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Tucked into the glittering shores of the French Riviera, Monaco is best known for luxury, glamour, and a timeless allure. This tiny principality, less than 2 square kilometers in size, may be small but it’s packed with things to do.
It has an intoxicating blend of Mediterranean charm, opulent architecture, sun-drenched streets, designer boutiques, and the ever-present hum of high-performance sports cars.
Although famously known as a Billionaires Playground, you don’t need a lot of money to enjoy Monaco. Sure, it’s where the elite come to play, but anyone from all walks of life can enjoy it.
Whether you’re gazing at the luxury yachts in the harbor and wondering if it’s really like the Below Deck TV show, or you’re itching to explore the winding streets of Monaco’s old town, or soak in the panoramic views from the cliffs, there are plenty of things to do in Monaco on a budget.
If you’re not sure what to do, here’s what we recommend you start with…
1. Take in the sunshine at Larvotto Beach
Larvotto Beach in Monaco
Monaco is located by the Mediterranean sea, so if you want to warm beach vacation, then you will find Monaco’s beachfront the perfect spot for sunbathing, relaxing, and swimming in the warm water.
Even during the winter months, when the rest of Europe is freezing cold, you will still most likely be able to enjoy a warm climate and plenty of sun.
If you happen to visit the Principality during Spring or Summer don’t forget to head to Larvotto Beach, a public sandy beach, and put your feet up.
Besides the well-maintained beach, the area boasts many seaside restaurants and brasseries where you can enjoy delicious French food and refreshing drinks.
2. Visit the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
Oceanographic Museum Image credit: DepositPhotos.com
When you visit Monaco, a trip to the Oceanographic Museum is a must, especially if you’re traveling with kids. It was built over a century ago and is one of the oldest aquariums in the world. Its impressive architecture and its picturesque location are absolutely breathtaking.
Situated on a cliffside rock, just above the sea, this museum features thousands of specimens and many amazing exhibitions dedicated to marine life.
It also houses three aquariums – a Mediterranean Aquarium, a Tropical Aquarium, and the Shark Lagoon. Collectively they house 6,000 sea creatures in over 100 different pools.
The ticket prices depend on the time of the year and on your age. Make sure to plan your visit well, since the Museum is located in Monaco-Ville where cars aren’t allowed. Therefore you’ll need to take a short walk to reach the entrance.
3. Go window shopping
Monaco is sure a great place for shopping (or window shopping if you prefer) and is full of prestigious boutiques and high-end stores. The Metropole Shopping Centre has a huge selection of jewelry and fashion stores, and also features health and beauty shops as well.
Also, Fontvieille Shopping Centre is a great spot for shopping with its large parking lot, its furniture, fashion, and high-tech shops, and various restaurants.
Simply by taking a walk around Monaco, you will often come across luxury brands such as Prada, Dior, Gucci, or Chanel just to name a few. These brands are mainly located right next to the Casino de Monte-Carlo and around the Hotel de Paris. You will also find some elegant clothing down Avenue Princess Grace, named after Grace Kelly.
For more affordable shopping that doesn’t require taking out a loan, and to try delicious local produce, visit La Condamine Market. It’s a small market of around 20 or so vendors, but it’s a great place to find fresh flowers and produce.
4. Visit the Monte Carlo Casino
The famous Monte Carlo Casino
When I think of Monaco, one of the first things that come to my mind is certainly the renowned Casino. Apart from being a gambling center, the Casino is also one of the most important and interesting tourist attractions.It was also the setting for the James Bond films, Golden Eye (1995) and Never Say Never Again (1983).
Located in the heart of Monaco, called Monte Carlo, the Casino is on the southern end of the Place du Casino between the Hotel de Paris and the Cafe de Paris. Even spending just a few minutes there will make you dive into the posh world of celebrities – with the most luxurious and expensive cars that you can imagine passing right in front of your eyes.
It’s possible to visit the Casino inside, where you can take a tour around for an entrance fee. Keep in mind that taking photos inside is forbidden.
5. Visit the Opéra de Monte-Carlo
Monte Carlo Opera House Image credit: DepositPhotos.com
Opened in 1879 this opera house, which is actually a part of the Casino, offers a world-class repertoire. Visiting this Opera is an unforgettable cultural experience that you will certainly want to repeat.
