Monaco Travelers Recommend

One of the most famous and prestigious Formula One races in the world, the annual Monaco Grand Prix has been a top fixture on the F1 racing circuit since 1929. Held each May, it’s one of Monte Carlo’s most popular and glamorous events. Here are some tips to make the most of your visit to Monaco during the Formula One Grand Prix.

• Visit sights such as the Prince's Palace, Monaco Cathedral, and Monte Carlo Casino on a hop-on hop-off bus tour of Monaco.

• Admire the spectacular lights of Monte Carlo and try your luck at one of the famous casinos on a night tour of the city.

• Get behind the wheel of a Ferrari or Lamborghini sports car for a thrilling test drive along the Grand Corniche, accompanied by an expert instructor.

• Experience the high life on a private yacht cruise and enjoy magnificent views of Monaco from the water.

• Explore the French Riviera with a day tour to the towns of Cannes, Antibes, Èze, and Nice.

• Enjoy unbeatable aerial views of Monaco and the French Riviera on a helicopter flight.

The playground of princes and celebrities—and also one of the Côte d’Azur’s handsomest locales—Monaco is the perfect place to indulge your decadent side. Three days gives you enough time to see highlights like the Monte Carlo Casino and Prince’s Palace and also head to the French Riviera. Here’s a dream itinerary for three days in Monaco.

Day 1: Sightseeing in Style

One of the world’s smallest countries, petite Monaco is easy to explore. Dedicate your first day in the principality to visiting its key attractions: Start your morning with a hop-on hop-off bus tour to orient yourself in the city, and head to the upper deck for the best views of the Monaco Cathedral (where Prince Rainier III married Grace Kelly), the Monte Carlo Casino, the Prince’s Palace, and more. 

After lunch, jet off on a luxury yacht tour. Travel like the locals do, and see Monaco from the water’s edge (as well as nearby attractions like Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Menton). If the weather is fine, you can even go for a dip in the Mediterranean’s turquoise waters. In the evening, wind down with an amble along Larvotto Beach. Or, for a particularly memorable conclusion to the day, take to the skies on a sunset helicopter tour of the Riviera.

Day 2: Culture and Glamour

Whether you’re a high roller, movie star, or royal (or merely want to feel like one), extravagant Monaco is the perfect place to indulge your decadent side. Make your second day in town all about pursuing the finer things. After a languorous breakfast—preferably on a beachfront terrace—embark on a shopping excursion in the city’s myriad of high-end boutiques. Following your dose of retail therapy, raise the glamour stakes by going on a supercar jaunt around the city. Whether you wish to get behind the wheel or merely watch the scenery go by, there are few better ways to explore than by Ferrari or Lamborghini. In the evening, summon the spirit of James Bond when you venture to Casino Square. The Café de Paris makes for a fittingly elegant place to dine, though Monte Carlo Casino is the area’s true gem. Venture inside for a roll of the dice or a nightcap.

Day 3: French Riviera Excursions

Tempting as it may be to continue lounging in the lap of luxury in Monaco, you should use your last day to see some of the many French Riviera destinations accessible from the city. Nice—considered the de facto capital of the Côte d’Azur—is a popular option; when traffic is good, it’s less than 30 minutes away. Visit the city’s cultural highlights, like the Matisse Museum or Marc Chagall National Museum; admire sea views from the Promenade des Anglais; or even embark on a yacht tour of the Baie des Anges. Alternatively, pick a guided tour that fits multiple French Riviera destinations into a single day, and round out your trip in star-studded Cannes, lavender-scented Grasse, ultra-luxurious Antibes, hilltop Èze, and other paradisiacal Mediterranean hotspots.

The tiny principality of Monaco may be one of the world’s smallest countries, but what it lacks in scale it more than makes up for in glamour. Frequented by royalty, celebrities, and high rollers, its attractions range from beaches and boutiques to the world-famous Monte Carlo Casino. Here’s how to see it all in one day.

Morning: A Monaco Introduction

Monaco’s petite size makes it an accessible city to discover in a day—and a hop-on-hop-off-bus tour provides a seamless way to begin your explorations. Find a seat on the top deck, soak up the Mediterranean sun, and enjoy the lofty vantage point. You can look forward to seeing major landmarks ranging from the Prince’s Palace and Monaco Cathedral to the Monte Carlo Casino and Villa Sauber, home to the New National Museum of Monaco. Alternatively, a private walking tour offers a relaxed way to get up close and personal with the sights.

