How to Spend 3 Days in Cannes

With three days in Cannes, you have enough time to savor the culture and natural beauty of this French Riviera hot spot and environs. Here are some ideas for an itinerary that suits your interests.

Day 1: Get to know Cannes

Glide along La Croisette—the waterfront boulevard lined with restaurants and elegant hotels—on a Segway or Vespa tour that includes attractions such as the Festival Palace (Palais des Festivals), Le Suquet (old town), and Palm Beach. Another option: rent a bike and cycle around town.

Day 2: Take to the sea

Spend your second day on the water and admire Cannes from a different perspective. Make like a movie star and book a private motorboat with your own skipper, stopping to swim in the Mediterranean. Alternatively, take a ferry to Île Sainte-Marguerite, an island just 15 minutes off the coast where you can hike, watch for native birds, and visit the 17th-century prison. You can go even farther by ferry on a day trip to Saint-Tropez, another glamorous resort town—or wait until evening for a dinner cruise or sunset sail.

Day 3: Explore more of the region

Part of the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, Cannes benefits from proximity to some of the French Riviera’s most beloved locales—and it’s easy to visit a few on a day trip along the coast or into the hills. Book a tour for hassle-free travel, and sit back and take in views of the Mediterranean coast as you make your way to Monaco, Nice, or Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Grasse is a popular stop for its perfume factory, and Eze is known for its medieval architecture and hilltop setting. Discover the glitz of Monte Carlo on a night tour, or if you’re more interested in natural wonders, head to Verdon Gorge.