Are you planning to visit the Côte d’Azur and wondering where to go: Cannes or Saint-Tropez?
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. Saint-Tropez 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 Saint-Tropez: summary of the comparison
Short answer
The two cities are very close, yet very different.
Cannes is ideal for those looking for glamour, sandy beaches and a smaller town.
Saint-Tropez is world-renowned for its famous port, which has attracted some of the world’s biggest stars. The town is also very popular for its charming, colorful alleyways and Provencal market.
Depending on what you’re looking for…
- for the most beautiful beaches: equality
- for young children / families: none of the above
- for the most beautiful hotels: Saint-Tropez
- for a romantic getaway: Saint-Tropez
- for gastronomy: Saint-Tropez
- for the charm of the town: Saint-Tropez
- for nightlife: equality
- for the surrounding region: equality
- …
See the top-rated accommodations in Cannes.
See the top-rated accommodations in Saint-Tropez.
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 different parts of the region.
From Cannes, you’ll have access to more history and culture, while Saint-Tropez offers access to more nature.
Here’s some road map to help you make a better assessment:
- Cannes to Saint-Tropez = 1h20 drive
- Cannes to Nice = 45min drive
- Nice to Monaco = 30 min drive
- Saint-Raphaël to Saint-Tropez = 1h drive
Nice-Côte d’Azur airport is the main international airport serving Cannes. Cannes airport: 30min drive
To reach Saint-Tropez, you can land at Nice-Côte d’Azur airport (1h30 drive) or Marseille airport (2h drive).
Compare available flights.
Both towns also have railway stations. Cannes station is easier to reach.
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: Saint-Tropez vs Cannes
Hotels in Saint-Tropez
The range of hotels in Saint-Tropez is vast, especially if you’re looking for 5-star accommodation. There are so many superb hotels that it’s hard to choose.
We recommend..:
- Quiet luxury: Hotel Sezz – see prices, pictures and availability
- Charming: Hotel Pré de la Mer – prices, pictures and availability
- Lively and iconic luxury: Byblos Hotel – see prices, pictures and availability
Read our article on where to stay in Saint-Tropez.
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.
Our review
We prefer the hotels in Saint-Tropez.
However, if you’re looking for a room with a sea view, you’ll have more choice in Cannes.
Attractions, museums and monuments
Attractions in Saint-Tropez
The main attractions in Saint-Tropez are..:
- Stroll along the harbour and through the narrow streets of the old town
- Relax on a terrace to enjoy the atmosphere
- Explore the 16th-century citadel and visit the museums. Enjoy beautiful views over the bay.
- Discover the most beautiful beaches in the area, such as Plage de Pampelonne and Plage de l’Escalet.
- Discover French popular culture at the Musée de la Gendarmerie et du Cinéma (in reference to films starring Louis de Funès).
- Explore nearby villages such as Grimaud, Gassin and Ramatuelle
- A walk through the vineyards
Find out more in our article on the best attractions in Saint-Tropez.
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.
Our review
The offer is fairly similar between the two cities. Few museums, a few pretty little streets, a fort or citadel…
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: Saint-Tropez or Cannes?
Beaches of Saint-Tropez
In and around Saint-Tropez, you’ll find a host of beautiful public and private beaches.
The beaches in the town center aren’t the prettiest, but on the rest of the Ramatuelle peninsula, you have superb options with golden sands and azure waters.
See our article on Saint-Tropez’s most beautiful beaches.
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.
Our review
Both towns have beautiful sandy beaches with stunning views.
If you prefer easy access, Cannes is the winner. If you prefer wilder beaches, Saint-Tropez is the winner.
Excursions around the cities
Excursions from Saint-Tropez
From Sain-Tropez, you can visit..:
- The villages of Ramatuelle, Gassin, Grimaud and Port Grimaud. See the most beautiful villages near Saint-Tropez.
- Cap de l’Esterel and its hiking trails (1h30 away)
- Hyères and Porquerolles Island (1h15 drive)
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.
Our review
The winner: Cannes.
Best gastronomic offer
Restaurants in Saint-Tropez
With its range of luxury hotels, Saint-Tropez is also an excellent place to discover the best of French gastronomy.
Reservations are essential!
Among our favorite restaurants:
- Restaurant Colette: a big hit for its dishes and quality of service
- Restaurant Dior Café: light fare, for the glamorous ambience of Saint-Tropez
- Restaurant Beefbar: for meat lovers
Discover our selection of the best restaurants in Saint-Tropez.
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.
Our review
We preferred Saint-Tropez’s gastronomic offerings.
Ease of getting around these cities/regions
Getting around Saint-Tropez
It’s easy to explore the city center on foot.
However, as soon as you want to go out, you need a car, and the main access road to the city is often very slow.
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.
Can we visit Cannes and Saint-Tropez on the same trip?
The two cities are not very close.
By car, 1h30 drive.
But if you’re staying in Cannes, you can simply take the shuttle boat to spend the day in Saint-Tropez – see prices, photos and availability.
And why not other cities/regions?
On the Côte d’Azur, there are plenty of other great towns to discover. You can read our comparison:
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
