Cannes in 2 Days: everything you need to know

The French Riviera encompasses the city of Cannes, which has become known worldwide as the home of the Cannes Film Festival. But that's not the only thing the city has to offer, as there are plenty of places to visit and amazing getaways. Here are all the things to do in Cannes in a two-day itinerary.

For day 1 of your visit I suggest you get to know the city of Cannes by visiting the most emblematic places in the historic centre, such as the Forville Market, the Musée de la Castre, the Vieux Port, the Palais des Festivals, La Croisette promenade and Rue d'Antibes.

Shop and sample fresh produce at Forville Market

Just six minutes from the centre of Cannes along Rue Félix Faure, you'll find the Provençal market of Forville, where you can shop like a local and sample fresh regional produce.

Among the foods you can sample and buy are various types of cheeses and cured meats, as well as fresh fish caught by local fishermen just a few hours earlier. All this, while you walk around a place with a long tradition, whose foundation dates back to 1934.

If you happen to go to the market on Monday, you will find a different atmosphere than usual, as the market turns into a flea market. A place where it is possible to find various second-hand goods, handicrafts and antiques.

Useful information

• Location: Marché Forville, 6 Rue du Marché Forville, 06400 Cannes.
• Opening hours: 7:00 am to 1:30 pm from Tuesday to Sunday, and the flea market from 7:00 am to 5:00 pm on Mondays.
• You will be interested to know that... You can also visit this market when booking a gastronomic tour of Cannes, as it is a stop on your itinerary.

Explore world culture and history at the Musée de la Castre

A 5-minute walk from the Forville Market will take you to the Musée de la Castre, one of the oldest places in Cannes, having been founded between the 17th and 19th centuries. Here you will find a wide range of collections representative of world culture and history:

• Collections of ethnology and archaeology of the Mediterranean.
• A collection of musical instruments from around the world.
• Collection of paintings from the East.
• Collection ofprimitive art from the Himalayas.

In addition, if you venture up the 109 steps of the square tower of the castle, you will get exceptional panoramic views of the Bay.

Useful information

• Price: €6.50 per person. Visitors aged 18-25 and groups of 10 usually pay €3,50. Children under 18 are free.
• Opening hours: from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 to 13:00 and from 14:00 to 18:00.
• Location: Musée de la Castre, 6 Rue de la Castre, 06400 Cannes.

Stroll through the Vieux Port and relax in the sea breeze

Leaving from the museum above, a 12-minute walk along Rue Félix Faure will take you to the Vieux Port, a vast waterfront area from where you can see the seascape on one side and the city's urban environment on the other .

The Vieux Port is home to a large part of the tourist activity. The area is full of hotels, bars and restaurants, so you can take the opportunity to enjoy an aperitif or a drink in a bar of your choice.

If you choose a bar with a terrace, you will be lucky enough to enjoy an exceptional view of the Saint-Pierre quay, the waters of the Mediterranean, boats, luxury yachts and the typical fishing boats of the region. And if you feel like joining them, you can book a boat trip in Cannes and discover the entire Esterel coast.

See the famous Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes

Just 3 minutes away from the Vieux Port, you will find the famous Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes. This cultural centre hosts various events throughout the year, one of the most famous being the Cannes Film Festival...

Among the attractions of the Palais, the red carpet is the most popular with visitors. You will have the chance to walk along it as if you were a film star, take photographs and walk where countless artists from all over the world have walked.

Depending on the time of year you visit, you can also take part in one of the events scheduled weekly or monthly. You will find a variety of artistic activities, including humour, theatre, dance, music and, of course, cinema.

Explore La Croisette seafront promenade

When you arrive at the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès de Cannes, you will already be on part of the La Croisette promenade, so I recommend you explore it.

This is one of the busiest areas of Cannes, due to its proximity to the sea. The boulevard stretches for approximately two kilometres and, as you walk along it, you will be able to observe the beauty of the coastline at any time of the day. Due to its length, it is very interesting to hire a bike tour of Cannes to cycle along it, but you can do it perfectly well on foot.

You will also see a series of modern structures that form the façades of hotels, restaurants and luxury boutiques. If you wish, enjoy a snack and a drink in the various bars and restaurants dotted around the area.

Shopping on Rue d'Antibes

Leaving the previous boulevard and heading in the direction of Rue Macé, you will reach Rue d'Antibes. This street stretches for more than a kilometre and is lined with dozens of shops and boutiques.

