A Travel Price Comparison for France Nice vs. Cannes for Food, Nightlife, Resorts, and Couples

Should you visit Nice 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 Nice 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.

Nice

Nice is a opulent, trendy, and chic seaside destination. You'll find world class beauty in Nice as well. This is an attractive and quaint destination worth visiting as well. Other popular activities here include beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Nice travel costs.

Cannes

Cannes is a luxury, lavish, and glitzy resort city. The beauty of Cannes is also one of the main reasons why visitors come. And you can't forget about the beaches, shopping, and nightlife. See Cannes travel costs.

Nice and Cannes: Pros and Cons

Is there more to do in Nice or Cannes?

Visitors will generally find more to do in Cannes than Nice. While Nice is larger than Cannes, Cannes has more sights, attractions, and activities for tourists. Cannes is more popular for its music and shopping, while Nice is known for its nightlife, impressive beauty, and quaint atmosphere. Nice is popular for its beachfront setting in the French Riviera as well as its popularity with A-list celebrities. Cannes 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.

How is Nice different from Cannes?

Which is Better for a Holiday?

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

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

There are opportunities to sample the local cuisine at amazing restaurants in both Nice and Cannes.

Many restaurants in Nice have been singled out for their culinary prowess. The cuisine brings together fresh regional ingredients and mixes Provençal and Niçoise flavors. You'll find a lot of Italian influence as well. Fresh seafood is the thing to try while you're in town, but other local favorites include socca, Ratatouille, and Salade niçoise.

Eat your way through Cannes, as it has many local or world renowned restaurants to choose from. 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.

Is Nice or Cannes Better for Nightlife?

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

Nice has a colorful and one-of-a-kind nightlife scene. The city has some of the best nightlife on the Cote d'Azur. You'll find a number of nightclubs along the seaside as well a bars and pubs in the Old Town. Some of the best clubs are along Promenade des Anglais.

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 Nice or Cannes Better for Music?

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

Live music, and music in many other forms, is everyone in Cannes The city is famous for its music festivals, but there are also many bands, DJs, and performers who visit year round.

Nice is not a live music destination.

Is Nice or Cannes Better for Resorts?

If luxury resorts are your style, both Nice and Cannes have amazing options.

Nice is a world class resort vacation destination. The city has boutique hotels as well high end luxury resorts. Popular options include Hyatt Regency Nice Palais de la Méditerranée, Hôtel Suisse, and AC Hotel by Marriott.

Vacationers flock to Cannes for its luxury resorts. 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 Nice or Cannes Better for Scuba Diving and Snorkeling?

Both Nice and Cannes offer good scuba diving or snorkeling.

It's fun to get in the water and check out the local marine life in Nice. There are some places where you can arrange a snorkeling or dive trip to explore the underwater setting.

Grab a mask and fins and explore the underwater scenery 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.

Is Nice or Cannes Better for Beaches?

Both Nice and Cannes are considered to be superb beach destinations.

The beaches at Nice attract visitors from all over. The city has about 4 miles of beach along its coastline and there are both public and private beaches available. La Réserve is a public beach with a laid back and fun vibe. Plage Beau Rivage is a private beach with many amenities, making it a favorite for visitors. Blue Beach is another private beach that is very family-friendly.

Many people visit Cannes for it's beautiful beaches. 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 Nice or Cannes Better for its Old Town?

Both Nice and Cannes have superb historic old towns worth visiting.

Nice is an extremely popular place to visit the historic old town area. Wandering around the charming old town is a quintessential part of visiting this city. There are many historic churches and squares, as well as great restaurants and shops that you can pop in.

There are many historical things to see in the old town of 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.

Is the Shopping Better in Nice or Cannes?

Cannes is renowned for its shopping opportunities. Also, Nice is not as famous, but is still a good seaside destination to visit for its shopping areas.

The abundance of shops in Cannes make it a world-class shopping destination. 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.

Many visitors explore the shopping areas in Nice. The city has long been a favorite for the rich and famous, so you'll find plenty of shopping opportunities around town. The boutique shops are chic, trendy, and fashionable, but for those on a budget, you can sometimes find a unique local purchase in your budget.

Is Nice or Cannes More Beautiful?

Nice is an amazing seaside destination to visit for its scenery and beauty. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for its scenery and beauty.

You'll find world class beauty in Nice as well. A premiere destination in the French Riviera, this town is known for it's luxury, glitz, charm, and personality.

Cannes is also a very beautiful destination which attracts plenty of visitors. Many people recognize this city because it hosts a film festival of the same name, but it's also a popular year round destination for its beautiful beaches and fun atmosphere.

Is Nice or Cannes Better for Families?

Both Nice and Cannes are good to visit with kids.

Nice is a family-friendly place to visit. The town has many fun playgrounds, kid-friendly beaches, and unique cultural opportunities that kids can enjoy. It also makes a great base for exploring the French Riviera and everything that it has to offer.

Cannes is a family-friendly seaside destination. 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 Nice or Cannes Better for Couples?

