A symbol of international luxury and glamour, Monaco is also the starting point for many excursions to Provence and the Italian Riviera. Between picturesque villages and tourist and cultural towns, you’ll discover exceptional Mediterranean landscapes!
Use our practical tips and our many photos to plan your ideal getaway. Discover our selection of the 10 best excursions from Monaco to make your choice!
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Our 3 favorite excursions in Monaco
Before discovering our detailed opinions on each of the selected excursions, here are our 3 favorites:
- Visit Cannes, Antibes and Saint-Paul-de-Vence: with this tour, you’ll stroll along the Croisette, visit Old Antibes, and the charming village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, which has inspired many artists – see program and availability.
- Visit the medieval village of Èze: if you have a car, we recommend a visit to this village perched high up on the Côte d’Azur. Just 20 minutes from Monaco, this 1h30 guided tour will take you away from it all! – see program and availability.
- Getaway to San Remo or Ventimiglia and a stopover in the village of Dolceacqua: experience the excitement of Italy’s open-air markets in the emblematic towns of the Italian Riviera! – see program and availability.
1. The Best of the Côte-d’Azur: Cannes, Antibes, Saint-Paul-de-Vence
Why do we recommend these tours?
Would you like to discover other Côte d’Azur cities during your stay in Monaco? We strongly advise you to opt for a guided tour. Take advantage of this day trip to explore the French Riviera and its treasures!
You’ll discover destinations each more attractive than the last: Èze, Cannes, Antibes, La Turbie, and Saint-Paul-de-Vence! You’ll be captivated by the Mediterranean landscapes and charming little Provencal villages! If you want to take more time, we recommend a visit to Antibes. Located 1 hour from Monaco, this human-sized town is sure to give you a change of scene! Why not opt for a guided tour by bus or tourist train?
What you will see
Depending on the excursion you choose, you’ll see:
- the Rock of Monaco, home to the Oceanographic Museum,
- the changing of the guard in front of Monaco’s Palais Princier,
- the Casino de Monte-Carlo, filming location for the James Bond saga,
- La Turbie, with its Roman monument dating from the 1st century BC,
- the medieval village of Èze and its famous Fragonard perfume factory,
- the picturesque village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence,
- the old town ofAntibes and its port,
- the famous Promenade de la Croisette in Cannes.
How much time to allow
We particularly recommend these 2 full-day tours:
- Visit Cannes, Antibes and Saint-Paul-de-Vence: with this tour, you’ll stroll along the Croisette, visit Old Antibes, and the charming village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, which has inspired many artists – see program and availability.
- Visit to Èze and the Fragonard factory, La Turbie, Monaco, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Antibes and Cannes: this tour, more comprehensive than the previous one, will be more intense. A must if you’re a perfume lover and want to visit the famous Fragonard factory! – see program and availability.
2. Nice getaway
Why do we recommend these tours?
Nice is only 30 minutes from Monaco! It would be a shame not to visit this superb, culturally rich city. That’s why we offer you a choice of excursions including a stopover in Nice, or a guided tour of its old town if you want to take your time. To find out more, read our article on the best things to do in Nice.
What you will see
Depending on the option you choose, you’ll see:
- the Casino de Monte-Carlo in Monaco,
- the hilltop village of La Turbie, ideal for its panoramic views,
- the village of Èze, in our opinion the most beautiful on the Côte d’Azur,
- the old town of Nice,
- the Promenade des Anglais in Nice.
How much time to allow
Please allow a full day for the excursion and half a day for the guided tour of Nice:
- Private excursion to Nice, Èze, Villefranche and La Turbie: the most comprehensive tour including a visit to Nice, with pick-up at your hotel in Monaco or at the port of Villefranche-sur-Mer. – see program and availability .
- Guided tour of Nice’s old town with tastings: in our opinion, this is the best option if you want to take your time while discovering Nice’s culture through its culinary specialties! – see program and availability.
3. Medieval village of Èze and perfume creation
Why do we recommend this tour?
