The principality of Monaco lies 8 miles (13 km) from Nice, with Monte Carlo often being referred to as a playground for the rich and famous. However, Monaco is an affordable place to visit for a day as it is easily accessible from Nice by public transport.
The ultimate way to arrive is by helicopter from Nice airport but it is more likely that like us, most people will opt to take the cheaper option of travelling by bus or train. We took Bus 100 from Port Lympia which departs every 15 minutes, taking approximately 45 minutes depending on traffic. Please note that the 7 day Nice travel card does not cover Monaco and although we were in possession of the card we needed to buy another ticket. However, at the bargain price of only €1.50 for a single ticket this wasn’t exactly an issue. The journey is very scenic with beautiful views along the Côte d’Azur so do try to sit on the right hand side of the bus for the outward journey if at all possible.
On reaching Monaco, we left the bus at the Place d’Armes and then walked up a steep slope to Monaco Ville (Le Rocher), one of the four quarters of the Principality. At the top of the famous Rock stands the Prince’s Palace (the Palais des Princes de Monaco). This is the official residence of HSH Prince Albert II and has been home to the Grimaldi family since the end of the 13th century when they established their sovereignty over Monaco. The State Apartments were closed at the time of our visit but are usually open to the public between March and October.
We had timed our arrival well as we were just in time to watch the Changing of the Guard, which takes place at 11.55 a.m. each day and lasts for approximately 8 minutes. The daily ritual attracts many spectators so it’s best to arrive slightly early to gain a front row view of this age old ceremony in front of the Royal entrance on Palace Square. The officers all looked very smart in black uniforms with red stripes, this is their winter attire as they have two seasonal uniforms, the summer one being white.
The Palace Guards is one of the smallest armies in the world alongside that of the Vatican with 119 officers providing protection for Prince Albert II and his family. Viewing the daily Changing of the Guards ceremony is one of Monaco’s main attractions and I’m so pleased we had an opportunity to witness it.
After the ceremony had ended we took in the stunning views of Monaco and its beautiful harbour from the various viewpoints on The Rock. After taking lots of photos we wandered along the maze of picturesque narrow streets that form Monaco-Ville, lined with cafes, patisseries and gift shops.
Soon we had reached St. Nicholas Cathedral (entrance free) which has an elaborate interior featuring a Carrara marble altar. The cathedral is the final resting place of numerous members of the Grimaldi family including Princess Grace and her husband Prince Rainier.
Close by stands the Musée Océanographique de Monaco which is perched out on the cliff edge. The museum was built by Prince Albert I in 1910 and is devoted to the science of aquatic life and contains over 450 tropical species of fish and marine life.
From there we sauntered through the Saint Martin gardens with their lush vegetation of Mediterranean and exotic plants, cacti and succulents. I loved the use of red cyclamen for the pathway borders providing a bright splash of colour. Along the edge of the park are some spectacular views of the clear blue sea and the Port de Fontvieille and standing at one end of the gardens is a statue of Prince Albert I.
The pathway then led us downhill to Fontvieille which is the newest quarter of the principality developed on reclaimed land. Along here we past the Columbus Hotel which used to be owned by the former British F1 racing driver, David Coulthard. Continuing slightly further and we had reached the Princess Grace Rose Garden, created in memory of the former American actress Grace Kelly who died tragically in 1982 at the age of 52 after sustaining head injuries in a car crash.
After enjoying tea and cakes in a cafe we continued our tour of the Principality in the Condamine quarter starting with a visit to the open-air market with its array of stalls selling local delicacies, fruit, vegetables and flowers. Indoors, its food court offers a variety of local dishes including the local favourite Socca, a savoury flatbread made from chickpeas and barbajuan.
