The small Principality of Monaco might not be at the top of everyone’s travel bucket lists, but it was somewhere that I had wanted to visit for quite some time. After visiting the majority of Europe, I only had a few countries left on my list and I was ready to finally see and experience this one for myself.

Monaco is easily one of the most glamorous and unique destinations in the world. While many people associate it primarily with millionaires, casinos and luxury yachts, there is so much more to discover once you are there. If you are already travelling through the South of France, it is an incredibly easy destination to add to your itinerary.

I recently visited Monaco and now that I am home, I have put together this blog and travel guide to include everything that you need to know before your visit as well as the best things to see and do for first time visitors along with up to date information, directions and photos. I have also included my own tips, tricks and advice to help you make the most of your trip to Monaco and hopefully make it an unforgettable experience when you are there.

Where is Monaco

The microstate of Monaco is located on the French Riviera and is surrounded on three sides by France with the Mediterranean Sea on the other. Monaco is just under one square mile in size making it the second smallest country in the world after Vatican City. It has a population of just over 38,000 people and is one of the most densely populated countries in the world as well as home to some of the most expensive property prices globally.

The capital of Monaco is Monaco-Ville, also known as Le Rocher, and the other neighbourhoods include Monte Carlo, Fontvieille, Larvotto, Mareterra, La Condamine and Jardin Exotique.

When is the Best Time to Visit Monaco

Monaco has a mild Mediterranean climate of warm, dry summers and mild winters with over three hundred days of sunshine a year making it a great destination to visit all year long. However your experience can vary depending on when you visit.

I visited in February during the off season and it felt calm and relaxed with blue skies, comfortable temperatures and plenty of sunshine. It was also very quiet which made it really easy to explore. In contrast the summer months can be very busy and because Monaco is so small, it can easily get very crowded with little room to move, especially if there are any special events such as the Grand Prix or Yacht Show taking place.

If you are planning a winter trip, December is also a great time to visit for all of the Christmas markets in the South of France including the one at Port Hercule in Monaco.

The Best Way to Visit Monaco

Whilst Monaco is unlikely to be the main destination of your trip due to its small size, it is absolutely perfect for a day trip from Nice which is just thirteen miles to the west or from other nearby towns such as Menton and Cannes. The Italian border and the town of Ventimiglia are also just over ten miles to the east away making it very easy to include Monaco as part of a much bigger trip along the Côte d’Azur.

How to Get to Monaco

The easiest way to get to Monaco is to fly to Nice which is the closest international airport and has flights from across the whole of Europe as well as much further afield. From there, there are a few options depending on your budget and preferred style of travel.

The train is the most popular option and the journey from Nice-Ville in the centre of the city to Monaco-Monte Carlo takes just over twenty minutes and costs €5.90 per adult at the time of writing. Once onboard, make sure to sit on the right hand side of the train as it follows the coastline towards Monaco for the best views.

If you are looking for a cheaper and more budget friendly option, Bus 600 runs approximately every fifteen minutes from Square Normandie Niemen in Nice to Monaco and costs €2.50. However the journey is much slower and will take almost one hour.

It is also possible to drive to Monaco however parking is very limited and can be expensive. You can also use Uber to drop you off in Monaco however they are not allowed to pick up passengers from within the country itself.

If money is not an issue, you can also arrive in Monaco by helicopter transfer directly from Nice Airport which only takes seven minutes but with a much higher cost of approximately €200 per person.

Is Monaco Expensive to Visit

When visiting Monaco, you can easily keep costs down by not staying in Monaco and simply taking the bus or train in instead, as staying in Monaco itself can be very expensive. However once you are there, just walking around and exploring is completely free of charge and honestly the best way to see Monaco. Eating out in restaurants can also be quite pricey which is something else to keep in mind.

The only money we spent all day was on our train fares as well as a coffee when we sat down to take a break as we ate a huge breakfast at our hotel in Nice.

Where to Stay in Monaco

If you do choose to stay in Monaco, it will not be cheap as accommodation prices are generally very high all year round. For a more affordable option, staying in Nice is a great alternative as it is much cheaper and also very easy to get to Monaco by train in just over twenty minutes.

During our trip we stayed at the DoubleTree by Hilton Nice Centre Iconic, which was so convenient as it is located right next door to Nice-Ville station. This made it very easy not only to travel to Monaco (you can also easily take the train to Cannes as well as other towns along the Côte d’Azur) but also to explore the city of Nice itself.

No matter where you stay, booking accommodation in advance is essential especially if you are visiting during peak times. Prices can rise quickly and availability becomes very limited especially during events like the Nice Carnival or the Monaco Grand Prix, so planning ahead can really make a big difference.

How to Explore Monaco

Exploring Monaco on foot is one of the best ways to see the country and is very easy as everything is so close together. You can easily walk from one end of Monaco to the other in about an hour without stopping so there is definitely no need to spend any money on taxis when visiting. All of the streets are well connected with pathways, staircases and even public elevators in some areas which makes it very easy to get around.

Once we left the train station, we started our day in Le Rocher (Monaco-Ville) which is the old town that sits high above the harbour and offers incredible views from some amazing viewpoints. From there we slowly made our way down through La Condamine and Port Hercule before heading over to Monte Carlo, Larvotto and Mareterra in the afternoon. This meant that we were able to see a huge amount in just a few short hours. Despite being quite hilly in some places, I actually found it really manageable as no where was overly steep and even my dodgy knees were completely fine – just make sure to wear comfortable and supportive shoes as they really are a must when exploring Monaco.

If visiting Monaco during the busy summer months, make sure to start the day as early as possible before it gets too crowded with day trippers and tour groups as well as cruise visitors from nearby Villefranche-sur-Mer.

