Beaches · Cannes · France
The best beaches in and near Cannes
Where to swim and spend a beach day, and when the water is warm.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Timantha102938, Public domain
Quick answer
The best-known beach is Plage du Midi (5–10 minutes' walk from the old port). The sea is usually warm enough for a comfortable swim (21°C+) in June–September.
Key facts
- Beaches in this guide
- 5
- Swimming season
- June–September
- Warmest sea
- 24°C (75°F)
The beaches
5–10 minutes' walk from the old port · Families and sunset swims
1.Plage du Midi
Long public sandy beach west of Le Suquet, popular with local families and facing the Esterel sunset. A few beach clubs break up the free sand.
On the central Croisette · A quick swim in the centre
2.Plage Macé
A free public beach right on the Croisette between the Palais and the palace hotels, small and busy but handy for a swim between sights.
About 30 minutes' walk east of the Palais · Quieter swimming
3.Plage Gazagnaire
Public sand beyond Port Pierre Canto at Pointe Croisette, calmer than the central Croisette with views back across the bay to Le Suquet and the islands.
Along the Croisette · Comfort and lunch on the sand
4.Croisette beach clubs
Private beaches attached to hotels and restaurants rent sunbeds and parasols by the day with table service and lunch on the sand. Prices rise sharply in July and August.
About 15 minutes by boat · Snorkelling and picnics
5.Île Sainte-Marguerite coves
Small rocky and pebbly coves around the island with clear water and pine shade; the south side, facing Saint-Honorat, is the calmest for snorkelling.
Sea temperature by month
| Month | Sea | Air high |
|---|---|---|
| January | 13°C (55°F) | 13°C (55°F) |
| February | 13°C (55°F) | 13°C (55°F) |
| March | 13°C (55°F) | 15°C (59°F) |
| April | 14°C (57°F) | 17°C (63°F) |
| May | 17°C (63°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| June | 21°C (70°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| July | 23°C (73°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| August | 24°C (75°F) | 28°C (82°F) |
| September | 22°C (72°F) | 25°C (77°F) |
| October | 19°C (66°F) | 21°C (70°F) |
| November | 16°C (61°F) | 16°C (61°F) |
| December | 14°C (57°F) | 13°C (55°F) |
Staying near the beach
$$$$ · Best for luxury, couples, beach and first-timers
La Croisette
The Boulevard de la Croisette is the Cannes of postcards: the Carlton, the Martinez and the Majestic face the sea across a palm-lined promenade, with private beach clubs on the sand below and luxury fashion houses on the ground floors. It runs from the Palais des Festivals east towards Pointe Croisette and is the place to stay if you want to step straight onto the beach.
- Good
- Sea views and beach access; Walkable to the Palais and old port; Smartest hotels in town
- Watch out
- Very expensive, especially in May; Traffic along the boulevard
- Nearby
- Palais des Festivals, Plage Macé, La Malmaison, Rue d'Antibes
Getting to the beaches
- Bus — Palm Bus runs the city network, linking the centre with La Bocca, Le Cannet, La Californie and Pointe Croisette, plus routes to Mougins and Grasse.
- Train — TER regional trains from Gare de Cannes run along the coast to Antibes in about 10–15 minutes, Nice in about 30–40 minutes and Monaco in about 1 hour, and inland to Grasse in about 30 minutes.
- Ferry — Boats leave from Quai Laubeuf at the old port for Île Sainte-Marguerite (about 15 minutes) and, with a separate operator, Île Saint-Honorat (about 20 minutes).
Beach-weather months
Days of 24°C (75°F) or more with no more than nine rainy days come in June–September. The busiest of those is July, so book early.
Beach safety
Cannes is generally calm, but bag and phone theft happens on crowded beaches, the Croisette and at the station in summer, and cars with visible luggage are targeted. Summer heat can be intense, so carry water on island walks. Swim at lifeguarded beaches where possible and follow local flag warnings.
Questions travellers ask
+Does Cannes have beaches?
Yes: Plage du Midi, Plage Macé, Plage Gazagnaire, Croisette beach clubs and Île Sainte-Marguerite coves.
+When is the sea warm enough to swim in Cannes?
Usually June–September, when the sea averages 21°C or more.
+What is the best beach near Cannes?
Plage du Midi: Long public sandy beach west of Le Suquet, popular with local families and facing the Esterel sunset. A few beach clubs break up the free sand.