Are you looking for a perfect European summer getaway? Then look no further than Cannes, France.
Located on the Cote d’Azur in the South of France, Cannes is an ideal destination to experience the charm and beautiful views that the French Riviera has to offer.
It is famous for being the place where the Cannes Film Festival is held, however, it also has a number of other attractions that make it worth a visit.
Personally, since moving to Nice, Cannes has become one of my favorite places for a weekend getaway so To help make your stay as enjoyable as possible, I’ve put together an 2 days in Cannes itinerary so you can make the most out of your time here.
Read on for our guide to two days in Cannes – complete with ideas for where to eat, what sights to see, and activities that are sure to leave lasting memories.
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⏰ In a rush and don’t know where to stay when visiting Cannes? Book a room at the Five Seas Hotel for a truly comfortable experience. 🏨
⭐️ Rating: 8.8/10 (2,555 Reviews) Price: $310 per night 📍Location: 73 Boulevard De La Croisette, Cannes City-Centre, Cannes Details: Read more on booking.com now!
This luxurious hotel is decorated in with contemporary art décor. The rooms are spacious and some even have a private terrace!
Plus, if you fancy some inhouse dining, check out the Le Jardin du Martinez. Nestled in the shade of Cyprus and palm trees, this inhouse restaurant has some really laid back vibes.
If you want something fancier, then try out the La Palme d’Or restaurant that is famed for its specialty dishes which are inspired by cinema.
Alternatively, you could also check out the Five Seas Hotel. This hotel is located just 100 meters away from popular spots like the beaches of la Croisette and the Palais des Festivals. With such a prime location, it is easily one of the favorite hotels in the area.
The rooms of the Five Seas hotelare spacious and come equipped with all the amenities you could possibly need. Think a nice flat screen TV and a complimentary mini Bar!
Should you choose to indulge your senses, you could make use of the the inhouse spa and hammam. It also has 2 saunas and a relaxation room!
Before you plan your 2 days in Cannes itinerary, make sure you figure you transportation to the city out. Getting from Nice to Cannes is easy-peasy.
The most convenient way to get from Nice to Cannes is by train. There are various direct trains available from Nice-Ville Station to Cannes station, which take about 25 minutes.
Once you’ve arrived at Cannes train station, you can either walk or take a taxi to your hotel.
How Many Days Should You Spend In Cannes?
Cannes is such a beautiful city that you can just stick around and chill for as long as you like!
It depends on what you wish to experience and explore in Cannes. Many people choose to breeze through this city.
You could take in the highlights of the city in a few hours but to truly experience the heart of Cannes you need a bit more time.
Two days are ideal. A 2 days in Cannes itinerary is enough to see the main attractions of the city while still providing plenty of time for relaxation. It is also a perfect stop on a south of France road trip!
2 Days In Cannes Itinerary
There are some really interesting things to do in Cannes.
If you are lucky enough to spend 2 days in Cannes, consider yourself lucky. For most people, Cannes is just as top on the way. It is very popular because of the Cannes Film festival.
The city however has a lot to explore especially when it comes to the beaches of Cannes. This is the second reason why the city is popular.
In this 2 days in Cannes itinerary, we will take you to the popular beaches in Cannes and tell you some cool tips on how to get the most out of your trip!
Don’t forget to also checkout our packing list for Cannes at the end!
Day 1: Explore The City and The Beautiful Beaches In Cannes
Your 2 days in Cannes itinerary would be incomplete without a visit to the beautiful beaches in Cannes.
Once you’re settled in your hotel, it’s time for some exploration! Why waste time? Am I right? With just 2 days in Cannes, you will find that you have a lot to cram into your 2 days in Cannes itinerary.
I would suggest making sure that you have some time for relaxation at one of the popular beaches in Cannes
La Croisette
While the beaches in Cannes are famous, there is a lot to be said about the food too!
Start off your day with a stroll around La Croisette—the beachfront promenade lined with chic cafés, boutiques, and luxury shops.
It is definitely one of the top things to do in Cannes that should be part of your 2 days in Cannes itinerary.
Lunch At I Love Riviera Beach
For lunch, grab an al fresco meal at one of the many restaurants by the beach (I love ‘Riviera Beach’). This will give you a chance to satisfy your hunger pangs as well as visit another one of the famous beaches in Cannes.
Plague Du Midi Beach
Afterward, head over to the picturesque Plage du Midi beach where you can spend the afternoon sunbathing or enjoying a relaxing swim in the Mediterranean waters. It is one of thebest beaches in Cannes and definitely one of the spots that should be on your 2 days in Cannes itinerary.
La Suquet
One of the top things to do in Cannes is to explore the old tow of Cannes.
In the evening, be sure to explore La Suquet, the old town of Cannes.
This is where you’ll find lots of quaint cobblestone streets, stunning views, and some incredible restaurants serving up traditional French fare.
If you love the old European city feel, make sure that you mark La Suquet as a stop on your 2 days in Cannes itinerary.
Rue D’Antibes
After dinner, enjoy a nightcap or two at one of the many lively bars down Rue d’Antibes.
This is where people head to if they want to indulge in some of Cannes vibrant nightlife. The street comes alive at night everyday and its a great place to stop at just to enjoy the vibe.
Take in some history at Fort Royal on Ile Sainte-Marguerite, and take a leisurely stroll along the island’s trails to appreciate the stunning views.
Later, head to the beach for a day of sunbathing, swimming, and snorkeling. You can’t spend 2 days in Cannes without indulging in the sandy coast of France!
Palais Des Festivals
Another great place to add to your 2 days in Cannes itinerary is the legendary Palais des Festivals.
Once you’re done exploring, take the ferry back and spend the rest of your day enjoying some of Cannes’ other attractions such as seeing the Palais des Festivals—the famous venue for the Cannes Film Festival— and having dinner at one of the many restaurants in Old Town.
