One Day in Cannes, France: Cruise Port Stop with Kids!

Last Updated on September 3, 2026 by Tori Pines

Cannes was honestly one of the biggest surprises of our entire Mediterranean cruise, and I say that as someone who almost wrote it off before we even got there. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a city so famous for its film festival and expensive shopping, but otherwise lacking in big sights. But here’s what I can tell you: Cannes is an absolutely gorgeous beach town, very walkable, filled with incredible food, and genuinely SO fun with kids. We had a perfect one day in Cannes and came home already planning a trip back.

Now, there is one very important thing you need to know about Cannes as a cruise port stop before we get into any of the fun stuff. And that is: the tender situation. Cannes is a tender port. That means your ship will anchor out in the bay and you will take a small boat from the ship to the shore. For us, getting off the ship took almost two full hours, which ate a significant chunk of our port day and was very frustrating. So going in with that expectation and planning your day accordingly is really important. Once we were ashore though? Oh my goodness. It was so worth it.

Here is everything you need to know to make the most of your one day in Cannes from a cruise ship with kids from someone who’s done it!

Getting from the Cannes Cruise Ship to Shore

Let’s start with the most important logistical thing to understand: how tendering works and what to expect.

Most cruise ships anchor offshore and tender passengers to shore, putting you steps away from the main attractions, shops, and restaurants. The tender ride from the ship to shore in the Old Port takes about 10 to 15 minutes. So the ride itself is short and quite lovely, with beautiful views of Cannes from the water as you approach. The issue is the wait to board the tender on busy port days.

Tendering can add 30 to 90 minutes of waiting time compared to a docked port, and passengers on cruise-line shore excursions and suite-class guests usually get priority boarding. For us it was nearly two hours from the time we lined up to the time our feet hit the shore, so I genuinely cannot overstate how important it is to budget for this. If you are booking any tours or activities in Cannes, make sure your start time accounts for potential tender delays.

The good news is once you disembark, you are directly in the main tourist district, surrounded by shops, restaurants, and the wide Boulevard de la Croisette running along the beach. Cafes and restrooms are within seconds of the tender point. You are already in the city center. So once you’re there, getting around is totally easy and you don’t need any additional transportation to see the main parts of the city. It’s super walkable.

Tip: To beat the crowds and make the most of your one day in Cannes, book a shore excursion through your cruise line which gives you priority tender boarding, and could save you a significant amount of time. If your port day is short, this might genuinely be worth considering over an independent itinerary, purely for the time savings. Otherwise, get up super early and be one of the first to get an exit ticket!

Our One Day in Cannes Itinerary with Kids

Le Petit Train: The Perfect Way to See Cannes Quickly

The very first thing we did was jump on Le Petit Train, and I am SO glad we did because it was absolutely the perfect activity for us with a toddler and a baby after an already long morning of waiting. Plus, it’s the perfect way to get a feel for the city and general lay of the land.

Online it shows that Le Petit Train departs from the Palais des Festivals, however during our visit in 2026 it was boarding here. Either way, it should be pretty easy to find once you depart the tender boat.

The train takes you on a tour through both sides of the city, from the famous Croisette to the historic old town up on the hill, with an audio guide available in multiple languages. The ride takes approximately 45 to 50 minutes nonstop with headphones provided. Tickets are currently €15 per person in cash and kids 2 and under are free.

You’ll ride along the gorgeous Boulevard de la Croisette past the famous luxury hotels, the Palais des Festivals, beautiful beaches, and the glamorous yacht-filled Port Canto. Then the train winds up through the charming old town of Le Suquet to the top where you get the most stunning panoramic views over the bay and the whole city spread out below.

The only thing that was disappointing is that everywhere I had read says you get to stop at the viewpoint for a few minutes to take photos. That was not the case for us and the driver just kept on driving. So I was pretty bummed. But had I not known that was the usual, I would have loved the train. Either way, definitely make this a priority for your one day in Cannes!

The Forville Market

After Le Petit Train we wandered through the Au Coeur De L’Olive, which is Cannes’ beloved covered daily market, and it was such a fun and colorful stop. The market is filled with fresh produce, flowers, local cheeses, olives, lavender, charcuterie, and all kinds of beautiful Provençal goods. It is such a sensory experience and the perfect place to pick up a few local snacks or souvenirs that feel genuinely authentic rather than touristy. Our toddler loved walking through and looking at all the colors and smells, and it was a very easy, relaxed experience with the stroller. The Marché Forville is another wonderful market just a few blocks away that you should explore!

