The Best Things to Do in Cannes

© Ciro’s - Carlton Cannes Burak Can Aksit - Mondrian

A red-carpet symbol of Riviera glamour, Cannes has long attracted celebrities, jet-setters and stylish holidaymakers from around the world. While some dismiss it as all sparkle and show-off luxury, the famous seaside town reveals a far more charming side during the Cannes Film Festival, taking place from May 12 to 23 this year. Think beach days, rooftop cocktails, chic restaurants and dreamy hotels for every kind of budget. Ready for a Riviera escape?

No stay in Cannes is complete without a stop at Carlton Cannes. The legendary hotel where Hollywood stars check in during the festival recently unveiled a spectacular renovation and expansion, including a lush new garden and infinity pool perfect for a post-shopping cocktail after wandering along Rue d’Antibes.

But the real obsession? Rüya, the hotel’s stunning Mediterranean and Anatolian restaurant overlooking La Croisette.

At sunset, feast on addictive mezze dishes including Turkish vegetable salad, smoked eggplant with walnut purée, grilled marinated chicken skewers, simit-crusted calamari or marinated tuna with bulgur. Pair everything with an Anatolian Fizz infused with rose syrup or a Rua Negroni with Turkish coffee vermouth before diving into grilled seafood and meat dishes inspired by Istanbul’s vibrant food scene.

Desserts are equally irresistible: rose ice cream rice pudding with Turkish delight, hazelnut baklava with cardamom sorbet, halva ice cream or almond-orange Revani cake. During the summer fireworks festival in July and August, the terrace also becomes one of the best front-row seats in town.

Rüya at Carlton Cannes, 58 boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes.

© Carlton Cannes - Elise Quiniou - Burak Can Aksit

Israeli superstar chef Assaf Granit — the talent behind Shabour, Kapara and Tekés — has landed on the Cap d’Antibes with BABA, an ultra-chic beach restaurant well worth the short Uber or train ride from Cannes.

Set directly on the sand at the Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel, BABA serves Levant-inspired plates in a cinematic setting facing turquoise Mediterranean waters. Long lunches effortlessly turn into lazy afternoons stretched out on a sunbed between swims in the sea.

The menu includes gorgonzola aioli corn ribs, tahini with burnt tomatoes, white fish sashimi with caramelized pears, sabich eggplant, Persian artichoke risotto, harissa shrimp skewers and a wildly addictive Baba burger topped with sumac onions and zaatar mayo.

For dessert: pavlova with baharat meringue or the unforgettable “Benimousse” chocolate mousse with olive oil and fleur de sel. Signature cocktails infused with Middle Eastern flavors complete the experience.

Restaurant BABA, Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel, 10 boulevard Maréchal Juin, 06160 Antibes. 

© Emanuela Cino / Julie Charvin / Adresses Hotels

We can’t stop raving about Ciro’s Cannes, the glamorous seafood restaurant located inside Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic Cannes.

Its elegant navy-striped décor and sun-drenched terrace create the perfect Riviera atmosphere for a refined lunch or sunset cocktail by the sea.

Must-orders include Gambero Rosso carpaccio, the signature lobster roll, crispy langoustines with basil mayonnaise, grilled octopus with sweet potato cream and spaghetti alle vongole. Meat lovers can still indulge in rosemary lamb chops or hand-cut steak tartare.

Desserts are equally spectacular, from the chocolate fondant with Bronte pistachio to the frozen strawberry pavlova with Tahitian vanilla mascarpone.

Ciro’s Cannes au Majestic, boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes.

Built on the former Grand Hôtel site, Mondrian Cannes is one of the chicest five-star hotels on La Croisette.

Reached through a palm-filled garden overlooking the sea, the hotel features oversized Art Deco-inspired rooms decorated in soft turquoise tones, complete with Lalique bath products, fluffy robes and XXL beds.

There’s no swimming pool, but guests simply cross the boulevard to enjoy the private beach at Hyde Beach.

Its standout dining spot, Mr Nakamoto, serves sophisticated Japanese-inspired cuisine including wagyu tataki, black cod with miso and prawn udon. The tasting menu with omakase and nigiri is especially worth booking.