Tips For Visiting Cannes
Last but not least, here are a few handy tips to keep in mind when visiting Cannes. After all, the smallest local tip can make a huge difference when you visit as a tourist. Like get you private access to a beach. Yes! I’m not kidding.
1- Have Lunch At One Of The Beach Clubs
If you love beaches then one of the best things to do during your 2 days in Cannes is to head to the beach clubs.
If you want to enjoy one of the many private beaches in Cannes, then consider having lunch at one of the beach clubs for access.
Some of the most trendy ones include La Plage Keller, La Plage Palm Beach, and La Plage Vague d’Or
2- Visit The Marché Forville For Some Delicious Local Produce
Don’t forget to add Marche Forville to your 2 day in Cannes itinerary.
The Marché Forville, located in the heart of Cannes’ old town, is a great place to get your hands on some fresh and flavorful local produce.
From fruits and vegetables to cheese and flowers, there’s something for everyone here!
3- Make Sure To Book Hotels In Advance
Cannes is a popular destination, so it’s always best to book your hotel in advance.
The peak season usually runs from May to August, and prices can skyrocket during this time so make sure to reserve early.
You can also choose to stay outside the city in a pinch but that means that you have to arrange transport for the entire of your 2 days in Cannes itinerary.
So do yourself a big favor. Book your hotels in advance!
4- Visit During The Cannes Film Festival For The Best Nightlife
Cannes is known for its incredible nightlife scene and the best time to experience it is during the Cannes Film Festival.
During this time, many of the bars and clubs are open till late and there are usually special events taking place.
Mind you, the city is insanely crowded during this time. You also have to book your hotels extra early because everyone wants to be in Cannes at this time of the year.
Oh and budget extra for your 2 days in Cannes itinerary during the Cannes film festival. People tend to get caught up in the festivities and spend extra.
What To Pack For Cannes?
When you’re packing for a trip to Cannes, it’s important to consider the climate and what activities you’ll be doing while there.
With its Mediterranean weather and seaside location, Cannes is an ideal destination for summer getaways, but also very sophisticated.
To ensure that you have everything you need, here are some of our top picks when it comes to items that should definitely make it into your suitcase!
Sun Protection
Most of the people who head to Cannes make sure to stop the beaches. After all, the beaches in Cannes are gorgeous and definitely worth the time of day. But if you are headed here make sure that you pack in some sun protection because it is really easy to get burnt in the sun.
Think of a good sunscreen that works well with your skin. I always advise testing a sunscreen out before your trip to make sure you have no allergies to the brand. This of course is when you are trying something new!
Trust me. A nice wide brimmed hat is the perfect accessory for Cannes. Not only does it give you that ultra trendy celebrity look, it also is perfect when it comes to shading you from the heat.
This is especially true in summer when the south coast of France can get really hot. So do yourself a favor and make sure that you pack a one for your 2 days in Cannes itinerary.
If youu haven’t decided which one yet, I would recommed checking out this wide brimmed straw hat. It is comes in a variety of colors so you can pick one that suits you best.
The really cool part however is the fact that you can roll it which makes it excellent for travel. Since it is designed to be rolled, it doesn’t lose its shape either which I personally consider a big win.
If you are headed to the beaches in Cannes, you should pack your beachwear. I particularly love the CUPSHE Women’s one piece swimsuit.
Not only does it come in a variety of different colors, I find that it fits a lot of different body types too!
Plus the white material is double lined so there is no fear of it turning transparent after a dip in the sea. It is perfect for one of the beaches in Cannes.
I always carry linen dresses or shirts when heading to a place like Cannes. They are super versatile.
You can wear them as a casual outfit to the beach or add a few accessories to make them look dressier for a night out on the town.
The downside is that you may have to iron out the creases for something more formal but its a small annoyance in the grand scheme of things.
One of the best linen dresses is the Grecerelle Women’s summer dress. I love the high slit and the loose airy feel that the dress has. It is easy to accessorize too! Plus it isn’t bulky so it takes limited place in a backpack or suitcase.
Know that you will be walking all over the place. Especially at the beaches. One of the best tips about visit Cannes that anyone will give you is to invest in a good pair of elegant and yet comfortable sandals. Comfortable being the key word here.
One of the best are the Megnya women’s sandals. They are study, look ultra cute and yet are comfortabkle enough that you won’t need a second pair of walking shoes.
Sunglasses are another great accessory to have in your bag when you visit Cannes. Not only does it help shade your eyes, it also looks really cool.
There are loads of different options. Shawn got his pair of Oakleys when we were in Dubai. I landed up taking them off him because I loved them so much. I love this Oakley pilot sunglasses because I love the gorgeous metal rim.
Plus you can get this same pair in so many different colors. So you can pick one that fits you perfectly.
A light jacket is perfect for cool nights. The Sofra Women’s thin cotton zip up is great because it comes in many colors and it can be paired with so many different outfits. Plus it works well in a great in both casual and semi-formal outfits.
⏰ In a rush and don’t know where to stay when visiting Cannes? Book a room at the Five Seas Hotel for a truly comfortable experience. 🏨
So there you have it—the perfect two days in Cannes! From exploring the city to discovering its stunning shorelines, we’re sure this itinerary will help make your stay a truly unforgettable experience.
This city has so much to offer and I am sure you will love it just as much as I do and want to come back many times. Bon voyage!
About The Author
Camila Neves is a nomad and solo travel blogger from Curitiba, Brazil. She believes that the world is too big to stay in one place and has lived in places like Banff, Alaska, and now France. Her favorite things include hiking, reading, and of course, traveling!
anukrati
Saturday 18th of February 2023
Cannes during the Cannes film festival would be an absolute delight.