Are you planning to visit the Côte d’Azur and wondering whether to go to Saint-Tropez or Monaco?
We love both destinations. The choice is difficult, but we’re here to help you with our opinions on specific criteria.
Here’s our Monaco vs Saint-Tropez battle with tips and photos:
- Atmosphere
- Beaches, monuments and museums
- Location
- Hotels and restaurants
- …
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Saint-Tropez or Monaco: summary of the comparison
Short answer
Both towns target the luxury segment, but Monaco is massively built-up, while Saint-Tropez has the air of a Provencal village.
Saint-Tropez is world-renowned for its famous port, which has attracted some of the world’s biggest stars. The town is also very popular for its charming, colorful alleyways and Provencal market.
Monaco is an independent principality renowned for its international events, built on a massive cliffside. It impresses and fascinates with its luxury experience.
Depending on what you’re looking for…
- for the most beautiful beaches: Saint-Tropez
- for young children / families: equality
- for the finest hotels: equality
- for a romantic getaway: Saint-Tropez
- for gastronomy: equality
- for the charm of the town: Saint-Tropez
- for nightlife: Saint-Tropez
- for the surrounding region: equality (nature vs. culture)
- …
See Monaco’s top-rated accommodations.
See the top-rated accommodations in Saint-Tropez.
Access + Location to explore the region
Both towns are located on the eastern half of the Côte d’Azur.
They are both well placed for exploring different parts of the region.
From Monaco, you’ll have access to more history and culture, while Saint-Tropez gives you access to more nature.
Here’s some road map to help you make a better assessment:
- Monaco to Saint-Tropez = 1h50 drive
- Monaco to Cannes = 30 min drive
- Monaco to Menton = 25 min drive
- Saint-Tropez to Saint-Raphaël = 1 hour’s drive
Nice-Côte d’Azur airport is the main international airport serving Monaco. Monaco airport: 30min drive
To reach Saint-Tropez, you can land at Nice-Côte d’Azur airport (1h30 drive) or Marseille airport (2h drive).
Compare available flights.
Both towns also have railway stations. Monaco is easier to reach.
Book your trains.
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.
Best hotel offer: Saint-Tropez vs Monaco
Hotels in Saint-Tropez
The range of hotels in Saint-Tropez is vast, especially if you’re looking for 5-star accommodation. There are so many superb hotels that it’s hard to choose.
We recommend..:
- Quiet luxury: Hotel Sezz – see prices, pictures and availability
- Charming: Hotel Pré de la Mer – prices, pictures and availability
- Lively and iconic luxury: Byblos Hotel – see prices, pictures and availability
Read our article on where to stay in Saint-Tropez.
Hotels in Monaco
Monaco offers a wide range of hotels, especially if you’re looking for 5-star accommodation.
We recommend..:
- Luxury Palace: Hotel Hermitage – view prices, pictures and availability
- Resort: Hotel Monte-Carlo Bay – see prices, pictures and availability
- Boutique: Hotel Miramar – see prices, pictures and availability
Read our article on where to stay in Monaco.
Our review
Monaco and Saint-Tropez both offer a large number of 5-star hotels.
In Monaco, you’ll find palaces and very large resorts.
In Saint-Tropez, it’s more a question of charming hotels.
Our winner: Sainte-Tropez.
Attractions, museums and monuments
Attractions in Saint-Tropez
The main attractions in Saint-Tropez are..:
- Stroll along the harbour and through the narrow streets of the old town
- Relax on a terrace to enjoy the atmosphere
- Explore the 16th-century citadel and visit the museums. Enjoy beautiful views over the bay.
- Discover the most beautiful beaches in the area, such as Plage de Pampelonne and Plage de l’Escalet.
- Discover French popular culture at the Musée de la Gendarmerie et du Cinéma (in reference to films starring Louis de Funès).
- Explore nearby villages such as Grimaud, Gassin and Ramatuelle
- A walk through the vineyards
Find out more in our article on the best attractions in Saint-Tropez.
