2 Days Cannes Itinerary for a Perfect Weekend
Do you want to go on a weekend in Cannes?
To help you organize your short stay on the French Riviera, I have prepared a detailed 2 days Cannes itinerary for you.
You will find the program there with all the things to see each day and ideas for activities to try. Thanks to my advice, you will make the most of these 2 days in Cannes!
At the end of the article, I also give you my selection of hotels where to stay during your weekend in Cannes according to your desires (luxury, Spa, seaside or low budget) and a map with the circuit to follow each day.
So, what to do and see on a weekend in Cannes?
The best itinerary to spend 2 days in Cannes
Let’s get down to business with my Cannes 2 days itinerary.
Day 1: Walk in Cannes
2 Dyas in Cannes: itinerary day 1A. The Croisette
We begin this 2 days Cannes itinerary by the mythical avenue of the city: the Croisette.
Lined with palm trees, this long promenade, famous throughout the world, runs along the seaside and provides access to several beautiful sandy beaches. Along with the Promenade des Anglais, in Nice, it is one of the most famous boulevards on the Côte d’Azur.
All around the Croisette, you will also find luxury boutiques, if you want to do some shopping during your weekend in Cannes.
During your walk on the Croisette, you can also admire the most beautiful palaces in Cannes such as the Majestic Barrière hotel, the Martinez hotel or the Intercontinental Carlton Cannes (I tell you about them in detail in the “Where to sleep” section). .
It is in these emblematic hotels that the biggest international stars stay during the Cannes Film Festival, which takes place every year in May.
You will have understood it, strolling on the Croisette is really the essential activity to do in a weekend in Cannes!
Tips for your Cannes itinerary:
To explore the Croisette and discover the other districts of Cannes, you can also choose a very nice and trendy activity: a segway tour.
For 1 or 2 hours, you can visit Cannes accompanied by your guide. He is super friendly and knows every corner of the city!
Book your Cannes segway tour here.
B. The Palais des Festivals in Cannes
Speaking of the festival, know that it is held every year in the same place: at the Palais des Festivals, which is also on the Croisette. This is where the prestigious Palme d’Or is awarded, rewarding the best film in the selection.
You can also put yourself in the place of the stars and people by climbing the famous red steps of the palace to live your little moment of glory.
You will certainly miss the diamond adornment and the hundreds of photographers but you will at least have your souvenir photo at the very place where Leonardo di Caprio or Angelina Jolie stood!
On the Croisette, at the forecourt of the Palais des Festivals and along the Georges Pompidou esplanade, you can also discover the handprints of the greatest directors, actors and celebrities. It’s the same principle as the Walk of Fame in Los Angeles.
Tips for your Cannes itinerary:
Take advantage of your visit to the Palais des Festivals to pick up a map of the city from the Cannes tourist office.
C. The Old Port
Continue your weekend in Cannes along the Quai du Vieux-Port, located just after the Palais des Festivals.
You will undoubtedly be able to admire many yachts there , each one more luxurious than the other.
The Old Port also hosts several festivals throughout the year, including the “Royal Regatta”, an exceptional sailing race or the international yachting festival where hundreds of boats are presented.
The Old Port sector is also the ideal place to have lunch. You will find good fish and seafood restaurants there, perfect for enjoying an excellent meal during this romantic weekend in France.
Tips for your Cannes itinerary:
If you are looking for a nice rooftop where you can have a drink at the end of the day, I recommend the terrace of the Radisson Blu Hotel & Thalasso, located at the end of the Quai Saint-Pierre.
Go there just before sunset to enjoy the view of the Old Port, the Croisette and the Lérins Islands in the distance.
The Radisson is also a very good choice of hotel where to sleep during your weekend in Cannes. You can consult the rates and make your reservation by clicking here.
D. The Suquet
I then suggest that you continue the walk with the district to see absolutely in a weekend in Cannes: the Suquet.
Dominating the Old Port, the oldest district of Cannes offers an unobstructed view of the Croisette and the bay.
To get there on foot, first pass in front of the fresco entitled “Cinéma Cannes” which refers to the cinematographic history of the city.
Then following rue du Mont Chevalier, you will pass at the foot of the Iron Mask Tower, where legend has it that the man in the iron mask took refuge after his escape from Île Sainte-Marguerite.
Continuing a little further, you will arrive at the place de la Castre which allows you to contemplate a beautiful view of the city. On the square, you can visit the Notre-Dame de l’Esperance church and the Castre museum.
It exhibits collections of Provencal painting, antiques, primitive art and musical instruments.
Located in an old castle, the museum also houses the square tower, where you will have the opportunity to climb to the top and enjoy the panorama.
E. The Cross of the Guards
To end the first day of your 2 days Cannes itinerary, I suggest 2 ideas:
1) Do some shopping in the main shopping streets of the city: rue d’ Antibes, the Carré d’Or (between the Croisette and rue d’Antibes) or even rue Meynadier.
2) Climb up to Croix-des-Gardes, a natural park with several trails and belvederes allowing you to enjoy the view.
