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 this is not the only thing the city has to offer, as you can visit many places and make 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 of the historic center, 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 taste fresh produce at the Forville Market

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

Among the foods you can taste and purchase are various types of cheeses and cured meats, as well as fresh fish caught by local fishermen just hours before. All this, while you walk through 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 becomes a flea market. A place where it is possible to find various second hand items, handicrafts and antiques.

Interesting Information

• Location: Marché Forville, 6 Rue du Marché Forville, 06400 Cannes.
• 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 universal culture and history at the Musée de la Castre

Just 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 variety of collections representative of world culture and history:

• Collections of ethnology and archeology of the Mediterranean.
• Sample of musical instruments from different parts of the world.
• Collection of oriental paintings.
• Collection of primitive art from the Himalayas.

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

Interesting Information

• Price: €6.50 per person. Visitors between 18 and 25 years old and groups of 10 people usually pay 3,50€. Children under 18 are free.
• Hours: from Tuesday to Sunday from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm and from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.
• 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 previous museum, you can walk 12 minutes along Rue Félix Faure to reach the Vieux Port, a large coastal area from where you can see, on the one hand, the seascape and, on the other hand, the urban environment of the city.

The Vieux Port gathers a good part of the tourist activity. The area is full of hotels, bars and restaurants, so you can take the opportunity to enjoy a snack or a drink in a place of your choice.

If you choose a bar with a terrace, you will be lucky 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 coast of Esterel.

Visit the famous Palais des Festivals et des Congrès in Cannes

Just 3 minutes from the Vieux Port, you will find the famous Palais des Festivals and Congresses of Cannes. This cultural center hosts various events throughout the year, one of the most famous being the Cannes Film Festival...

Among the attractions of the Palace, the favorite one for visitors is the red carpet. You will have the opportunity to walk it as if you were a movie star, take pictures and step where countless artists from all over the world have stepped.

On the other hand, depending on the time of year you visit, you can participate in one of the events scheduled on a weekly or monthly basis. You will find a variety of artistic activities, including humor, theater, dance, music and, of course, cinema.

Explore the La Croisette 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 venture out to explore it.

This is one of the busiest areas of Cannes, due to its proximity to the sea. The boulevard stretches for approximately two kilometers 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 go along it, but you can do it perfectly on foot.

You will also see a series of modern structures that make up the facades of hotels, restaurants and luxury stores. If you wish, enjoy an aperitif and a drink in the various bars and restaurants scattered throughout the area.

Shopping in the Rue d'Antibes

Leaving the previous boulevard and following the direction of Rue Macé, you will reach the Rue d'Antibes. This street stretches for more than a kilometer and gathers dozens of stores and commercial establishments.

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

Certainly, the main attraction of the street are the clothes, as there are many stores of emerging and independent brands and others of international renown. Thus, you will have an offer 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 spaces near 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 live a different night that only Cannes can offer. The decoration of the place is inspired by the 60's, so you will feel as if you were in a French gangster movie of the time.

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

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

Tour the Bay of Cannes on a catamaran cruise

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

Accompanied by the crew in charge of your trip, the catamaran will depart 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 practice snorkeling, for which you will receive all the necessary equipment and guidance.

Afterwards, the boat will go to the Esterel massif, where there will be another stop for swimming and snorkeling. At the end of the trip, you will start your way back. For all these reasons, this is one of the best boat tours from Cannes that you can sign up for along with booking a boat trip in Cannes.

Interesting information

• Starting point: old port.
• Schedule: starts in the morning.
• What's included: snorkeling equipment and lunch.

Join the Provence wine tour from Cannes

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

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

In any case, these two activities are usually part of the best tours and excursions from Cannes preferred by visitors.

Interesting information 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 southeast of Cannes.

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

If you head to the southeast of the island, you will reach the beach of high stones. This is a naturist beach composed of a series of rocks emerging from the sea. It is not a suitable place for swimming, but it is a great place to relax and sun bathe.

Enjoy the sun at its best on the nearby beaches

In case your travel goal is to enjoy the mix between the sun and the Mediterranean, then head for the nearby beaches. You have at least four options to choose from.

Midi

It is one of the most famous beaches in Cannes. It is located just 700 meters from the center and surrounds a good part of the commercial area, so it has a high influx of visitors.

La Croisette Beach

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

Plages du soleil

It is another beach near the seaport of the city, with an estimated 10 minutes from downtown. It is characterized by its crystal clear waters and fine sand that is pleasant to lie down and sunbathe.

Paloma

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

Although it may seem incredible, spending 2 or 3 days in Cannes is enough to do a good amount 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.