Cannes isn’t just film premieres and red carpets. Beyond the Palais des Festivals, you’ll find a medieval old town, two car-free islands with eucalyptus forests, a food market that’s been running since 1934, and some of the best people-watching on the French Riviera. This things to do in Cannes guide covers everything from the obvious to the overlooked, with practical details like opening hours and ticket prices.
Iconic Cannes Landmarks and Sights
La Croisette Boulevard
The 2-kilometer palm-lined promenade is Cannes’ defining feature, stretching from the Palais des Festivals to Port Pierre Canto. Walk the entire length in about 25 minutes, passing designer boutiques (Dior, Chanel, Gucci), Belle Époque hotels (the Carlton, Martinez, Majestic), and private beaches. The best photo spot is from the halfway point looking back toward the old port with the Suquet hill in the background. Free and open 24/7. The evening promenade, when the bay lights reflect on the water, is the classic Cannes experience.
Palais des Festivals et des Congrès
The bunker-like concrete building on the western end of La Croisette is where the Cannes Film Festival happens each May. Outside of festival periods, you can walk up the famous 24 red-carpeted steps for a photo (free), though the building itself is a convention center with no public interior access outside of events. The Allée des Étoiles (Walk of Fame) outside has handprints of film stars including Meryl Streep, Quentin Tarantino, and Catherine Deneuve pressed into paving stones. Guided tours of the building run occasionally; check at the tourist office across the street for availability.
Le Suquet (Old Town)
The original Cannes, perched on a hill west of the port. Narrow cobblestone streets wind up past pastel-shuttered houses to the Église Notre-Dame d’EspĂ©rance (built 1521-1627). The church square delivers the best panoramic view of the Bay of Cannes and the EstĂ©rel mountains. Below the church, the MusĂ©e de la Castre occupies a former monastery with an eclectic collection including pre-Columbian art, Himalayan artifacts, and Provençal landscape paintings. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10:00-13:00 and 14:00-18:00 (closed Mondays). Entry €6. At the hill’s base, Rue Saint-Antoine is the old town’s restaurant street with traditional Provençal cooking.
Islands and Nature Day Trips
ĂŽles de LĂ©rins
Two car-free islands sit just 15 minutes offshore by ferry. ĂŽle Sainte-Marguerite (the larger one) is covered in eucalyptus and Aleppo pine forest with marked walking trails. Its main attraction is the Fort Royal, a 17th-century prison where the Man in the Iron Mask was held for 11 years. You can visit his cell. The fort also houses the MusĂ©e de la Mer with Roman shipwreck artifacts. Entry to the fort and museum is €6.50. ĂŽle Saint-Honorat has been home to Cistercian monks since the 5th century. The active monastery produces wine and liqueur you can buy at the gift shop. Visit the fortified 11th-century monastery on the island’s southern tip. The monks hold seven daily services; visitors are welcome to attend. Ferries depart from Quai Laubeuf (Vieux Port) and cost €15 round-trip to Sainte-Marguerite, €17 to Saint-Honorat. Combined tickets available. The Cannes neighborhoods guide has more on the port area and how to reach the ferry terminal.
Massif de l’EstĂ©rel
The red volcanic rock of the EstĂ©rel mountains rises immediately west of Cannes, offering hiking trails, mountain biking routes, and the scenic Corniche d’Or coastal road. The GR51 hiking trail cuts through the range. Drive 20 minutes west on the D6098 for trailheads at ThĂ©oule-sur-Mer and Agay. The views back toward Cannes and across to the Alps on clear days are worth the climb. Free access to all trails. The Cannes weather by month guide helps pick the best hiking months (April-June and September-October are ideal).
Beaches and Water Activities
Plage de la Croisette
The main beach strip runs the entire length of La Croisette, split between private beach clubs (northern section) and a narrow public beach (southern end). Private clubs like Plage du Festival, Plage Macé, and Carlton Beach Club charge €25-45 for a sun lounger for the day including towel service, showers, and restaurant access. They open April through October. The public section is free but gets crowded by 10:00 in summer. Sand is fine and golden, imported and replenished annually. Water quality is excellent with Blue Flag certification.
Plage du Midi and Plage de la Bocca
For more space and a less manicured experience, head west of the old port. Plage du Midi is a wide public sand beach popular with locals, with volleyball courts and a more relaxed vibe. Continue further west to Plage de la Bocca for even more space. Both are free, have public showers and toilets in summer, and are served by bus lines 1, 2, and 20 from central Cannes. Water sports rentals (kayaks, paddleboards, jet skis) operate at Plage du Midi from June to September. Paddleboard rental from €15/hour.
Markets and Shopping
Marché Forville
Cannes’ covered food market has operated since 1934 at the western edge of Le Suquet. Open Tuesday through Sunday, 7:00-13:00 (closes 12:30 in winter). Monday is antiques and bric-a-brac instead of food. Inside you’ll find Provençal produce: socca (chickpea flatbread), pissaladière (onion tart), fresh goat cheeses from the arrière-pays, olives, tapenade, and seasonal fruits. Prices are local, not tourist-inflated. Several small restaurants ring the market square for post-shopping lunch. The market is a 5-minute walk from the Cannes train station.
Museums and Culture
Musée de la Castre
Housed in the medieval Château de la Castre atop Le Suquet, this museum holds a surprising collection of musical instruments from around the world, pre-Columbian ceramics, and 19th-century Provençal landscape paintings by local artists. The climb to the square tower gives the best view in Cannes: a 360-degree panorama of the bay, the Estérel, and on clear days, the Alps. Open Tuesday-Sunday. Entry €6, free first Sunday of each month.
Malmaison Art Center
A small contemporary art space in a 19th-century villa on La Croisette (no. 47), formerly a tearoom. Rotating exhibitions focus on modern and contemporary artists, often with a Riviera connection. Free entry. Open daily except Tuesday, hours vary by exhibition.
Evening Activities and Entertainment
Casino Barrière Le Croisette
One of three casinos in Cannes, this is the largest and most famous. Located in the Palais des Festivals complex. Slot machines, table games, and a poker room. Entry requires ID (passport for non-EU visitors) and a €15 entry fee for the games room. Dress code: smart casual (no shorts or flip-flops after 20:00). Open daily 10:00 to 04:00 (03:00 Sunday through Thursday).
For trip planning, the best time to visit Cannes guide covers seasonal activities and when each attraction is at its best. The Cannes travel tips guide has transport details for reaching the islands, Estérel, and all attractions listed here.
