A Travel Price Comparison for Families, Couples, and Backpackers Marbella vs. Cannes for Food, Nightlife, Music, and Resorts

Should you visit Marbella or Cannes?

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

If you're trying to decide where to visit between Marbella or Cannes, this travel comparison, which includes costs, can help. The overall cost of travel is usually a consideration when deciding where to go next, and the cost comparison down below can help you decide based on the average prices from other travelers along with your own travel budget.

Marbella

Marbella is a ritzy, glamorous, and fun-filled resort town. With stunning beauty, it attracts visitors from all around. Other popular activities here include food, scuba diving and snorkeling, and beaches.

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.

Marbella and Cannes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Marbella or Cannes?

Travelers will generally find more things to do in Cannes than Marbella. While Marbella is larger than Cannes, Cannes has more sights and attractions for tourists. Cannes is more popular for its food, music, and historical sights, while Marbella is known for its nightlife, scuba diving & snorkeling, and beaches. Cannes is more touristy than Marbella and is popular for its popularity with celebrities and its role as host for the international film festival. It is also home to Boulevard de la Croisette. Marbella is popular for its luxury hotels, beautiful beaches, and lively nightlife.

How is Marbella different from Cannes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

Cannes is very popular for its restaurants. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its restaurant scene.

Known for it's food and restaurant scene, Cannes is always at the top of any foodie's travel list. 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 many up and coming restaurants in the Marbella area. The area is filled with tourists, so finding an authentic dining experience can be difficult. Several favorite dishes include croquetas, boquerones, and pulpo.

Is Marbella or Cannes Better for Nightlife?

Marbella is an amazing resort town to visit for its evening party scene. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for nightlife.

Marbella has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. European tourists flock to the town for its beaches and resorts. The town has a glamorous nightlife scene with exclusive clubs and ritzy cocktail bars, particularly in Puerto Banus and along the Golden Mile.

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.

Is Marbella or Cannes Better for Music?

Cannes is very popular for its live music scene. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its music scene.

With so many music venues, you're guaranteed a show any night of the week in Cannes. The city is famous for its music festivals, but there are also many bands, DJs, and performers who visit year round.

Music is a popular form of entertainment in Marbella. Some of the best music venues include Starlite, Kitch Social Club, and Momento.

Is Marbella or Cannes Better for Resorts?

With a similar set of options, terrific resorts can be found in both Marbella and Cannes.

Marbella offers an unforgettable resort vacation. From luxury to family-friendly, this area has plenty of resorts to choose from. Popular resorts in the area include Marbella Club Hotel, Puente Romano Marbella, and Don Carlos Resort and Spa.

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.

Is Marbella or Cannes Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Marbella is an amazing resort town to visit for snorkeling and scuba diving. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for the nearby scuba diving and snorkeling.

The scuba diving and snorkeling in Marbella is not to be missed. There are more than 100 dive sights and endless snorkeling opportunities in the area. There are deep offshore reefs that you can explore as well as shallower wrecks and caves.

Cannes has a few areas where visitors often go scuba diving or snorkeling. 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.

Is Marbella or Cannes Better for Beaches?

Marbella is an amazing resort town to visit for the beach. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for its beaches.

With world-famous beaches, Marbella is a very popular vacation destination. The area boasts some of the best beaches in Europe. They are hubs of activity with lots of energy, and there are more than 18 miles of sandy beach in the area. Popular options include Guadalmina Beach, San Pedro de Alcántara Beach, and Nueva Andalucía Beach.

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.

Is Marbella or Cannes Better for its Old Town?

Cannes is a very popular place for its old town. Also, Marbella is not quite as popular, but is fairly good for its historic old town charm.

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.

Marbella offers a nice historic old town area. Head into the old town to explore a quaint area with small, meandering streets, churches, restaurants, shops, and cafes.

Is the Shopping Better in Marbella or Cannes?

Shoppers can find a variety of terrific stores in both Marbella and Cannes.

Known for shopping, Marbella draws large crowds to its stores. This area attracts vacationers from around Europe and the shopping is some of the best in Europe.

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.

Is Marbella or Cannes Better for Families?

Marbella 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.

Marbella is known to be a very family-friendly place to visit. The area has beautiful, family-friendly beaches and many resorts with pools that are great for kids.

Cannes is a family-friendly resort town. 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 Marbella or Cannes Better for Couples?

Marbella and Cannes are both terrific to visit as a couple.

Marbella has so much to offer for a romantic couple's vacation. The area has luxury resorts, nice beaches, water sports, golf, and water activities that are perfect for a honeymoon or a romantic weekend or a honeymoon.

