Cannes Travel Essentials

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"The Zenith of Luxury"

Cannes Tourism

Cannes is a city located on Cote d'Azur, or more commonly the French Riviera, known for its luxury shops and hotels and the distinctive annual Cannes Film Festival. The city is also known for its natural beauty in the form of stunning coastlines, sandy beaches, and a backdrop of the Esterel Mountains, making your trip worthwhile. It also serves as a gateway to the nearby Lérins Islands, particularly Île Sainte-Marguerite and Île Saint-Honorat. 

Originally a fishing village, Cannes now sparkles with glamour and luxury, be it the numerous boutiques, couture shops, elegant hotels, or superstars and celebrities, making it the social hub of Europe. The city bustles with life in the month of May when it is the host of the annual Cannes Film Festival and, hereby, the best place for fans to be busy celebrity spotting.

With its beautiful Mediterranean climate, scenic beauty, and boulevards lined with palm trees, people visiting Cannes can engage in activities like sailing, jet-skiing, or simply relaxing by the sea. The harbors, the bay, the churches, and the architectural beauty of La Susquet make Cannes a traveler's paradise. 

Must Know Before You Travel to Cannes

  • Getting Around: Cannes is a pedestrian-friendly city, and many attractions are within walking distance of each other, especially in the city center. The city has a well-connected public transportation system, including buses and trains. Renting a bicycle is a popular and eco-friendly way to explore the city. Taxis are readily available.
  • Opening Hours: Many shops in Cannes typically open around 9 am and close for a few hours in the afternoon. They may reopen until 7 or 8 pm. However, larger stores and those in tourist areas often have extended hours.
  • Free Film Screenings: If you're a film enthusiast visiting outside the festival dates, check for free screenings or film-related events happening in the city.
  • Tap Water: Tap water in Cannes is safe to drink. Carry a reusable water bottle, if necessary.
  • Public Restrooms: Public restrooms are available in the city center, at beaches, and in major attractions. Some may require a small fee, so it's a good idea to carry change.
  • Safety: Cannes is generally a safe city, but be aware of your surroundings, especially in crowded areas and at night.

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Shopping in Cannes

Shopping in Cannes is a delightful experience, offering a blend of high-end boutiques and charming local markets. The city is renowned for its luxury shops along La Croisette, where you can find iconic brands and designer labels. For those seeking more unique souvenirs and mementos, the historic district of Le Suquet, with its cobblestone streets, is perfect. Rue Meynadier, a bustling market street in Le Suquet, is lined with shops selling local delicacies, artisanal goods, and affordable trinkets. The Forville Market is another must-visit spot, offering fresh produce, flowers, and Provençal specialties.

Nightlife in Cannes

Cannes offers a vibrant and sophisticated nightlife scene, particularly along the famous Boulevard de la Croisette. This glamorous waterfront boulevard is dotted with chic bars and clubs where you can enjoy the sparkling Mediterranean views while sipping on cocktails. The Old Port area, known as Le Vieux Port, is another hotspot for nightlife, offering a mix of lively bars and trendy lounges. Rue du Suquet, located in the historic district of Le Suquet, is a charming street where you can find cozy pubs and wine bars, perfect for a more relaxed evening. For those seeking a lively dance scene, the Carré d'Or district is home to several nightclubs that keep the party going into the early hours.

History of Cannes

Cannes once used to be a small fishing village.The city was knows as Canua in 10th century and was the site of Liguarian port and then became a Roman outpost. The city was controlled by monks from Lerins island for hundreds of years till around 1530s when Cannes became independent. The British and the Spanish tried gaining control but their attempts were unsuccessful. By the 18th century, the town attracted English aristocracy to build their winter residences and by the end of the 19th century, railways, streetcars, luxury establishments were all present in Cannes. Luxury hotels came around in the 20th century and since then Cannes has never looked back. The city council had the idea of starting an international film festival shortly before World War II and now that very film festival has brought Cannes on the world map.

Daily Budget for Cannes

A daily budget ranging from €95 to €150 can provide a comfortable and economical experience in Cannes, allowing travelers to enjoy the city's charm without breaking the bank.

  • On a daily basis, a budget traveler can expect to allocate around €50 to €70 for accommodation in a modest hotel or hostel.
  • Dining costs can vary, with affordable options like street food and local cafes averaging around €15 to €25 per meal.
  • Public transportation is relatively efficient, and a daily transportation budget of €5 to €10 should cover buses and short-distance train rides.
  • Sightseeing expenses will depend on individual preferences, but budgeting approximately €15 to €30 for entrance fees and activities is reasonable.
  • Miscellaneous expenses, including water, snacks, and incidentals, may add an additional €10 to €15.

