Walk the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit streets
Monaco's actual public roads double as one of motorsport's most legendary racetracks each May, walkable year-round outside race week.
diskover·us
Home › Destinations › Western Europe › Monaco
Western Europe
Things to do in Monaco
The world's second-smallest country, a hillside principality of grand casinos and superyachts, and the setting for one of motorsport's most legendary annual races.
Explore Monaco on the map →Budget$$$
Best for1-2 days
CapitalMonaco
VisaNo border control between Monaco and France; US/UK/EU/Canadian/Australian passport holders enter under standard Schengen visa-free terms (90 days in any 180-day period).
CurrencyEuro (EUR)
LanguagesFrench (official); English and Italian widely spoken
InternetExcellent
Typical lodging$110–$300/night
Driving sideRight
Power & voltage230V / 50Hz (Type C/F plug)
Time zoneUTC+1
Emergency number112
Dialing code+377
★★★★★ Luxury★★★★★ Nightlife★★★★★ Photography
Visa rules and emergency numbers can change without notice. Confirm the specifics for your nationality and dates before you travel.
Travel smart
Tap water is safe to drink. Not expected. Service is usually included.
Monaco is the second-smallest sovereign state in the world after Vatican City, yet packs one of the highest concentrations of wealth on Earth into just over two square kilometres, with more millionaires per capita than anywhere else. Its Formula 1 Grand Prix, first held in 1929, remains one of the most prestigious races on the circuit precisely because it runs through the principality's actual public streets rather than a purpose-built track.
When to go
SpringApril–May
Mild and pleasant, with the Formula 1 Grand Prix in late May drawing the year's biggest crowds and prices.
SummerJune–August
Hot and busy along the Riviera, with warm Mediterranean water and peak yacht season in the harbor.
AutumnSeptember–October
Comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds, a strong window for exploring without the Grand Prix or summer heat.
WinterNovember–March
Mild by European standards but quieter tourism-wise, with the casino and cultural sights still fully open.
20 things to do
▾
Culture & history
9Explore the Prince's Palace and changing of the guard€10–15
The official residence of Monaco's ruling Grimaldi family, with a daily changing-of-the-guard ceremony and museum sections open seasonally.
Visit the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco€10–15
A century-old museum founded by Prince Albert I, built into a cliffside overlooking the Mediterranean, with a strong marine research pedigree.
Wander Monaco-Ville, the old town on the Rock
A hilltop old quarter with narrow medieval streets, predating Monaco's modern casino-and-yacht reputation by centuries.
Visit the Monaco Grand Prix's Automobile Museum collection€10–15
A private collection of historic race and luxury cars once assembled by Prince Rainier III, offering context for the principality's motorsport heritage.
Walk the Monaco Cathedral and royal tombs
A 19th-century Romanesque-Byzantine cathedral where several members of the Grimaldi family, including Princess Grace, are buried.
Take the free public elevators and escalators through Monaco's hills
A network of public elevators helps visitors navigate the principality's steep terrain, a genuinely useful and distinctly Monégasque piece of urban infrastructure.
Visit the Naval Museum of Monaco€10–15
A private collection of ship models tracing naval history, reflecting Monaco's maritime heritage alongside its more famous casino identity.
Attend the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tennis tournament
A prestigious clay-court tennis event held annually against the backdrop of the Mediterranean, part of the sport's top-tier calendar.
▾
Luxury
3Visit the Monte Carlo Casino
An opulent Belle Époque casino building that's become one of the most recognizable symbols of Monaco, open to visitors for an entry fee even without gambling.
Attend the Monaco Yacht Show
One of the world's most prestigious yacht exhibitions, drawing the superyacht industry's biggest names to Port Hercules each autumn.
Shop the boutiques of Monte Carlo's Golden Square
One of the most concentrated luxury shopping districts in the world, home to virtually every major fashion and jewelry house.
▾
Photography
2Photograph the superyachts in Port Hercules
One of the most concentrated displays of luxury yachting anywhere, especially dramatic during the Monaco Yacht Show each September.
Ride the ferry or coastal path to view Monaco's skyline from the water
Short boat trips along the coast offer a striking perspective on Monaco's dense hillside architecture rising from the Mediterranean.
▾
Nature & scenery
4Visit the Jardin Exotique's cliffside cacti and caves
A terraced garden of succulents and cacti clinging to a cliff face, with an underground cave system and sweeping coastal views included in the visit.
Explore the Japanese Garden near Larvotto
A tranquil, meticulously maintained garden built according to Zen principles, a quiet contrast to Monaco's casino glamour nearby.
Walk the coastal path from Monaco to Cap-d'Ail
A scenic seaside trail connecting Monaco to a nearby French town, offering cliffside Mediterranean views away from the principality's density.
Explore the Princess Grace Rose Garden
A rose garden created in memory of Princess Grace Kelly, holding thousands of rose varieties in a landscaped setting near the sea.
▾
Beaches
1Explore the Larvotto Beach district
Monaco's main public beach area, a rare stretch of accessible Mediterranean coastline within the tightly packed principality.
▾
Food & drink
1Dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant overlooking the harbor
Monaco holds one of the highest densities of Michelin-starred restaurants relative to its size anywhere in the world.
Common questions
▾Do I need a visa for Monaco?
There's no border control between Monaco and France, so entry follows standard Schengen visa-free terms for eligible passport holders, up to 90 days in any 180-day period.
▾Is Monaco worth visiting if I'm not wealthy?
Yes. The old town of Monaco-Ville, the oceanographic museum, and simply walking the harbor and hillside are free or low-cost, even if the casino and high-end shopping cater to a different budget.
▾How many days does Monaco need?
1-2 days is typical, often visited as a day trip from Nice or the wider French Riviera given its tiny size.
▾Can I actually enter the Monte Carlo Casino as a visitor?
Yes, with an entry fee and a minimum age requirement (typically 18), though Monaco residents themselves are famously barred by law from gambling in their own country's casino.
▾Is the Formula 1 Grand Prix worth planning a trip around?
Yes, for motorsport fans specifically, it's one of the most prestigious races on the calendar precisely because it runs through Monaco's actual public streets, though prices and crowds spike dramatically during race week.
▾How much does it cost to visit the Prince's Palace and Oceanographic Museum?
The Prince's Palace state apartments charge around €10-15 for a guided tour, while the Oceanographic Museum runs closer to €19-20 for adults. Monaco's Monte Carlo Casino charges a separate entry fee, around €17, just to view the gaming rooms without playing.