The Principality of Monaco is built into a cliffside on the Mediterranean coast. Yet it has only two public, artificial beaches. They are, however, pleasant, lively and boast a wide range of facilities. Do you prefer more natural beaches? You’ll easily find them near Monaco.
Discover our selection of the best beaches in and around the Principality, with our advice in pictures!
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Monaco’s most beautiful beaches: map and selection
Map
Coming soon: our map of the best beaches in and around Monaco.
Where to go in Monaco to find the best beaches?
Although the Principality offers a wide range of activities, it is not strictly speaking a seaside resort. You’ll find just one large public beach: Larvotto. On the other hand, hotels sometimes include private beaches and superb seaside pools for swimming, such as the magnificent lagoon of the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort. If you’re looking for beautiful, non-artificial beaches, we recommend you visit the Principality’s neighboring beaches. In this article, we present them in order of travel time (from closest to least) from the center of Monaco.
1. Larvotto Beach (Monaco)
Why we love it
This is Monaco’s only public beach. Stretching over 400m, it’s also the largest. It is bordered by a two-level tiled promenade featuring a number of restaurants and shops (beauty salon, gym, etc.). At the far end of the coast, you’ll find resorts like the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, as well as clubs (Coya Bar…). The beach is equipped with a first-aid post and a jellyfish net in season. We think it’s a great place for snorkeling, as the water is clear and rich in fish. To find out more, read our full article on Larvotto beach here.
Location and practical advice
- Along the Larvotto district,
- From Menton: 30min,
- From Nice: 40min,
- Two pay parking lots are nearby,
- Fine gravel beach,
- Gentle slope,
- Supervised beach in season,
- Showers and toilets,
- Beach restaurants.
2. Méridien Beach (private beach, Monaco)
Why we love it
This beach is actually a gravel creek. It is part of the Hôtel Méridien Beach Plaza. We found it a pleasant place, with its many deckchairs, umbrella pines and nearby restaurant and bar. If you prefer, you can even take a dip in the large outdoor or indoor swimming pool. We recommend staying at this hotel for the feeling of being in a privileged, contemporary setting. Find out more in our upcoming article on Le Méridien Beach Plaza!
Location and practical advice
- In the Hôtel Méridien Beach Plaza,
- In the Larvotto district,
- From Menton: 30min,
- From Nice: 40min,
- The hotel offers parking at an additional cost,
- Fine gravel beach,
- Gentle slope,
- Unsupervised beach,
- Showers and toilets,
- Beach restaurants.
3. Solarium Beach (Monaco)
Why we love it
Solarium Beach is less well-known than Larvotto Beach, which is why it is less popular. However, it’s not really a beach but an artificial concrete dike. It has 2 levels. The wooden upper floor has plenty of seating, ideal for relaxing in fine weather. The concrete lower level is perfect for good swimmers who want direct access to the open sea! We think it’s also ideal for sports enthusiasts, as there’s a large area with weight training equipment. It also sits at the foot of Fort Antoine, offering a different view of the Rock. For more information, see our dedicated article!
Location and practical advice
- At the foot of the Rock,
- From Menton: 35min,
- From Nice: 40min,
- Two pay parking lots nearby,
- Artificial concrete dike,
- Steep slope (open sea),
- Bathing area unsupervised and prohibited in rough seas,
- Showers and toilets.
- Beach restaurant.
WHERE TO STAY IN Monaco
Option 1: In Monte Carlo
Discover luxury palaces in Monaco’s most sought-after district:
- Hotel de Paris – see prices, pictures and availability
- Hermitage Hotel – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Métropole – see prices, photos and availability
Option 2: Larvotto
Close to Larvotto beach, you’ll find some splendid resort hotels.
We recommend..:
- Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort – view prices, pictures and availability
- Le Méridien Beach Plaza – view prices, pictures and availability
Option 3: At Port-Hercule
Boutique hotels, with superb views of the port and the Rock.