The most famous artists in the world have exhibited in the majestic Salle Garnier, from Enrico Caruso to Placido Domingo and, of course, Luciano Pavarotti. Also, it’s impossible not to notice the elegance, luxury decorations, and unique architecture that makes the entire location even more special and magical.
The inside is full of ornate details and frescoes and sculptures. It’s one of the most beautiful settings in the city.
6. Experience the Monaco Grand Prix
The Grand Prix – a star Monaco attraction
If you time your visit right, you could be ticking off a bucket list item to watch the Monaco Grand Prix. You don’t have to be a huge fan or an expert of Formula One to enjoy the vibrant atmosphere and all the excitement of this event.
The Monaco Formula One GP is held once a year, usually in the month of May, and the best Formula One racing drivers in the world take part in the competition.
During the weeks right before the event, you can enjoy driving your car around the city and passing through the exact same Monaco Grand Prix Circuit that the racing cars follow. All the road signs are also modified before the race so you can even see the starting grid on Boulevard Albert I.
Who knows, if you’re lucky enough you might get an autograph or even a picture with Sebastian Vettel, Lewis Hamilton, or Nico Rosberg.
7. Witness the Changing of the Guard at the Prince’s Palace of Monaco (Palais Princier)
Monaco Castle
The Prince’s Palace, or Palais du Prince in French, is the home to the Prince of Monaco. It dates back to the 12th century and is the official residence of the royal family, so you can expect to see a lot of stunning architecture, as well as the history of the former princes of the country.
Today, the palace is home to Prince Albert II, the son of Prince Rainier III. Visitors can see some of the state apartments of the palace from April to October. You can also visit the iconic Blue Room, which is famous for its blue and gold decorations, as well as the Throne Room and Palatine Chapel.
While there, make sure to witness the ceremony of changing the guard, it takes place every day at 11:55 AM and attracts thousands of enchanted spectators. I personally love this iconic tradition and always try to get there a bit earlier in order to get the best spot and take the most of it.
8. Relax at one of Monaco’s amazing parks and gardens
Monaco’s serene beauty
You wouldn’t want to miss The Jardin Exotique de Monaco which is especially famous for its succulent plants and cave. If you want to see the stalactites and stalagmites under the city, you’ll need to book a private tour. The Japanese Garden is wonderful as well, very peaceful and filled with little bridges and water ponds. It’s the perfect location to relax in the middle of the city.
Other great parks and gardens in Monaco include The Princess Antoinette Park, The Fontvieille Park, The Exotic Garden of Monaco, the Princess Grace Rose Garden, and the Casino Gardens and Terraces.
As you can see there is no shortage of gardens in Monaco and the micro city-state offers a wide range of green spaces where you can take a break, read a book and get some sun.
9. Enjoying a cocktail on the Monaco Promenade
drinks with views
Conclude your day in Monaco on the picturesque Promenade where you can enjoy a cocktail and finger food and at the same time admire the amazing view in front of you. There are many fantastic bars and brasseries that transform into nightclubs later on where you can dance and listen to live music.
Parking in the evening is very easy and not expensive – you can often park for free on the side of the road or for a few Euros you can use the underground parking.
10. Watch a game at Louis II Stadium
The Louis II Stadium is the official sports stadium of Monaco and has been operating as an arena since 1939. It is here that you can watch games by two Monaco football teams, as well as see international matches if you’re lucky enough to plan your visit at the right time. Make sure to check out the what’s on calendar before you visit to see if anything is happening here.
11. Check out Saint Nicholas Cathedral
Saint Nicholas Cathedral, or as it’s sometimes known, the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, or Monaco Cathedral, belongs to the Roman Catholic church.
It’s nestled in the old town Monaco-Ville and is the resting place for many of the royal Grimaldis family, such as Grace Kelly and Rainier III. It was consecrated in 1911 after it took 25 years to build. The building you see today was built on a chapel, that dates back to the 13th century. It still houses the original 16th-century altarpiece of Saint Nicolas.
The cathedral is known for its stunning white facade and intricate design. It’s well worth checking out while visiting Monaco.
12. See the model ships at Monaco Naval Museum
The Naval Museum is most famous for its vast collection of model ships, paintings, and maritime artifacts. Many of the models were built by Professor Claude Pallanca, who from an early age built model ships. When he was in military service, he was assigned to the Jeanne d’Arc as a dental surgeon. Here his love of the sea grew and his passion for building model ships grew too.