Cannes is a great resort town 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.

Is Marbella or Cannes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Marbella is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. There are a few good hostels in the area for backpackers who want to enjoy this part of Spain's cost. There's also a lively nightlife scene and plenty of opportunities to meet others.

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

Cannes is a nice place to visit for times when you don't have a car. However, Marbella is lacking in good options for its public transit.

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

Public transit is generally limited in Marbella. There is a bus system through the area, but most visitors prefer to get around by car.

Is Marbella or Cannes a more walkable city?

Marbella and Cannes are excellent when it comes to walkability.

Marbella is a very walkable resort town. The old town is particularly walkable and there are a number of hotels and nice resorts within a short walk of the town along a nice promenade.

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

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

Should I spend more time in Cannes or Marbella?

How long in Marbella or Cannes?

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

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

Couples should spend more time in Cannes than Marbella. 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 Marbella 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 Marbella.

One day in Marbella or Cannes?

Many travelers enjoy the food and scuba diving and snorkeling when visiting the destination of Marbella. It's a great spot for a beach vacation. But since there are so many activities, you'll likely want to spend more than one day exploring.

The beautiful resort city of Cannes offers shopping and nightlife. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything. It will give you the chance to have new experiences.

A weekend in Marbella or Cannes?

Marbella 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.

Cannes is a popular place that is full of things to see and experience. If you have a weekend, this resort city makes for a great vacation. People enjoy relaxing at one of the resorts. While some people choose to spend more or less time in Cannes, a weekend is sufficent for most. Take your pick from the many activities offered here.

Five days in Marbella or Cannes?

It's hard to know how much time to spend in Marbella. For many, it makes a great getaway for five days. Most people come for the beaches. With all of its activities, you can easily fill five days here. It has many unique tourist attractions and fascinating things to do.

Cannes is a popular choice for travelers. Five days 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. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

A week in Marbella or Cannes?

Travelers enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the high energy destination of Marbella. This resort town offers a variety of activities to choose from. Many visitors spend time at the beach while visiting the area. Most people find that one week is more than enough time to see everything.

Cannes is a great place to explore. Visiting the old town is also a must. One week is more than enough time to enjoy everything. Take some day trips to nearby places to fill the extra days. This resort city offers something for everyone.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best Budget Tours to Spain, The Best Tours for Seniors to Spain, 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 Marbella and Cannes, we can see that Cannes is more expensive. And not only is Marbella much less expensive, but it is actually a significantly cheaper destination. So, traveling to Marbella would let you spend less money overall. Or, you could decide to spend more money in Marbella 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 Marbella.

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

Which is Bigger, Marbella or Cannes?

Marbella has a larger population, and is about 71% larger than the population of Cannes. When comparing the sizes of Marbella 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 Marbella 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 Marbella or Cannes in the Summer?

The summer brings many poeple to Marbella as well as Cannes. Most visitors come to Marbella for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months. Additionally, the summer months attract visitors to Cannes because of the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences.

In the summer, Marbella is around the same temperature as Cannes. Typically, the summer temperatures in Marbella in July average around 25°C (77°F), and Cannes averages at about 23°C (73°F).

Marbella usually gets less rain in July than Cannes. Marbella gets 2 mm (0.1 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Cannes in the Autumn?

Both Cannes and Marbella are popular destinations to visit in the autumn with plenty of activities. The autumn months attract visitors to Marbella because of the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area. Also, the shopping scene, the music scene, and the natural beauty of the area are the main draw to Cannes this time of year.

In October, Marbella is generally a little warmer than Cannes. Daily temperatures in Marbella average around 19°C (67°F), and Cannes fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

It rains a lot this time of the year in Cannes. In October, Marbella usually receives less rain than Cannes. Marbella gets 54 mm (2.1 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain each month for the autumn.

Should I visit Marbella or Cannes in the Winter?

Both Cannes and Marbella during the winter are popular places to visit. The shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Marbella this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cannes for the shopping scene and the cuisine.

Marbella is a little warmer than Cannes in the winter. The daily temperature in Marbella averages around 12°C (54°F) in January, and Cannes fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

Marbella usually gets around the same amount of rain in January as Cannes. Marbella gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Marbella or Cannes in the Spring?

The spring attracts plenty of travelers to both Marbella and Cannes. Many travelers come to Marbella for the beaches and the natural beauty. Also, many visitors come to Cannes in the spring for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Marbella is a little warmer than Cannes. Typically, the spring temperatures in Marbella in April average around 16°C (60°F), and Cannes averages at about 13°C (56°F).

In April, Marbella usually receives less rain than Cannes. Marbella 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 Marbella