Synonymous with glamour and sunshine, Cannes delivers the full Riviera experience — a sweeping beachside promenade, a charming hilltop old town, and ferries to two pine-forested islands just offshore.
Most cruise ships anchor in the Bay of Cannes and run tenders to the Vieux Port; the process is smooth and well-organised.
💡 Pro move: Tender schedules depend on sea state. Last tender back to the ship is typically 30-45 minutes before all-aboard — check posted times.
Cannes has no dedicated cruise terminal; ships anchor and tender to the Vieux Port.
| Cruise Line | Typical Berth / Arrival | Dock or Tender |
|---|---|---|
| Most cruise lines (mid-large ships) | Anchor in Bay of Cannes — tender to Quai Laubeuf, Vieux Port📍 | Tendered |
| Small/luxury ships | May berth at Quai des Îles or Quai Saint-Pierre, Vieux Port📍 | Docked |
Cannes rewards independent explorers — the best of the Riviera is reachable by ferry, train, or taxi from the port.
Walk the famous palm-lined Boulevard de la Croisette past luxury hotels and boutiques to the Palais des Festivals et des Congrès — home of the Cannes Film Festival. Put your hands in the celebrity handprints on the Allée des Étoiles.
Book Cannes walking tours →A 15-minute ferry from the Vieux Port takes you to this car-free island cloaked in eucalyptus and pine. Visit the Fort Royal, where the Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned, then swim in clear turquoise coves.
Book Lérins Islands ferry tours →Climb the narrow lanes of the hilltop Quartier du Suquet for panoramic views over the bay. The 11th-century Tour du Mont Chevalier and the Musée des explorations du monde (formerly Musée de la Castre — ethnographic and antiquities collections) sit at the summit.
Book Le Suquet guided tours →Hop the 10-minute train to Antibes to explore the medieval old town, the Picasso Museum housed in Château Grimaldi, and the Marché Provençal. Juan-les-Pins is a short walk for beach time.
Book Antibes day tours →Cannes has several public sandy beaches along La Croisette and near the Vieux Port (Plage du Midi, Plage de la Bocca). Private beach clubs line the Croisette for loungers, parasols, and lunch.
Book Cannes beach experiences →The scenic coastal railway reaches Monaco in about an hour. Walk to the Prince's Palace, the Oceanographic Museum, and the Casino de Monte-Carlo — all within easy distance of the station.
Book Monaco excursions →Cannes is very walkable from the tender dock — the flat Croisette and the compact Vieux Port neighbourhood are both easy on foot.
From the Vieux Port, walk east along Boulevard de la Croisette past the Palais des Festivals, grand Belle Époque hotels, and sandy beaches all the way to the Palm Beach casino headland. Turn around and retrace for a classic Riviera stroll.
From the port, duck into the Quartier du Suquet via Rue Saint-Antoine, winding up past café terraces and flower-draped stairs to the Tour du Mont Chevalier. Descend via Rue de l'Hôtel de Ville for a different view of the rooftops.
Climate normals for Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France (2014–2023 averages). Pack for the month you sail — highs, lows, and how many rainy days to expect.
| Month | Avg High | Avg Low | Rainy Days | Sunrise | Sunset |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 54°F / 12°C | 42°F / 6°C | 7 | 8:02 AM | 5:20 PM |
| Feb | 56°F / 13°C | 43°F / 6°C | 8 | 7:30 AM | 6:02 PM |
| Mar | 60°F / 16°C | 45°F / 7°C | 6 | 6:44 AM | 6:38 PM |
| Apr | 64°F / 18°C | 51°F / 11°C | 7 | 6:49 AM | 8:15 PM |
| May | 70°F / 21°C | 57°F / 14°C | 8 | 6:07 AM | 8:49 PM |
| Jun | 79°F / 26°C | 65°F / 18°C | 5 | 5:50 AM | 9:14 PM |
| Jul | 84°F / 29°C | 70°F / 21°C | 3 | 6:04 AM | 9:10 PM |
| Aug | 84°F / 29°C | 70°F / 21°C | 4 | 6:37 AM | 8:34 PM |
| Sep | 78°F / 26°C | 64°F / 18°C | 6 | 7:11 AM | 7:41 PM |
| Oct | 70°F / 21°C | 58°F / 14°C | 8 | 7:46 AM | 6:48 PM |
| Nov | 62°F / 17°C | 49°F / 9°C | 10 | 7:26 AM | 5:06 PM |
| Dec | 57°F / 14°C | 44°F / 7°C | 7 | 7:58 AM | 4:55 PM |
Source: Open-Meteo ERA5 (10-yr daily averages)
Transport options from the pier — taxis, shuttles, transit passes, and whether ride-share apps work here.
Cruise ships tender to the Old Port (Vieux Port), which is just 15–20 minutes on foot to La Croisette and the main city center. One of the best ways to arrive in Cannes.
Taxis are available at the port; the city center is roughly €10–€23 depending on exact destination, with a journey time of about 10 minutes. Metered fares apply.
Both Uber and Bolt operate in Cannes. Pricing is comparable to taxis; book via app for convenience and fare transparency.
Cannes' Palm Bus network covers the city and surroundings. Single tickets are €1.50–€1.80 from the driver; a 1-day pass is ~€4.60–€5 for unlimited travel. The open-top Palm Imperial line runs along La Croisette for €1.50 (one-way) or €3 (circular).
Bolt operates electric scooters and bikes in Cannes, offering a fun way to cruise along La Croisette and explore the flat seafront areas.
Upcoming cruises that call at Cannes, Alpes-Maritimes, France. Dates, prices, and ports of call change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking.
Itineraries and prices change — always confirm with the cruise line before booking. Some links are affiliate links that may earn us a commission at no extra cost to you.
Other cruise ports within about 250 km.