- Hotel Miramar – prices, pictures and availability
- Port Palace – see prices, photos and availability
4. Pont de Fer beach (Roquebrune-Cap-Martin)
Why we love it
We love it because it’s so close to Monaco! Once you’re in the Larvotto district, it’s just a ten-minute walk away. It’s a small beach, but it’s natural and public. It has a pebbled floor and a view of the Monte-Carlo Bay Hôtel & Resort, one of our favorite hotels in the Principality. Despite its small size, it is well equipped with a shower and easy access from the road. The slope is gentle. If you prefer larger beaches, we recommend the Larvotto beach, or the private beach of Saint-Roman, just a 5-minute walk from the Pont de Fer beach. Saint-Roman beach is part of the Hôtel Monte-Carlo Beach. To take advantage of these benefits, you’ll need to stay at this 5-star establishment. See photos, prices and availability.
Location and practical advice
- In Roquebrune-Cap-Martin,
- 10-minute walk from Larvotto beach,
- From Menton: 25min,
- From Nice: 35min,
- Parking at Plage du Larvotto (2 parking lots),
- Pebble beach,
- Gentle slope,
- Unsupervised beach,
- Shower.
- No beach restaurants.
5. Plage Marquet (Cap d’Ail)
Why we love it
This 200m-long beach is ideally located just a 15-minute walk from the port of Fontvieille in Monaco. In our opinion, this is the largest and most pleasant beach close to the Principality. Natural, with pebbles and sand. We enjoyed its many facilities, particularly its water sports center offering a wide range of activities (kayaking, paddling, catamarans…). What’s more, we found access easy, with 2 nearby parking lots and a ramp for disabled access. Last but not least, we recommend it for families, as there’s a garden with children’s play equipment right next door!
Location and practical advice
- In Cap-d’Ail,
- A 15-minute walk from the Port of Fontvieille,
- From Menton: 35min,
- From Nice: 35min,
- Two parking lots are nearby,
- Pebble and sandy beach,
- Gentle slope,
- Supervised beach in season,
- Showers and toilets,
- Beach restaurant.
6. Plage Mala (Cap d’Ail)
Why we love it
Mala beach, nestled in a secluded cove, is renowned for its bewitching charm and crystal-clear waters. Its slightly more challenging access, via a picturesque descent from the coastal road, adds a touch of adventure to your visit.
It’s an ideal beach for swimming and snorkeling.
We loved discovering the beach from above. The cliffs drop sheer into the emerald water.
In our opinion, it’s just a shame that the 2 beach restaurants take up most of the space on this little cove.
Location and practical advice
- In Cap d’Ail,
- 15min drive from Monaco center,
- From Nice: 40min drive,
- From Menton: 35min drive,
- Pay parking along the main road and in the streets below,
- Then 10 to 15min walk with stairs,
- Gravel beach,
- Unsupervised beach,
- Shower,
- Beach restaurants.
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
7. Èze beach (Èze)
Why we love it
We fell in love with this beach, which is much less well known than its associated village, one of the most beautiful on the Côte d’Azur.
We loved the blue-graded waters, from turquoise to deep sapphire, creating a captivating aquatic landscape. We were also fascinated by the view of the sheer cliffs, offering a dramatic yet majestic setting.
Admittedly, it’s not a sandy beach, but we find it beautiful and much quieter: a place to rest and breathe. We enjoyed the serenity. To find out more, read our dedicated article.
Location and practical advice
- In Èze,
- A 20-minute drive from the center of Monaco,
- From Nice: 35min drive,
- From Menton: 40min drive,
- Mind you, the medieval village is not far away, but not right next to it, as it’s on a much higher hillside,
- Parking around the station,
- Pebble beach,
- Unsupervised beach,
- No installations.
8. Plage de la Petite Afrique (Beaulieu-sur-Mer)
Why we love it
Beaulieu’s Petite Afrique beach is an oasis of tranquility on the Côte d’Azur. What we particularly appreciated about this beach was its peaceful, unspoilt atmosphere. Nestled between magnificent cliffs, it offers a spectacular natural setting. We could have spent hours at the water’s edge admiring the view!
