Cannes covers a small area: a bay opening onto the Lérins Islands, the Croisette and its grand hotels, the hill of Le Suquet where fishermen once lived, and neighbourhoods climbing towards the villas of California.
Choosing where to stay in Cannes is mostly about choosing a pace: the buzz of the Croisette, the lanes of the old town or a quieter neighbourhood. We have selected the places in this guide one by one; find the full list on our page of hotels in Cannes.
Which neighbourhood to choose in Cannes
The city is compact, but each neighbourhood has its own character:
- The Croisette: grand hotels, private and public beaches, and the Palais des Festivals; the liveliest area.
- The centre, between Rue d'Antibes and the train station: everything is within walking distance, making it a good choice if you're arriving by train.
- Le Suquet, the Old Port and Forville: the old town, the covered market and the departure point for boats to Lérins.
- California and the hills: villas and bay views, but steep streets.
- La Bocca, to the west: a quieter residential neighbourhood with its own beaches and train station.
For a weekend, the centre is hard to beat: from the morning market to dinner by the port, everything is within walking distance. Note that a major redevelopment of the Croisette is under way in sections until the end of 2028, with work suspended during the Festival in May.
On the Croisette and in the centre
Two central places to stay, at very different scales.
Carlton Cannes, a Regent Hotel
Its Belle Époque façade is part of the Croisette's scenery, and the hotel embraces its palace status: a private beach, heated outdoor pool, spa, gym and several restaurants. Pets are welcome. Come for the place itself, festival buzz included.
Hôtel de Provence
A three-star hotel in the centre, with a garden, patio and bar, just a few minutes' walk from the Croisette, the beaches and the Palais des Festivals. The studios with kitchenettes are well suited to stays of several days. Pets are not accepted.
Guesthouses and characterful homes
For a more personal stay, three homes where the welcome matters as much as the location.
B&B Villa Du Roc Fleuri
A guesthouse with a garden and terrace, just a few minutes from Forville Market, Le Suquet and the beaches: a good base for exploring the old town on foot. Breakfast, continental or à la carte, is served at a leisurely pace, and pets are welcome. Ideal for couples who prefer a home to a hotel.
Cannes Villa St Barth
A five-star guesthouse that feels like a small hotel for a relaxing stay: a tropical garden, heated pool, wellness area, restaurant and suites looking out towards the sea and the Lérins Islands. Pets are welcome. For those who would rather spend the afternoon by the pool than pack in the sightseeing.
Ideal Sejour Cannes - Hôtel de Charme
A charming three-star hotel where each room is decorated around a cultural theme, with a Mediterranean garden where breakfast is served. Free public parking nearby makes arriving by car easier, and pets are welcome.
In La Bocca, on the western side
West of the centre, La Bocca has retained its neighbourhood feel, with beaches and its own station on the coastal railway line.
Chambres d'hôtes Villa Prétorina
A guesthouse in the La Bocca neighbourhood, with an air-conditioned family suite overlooking the garden and a continental or English breakfast. It suits families and anyone looking for the peace and quiet of a residential area. Allow time for a train or bus ride to the Croisette; pets are not accepted.
What to see in Cannes
Start in Le Suquet: Rue Saint-Antoine climbs towards Notre-Dame-d'Espérance church and the Château de la Castre, whose tower overlooks the bay. The château houses the Museum of World Explorations, formerly the Musée de la Castre: Oceanian and Himalayan art, Mediterranean antiquities and musical instruments. Check opening times before making the climb: the museum sometimes closes for renovation work.
At the foot of the hill, Forville Market sets the scene for local food, with greengrocers, cheesemongers and fish stalls. From there, follow the Old Port to the Palais des Festivals, then take the Croisette as far as Port Canto.
Set aside a day for the Lérins Islands, served daily by boats departing from the Old Port. On Sainte-Marguerite, the Fort Royal houses the Museum of the Iron Mask and Fort Royal, and the island's pine-shaded paths are made for walking. Smaller Saint-Honorat belongs to the monks of Lérins Abbey, who grow vines there.
