Monaco: Your complete guide and fun and unusual things to do in Monte Carlo and Monaco!
Last updated on May 22nd, 2026 at 01:21 am
Gardens, a palace, museums, the F1, cliffs and beaches – tiny Monaco has it all!
If you start looking at the things to do in Monaco, then you will start to realise that that day trip you were planning from Nice just isn’t enough!
Of course, you can see some of the main sights in Monaco in a day, but you’re going to miss out on things like the fun of getting lost in the rabbit warren (read on) and you’re probably not going to get to the more unusual things to do, like visit Sir Roger Moore’s grave, or walk the F1 track. Most of all you’re not going to be able to relax and enjoy it all. And I really think you’re simply not going to be doing this tiny country justice!
So, my advice is don’t do it! Stay in Monaco itself. This is sooo much cooler than staying in Nice – trust me!! (See “Where to Stay” below for options. Some are do-able even for budget travelers like me – think of it as a one-off treat!)
But lets get started on Monaco…..
First a few important links to help you plan your trip. They are affiliate links, but I use them all for my travels,and if you do too it will help me keep producing this content. Cheers!
Plan for your trip
Money, language – Euro, French – but English is widely spoken
Flights – use skyscanner or booking.com to find and book your flight – I often find the same flight for a lot cheaper than booking direct with the airline!
Insurance – Use EKTA or SafetyWing. TBH I usually use EKTA – any nationality, any age and its ok if you are already traveling – which is perfect for me!
Accommodation – use booking.com or for a hostel – Hostelworld. I use both.
Internet – buy a yesim eSim or Airalo before you go. I use both depending on where I am going.
Buses, trains, ferries – 12Go is always my first option for buses, ferries and trains
Car rental – use DiscoverCars – they are my ‘go-to’ car rental site
Hiking – I use AllTrails for online and offline hiking trails – it means you know exactly where you are on the trail and makes getting lost a lot harder!!
Tours and Activities – book with Viator, GetYourGuide, or Eatwith. My top recommendations for you are:
- The red Hop on Hop off bus. If that doesn’t appeal try the Monaco Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour
- Either this Inside Track F1 Walking tour – or- this F1 Circuit Guided Walking Tour. Or you can go it alone with this Monaco F1 Circuit Self Guided Walking Tour.
- A Monaco & Monte Carlo Tour – F1, Grace Kelly & Royal History walking tour with a local, or, Monaco Like a Local: Private VIP Walking Tour of Casino & Palace, or Monaco & Monte-Carlo: Classics & Hidden Gems – Walking & Boat
- A 10-minute panoramic flight from Monaco – fly in and out of Monaco like a royal!
- And if you do a day-trip from Nice (and I know some of you will) – then you can take a day tour so that you get to make the most of the time you have!
Thanks so much if you use one of these links – it costs you nothing but helps me keep writing!
A few fun facts about Monaco
- The whole country is only 2.08 km2 (0.80 sq mi) big
- But it still has its own language! The people are called Monegasque and there is a Monégasque language to go with that.
- However, French is the official language and most people speak English!
- Monaco has a prison! And it has to be worth a small fortune in real estate terms – waterfront, near the Palace!! True story!
- And they have a Royal Family that do indeed live in a palace. But I’m guessing you already know that!
When to go to Monaco!
Surprisingly despite the size of the country and number of residents, let alone tourists like me, I never felt crowded. Actually the only place I saw about 200 people was by the Palace at the changing of the guard. This was in April! Terribly civilized.
Of course in mid summer it could be a lot busier – but the Monaco tennis was on at the time I was there! So I do recommend the shoulder seasons either side of summer. It’s not too hot, not too busy, and not too hard to find a room for the night! Of course avoid the F1 in May – unless you’re a fan!
The wilder side of things to do in Monaco
Do you know what really impressed me pretty quickly in Monaco?
I’ll tell you!
Its the Northern version of Singapore – a garden city! Every little scrap of space is planted – walls, intersections, little corners here and there, and half the buildings seem to have rooftop gardens – including the prison! And as well as that, there is some good swimming!
