Antibes and Cannes Day Trip from Nice: One-Day Itinerary (2026)
Antibes and Cannes sit just 10 minutes apart on the same train line west of Nice, which makes them a perfect pair for one day out. Antibes gives you a walled old town, a superyacht harbour and the Picasso Museum; Cannes adds the glamour of the Croisette, the red-carpet steps and the hilltop old town of Le Suquet. This guide plans an easy Antibes and Cannes day trip from Nice by train, with a stop-by-stop itinerary, the best add-ons and tips to save time. For the rest of the coast, see our French Riviera travel guide.
Antibes and Cannes day trip at a glance
From Nice: about 20 to 25 minutes by train to Antibes, then about 10 to 15 minutes on to Cannes
Time needed: a full day, ideally starting before 9am
Plan: Antibes in the morning, Cannes in the afternoon, sunset at Le Suquet
Best days: Tuesday to Sunday, as the Picasso Museum and many markets close on Monday
Return: trains run back to Nice until late evening
How to get from Nice to Antibes and Cannes
Regional TER trains run along the coast from Nice-Ville to Antibes and Cannes every 15 to 30 minutes. Buy a single ticket Nice to Antibes, then Antibes to Cannes, then Cannes back to Nice on the SNCF Connect app or at the machines. Antibes station is a 10-minute walk from the old town and Cannes station is a 5-minute walk from the Croisette, so you do not need a car. Driving is possible, but parking near both old towns is limited and expensive.
Morning in Antibes
1. Walk along Port Vauban to the Fort Carré
From the station, walk down to Port Vauban, one of the largest marinas in the Mediterranean, where the "Billionaires' Quay" is lined with some of the biggest superyachts in the world. Across the harbour stands the star-shaped Fort Carré, a 16th-century fortress you can visit for views over the bay and the Alps.
2. Explore the old town and the ramparts
Go through the Porte Marine into the old town of Antibes, a tangle of narrow lanes, flower-filled squares and ochre houses. Walk along the sea walls on the Promenade Amiral de Grasse for the view along the coast, and stop at the little Plage de la Gravette, a sandy beach tucked inside the harbour walls.
3. Browse the Provençal market
The covered market on the Cours Masséna is one of the best on the Riviera: olives, tapenade, socca, cheese, spices and local fruit. It runs every morning in summer and from Tuesday to Sunday the rest of the year, and in the afternoon the stalls make way for local craftspeople.
4. Visit the Picasso Museum
In 1946 Picasso used the Château Grimaldi, on the ramparts above the sea, as his studio, and he left many of the works he made there. Today it is the Picasso Museum, with paintings, ceramics and drawings, plus a terrace of sculptures facing the Mediterranean. Allow an hour, and note that it is closed on Mondays.
5. Or walk the Cap d'Antibes coastal path
If you prefer nature to museums, take a local Envibus bus (or a taxi) towards the Cap d'Antibes and walk the Sentier du Littoral, a rocky path around the tip of the cape with turquoise coves and views to the Alps (about 1 to 2 hours; wear good shoes). The cape is also home to legendary hotels such as the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc (see our best hotels in France). Have lunch back in the old town before heading to Cannes.
Afternoon in Cannes
6. Stroll the Croisette
Take the train on to Cannes and walk down to the Boulevard de la Croisette, the palm-lined seafront of luxury hotels, boutiques and private beaches. There are also free public beaches along it if you want a swim. Walk east towards the Pointe Croisette for fewer crowds and a view back over the bay.
7. Pose on the red carpet at the Palais des Festivals
At the western end of the Croisette, the Palais des Festivals hosts the Cannes Film Festival every May. Outside the festival you can usually walk up the famous red-carpet steps for a photo, then look for the handprints of film stars set in the pavement of the Chemin des Étoiles around the building.
8. Climb to Le Suquet, the old town
Behind the old port, steep lanes lead up to Le Suquet, the original fishing village of Cannes. At the top, the castle houses a small museum and a medieval tower with a panoramic view over the bay, the port and the Îles de Lérins. Come at sunset, then have dinner on the Rue Saint-Antoine, lined with small restaurants.
Planning an Antibes and Cannes day trip? Nice is the best base, with cheaper hotels and trains all day along the coast. Compare hotels and flights for your dates.
Other ways to plan your day
9. Swap Antibes for the Îles de Lérins
With a full day in Cannes, take a boat from the Quai Laubeuf to the Îles de Lérins (about 15 to 20 minutes). On Île Sainte-Marguerite you can see the cell of the Man in the Iron Mask in the Fort Royal and walk under the pines to quiet coves; Île Saint-Honorat is home to monks who make wine. Bring a picnic and allow at least half a day.
10. Shop and eat at the Marché Forville
Cannes's covered market, a few minutes from the old port, is where local chefs buy their produce. Go in the morning for fruit, cheese and fresh fish; it is closed on Mondays, when a flea market takes its place.
Tips for your Antibes and Cannes day trip
Start early: Antibes is calm before 10am and the market is at its best.
Avoid Cannes during big events unless you are going for them: the Film Festival in May and the big trade shows bring crowds and higher prices.
Pack a swimsuit: both towns have public beaches near the centre.
Check the official sites: opening hours and events are on the Antibes Juan-les-Pins tourism website and the City of Cannes website.
More day trips: combine this with our Monaco day trip from Nice for two perfect days on the coast.
Antibes and Cannes day trip: FAQ
Can you visit Antibes and Cannes in one day?
Yes. They are only 10 to 15 minutes apart by train, so you can spend the morning in Antibes and the afternoon and evening in Cannes, then take the train back to Nice.
Which is better, Antibes or Cannes?
Antibes feels more authentic, with its old town, market and Picasso Museum. Cannes is more glamorous, with the Croisette, the Palais des Festivals and luxury shopping. If you only have time for one, choose Antibes for charm and Cannes for the famous sights.
How do you get from Nice to Cannes?
By TER train from Nice-Ville, with departures every 15 to 30 minutes and a journey of about 25 to 40 minutes. It is the easiest and cheapest option.
Is it better to stay in Nice or Cannes?
Nice is the better base for most visitors: it has the airport, more hotels at every budget and the best train connections to Antibes, Cannes, Monaco and Èze.
Plan your trip to the French Riviera
Nice is the best base for Antibes, Cannes and the whole coast. Compare flights and hotels for your dates, and book early for summer and May.
More for your trip: our French Riviera travel guide, things to do in Nice, where to stay in Nice and our South of France itinerary.
Photo credits (Wikimedia Commons): Port Vauban and La Croisette by Txllxt TxllxT (CC BY-SA 4.0); Antibes old town by Yair Haklai (CC BY-SA 4.0); Picasso Museum by MOSSOT (CC BY-SA 4.0); Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc by John Jason Junior (CC BY-SA 3.0); Le Suquet by Jorge Láscar (CC BY 2.0).
