Are you planning to visit the Côte d’Azur and wondering whether to go to Cannes or Monaco?
We love both destinations. The choice is difficult, but we’re here to help you with our opinions on specific criteria.
Here’s our Cannes vs Monaco battle with tips and photos:
- Atmosphere
- Beaches, monuments and museums
- Location
- Hotels and restaurants
- …
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Cannes or Monaco: summary of the comparison
Short answer
The two cities are quite similar, luxury-oriented and yet very different.
Cannes is ideal for those looking for glamour, sandy beaches and a smaller town.
Monaco is an independent principality renowned for its international events, built on a massive cliffside. It impresses and fascinates with its luxury experience.
Depending on what you’re looking for…
- to easily explore the region: Cannes
- for the most beautiful beaches: Cannes
- for young children / families: equality
- for the most beautiful hotels: Monaco
- for a romantic getaway: equality
- for gastronomy: Monaco
- for the charm of the city: Cannes
- for nightlife: equality
- …
See the top-rated accommodations in Cannes.
See the top-rated accommodations in Monaco.
Access + Location to explore the region
Both towns are located on the eastern half of the Côte d’Azur. They are both well placed for exploring the region.
Here’s some road map to help you make a better assessment:
- Cannes to Monaco = 1h drive
- Cannes to Antibes = 25 min drive
- Nice to Monaco = 30 min drive
- Cannes to Saint-Tropez = 1h20 drive
Nice-Côte d’Azur airport is the main international airport serving Monaco and Cannes.
Monaco airport: 30min drive
Cannes airport: 30min drive
Compare available flights.
The two towns also have a train station with services between Marseille and Menton.
Book your trains.
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Best hotel offer: Monaco vs Cannes
Hotels in Cannes
The range of hotels in Cannes is less comprehensive and, in our opinion, a little less charming.
However, we really liked some of the hotels, such as..:
- Luxury: Five Seas Hotel – see prices, pictures and availability
- Charming: Hotel Le Suquet – view prices, pictures and availability
- Glamour: Hotel BW Premier – prices, pictures and availability
Read our article on where to stay in Cannes.
Hotels in Monaco
Monaco offers a wide range of hotels, especially if you’re looking for 5-star accommodation.
We recommend..:
- Luxury Palace: Hotel Hermitage – view prices, pictures and availability
- Resort: Hotel Monte-Carlo Bay – see prices, pictures and availability
- Boutique: Hotel Miramar – see prices, pictures and availability
Read our article on where to stay in Monaco.
Our review
Cannes’ offer is less developed than Monaco’s, and a little less charming, in our opinion.
Our winner: Monaco
Attractions, museums and monuments
Cannes attractions
Cannes’ main attractions are:
- Stroll through the Suquet district and admire the views
- Visit the Museum of Civilization and climb to the top of the tower for the best views.
- Feeling like a star on the red carpet steps
- Find the fingerprints of your favorite actors
- Take the boat to Île Marguerite for a soak in nature and visit the famous Man in the Iron Mask Museum.
- Or choose Saint-Honorat island and its abbey
- Stroll along the seafront on La Croisette
- The nearby village of Mougins
Find out more in our article on the best attractions in Cannes.
Attractions in Monaco
Monaco’s main attractions are:
- Visit the Prince’s Palace and watch the changing of the guard
- Explore and marvel at its museums: the Oceanographic Museum, Prince Rainier III’s car collection, and art museums.
- Admire the luxurious architecture
- Discover the many different garden styles (exotic, Japanese, rose garden…)
- Enjoy the luxurious ambience
See our article on the best attractions in Monaco.
Our review
The cultural offer is more developed in Monaco, but Cannes offers nature escapades.
Our winner: Monaco.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
- Great kayak trips in:
Saint-Tropez to the Ramatuelle reserve
Cassis to the calanques - Helicopter flight from Cannes
- Shuttle service along the coast between Nice and Saint-Tropez
- Bike tours: eBike in Nice – Mountain biking in the Esterel massif
Most beautiful beaches: Monaco or Cannes?
Cannes beaches
After visiting the town, we particularly recommend the Plage du Midi and the Plage de la Bocca for quiet family afternoons. However, if you’d like to enjoy the hustle and bustle of Cannes, we recommend the lively Plages de la Croisette. We also loved the small coves of the Îles de Lérins, but you’ll need swimming shoes!
Find out more in our article on the beaches of Cannes.