Mondrian Cannes, 45 boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes. 

Just steps from La Malmaison, actress and content creator Sofiia Manousha has opened one of Cannes’ most stylish Pilates studios: For/Me Athletic Club.

With interiors worthy of the trendiest Parisian wellness clubs, the studio focuses on fluid, posture-focused movement classes designed to sculpt the body gently yet effectively.

Their signature Athletic Flow Pilates class emphasizes flexibility, graceful movement and deep muscle work, welcoming both beginners and experienced students alike.

Bonus: the in-house latte bar serves customized adaptogen, magnesium and protein drinks alongside pistachio lattes and flat whites.

For/Me Athletic Club, 6 rue d’Oran, 06400 Cannes. 

Perched atop the Five Seas Hotel Cannes, Le Roof boasts breathtaking panoramic views over Le Suquet and the Old Port.

Come for chef Lori Moreau’s creative Mediterranean cuisine, stay for golden-hour cocktails by the rooftop pool.

Signature drinks include the Garden Gin with pear and cardamom, Sambucus with Bombay Sapphire and violet cream, or Fly Beyond with vanilla-infused Grey Goose, strawberry purée and prosecco.

Le Roof au Five Seas by Inwood Hotels, 1 rue Notre Dame, 06400 Cannes. 

© Jade Quéré

Beyond La Croisette, the beaches along Boulevard du Midi are where locals actually hang out. This is also where you’ll find Belle Plage and its wellness-focused sister property Villa Belle Plage.

Spread across 1,000 square meters, the spa offers Augustinus Bader and Cellcosmet facials, deep-tissue and Ayurvedic massages, a hammam, sauna, salt cave, Watsu sessions, yoga and meditation.

After your treatment, book lunch at Shiso, the hotel’s healthy Japanese-inspired restaurant set on a leafy terrace.

Villa Belle Plage, 9 rue Jean Dollfus, 06400 Cannes. 

© Christophe Coenon

Cresci is a Cannes institution. Located facing the old port at the foot of Suquet (the local Montmartre), the jet-set and normal vacationers mingle happily over a thin-crust pizza at really affordable prices. During the film festival, the melting pot atmosphere will inevitably make you cross paths with jurors, cool stars or actresses in evening wear, nibbling on a bite between two crazy events.

On the menu: marinara, Sicilian, queen, eggplant, in short, the best of pizza and other pasta dishes (all'arrabbiata, amatriciana, carbonara...), Milanese escalope, aioli and its vegetables... all served in a decor that seems frozen in time, where you can feel the true soul of a house with an atmosphere open to everyone.

Open every day continuously from 12 pm to 2 am during the season. Reservations at +33 4 93 39 22 56. La Pizza Cresci, 3 quai St Pierre, 06400 Cannes.

© @mmarie on Instagram

Just 15 minutes away from Cannes by boat, you'll find the Lérins Islands. Sainte-Marguerite, the larger of the two, is still home to the fort that once held the mysterious man in the iron mask. Saint-Honorat, the smaller island, has been home to Cistercian monks, their vineyards, and olive groves for centuries.

Both islands have numerous small coves where you can lay your beach towel with your loved one, enjoy a homemade picnic (remember to bring it with you), and swim (topless) away from prying eyes. It's a dreamy escape from the crowds that flock to the beaches of Cannes. The water is crystal clear, the fish are stunning to observe, and discretion is key.

We love: grabbing an ice cream while swimming, thanks to the small boat that passes along the coast to satisfy your cravings.

Book your round-trip ticket for €19.50. The embarkation point is located near the old port, right in the city center. For more information, visit www.cannes-ilesdelerins.com.

• Da Laura's homemade seafood pasta. 9 rue Du Vingt-Quatre Août.
• Barbarella's stuffed vegetables, in Suquet. 16 rue Saint-Dizier.
• Zucchini flower fritters from Forville Market. 6 rue du Marché Forville.-
• Delicious veggie salads from the Greenland vegetable bar. 1 rue Hélène Vagliano.

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