I will cover both the gardens, walks and beaches below. But first I start with the other usual and not so usual things to do in Monaco.
Note: I do recommend you use the Red Hop on Hop off bus as a starting point on your trip. It’s going to save you some time, give your legs a break, and you learn a lot as you go!
Key attractions and fun and unusual things to do in Monaco
Monaco may be small but it has so much going on! Apart from the beaches, walks, and gardens, there are a number of museums and churches and other well known highlights.
The more famous highlights – the enormous Oceanographic Museum, the Prince’s Car Collection, the Grand Prix circuit, the Palace, the Casino, and the Hotel Paris are a must! But, I must not forget another must, for me anyway, – a cemetery holding the tomb of non other than Sir Roger Moore!! Read on for more info!
1. Take a walk – around the Grand Prix track
The Grand Prix is synonymous with Monaco – and its a big deal here! So whether you’re an Formula 1 fan or not, walking the track is not only dear to the heart of this little country, but a pretty cool thing to do too. And even though its not really wild-side, you do go past a few green and flowery spaces!
There are also a few tours you can do to get a lot more out of it. All are rated highly so take your pick. I did this Formula One Circuit Guided Walking tour which I loved, but this Formula 1 Walking Tour – The Inside Track Monaco F1 is highly rated too. And this Formula 1 Track, Monaco, and Monte-Carlo Night Tour is a great option from Nice because after walking the track you get a guided Monte Carlo night tour – including the casinos!
Note – you can also go it alone with this Monaco F1 Circuit Self Guided Walking Tour.
PS if you are into cars, a great place to see them is at the mechanics! For example Ets Cavallari – Monaco Motors is the official for Ferrari service. And at the car park of the Fairmont hotel, you are definitely going to see some nice cars!
2. Visit the Prince’s Palace of Monaco and the changing of the guard
The Place du Palais or Prince’s Palace of Monaco is the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco. Every day at exactly 11:55am the changing of the guard takes place in front of the Palace.
The Palace was built in 1191 as a Genoese fortress. And since 1297 it has been the stronghold and home of the Grimaldi family. You can tour part of the Palace, seeing sumptuous rooms, and of course a portrait or two of Grace Kelly from the days she lived here! I will even admit to really enjoying my visit to the Palace, despite the lack of gardens!
Note – you can buy a pass that gives access to the Palace, the Oceanographic museum and the Princes Car collection at any of these three places.
3. Wander the Old Town….
Opposite the Palace you will find the Old Town. You can wander through the alleyways from the middle ages to find the picturesque Place Saint Nicolas and Placette Bosio, the Chapel of Mercy, Palais de Justice and the Cathedral. Its enjoyable wandering before or after the changing of the guard!
A great option is to go on a walking tour of Monaco to see most of the things I list in this section! Highly rated options are:
- Monaco & Monte Carlo Tour – F1, Grace Kelly & Royal History walking tour
- Monaco & Monte‑Carlo Walk: Casino, F1 & Harbor & Old Town
- Walking Tour in Monaco
- Monaco Like a Local: Private VIP Walking Tour of Casino & Palace
- Monaco & Monte-Carlo: Classics & Hidden Gems – Walking & Boat
4. ….making sure you don’t miss the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate
The Cathedral of our Lady Immaculate is another beautiful Roman Catholic cathedral – built in 1875 in Romano-Byzantine style. It houses the tombs of Monaco’s successive Princes, and a huge organ – said to be a musical and architectural masterpiece. It has 4 manuals, 79 stops and almost 7,000 pipes.
There are many official ceremonies held in the cathedral, and every Sunday from September to June, the 10 a.m. mass is sung by the Petits Chanteurs de Monaco and the Cathedral choir.
PS – It also looks lovely when lit up at night!
5. Visit the Oceanographic museum
The museum is dedicated to marine sciences and you see collections of all kinds of sea creatures. Anything and everything from starfish, seahorses, turtles, jellyfish, crabs, lobsters, rays, sharks, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, eels, cuttlefish are here. And you see a crazy collection of sea related things. From model ships to skeletons, to tools, and cultural and ritual objects using sea-related materials like pearls and molluscs.
