7 Amazing Things to Do in Monaco That Are Actually Worth Your Time

Monaco may be famous for luxury yachts, Formula 1 racing, casinos, and billionaires, but there is much more to this tiny country than its glamorous reputation.

Monaco is a principality, a sovereign state ruled by a Prince. It is only slightly larger than Vatican City, making it the second-smallest country in the world. Despite its small size, approximately 38,000 people live here, and the country is known for having one of the highest concentrations of wealth anywhere on Earth.

One of our local guides told us that the common saying about Monaco is, every fifth person in Monaco is a billionaire and every third person is a millionaire. While those figures are not official statistics, they reflect Monaco’s reputation as a playground for the wealthy.

Located on the beautiful French Riviera, Monaco sits just a short distance from Nice in France, and is one of the most popular destinations for visitors staying in southern France.

There are many districts in Monaco. Most tourists focus on the Monte Carlo district, which is home to many of Monaco’s famous attractions, luxury hotels, casinos, and stunning viewpoints.

Is One Day Enough for Monaco?

Many travel guides describe Monaco as a day trip from Nice. While it is certainly possible to see the highlights in a single day, we found that Monaco deserves much more time than most people allow.

For example, we spent nearly four hours at the Oceanographic Museum alone and still felt we had not seen everything. Between the Prince’s Palace, Monte Carlo Casino, Formula 1 Circuit, museums, beaches, and boat tours, Monaco can easily keep travelers occupied for two or even three days.

If you simply want to check off the major attractions, one day may be enough. However, if you want to enjoy Monaco without constantly watching the clock, we recommend allowing at least two to three days.

Many travellers visit Monaco as part of a French Riviera itinerary, and Nice makes an excellent base for exploring the region. If you are planning a longer stay, our one-week guide to Nice and the French Riviera covers our complete itinerary, including nearby towns, coastal views, and experiences beyond Monaco.

How to Get to Monaco from Nice

Monaco does not have its own airport. Most international visitors arrive at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport in France and continue their journey to Monaco by train, helicopter, boat, or private transfer.

The easiest and most affordable option is the regional train from Nice. The journey takes approximately 20 to 25 minutes and trains run frequently throughout the day. There’s no need to book in advance, we simply purchased our tickets at Nice-Ville railway station before departure. And yes, you’ll be crossing an international border from France into Monaco, but no, you don’t need to bring your passport for the train journey. We were never asked to show one during our visits.

One thing worth mentioning is that the ticket machines can be somewhat confusing. During our visit, many travellers were struggling to use them and there was very little assistance available. We initially thought the people ahead of us were just taking a long time, but once it was our turn, we quickly realized we were facing the same challenge. If you’re visiting during the summer, be prepared for long lines at the ticket machines, especially after 10:00 AM.

Our trains were also quite crowded, which seems to be common during peak tourist season. On one of our trips, the carriage we were in didn’t have the fans running, and with temperatures around 30°C (86°F), it became quite uncomfortable. If you’re travelling in the summer, it’s a good idea to bring water, dress lightly, and be prepared for a warm and crowded ride.

Another option is to take a boat transfer from Nice to Monaco. Depending on the operator, the journey takes around 40 to 50 minutes and offers beautiful views of the French Riviera coastline along the way.

Looking back, staying in Nice and taking the train to Monaco each day was the perfect choice for us. If we were to do it again, we’d still recommend taking an early train, exploring Monaco before the crowds arrive, and then enjoying a sightseeing boat tour later in the day. It offers a great balance of convenience, value, and scenery.

Now let’s look at the attractions that made our visit memorable.

1.Visit the Prince’s Palace of Monaco

The Prince’s Palace was one of our favorite places to visit in Monaco and is definitely something we would recommend, especially if it’s your first time here.

We walked to the palace from the train station, which took us about 25 minutes. The walk itself wasn’t difficult, but since the palace sits on top of Monaco’s historic hill, there is an uphill climb near the end. We definitely felt it, especially in the summer heat, but the spectacular views from the top were more than enough reward for the effort.

The palace sits high above Monaco and is beautifully set against a mountain backdrop, with sweeping views of the Mediterranean Sea, the harbor down below, and even parts of the Monaco Grand Prix race track. It’s an incredible vantage point where you can see so much of the city all at once. It is also still inhabited by the Prince and his family, which makes it feel very much like a living royal residence rather than just a historic landmark.

