphere than the shops, but the best shopping can be found in the largest town of Monterosso. You'll find jewelry, clothing, and local food items that are fun to take home as souvenirs.

Is Cannes or Cinque Terre Better for Families?

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

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.

Cinque Terre is a family-friendly resort city. The five towns are all about exploring on foot, so if that's your kid's thing, then they're in for a treat. The hilly terrain can be a bit tricky, particularly for the little ones, but for older kids this area offers the perfect amount of challenge. There are also a couple of beaches and swimming spots as well as a playground or two around. Food, like most of Italy, is very kid-friendly.

Is Cannes or Cinque Terre Better for Couples?

Both Cannes and Cinque Terre are terrific destinations to visit as a couple.

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.

Cinque Terre has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. These stunning five Italian villages are perched precariously on the water's edge. They're surrounded by beautiful vineyards and connected by impressive hiking trails. This area is truly a dream honeymoon destination and it is sure to make a memorable vacation for any couple who enjoys exploring charming village.

Is Cannes or Cinque Terre Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Cinque Terre is very good for backpackers. However, Cannes is not a good resort city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Cinque Terre is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a number of rooms available in the towns and there are even a couple of hostels including one in Riomaggiore and one in Corniglia. It's possible to find affordable food and accommodation, and your entertainment is simply wandering the area, which is perfect for budget travelers.

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 Cinque Terre Better for Public Transit? Which Is Easier to Get Around Without a Car?

Both Cannes and Cinque Terre offer nice public transit options.

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

Cinque Terre has some public transit options. Most people arrive by train but there are also ferries available.

Is Cannes or Cinque Terre a more walkable city?

Cinque Terre is an amazing coastal region to visit for its ease of walking around. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for its walkability.

It is easy to get around Cinque Terre on foot. Vehicle traffic in the towns are heavily restricted so it's very enjoyable to explore on foot. The terrain is hilly and uneven, but that's part of the charm. There are also hiking trails that connect each of the five towns.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Cinque Terre or Cannes?

How long in Cannes or Cinque Terre?

In either Cannes or Cinque Terre, you'll find plenty of activities to fill your time. Most visitors tend to spend more time in Cinque Terre than Cannes because of the overall number of sights and activities. Usually, 2-4 days is a good amount of time for Cannes, and 2-5 days is enough time in Cinque Terre.

Couples should spend more time in Cannes than Cinque Terre. 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 Cinque Terre 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 Cinque Terre.

One day in Cannes or Cinque Terre?

In Cannes, many people enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping that this opulent resort city offers. Most visitors spend time around the old town while in the area. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

Cinque Terre might be a small town, but there's plenty to do in the area. Hikers are also drawn to this area. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

A weekend in Cannes or Cinque Terre?

Cannes is a fun place to experience. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. It will give you the chance to have new experiences. So, a weekend is just the right amount of time to spend here.

Cinque Terre 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 Cinque Terre?

You'll find nightlife and live music around the glitzy destination of Cannes. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days.

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cinque Terre. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Make sure you spend some time hiking while you're in the area. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A week in Cannes or Cinque Terre?

Cannes is a popular place to visit. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Cinque Terre is a small town, so it's a great destination if you're short on time. This coastal region offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many travelers plan to spend time hiking 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 Vineyard & Wine Tours in Italy, and The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Italy.

When comparing the travel costs between Cannes and Cinque Terre, we can see that Cinque Terre 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 Cinque Terre Expensive?.

Which is Bigger, Cannes or Cinque Terre?

Cannes has a larger population, and is about 40 times larger than the population of Cinque Terre. When comparing the sizes of Cannes and Cinque Terre, 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 Cinque Terre?

Both places have a temperate climate with four distinct seasons. As both cities are in the northern hemisphere, summer is in July and winter is in January.

Should I visit Cannes or Cinque Terre in the Summer?

Both Cinque Terre and Cannes during the summer are popular places to visit. 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 Cinque Terre for the beaches, snorkeling, the hiking, the small town charm, and the family-friendly experiences.

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

Cannes usually gets less rain in July than Cinque Terre. Cannes gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 30 mm (1.2 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cannes or Cinque Terre in the Autumn?

The autumn attracts plenty of travelers to both Cannes and Cinque Terre. Many travelers come to Cannes for the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, many visitors come to Cinque Terre in the autumn for the hiking trails, the shopping scene, the small town atmosphere, and the natural beauty of the area.

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

Cinque Terre receives a lot of rain in the autumn. Cannes gets a good bit of rain this time of year. In October, Cannes usually receives less rain than Cinque Terre. Cannes gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 150 mm (5.9 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Cannes or Cinque Terre in the Winter?

The winter brings many poeple to Cannes as well as Cinque Terre. Many visitors come to Cannes in the winter for the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, most visitors come to Cinque Terre for the shopping scene and the cuisine during these months.

In January, Cannes is generally around the same temperature as Cinque Terre. Daily temperatures in Cannes average around 9°C (48°F), and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 8°C (46°F).

It's quite rainy in Cinque Terre. Cannes usually gets less rain in January than Cinque Terre. Cannes gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 100 mm (3.9 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cannes or Cinque Terre in the Spring?

Both Cinque Terre and Cannes are popular destinations to visit in the spring with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Cannes for the beaches and the natural beauty during these months. Also, the spring months attract visitors to Cinque Terre because of the beaches, the small town charm, and the natural beauty.

Cannes is around the same temperature as Cinque Terre in the spring. The daily temperature in Cannes averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Cinque Terre fluctuates around 14°C (57°F).

In April, Cannes usually receives less rain than Cinque Terre. Cannes gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cinque Terre receives 85 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cinque Terre and Cannes