View from a hill of Cannes harbour area.

How to Spend a Perfect Day in Cannes from Your Cruise Ship

ByAngela Price

Located on the French Riviera, Cannes is a popular cruise destination due to its compact size. It's easy to see most of the famous Cannes attractions in a day and have time on the beach without feeling rushed.

I visited the Cannes cruise port on my first Virgin Voyages Cruise (I have done three!) and thoroughly enjoyed my time exploring the quaint and charming old town district, Le Suquet. Originally, my day's itinerary included spending some time on the beach, but it was overcrowded, so I decided to skip it.

This area of Cannes, stretching from the port to the summit of the hill, overflows with charming cafes, pastel-coloured buildings, a stunning viewpoint at the Place de la Castre, and the historic Château de la Castre.

Back on the ground, the bustling Vieux Port - the old port - is where I did some people-watching over a chilled wine. I also marvelled at the superyachts, and visited the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, the venue where the world-famous Cannes International Film Festival is held annually in May.

So, has the Cannes cruise port piqued your interest? Continue reading for my recommendations, and discover why this iconic French seaside town attracts visitors and celebrities from around the world.

White wire sign saying Cannes high on the hill in Cannes.
Head to Place de la Castre to see the famous Cannes sign.

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What to do in Cannes in one day

  • Stroll the cobbled streets in Le Suquet.
  • Admire le Château de la Castre.
  • Visit l'Église Notre-Dame d'Espérance.
  • Uncover cultural history at Musée des Explorations du Monde.
  • Stop at a charming cafe for lunch.
  • Walk around Vieux Port.
  • Shop like a celebrity on Boulevard de la Croisette.
  • Visit Palais des Festivals et des Congrès.
  • Spend time on the beach.
A blue moped parked outside a tall building painted in pastel pink in Cannes.
See the pastel buildings in Le Suquet (Old Town).

Is Cannes Worth Visiting?

Yes, Cannes is worth visiting, because who doesn't want to experience one of the most talked-about places in the world? You can walk the ramparts of Cannes' historic Château de la Castre, snap a photo by a mega yacht in Cannes Harbour, or meander along the charming, cobbled streets of Le Suquet and enjoy the atmosphere. There’s a mix of old and new, with art galleries, luxury fashion stores, ancient monuments and sandy beaches just waiting to be discovered.

Ornate black metal cross on the hillside overlooking Cannes.
The hillside cross overlooking Le Suquet.

Cannes Cruise Itinerary

  • Morning
    • Immerse yourself in the historic district of Le Suquet. Brimming over with character from its narrow streets and hidden charm to its street art and calming vibe.
  • Afternoon
    • Explore the port, go window shopping along La Croisette, see the luxury hotels lining the seafront and visit the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès for a taste of red carpet treatment.
  • Early Evening
    • If your cruise timings allow for it, stop for a bite to eat at one of Cannes' restaurants, or head to Le Panorama rooftop bar at the JW Marriott, on the seafront. Savour a chilled glass of wine and watch the sunset. 
Red table cloths and umbrellas outside a restaurant in Cannes.
Enjoy lunch or dinner at one of Cannes' restaurants.

Places to Visit In Cannes

Le Suquet

Le Suquet is one of the oldest neighbourhoods in Cannes, with a distinct French flair. It's worth the walk up the (steep) hill from the port if only for the stunning views over Cannes from the top.

Steep stairs leading to the hilltop in Cannes.
Climb the stairs from the Old Port to Le Suquet hilltop.

From the Place de la Castre, you can stand beside the huge metal wire letters spelling out 'CANNES' and marvel at the view of the Bay of Cannes laid out before you.

White metal wire letter C on a plinth with views past it to Cannes harbour.
The views from the hill in Le Suquet are stunning.

Église Notre-Dame d'Espérance is found on the hill and dates back to the 17th century. It is the most important church in Cannes, attracting many visitors each year. Stroll along its ramparts, and you will reach Musée des Explorations du Monde.

This museum is situated within the historic Medieval ruins of the Lerins monastery and is home to a collection of antiques, Oriental, and primitive art. Outside its stone walls is a small garden, which was a nice shaded spot to sit, sheltered by pine trees. We even spotted our cruise liner from this vantage point.

Brick building with a French flag flying from its roof in Cannes.
Musée des Explorations du Monde.
A view of a cruise liner in the Bay of Cannes from the hillside.
Our Virgin Voyages Cruise Liner is moored out at sea.
A yellow painted house stands in the shadow of fir trees with a view to the sea in Cannes.
We found a shaded spot to sit by Musée des Explorations du Monde.

Place de la Castre

From the Mont Chevalier hilltop at Place de la Castre, the view over Cannes is iconic. You can see the Vieux Port, the beach, the Promenade de la Pantiero leading to the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, and the Massif de l'Esterel coastal mountain range surrounding Cannes. Even though I was worn out when I reached the top, it was worth it to capture this image.

View from a hill of Cannes harbour area.
REstaurant with tables and chairs outside and blue awning saying Le Suquet.
Cobbled streets in Le Suquet.
Restaurant with outdoor seating in Cannes.
A pretty French restaurant in Le Suquet.
Pastel pink and yellow buildings line the streets in Le Suquet Cannes.
Pastel pink and yellow buildings line the streets in Le Suquet.
Angie dressed in shorts and a t-shirt posing against the yellow wall of a house in Cannes.
Here I am posing in Le Suquet.
Pastel painted buildings in Le Suquet.
Pastel coloured buildings line Le Suquet's cobbled streets.

Suquet des Arts - Résidence d'artistes

Once you have made your way down from the hilltop and have walked along the streets of Le Suquet (and maybe treated yourself to an ice-cream to cool off), you will arrive at Suquet des Arts. This is a quirky art centre with a mix of sculpture and canvas art to see. There is a fee to enter, and we were the only ones there. If you're into alternative art, then pay a visit; otherwise, you probably won't enjoy it.

Angie holding an ice cream in a pot with a spoon sticking out of it in Cannes.
Wall mural of a man in a raincoat holding an umbrella with a small boy. They are both looking at advertisement posters on a wall.
Mural on a wall by Suquet des Arts.
Entrance to Suquet des Arts in Cannes.
Suquet des Arts.
Terracotta building with a colourful sculpture of a cow outside it at Suquet des Arts in Cannes.
Suquet des Arts.

Spend time on the beach in Cannes

Cannes is part of the French Riviera, and as such, you can expect sandy beaches and relatively warm waters; however, be prepared for crowds, especially on days when boats dock in the Cannes cruise port.

We originally planned to spend some time on the beach, but upon arrival, it was quite busy and off-putting. Please bear this in mind when visiting for the day. Alternatively, you can pay an entrance fee to one of the Cannes beach clubs and have a more private experience.

Crowded beach scene in Cannes.

Best Cannes Tours To Book Independently
Ferry From Cannes To Saint Marguerite Island.
Cannes City Tour In A Vintage Bus.
Cannes Half-Day Catamaran Cruise With Lunch

My final thoughts on Cannes

After spending a lovely, if not sweltering hot, day in Cannes, I can say it's worth visiting. It’s a town bursting with energy and vibrant colour—one that has effortlessly embraced modern luxury without sacrificing an ounce of Le Suquet’s historic charm.

Need help planning your next holiday?
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