Continuing through La Condamine we explored the shops along the Rue Princesses Caroline and then gazed in awe at the size of the yachts in Port Hercules. This is the largest marina in Monaco and its only deep water harbour. The vast port covers over 40 acres with its luxurious craft glistening in the water. Along here we spotted the Formula 1 pit lane area and the start/finish straight of the famous motor racing circuit which takes place in May of each year,
From there we walked through the famous F1 tunnel that we had seen so often on our television screens. The Monaco Grand Prix street circuit is undoubtedly the jewel in the crown of motor racing and considered to be the ultimate test of driving skills.
Moving on, it was time to visit another of the Principality’s gardens, that of the Japanese Gardens. This delightful oasis of calm is free to visit and borders the waterfront. The gardens follow the Zen design principles resembling the ones found in Japan and feature ponds stocked with koi carp, waterfalls and pagodas.
A little further and we had reached the Plage du Larvotto where we strolled along its newly refurbished seafront promenade. This beautiful beach is located just south east of Monte Carlo and borders Roquebrune Cap Martin. The beach stretches for 400 metres with two coves of fine pebbles lapping the crystal clear blue water. Unlike many resorts on the Côte d’Azur, Larvotto is a public beach meaning there is no charge to sunbathe or take a dip in the Mediterranean. To one side stands the geometric glass facade of the Grimaldi Forum, a modern conference and congress centre.
Our walking tour of Monaco then brought us to Monte Carlo, the most famous quarter of all, home to the world famous casino. The Place du Casino has recently undergone redevelopment into a modern esplanade designed to showcase the surrounding Belle Epoque buildings. The new design comprises a paved area with fountains, palm trees and a sky mirror sculpture which looked just as beautiful from either side.
The casino opened in 1863 as a bid to bring tourists and income into the principality. Admission to Monte Carlo casino is €17 which includes a €10 voucher allowing guests to either place a bet or buy a drink from the bar. Monaco nationals are not permitted to either work or gamble here as only foreign passport holders are allowed access.
To one side of Casino Square stands the Café de Paris. This famous cafe has a large sun terrace and is the perfect place for people watching whilst sipping expensive cups of coffee. Facing the cafe is the equally opulent Hotel de Paris which boasts fine dining restaurants, bars and a private beach that has featured in several films including James Bond’s Never Say Never and Golden Eye.
The Jardins de La Petite Afrique are a tropical garden located on a gentle slope just behind casino square, midway between the casino and the tourist office. The gardens contains lush vegetation and would be an ideal spot for a picnic if you wish to avoid the high prices of Monte Carlo’s cafes. The park runs alongside Le Jardin des Boulingrins with its magnificent water jets.
Before taking the bus back to Nice from the road behind the casino we found time for a spot of window shopping in the high-end Metropole Shopping Centre. As could be expected, it boasted a luxurious interior with its glittering chandeliers and designer stores.
We only had to wait a few minutes for a bus to arrive and it was a good idea boarding at the casino as by the time the bus had reached Place d’Armes where we had got off, it was already full with some passengers needing to stand.
It was good to rest our feet after a busy day walking around the principality but it had definitely been worthwhile as we had enjoyed a lovely time without breaking the budget, proving that a day in Monaco does not need to be any more expensive than elsewhere.
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I’ve always imagined that Monaco would be out of my price range, but having read this blog post, I realise that this is not necessarily the case. I would enjoy watching the Changing of the Guard and walking through all the gardens that you visited. I now have a different view of Monaco and I hope that one day I’ll be able to experience all that the principality has to offer.
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Thanks for your interest in this post on our day in Monaco June. Yes, spending the day in the tiny principality doesn’t have to break the bank and I’m sure you would enjoy visiting there.
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Love it..
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Thanks so much for your kind words.
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Thank you for your interest in this post on Monaco.
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Spent a day here thirty years ago. Took the train from Nice – the entry into Monaco is truly spectacular. Thanks for the post, Marion, brought back good memories.
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It’s my pleasure Shane. Thanks for your interest and hope you’re enjoying the weekend.
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Thanks for sharing this beautiful information.😄
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It’s my pleasure, Monaco is beautiful.
