Cannes wears its glamour lightly by day. Strip away the red carpets of the film festival and it is a compact Riviera town of palm-lined promenade and pale hotel facades, with a tangle of old lanes climbing the hill of Le Suquet behind the harbour and the wooded islands of Lerins floating just offshore. Ships anchor out in the bay, and the tender brings you in past the superyachts to a waterfront that is all cafes, market stalls and the long sweep of La Croisette.
The one thing to understand before you step off is that Cannes is a tender port, but an unusually easy one. There is no cruise pier, so ships anchor in the bay and ferry passengers ashore into the Vieux Port. Where most tender ports drop you at an awkward jetty far from anywhere, Cannes lands you flat in the middle of town, either at the historic Quai Laubeuf or at the Gare Maritime beside the Palais des Festivals. Which one you get can vary from call to call, because the Vieux Port is being rebuilt through 2026 to 2028, so follow the ship’s port talk on the day for the exact landing.
This guide covers a Cannes day ashore: the walk along La Croisette and up into Le Suquet, the little ferry across to the Iles de Lerins, the easy train day trips to Nice, Antibes and Monaco, and the practical detail of the port, the new 2026 cruise cap and how to make the most of a tender port that, for once, sets you down right where you want to be.
Port Overview
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Port Type | Tender port. Ships anchor in the Bay of Cannes and tender passengers into the Vieux Port. Unusually for a tender port the landing is right in the town centre and flat, at the western end of La Croisette by the Palais des Festivals and the foot of Le Suquet. There is no cruise pier, and the exact landing point can vary while the Vieux Port is rebuilt. |
| Distance to Town | The tenders land in the middle of Cannes. The Palais des Festivals, La Croisette, the Marche Forville and Le Suquet old town are all a short, level walk from the quay, with only the climb up through Le Suquet to break the flat. |
| Currency | The euro. France uses the euro, and so does Monaco if you take the train along the coast, though Monaco is not in the EU. Cards are widely accepted. |
| Language | French |
| Best Known For | The glamour of La Croisette and the Palais des Festivals, the red roofs of Le Suquet above the old harbour, and the quiet pine and fort islands of the Iles de Lerins just offshore. |
- Quai Laubeuf landing , The historic tender landing, shared with the Iles de Lerins ferries
- Gare Maritime landing , The alternative tender landing on the Pantiero, beside the Palais des Festivals
- Palais des Festivals , The congress hall where the film festival is held, on the seafront
- Le Suquet and the museum , The old town hill and the Musee des explorations du monde in the castle
- Marche Forville , The covered Provencal food market, closed Mondays
- Cannes railway station , The coastal TER line for Antibes, Nice and Monaco
- Ile Sainte-Marguerite , The larger of the car-free Iles de Lerins, with the Fort Royal
Cannes tender landing, Vieux Port · View larger map
Getting From the Port to Town
Walking: The Best Option
Free (once tendered ashore)- Walk time: Central, flat landing
- Both tender landings sit on the waterfront in the heart of Cannes, so you step off within a short, flat walk of everything in town. The Palais des Festivals and the western end of La Croisette are a few minutes away, the Marche Forville food market and Le Suquet old town about 7 minutes on foot from the Quai Laubeuf landing, and the railway station roughly 20 minutes for the coastal trains. The only real climb is up through the lanes of Le Suquet to the old castle and its view over the bay.
Local Bus
Palm Bus single about EUR 1.80; Zou! regional bus EUR 2.20- Cannes has a local city bus network, Palm Bus, with a single ticket at about EUR 1.80 bought from the driver, handy for hopping along the seafront but rarely needed given how central the landing is. For the day trips that make a Cannes call worthwhile, the regional Zou! network runs the coastal trains and buses across the Alpes-Maritimes: a Zou! regional bus single is EUR 2.20, and the PASS Sud Azur Explore, from EUR 35, covers train, tram and bus across the whole department and into Monaco. For Nice, Antibes and Monaco the train, not the bus, is the way to go.
Taxi
Metered; agree an estimate first- Taxis wait near the tender landings, but you rarely need one in Cannes itself, as the town is small and flat. For Grasse and its perfume houses inland, or a door to door run along the coast, a taxi is an option, though the coastal train is usually faster and far cheaper for Nice, Antibes and Monaco. Agree an estimate before setting off, as Riviera taxi fares add up quickly.