Both Nice and Cannes are amazing destinations for a couple's getaway.

Nice is a great seaside destination for couples, as it has plenty to offer. The old town is filled with romance and charm. You can also take a walk along the Promenade Des Anglais or soak up the romantic countryside that surrounds the town.

Cannes is fantastic couple's destination with fun and romantic activities. 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 Nice or Cannes Better for Backpackers and Budget Travelers?

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

Nice is popular with backpackers and budget travelers. Because it's one of the most popular tourist destinations in France, many backpackers make their way here. Nice is known for its high end vibe, so it can be challenging to find affordable options, but if you know where to look, they are around.

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

Nice is a well-known place for its public transit. Also, Cannes is not as famous, but is still a good resort city to visit for times when you don't have a car.

Nice offers a very effecient public transportation network. There are both buses and trams.

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

Is Nice or Cannes a more walkable city?

Nice is an amazing seaside destination 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 Nice on foot. You should definitely spend some time exploring the 7 kilometer long Promenade des Anglais.

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 Nice Worth Visiting? and Is Cannes Worth Visiting?.

Should I spend more time in Cannes or Nice?

How long in Nice or Cannes?

It's fun to spend time in either Nice or Cannes. Generally, people tend to spend more time in Nice due to the larger number of activities and things to do. Usually, 3-5 days is a good amount of time for Nice, and 2-4 days is enough time in Cannes.

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

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

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

One day in Nice or Cannes?

Many travelers enjoy the shopping and nightlife when visiting the quaint destination of Nice. 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.

Visitors enjoy the nightlife and live music when visiting the destination of Cannes. Visiting the old town is also a must. Take your pick from the many activities offered here. With so much to do, one day is probably not enough time to see everything.

A weekend in Nice or Cannes?

Nice is a great place to explore. With so much to do, a weekend is probably not enough time to see everything. Your budget might influence how long you stay.

Cannes is a fun place to experience. If you have a weekend, this is a great place to go. You can also relax and pamper yourself at one of the resorts. A weekend is often enough time to do most activities. The entire region has so many activities, and you'll want time to do everything.

Five days in Nice or Cannes?

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

You'll find food and scuba diving and snorkeling around the glitzy destination of Cannes. This resort city offers something for everyone. Exploring the old town is a popular activity. Five days is plenty of time to see everything, even with extra days to spare.

A week in Nice or Cannes?

Travelers enjoy the scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping when visiting the trendy destination of Nice. This seaside destination 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.

The glitzy resort city of Cannes offers scuba diving and snorkeling and shopping. Make sure you visit the old town while you're here. The length of your trip often depends on your style of travel. 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.

For some great organized tour ideas, see The Best 10-Day Tours in France, The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in France, The Best 2-Week Tours in France, and The Best River Cruises in France.

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

Which is Bigger, Nice or Cannes?

Nice has a larger population, and is about 5 times larger than the population of Cannes. When comparing the sizes of Nice 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 Nice or Cannes?

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 Nice or Cannes in the Summer?

Both Cannes and Nice are popular destinations to visit in the summer with plenty of activities. Many visitors come to Nice in the summer for the beaches, snorkeling, and the family-friendly experiences. Also, most visitors come to Cannes for the beaches, snorkeling, the music scene, and the family-friendly experiences during these months.

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

In July, Nice usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cannes. Nice gets 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 16 mm (0.6 in) of rain each month for the summer.

Should I visit Nice or Cannes in the Autumn?

Both Cannes and Nice during the autumn are popular places to visit. Most visitors come to Nice for the shopping 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, Nice is generally around the same temperature as Cannes. Daily temperatures in Nice average around 17°C (63°F), and Cannes fluctuates around 17°C (63°F).

Cannes gets a good bit of rain this time of year. It rains a lot this time of the year in Nice. Nice usually gets around the same amount of rain in October as Cannes. Nice gets 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 108 mm (4.3 in) of rain this time of the year.

Should I visit Nice or Cannes in the Winter?

The winter attracts plenty of travelers to both Nice and Cannes. The winter months attract visitors to Nice because of the shopping scene and the cuisine. Also, the shopping scene and the cuisine are the main draw to Cannes this time of year.

Nice is around the same temperature as Cannes in the winter. The daily temperature in Nice averages around 9°C (48°F) in January, and Cannes fluctuates around 9°C (48°F).

In January, Nice usually receives around the same amount of rain as Cannes. Nice gets 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain, while Cannes receives 83 mm (3.3 in) of rain each month for the winter.

Should I visit Nice or Cannes in the Spring?

The spring brings many poeple to Nice as well as Cannes. The beaches and the natural beauty are the main draw to Nice this time of year. Also, many travelers come to Cannes for the beaches and the natural beauty.

In the spring, Nice is around the same temperature as Cannes. Typically, the spring temperatures in Nice in April average around 13°C (56°F), and Cannes averages at about 13°C (56°F).

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

Typical Weather for Cannes and Nice