In 1993, the museum opened, displaying just 250 model ships, paintings, and maritime objects. Today, its collection has expanded to 1,200 models, plus more navy-related objects. Of the collection, 550 items were given by Professor Claude Pallanca.
13. Explore Le Rocher (Monaco Ville) at night
The old town of Monaco, also known as Le Rocher or Monaco Ville, is the only area in Monaco that has retained its history. As you wander down the small, narrow streets lined with medieval buildings, you’ll find vibrant bars, cafés, and cosy restaurants to duck into. It’s the best place to visit in Monaco at night, because of its lively atmosphere.
14. Explore the Rock of Monaco (Old Town)
Rising dramatically above the glittering Port Hercule, the Rock of Monaco a fortified promontory which has the Old Town built on top.
This rocky headland was first settled by the Genoese in the 13th century and later claimed by the Grimaldi family (who famously seized it in 1297 by disguising themselves as friars), and today perfectly blends history with postcard-perfect views.
It’s full of historic buildings that transport you back to ancient times, as well as attractions such as the aforementioned Prince’s Palace and the Oceanographic Museum.
Beyond the big sights, it’s a lovely area to wander around and get lost in the maze of history, as well as peer over the edge at the superyachts in the harbour below.
Is Monaco worth visiting?
Monaco is nestled in the southeast corner of France, only 10 km from the Italian border and 20km from the popular coastal city of Nice. Many people know this region as the French Riviera, which is famous for its year round warm weather, beautiful scenery, and glamorous lifestyle.
Although technically part of the French Riviera, the Principality of Monaco, as it’s officially known, is an independent country, and is only around 2 square kilometres, making it the smallest sovreign country in the world and easy to explore on foot.
Though it’s small in size, there are many fun attractions in Monaco, and even though most people know it for casinos and high-end shopping, the good news is you don’t have to own a great deal of money to have a good time in Monaco.
There is a reason Monaco is so loved by the rich, famous, and powerful. It’s home to the Monte-Carlo, which hosts the Monaco Grand Prix, a storybook old town with historic buildings, a relaxing beach, and miles of stunning views.
Where to stay in Monaco
Because Monaco is so small, it really doesn’t matter where you stay in terms of location, but where you stay may depend more on your budget.
The district of Monte-Carlo is the heart of luxury, and is where you will find the most iconic hotels overlooking the glittering harbor and the famed Casino Square, but it’s also the most expensive slice of the principality. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly stay (a relative concept in Monaco) will find better value in La Condamine, the lively neighborhood around Port Hercule, where you will find smaller boutique hotels and apartment-style accommodation.
Another more affordable alternative, is Fontvieille, the harborfront district, which has a relaxed village feel, leafy parks, and scenic marina views while still putting you within walking distance of the principality’s major sights. Here are a couple of highly-rated hotels to consider:
- Le Meridien Beach Plaza: a 15-minute walk of Monte Carlo Formula 1 Track, Le Meridien Beach Plaza offers a private beach where you can enjoy beach umbrellas, beach massages, and sun loungers. See prices and availability here.
- Fairmont Monte Carlo: Ocean views, private beach and steps away from Monte Carlo’s top attractions. People love the rooftop terrace and upscale hotel amenities. See prices and availability here.
- Hotel Metropole, Monte Carlo Great for families with a a free kids’ club and puts you just steps from Monte Carlo Formula 1 Track. See prices and availability here.
If you’re looking for other accommodation in Monaco, you can use the map below to compare hotels and short-term rental options.
Best time to visit Monaco
Blessed with a Mediterranean climate and a year-round, there is no bad time to visit Monaco, but Monaco truly shines brightest in late spring and early autumn, when the weather is warm, the sea inviting, and the crowds are fewer.
May brings the electric buzz of the Grand Prix, which means June feels rather quiet in comparison. September offers warm days and balmy evenings, and a more relaxed feel.
Final thoughts
So there you have it, those are top things to do in Monaco. As you can see, you don’t need to come loaded with cash to enjoy all these attractions, and there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Before you go, it’s important to know a few things about Monaco before you visit. First, remember to carry your ID with you at all times, as this is a legal requirement.
You should also know that even though it’s a beachside town, there’s a dress code, and you cannot wander around in your bikinis. And pack some comfy shoes. Monaco is small and very walkable, so be prepared to do a lot of walking. And most of all, enjoy your trip!
What are you most excited to do in Monaco? Let us know in the comments.
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