Is the Principality of Monaco worth a visit? Need some inspiration to plan your weekend or vacation?
Monaco, located on the Côte d’Azur between Nice and Menton, is an independent principality renowned for its international events, such as the Formula 1 Grand Prix. Massively built into the cliffs, Monaco impresses and fascinates tourists from all over the world, in search of a luxury experience. Its emblematic Monte-Carlo district boasts magnificent 5-star palaces, as well as a splendid Casino, immortalized in the James Bond saga. As for the Rock, you can get a glimpse of princely life by visiting the Palace!
In this article, we give you our 10 reasons to go to Monaco, and a few points to keep in mind.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the area anonymously, making our own choices, and paying all our bills in full.
Is Monaco worth a visit?
Yes! Even if you’re not a fan of luxury, Monaco is well worth a visit, as it’s a city like no other! Although it’s mostly made up of massive buildings, Le Rocher has been preserved and features pretty little streets, with magnificent panoramic views of the coast.
If, on the other hand, you’re a lover of luxury, the Principality is the place for you. Between 5-star palaces, high-end boutiques, casinos, clubs and haute cuisine, you’ll be in heaven!
Last but not least, Monaco has other lesser-known assets: museums, beautiful religious buildings and even green spaces!
Discover our article on the best attractions in Monaco!
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
Reason 1 – To discover the Rock
The Rock is our favorite place in Monaco. Overlooking the rest of the city and the sea, you have to climb steeply to get there. Rest assured, it’s worth it! At the top, you’ll enjoy breathtaking panoramic views of the Principality and surrounding towns. We wind our way through pretty, colorful alleyways, and admire elegant buildings that remind us of Nice!
There are also many places to discover on cliffside walks. For example, we fell in love with the Jardins Saint-Martin, where you can see exotic plants, fountains and beautiful sculptures.
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Reason 2 – To visit the Prince’s Palace and watch the changing of the guard
Of course, the most emblematic monument on the Rock, and more generally in Monaco, is the Prince’s Palace. It is impressive not only for its size, but also for its architectural styles, which reveal the history of the Principality. The origins of the palace can be traced back to a medieval dwelling built in the 13th century, while the rest of the facade (16th-17th century) hints at the Genoese origins of the Grimaldi family, the princely family.
The interior is just as impressive. Only part of the building, the Grands Appartements, is open to visitors. Indeed, the princely family resides and governs in this Palace. Although some rooms were closed, as they were being restored, we really enjoyed the visit. It boasts a splendid main courtyard, numerous 16th-century frescoes and even the Throne Room!
Life at the Palace is punctuated every day by the changing of the guard. At 11.55am, this solemn military ceremony took place in front of crowds of curious tourists gathered in the Place du Palais. The Prince’s Carabinieri, a military corps created in 1817, take turns ensuring the safety of the Palace and the princely family. Lined up in a row, they cross the square, handling their weapons to the sound of drums.
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!
Reason 3 – For its museums
Monaco has some interesting museums. Let’s continue our tour of the Rock with the Principality’s best-known museum, the Oceanographic Museum. We enjoyed our visit, because the 19th-century architecture and collections have been preserved, and stand side by side with particularly modern museographic features and exhibits. Plus, there’s a top-notch aquarium in the basement!
In addition to the Oceanographic Museum, the Principality also boasts an institution that will delight car enthusiasts: the Prince Rainier III Collection. You’ll discover classic cars, emblematic models from Porsche and Ferrari, and even the car used by Prince Albert II for his wedding to Charlène de Monaco in 2011! The first floor is occupied by racing cars.
In the art world, Monaco boasts a national museum, housed in 2 villas (Sauber and Paloma). Temporary exhibitions devoted to contemporary artists are presented here. Finally, a number of smaller institutions complete the museum landscape (Musée des Timbre et des Monnaies, Musée d’Anthropologie Préhistorique, etc.).
Discover our article on the best museums in Monaco.
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).
- Remember to take outcomprehensive insurance (some roads are winding and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Reason 4 – For Monte Carlo: luxury and nightlife
Monte Carlo is Monaco’s most popular district, and for good reason! Here, you’ll find superb 5-star palaces with starred gourmet restaurants. These include the Hôtel Hermitage, housed in a historic Belle Époque building with a splendid Eiffel dome, and the Hôtel de Paris on Place du Casino. This square attracts tourists from all over the world, who admire the legendary Casino Monte-Carlo. If you don’t want to go there to play, it’s open in the mornings from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. for simple visits.
