Best Beaches in Cannes: Free Public Beaches & Hidden Coves
For a free public beach in Cannes, head for the Palais des Festivals beach or Zamenhof on the Croisette, Bijou Plage and Palm Beach at the tip of the Croisette, Boulevard du Midi for families, and the rocks of La Bocca for clear water. The coves of the Lérins Islands are still the wildest of all.
According to the regional tourism board, Cannes has around thirteen public beaches, with plenty of private beach clubs slotted in between. The good news: you can swim for free on fine sand just steps from the Croisette. Here's our pick, from east to west, then out at sea.
The Croisette: public beaches in the center
Plage du Palais des Festivals
This is the most central public beach, right next to the Palais, a few minutes' walk from the train station and the Old Port. Fine sand and a gently sloping entry into the water make it a good choice for young children. The regional tourism board lists restrooms, showers and wheelchair access. The flip side: it gets very busy in summer.
Plage Zamenhof
Further east along Boulevard de la Croisette, next to the Hôtel Martinez beach, Zamenhof is a municipal beach run by the city. In season (June 15 to September 15 in 2026), it has lifeguards and offers sunbed and umbrella rental that you can book online . It has access ramps and equipment for people with reduced mobility. You're welcome to bring sandwiches and non-alcoholic drinks.
Tip: in July and August, arrive before 10 a.m. to find space on the sand, and head off before the worst of the heat.
The tip of the Croisette: Bijou Plage and Palm Beach
Bijou Plage
At the far eastern end of the Croisette, Bijou Plage is especially family-friendly: the water deepens gradually, and there's a lifeguard station with supervised swimming in season. It carries the Handiplage accessibility label and is one of Cannes' smoke-free beaches. Part of it is private, part public .
Palm Beach and Boulevard Gazagnaire
Round the point and you reach the Palm Beach area, named after the iconic venue on the headland, followed by the long ribbon of sand along Boulevard Eugène-Gazagnaire. Less urban than the Croisette, with views of the nearby Lérins Islands, it's many locals' favorite spot for an early-evening swim. A large public parking lot serves the area . It's also where kayak trips to the islands set off.
Boulevard du Midi: the family option
West of the Old Port, toward Mandelieu-La Napoule, the public beaches of Boulevard du Midi stretch for about 700 meters of sand, with the Esterel Massif as a backdrop. The tourist office reports lifeguarded swimming in high season and floating play structures offshore for older kids. Plage du Midi has Blue Flag status.
Across the road, Square Mistral has a playground, shade and a pétanque court. Two free beach volleyball courts are set up at 16, boulevard du Midi. Several kiosks sell sandwiches and salads at friendlier prices than the beach restaurants. Get there by bus (Midi Nadine, Mistral Jean Hibert or Midi Collège International stops); by car, street parking is scarce in summer.
It's also the best place in Cannes to watch the sun set over the Esterel.
The rocks of La Bocca: for clear water
At the far western end, in Cannes-La Bocca, Plage des Rochers combines fine sand with the red rocks of the Esterel. The water is clear and great for snorkeling. It's a smoke-free, Blue Flag beach, open year-round. Cannes-La Bocca train station is about 300 meters away on foot, making it an easy beach to reach by TER train.
The beaches of the Lérins Islands
For a real back-to-nature feel, you need to cross the water. On Île Sainte-Marguerite, the east and west beaches have Blue Flag status according to the tourist office, and the south coast hides small rocky coves facing Saint-Honorat. Batéguier beach, on the western tip, is one of the prettiest. Bring water shoes, a picnic and plenty of water: supplies are limited. Everything worth seeing on the island is in our guide to what to see on Île Sainte-Marguerite.
Good to know before you hit the beach
- Smoke-free beaches: Bijou Plage and Plage des Rochers de La Bocca are non-smoking; the tourist office mentions a €38 fine for breaking the rule.
- Kids: on several beaches, the "Tétéou" scheme lets you pick up a wristband at lifeguard stations or kiosks that shows the nearest giant figure to meet at if a child gets lost.
- Dogs: the official listing for Plage Zamenhof bans them in season and allows them from November 1 to May 1 .
- Lifeguards: only on duty in season. Outside that period, swim close to shore and never alone.
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Frequently asked questions
Are the beaches in Cannes free?
Yes, public beaches are free. Only the private beach clubs, of which there are many on the Croisette, charge for sunbeds and umbrellas. On some municipal beaches such as Zamenhof, equipment rental is paid but access to the sand is free.
Which beach in Cannes is best with kids?
Boulevard du Midi, with its floating play structures, kiosks and Square Mistral across the road, and Bijou Plage, with its gradual entry into the water and lifeguards in season.
Where can I swim in Cannes without a car?
The Palais des Festivals beach is a few minutes from Cannes station, and Plage des Rochers about 300 meters from Cannes-La Bocca station. For a full day out, see our itinerary for one day in Cannes.
Can you smoke on the beaches in Cannes?
Not on the smoke-free beaches (Bijou Plage, Plage des Rochers de La Bocca), where you risk a fine. Elsewhere, carry a pocket ashtray and never leave a cigarette butt behind.
Go kayaking with Azurkay
From the beach, the Lérins Islands look close enough to touch. With Azurkay, they are: our 4-hour guided tour departs from the Palm Beach public parking lot, crosses the channel to Batéguier beach, paddles past the Fort Royal and explores secret coves you can't reach on foot. Groups of 16 max, with state-certified instructors. Find the itinerary and availability on the Lérins Islands kayak tour page.
