Monaco is a tiny country situated on the French Riviera with its own monarchy and governing system. This luxurious Mediterranean gem is a must visit when you are visiting the Riviera and can be covered as a day trip from Nice. Even though it is small, the country punches well above its weight when it comes to wealth with it being home to many rich and famous. We visited Monaco in April 2025 on our multi country European adventure covering Portugal, Spain, Andorra and French Riviera. It will always hold a special place in our heart as it was also our 50th country.

Best time to visit

Just like other European countries, best time to visit would be April to October. The Monaco Grand Prix in May and the Monaco Yacht Show in September would be best to avoid (unless you are going there specifically for this) as the prices of accommodation and everything else would sky rocket. Shoulder seasons of April and October would be best for shorter crowds.

How to get there

Monaco does not have it’s own airport. The nearest airport is the Nice Cote d’Azur Airport. It is reachable by car, bus or train in 30 to 40 mins from Nice. We took a train to Monte Carlo from Nice which costs 6 Euros per adult (additional discount for child/family).

Top things to do

Monaco’s compact size makes it ideal to explore on foot. If you do get tired or feel some of the distances are large, you could opt to take the bus that loops around the town costing 2 Euros per person.

Monte Carlo Casino

About 15 mins walk from the train station you will find the Monte Carlo Casino, arguably the most famous casino in the world and the most famous attraction of Monaco. It has been featured in several James Bond films which adds to its alure. There is a 20 Euro entrance fee for the casino and only tourists are allowed to gamble, not for residents. But you can enter the main complex for free and admire the rich beauty of the interiors without entering the main gambling area.

Fairmont Hair Pin

Fairmont Hair Pin bend is one of the iconic spots along the Monaco Grand Prix circuit, named after the Fairmont hotel located at the bend. This along with the tunnel forms some of the must see parts of the Monaco circuit.

F1 Car sculpture

Very close to the hair pin bend is the sculpture of an F1 car where one can sit inside and take some photos.

Japanese Garden

A short walk from the car sculpture will lead you to the famous Japanese garden of Monte Carlo. Take a leisurely stroll through this Zen Garden and enjoy the lush greenery, Monaco style.

Circuit De Monaco

The other interesting parts of Monaco are situated on the other side of the town with the grand prix circuit connecting the two. If you are fit and adventurous, you can walk the entire circuit soaking in the vibes and familiar corners of the circuit. Or you can pay 2 Euro to catch a bus which will take you to the other side.

Monaco Old Town

The old town is one of the picturesque parts of the city perched on a hill with the fantastic views of the Mediterranean sea. The path to reach the old town is a bit steep and takes about 10 to 15 mins. Some of the bus routes also take you up if you dont want to walk. You can spend few hours here wandering along the cobbled streets of the charming old town, have lunch along the way in one of the restaurants that catch your eye. Some of the must-see sights in the Old town are:

Prince’s Palace

The palace is the official residence of the Royal family of Monaco and is situated in the old town. If you are lucky, you might catch the entertaining changing of the guards ceremony (every day at 11:55 am).

St. Nicholas Cathedral

Also known as the Monaco Cathedral, its a historic and important religious monument in Monaco. It has also hosted many famous events including some of the famous Royal weddings.

Port De Fontvieille viewpoint

Just beside the Cathedral, you will find a park running along the ocean which also offers stunning views of the Monaco.

Additional things to do if you have more time in Monaco

Oceanographic museum

If you are travelling with kids, this is a great place in Monaco to explore all things related to ocean and marine science. You will find numerous aquariums, fascinating artifacts and interactive exhibits. Don’t miss the rooftop terrace with excellent views of the Mediterranean sea.

Tete de chien

This is one of the unexplored yet stunning parts of Monaco, only reachable through a car. A short 25 mins drive from Monte Carlo will take you to a parking lot from where you have to climb up a bit. You will eventually be rewarded with some stunning views of the entire coastline and Monaco.