Nice is the Riviera's largest city, with a real, lived-in old town, a long pebble beach along the Promenade des Anglais, and a bustling daily market. Cannes is smaller and more polished, built around La Croisette and best known internationally for its film festival.
For most first-time visitors, Nice offers more to actually do, market, old town, architecture, panoramic viewpoints, within walking distance. Cannes is worth a half day for the Croisette, the old Le Suquet quarter, and the atmosphere of the festival landmarks, but has less depth for a full day unless you're drawn specifically to its film history or shopping.
Nice and Cannes are about an hour apart, which makes it possible to combine Cannes with a stop in Antibes on the way, port town with its own Provençal market, for travelers who want a fuller coastal day rather than choosing one city over the other.
About 30-45 minutes by car depending on traffic and route.
Nice generally offers more for families in a compact area, beach, old town, market, while Cannes suits travelers specifically interested in its film festival history and boutique shopping.
It's possible but rushed; most travelers get more out of dedicating a half day to each, often combined with Antibes in between.
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