You can buy an Oceanographic Museum of Monaco Ticket ahead of time.
Note – you can also buy a combo pass that gives access to the Palace, the Oceanographic museum and the Princes Car collection at any of these three places.
6. Enjoy the Prince’s Car Museum
I did enjoy the Prince’s Car Museum and his car collection and it made me want to come back during the Classic Grand Prix and see the beautiful old cars racing the track! There are about 100 cars on display and they really are superb. They range from the 1903 De Dion Bouton to the 2013 Lotus F1.
Definitely recommended!!
7. Visit other museums – there are plenty to chose from
The New National Museum is a museum of contemporary art. It is split over two locations, the Villa Sauber and the Villa Paloma.
The Monaco Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology is within the Exotic Garden. It has a collection of fossils and other artifacts relating to the prehistory of Monaco and areas nearby. The museum also has a mummy of an Egyptian woman named Merit who died around 300BC
Other museums include the Old Monaco Museum, Monaco Naval Museum, Francis Bacon MB Art Foundation, and the Museum of Stamps and Coins.
8. See the little Église de Sainte-Dévote
The setting of this little chapel is what makes it in my opinion. If you are going by, drop in and take a look inside the chapel dedicated to Saint Devota, the patron saint of Monaco.
9. Ogle the boats in Port Hercule
Port Hercule! Literally – just check out the boats in this marina in the middle of Monaco!
10. More ogling – at the casino and the Hotel Paris
The casino building is a grandiose Belle Époque building – glamorous and probably the most beautiful building of the Principality. The Building also houses the opera house (Opéra de Monte-Carlo) and the office of Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo. The Hotel Paris sits to the side of the casino and is an equally lavish 1864 Belle Époque palace.
You can’t go to Monaco and not take a peek!
You should see this on any walking tour Again, highly rated options are:
- Monaco & Monte-Carlo: Classics & Hidden Gems – Walking & Boat
- Monaco & Monte Carlo Tour – F1, Grace Kelly & Royal History walking tour
- Monaco & Monte‑Carlo Walk: Casino, F1 & Harbor & Old Town
- Walking Tour in Monaco
- Monaco Like a Local: Private VIP Walking Tour of Casino & Palace
11. Get lost in the rabbit warren
One thing I loved in this little country was that all through its 2²km is an absolutely brilliant rabbit warren of public tunnels, stairs, and elevators! At first all you see is a big mountain cliff covered in buildings. Then you start to follow locals into seemingly blind alley ways – and so you discover how they get around. Its easy to get lost when you’re trying to get around via this cool system and its great fun. The tunnels are clean and tiled beautifully, the elevators are fun. Just ask a local where a tunnel or elevator is and go from there!
12. Pay your respects at the tomb of Roger Moore aka Bond – James Bond!
It may be just another tomb – but then this seven-times “Bond, James Bond” guy was quite special! He lies right by the border with France in the Cimetière de Monaco. He wanted to be buried there after living his last 15 years in the country.
13. See a film or concert at the open-air Fort Antoine Theatre (in summer)
Go to the open air Fort Antoine Theatre in this 18th-century fort that was rebuilt into an open-air venue after WWII by Prince Rainier III.
You can see shows, concerts, and film here – amongst the historic military architecture, including a watchtower and cannonballs. All with a sea view backdrop.
The Gardens of Monaco
These are the gardens to find and enjoy in Monaco. You’d be surprised at how relaxing these green oases are!
1. Les jardins Saint-Martin & Sainte Barbe – the Saint Martin & Saint Barbe Gardens
This is Monaco’s first public garden, opened in 1816. It was built on an abandoned plot to provide work for residents when famine hit the country.
The gardens are beautiful. They sit on the cliffs above the glistening Med with palms, statues (including of Prince Albert), flowers, water features, and winding paths. Its very close to some of the key attractions in Monaco – the Palace, the Cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum. So definitely in a prime position and worth spending some time in between visits to these other attractions.