Monaco Beaches
The Principality of Monaco is built into a cliffside on the Mediterranean coast. Yet it has only two public, artificial beaches. They are, however, pleasant, lively and boast a wide range of facilities.
There’s also Solarium Beach, an artificial concrete seawall.
See our article on Monaco’s most beautiful beaches.
Our review
There’s no competition. Cannes is the big winner.
Excursions around the cities
Excursions from Cannes
From Cannes, you can visit
- The village of Mougins
- The towns of Antibes, Nice…
- Take the ferry to Saint-Tropez or the ferry to Monaco
- Île Sainte-Marguerite: between hiking, swimming and the must-see Iron Mask Museum and Fort Royal, you’ll love this green setting – book your ferry trip now.
- The best of Provence: visit the towns of Èze, Monaco, Antibes and Saint-Paul-de-Vence in a small group, and enjoy magnificent views of the Côte d’Azur – see prices, photos and availability.
- vineyards between Grasse, Gourdon and Valbonne – see prices, photos and availability.
See our article on the best excursions from Cannes.
Excursions from Monaco
From Monaco, you can visit
- Villages La Turbie, Roquebrune, Èze, Sainte-Agnès
- The towns of Menton, Nice, Beaulieu-sur-Mer
- Cap Ferrat and the Villa Ephrussi
- …
- There are few guided excursions from Monaco.
Our review
If you choose not to rent a car, it’s best to opt for Cannes, which offers guided tours.
If you have a car, Monaco is ideally located between Menton and Nice.
Best gastronomic offer
Restaurants in Cannes
In Cannes, Mediterranean flavors transported us. You’ll discover a cuisine that combines land and sea, using local Provencal produce.
There are also plenty of bars and restaurants with private beaches.
Among our favorite restaurants:
- Restaurant Table 22: fresh local produce cooked with great finesse
- Restaurant La Môme: a must for Provencal evenings, where you can enjoy tasty cocktails!
- Restaurant Mademoiselle Gray (Plage Barrière): enjoy an exceptional panoramic sea view
Discover our selection of the best restaurants in Cannes.
Restaurants in Monaco
The Principality’s restaurant offer is extensive and highly sought-after, with numerous Michelin-starred and gourmet restaurants. You’ll discover tasty, bold Mediterranean cuisine, as well as a wide choice of world cuisine (Italian, Asian…): there really is something for everyone! Contrary to popular belief, you can also enjoy affordable, healthy dining in Monaco.
Among our favorite restaurants:
- Restaurant Le Pavyllon (1 star): daring cuisine in its restaurant in the 5-star Hôtel Hermitage.
- Restaurant Chez Pierre: excellent gourmet dining
- Restaurant Supernature: a wine bar with a wide range of references, a cosy atmosphere and delicious focaccia.
Discover our selection of the best restaurants in Monaco.
Our review
We preferred Monaco’s gastronomic offerings.
Ease of getting around these cities/regions
Getting around Cannes
Cannes is smaller. So it’s easy to explore everything on foot. However, it is also quite steep.
To explore the Suquet, for example, you have to go upstairs.
You can also use the bus network.
It’s easy to explore downtown on foot. Everything is cliffside and the streets are steep. Allow for a cab budget.
Monaco also has a hop-on-hop-off bus to see the main places of interest – save time, buy your ticket.
Can we visit Cannes and Monaco on the same trip?
The two towns are quite close.
By car, 1h drive.
They can also be visited by train.
If you’re staying in Canne, you can also take the ferry to visit Monaco during the day – see prices, photos and availability.
And why not other cities/regions?
Around Antibes and Cannes, there are plenty of other great towns to discover. You can read our comparison:
- Cannes or Nice
- Antibes or Menton
- Nice or Antibes
- Nice or Monaco
- Saint-Tropez or Monaco
- Cannes or Saint-Tropez
- …
Or see our list of the most beautiful towns on the Côte d’Azur.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE Côte d’Azur
- Inspiration
The most beautiful landscapes in 30 photos
Best things to do on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful villages
Best beaches on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful gardens
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Most beautiful islands
Secret places
- Practical advice
Successful travel on the Côte d’Azur (coming soon)
Rent a car in Provence – in Nice – in Cannes – in Marseille – in Aix-en-Provence.
Itineraries: 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
Weekend ideas: best-of – romantic – luxury – unusual
- Where to stay
Where to stay on the Côte d’Azur
Best luxury hotels on the Côte d’Azur
Hotels by the sea
Best boutique-hotels