One interesting thing we learned during our visit is that when the flag is flying above the palace, it means the Prince is in residence. We happened to visit on a day when the flag was up, which meant the Prince was in residence at the palace. It was a small detail, but it made the experience feel a little more special knowing we were visiting the active residence of Monaco’s royal family.

During our visit, we toured the State Apartments, which are open to visitors during the season. The admission ticket included an audio guide that provided plenty of interesting history and background information. Tickets can be purchased online in advance or directly from the ticket office beside the palace. We ended up spending about two hours inside the palace, taking our time through the various rooms and exhibits, and we felt it was well worth the visit.

One thing we made sure not to miss was the Changing of the Guard ceremony. It takes place every day at 11:55 AM right in front of the palace and attracts a good crowd, so it’s worth arriving a little early if you want a good viewing spot.

Even if you don’t go inside the palace, the surrounding area is worth visiting for the views alone. We spent quite a bit of time walking around and taking photos because some of the best viewpoints in Monaco are located here. From the palace grounds, we could see the harbor, sections of the Formula 1 circuit, the Mediterranean coastline, and much of Monaco spread out below us.

2.Walk the Monaco Grand Prix Circuit

One of the most unique experiences we had in Monaco was walking along parts of the famous Formula 1 circuit.

After visiting the Prince’s Palace, we made our way down the hill toward Port Hercules and followed sections of the legendary race track through the city.

What really stood out to us was how narrow many of the streets actually are. Walking the route gave us a completely different appreciation for the skill it takes to drive through here at high speed during the Monaco Grand Prix.

As fans of cars, we were really looking forward to trying a driving experience like this ourselves. We had read about opportunities in the past where visitors could drive luxury sports cars on parts of the circuit, so we were hoping to come across something similar during our visit. As fans of cars, we were really looking forward to trying a driving experience like this ourselves. We had read about opportunities in the past where visitors could drive luxury sports cars on parts of the circuit, so we were hoping to come across something similar during our visit.

Unfortunately, we didn’t find any operating at the time, but if you do, it’s definitely something worth considering, and feel free to share it in the comments to help other travellers. The race track was getting rebuilt when we were there, we assume that probably could be the reason the test drives were not available.

If you’d like a deeper experience, we recommend these guided tours that let you walk and learn about the Monaco Grand Prix circuit in detail:

Monaco Walking Tour Inside Racing Track
Monaco Formula 1 Walking Tour – The Inside Track Monaco F1

3.Visit the Prince’s Car Collection

As car enthusiasts, one place we definitely didn’t want to miss in Monaco was the HSH the Prince of Monaco’s Car Collection.

Located near Port Hercules, we made our way there quite easily after spending time around the harbor area. The museum is home to more than 100 vehicles that were collected by Prince Rainier III, and it honestly exceeded our expectations.

Walking through the collection, we saw everything from vintage automobiles to luxury cars, royal vehicles, and even Formula 1 race cars. There were Ferraris, Lamborghinis, and several historic models we didn’t expect to find in one place. We were genuinely surprised by both the size of the collection and the quality of the exhibits.

Its location also makes it very convenient to visit, since it’s right by the harbor and can easily be combined with a walk along parts of the Formula 1 circuit.

At the exit, there is also a souvenir shop where you can pick up race car and luxury car themed gifts. When we visited, it was full of families, and we noticed that many teenagers were especially engaged with the displays and merchandise.

If you enjoy automobiles, motorsports, or luxury vehicles, this is one stop in Monaco that is absolutely worth your time.

4.Explore the Monte Carlo Casino

The Monte Carlo Casino is undoubtedly one of Monaco’s most recognizable landmarks.

The casino has appeared in numerous films, novels, and travel documentaries over the years and remains one of the symbols of Monaco’s luxury lifestyle.

The parking lot of the casino is filled with luxury cars, high-end boutiques, and visitors from around the world.

Taking photographs in front of the casino is almost a tradition for tourists visiting Monaco.

Visitors are welcome to enter the main entrance hall of the casino even if they do not plan on gambling. The grand halls and ornate architecture are impressive enough to justify a visit.