2. Fontvieille Park (sometimes called the Duck Garden or UNESCO Garden)
Fontvieille Park is a landscaped park popular with families. It has a wide range of plants, but also of artworks. There are a number of sculptures (part of the Rainier III Sculpture Trail) including one priceless piece by Fernando Botero.
The park also has an educational kitchen garden, a playground, and a pond complete with ducks, geese, and carp. You might also see tortoises cruising around!
3. Roseraie Princesse Grace – Princess Grace Rose Garden
Although it is located within Fontvieille Park, the Princess Grace Rose Garden is a completely separate garden. Prince Rainier had the gardens built as a memorial to Princess Grace. These peaceful gardens have a lovely bronze statue of Princess Grace.
4. Rainier III Zoological Garden – Fontvieille district
The zoo (about 300 animals) is on the edge of the great Rock of Monaco, overlooking the Port of Fontvieille. The animals were mostly abandoned by their owners or seized by the customs authorities, but some arrived from other zoos. I didn’t visit but if it is your thing, it is apparently quite leafy and green.
5. Exotic Garden of Monaco and Monaco Botanical Center
The Exotic Garden has to be the ‘coolest’ garden in the country! It is built into the cliffs and is dominated by cacti and succulents – mostly exotic and some very rare. Orchids and bromeliads are also a highlight. The views are as spectacular as the plants – and there is even a large cave to explore! It really is a must-do – it is one of the largest collections of cacti in the world.
The Botanical Centre across the road from the Exotic Garden has rows and rows of greenhouses with the 10,500 cacti and succulent plants. It is free to visit from Tuesday to Saturday. The gardens are open everyday except Nov 19 and Dec 25 and you need an entry ticket.
6. Princess Antoinette Park
Not far from the Exotic Garden is the Princess Antoinette Park. It has lots of paths, flowers, views, and waterfalls. And there is plenty for people to do as it also has a multi-sports pitch, play areas, mini-golf, and a miniature petting farm.
7. Jardin de la Petite Afrique – Little Africa Garden
Jardins de la Petite Afrique is a beautifully landscaped garden full of exotic tropical plants and an African – Mediterranean blend. Paths weave through the gardens and waterways giving you a very chilled vibe. One of my favourite little parks, its right in the center of the city next to no 8. Read on!
8. Jardin du Casino – the Casino Gardens (aka Jardins des Boulingrins)
Right next to the Jardin de la Petite Afrique is the Casino Garden or Jardins des Boulingrins. This garden was created in 1893 and sits right above the iconic Casino de Monte-Carlo.
Unfortunately when I was there, they were setting up for the Grand Prix. It meant the gardens were blocked from the Casino and you couldn’t see them at their best. But, it was still a peaceful haven, complete with pathways, green lawns, beautiful plants and fountains. All right in the heart of the city!
9. Le Parc Spelugues – Spelugues Park
This is a very small park, but peaceful and right outside the Buddha Bar and near the Monte Carlo Ballet! It is also above the Fairmont Hotel and the famous Fairmont Hairpin Bend! A bit of green calm in peaceful times – but not during the Grand Prix! But then what is peaceful then?
10. The Japanese Garden
This Japanese garden, was created in 1994 according to the strict principles of Zen design by Japanese landscape architect Yasuo Beppu. It has all the things you expect in a Japanese Garden. Think ponds complete with cruising koi carp, waterfalls and water features, curved bridges, stone lanterns, and traditional style tea houses.
It really is an oasis and you forget the city around you. What’s interesting is that there is a real mix of local Mediterranean and Japanese input. The bamboo used in the hedges, the tiles, the stone lanterns, and the different woods used for the gate, tea house, etc. all came from Japan. But the plants are all Mediterranean (pine, olive and pomegranate trees). They were pruned and cultivated by Mr Beppu for three years in the Japanese style. And every year, Mr Beppu comes back from Japan to pass on his knowledge and give advice to the gardeners.