We loved visiting the medieval village of Èze! In fact, we listed it first in our article on the most beautiful villages on the Côte d’Azur. Perched on a steep hill some 427m above the Mediterranean Sea, it offers spectacular views of the coast and sea. It’s a maze of narrow lanes and cobbled streets, typical of the Mediterranean region, with tunnels and arches.
Don’t miss its remarkable hillside garden! We were delighted by the cacti and the panoramic views over the rooftops and the sea.
What you will see
You can find all the things to see in our article dedicated to visiting the village of Èze, but here’s a summary of the main points of interest:
- Explore the medieval streets, home to numerous art galleries,
- visit its exotic garden, one of the most beautiful on the Côte d’Azur,
- the ruins of Château d’Èze, built in the 12th century,
- Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption church and its Baroque decor,
- Chapelle Sainte-Croix des Pénitents Blancs,
- the beautiful beach of Èze (if you have a car),
- the Fragonard factory,
- Galimard perfumery.
How much time to allow
To get the most out of the village, we recommend staying for half a day or even a full day. For a quieter time in the alleyways, it’s best to get there before 10am!
- Visit the medieval village of Èze: if you have a car, we recommend a visit to this village perched high up on the Côte d’Azur. Just 20 minutes from Monaco, this 1h30 guided tour will take you away from it all! – see program and availability.
- Perfume creation course and visit to the Fragonard factory: we recommend this tour if you’d like to go behind the scenes at the factory. You can visit the laboratory and create your own eau de toilette during a workshop! – see program and availability.
4. Discovering the Italian Riviera
Why do we recommend these tours?
Monaco is only 30 minutes from Italy! Why not take the opportunity to discover the Italian Riviera? Along the famous Corniche road, you’ll enjoy magnificent panoramic views of the coast as far as Menton. You’ll soon arrive in Liguria. This Italian province includes some very pretty and colorful towns, such as Ventimiglia. However, they are better known for their exceptional products. Chefs from the Côte d’Azur’s top luxury hotels come to their open-air market!
What you will see
Depending on the tour you choose, you’ll be able to see:
- the superb colorful facades of Menton, the last major French town before Italy,
- Ventimiglia’s open-air market,
- the casino, the old town and the San Remo market,
- the medieval village of Dolceacqua and its famous bridge painted by Claude Monet.
How much time to allow
Here are 2 day trips to make the most of your Italian getaway:
- Getaway to San Remo or Ventimiglia and a stopover in the village of Dolceacqua: experience the excitement of Italy’s open-air markets in the emblematic towns of the Italian Riviera! – see program and availability.
- Visit Menton, the Italian village of Dolceacqua and an Italian market: you’ll marvel at the colorful facades of Menton, and the charm of the medieval village of Dolceacqua, whose bridge was immortalized by Claude Monet! – see program and availability.
5. Gastronomic and wine tour of Menton
Why do we recommend this tour?
We were completely seduced by Menton and its colorful facades. Its narrow streets are full of charm and home to numerous gardens, museums and monuments to discover! However, Menton’s reputation is built on its culinary specialties. In addition to its exceptional lemons, the region produces goat and ewe cheeses, charcuterie, vegetables and white truffles. On this tour, you can try a Pichade (a type of pizza made with fresh tomatoes, onions and herbs) or Barbajuan (fried ravioli). Why deprive yourself?
What you will see
On this tour, you’ll be able to see..:
- the colorful streets of Menton,
- the Halles market for fruit and vegetables,
- Plage des Sablettes,
- la Plage du Cap.
If you’d like to discover Menton in a different way, check out our article on the city’s best activities. You’ll see that it’s home to the very interesting Musée Cocteau, splendid gardens such as Val Rahmeh, and a superb basilica.
How much time to allow
The guided tour will take 3 hours, but we recommend a full day in Menton to get the most out of it!
- Guided tour of Menton through its culinary specialties: in a small group, you’ll explore the town with several tastings, including Provencal wines – see program and availability.
6. Wine tasting: Grasse, Valbonne and Gourdon
Why do we recommend this tour?
Picked up directly from your accommodation in Monaco, this air-conditioned minibus tour takes you through Provence. First, you’ll head for Grasse, where you’ll visit the Fragonard perfume factory. Then lunch at a charming restaurant in Valbonne, followed by a tasting of French wines from the Bellet vineyards. We particularly recommend this tour for oenophiles. Along the way, you’ll discover magnificent views of the Côte d’Azur!