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Looks so peaceful ✌️
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It was, and pristinely clean too! Thanks so much for your interest and comments.
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Most welcome
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Wow, this place looks magnificent. I am impressed by the gorgeous beaches and waterways there from your photos!
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Thanks Allie. Although famed for the rich and famous, the tiny principality of Monaco welcomes everyone and I adored everything about our visit.
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Sounds like a fun day trip. Monaco looks so picturesque and incredibly scenic. I was surprised to hear that there is even a Japanese garden here.
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Visiting Monaco from Nice is so easy and worthwhile making for a memorable day out. It’s surprising that for such a small principality that there are so many parks and gardens – all of which are beautifully maintained.
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You make a very good case for a visit to Monaco. The place looks beautiful and pristine. I love the views of Hercules Harbour from The Rock. Also, as a lover of gardens, I’m happy to see that such a small principality has so much to offer in that realm.
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Monaco is absolutely delightful Leighton and with bargain bus fares from Nice it’s unmistakable if time allows. The views are stunning throughout the tiny principality and the gardens are beautiful too. Thanks so much for taking the time to comment.
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The casino is an incredible building! And the whole city just oozes opulence. It’s cool to see the F1 tunnel in perspective – I literally have no idea how they get through there at 200mph. I really hope Leclerc wins there given he’s Monagasque!
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For such a tiny principality, Monaco packs in so much and all beautiful. spotlessly clean and safe. Thanks so much for reading and commenting Hannah.
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I’ve had opportunities to visit Monaco a few times while in Nice/south of France during my holidays, but I never got around to checking it out. I’d also written it off as a country with nothing much to see or do except casinos, but from your post, I was very wrong! There’s a lot more to Monaco than just ritzy glamor and status, as it also has heart and history in its dreamy landscape. The next time I’m in the area, I’ll definitely need to stop by Monaco!
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Thanks for taking an interest in my post featuring Monaco. For such a tiny principality it has much to offer and I do hope you have an opportunity to visit before too long.
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Monaco is a beautiful place.
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The tiny principality of Monaco is beautiful. Thank you for reading and taking the time to comment.
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I really like how you made such an upscale and expensive place like Monaco feel so accessible and inviting to those of us who wouldn’t be arriving in helicopters and ballgowns. Great post to follow along with today! How I wish I were in the south of France right now instead of my desk at work 🙂
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Thanks so much for your kind words and interest in my post on Monaco. The tiny principality is gorgeous and you don’t have to be a millionaire to spend a day enjoying all that Monaco has to offer.
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It is perfectly! A wonderful story about a wonderful place. It’s like I’ve been there myself. Monaco is great.
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Thank’s George for your kind words and interest in this post on my day in Monaco.
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Seems like a full day is sufficient 8-9 hours, would you say? I’ve also seen spots where you can hike and get an amazing view of the city.
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Yes, a full day should be sufficient time to explore this tiny principality unless you wish to go inside museums etc. we adored our visit and would highly recommend spending at least one day of a holiday on the Cöte d’Azur in Monaco. Thanks so much for your interest.
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Spectacular report and excellent pictures. I loved the sky mirror. I wonder how expensive it would be to eat there or buy things in that department store?
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Thanks Ian for your kind words and interest in my day in Monaco Ian. We had a lovely time and found modest places to eat rather than breaking the budget!
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Your pictures are stunning, I love the blue of the ocean and sky! You sure got a beautiful day on your visit.
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Monaco was looking beautiful on the day of our visit and along with the glitz and glamour this tiny principality has much to offer. Thanks so much for your interest and comments Lyssy.
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I tried my luck at casino at Cafe de Paris and wasn’t very successful:) but interesting place to see for sure
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Monaco is set in a stunning location and is very glamorous and glitzy and I agree with you that it’s a very interesting place to visit. Thanks so much for commenting.
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Thanks for sharing this idea. We visited there in Monaco and an amazing site . I love all of your images.
This Palais des Princes de Monaco was so historic..You saw those guards and they were lined up. Thanks Marion.