From Le Suquet, it takes about 40 minutes on foot to reach the park and only 10 minutes by car. You can park at the Croix des Gardes car park.
By public transport : take bus n°10 (Le Riou stop) for about 10 minutes to the Suffren stop. From there, it is about a 20-minute walk to reach the parking lot and the start of the trails.
Day 2: The Lérins Islands
A. Day at the Lérins Islands
Visiting Cannes in a weekend gives you time, for the second day of your Cannes itinerary, to discover the Lérins Islands.
You had a small glimpse of it the previous day but today I suggest you spend the day there.
The setting is ideal for enjoying nature and swimming in very beautiful corners. Not to mention that the islands are pedestrianized and you can therefore walk there in peace.
If you have decided to go to Cannes for the weekend with your children, this is really the ideal place. There are plenty of small places set up to picnic in the shade.
The Lérins Islands archipelago is divided into 2 islands:
1) Sainte-Marguerite Island, which is the largest.
It takes about 3 hours of walking if you want to go all the way around. The trail through the pine forest is super nice and there are several places to stop for a swim.
Between the picnic, photo breaks and swimming, you can easily spend the day there.
On the island, you can also visit Fort Royal (6€) where the sea museum is located. There are also 2/3 small restaurants and snack bars if you haven’t planned a picnic.
2) Île Saint-Honorat which houses a 5th century abbey still occupied by monks and which can be visited.
Saint-Honorat is much smaller than Sainte-Marguerite. The walking tour takes 1 hour.
To go to the Lérins Islands, you must take the boat at the end of the Old Port.
Please note that there is a different shuttle for each island. You wo n’t be able to transfer between the islands(yes I know, it’s bad damn).
Which means that it is not really possible to do both in the same day, because you will have to come back to Cannes after the first island and take the boat for the second, when there are only crossings once per hour.
If you have to choose, I recommend that you visit Sainte-Marguerite instead.
And to be sure to have space on the boat at the time that suits you, I strongly advise you to book your tickets in advance.
Tips for your Cannes itinerary:
If you want to discover the Lérins Islands in a small group and spend a more VIP day, I advise you to opt for a catamaran cruise around the islands.
You can also swim and enjoy a lunch served on the boat. The maximum is 15 participants to be sure to have a relaxing and friendly time.
You will find all the information about this cruise and you can book it by clicking here.
And if you want a slightly more sporty version, to go around the Lérins Islands, you can also opt for kayak rental. So you can stop swimming whenever you want!
Extended weekend in Cannes
If you have the chance to visit Cannes in a long weekend of 3 days, the last day, you can take the opportunity to visit the surroundings.
You have several options:
1) Take a sea shuttle to reach the most jet-set city around: Saint-Tropez. Discover its citadel and the ultra trendy beach of Pampelonne.
Book your return boat trip to Saint-Tropez here.
2) Discover the world capital of perfume: Grasse.
If you don’t have a car, the easiest way is to choose the excursion with transport and guide including the visit of Grasse, the Fragornard perfumery factory + discovery of the medieval village of Valbonne + fortress of Gourdon.
3) Visit Monaco.
To organize your visit, I advise you to read my dedicated article right here: The complete guide to visiting Monaco .
Here too it is possible to book an organized excursion with transport and guide. Here are the 2 types of outings offered:
- Half a day in Monaco + visit to the charming village of Eze
- An evening in Monaco in a small group to enjoy the lively atmosphere of the Place du Casino and why not try your luck at the slot machines.
4) Visit Nice, accessible in just 45 minutes by car or 35 minutes by train from Cannes.
You will find all the information about the best things to do in Nice right here: What to do and see in Nice?
5) Only 15 minutes by train, go to the charming little town of Antibes.
All the things to see are in my article: What to do in Antibes?
6) Book a private boat trip from Cannes
In my opinion, this is the best way to make the most of your day at sea in Cannes!
Rent a boat with a skipper, and he will take care of taking you to the most beautiful corners of the Côte d’Azur.
Motor boat, sailboat, catamaran or even yacht: it’s up to you to choose the boat that suits you to spend a dream day!
Other activity ideas to do during 2 days in Cannes
If you want to modify this program a bit and add other activities and ideas for your 2 days in Cannes, I have prepared some suggestions for you.
Here are some examples of other things to do for a short stay in Cannes:
- A trip to the Forville covered market to stock up on local products
- Book a guided e-bike tour of the main areas of Cannes
- Fly over Cannes in a small private plane and enjoy superb panoramas
- A 3-hour catamaran cruise with swimming and snorkeling
- Discovery of the Esterel creeks in a zodiac and swimming stop
- 2-hour tour of Cannes by Vespa passing through the Croisette, the Old Port and the Suquet.
Tips for your Cannes itinerary:
Looking for more ideas for things to do in Cannes? Feel free to read my full article: What to do in Cannes?
Weekend ideas in Cannes: where to stay?
There you go, now you know what to do in a weekend in Cannes!