Top Excursions
Catamaran from Cannes
Cruise the Bay of Cannes on a luxury catamaran. Choose from a half-day cruise, a half- or full-day cruise with lunch. If you've picked a daytime cruise, drink in breathtaking coastal views as you glide toward the Lérins Islands. Swim, snorkel, or simply recline on deck. Then, if you've upgraded to i
Check AvailabilityCruise / Navigation / Sunset in the Lerins Islands
Come aboard Ulysse, an 11m sailboat (created to face the most impressive seas in the world) and discover an extraordinary place by going there if the wind allows for sailing! An unforgettable memory! A family atmosphere, coming aboard Ulysse also means sharing for a day the life choice made of adven
Check AvailabilitySea excursion – Estérel Massif by boat
Discover the coastline aboard our Black Tenders on a 2.5-hour sea excursion, guided by our passionate captains. Admire hidden coves, natural pools, crystal-clear waters, and the famous red rocks of the Estérel. Explore secluded calanques inaccessible by other boats, while learning about the local wi
Check AvailabilityCity Tour in Cannes aboard our Classic French Bus!
2h Cannes Legend Tour in a Vintage Bus Immerse yourself in the elegance of Cannes aboard our vintage van. Drive along iconic streets, discover famous landmarks and soak up the city's glamorous atmosphere. A short but intense experience to capture the spirit of Cannes. Explore Cannes in style in an i
Check AvailabilityMore Experiences in Cannes
Discover the Lérins Islands and the Bay of Cannes by Private Boat
Embark on an unforgettable half day aboard our Beneteau Flyer 7.7 SunDeck and discover the wild beauty of the Lerin Islands, real hidden jewels of the Mediterranean. Located off Cannes, these paradise islands offer breathtaking scenery, crystal clear coves and unspoilt nature. The program of this ex
Taste Cannes – A Full French Riviera Food Tour by Do Eat Better
Our Cannes Food Tour is a walking tour in small groups around the old town. You will be guided by a Local Expert able to explain every detail of the selected restaurants, their preparations, and any other relevant history or curiosities. Enjoy a mix of high-quality gastronomy and discover Provençal
Private Boat Tour Cannes Lerins Islands
Easy going Private Boat Tour to the Lerins Islands with a local bilingual pro skipper/tour guide. * Break free from the crowds of the city to relax and admire the coastline of the Riviera * Let your local skipper share with you the best spots for swimming, snorkelling and paddle board (provided) * L
Monaco, Monte Carlo, Eze, la Turbie, 7H Shared Tour from Cannes
While in Cannes, enjoy a full-day shore excursion that takes you through two distinct sides of the French Riviera: the glamour of Monaco and the medieval charm of Eze. Begin your day with a scenic drive along the coast to the hilltop village of Eze, known for its breathtaking Mediterranean views. Cl
The best excursions in Cannes fill up ahead of peak sailings. Compare options and book before you leave port.
Things to Do in Cannes
Cannes rewards two quite different kinds of day. The first stays in town and on foot: the promenade of La Croisette, the market and old lanes of Le Suquet, and a short ferry hop to the pine woods of the Iles de Lerins, none of it more than a gentle walk or a few minutes on the water from where the tender lands. It is one of the more genuinely walkable calls on a Mediterranean itinerary.
The second kind of day gets on a train. Cannes sits on the coastal line that strings the Riviera together, so Antibes, Nice and Monaco are all within easy reach for the price of a rail ticket, and Grasse and its perfume houses are a short hop inland. With a full day in port you can comfortably combine a morning in Cannes with an afternoon down the coast, or give a single destination the time it deserves.
- La Croisette and the Palais des Festivals. The palm-lined Boulevard de la Croisette is Cannes at its most familiar, a long seafront promenade of grand hotels, designer windows and a public beach, running east from the Palais des Festivals. The Palais itself, the boxy congress hall where the film festival is held, sits right by the tender landing at the Gare Maritime, with its handprint-studded Allee des Etoiles out front. It is the natural place to start a walk, and guided tours of the Palais run on scattered dates for anyone with a late departure.
- Le Suquet and the Musee des explorations du monde. Behind the old harbour, the hill of Le Suquet is the oldest part of Cannes, a climb of stepped lanes and shuttered houses up to a small square with the best view over the bay and the marina. At the top, in the old castle, the Musee des explorations du monde, once the Musee de la Castre, holds primitive art, antiquities and a collection of musical instruments, with the Tour du Suquet to climb. Admission is EUR 6.50, and it is worth knowing that Cannes museums are no longer free. At the foot of the hill, the covered Marche Forville is a fine Provencal food market, open Tuesday to Sunday and closed on Mondays.