What you will see
During this small-group excursion, you’ll observe..:
- the charming town of Grasse and the Fragonard perfume factory,
- the medieval village of Valbonne,
- the Rivière Loup waterfalls,
- the small fortress of Gourdon and its view of the Côte d’Azur,
- Bellet vineyards,
- Château de Crémat and its panoramic sea view.
How much time should I allow?
It takes a full day to complete this organized tour of Provence.
- Wine excursion to Grasse, Valbonne and Gourdon: leave from your hotel in Monaco to discover these charming villages with wine tasting! – see program and availability.
7. Cannes and its croisette
Why do we recommend this tour?
Cannes is 1 hour from Monaco. A must-see seaside resort on the Côte d’Azur, it is known the world over for the Cannes Film Festival and its famous Promenade de la Croisette. It’s also famous for its casinos and luxury boutiques, but that’s not all! We recommend taking the time to visit its historic district: Le Suquet. We were seduced by its narrow cobbled streets, colourful facades and picturesque little squares overlooking the bay!
What you will see
When you visit the city, you’ll discover..:
- the famous Promenade de la Croisette along the Mediterranean,
- the Croisette beaches,
- the historic Suquet district,
- the Museum of World Explorations,
- Notre-Dame-de-l’Espérance church,
- the old port,
- the Palais des Festivals.
You can find all the things to do in Cannes in our dedicated article!
How much time should I allow?
The tours we suggest below last a few hours, but we recommend spending 1 day in Cannes to get the most out of them!
- Guided tour of Cannes by a local: in just 1 hour, you’ll benefit from the advice of a local and discover some of the best addresses in Cannes that tourists don’t know about. From the Croisette to the Suquet, the city and its monuments will hold no secrets for you! – See prices, photos and availability.
- A guided tour of Cannes on the theme of the 7th art: ideal if you’re a film buff! Accompanied by a scriptwriter for 2 hours and 40 minutes, you’ll tour Cannes and its landmarks, including the Palais des Festivals – see prices, photos and availability.
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.
8. A walk in Cap Ferrat
Why do we recommend this tour?
Looking for peace and nature? We recommend a visit to Cap Ferrat! This peninsula is just 30 minutes from Monaco, between the towns of Villefranche and Beaulieu-sur-Mer. Known for its luxurious residences, such as the Villa Ephrussi, and its turquoise beaches, Cap Ferrat is also home to a coastal path. Running along the limestone cliffs, it takes you around the cape (6km) from the village of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, passing in front of the Cap Ferrat lighthouse.
What you will see
As well as being able to recharge your batteries in an exceptional environment, you’ll be able to see..:
- the Villa Ephrussi and its incredible gardens,
- Villa Santo Sospir, decorated by Jean Cocteau (closed for restoration),
- the Chapelle Sainte-Hospice and its ten-metre-high bronze Madonna,
- the Belgian military cemetery,
- the semaphore, built under Napoleon III and rising to 153m,
- the 16th-century lighthouse,
- beaches (Plage de Paloma, Plage de la Fosse, Plage Cros dei Pin),
- the old port.
You’ll soon find our full list in our dedicated article.
How much time should I allow?
Allow half a day to visit Cap-Ferrat. If you’d also like to visit Beaulieu-sur-Mer, home to Villa Kerylos, or Villefranche-sur-Mer, you’ll need a full day.
9. Castle and village of Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
Why do we recommend this tour?
Roquebrune-Cap-Martin borders Monaco and Menton. The village and its medieval castle are well worth a visit. Set in the hills, they offer stunning panoramic views of the Mediterranean. Le Cap is also home to some superb 20th-century villas, as well as the Cabanon by the famous architect Le Corbusier, known for his design of the Cité Radieuse in Marseille. You’ll also find a beautiful beach and a Maginot Line fort, testimony to the Second World War!
What you will see
As well as superb panoramic views from the village, you’ll see..:
- colorful facades in the medieval village,
- its Carolingian castle,
- the Roman tomb of Lumone, dating from the 1st century BC,
- an olive tree over 2000 years old!
