A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Cannes vs. Imperia for Food, Couples, Nightlife, and Families

Should you visit Cannes or Imperia?

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 Imperia can help you decide which place is right for you.

Cannes

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

Imperia

Imperia is a undiscovered, authentic, and charming town. It offers plenty of beauty for visitors. Other popular activities here include nightlife, food, and shopping.

Cannes and Imperia: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Cannes or Imperia?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Cannes. Although Cannes and Imperia 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 Imperia attracts visitors for its museums. Cannes is more touristy than Imperia 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. Imperia is famous for its access to the Ligurian coastline.

How is Cannes different from Imperia?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Imperia 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 Imperia. There are several interesting buildings of importance around town.

Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

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

Cannes is a must-visit destination for its local cuisine and restaurants. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its restaurants.

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 Imperia. Food ranges from typical Italian dishes to local recipes that use local ingredients. Unique ingredients in the area include trumpet zucchini, flat breads, and anchovies.

Is Cannes or Imperia Better for Nightlife?

Cannes is notable for its evening party scene. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for nightlife.

Cannes has plenty to do after the sun goes down. 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.

With a handful of venues, visitors can find a fairly lively vibe in Imperia. There are some bars and lively restaurants around town where you can spend an enjoyable evening.

Is Cannes or Imperia Better for Music?

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

Imperia is not a live music destination.

Is Cannes or Imperia Better for Resorts?

Cannes is a must-visit destination for its resorts. However, Imperia 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.

Imperia is not a resort destination.

Is Cannes or Imperia Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cannes is a popular place for snorkeling and scuba diving. However, Imperia 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.

Imperia is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Cannes or Imperia Better for Beaches?

Cannes is notable for the beach. However, Imperia is not a beach destination.

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.

Imperia is not a beach destination.

Is Cannes or Imperia Better for its Old Town?

Cannes is notable for its historic old town charm. However, Imperia 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.

Imperia does not have a historic old town.

Is the Shopping Better in Cannes or Imperia?

Cannes is a must-visit destination for its shopping areas. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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 Imperia. There are some shopping streets in town that have a mix of local brands and standard clothing shops.

Is Cannes or Imperia Better for Families?

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

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.

Imperia is a family-friendly resort city. There's some nice walking trails in the countryside that the kids will enjoy.

Is Cannes or Imperia Better for Couples?

Cannes is a must-visit destination for couples. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit 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.

Imperia is a nice destination for couples. It's a beautiful town with a nice atmosphere that offers a nice break from the tourist crowds.

Is Cannes or Imperia Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Imperia is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Accommodation tends to be affordable and there's an off-the-beaten-path vibe that some backpackers will appreciate.

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

Both Cannes and Imperia offer nice public transit options.

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

Imperia has some public transit options. There are buses that connect the city to different areas.

Is Cannes or Imperia a more walkable city?

Cannes is notable for its ease of walking around. Also, Imperia is not as famous, but is still a good town to visit for its walkability.

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

Imperia is somewhat walkable. Parts of the town are convenient to walk around.

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

Should I spend more time in Imperia or Cannes?

How long in Cannes or Imperia?

You'll be able to find lots of things to do in Cannes or Imperia to fill your time. Many travelers usually spend more of their time in Cannes than Imperia 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 Imperia.

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

In Cannes, you'll find scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Travelers enjoy the resorts in the area as well. This resort city offers something for everyone. One day is usually not enough time for a trip here as there is plenty to do.

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

A weekend in Cannes or Imperia?

In Cannes, you'll find shopping and nightlife. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. A weekend here is typical. Visiting the old town is also a must. A weekend is a great amount of time to relax and see the many things that Cannes has to offer.

Imperia 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 Imperia?

Cannes is a great place to explore. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. Five days is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. Anyone can find something fun to do here.

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

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Cannes. Many people enjoy the live music and food when visiting Cannes. It's also a relaxing resort destination. One week may feel like too much time unless you plan to do a lot of relaxing.

Travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the charming destination of Imperia. 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 Walking Tours in Italy, and The Best Luxury Tours to Italy.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Cannes and Imperia, we can see that Cannes is more expensive. And not only is Imperia much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Imperia would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Imperia and be able to afford a more luxurious travel style by staying in nicer hotels, eating at more expensive restaurants, taking tours, and experiencing more activities. The same level of travel in Cannes would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Cannes than you might in Imperia.

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

Which is Bigger, Cannes or Imperia?

Cannes has a larger population, and is about 77% larger than the population of Imperia. When comparing the sizes of Cannes and Imperia, 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 Imperia?

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 Imperia in the Summer?

Both Imperia and Cannes are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. 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 Imperia because of the family-friendly experiences.

Cannes is around the same temperature as Imperia in the summer. The daily temperature in Cannes averages around 23°C (73°F) in July, and Imperia fluctuates around 25°C (76°F).

In July, Cannes usually receives more rain than Imperia. Cannes gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 12 mm (0.5 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Cannes or Imperia in the Autumn?

Both Imperia and Cannes during the autumn are popular places to visit. The autumn months attract visitors to Cannes because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Furthermore, the shopping scene and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Imperia this time of year.

In the autumn, Cannes is cooler than Imperia. Typically, the autumn temperatures in Cannes in October average around 17°C (63°F), and Imperia averages at about 19°C (66°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cannes. Cannes usually gets more rain in October than Imperia. Cannes gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 97 mm (3.8 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Cannes or Imperia in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Cannes and Imperia. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Cannes this time of year. Furthermore, many travelers come to Imperia for the museums, the shopping scene, and the cuisine.

In January, Cannes is generally cooler than Imperia. Daily temperatures in Cannes average around 9°C (48°F), and Imperia fluctuates around 11°C (51°F).

In January, Cannes usually receives more rain than Imperia. Cannes gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 71 mm (2.8 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Cannes or Imperia in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Cannes as well as Imperia. Many travelers come to Cannes for the beaches and the natural beauty. Additionally, many visitors come to Imperia in the spring for the natural beauty.

Cannes is cooler than Imperia in the spring. The daily temperature in Cannes averages around 13°C (56°F) in April, and Imperia fluctuates around 15°C (58°F).

Cannes usually gets around the same amount of rain in April as Imperia. Cannes gets 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Imperia receives 65 mm (2.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Typical Weather for Imperia and Cannes