Afternoon: Drive in Style

Monaco’s Formula 1 circuit—located right on its streets—is one of the world’s most famous racetracks, and the city is widely celebrated for its automotive associations. In the afternoon, trade the passenger seat for a place behind the wheel, and explore Monaco in incomparable style, when you book a supercar experience. Pick between a Lamborghini and a Ferrari, slip into the driver’s seat, and listen to the engine’s powerful roar as you round tight corners on the circuit or follow sun-drenched Mediterranean roads. When in Monaco, drive as the A-listers do. 

Evening: Monaco by Night

Once the sun goes down, Monaco’s glittering party people come out to see and be seen—and the city takes on an especially enchanting allure. Set out on an after-dark tour and you can soak up the ambiance at Casino Square; see a new, luminous perspective of its top attractions; dine on the terrace of a gourmet restaurant; or order a decadent dessert at the Café de Paris. Some itineraries even invite you into the rarefied environs of the Monte Carlo Casino, should you wish to dress up in your finery (and see if Lady Luck is on your side).

Regal Monaco is one of the most glamorous corners of the Côte d’Azur—and a 2-day trip offers just the right amount of time to discover its major attractions (as well as its luxurious side). From visits to the iconic Monte Carlo Casino and laps around the Formula 1 circuit to relaxed beach strolls, here’s how to plan the perfect stay.

Day 1: Sightseeing Highlights

**Morning:**If you only have two days in town, begin your explorations with a hop-on-hop-off-bus tour. You won’t just discover many of Monaco’s key attractions (from the Monte Carlo Casino to the Prince’s Palace) in the space of an hour or two—you’ll also have an excuse to kick back and enjoy the sun and sea breezes.

**Afternoon:**Order a light café meal or picnic lunch before embarking on a walking tour in the afternoon. Stroll along the winding streets of Monaco’s Old Town, and learn about the city’s regal history. Alternatively, book a tour with a professional photographer: You’ll see Monaco’s key attractions and walk away with candid vacation snaps, too. 

**Evening:**End your first day in Monaco on a relaxing note with a walk down the elegant Avenue Princesse Grace. The thoroughfare isn’t just home to some of the city’s most high-end residences—it also abuts the pretty Larvotto Beach. Watch the sun set, and head to a beachfront eatery for a tranquil conclusion to the day.

Day 2: Monégasque Glamor

**Morning:**Monaco is a city that knows a thing or two about the high life—and your second day in town is the perfect time to explore its opulent side. Head to Casino Square and enjoy a breakfast at the famed Café de Paris before browsing the area’s plenitude of designer boutiques.

**Afternoon:**Every May, Monaco is host to one of the world’s most prestigious automotive races. You, too, can feel like a Grand Prix driver when you slip between the wheel of a supercar for an hour or two. Drive along Monaco’s Formula 1 circuit for an especially adrenaline-pumping experience.

**Evening:**End your Monaco stay on a particularly extravagant note when you spend an evening at the Monte Carlo Casino. Make like James Bond when you slip into your formalwear, and find a spot at the tables. Even if gambling isn’t your style, the casino’s glittering lounge bars and restaurants are ideal for people watching.

Monaco offers no shortage of attractions—all the more impressive, given that it’s one of the smallest countries on Earth—but its location along the coast also makes it an ideal jumping-off point for French Riviera day-trippers. From solo adventures to lively group tours, here’s how to make the most of your day on the Côte d’Azur.

Group Tours

Group tours offer an accessible and convivial way of exploring the glittering highlights of the French Riviera; many are limited to eight passengers or fewer, which makes for a more personal way to see the sights. Enjoy a half-day exploring neighboring Nice, or follow the jetsetters to sun-spangled St. Tropez. Alternatively, see as many of the Riviera’s splendors as you can fit into a day: numerous itineraries combine destination-worthy stops such as Cannes, Antibes, Èze, and Saint-Paul-de-Vence.

Private Tours

For a bespoke, luxurious, and often romantic way of discovering the Côte d’Azur, private tours are the perfect choice. Round-trip transit from your accommodation and flexible itineraries are some of the benefits of a private excursion. Multistop tours along the Riviera cater to those who want to make the most of their time, while driving experiences let you get behind the wheel of a Ferrari or equivalent supercar, follow the Monaco F1 Circuit, zip along the twists and turns of the Grande Corniche, and tour the surrounding countryside.

Things to Know

• The French Riviera extends from Cassis to the border with Italy and includes Nice, Cannes, and other popular destinations.

• Traveling via car or coach offers the simplest way to navigate the region’s rugged hills and get from place to place.

• As it’s surrounded by France on three sides, Monaco is perfectly positioned for French Riviera tours.

• Full-day outings can include four or more stops and last for upwards of eight hours.