- le Corbusier path, leading to Plage de Buse,
- Villa E-1027 by Eileen Gray and Jean Badovicci,
- Le Corbusier’s Cabanon,
- Fort du Cap-Martin, part of the Maginot Line, built in 1930.
How much time should I allow?
It all depends on what you want to visit. However, as Roquebrune is in the immediate vicinity of Monaco, you might consider spending half a day there.
10. In the footsteps of the Princière family at Cagnes-sur-Mer
Why do we recommend this tour?
Most of Monaco’s tourist attractions are linked to the princely family(Prince’s Palace, cathedral, etc.). Originally from Genoa, the Grimaldi family, from which the current ruler of Monaco descends, settled throughout the Côte d’Azur as early as the 13th century. We suggest a trip to Cagnes-sur-Mer, home to a sublime Château-musée! It’s a 45-minute drive from the Principality.
What you will see
You’ll never be bored in Cagnes-sur-Mer! Here’s what you’ll see:
- the medieval streets of Haut-de-Cagnes, which have inspired many artists,
- the atypical Saint-Pierre Saint-Paul church,
- Notre Dame de la Protection chapel and its 16th-century frescoes,
- the beautiful Musée Renoir,
- the Musée du Bijou Contemporain,
- the Château-Musée Grimaldi and its exceptional Baroque painted ceilings,
You’ll soon find our full list in our dedicated article.
How much time should I allow?
We advise you to allow a full day for this excursion. Don’t hesitate to make a detour to the neighboring and more famous village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence!
Frequently asked questions
Is Monaco part of France?
No, Monaco is a sovereign and independent Principality, even if it is landlocked on French territory.
What are the best guided tours of downtown Monaco?
There’s nothing like accompanying a local guide to discover a city’s secrets! This guided tour of Monaco’s hidden gems will help you understand the major architectural developments of the last century. You’ll also see iconic landmarks such as the Prince’s Palace, the Oceanographic Museum and the Cathedral. If you’re a car enthusiast, we recommend a special visit in the footsteps of the Formula 1 Grand Prix!
What are Monaco’s major annual events?
Monaco is famous for its large-scale events. The first of these is the legendary Monaco Grand Prix in May. Other events, such as the Monaco Yacht Show in September, or the Monte-Carlo Summer Festival in July and August, punctuate the Principality’s calendar. Major events also take place in winter, such as the International Circus Festival and the Monte Carlo Rally. On these occasions, accommodation is packed and prices soar! We invite you to consult the Tourist Office’s events program here, and to book your hotel as soon as possible.
What beaches are popular in Monaco?
Monaco’s most popular beach is its largest public beach, Plage du Larvotto. It also includes an artificial concrete beach, Solarium Beach. The other beaches are privately owned by hotels. To find your way around, consult our article dedicated to the most beautiful beaches in and around Monaco.
What activities are linked to AS Monaco?
TheAssociation sportive de Monaco Football Club is a world-famous club founded in 1924. Although based and owned by Monaco, it is affiliated to the French Football Federation and takes part in French competitions. Its players have been with the French national team since 1950. Thierry Henry, Lilian Thuram and Kylian Mbappé are just a few of the players to have turned professional with AS Monaco FC. Don’t hesitate to visit the official boutique in the Fontevieille district. AS Monaco is also the name of the Principality’s basketball club, which often leads the French championships.
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO THE Côte d’Azur
- Inspiration
The most beautiful landscapes in 30 photos
Best things to do on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful villages
Best beaches on the Côte d’Azur
Most beautiful gardens
Best boat tours (coming soon)
Most beautiful islands
Secret places
- Practical advice
Successful travel on the Côte d’Azur (coming soon)
Rent a car in Provence – in Nice – in Cannes – in Marseille – in Aix-en-Provence.
Itineraries: 5 days – 1 week – 10 days
Weekend ideas: best-of – romantic – luxury – unusual
- Where to stay
Where to stay on the Côte d’Azur
Best luxury hotels on the Côte d’Azur
Hotels by the sea
Best boutique-hotels
