We've been to Monaco several times — always on a day trip from Nice by train, which is one of the most spectacular short train journeys in Europe. Walking around Monte Carlo never gets old — the superyachts, the supercars, the Casino de Monte-Carlo in all its Belle Époque glory, the Prince's Palace perched high above the harbour and the extraordinary Princess Grace exhibition that moved us more than we expected. Monaco is one of those places that genuinely lives up to its reputation — and sipping an expensive cocktail next to an even more expensive yacht is absolutely worth it, at least once.
What Monaco gave us:
The world's most glamorous square kilometre
We've done Monaco as a day trip from Nice several times now and we never tire of it. The train journey alone is worth it — the line hugs the Mediterranean coastline from Nice, passing through tunnels and clifftop villages with views that make you put your phone away and just look. Twenty-five minutes later you're in another world entirely.
Monte Carlo is the heart of it all — the harbour packed with some of the most extraordinary yachts you will ever see, the Casino square with its famous fountain and its parade of supercars, and the Casino de Monte-Carlo itself, which is even more beautiful in person than in any photograph. The Belle Époque architecture, the manicured gardens, the sheer extravagance of it — it is one of the great buildings of Europe.
Up on Le Rocher — the Rock — you find the older, quieter Monaco. The Prince's Palace where the Grimaldi family has lived for over 700 years, the Monaco Cathedral where Princess Grace and Prince Rainier are buried, the Justice Palace and the extraordinary Oceanographic Museum founded by Prince Albert I, which sits dramatically on the edge of the cliff above the Mediterranean.
The Princess Grace exhibition was one of the unexpected highlights of our visits. Grace Kelly was one of the great figures of the 20th century — Hollywood star, Princess of Monaco, style icon — and the exhibition does a beautiful job of telling her story. We came out genuinely moved. If you are visiting the Palace complex, do not skip it.
And then there is the matter of the cocktail. You owe it to yourself to sit at a harbour bar, order something cold and extravagantly priced, and watch the superyachts go by for an hour. It is expensive. It is completely worth it. It is Monaco.
One of the most beautiful and iconic buildings in Europe — the Belle Époque exterior alone is worth the visit. You can pay to enter the gaming rooms or simply admire the square, the fountain and the parade of supercars outside.
The Grimaldi family residence for over 700 years — perched high above the harbour with incredible views over the principality. The State Apartments are open to visitors in summer and the daily Changing of the Guard at 11:55am is worth catching.
An unexpectedly moving and beautifully curated exhibition about Grace Kelly — Hollywood actress, Princess of Monaco and one of the great style icons of the 20th century. Don't skip this one. We came out genuinely touched by it.
Founded by the scientist Prince Albert I — a genuinely world-class museum of marine science with a stunning aquarium, dramatic clifftop setting and incredible Mediterranean views from the terrace. One of Monaco's must-visits.
The Cathédrale de Monaco is a beautiful Romanesque-Byzantine building where both Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III are buried. Quiet, dignified and genuinely moving — a very different side of Monaco from the glamour outside.
Port Hercule is one of the great spectacles of the Mediterranean — superyachts that cost more than most towns, bobbing alongside each other in a harbour that has been dazzling visitors for centuries. Have that cocktail. You're in Monaco.
The Casino, the harbour, the Palace and the streets of Monte Carlo — our Monaco visits captured on video.
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From guided Monaco walking tours and Casino visits to day trips from Nice and Côte d'Azur excursions — browse Monte Carlo activities here:
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Common questions
What to pack for Monaco
Monaco in summer is warm, sunny and very stylish — it is worth making a bit of an effort with what you wear as the dress code at the Casino requires smart dress (no shorts or flip-flops). Comfortable walking shoes are essential as the Rock involves a fair bit of uphill walking.
Useful for navigating between Monaco and Nice — keep data costs down on a trip that crosses between France and Monaco without worrying about roaming.
View on Amazon →Monaco and France use Type E plugs — a universal adaptor is a must for charging phones and cameras back at your base in Nice or wherever you're staying.
View on Amazon →Monaco is endlessly photogenic — the Casino, the yachts, the Palace views. Keep a power bank in your bag so your phone never dies at the wrong moment.
View on Amazon →Perfect for a day trip — carry water, sun cream, a light layer and your camera without being weighed down on the uphill walk to the Palace and Rock of Monaco.
View on Amazon →Stay hydrated on the uphill walk to the Palace and the Oceanographic Museum — Monaco involves more climbing than you expect and the summer heat on the Côte d'Azur is real.
View on Amazon →Always worth having — for blisters from the cobbled streets of the Rock and the uphill walks, and anything else that comes up on a full day out.
View on Amazon →The Côte d'Azur sun is strong — you'll be outdoors for most of the day between the harbour, the Casino square and the Palace terrace. A high SPF is essential.
View on Amazon →Great for the exposed terrace walks around the Rock and the harbour promenade in the Monaco sun — practical and stylish, which fits Monaco perfectly.
View on Amazon →Smart enough for the Casino dress code, cool enough for the Riviera heat. Linen trousers are the ideal Monaco wardrobe choice — you'll look the part without melting.
View on Amazon →Useful for evenings in Nice before or after your Monaco visit — particularly in garden areas and near the coast at dusk on the Côte d'Azur.
View on Amazon →Disclosure: These are Amazon affiliate links. If you buy through them we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. These are all things we'd genuinely pack for a trip to Monaco and the Côte d'Azur.
Take the train from Nice, wear something smart, walk everything, visit the Princess Grace exhibition, stand on the Palace terrace and look out over the Mediterranean — and then go and sit by the harbour with something cold and watch the yachts go by. You're in Monaco. Make the most of it.
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