A Delicious French Lunch

After the market we found a lovely restaurant for lunch called Le Caveau 30 and it was so, so good. Cannes is a genuinely fabulous food city and the combination of French cuisine with the fresh Mediterranean ingredients of the region is just really something special. I’m a huge fan of Italy and Italian food so I’ll admit I was very unsure about French food. And it totally surprised me.

We sat inside to get some A/C, but the front patio is beautiful too. We ordered a spread of delicious French dishes, and everything was incredible. Our baby was extra rowdy this meal and enjoyed tossing everything on the floor and we were a little embarrassed but everyone was SO nice and wouldn’t let us clean up a single thing every time we tried. We were really grateful for such good customer service. With only one day in Cannes, you want to make the most of your limited meals. So come here for some of the best French food!

Shopping Along the Rue d’Antibes

After lunch we did a little shopping along the Rue d’Antibes, which is Cannes’ main shopping street running parallel to the Croisette a block inland. It’s lined with a mix of boutiques, souvenir shops, French brands, and everything in between, and it’s a really lovely street to stroll down even if you’re just window shopping. We picked up a few fun French things and let the kids enjoy the wandering without any agenda.

Cannes Film Festival Red Carpet

As you explore the area, be sure to stop by the red carpet where they host the Cannes Film Festival! The festival is held every May, but the rest of the year the red carpet is still there so you can snap a few photos on it like we did! Even with just one day in Cannes, this quick stop is a must!

Crepe Break

You are in France. You must have a crepe. Non-negotiable. We found a street crepe vendor and it was absolutely incredible, thin and buttery and filled with exactly what you’d hope a French crepe would taste like.

Afternoon at the Beach Club

And then came the highlight of the entire Cannes day, which honestly might have been one of the highlights of the whole cruise, spending the afternoon in the beach club.

We found a beach club along the Croisette, called Maëma and while they were sold out of beach chairs this late in the day, they let us have a table right on the sand and said we could enjoy the beach from there if we ordered drinks. And let me tell you, this is actually the most brilliant idea! You save the money on the chairs and spend it on drinks and/or food instead! Plus the people were so incredibly kind and the service was incredible. Win-win!

We ordered Aperol Spritzes for the adults and then all went for a dip in the warm Mediterranean water, and just completely relaxed. After the tender stress of the morning and all the walking, to sit on a beautiful French Riviera beach with a cold drink in hand and swimming in the waves was just absolutely dreamy.

Beach clubs in Cannes can be quite selective and popular spots fill up fast in the summer, so if you have your heart set on having chairs on the sand, try to book online in advance. That said, there are many options along the Croisette and you can often find a spot by just walking up, especially earlier in the day. Prices vary but expect to pay for the lounge chairs separately from food and drinks.

Maëma only allows chair reservations made by phone, so plan to call once you get to Europe if you want that spot!

Additional Things to Do in Cannes with Kids

If you have more time or want to adjust the itinerary, here are some more great options for a one day in Cannes with little ones:

Walk La Croisette

The famous Boulevard de la Croisette is the heart of Cannes, a gorgeous wide promenade running along the beach lined with palm trees, luxury hotels, boutiques, and the most beautiful Mediterranean views. Even if you don’t go into any of the hotels or shops, just walking this iconic boulevard is a really wonderful experience. The promenade stretches for over three kilometers under the shade of pine and palm trees and is a great place to soak up the sun and sea breeze.

Visit the Île Sainte-Marguerite

This beautiful island just offshore from Cannes is where the famous Man in the Iron Mask was imprisoned and it is a really lovely, peaceful excursion for families. Short ferry rides run from the port regularly and the island has hiking paths, clear swimming water, and a fascinating fort and museum. A wonderful option if you have a full day and want a nature-focused outing. We will definitely be going here on our next trip when we plan to spend a few nights on the French Riviera! Book your tickets in advance.

Explore Le Suquet

The old town of Cannes is a charming medieval hilltop neighborhood with narrow winding streets, beautiful views, and a really lovely authentic atmosphere. The Castre Museum at the top has great views over the bay and the Lerins Islands. Easy to explore with a stroller on most of the main paths, though some of the very narrow cobblestone lanes can be trickier. Getting there takes an uphill walk but only takes about 10 minutes, so it is totally doable for any group!

The Walk of Fame

Right in front of the Palais des Festivals, the Cannes Walk of Fame features handprints from the world’s biggest film stars pressed into the pavement. Kids tend to love finding their favorite stars and comparing hand sizes. It’s free, it’s fun, and it’s right there when you step off the tender.

A Boat Trip to the Lerins Islands

If you have a longer port day, a short boat trip to the Lerins Islands, especially Île Saint-Honorat with its beautiful monastery and vineyards, is a really lovely excursion. The boats run regularly from the old port and the islands are peaceful and gorgeous, but I definitely recommend booking a tour in advance if you plan to spend your day there!