It’s time to take the next step to organize your stay on the French Riviera: book your accommodation.
In order to help you finish preparing for your 2 dyas in Cannes, I have selected the best hotels in the city.
Here are my ideal weekend ideas for a short romantic getaway on the Croisette.
If you prefer to sleep in Nice, you will find my selection of the best hotels in Nice by clicking here.
Luxury weekend in Cannes
For a luxury weekend in Cannes, I recommend spending the night in the city’s emblematic hotel : the Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic.
This 5* establishment is located just in front of the sea, on the mythical Boulevard de la Croisette, which is very convenient for following the itinerary that I have prepared for you.
The very comfortable and warm rooms, equipped with large bay windows, most of them offer a panoramic view of Cannes and the Mediterranean Sea.
For this romantic getaway in Cannes in an exceptional setting, you will also enjoy top-of-the-range services to relax: a heated outdoor swimming pool, a Spa and wellness center as well as free access to the hotel’s private beach. hotel.
For lunch or dinner, I also recommend that you try one of the 3 restaurants : traditional French cuisine is honored at Fouquet’s, while Paradiso will make you (re)discover Italian flavors.
And for a romantic atmosphere by the sea, settle in at the BFire located directly on the private beach.
It’s the best choice for a luxury weekend in Cannes!
To book the night, you can click here!
Spa weekend in Cannes
For a well-being and relaxation-oriented stay, I suggest a Spa weekend in Cannes, at the Five Seas Hotel.
This 5* establishment has an excellent location, a hundred meters from the beaches of La Croisette and the Palais des Festivals.
It offers you a spa area, ideal for lounging in the sauna or hammam and enjoying excellent massages or beauty treatments.
You will also have access to the outdoor swimming pool heated all year round at 28° and located on the rooftop.
The hotel also has a restaurant located on the 5th floor which offers a beautiful view of the old town.
And to stay in the spirit of well-being, some suites also have a private hot tub.
To book your spa weekend in Cannes, just click here.
Weekend by the sea in Cannes
If you want to spend a weekend by the sea in Cannes and experience the life of the stars with a short stay on the Croisette, I have selected the InterContinental Carlton hotel for you.
This beautiful 5* establishment has a superb location, just in front of the magnificent bay of Cannes.
You will only have to cross the avenue to access the private beach and sit comfortably on your deckchair with a small cocktail to have a good time.
You will stay in elegant rooms, with refined decoration offering a view of the center of Cannes or the sea.
To book this weekend by the sea in Cannes, you just have to click here.
Cheap weekend in Cannes
I end this selection of hotels with some inexpensive weekend ideas in Cannes.
I found you some establishments that offer a great price/performance ratio:
- Hôtel l’Esterel: located 400 meters from the Croisette. Double room from €55, breakfast included. Most: the terrace with glass roof located on the roof to have breakfast, the welcoming staff. A good choice for a cheap weekend in Cannes!
- Hotel La Villa Tosca: located 5 minutes walk from the Croisette. Recently renovated double room from €70, breakfast €13. Most: the location in the city center, proximity to the station to get around, hospitality. This is the best choice if you are looking for a cheap hotel in Cannes!
- Okko Hotels Cannes Centre : located 100 meters from the train station and 5 minutes walk from the Croisette. Modern and bright double room from €90, breakfast at €14. Most: the aperitif dinner offered every evening, the calm, the location.
- Best Western Premier Mondial: located in rue d’Antibes. Warm and comfortable double room from €110, breakfast €20. Most: the excellent breakfast, the comfort of the beds.
Map of your weekend in Cannes
To help you visualize your itineraries during this weekend in Cannes, I made you a map listing the places to visit day by day. You can display the map legend by clicking on the top left button with a small arrow.
You will then be able to view the routes for each day.
When to go for a weekend in Cannes?
You can go on a weekend in Cannes at any time of the year.
The sun is almost always out and the temperatures in the South of France are still quite mild all year round.
If you have chosen to spend a weekend in Cannes in winter, you should still expect a city that is a little dead and less lively than Nice for example, even if the shops and restaurants are open.
Shuttles to the Lérins Islands are available all year round.
If you want to enjoy the beach, it is definitely better to leave in July-August, but, as everywhere, it is the high tourist season, so there are a lot of people.
For me, the best time to go for a weekend in Cannes are the months of May-June and September-October. Less hot, fewer people, and this short stay will be perfect!
Pay attention to the date of the Cannes Film Festival, in May. It can be a little tricky to find a hotel and some areas/roads may be cordoned off for the comfort of stars.
Are you looking for other travel ideas in France? Also to read
Discover all our articles on French cities : all articles on France are listed here.
- Antibes: the 17 best things to do
- Avignon: the 10 must-see places
- Cannes: top 17 best things to do
- Nice: 15 Things to do and see absolutely
- Weekend in Marseille – Recommended itinerary + hotels
- Weekend in Monaco – Recommended itinerary + hotels
- Weekend in Nice – Recommended itinerary + hotels