There is a booth inside the hall where we have to buy tickets to gamble. We wanted to try our luck at the gaming tables, but we we were told that the casino enforces a strict dress code. Unfortunately, we were wearing shorts during a particularly hot summer day and were not permitted into the gambling areas.

Even so, we enjoyed walking around the casino, admiring several luxury cars, and listening to the evening live music, which was open and free for everyone. Each time our favorite song played, it just so happened that another luxury car would pull into the parking lot. We couldn’t help but laugh at the coincidence.

5.Visit the Oceanographic Museum

The Oceanographic Museum was one of the biggest surprises of our entire trip.

We purchased our tickets at the entrance without knowing much about the museum and were completely amazed by what we found inside.

The museum spans several levels and contains extensive exhibits featuring marine life, aquariums, conservation projects, and ocean exploration.

One fact that particularly impressed us was learning that the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco was among the first to grow corals inside the aquarium.

The aquarium features several enormous, beautifully designed tanks, some with cave-like structures, that make it feel like you’re looking into the ocean itself. We saw sharks, sea turtles, and countless species of fish throughout the exhibits as we moved from one tank to another.

The museum’s location itself is spectacular. Built on the edge of a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, it offers some of the best views in Monaco.

Some of the tanks are also located outdoors, which makes the experience even more special. One of the highlights was the turtle tank, which overlooked the Mediterranean Sea. It was such a stunning setting that we couldn’t help but joke that the turtles had a “million-dollar view.”

We spent nearly four hours exploring the museum and still felt we could have spent more time there. If we had planned our itinerary differently, we would have dedicated almost an entire day to this attraction.

Honestly, we felt this was a must-see. It was an amazing experience, especially the way the huge tanks are built inside the building and carefully maintained so the fish and other sea creatures can thrive. The lighting effects in blue and purple, combined with the darker pathways, made it feel like we were floating alongside the marine life. It was an incredible experience, and easily one of the highlights of our trip. The Oceanographic Museum made it into our top 3 things to do in Monaco.

6.Take a Sightseeing Boat Tour

One of the best ways to appreciate Monaco’s coastline is from the sea.

While there are several sightseeing cruises that operate from Port Hercules, offering fantastic views of the Prince’s Palace, the Oceanographic Museum, the Monte Carlo Casino, luxury yachts, and Monaco’s dramatic coastline, we didn’t actually take a boat tour from Monaco’s harbor.

Instead, we experienced Monaco from the water on our journey from Nice to Monaco, and our boat ride also included a snorkeling stop along the way. It was a great way to combine travel with a bit of adventure, and it made the experience even more memorable.

Options range from short sightseeing cruises to sunset cruises and snorkeling excursions, depending on how you want to explore the coastline.

Seeing Monaco from the sea really does give a completely different impression compared to exploring it on foot, and if you have the time, it’s definitely a view worth experiencing.

If you’re planning to take a boat tour, these are the ones we recommend for the best views of Monaco’s coastline:

Discovery DE the Principality from the sea
Boat tour guided from Nice to Monaco with snorkeling

7.Relax at Larvotto Beach

Larvotto Beach is Monaco’s main public beach and a wonderful place to relax after a day of sightseeing.

The beach is known for its beautiful turquoise waters and relaxed atmosphere. Although it is a pebble beach rather than a sandy one, the scenery is stunning.

From the Prince’s Palace area, the walk to Larvotto Beach takes approximately 40 minutes along Monaco’s coastline.

We did not spend much time at the beach ourselves because we were staying in Nice and had already enjoyed several beaches along the French Riviera. However, we found the coastal walk enjoyable and the views spectacular.

Compared with some of the beaches in Nice, Larvotto Beach felt slightly less crowded and more relaxed.

Our Final Thoughts on Monaco

Despite being one of the smallest countries in the world, Monaco offers far more attractions than many travellers expect.

While some visitors rush through Monaco on a day trip from Nice, we found that the country deserves at least two to three days if you want to properly experience its museums, historic sites, coastal scenery, and unique atmosphere.

Whether you are interested in Formula 1 racing, royal history, luxury travel, marine life, or simply enjoying the beauty of the Mediterranean coast, Monaco has something memorable to offer.

Hotels to Stay in Monaco and Nice