Comparison · Cannes vs Nice · France
Cannes vs Nice
Two great trips, different strengths. Here is how they compare on the things that decide it.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Spike, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Choose Cannes for Cannes Film Festival and La Croisette; choose Nice for Promenade des Anglais, Vieux Nice and lower day-to-day costs. Nice is generally less expensive, and the two are about 26 km apart.
Key facts
- Distance apart
- 26 km
- Less expensive
- Nice
- Best time for Cannes
- June and September
- Best time for Nice
- May–June and September–October
Side by side
| Cannes | Nice | |
|---|---|---|
| Country | France | France |
| Known for | Cannes Film Festival, La Croisette and Palais des Festivals | Promenade des Anglais, Vieux Nice and Cours Saleya market |
| Best time to visit | June and September | May–June and September–October |
| Ideal stay | 4 days | 5 days |
| Mid-range budget per day | $230–$420 | $180–$320 |
| Cost level | Expensive | Expensive |
| Warmest month | July, 28°C (82°F) | August, 28°C (82°F) |
| Coldest month | January, 13°C (55°F) | January, 13°C (55°F) |
| Free sights in our guide | 10 | 10 |
| Day trips in our guide | 7 | 8 |
| Beaches | Plage du Midi | Public beaches of the Promenade |
| Airports | NCE | NCE |
Which one is right for you?
Choose Cannes for…
Cannes Film Festival and La Croisette. Cannes is a compact Riviera resort strung along the Bay of Cannes, best known for the film festival held each May in the Palais des Festivals. Its seafront Boulevard de la Croisette runs about 2 km from the Palais to Pointe Croisette, lined with private…
Choose Nice for…
Promenade des Anglais, Vieux Nice and lower day-to-day costs. Nice is the largest city on the French Riviera, curving around the Baie des Anges behind the 7-kilometre Promenade des Anglais. Its Italianate old town, Vieux Nice, packs baroque churches, the Cours Saleya market and socca counters into a few lanes below…
Top sights compared
| # | Cannes | Nice |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Boulevard de la Croisette | Promenade des Anglais |
| 2 | Palais des Festivals et des Congrès | Vieux Nice |
| 3 | Le Suquet old town | Cours Saleya market |
| 4 | Musée des Explorations du Monde | Castle Hill (Colline du Château) |
| 5 | Marché Forville | Place Masséna |
Food compared
| Cannes | Nice |
|---|---|
| Socca | Socca |
| Pan bagnat | Salade niçoise |
| Bouillabaisse | Pan bagnat |
| Pissaladière | Pissaladière |
Which is cheaper?
Nice is usually the less expensive of the two: a mid-range day costs about $180–$320 per person there, against $230–$420 in Cannes (AMZBooking estimates, excluding flights). Nice on a budget.
Can you visit both?
Yes. Cannes and Nice are about 26 km apart, so they combine well in one trip: allow 4 days in Cannes and 5 in Nice.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Cannes or Nice cheaper?
Nice is usually less expensive: about $180–$320 a day mid-range against $230–$420 (estimates).
+Is Cannes or Nice better for a first trip?
Pick Cannes for Cannes Film Festival and La Croisette, or Nice for Promenade des Anglais, Vieux Nice and lower day-to-day costs.
+How far is Cannes from Nice?
About 26 km in a straight line.