You will always find seasonal clothing at an attractive price on this street. You can also buy other items such as jewellery, shoes, cosmetics, handicrafts, etc.

Certainly, the main attraction of the street are the clothes, as there are many shops of emerging and independent brands as well as others of international renown. Thus, you will have a choice of different price levels.

Play a game at Le Croisette Casino Barrière

To end your day, you can head to Le Croisette Casino Barrière, another of the venues close to the tourist area of Cannes. Once there, you can play classic casino games or enjoy a delicious dinner and a drink.

This casino is full of glamour and will allow you to experience a different kind of night out that only Cannes can offer. The décor is inspired by the 1960s, so you'll feel like you're in a French gangster film of the time.

Depending on the time of year you visit, you 'll also see live shows, magic shows, cabaret or some musicals. Also, remember that to enter these types of establishments you must have an identity document to hand.

For your second day, the plan is to make some trips from Cannes to the different areas close to the city, such as the island of Saint Margaret and the Piedras Altas beach or the town of Provence. You can also dedicate your itinerary to visiting the most famous beaches in the area, or take part in a catamaran cruise.

Cruise around the Bay of Cannes by catamaran

If you want to explore the Bay of Cannes at its best, then venture out on a catamaran cruise. On this one-day experience you can relax, sunbathe, enjoy lunch, taste wine, swim in the Mediterranean waters, enjoy the scenery and go snorkelling.

Accompanied by the crew in charge of your trip, the catamaran will leave in the direction of Pointe Croisette and then head towards the Lérins Islands. Once there, there will be a stop to enjoy the sea and the sun or, if you wish, to go snorkelling, for which you will receive all the necessary equipment and guidance.

The boat will then go to the Esterel massif, where there will be another stop for swimming and snorkelling. At the end of the trip, you will set off on your return journey. All in all, this is one of the best boat tours from Cannes that you can sign up for along with booking a boat trip in Cannes.

Useful information

• Starting point: old harbour.
• Timetable: starts in the morning.
• What's included: snorkelling equipment and lunch.

Join the Provence wine tour from Cannes

If you are a wine lover, I suggest a trip to Provence. There you can visit three well-known vineyards in the region, enjoy incredible panoramic views and take part in a wine tasting class. Among the vineyards you will be able to visit are: Chateau De Saint-Martin, Chateau Font du Broc, and Jas d'Esclans.

However, you don't have to be a wine lover to visit this region of France, as you can also book an excursion to Provence from Cannes to visit charming villages such as Gourdon or Tourettes.

In any case, these two activities are usually among the top tours and excursions from Cannes preferred by visitors.

Useful info about the wine tour

• Price: approximately 156 € per person.
• Duration: approximately 8 hours.

Boat trip to Santa Margherita Island and the Piedras Altas beach

Another thing to do in Cannes is to book a ferry to the island of Sainte-Marguerite departing from the Vieux Port. Sainte-Marguerite Island is one of the Lérins islands located to the southeast of Cannes.

In just 15 minutes you will reach this beautiful destination described as an important green lung, as the island is full of vegetation and allows direct contact with nature. One of the unmissable places to visit is the cell occupied by the man in the iron mask. Today, the prison where the cell is located has been converted into a museum.

If you head to the southeast of the island, you will come to the high pebble beach. This is a naturist beach made up of a series of rocks emerging from the sea. It is not suitable for swimming, but it is a great place to relax and sunbathe.

Enjoy the sun at its best on the nearby beaches

If your travel goal is to enjoy the mix of sunshine and the Mediterranean, then head for the nearby beaches. You have at least four options to choose from.

Midi

This is one of the most popular beaches in Cannes. It is located just 700 metres from the centre and surrounds a large part of the shopping area, so it is very popular with visitors.

La Croisette Beach

This is a public beach located 19 minutes from the city centre and is easily accessible by car or on foot. This beach is known for being about 7 kilometres long and receives hundreds of visitors every month.

Plages du soleil

It is another beach close to the city's seaport, with an estimated 10 minutes from the city centre. It is characterised by its crystal clear waters and fine sand that is pleasant to lie on and sunbathe.

Paloma

It is located approximately 1 hour drive from Cannes, being the furthest. To get there you will have to travel to Nice, specifically to Cap Sent-Jean-Cap-Ferrat.

Although it may seem incredible to you, spending 2 or 3 days in Cannes is enough to do a good number of activities, which you can choose according to your preferences and travel plans. But what is clear is that each option holds unique experiences for you.