7 top things to do in Cannes
You booked your trip to Cannes, and probably already see yourself basking in the sun of the French Riviera, at some glamorous beach club, surrounded by luxury on every step. And you are right. Beach day for sure is a part of our list of 7 top things to do in Cannes.
We combined local knowledge, first-hand tips, and international touring experience, so here is our list.
1.La Croisette Stroll in Cannes
Before you even realize it, you will be strolling the iconic La Croisette promenade. The most iconic off all Cannes streets.
Just like Promenade des Anglais in Nice, this famous street runs the length of the seafront for a mile. It has beach clubs and stunning sea views on one side, and luxurious hotels, restaurants, and designer boutiques on the other.
Palm trees, green areas, benches, and chairs facing the sea keep the vibe of the Cote d’Azur alive. Get yourself a nice ice cream or chilled drink, sit and enjoy the view. It is as simple as that.
2.InterContinental Carlton Hotel
While walking down the La Croisette, you will fall in love with the architecture and state of art old buildings. One of those, for sure, will be the iconic Carlton Hotel. Some hotels are not just for booking a room and spending a night there, but they are landmarks of the city.
This one is that kind of a hotel. It is a symbol of the Belle Epoque and was built at the end of the 19th century, for the members of the English aristocracy. Currently, it is being renovated until spring 2023, but you can have a coffee there or spend time at their beach club.
3.Day at the beach in Cannes
Here comes the §next thing on the list. When in Cannes, you must spend at least one day at the beach, sunbathing and enjoying rich gastronomic offerings. No matter if you choose Carlton beach club or any other recommendation from the Top-Notch Beach Clubs in Cannes, you will have a great time.
Locals recommend finding a patch of sand at the public beach and experiencing a beach day on the French Riviera.
4.Lerins Islands
Make the most of your beach day and visit Sainte-Marguerite or Saint-Honorat island. There are many taxi boats with frequent departures from the Cannes Le Vieux Port, so it is easy to get there. Sainte-Marguerite Island is one mile from the shore, so you can even rent a kayak and pedal to the island if you are adventurous enough. This way you will be traveling slowly, and pass by many luxurious yachts that are anchored in the area.
And once you reach the island this way or another, choose your spot. It can be one of the wild public beaches, private beaches with sunbeds, bars, or a restaurant. At the heart of the Royal Fort At Sainte-Marguerite, there is the Sea Museum reminding us of the eternal object of lust that is Cannes.
5.When in Cannes Visit “Le Suquet”
You can never feel the true vibe of a city you travel to if you do not visit an old part of it. Le Suquet is so charming, with many interesting spots to explore. It is perched on the slopes of Mont Chevalier above the bay and originally was a fishing village. The area is picturesque and offers exceptional views. Many narrow old staircases, beautiful courtyards, and interesting historic remnants are what this traffic-free, pedestrian-only quarter is filled with.
If you like shopping, this is a place for you too. One of the main Cannes shopping streets is the old town’s Rue Meynadier, full of gourmet boutiques. Besides it, there is also a Rue d’Antibes. A shopping destination for French Riviera fashionistas is lined with designer prêt-à-porter clothing boutiques.
You can finish off this activity by visiting the Musée de la Castre. It is Positioned high above the city, but we guarantee that climbing all 109 steps to the top of the Medieval tower is worth the effort for a commanding 360-degree view of Cannes.
6.The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès
The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès is one of the city’s landmarks and the venue for the famous Cannes Film Festival. The building was done in 1982. Today, we use the building for events, conferences, music concerts, and festivals throughout the year.
It is an impressive complex of buildings, with numerous auditoriums with state-of-the-art sound and lighting systems. Back in 2015, they modernized it when they enhanced the famous entrance staircase, the seating of the Grand Auditorium Louis Lumiere, and the foyer was made brighter and more spacious.
A very special experience would be catching a movie during the Cannes Film Festival. So if you are flexible with dates, love glamour, paparazzi lights, and crowds around the red carpet, make sure to book your Canne trip in time when The Festival is happening.
7.Experience the night of the fireworks
Speaking of spectacles, there is also a Fireworks festival in Cannes every summer. For several nights in July and August, the sky above Cannes is lit with unforgettable fireworks. This famous international event brings together the best fireworks designers from all over the world. The tradition began in 1967 and draws thousands of spectators along the beaches of Cannes.
Fireworks programs begin at 11 pm and are open to the public for free viewing. Find a comfortable beach lounge, order a cocktail, sit back and enjoy. You will never forget this experience.
What do you think about our recommendations? Perhaps you still need some logistical info on How to reach Cannes from Nice airport, but we got you covered with our recent blog. When you are here, why don’t you remind yourself of the best beach clubs in Cannes on this link?
And, don’t forget, you can contact us for any assistance during your stay in Cannes.