- The Iles de Lerins. A few minutes offshore lie the Iles de Lerins, a pair of car-free islands that feel a world away from the promenade. Ferries to Ile Sainte-Marguerite, the larger island, leave from the Vieux Port and cost about EUR 19.00 return, with the crossing taking around 15 minutes. The island is all eucalyptus and pine, walking paths and swimming coves, with the Fort Royal at its heart, the sea prison that once held the Man in the Iron Mask. It makes a calm, green half day, and is easily the best short trip from the port.
- A day trip to Nice. Nice is the great day trip from Cannes, about 40 minutes along the coast by train, with services running frequently through the day. The city gives you the sweep of the Promenade des Anglais, the ochre lanes and market of Vieux Nice, and the view from the Colline du Chateau, more than enough to fill an afternoon. The train is far quicker and cheaper than a taxi, and Cannes station is only a short walk from the tender landing.
- Monaco and Monte-Carlo by train. For pure spectacle, take the train on to Monaco and Monte-Carlo, about 57 minutes from Cannes with around 14 trains a day. The tiny principality packs in the Prince’s Palace, the Oceanographic Museum, the famous Casino and a harbour full of superyachts, and the station opens straight into the heart of it. It is a longer but rewarding hop, and the Zou! PASS Sud Azur Explore, from EUR 35, covers the whole journey and the stops in between.
- Grasse perfumeries or Antibes. With time to spare, two more places reward the trip. Grasse, the perfume capital in the hills inland, has the historic houses of Fragonard, Molinard and Galimard, all of which run free factory tours. Antibes, about 10 to 15 minutes along the coast by train, offers a beautiful old town, the ramparts above the sea and the Musee Picasso in the Chateau Grimaldi, where the artist once had his studio, with admission at EUR 12. Either makes a good half day paired with a morning in Cannes.
From 2026 a new interprefectoral decree, signed on 9 December 2025 and covering Nice, Villefranche, Beaulieu and Cannes together, limits cruise traffic in the bay. Only one ship carrying more than 1,300 passengers may call per day, and no more than 3,000 passengers may be ashore from the bay at any one time. This binding decree supersedes the earlier municipal plan to cap disembarkations at 6,000 a day. For you as a passenger it means a calmer port with fewer and smaller ships, and it is worth ignoring older reports of a flat 1,000 passenger ban, which was never the actual rule.
Eating Near the Cruise Port
- Tender (central)
- Central, flat landing
- Euro
What to eat in Cannes
This is Provence on the coast, so the cooking is olive oil, tomato and fish rather than butter and cream. Socca is the local street food, a thin chickpea-flour pancake baked in a copper pan, scraped up and eaten hot with pepper. Pissaladière is the other one, a flatbread with slow-cooked onion, anchovy and olives. Bouillabaisse is the grand dish of this coast and a real one is a two-hour, two-course affair rather than a bowl of fish soup.
What to drink
Rosé from Provence is the regional wine and it’s drunk seriously here rather than apologetically, pale and dry and served very cold. Pastis is the aperitif, aniseed spirit topped with water until it clouds. Coffee is small and strong, and a café gourmand gets you an espresso with three small puddings alongside.
Where to find it
Tenders land you in the middle of Cannes, which makes this easy. The Marché Forville, a covered market a couple of minutes from the landing, is the best thing to see and eat at, and it runs mornings except Monday. La Croisette is the famous strip and you pay for the address. Rue Meynadier and the streets behind the market are better value.
Good for a short port call
You land in the centre, so the market and lunch are both within five minutes. That makes Cannes one of the easier tender ports to eat well in.
Getting Around
Cannes has no cruise pier, so you come ashore by tender, and tendering is weather dependent and can be cancelled at short notice. During the Vieux Port rebuild the exact landing point varies, sometimes Quai Laubeuf, sometimes the marina area or the Gare Maritime, so listen to the ship’s port talk for the day. One quirk worth knowing: manoeuvring the largest superyachts in and out of the harbour can briefly interrupt tender traffic, so leave yourself a little slack for the last tender back.
Essential Travel Tips
The real luxury of a Cannes call is how easily you can leave it. The town’s railway station is a short walk from the tender landings, and the coastal TER line runs west and east to Antibes, Nice and Monaco. For a day of exploring, the Zou! PASS Sud Azur Explore, from EUR 35, covers train, tram and bus right across the Alpes-Maritimes and into Monaco, which beats buying singles if you plan more than one hop.
If you call in early September, note that the Cannes Yachting Festival runs from 8 to 13 September 2026, centred on the Vieux Port where the tenders land. No cruise calls are cancelled for it, but the show takes over the old harbour and packs the bay with charter yachts running their own tenders ashore, so expect congestion at the landing and a busier town than usual during a prime cruise week.