Attractions in Monaco
Monaco’s main attractions are:
- Visit the Prince’s Palace and watch the changing of the guard
- Explore and marvel at its museums: the Oceanographic Museum, Prince Rainier III’s car collection, and art museums.
- Admire the luxurious architecture
- Discover the many different garden styles (exotic, Japanese, rose garden…)
- Enjoy the luxurious ambience
See our article on the best attractions in Monaco.
Our review
The winner is Nice, for its diversity of activities and locations.
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
- Great kayak trips in:
Saint-Tropez to the Ramatuelle reserve
Cassis to the calanques - Helicopter flight from Cannes
- Shuttle service along the coast between Nice and Saint-Tropez
- Bike tours: eBike in Nice – Mountain biking in the Esterel massif
Most beautiful beaches: Saint-Tropez or Monaco?
Beaches of Saint-Tropez
In and around Saint-Tropez, you’ll find a host of beautiful public and private beaches.
The beaches in the town center aren’t the prettiest, but on the rest of the Ramatuelle peninsula, you have superb options with golden sands and azure waters.
See our article on Saint-Tropez’s most beautiful beaches.
Monaco Beaches
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.
There’s also Solarium Beach, an artificial concrete seawall.
See our article on Monaco’s most beautiful beaches.
Our review
The clear winner is Saint-Tropez, even if the most beautiful beaches are further from the city center.
Excursions around the cities
Excursions from Saint-Tropez
From Sain-Tropez, you can visit..:
- The villages of Ramatuelle, Gassin, Grimaud and Port Grimaud.
- Cap de l’Esterel and its hiking trails (1h30 away)
- Hyères and Porquerolles Island (1h15 drive)
Excursions from Monaco
From Monaco, you can visit
- Villages La Turbie, Roquebrune, Èze, Sainte-Agnès
- The towns of Menton, Nice, Beaulieu-sur-Mer
- Cap Ferrat and the Villa Ephrussi
- …
- There are few guided excursions from Monaco.
Our review
The winner: Nice.
Best gastronomic offer
Restaurants in Saint-Tropez
With its range of luxury hotels, Saint-Tropez is also an excellent place to discover the best of French gastronomy.
Reservations are essential!
Among our favorite restaurants:
- Restaurant Colette: a big hit for its dishes and quality of service
- Restaurant Dior Café: light fare, for the glamorous ambience of Saint-Tropez
- Restaurant Beefbar: for meat lovers
Discover our selection of the best restaurants in Saint-Tropez. (coming soon)
Restaurants in Monaco
The Principality’s restaurant offer is extensive and highly sought-after, with numerous Michelin-starred and gourmet restaurants. You’ll discover tasty, bold Mediterranean cuisine, as well as a wide choice of world cuisine (Italian, Asian…): there really is something for everyone! Contrary to popular belief, you can also enjoy affordable, healthy dining in Monaco.
Among our favorite restaurants:
- Restaurant Le Pavyllon (1 star): daring cuisine in its restaurant in the 5-star Hôtel Hermitage.
- Restaurant Chez Pierre: excellent gourmet dining
- Restaurant Supernature: a wine bar with a wide range of references, a cosy atmosphere and delicious focaccia.
Discover our selection of the best restaurants in Monaco.
Our review
Equality.
Ease of getting around these cities/regions
Getting around Saint-Tropez
It’s easy to explore the city center on foot.
However, as soon as you want to go out, you need a car, and the main access road to the city is often very slow.
Getting around Monaco
It’s easy to explore downtown on foot. Everything is cliffside and the streets are steep. Allow for a cab budget.
Monaco also has a hop-on-hop-off bus to see the main places of interest – save time, buy your ticket.
Can we visit Monaco and Saint-Tropez on the same trip?
The two cities are not very close.
By car, 1h50 drive.
And why not other cities/regions?
On the Côte d’Azur, there are plenty of other great towns to discover. You can read our comparison:
Or see our list of the most beautiful towns on the Côte d’Azur.
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