Great Walks to do in Monaco
You can make up your own walk, like I did to visit all the gardens, or literally just wander and see where you end up in this cool little country. But these are some walks I recommend you do in part or whole.
Note: Most of these walks are on AllTrails – especially within the Monaco Loop which
1. The Rainier III sculpture trail
This trail weaves through the city taking in around 200 works of art! It covers the whole country and weaves art and history together. Find out more here.
2. The heritage trees trail
The Heritage Trees Trail is a trail through the country celebrating its trees. 92 of the most amazing heritage trees are included in the trail. Its definitely worth doing this trail alongside visiting the parks and beaches.
3. Walk from Lavorotte beach, around the waterfront’s promenade to the casino area
This walk starts at the natural sandy beach, and takes you on an interesting walk along the reclaimed land and modern architecture of the waterfront promenade. Loop around to the Japanese Garden, and back to the lovely views at the Belvédère Gérard Brianti. Or, carry on to the Jardin d’Acclimatation near the casino. This garden has great views of the Port Hercule marina!
4. Walk up to the Palace from the harbor below
Good for your heart – its fun walking up through the gardens to the Palace and letting it unfold slowly before your eyes. Definitely better than driving up! Godd to time this to get to the Palace 20 minutes or so before the changing of the guard!
5. Walk the cliff from the palace to the cathedral
This is a must-do – its stunning walking along the clifftops. And the views range from ocean vistas, to marinas full of vastly expensive boats, the homes of local Monegasques, and lovely plantings in the gardens you will end up in.
The Beaches of Monaco
Tiny it is – but it does have beaches too!
1. Lavorotte and Le Meridien beaches
These two sit side by side in the far east of the country!
However Larvotto is a public beach, but Le Meridien Beach is part of a hotel complex and is private. Le Meridien does offer a ”La Plage & More” day pass for non-guests. This gives you access to its private beach, pools, and other amenities.
Larvotto Beach has clean, clear water – perfect for swimming. And there are plenty of shops, cafes, and restaurants nearby if you feel the need. They were preparing it for the Formula 1 and start of the summer season when I was in Monaco. Therefore the beach wasn’t looking at its best but the water was great!
2. Solarium Beach
This is an artificial and somewhat unique beach near Port Hercule. It has a long concrete platform with deep water access – use the ladders or jump – rather than sand. It’s a great spot if you’re a decent swimmer to dive in and enjoy the views of the cliffs above.
How to get to Monaco and Monte Carlo from Nice
Most people come to Monaco or Monte Carlo from Nice – so these are the ways to get there:
Below are the options to get from Nice to Monaco under your own steam. You can of course take a day tour and these are some good options if you want to do that:
Day tour of Monaco and Eze with GetYourGuide or Viator
Half day tour of Monaco from Nice with Viator or with GetYourGuide
From Monaco – the very highly rated Monaco & Monte Carlo Tour-F1, Grace Kelly & Royal Secrets
Most popular – by train
From Nice-Ville train station – in central Nice, take the regular train to Monaco. It takes 20-25 minutes to get to Monaco-Monte-Carlo station. Once at Monaco-Monte-Carlo station, it’s about a 5-10 minute walk downhill into central Monaco.
It costs around €5-€6 ($7-$8 USD) if booked in advance, but prices can be higher if you buy on the day of travel. There can also be queues to buy a ticket so leave time to do that if buying on the day. I simply bought my ticket at the train station.
Most luxurious – by helicopter
Some companies offer helicopter flights into Monaco – definitely the luxury way to go!! Contact Monacair or Heli Air Monaco directly for details. Seats start from around €200 ($240 USD) and the flight takes 7 minutes! Enjoy that!
Most scenic – take the ferry
Start and end with a 45 minute cruise along one of the most scenic stretches of the French Riviera. (Pretend you are in one of those luxury superyachts that Monaco is famous for!) Take the daily ferry from Port de Nice at 9:30 AM and return the same day from Monaco at 5pm.