What to See in Monaco

Le Rocher

Le Rocher which is also known as Monaco-Ville or the Old Town is the historic heart of Monaco and feels a world away from the glitz and glamour of nearby Monte Carlo. It is set high on the hill overlooking the harbour and is filled with narrow streets, colourful buildings and some of Monaco’s most important landmarks along with plenty of viewpoints offering views in every direction. It was my favourite area to explore during our time in Monaco.

Prince’s Palace of Monaco

The Prince’s Palace of Monaco (Palais Princier de Monaco) is the official residence of the Sovereign Prince and sits high above the city, offering beautiful views over Monaco and the harbour below Originally built as a fortress in 1191, it has a long and fascinating history. When visiting do not miss the Changing of the Guard which takes place every day at 11:55am.

The Palace Terrace

The Palace Terrace (Terrasse du Palais) is the perfect spot to visit after taking in the Prince’s Palace and offers one of the best views over Port Hercule from above. It is a very popular viewpoint so be prepared for it to be busy and crowded.

Monaco Cathedral

Monaco Cathedral, also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate (formerly the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas) is aanother beautiful landmark in Monaco-Ville. It is also the resting place of members of the Monaco royal family and is famously where Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III in 1956.

Oceanographic Museum of Monaco

The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco (Musée Océanographique de Monaco) is one of the most impressive attractions in the city and sits dramatically on the edge of the cliff in Monaco-Ville overlooking the Mediterranean Sea below. It was founded by Prince Albert I and is home to marine exhibits, aquariums and displays focused on ocean science and conservation.

Monte Carlo Casino

Probably one of the most recognisable buildings in Monaco, the Monte Carlo Casino is a must see when visiting. The building is iconic and even if you do not gamble, it is worth visiting for the history and atmosphere alone. It was built in the 1865 to help save Monaco from bankruptcy and later became one of the most famous casinos in the world. You can go into the main lobby for free to look at the architecture or visit in the morning to explore before the gaming starts at 2:00pm. If you do want to gamble, you will need to follow the dress code, show your passport as well as pay an entry fee.

Formula One Grand Prix Circuit and Hairpin Turn

Monaco is best known for Formula One and its famous Grand Prix street circuit and you can easily walk the entire track when you are there. One of the most iconic locations is the Hairpin Turn which is located directly in front of the Fairmont Hotel in Monte Carlo.

The Japanese Garden

The Japanese Garden (Jardin Japonais) in Larvotto is a beautiful and peaceful garden designed in a traditional Japanese style with ponds, flowers, a waterfall, bridges and a tea house. It is free of charge to enter and is the perfect place to walk around or sit for a few minutes in peace and quiet.

Other Information to Know When Visiting Monaco

When arriving at Monaco-Monte Carlo Train Station, take a moment before leaving to choose the correct exit. Look for signs such as “Le Rocher”, “Port Hercule” or “Casino de Monte Carlo” as they all lead in completely different directions. Picking the right exit will save you time and help you head straight to where you want to go.

As Monaco is not part of the EU, some providers may charge extra for roaming so it is important to double check your mobile plan before travelling to avoid any unexpected or unwanted charges.

If you need to access mobile data whilst visiting France and Monaco, you can purchase a travel E-Sim through Airalo. If you would like to use my referral code NIKKI8866 when signing up, you will receive £2.50 / US$3 off your first purchase.

The Bateau Bus is a small ferry that crosses Port Hercules every twenty minutes between Quai Antoine 1er and Quai des États-Unis and offers a quick and scenic way to travel between the two sides of the harbour in Monaco and save your legs if needed. It costs €2 per journey in cash or less if paying by card.

French is the official language in Monaco and there is also a traditional and local dialect called Monégasque. Both English and Italian are widely spoken and understood, however make sure to learn and use a little French before your trip such as Bonjour (Hello), Bonsoir (Good Evening), S’il Vous Plaît (Please), Excusez-Moi (Excuse Me), Je Voudrais (I Would Like), Merci Beaucoup (Thank You) and Au Revoir (Goodbye).

Monaco uses the Euro however we did not need to use cash once during our entire stay as we paid for absolutely everything either by credit card or by Apple Pay.

There are clean and free of charge public toilets available throughout Monaco.

We bought our train tickets to and from Monaco using the SNCF Connect app on our phones and was easily able to add our tickets to our Apple Wallet to scan at the station with no stress.

To save money and eat well in Monaco, skip the expensive tourist restaurants and head to Marché de la Condamine at Place d’Armes where you can enjoy the food stalls in a much more affordable setting. However my favourite suggestion would be to buy food from Carrefour in Port Hercule or Fontvieille and find a bench with a good view to enjoy your lunch.

If visiting in the middle of summer, it is important to remember that outside of the immediate beach areas that it is not permitted to walk around in swimwear, barefoot or without a top on so make sure to cover up whenever you are away from the beach or a pool.

Along with a trip to Monaco, it is worth remembering how close it is to a number of other beautiful coastal towns that are just as worth exploring. Make the most of your time in the South of France by combining Monaco with nearby places such as Nice, Menton, Èze and Cannes to name a few to truly experience everything the Côte d’Azur has to offer.

Monaco may be small but there really is so much to see and it is definitely one of those places that feels almost surreal to experience in real life. Whether you are visiting for just a few hours, a full day or even longer, it is incredibly easy to explore on foot and it will leave a lasting impression long after you have left.

I visited Monaco in February 2026 so some information may no longer be accurate or up to date. Be sure to do your own research and check any official websites for the latest details before making any of your own travel plans.

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