A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Edinburgh vs. Cannes for Food, Music, Old Town, and Couples

Should you visit Edinburgh or Cannes?

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

Trying to figure out where to travel next? This travel comparison between Edinburgh and Cannes can help. It includes a travel cost comparison in addition to other factors. For many travelers, the cost of a destination is a primary consideration when choosing where to go.

Edinburgh

Edinburgh is a vibrant, gothic, and ancient city. Because this is such a big city, visitors will find many sights and attractions around town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. As it offers a special and quaint atmosphere, visitors come from all over to experience this destination. Other popular activities here include museums, theater, and nightlife.

Cannes

Cannes is a lavish, glitzy, and opulent resort city. The beauty of this spot is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. Visitors also love the live music, food, and scuba diving and snorkeling.

Edinburgh and Cannes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Edinburgh or Cannes?

Travelers will usually find more to do in Edinburgh than Cannes, as it is bigger with more sights, attractions, and activities for visitors. Edinburgh is more popular for its museums, theatre productions, historical sights, big city activities, and quaint atmosphere, while Cannes is known for its food, resorts, scuba diving & snorkeling, beaches, and shopping. Edinburgh is popular for its medieval Old Town, the Royal Mile, and its influence on the Harry Potter series. It is also home to The Edinburgh Castle. Cannes is popular for its popularity with celebrities and its role as host for the international film festival.

How is Edinburgh different from Cannes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

Are the Museums and Historical Sights Better in Edinburgh or Cannes?

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

You'll find many recognizable landmarks that put Edinburgh on the map. The most famous sights include the Edinburgh Castle, the Palace of Holyroodhouse, and the National Museum of Scotland. There are also kid-friendly museums like Camera Obscura.

Cannes does not have museums and landmarks.

Is Edinburgh or Cannes Better for Theater?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for its shows and theatre. However, Cannes is not a theatre destination.

Edinburgh has a number of performance venues where you can see a variety of shows. It's fun to see a live performance or attend one of the festivals in town.

Cannes is not a theatre destination.

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

Cannes is terrific for its restaurants. However, Edinburgh is lacking in good options for its restaurant scene.

Many restaurants in Cannes have been singled out for their culinary prowess. 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.

Edinburgh may not make the list for most foodies, but you'll find what you need while you're in town. The city has some unique but famous dishes to try including haggis and black pudding. For slightly less intimidating options, check out the cullen skink, porridge, or smoked salmon. There are many fish and chips shops to choose from as well as a diversity of ethnic restaurants including Indian, Thai, and Ethiopian.

Is Edinburgh or Cannes Better for Nightlife?

The superb nightlife scene is relatively similar in Edinburgh and Cannes.

Edinburgh has a large number of nightlife venues. With so many students, the nightlife stays very active. There are a wide range of bars and clubs to choose from as well as some of the country's oldest pubs. Tourists tend to frequent the Old Town area, but you'll find more locals if you head to the student and university areas.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Cannes Better for Music?

It can be fun to see live music in either Edinburgh and Cannes.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Edinburgh. In addition to a wide range of live music venues, there are also a number of music festivals held in town.

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.

Is Edinburgh or Cannes Better for Resorts?

Cannes is terrific for its luxury resorts. However, Edinburgh is not a resort destination.

Cannes is a world class resort vacation destination. The city is filled with luxury resorts and elegant hotels. Among the best are Hôtel Martinez, Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, and Five Seas Hotel.

Edinburgh is not a resort destination.

Is Edinburgh or Cannes Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Cannes is a resort city with good options for its diving and snorkeling. However, Edinburgh is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life 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.

Edinburgh is not a scuba or snorkeling destination.

Is Edinburgh or Cannes Better for Beaches?

Cannes is a very popular place for the beache. However, Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

The beaches at Cannes attract visitors from all over. 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.

Edinburgh is not a beach destination.

Is Edinburgh or Cannes Better for its Old Town?

Edinburgh is an amazing city 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.

Edinburgh offers visitors a world-class historical old town to explore. The city's Old Town attracts international visitors who come to see the Edinburgh Castle, the quaint streets, and the many shops and cafes. The Royal Mile is a popular area with pubs and souvenir shops. It connects the castle to the Scottish Parliament.

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 Edinburgh or Cannes?

Cannes is terrific for its shopping opportunities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its shopping areas.

Known for shopping, Cannes draws large crowds to its stores. 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.

Browsing through shops is a popular activity in Edinburgh. Head to Princes Street in the New Town to visit department stores and other name brand shops. Nearby George Street has more boutique style shops and less crowds. In the Old Town, Victoria Street is filled with Harry Potter shops and tourist stores where you can pick up a kilt or Edinburgh sweatshirt.

Is Edinburgh or Cannes Better for Families?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for its family-friendly activities. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for its kid-friendly activities.

Edinburgh is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. Kids will enjoy wandering down Victoria Street and popping in the Harry Potter shops. There are also a number of fascinating Harry Potter tours that take you through notable landmarks where J.K. Rowling was inspired to write these popular stories. You'll even visit Tom Riddle's gravesite. Other highlights that families will enjoy include Edinburgh Castle and the Edinburgh Dungeon, which is best for older kids or kids that enjoy a good scare. Younger kids will enjoy a trip the illusions museum, Camera Obscura, which also offers one of the best views of the city.

Cannes is a family-friendly city. 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.