In this district, you’ll find a host of luxury boutiques and chic bars and clubs, such as the Buddha Bar, also a restaurant, where you can enjoy Asian cuisine in an impressive setting.
Monte Carlo also includes Larvotto, home to Monaco’s only public beach of the same name. It is lined with restaurants. At the far end of the coast, you’ll find resorts such as the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, and clubs such as the Coya Bar.
Reason 5 – For its heritage
Contrary to popular belief, Monaco has a rich heritage, particularly in terms of religious buildings. Right next to the station, take the time to visit the Church of Sainte-Dévote, typically Monegasque. In addition to the Church of Saint-Charles, Monte-Carlo boasts a concentration of monuments. Unfortunately, we were unable to visit the Chapelle de la Visitation, which was closed, but we did enjoy the Chapelle de la Miséricorde and its 17th-century Baroque decor. Finally, don’t miss the majestic cathedral where the members of the princely family are buried!
Religious monuments are complemented by other buildings, notably Fort Antoine at the end of the Rocher. This early 18th-century military fortress was destroyed in 1944, then rebuilt under the reign of Prince Rainier III. Today, it is used as an open-air theater and offers superb views of Port Hercule and Solarium Beach (an artificial concrete beach) below.
Reason 6 – For its human-scale neighborhoods: La Condamine and Port de Fontvieille
After the Rocher, these two neighborhoods are our favorites. They are more human-scale than Monte-Carlo. In the Condamine area, we recommend a visit to Place d’Armes and its market. Admire the colorful facades and get an idea of what Monaco was like in the past. This square is surrounded by shopping streets where you’ll find numerous restaurants. In many ways, the architectural style of this part of the Principality reminded us of Nice.
The Fontvieille district lies on the other side of the Rock. Organized around a harbor, it resembles a French seaside resort. Primarily residential, you won’t find much nightlife here. On the other hand, it offers beautiful panoramic views. From the heights, known as the terraces of Fontvieille, you’ll have a beautiful view of the port and the Mediterranean. Our favorite view, however, is from the harbor, at night, of the monuments on the Rock, which are illuminated as soon as the sun goes down. We walked to the end of the dike, at the lighthouse, and were struck by the calm. What a pleasure to admire the Mediterranean as far as the eye can see!
Reason 7 – For its gastronomy and excellent restaurants
Monaco boasts a wide range of quality restaurants. Here you’ll find many establishments serving world cuisine (Asia, Peru, Italy, the West Indies…), as well as numerous addresses revisiting French and Mediterranean gastronomy. Such is the case at Chez Pierre, where we tasted dark chocolate quenelles with praline bites.
If you’re on a budget, treat yourself to a Michelin-starred restaurant. There are 6 in Monaco. The most famous, and awarded 3 stars, is that of chef Alain Ducasse. The Louis XV is located in the splendid setting of the Hôtel de Paris. For our part, we tested Pavyllon, Yannick Alléno’s restaurant in the Hôtel Hermitage. We were able to enjoy bold cuisine in a magnificent setting. Only the dessert was a little disappointing, but overall, this establishment richly deserves its Michelin star!
Read our article on the best restaurants in Monaco.
Reason 8 – For its green spaces
Contrary to popular belief, the Principality has plenty of green space. Although small, we enjoyed walking around. In the Fontvieille district, a small garden located on the terraces of Fontvieille, the Unesco garden, is a pleasant place to take a break between 2 visits. However, it was the Roseraie de la Princesse Grace that most interested us, as we enjoyed discovering a large number of rose varieties, even if they weren’t all in bloom.
On the Rock, don’t miss the Saint-Martin gardens. They offer beautiful sculptures, exotic vegetation and, above all, superb landscapes. In the Monte-Carlo district, take a stroll through the Jardin de la Petite Afrique for a beautiful view of the Casino. If you’re heading for Plage du Larvotto, take a stroll through the small Japanese Garden. Finally, although we weren’t able to visit it because it was under construction, the Exotic Garden must be well worth a visit. Located on the Principality’s heights, the views must be magnificent!
See our list of Monaco’s best gardens.
Reason 9 – For its international events
Monaco is famous for its large-scale events. First and foremost is the legendary Monaco Grand Prix, which welcomes motorsport enthusiasts from all over the world at the end of May. The most difficult corner of this Formula 1 circuit, the Fairmont, is a tourist attraction in the Monte Carlo district.