Nearby
- Antibes and Juan-les-Pins: ramparts and the Picasso Museum, on the other side of the bay.
- Mougins: a hilltop village above Cannes (see our places to stay in Mougins).
- Grasse: the perfume capital, in the hinterland.
- The Esterel Massif: red rock and coves between Théoule-sur-Mer and Saint-Raphaël.
When to visit Cannes
May, June and September are the most pleasant months. In Cannes, however, the calendar matters more than the weather: the 2027 Cannes Film Festival will take place from 11 to 22 May, while trade shows, from MIPIM in spring to MIPCOM in October, fill the city. During these weeks, book well ahead or change your dates.
In summer, the bay hosts the Festival of Pyrotechnic Art, held since 1967: several evenings of fireworks in July and August. In September, the Cannes Yachting Festival takes over the Old Port and Port Canto. In winter, the mild weather makes it possible to explore the city without the crowds.
How to get there and get around
Cannes train station, right in the centre, has direct TGV services from Paris and TER trains along the coast, towards Nice and Ventimiglia in one direction and Saint-Raphaël in the other, as well as the Grasse line. From Nice Côte d'Azur Airport, the ZOU! network's express bus 81 goes to Cannes.
Once there, the centre, the Croisette and Le Suquet are easy to explore on foot; to reach La Bocca, take the train or a Palm Bus city bus. A car is useful mainly for exploring the hinterland and the Esterel. Find more destinations on our Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur page.
Cannes is part of our guide to where to stay in Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur. To compare it with nearby towns, also read where to stay in Antibes, between the ramparts and Cap d'Antibes, where to stay in Grasse, in the perfume hinterland, and where to stay in Saint-Raphaël, at the foot of the Esterel.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the questions that come up when planning a stay in Cannes.
What is the best neighbourhood to stay in Cannes?
For most travellers, it's the centre, between the Croisette, Rue d'Antibes and the Old Port: beaches, restaurants, the train station and boats to the Lérins Islands are just a few minutes' walk away. Le Suquet and the area around Forville Market appeal to those who enjoy old streets. The hills of California offer bay views but involve some climbing, while La Bocca, to the west, suits families.
Can you stay in Cannes without a car?
Yes, and it's actually easier. The train station is right in the centre, with direct TGV trains from Paris and TER services to Nice, Saint-Raphaël and Grasse, while the ZOU! network's express bus 81 connects Nice Côte d'Azur Airport with Cannes. The Croisette, the centre and Le Suquet are all within walking distance, and boats to Lérins leave from the Old Port. A car is only useful for the hinterland and the Esterel.
How do you get to the Lérins Islands from Cannes?
Boats leave Cannes's Old Port every day for the two islands,. The larger Sainte-Marguerite is easy to explore on foot: pine-shaded trails, small coves and the Fort Royal, which houses the Museum of the Iron Mask and Fort Royal. Saint-Honorat is home to the monks of Lérins Abbey, who tend a vineyard there. Set aside a day, and bring water and comfortable walking shoes.
Should you avoid Cannes during the Festival?
It depends on what you're looking for. The 2027 Cannes Film Festival will run from 11 to 22 May: the Croisette gets very crowded, and rooms are booked months in advance. If you want to see the city at its liveliest, it's the time to go; for beaches and a quieter stay, choose June or September. Also bear major trade shows in mind, such as Cannes Lions in June or MIPCOM in October.
Is Cannes suitable for families and travellers with a pet?
Yes. Families will find a guesthouse with a family suite in a quiet part of La Bocca, while the kitchenette studios at a central hotel make longer stays easier. Several places in this guide accept pets, from a grand hotel on the Croisette to a guesthouse near Forville Market, but not all of them do. Check each property's policy before booking.
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