Is Edinburgh or Cannes Better for Couples?

Cannes is terrific for its romantic activities. Also, Edinburgh is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for couples.

Cannes is a great resort city for couples, as it 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.

Couples visit Edinburgh frequently as it offers plenty of romantic activities. With its castle and the Royal Mile, there are many romantic places to explore as a couple. There are also good restaurants and some nice hotels. Whether you're interested in history, food, or fun, this city makes for a great couples trip.

Is Edinburgh or Cannes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

Edinburgh is an amazing city to visit for backpackers. However, Cannes is not a good resort city for backpackers and budget travelers.

Edinburgh is a very popular city to visit for backpackers. The city has some good hostels and an active nightlife, so it's not hard to find other travelers to hang out with. It's a well visited city with many areas that attracted younger travelers or students.

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 Edinburgh or Cannes Better for Students?

Edinburgh is a well-known place for students. However, Cannes is not popular with students.

Edinburgh is very popular with students. This multicultural city is popular with international students because of its excellent research and academic centers as well as its unique history.

Cannes is not popular with students.

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

Visitors will find good public transit in both Edinburgh and Cannes.

Edinburgh has some public transit options. Buses are the best way to get into town from the outer edges if you don't have a car.

You'll find some public transit in Cannes, but it may not be enough to take you everywhere. There are buses that travel around the city.

Is Edinburgh or Cannes a more walkable city?

Edinburgh is an amazing city 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 Edinburgh on foot. The Old Town in particular is fun to walk around

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 Edinburgh Worth Visiting? and Is Cannes Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cannes or Edinburgh?

How long in Edinburgh or Cannes?

It's fun to spend time in either Edinburgh or Cannes. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Edinburgh due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 2-5 days is a good amount of time for Edinburgh, and 2-4 days is enough time in Cannes.

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

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

Backpackers and budget travelers should spend more time in Edinburgh 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 Edinburgh.

One day in Edinburgh or Cannes?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and museums when visiting the quaint destination of Edinburgh. 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.

You'll find nightlife and live music around the resort city of Cannes. People often spend their time relaxing at one of the resorts. Since there is so much to do in the area, one day is probably not enough for all of it. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

A weekend in Edinburgh or Cannes?

Edinburgh 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.

You'll find live music and food around the glitzy destination of Cannes. The old town is one of the main draws for visitors. This is a popular place to visit for a weekend.A weekend should give you a good understanding of everything this resort city has to offer. This resort city offers a variety of activities to choose from.

Five days in Edinburgh or Cannes?

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

Travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the luxury resort city of Cannes. The length of your ideal trip is an individual decision. It's also a relaxing resort destination. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Edinburgh or Cannes?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the character-filled destination of Edinburgh. This 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.

Cannes is a popular choice for travelers. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. One week is usually plenty of time to spend here with extra days to spare. With this much time, visitors often visit nearby destinations or take day trips. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Edinburgh, The Best 10-Day Tours from London, The Best Bicycle Tours in France, and Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in France.

When we compare the travel costs of actual travelers between Edinburgh and Cannes, we can see that Edinburgh is more expensive. And not only is Cannes much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Cannes would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Cannes 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 Edinburgh would naturally cost you much more money, so you would probably want to keep your budget a little tighter in Edinburgh than you might in Cannes.

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

Which is Bigger, Edinburgh or Cannes?

Edinburgh has a larger population, and is about 6 times larger than the population of Cannes. When comparing the sizes of Edinburgh and Cannes, 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 Edinburgh or Cannes?

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 Edinburgh or Cannes in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Edinburgh as well as Cannes. Many visitors come to Edinburgh in the summer for the city activities, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences. Additionally, most visitors come to Cannes for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

In the summer, Edinburgh is much colder than Cannes. Typically, the summer temperatures in Edinburgh in July average around 14°C (58°F), and Cannes averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Edinburgh usually gets more rain in July than Cannes. Edinburgh gets 56 mm (2.2 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Cannes in the Autumn?

Both Cannes and Edinburgh are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. Most visitors come to Edinburgh for the city's sights and attractions, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area during these months. Also, the autumn months attract visitors to Cannes because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area.

In October, Edinburgh is generally much colder than Cannes. Daily temperatures in Edinburgh average around 10°C (49°F), and Cannes fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cannes. In October, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Cannes. Edinburgh gets 67 mm (2.6 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Cannes in the Winter?

Both Cannes and Edinburgh during the winter are popular places to visit. The winter months attract visitors to Edinburgh because of the museums, the shopping scene, the theater shows, and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Cannes this time of year.

The weather in Edinburgh can be very cold. Edinburgh is much colder than Cannes in the winter. The daily temperature in Edinburgh averages around 3°C (38°F) in January, and Cannes fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Edinburgh usually gets less rain in January than Cannes. Edinburgh gets 61 mm (2.4 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Edinburgh or Cannes in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Edinburgh and Cannes. The activities around the city and the natural beauty are the main draw to Edinburgh this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cannes for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Edinburgh is much colder than Cannes. Typically, the spring temperatures in Edinburgh in April average around 7°C (45°F), and Cannes averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In April, Edinburgh usually receives less rain than Cannes. Edinburgh gets 40 mm (1.6 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 62 mm (2.4 in) of rain each month for the spring.

Typical Weather for Cannes and Edinburgh