A major seaside resort known for its famous boulevard de la Croisette and its film festival, Cannes is an ideal destination for a stay. The southern climate is another major advantage! A cultural and tourist mecca, the city attracts millions of visitors every year and is one of France’s most popular destinations. Enjoy sandy beaches, discover the world of cinema or admire the world’s most beautiful palaces – all this is possible during a stay in Cannes.
Even if the destination is very popular, the options for accommodation in Cannes are numerous. Le Suquet to discover its historical aspect, the center to fully experience the Cannes atmosphere, and so on. This guide will therefore focus on the main areas to stay in the famous seaside resort. For each of them, we’ll indicate their interest as well as recommendations for accommodation classified by budget.
Key information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting your accommodation in Cannes, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view. This should give you a better idea of the city and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Cannes:
- $ this establishment offers attractive prices just a stone’s throw from rue d’Antibes.
- $$ this hotel, very well located, offers good value for money.
- $$$ this palace offers one of the largest private beaches on the croisette.
Map of different areas to stay in Cannes
To give you a quick overview of the different places we recommend to stay in Cannes, you’ll find on the map below all the Cannes accommodation recommendations we’ll be sharing in this guide. You can also use it to locate the different neighborhoods we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay in Cannes
Where to stay in and around Cannes
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Cannes.
Stay in the heart of Cannes
This is the most popular area of Cannes for tourists. A large number of visitors stay in this part of town to make the most of the Cannes atmosphere. The area is particularly popular for its small shopping streets and markets. What's more, the Plage du Midi is just a few minutes' walk away.
So it's in the center of town that you'll be able to soak up all the atmosphere of Provence. The district owes much of its charm to the markets held here every day. The Forville and Gambetta markets are the best-known, and a must-see during your stay in Cannes.
Not far away, you'll also find the Rue d'Antibes, with its many luxury boutiques: perfumeries, designer labels and more. Alternatively, in a completely different atmosphere, rue Meynadier is home to a number of stalls, clothing stores and small souvenir stores. It's a shopper's paradise!
Of course, there are cafés, bars and restaurants around every corner. You'll be able to sample some of the best local specialties, such as grilled southern vegetables, rock fish and pissaladière.
When it comes to accommodation, you'll find plenty to stay in. The price range is quite wide. In short, there are a lot of posh hotels and others that are much more affordable. So it's easy to find an interesting place to stay right in the center of town!
€
The establishment is just a few steps from the famous Rue d'Antibes. It offers family rooms at very affordable rates.
€€
This 4-star rooftop restaurant is just a few meters from Cannes train station. Every day, Okko serves meals made with fresh, local produce.
€€€
4-star hotel located 200 meters from the seafront. Spacious rooms with city or garden views.
Le Suquet, a charming place to stay in Cannes
The historic Suquet district, located on Mont-Chevalier, is undoubtedly the most charming place in Cannes. From the summit, you can admire an impressive panorama of the Old Port and the bay. The quiet, Provencal atmosphere of Le Suquet makes it the ideal place to stay.
Staying in this part of Cannes requires a great deal of forethought when it comes to booking accommodation. There are very few offers to stay here, and places are quickly snapped up when summer arrives! Nevertheless, there are several options for staying in this charming area. Note that you'll need a certain budget to stay in this area.
This is the picturesque heart of Cannes, and was once the commune's main hub. Today, the remains of medieval times can still be seen, notably the large Notre-Dame d'Espérance church, which is open to visitors. The Musée des Explorations du Monde, a medieval castle belonging to the monks of Lérins, is just a stone's throw away. To reach these historic sites, simply follow the route around the citadel.
The alleys of Le Suquet are uniquely styled, with lively traditional taverns and restaurants. There are also many stalls and small souvenir stores. This part of Cannes is only accessible on foot, which has the advantage of making the area very quiet. There is no access by car. However, the Forville parking lot offers easy parking at the foot of Le Suquet.
€€
Le Traverse des Artistes offers fully-equipped accommodation with a terrace. The apartment hotel serves a continental breakfast every morning.
€€€
This 4-star hotel offers an unobstructed view of the bay. The rooms have been designed to be harmonious and cosy.
Accommodation on the Croisette, a must in Cannes
This world-famous boulevard, which separates the beach from the city, is a landmark in Cannes. It is the main attraction on the coast, attracting many visitors every year.
There is limited accommodation where to stay. Of course, you'll need a fairly substantial budget to stay in this part of Cannes. After all, this is where you'll find the biggest luxury hotels.
