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A Long Weekend in Cannes: Relaxing on the Riviera
Published on March 29, 2026
A great flight deal was all it took to turn last Labour Day weekend into a spontaneous trip to Cannes. Despite the short notice, I managed to book a stay at Hôtel Le Cavendish, an affordable and perfectly located option close to all the action. Read my honest review of this hotel here! While Cannes is best known for its film festival and luxury feel, I chose this location to enjoy a few days of sandy beaches and swimming in the sea. A long weekend was just the right amount of time to soak up the sun in Cannes while leaving room for some sightseeing in and around the city. Cannes also makes for an ideal stop to include in any French Riviera itinerary!
Day 1
After landing at the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport, I made my way to Cannes by train. The regional train line connecting cities along the French Riviera makes it a convenient option for travel to and from the airport, and for day trips to other coastal towns.
After checking into Hôtel Le Cavendish, I spent time acquainting myself with the city and wandering along La Croisette, Cannes’ waterfront promenade that’s lined with luxury boutiques and hotels on one side and beach clubs on the other. I ventured east to the Pointe Croisette peninsula, a quieter area just steps outside of the heart of Cannes, then headed back toward Le Suquet, Cannes’ Old Town. Le Suquet instantly became my favorite pocket of the city due to its charming, cobbled streets that have that classic South of France feel. The Le Suquet lookout point also offers a tremendous panoramic view of the city and sea below.
Heading back to the hotel, I stopped for ice cream at Papilla, where I got a scoop of their delicious Amarena flavor. This artisanal ice cream shop became a daily staple – not a want, but a need! Back at the hotel, I attended their free apéritif, a hotel amenity I particularly enjoyed, as it made it easy to meet and chat with other travelers. This ended up becoming something I looked forward to every evening during my trip (and not just because of the free wine!). Given the jet lag, I decided to call it an early night and grabbed a pizza from Pizza Giagia next door to enjoy in my room.
Days 2 & 3
My ultimate goal for this trip was simple: relax, unwind, and enjoy a few drinks on the beach. While you can absolutely enjoy Cannes’ beaches for free, I decided to lean into the experience and treat myself to a couple of proper beach club days.
After walking up and down La Croisette and scoping out the different options, I chose the ones that felt the most worth the splurge. I ended up spending one day at Copal Beach, and the next at Rado Beach Helen. Between the entry fee, lunch, and a couple of drinks, I spent about €140 per day. It was definitely indulgent, but for me, it was worth it for a couple of days relaxing by the sea without having to think about anything. Plus, it felt like a fair trade-off after finding such a great price on my flight!
For dinner both nights, I went to La Cantine Provençale. The food and service at this restaurant was so good that I just had to go back. When you find a place you love while traveling, sometimes the best plan is to enjoy it as much as you can while you’re there!
Day 4
On my final day, I started the morning wandering down Rue d’Antibes and Rue Meynadier, two of the city’s main shopping streets. Rue Meynadier led me straight to Marché Forville, a lively indoor market just a stone’s throw from Cannes’ Old Port. This was ideal for my next planned activity: a half-day catamaran cruise through the Bay of Cannes and the Lérins Islands. This boat day was easily one of the highlights of my trip! It was great to mingle with other travelers over lunch and drinks, and to split my time between relaxing on board and swimming in the unbelievably blue sea.
The catamaran cruise ended on Île Sainte-Marguerite, home to the popular beach club and restaurant La Guérite – a must if you’re in the mood for a lively beach day filled with music and dancing (sometimes on tables!). From Île Sainte-Marguerite, I took the ferry back to Cannes. The ferry ride is a quick trip, making visiting the islands doable even without booking a boat excursion.
Back in Cannes, I stopped for a drink in the quiet gardens of the iconic Carlton Hotel, which felt like an appropriately luxurious way to wind down my stay. For dinner, I made my way back to Le Suquet for a meal at Tredici, followed (of course) by one last stop at Papilla for ice cream.
My quick trip to Cannes had a completely different feel than my other experience on the French Riviera. Instead of packing in sightseeing and exploring, it was a relaxing escape perfect for unwinding and really leaning into an effortless lifestyle (even if only for a few days). Cannes is a great pick for a weekend getaway, and also the perfect addition as a day trip to any French Riviera or Côte d’Azur vacation!
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