Nice vs. Cannes: Which French Riviera Beach Should You Choose?
The French Riviera, or Côte d’Azur, is famous for its stunning beaches, glamorous atmosphere, and Mediterranean charm. Two of its most iconic coastal destinations, Nice and Cannes, offer beautiful seaside experiences but with very different vibes.
Nice is a laid-back, artsy city with a mix of culture and beach life, while Cannes is glamorous, polished, and synonymous with luxury and film festivals. If you’re trying to decide which French Riviera beach town to visit, here’s how they compare.
Nice: A Classic Riviera Escape with Old-World Charm
Nice is a vibrant city with a mix of Italian and French influences, offering pebble beaches, a stunning promenade, and a charming Old Town. It’s perfect for those who love history, local markets, and a more relaxed beach experience.
Promenade, Beaches & Coastal Beauty
Promenade des Anglais: The Heart of Nice’s Seaside Life
The Promenade des Anglais is one of Nice’s most famous landmarks, stretching 7 kilometers along the Mediterranean Sea. Lined with palm trees, luxury hotels, and beachfront cafés, it’s the best place to take a scenic walk or rent a bike.
Plage Beau Rivage: A Mix of Private & Public Beach
Nice’s beaches are mostly pebbled, but they still attract sunbathers and swimmers. Plage Beau Rivage offers both public areas and private beach clubs, where you can rent a lounge chair and sip cocktails with a view.
Castle Hill (Colline du Château): The Best View in Nice
For a breathtaking panoramic view of Nice’s coastline and Old Town, head to Castle Hill. It’s an easy climb (or elevator ride) and offers a stunning lookout over the Promenade and Mediterranean Sea.
Old Town, Markets & Local Culture
Vieux Nice: A Colorful Maze of Streets & Cafés
Nice’s Old Town (Vieux Nice) is filled with colorful buildings, flower-filled balconies, and bustling cafés. It’s the perfect place to wander and discover local cheese shops, boutiques, and charming squares.
Cours Saleya Market: A Must for Food Lovers
For a true French Riviera experience, visit Cours Saleya Market, where you’ll find fresh produce, local cheeses, and vibrant flowers. It’s also a great place to grab a socca (a chickpea pancake that’s a local specialty).
Musée Matisse: A Hidden Cultural Gem
Art lovers will appreciate the Musée Matisse, which houses a beautiful collection of the artist’s works in a stunning villa surrounded by olive groves.
Nightlife, Dining & Wine
Rooftop Bars & Seaside Dining
Nice has a mix of relaxed and upscale dining options. The Rooftop at Le Méridien offers cocktails with sea views, while La Petite Maison is a top spot for traditional Niçoise cuisine.
Wine & Jazz in the Old Town
Nice is home to cozy wine bars and live jazz venues, making it a great city for laid-back nightlife. Shapko Bar and Le Relais are excellent spots to enjoy live music.
Day Trips to Monaco & Villefranche-sur-Mer
Nice is the perfect base for day trips, with easy access to Monaco, Eze, and Villefranche-sur-Mer—all offering stunning coastal views and charming Riviera vibes.
Who Is Nice Best For?
Nice is ideal for culture lovers, relaxed beachgoers, and travelers who enjoy a mix of history, art, and coastal beauty. If you love seaside promenades, colorful Old Towns, and local markets, Nice is the perfect destination.
Cannes: Luxury, Film Festivals & Sandy Beaches
Cannes is synonymous with glamour, luxury hotels, and world-famous film festivals. It’s the place to go if you want high-end shopping, elegant beach clubs, and a more polished French Riviera experience.
Beaches, Yachts & Seaside Elegance
La Croisette: Cannes’ Most Famous Boulevard
The Boulevard de la Croisette is the heart of Cannes, lined with five-star hotels, designer boutiques, and beach clubs. It’s a beautiful place for a scenic stroll, luxury shopping, or enjoying a seaside café.
Plage de la Croisette: Sandy Luxury
Unlike Nice’s pebbled beaches, Cannes boasts golden sand beaches. Plage de la Croisette has both public and private sections, with the latter offering loungers, gourmet dining, and impeccable service.
Port Pierre Canto: A Glimpse of the Yachting World
Cannes is home to some of the most impressive yachts in the world, and a walk along Port Pierre Canto offers a taste of the city’s jet-set lifestyle.
Film Festival, Shopping & Exclusive Experiences
Palais des Festivals: Walk the Red Carpet
The Cannes Film Festival is the city’s most famous event, attracting celebrities, filmmakers, and luxury brands every May. Even outside of the festival, visitors can walk the red-carpeted stairs of the Palais des Festivals.
Luxury Shopping on Rue d’Antibes
If shopping is on your agenda, Rue d’Antibes is filled with designer stores, chic boutiques, and high-end fashion brands, making it a paradise for fashion lovers.
Îles de Lérins: A Peaceful Escape from the Glamour
For a quiet retreat, take a boat to Îles de Lérins, a set of islands just off Cannes’ coast. Île Sainte-Marguerite is known for crystal-clear waters and scenic walking trails, while Île Saint-Honorat has a historic monastery where monks still make wine.
Fine Dining, Beach Clubs & Nightlife
Michelin-Starred Restaurants & Gourmet Experiences
Cannes is home to some of the most exclusive dining spots on the French Riviera. Restaurants like La Palme d’Or (a two-Michelin-star restaurant) and L’Ondine Beach Club offer elegant dining with sea views.
Exclusive Beach Clubs: Relax in Style
For the ultimate beach day experience, Cannes’ private beach clubs, like Baoli Beach and Carlton Beach Club, offer chic sun loungers, gourmet cocktails, and a celebrity-worthy atmosphere.
Casino Nights & VIP Lounges
Cannes has a glitzy nightlife scene, with glamorous casinos like Casino Barrière and VIP nightclubs like Gotha Club, attracting an upscale crowd.
Who Is Cannes Best For?
Cannes is perfect for luxury travelers, film enthusiasts, and those looking for an upscale beach experience. If you love fine dining, designer shopping, and exclusive beach clubs, Cannes is the ideal destination.