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Thanks for your interest in my post about Monaco Anita.
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I’ve been to Monaco 🇲🇨 before. Pre-blog. I want to go again, ‘properly’ and delve deeper.
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That’s great to learn that you’ve also visited Monaco Timothy. For such a tiny place there’s lots to see and do and we spent a lovely day there.
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Lovely post thanks!!! I have visited several times for work and LOVED looking around.
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Monaco is gorgeous isn’t it and despite being glamorous and glitzy it doesn’t have to be expensive! Thanks so much for taking the time to comment, it’s much appreciated.
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Monaco looks amazing, so much more than its famous casino. I love your picture from above Port de Fontvieille. Maggie
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Thanks so much for your interest in my day trip to Monaco. The famous casino is an unmissable sight but the marina views, parks and local architecture are lovely too!
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I’m really surprised by how much there is to do for a small charge or free, some great tips here. I’d love to go people watching in Monaco but I’ve always assumed everything would be expensive and it would be out of reach. Time to look again!
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Thanks for your interest in this post on my day in Monaco Helen. With bargain bus fares from Nice and being able to watch the Changing of the Guard, walk along the F1 track, take in the stunning marina views and stroll through parks a day in Monaco doesn’t have to cost much at all. Hope you get to visit sometime!
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It’s great that you were able to witness the changing of the guard ceremony in Monaco. Your views of the harbour and sea are beautiful – looks like you were lucky with sunny weather. And also nice to see part of the F1 race track. I find it interesting that Monaco nationals cannot work or gamble in the casino, but only foreigners. Apart from all the glitz and glamour, it is also nice to see parks and gardens. Thanks for showing us Monaco (without robbing a bank 😉).
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The bus between Nice and Monaco is an absolute bargain and provided us with some lovely coastal views along the route. Monaco is only tiny but like Gibraltar, it packs a lot into a small area. We were lucky that we arrived just in time to see the Changing of the Guard ceremony and to walk along part of the F1 track. Thanks so much for your interest Corna.
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We enjoyed our time in Monaco and a few occasions, when we were in Nice. Bus #100 is a bargain and a jewel of a scenic ride. Thank goodness, the good weather returned for your trip here as there are so many stunning shots on a good day. It looks funny to see masked guards performing the Changing of the Guards, but you can never be too careful these days. Thanks for sharing Marion. Happy Sunday. Allan
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Thank you so much for your kind words and interest in this post about our day in Monaco Allan. The bus fare from Nice is an absolute bargain and the views along the coast beautiful too! It was great to feel the Mediterranean sunshine after a long winter!
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Monaco is a stunning and exotic European country to explore and just a stone’s throw away from Nice. It is knowns for its luxurious and opulent lifestyle. Still, as we discovered on a day trip from Nice – this fascinating country is also home to incredible natural landscapes, brilliant architectural monuments and incredibly captivating tourist attractions. Thanks for sharing and have a good day 🙂 Aiva xx
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Thank you for your interest in my day spent exploring in Monaco. It’s good to read that you also enjoyed your time there. Hope you are having a relaxing weekend Aiva.
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Looks like a lovely trip. One one of our visits to Nice, we drove to Monaco. The views were amazing but traffic was horrendous and we couldn’t get to a car park (or we gave up trying). We ended up driving g to San Remo instead. So sad to have missed the sights of Monaco but we will do the sensible thing and get the train in instead next time.
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Oh dear, what a pity that you were unable to find a parking space in Monaco but hopefully you will manage to make a return visit at some point as Monaco is beautiful. Thanks so much for your welcome thoughts.
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I also went to Monaco for a day, by car with some difficulties to park. Then it is easy to walk everywhere, the streets are sometimes sloping though. Your visit was surely made more pleasant by the beautiful weather.
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Thank you for your continued interest in our visit to the South of France. We enjoyed a delightful day exploring Monaco on foot and the sunshine made all the difference!
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