Cannes is a tender call, the harbour being too small for larger ships, so the All-aboard time needs the tender queue added at both ends rather than just the crossing. The packing list is straightforward for the Cote d’Azur in season: sun cover, water, and something you can walk the front in.
Antibes and Grasse are both reachable by bus from Cannes, which is what a shore excursion has to beat on price. Where a tour earns its place is on a tender day with a tight call, when somebody else is responsible for getting you back to the boat.
Cannes is not a cheap town and the seafront knows it, so your onboard spending goes considerably further a couple of streets inland, or on a bus fare out of town, than along the front.
The Riviera calls cluster into high summer when Cannes is at its busiest and its most expensive, so the best time to book is worth weighing against the shoulder months. A cabin you can retreat to matters on a tender day, when the wait is part of the schedule.
Frequently Asked Questions
They tender. There is no cruise pier at Cannes, so ships anchor in the Bay of Cannes and bring passengers ashore by tender into the Vieux Port. Unusually for a tender port the landing is right in the town centre and flat, either at the historic Quai Laubeuf or at the Gare Maritime beside the Palais des Festivals. Which landing you get can vary while the Vieux Port is being rebuilt, so follow the ship’s port talk on the day.
Yes, very. Both landings sit on the waterfront in the middle of town, so the Palais des Festivals, La Croisette and the Marche Forville are all a short, flat walk away, and Le Suquet old town is about 7 minutes on foot from the Quai Laubeuf. The only climb is up through the lanes of Le Suquet to the castle and its view. The railway station, for the coastal day trips, is roughly 20 minutes on foot.
France uses the euro, and French is the language, though English is widely understood in a tourist town like Cannes. Cards are accepted almost everywhere. If you take the train to Monaco for the day, the currency there is also the euro, even though Monaco is not in the EU.
From 2026 an interprefectoral decree, signed on 9 December 2025 and covering Nice, Villefranche, Beaulieu and Cannes, limits cruise traffic in the bay. Only one ship carrying more than 1,300 passengers may call per day, and no more than 3,000 passengers may be ashore from the bay at any one time. This supersedes the earlier municipal idea of a 6,000 per day cap. In practice it means fewer and smaller ships and a calmer port, and you can ignore older reports of a flat 1,000 passenger ban, which was never the actual rule.
The Mediterranean cruise season runs from spring through to autumn, and Cannes is warm, bright and generally calm across those months. Tendering is weather dependent and can be cancelled at short notice, but one common worry does not apply here: the mistral, the strong wind of the lower Rhone valley and Provence, does not reach Cannes, as Meteo-France itself makes clear. Do not let it put you off a Cannes call.
For many passengers, yes. The ferry to Ile Sainte-Marguerite leaves from the Vieux Port, costs about EUR 19.00 return and takes around 15 minutes, landing you on a car-free island of pine woods, walking paths and swimming coves, with the Fort Royal and its Man in the Iron Mask cell to explore. It is a calm, green contrast to the glitz of La Croisette and one of the easiest half days from the port.
Easily, and it is the best reason to book Cannes. Cannes station, a short walk from the tender landings, sits on the coastal TER line: Antibes is about 10 to 15 minutes away, Nice about 40 minutes, and Monaco about 57 minutes with around 14 trains a day. The Zou! PASS Sud Azur Explore, from EUR 35, covers train, tram and bus across the Alpes-Maritimes and into Monaco, and is better value than singles if you plan more than one stop.
You need a passport that meets the usual France rules for UK passport holders, issued within the last ten years and valid for at least three months after you leave the Schengen area. The EU’s Entry/Exit System is now live and registers biometrics on arrival, though cruise passengers on a voyage that starts and ends outside the Schengen area are often exempt for a day call, at the port’s discretion. ETIAS, the separate travel authorisation, is not yet in force as of 2026, so there is nothing to apply for. Your ship will brief you on the day’s formalities.
Ready to Explore Cannes?
Cannes is one of the friendliest tender ports on the Mediterranean, because for once the tender sets you down flat in the middle of everything, at the foot of La Croisette and the old lanes of Le Suquet. Give the town a morning, take the little ferry out to the Iles de Lerins, or jump on the coastal train for Nice or Monaco, and you have a full and easy day whichever way you lean. Keep half an eye on the ship’s port talk for the day’s landing point while the Vieux Port is rebuilt, remember that the mistral is not a Cannes problem whatever you may have read, and enjoy a port that, thanks to the new 2026 cap, is quieter and calmer than it once was.
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