Exchanging Money in Cannes

There are numerous places and services such as Travelex, Azurenne De Change, etc. to get your currency exchanged in Cannes, one should take note of the commission being charged. ATMs can be easily found.

Best Time to Visit Cannes

How to Reach Cannes

How to Reach Overview

Cannes is accessible by all means of transport: by air, by car, by train and by boat and is well connected to neighbouring cities

How to reach Cannes by flight

There are two ways to get to Cannes by air, one of which is the Nice International Airport located just 25 kilometres from the city and the other being Cannes Mandelieu Airport. The latter is a small and excellent airport catering to small aircrafts and private jets whereas the former is well connected to major destinations and serves the entire tourist platform of French C»te dêAzur.

How to reach Cannes by road

The city is connected to the wide network of European roadways, it is linked to Paris by the A8 Esterel Motorways which can be covered in an 8 hour motor ride, the same road provides access to the city of Nice and Monaco as well. Taxi services are available and most convenient but are quite expensive (costing around EUR 80).

How to reach Cannes by train

Getting to Cannes by train is the second most popular mode of transport after air. Cannes is located on the Marseille-Nice railway and is served by three types of international trains, namely, Trains Bleus, the TEE (Trans-Europe Express) and the TGV (high speed trains), it is easily accessible from the cities of Paris, Marseille, Basel, Milan, Venice and Rome, Brussels.

How to reach Cannes by bus

Travelling by bus to Cannes is a reliable and efficient alternative and comes with the added advantage of enjoying stunning views on the way. You can take the bus number 210 form Nice to Cannes which is a direct bus service between the two cities with no stops in between.

How to reach Cannes by waterways

Ferries come form the cities of Calvi and Bastia in Corsica to Nice and take passengers to Cannes, the ferry trips are longer but the scenery is worth admiration. Apart from ferries, boats can be taken to travel from any point to another on the French Riviera.

Local transport in Cannes

Getting around Cannes is easy and going on foot is the fastest mode of transport(allowing you the time to explore more which you might miss in a car or a bus). Buses are the only form of public transport in Canne. The bus network is efficient with buses plying at a frequency of fifteen minutes. Taxis can also be taken on the streets or booked by a phone call to Taxis de Cannes. There are numerous car rental services available to choose form depending on your budget.

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FAQs on Cannes

What are the places near Cannes?

The top places near to Cannes are Corsica which is 234 km from Cannes, Paris which is located 690 km from Cannes, Bordeaux which is located 622 km from Cannes, Milan which is located 273 km from Cannes, Geneva which is located 302 km from Cannes

What are the top hotels in Cannes?

There are 4253 in Cannes which can be booked through Holidify. The most popular hotels in Cannes are Festival Residence Apartments, Residence Le Minerve, Appartement l'Age d'Or, 2, 3 and 4 bedroom sea view Apartments, 1 Bedroom Notre Dame, La Turquoise. You can see all the hotels in Cannes here

What is the best way to reach Cannes?

Cannes is accessible by all means of transport: by air, by car, by train and by boat and is well connected to neighbouring cities
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What is the local food in Cannes?

Cannes is not a budget destination and it becomes quite a pricey affair to eat out. Fresh produce from the city with sea food products baked in olive oil along with a glass of Rose Wine makes a typical plate from Cannes. Most of the restaurants are lined up along the waterfront are really expensive. The best dining areas are in Rue Meynadier and in the back streets of Rue de Antibes. The French cuisine doesn't include vegetarian or vegan options and most of the items on the menu are classified as fish or meat.
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What is the best time to visit Cannes?

Cannes experiences a Mediterranean climate being Riviera town, the summers are sunny, hot and dry whereas the winters are mild and the overall verdict for best time depends on the kind of trip one is looking forward to. The months from April to October are full of activities. Summer attracts tourists from all over the world to enjoy beaches and the month of May is host to Cannes Film Festival making it the busiest place to be , make sure that you book at least six months in advance if your planning a visit during this time and the place gets extra ordinarily expensive. The months from November to March are calm and quiet, with the peak season closing, the rates drop and tourists can grab cheaper deals on almost everything, giving them more opportunities to explore and longer duration of stay.
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