Places to Eat in Cannes with Kids

Beach club restaurants

Honestly one of the most wonderful dining experiences in Cannes. Most beach clubs serve lunch right at your lounger or at tables right on the sand with views of the Mediterranean, and the menus are typically full of fresh seafood, salads, and classic French dishes.

Restaurants in Le Suquet (Old Town)

The narrow streets of the old town are full of charming, authentic French restaurants serving really wonderful cuisine. This is where you’ll find the most genuine local dining experience and generally better value than the Croisette itself. Walk up the hill, duck into wherever looks busy with locals, and enjoy.

Forville Market

Great for a casual snack, a picnic spread, or just grazing on fresh French produce, cheese, and local delicacies. Very easy with a stroller and such a fun, authentic market experience.

Crepe stands

Do not leave Cannes without a crepe. They are everywhere, they are delicious, and they are one of those quintessentially French experiences that just makes you so happy to be wherever you are. Kids absolutely love them too.

Restaurants along Rue d’Antibes

The side streets off the Rue d’Antibes have a great mix of casual bistros and more sit-down options that tend to offer better value and a more relaxed atmosphere than the beachfront restaurants. Great for a longer, more leisurely French lunch.

Tips for One Day in Cannes from a Cruise Ship

Budget for the tender wait

I said it at the beginning and I’ll say it again because it is genuinely the most important logistical thing to know about spending one day in Cannes from a cruise ship, the tender can take a long time. We waited nearly two hours. Plan your day with that buffer in mind and don’t book anything with a tight start time unless you have priority tender access.

Book shore excursions through the cruise line if tender time is a concern

Shore excursion passengers typically get priority tender boarding, which can save you a lot of time on a busy port day. This is genuinely worth considering for Cannes specifically.

Cannes is incredibly walkable

Once you’re ashore, you really don’t need any additional transportation to see the main highlights. The tender drops you right in the middle of everything and a good chunk of the day can be done entirely on foot.

Beach clubs fill up fast in summer

If a beach club afternoon is important to you, either book in advance or get to the beach area early in your port day before all the chairs are taken.

Bring cash

Cards are widely accepted in Cannes, but ATMs are available near the port and some smaller vendors and market stalls prefer cash. Have a mix on hand.

The market is morning only

The markets operate in the mornings and early afternoon, so plan your visit to the market in the first part of your day before it closes.

Cannes is expensive

It’s the French Riviera and it is priced accordingly. Budget more than you think you’ll need for food, beach clubs, and shopping. That said, the experience is worth every euro.

Packing List for One Day in Cannes from a Cruise Ship

• Stroller: The city is very walkable and stroller-friendly along the main promenades. Le Petit Train is also completely accessible with a stroller.
• Baby carrier: Useful for the old town where some of the narrower cobblestone lanes are trickier for a stroller.
• Stroller fan: The French Riviera in summer is HOT and a clip-on fan is a lifesaver for the baby especially during the tender wait.
• Swimsuits and a beach bag: If a beach club stop is on the agenda, pack swimsuits and have them easily accessible. We just wore ours under our clothes.
• Teema Towel: Lightweight and so much easier than lugging big beach towels off the ship.
• Sunscreen stick and powder sunscreen: Easy to reapply throughout the day, especially after the beach.
• Sun hats for the whole family: Non-negotiable on the French Riviera in summer.
• Cash euros: For Le Petit Train tickets, the market, and smaller vendors. Some things in Cannes are cash only.
• Snacks from the ship buffet in a ziploc bag: The tender wait is long and hungry toddlers plus a long line is not a fun combination.
• A fully charged phone and portable battery: You’ll use your phone for maps and photos constantly.
• Comfortable walking shoes: The Croisette and main streets are easy, but Le Suquet’s old town has some cobblestones.
• Your all-aboard time written somewhere visible. The tender back to the ship also takes time. Factor that into your departure from shore and give yourself plenty of buffer.

One Day in Cannes with Kids

Our one day in Cannes completely stole our hearts and I think it might be one of the most underrated cruise port stops on the entire Mediterranean circuit. The city is gorgeous, the food is incredible, the beach is beautiful, and it has this effortless French elegance that just makes everything feel special and wonderful.

Yes, the tender situation is genuinely frustrating and you will lose time to it. But once you’re on that shore with a crepe in one hand and the Mediterranean sparkling in front of you, you will forget every minute of the wait.

If you’re able to plan for several nights in Cannes, or the French Riviera instead of just one day, I highly recommend you do! We will definitely be staying for a week next time!