The Promenade is home to many of Cannes' must-see landmarks. These include the famous Palais des Festivals, where the world of cinema is celebrated every year. Not to mention the emblematic steps and red carpet that many stars have walked on. Along the Croisette, you can also admire colorful art galleries and luxury boutiques. On the seafront, you can enjoy the beach and the private clubs attached to the palaces located just a few steps away: Carlton, Martinez, Majestic Barrière, Mariott...
Staying in this part of Cannes also means enjoying the resort's nightlife. Several trendy clubs are regularly open, and a number of events such as festivals are offered, particularly during the summer months.
All in all, La Croisette is a really pleasant place to stay, even if it's reserved for people on a fairly large budget. And if you can't afford to stay in this area, you can always stay in the center, just a few minutes' walk away!
€€€
This famous palace is appreciated for its large private beach, right on the Croisette. Outdoor pool, spa, wellness center and gym are all available.
€€€
5-star establishment located on the Boulevard de la Croisette. Its rooms are spacious and modern. It features a private beach, spa, swimming pool, 3 restaurants and a bar.
Stay at La Californie Pezou, Cannes chic
This large, hilltop area overlooks the Bay of Cannes. Renowned for its chic, upmarket feel, Californie Pezou is also known as the quietest area in Cannes. It's not necessarily affordable, and accommodation can be quite expensive. If you've got the budget for it, you'll be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding the perfect place to stay. If not, it's always possible to find a few more affordable options.
Thanks to its ideal hilltop location in Cannes, Californie Pezou attracts many affluent people. This is where you'll find some of the most beautiful villas in Cannes! The district is also committed to environmental protection, and is home to a large number of green spaces.
There are a number of monuments to visit, including the Villa Alexandra house, a listed historic monument. There's also the famous Saint-Michel-Archange church, one of Cannes' architectural treasures.
Although the area is not located in Cannes itself, it is very well served by public transport. Buses run regularly between Californie Pezou and the center. If you're driving, note that the journey takes less than 10 minutes.
€€
Situated close to various places of interest, this establishment is nevertheless in a quiet, pleasant location. It offers fully-equipped rooms and an outdoor swimming pool.
€€
This 4-star establishment is ideally located in the residential district. It features an outdoor swimming pool and a 24-hour gym.
€€€
La Bastide de l'Oliveraie is set in a large garden of olive trees. The accommodation includes an infinity pool and spa. Rooms are individually decorated in Mediterranean style.
La Bocca, the most affordable place to stay
La Bocca is a district to the west of Cannes. It is divided into two parts: Bocca Sud and Bocca Nord. Located around 5 kilometers from the center, the area is popular for its affordable housing. La Bocca also has the advantage of being just a few minutes' drive from La Croix-des-Gardes, a famous nature reserve on the Côte d'Azur.
While La Bocca may not be the best place to stay, being so far from Cannes, it remains attractive in a number of ways. Firstly, the main attraction is certainly the very affordable accommodation on offer. There are several hotel chains. Most of them are close to the road that links La Bocca directly to the center, making the journey between the two areas much easier. The area is also well served by public transport.
The area has the advantage of being just 2 kilometers from Cannes-Mandelieu airport and Cannes la Bocca train station. This can be very convenient if you want to get out of town easily.
Points of interest include the main beach. This has the advantage of offering several facilities and attractions: volleyball courts, water sports, picnic tables and more. The beach is renowned for its lively family atmosphere. La Bocca is also home to some 50 restaurants serving all types of cuisine: gourmet, Italian and American. As for bars, they are numerous and contribute greatly to the liveliness of the district. Many shops are also open on a regular basis.
€
Located 1 km from Cannes-La Bocca train station, the B&B offers rooms with terrace.
€€
The residence offers a number of self-contained apartments with balconies. Some of them offer a lovely view of the Mediterranean!
€€€
Château de la Tour is a charming hotel located just a 10-minute walk from Plage du Midi. It features a large outdoor swimming pool and garden with terrace.
Summary
Cannes is divided into several different areas. Le Suquet is the place to be if you like history and culture. Otherwise, staying at La Californie Pezou is a more expensive and chic option, but it’s also a wonderful place to enjoy the panoramic view over Cannes. As far as La Bocca is concerned, it’sa convenient area for cheaper accommodation than elsewhere, close to the airport or train station.
The best areas to stay are probably the center of town and the Croisette, where you can make the most of the Cannes atmosphere! Admittedly, the budget is generally higher than elsewhere, but the quality of the accommodation and proximity to the sites of interest will greatly enhance your stay