Other events, such as the Monaco Yacht Show, punctuate the Principality’s calendar. At the time of our visit, this event was being prepared on Port-Hercule. When events like these are organized, 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.
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).
- Remember to take outcomprehensive insurance (some roads are winding and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Reason 10 – For its proximity to Nice, Antibes, Cannes and Menton.
Why not take advantage of your stay in Monaco to visit the surrounding area? The Principality lies between Nice and Menton. You can take the TER train to reach these 2 major cities in 30 minutes, as well as Cannes (1h15) and Antibes (1h). However, we recommend that you opt for a car, which will allow you to explore the region to the full.
Here are the main journey times to give you an idea of the distances involved:
- Driving time to Menton: 25min.
- Driving time to Nice: 30min.
- Driving time to Antibes: 50min.
- Driving time to Cannes: 55min.
These times do not take into account frequent traffic jams. A good way to avoid them is to take the ferry, which will take you to Nice in just under 1 hour, where you’ll enjoy superb panoramic views!
You can also opt for excursions:
- from Monaco, visit Monaco, Èze, Saint-Paul-de-Vence, Cannes and Antibes: see program and availability.
More ideas in our article on the best excursions from Monaco.
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!
Some disadvantages of a trip to Monaco
Crowds and traffic
Monaco can be a busy place, especially during the summer season. The Place du Casino in Monte-Carlo and the Rocher are the most popular areas. If you have the chance, we advise you to go off-season! Because of this influx, and also because this coastline is densely populated, there can be a lot of traffic jams. A 30-minute journey to Nice can be made in 1 hour during rush hour! If you only want to visit the city centers, opt for the train. On the other hand, don’t hesitate to take your car to visit the hinterland, which is much less crowded!
The rates
Visiting the French Riviera comes at a price, especially in the Principality. Some accommodations and restaurants can sometimes seem very expensive, especially in high season or when events are taking place. We recommend that you book your accommodation and activities as early as possible, and invite you to consult our article on the best hotels to stay in Monaco.
The Principality’s layout
As the Principality is built into the side of a cliff, you need to be in good physical condition to visit it on foot. Although there are public elevators to get from one road to another, they’re generally pretty slow, which is why we mostly took the stairs. We advise you to wear good walking shoes if you want to go to the heights of Monaco, as the climbs are steep. The city is very dense, built around main roads with many curves, and has few crosswalks. Although cars easily let walkers pass, take care when crossing. Finally, because of this particular layout, it’s easy to get lost.
We recommend downloading the city map here, which shows the location of escalators, public elevators and staircases.
Information is also available here on how to make your stay in Monaco easier for people with reduced mobility.
The weather
Monaco enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate. However, in the summer, temperatures can sometimes rise significantly, which can make outdoor activities uncomfortable, especially if you can’t stand the heat. Do as we do, and visit Monaco and the surrounding area in spring, autumn or winter.
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).
- Remember to take outcomprehensive insurance (some roads are winding and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Practical tips for travelling to Monaco, France.
Monaco is an independent principality in southeastern France, on the Côte d’Azur.
Our Monaco map will soon be available!
To get to Monaco, you can choose the train option. TGV high-speed trains make the journey from here:
- Paris (6:30 a.m.), with a TER connection in Nice.
- Lyon (5h30), with a TER connection at Nice.
- Marseille (3h30), with a TER connection at Nice.
We advise you to take several trains in advance for your connections, especially for your return journey.
See the available schedules and book your train tickets now.
If you’re traveling by car from another part of France, you can reach Monaco via the A6, A8, Autoroute du Soleil, or the national and departmental roads.
If you’re coming to Monaco from Italy, you can take the A10 freeway or the A8 freeway from Ventimiglia.
Finally, if you’re traveling by car from other European countries, you’ll need to plan your itinerary around your point of departure, using European freeways like the A8 or the Italian A10 (or Autoroute des Fleurs).
You can also fly to Nice, which is served by major European cities. You can then opt to rent a car on arrival in Nice at the train station or airport, and drive to Monaco.
Please note that traffic can be heavy, especially during peak and vacation periods. We recommend that you check traffic conditions and plan your route in advance. In addition, make sure you have a motorway sticker in the countries concerned, if necessary, and that you respect the Highway Code of the countries you will be crossing.
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
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
