Are you thinking about visiting Cannes, France? Here's what you need to know before planning your trip.
Is Cannes worth visiting?
Yes, it's worth visiting this resort city for two to four days because of the many great activities. Cannes is a famous resort town in the French Riviera that is popular with celebrities. It's a glamourous and ritzy destination that hosts the world famous international film festival. The city has many nice beaches, particularly along the Boulevard de la Croisette. This is also where you'll find many luxury hotels.
The Port of Cannes, France
Reasons to Visit Cannes
Food
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.
Music
The city is famous for its music festivals, but there are also many bands, DJs, and performers who visit year round.
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.
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.
Nightlife
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.
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.
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Historical Sights
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.
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Scuba Diving & 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 Cannes worth visiting in the Summer?
Summer is the high season for travel in Cannes, so expect more visitors and higher prices. This destination is very popular with tourists, and in the high season it's even busier than usual as this is when most people like to visit. Expect tourist crowds to be very large, and prices to be higher than normal. However, there's plenty to do here this time of year, too.
The warm weather in summer is one of the reasons people visit at this time of year. Temperatures average around 23°C (73°F) with daily high temperatures often more than 26°C (80°F).
With the warmer weather this time of year, the beach is the main attraction. Spend time enjoying the waves and sand during your trip. You'll also find it quite easy to get around on foot, because this is a very walkable resort city, especially in the nice weather. You'll find plenty to do during summer, as you'll be able to lounge on the beach, relax at a luxurious resort, and browse around the old town. Also, you can grab some drinks at a bar.
Summer Weather in Cannes
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| July | 23°C (73°F) | 16 mm (0.6 in) |
| August | 23°C (73°F) | 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| September | 21°C (69°F) | 54 mm (2.1 in) |
Is Cannes worth visiting in the Autumn?
This is the shoulder season for travel in Cannes. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.
Keep in mind that it can be fairly rainy during autumn, and temperatures hover around 17°C (63°F).
Soaking up that old town charm in the autumn is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. During this season it's fun to experience the beautiful scenery, the historic old town, and the live music scene.
Autumn Weather in Cannes
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| October | 17°C (63°F) | 108 mm (4.3 in) |
| November | 12°C (54°F) | 104 mm (4.1 in) |
| December | 10°C (49°F) | 78 mm (3.1 in) |
Is Cannes worth visiting in the Winter?
The weather in Cannes can be quite cold during winter, and averages around 9°C (48°F). But be prepared for much lower temperatures, too.
The low season for travel in Cannes is during the winter. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the low season you'll still see plenty of other travelers when you visit, but less than other times of the year. Good deals are to be found on hotels and tours because it's not the best time of year to visit.
This is a great time of year to sample the delicious cuisine, admire the historic sights, and enjoy the evening activities. Also, you'll be able to listen to some live music.
Winter Weather in Cannes
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| January | 9°C (48°F) | 83 mm (3.3 in) |
| February | 9°C (49°F) | 76 mm (3 in) |
| March | 11°C (51°F) | 71 mm (2.8 in) |
Is Cannes worth visiting in the Spring?
Spring is the shoulder season for travel in Cannes. This is an extremely touristy destination, so in the shoulder season you'll still see plenty of other tourists when you visit. However, good prices and deals are to be found on hotels and tours.
You'll find the weather to be very nice here during spring with average temperatures around 13°C (56°F).
One of the main reasons to come this time of year is because of the gorgeous scenery. Soaking up that old town charm in the spring is one of the favorite activities of visitors. The quaint scenery combined with the weather this time of year is quite nice. You'll find plenty to do during spring, as you'll be able to find the best deals at the shops, admire the wonderful scenery, and browse around the old town. Also, you can experience the live music and the nightlife.
Spring Weather in Cannes
| Avg Temp (°C/°F) |
Avg Rain (mm/inches) |
|
| April | 13°C (56°F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) |
| May | 16°C (62°F) | 49 mm (1.9 in) |
| June | 20°C (68°F) | 36 mm (1.4 in) |
Things to Consider Before Visiting Cannes
Lots of Tourists
Cannes sees a high number of visitors every year, which means you might have to wait in line and deal with large crowds during your visit.
Not As Family-Friendly
While there are some family activities, it's not as child-friendly as other destinations.
The Cost
Depending on your budget, schedule, and travel style, Cannes might be an expensive destination for you. You can find out the travel costs for Cannes here or see if Cannes is expensive here.
Related
What is Cannes most famous for?
Cannes is most famous for its popularity with celebrities and its role as host for the international film festival. The resort city is very popular for its food, music, resorts, and shopping. Also, it's known for nightlife, beaches, and historical sights. Many people love the scuba diving & snorkeling, too. It is often described as luxury, lavish, glitzy, and opulent .
What is the most famous sight in Cannes?
The most popular sight in Cannes is Boulevard de la Croisette. You can see prices and costs for this and other sights in Cannes on our travel costs page.
Or, see tickets, activities, and tours for Boulevard de la Croisette and other attractions here.
How touristy is Cannes? Is it a popular resort city to visit?
Cannes is a very touristy resort city that attracts travelers from around the globe. Here are some of the most popular activities and tours. (Prices in US Dollars)
- Sailboat tour to the island of Cannes: $272
- City Tour in Cannes aboard our Classic French Bus!: $65
- Private Cannes Ferrari Tour: $218
- Guided Tour in Cannes by a Screenwriter: History, Glamour & Cinema: $55
- Charter a 24 ft boat in Cannes! Lerins Islands-Seabob experience: $218
- Cannes E-Bike Guided Tour: $75
- Monaco, Monte Carlo, Eze, la Turbie from Cannes, 7H Small-Group Tour: $125
- Cannes Discovery: walking Tour Led by a Local Expert: $38
How long should I spend in Cannes?
The ideal length of time for a trip to Cannes is two to four days. Since Cannes has a variety of activities such as dining, music, resorts, and shopping, most people need this much time to see and do everything here.
If you have a specific amount of time for your trip, see our advice about how much time to spend here: Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Cannes?, Should I spend 3, 4, or 5 days in Cannes?, and Should I spend 1 or 2 weeks in Cannes?.
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