Most style – a Private Transfer between Nice Airport and Monaco
Go in style from Nice airport without having to travel into Nice and take the train or take a bus. This private transfer is highly rated, as is this one, and both will get you to your destination in Monaco in a short 45 minutes.
Most direct – Nice airport bus
Take the Zou! Or the Nice Airport Express (Bus 110 from the airport)
The bus runs around every 30 minutes during the day and takes 45 minutes. Book online in advance at www.niceairportxpress.com
Most budget friendly – the local bus from Nice
Take the quite scenic bus 100 from Nice to Monaco-Menton. Its a local bus but drives along the coast road (Basse Corniche). It runs every 20-30 minutes and takes about 1 hour.
Buy tickets at a Nice Tram station or through the Nice Ticket mobile app. It costs around €3 ($4 USD). Personally I think its easiest at the Tram stations.
Most convenient – drive yourself!
Book a hire car from Nice airport or town center and drive yourself to Monaco at a time that suits you! Find the best deal with Rentalcars.com.
Most unusual – walk to Monaco
Use AllTrails to follow one fo the many coastal paths to Monaco from Nice or nearby Nice. Two popular options are:
1. The Menton to Monaco coastal path. It is about 11.3 km (7 miles) taking around 3 – 3.5 hours one-way.
2. Sentier Littoral of Cap d’Ail – a short and easy trail close to Monaco, running along the sea to Monaco.
Frequently Asked questions about travel to Monaco and Monte Carlo
Q: Is Monaco expensive?
A: Yes, but see the next question. It is most expensive during the Monaco Grand Prix in May.
Q: Can I visit Monaco on a budget?
A: Yes! Travel by train from Nice and spend the day, bring your own lunch or buy food at supermarkets. If you avoid the accommodation costs and dining out costs then it is not expensive as you can walk everywhere and museums etc are the same approximate price (or less) than in other main European capitals. It is great to spend a night in Monaco and there are some cheaper options, but you can also just come for a second or third day from Nice.
Q: Do I need a visa to visit Monaco?
A: Monaco is treated as part of the Schengen, so you need a Schengen visa to enter as a tourist – but you do not need a separate Monaco visa.
Q: How do I get to Monaco from Nice?
A: See above for how to get to Monaco from Nice
Q: When is the best time to visit Monaco?
A: The shoulder seasons – spring and autumn (except during the Grand Prix unless you are an F1 fan).
Travel Tips for Monaco and Monte Carlo
- Monaco is very walkable. Even though it is much hillier than people expect, there are public elevators, escalators, and pedestrian tunnels all over the country.
- Monaco is one of the safest places in Europe for travelers – especially solo travelers.
- You can go into the casino – and gamble. You do need to be over 18, wearing smart clothing, and have ID to enter.
- Avoid the Formula 1 / Monaco Grand Prix in May unless you are a major fan – its crowded, expensive and gets hard to get around! But if you love F1 then the atmosphere will be fab!
- Don’t just visit the casino and palace – there is much more to Monaco, the gardens and walks and even beaches are great. Very popular is also the Oceanographic Museums.
Where to Stay in Monaco
It all depends on your budget, but even budget travellers can splash out a little and afford a night in Monaco. These are hand-picked recommendations for you:
Luxury – the prime location goes to Hôtel de Paris by the casino (my dream)! Very close by is Hotel Metropole and Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo. Or for a something different try this Private Yacht Monaco.
High End – Fairmont Monte Carlo (the place to stay during the F1 with special rooms overlooking the Fairmont Hairpin), the Port Palace overlooking the harbor, Le Méridien Beach Plaza, or the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort.
Mid range – Novotel Monte-Carlo, the Boutique Hotel Miramar, or the Hilton Columbus Hotel Monte-Carlo.
Budget – Hôtel de France or Hotel Olympia (especially if you are solo traveling and very good for this area as a double). Or just a few meters from Monaco – Charmant Studio Renove.
Formula One hotspot – Fairmont Monte Carlo – ask for a room overlooking the Fairmont Hairpin Bend. Book well ahead!!
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