With its relative discretion, Petite Afrique beach is perfect for escaping the hustle and bustle of the more famous beaches, offering a more authentic coastal experience on the Côte d’Azur.
Location and practical advice
- In Beaulieu-sur-mer,
- 20min from Monaco center,
- A 15-minute walk from downtown,
- From Nice: 30min drive,
- From Menton: 40min drive,
- Parking nearby,
- Gravel beach,
- Supervised beach in season,
- Shower and toilet,
- A few restaurants and equipment rentals.
9. Carnolès Beach (Roquebrune-Cap-Martin)
Why we love it
Stretching for almost 900m, Carnolès Beach is one of the largest near Monaco. It has 4 coves for easy bathing, with a gentle slope. If you have sensitive feet, we recommend beach shoes, as the ground is made up of large pebbles. While it’s very busy in summer due to its ideal location close to the town center, we found the beach very pleasant in the off-season. The water is clear and turquoise, and we were able to admire Menton and the Italian coastline in the distance.
Location and practical advice
- In Roquebrune-Cap-Martin,
- 25min drive from Monaco center,
- A 15-minute walk from downtown,
- From Nice: 40min drive,
- From Menton: 5min drive,
- Parking nearby,
- Pebble beach,
- Supervised beach in season,
- Shower (unless dry) and toilet,
- Beach restaurants.
10. Plage des Sablettes (Menton)
Why we love it
We fell in love with the town of Menton, with its colorful houses and peaceful atmosphere.
And all this is also combined on its main beach: right in the center, Plage des Sablettes offers magnificent views of the city on one side, and the cliffs on the border with Italy on the other. What more could you ask for?
It’s a relaxing family beach between the sea and the mountains.
Location and practical advice
- In the center of Menton,
- 35min drive from Monaco,
- From Nice: 45min drive,
- There are several pay parking lots in Menton, including one right next to the beach: Parking Vieille-Ville-Sablettes,
- Gravel beach,
- Gentle slope,
- Supervised beach in season,
- Showers,
- Restaurants nearby.
A LITTLE MORE patience
All the photos, maps, information, good addresses to make your stay in Provence a success, will soon be gathered in a single ebook!
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Other beaches nearby
Beaches of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
From Monaco, you can drive 30min to the beaches of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, which also have a good reputation (Plage Paloma, Plage Passable…), but we weren’t as carried away as with the others.
Plage des Marinières, Villefranche-sur-Mer
And last but not least, we’d like to mention the gravel beach at Villefranche-sur-mer, with its crystal-clear water and magnificent bay. It’s a 40-minute drive from the center of Monaco.
Frequently asked questions
Best time to swim in and around Monaco
Monaco enjoys a mild to warm Mediterranean climate. The water temperature never drops below 12°, even in the depths of winter. However, swimming is recommended between May and October. During the summer season, the Mediterranean Sea heats up to 26°, which can sometimes attract jellyfish. That’s why some beaches, like Larvotto, have nets to prevent them from biting bathers. We therefore advise you to opt for the off-season, when you’ll also benefit from greater peace of mind!
Private beaches
In Monaco and throughout the Côte d’Azur, you’ll find many private sections on public beaches. Beach bars set up their sun loungers here. This is the case, for example, on Monaco’s main beach, Larvotto. You’ll still have plenty of room to enjoy the beach. Others are completely private. You won’t be able to freely access the ones in hotels, such as the Hôtel Méridien Beach Plaza.
What are the best beach restaurants in Monaco?
Monaco has a number of beach restaurants. While Solarium Beach has just one bar, Larvotto Beach has plenty of places to eat. Among them, we prefer the Blue Note. You can find out more about this establishment in our full article on the Principality’s best restaurants. Take a look at our selection for an exceptional culinary experience by the sea.
