The 24-Hour Challenge: Your Perfect Day in Cannes

#cityplaybook It’s always challenging when you have just 24 hours to explore the city but if it’s happening with you in Cannes that is the list what to do: 10am: Shop designer labels for less After Paris, Cannes is France’s second home to haute couture. Never have I shopped with such joyful wild abandon as I have in Cannes. Maybe it’s the helpful and friendly shop assistants, or the tempting range of options from independent boutiques to international high-street favourites and high-end luxury fashion boutiques, where items cost around 10% less than in some other major shopping destinations. Be sure to leave some space in your case. 12pm: Have lunch with added beats at a beach club The famous Plage de La Croisette is lined with beach clubs. Stroll along the promenade, which overlooks them all, and gravitate towards your preferred vibe. Nikki Beach founders have introduced their colourful new beach club concept Lucia, which opened in 2024. Savour sea views and steaming bowls of linguini vongole – and save room for the joyously delicious île flottante, a classic French floating meringue with a hidden hit of peanut butter. Alternatively, grab a soft-serve ice cream from one of the many stalls on the promenade and pull up a complimentary blue chair, ubiquitous this famous coastline. 5pm: Stroll through the ‘Old Town’ Start your exploration at the foot of Rue Saint-Antoine in the charming, medieval neighbourhood of Le Suquet, the ‘Old Town’ of Cannes. With narrow, winding streets, stone houses, traditional eateries, boutiques and market stalls, Le Suquet comes alive as dusk falls. At the highest point stands 17th-century Gothic church Église Notre-Dame d'Espérance and the city’s landmark ‘Cannes’ sign. From here, take in sweeping views of the city, the glistening Mediterranean and the nearby Lérins Islands. Bring your camera. 8pm: Dine in style at one of Cannes’ most popular restaurants Palme d’Or restaurant by Jean Imbert at Hôtel Martinez, one of Cannes’ Grande Dames (see below), for fine dining with Mediterranean flavours and panoramas, and a compelling collection of original movie memorabilia, including the chilling ice pick seen in Basic Instinct. Another welcome addition to the dining scene, Zuma made its debut in France with its first permanent restaurant in Cannes in May 2024. The stunning Zuma Cannes, set within the exclusive Palm Beach club on Pointe Croisette, has a vast terrace with retractable sails overlooking the Bay of Cannes.