Monaco is famous for casinos, motor racing, and the luxurious high life. Celebrities, royalty, and the rich and famous flock here in the masses. Monaco offers a slice of the good life, a warm and sunny climate, and the chance to live it up in luxury.
Monaco is, however, known for its high price tags. Being pampered doesn’t come cheaply!
Don’t fret though; there are a few ways to ease the financial sting of a holiday here. Our expert list of the best things to do in Monaco will help you to maintain a budget and get the most out of your stay. There are also some local recommendations too!
Plan the perfect Mediterranean getaway with this list of the best things to do in Monaco.
Playground to princes and princesses, sultans and sheikhs, movie stars, sporting greats, socialites, and more, Monaco simply screams, “FUN”! From sailing on a private yacht to chancing your luck in the casinos and much more in between, Monaco offers heaps of ways to have fun galore.
THINGS TO DO IN MONACO
Fun Things to DoFun Things to DoHelicopter Sightseeing Flight
A view of a splendid coastline and picture-perfect beaches
Catch a glimpse of the land border between France and Italy
The helicopter will slow down at your points of interest
What could give you a greater thrill than taking to the skies in a chopper for a bird’s eye view of all of gorgeous Monaco? Feast your eyes on the splendid coastline and picture-perfect beaches, stunning mountains, striking landmarks, and everyday scenes far below.
You’ll see the yacht-studded harbour in all its glamorous glory, the exciting casino, the picturesque Old Town, the glorious Prince’s Palace, scenic hanging gardens, the beautiful Monaco Cathedral, and more.
Hover over the red roofs of Roquebrune village, soaking up the vistas, before admiring Cap Martin and Menton, the Italian coastline, and the land border between France and Italy.
The helicopter will slow down as you pass points of particular interest, letting you snap the most awesome pictures to make your mates well and truly green with envy.
Take to Monaco’s exhilarating roads behind the wheel of a sleek Lamborghini Gallardo 560LP Spyder, with a friendly and expert instructor alongside you. Alternatively, if you’d rather sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride, your instructor can drive while you sit in the passenger seat.
Hit up the scenic roads that run along the French Riviera, trace the route of the world-famous Monaco F1 Grand Prix, and make people stop and stare along the elegant Promenade des Anglais.
Driving experiences are available for 30 or 60 minutes and you’ll get either a souvenir video or gift certificate depending on your preferences.
Driving a purring Ferrari is another cool way to experience the glitz and glam of magical Monaco.
Trips are available for 30 minutes or one hour, and you are accompanied by a personable and experienced instructor. You can choose whether to be the driver, the passenger or switch it up and do both.
The engine sound is silky soft when cruising, but put your foot down and you’ll hear her really roar!
Channel your inner racing driver as you experience the rush of the Monaco F1 Grand Prix circuit, and admire the gorgeous views all around you. Scenes of the stunning French Riviera and the picturesque village of Eze are likely to linger in your mind for a long time. The hilly terrain adds to the appeal.
At the end of your fun experience, you can take home a certificate or a souvenir video.
Romantic Things to Do in Monaco
Monaco is a terrific place to visit with that special someone—you can really go to town and make your lover feel like a million bucks!
Take home the ultimate souvenir of your fabulous holiday with your sweetheart with a personalised photo album created on your very own private photo shoot.
You choose where to visit—no stuffy tours here!
As you and your honey enjoy your time together, a professional photographer will be discreetly with you, capturing all your tender moments, kooky poses, and wondrous expressions.
Immortalise your memories with a great mixture of posed shots and authentic natural snaps that really capture the moment.
Whether you choose to don your glad rags for a night on the town, cruise the streets in a flashy car, hit up the sightseeing hotspots, bask on the beach, live it large in the casino, or something else entirely, everything will be photographed for you to look back on and smile.
It sure sucks having to share your vacation time with strangers, especially when you’re shooting for the most romantic escapade with your love. So—take a private tour to hit up the highlights and benefit from local knowledge without being part of a loud tour group.
Your guide will give you heaps of inside knowledge and tips for your stay in Monaco, but will also be subtle enough to let you and your sweet share intimate moments in peace.
Watch the Changing of the Guard ceremony at the stunning Prince’s Palace and gaze in awe at the attractive cathedral. Stroll through the medieval streets of Eze and pause to peek inside interesting art galleries and luxury shops. Pay a visit to the esteemed Fragonard perfume factory and be bowled over by the enticing scents.
Soak up the city views from the top of the Rock of Monaco, lap up the vistas from the Middle Corniche, see the F1 circuit, feel the glamour in Monte Carlo, and enjoy lunch in a fine restaurant.
The French Riviera really is a sight for sore eyes, and the stunning scenes are enough to melt even the frostiest of hearts. Let your loving vibes flow as you and your partner enjoy a private tour of this beautiful part of the world.
Starting and ending in Monaco, your exciting day out will take you around the tiny principality and across the border into neighbouring France. Discover thriving cities and quaint villages on a day filled with marvellous contrasts and wonderful experiences.
Including culture, history, shopping, sightseeing, and lashings of luxury, this tour is the perfect way for couples to fall in love with the south of France and Monaco.
Wander the narrow streets of Eze and be transported back in time to the Middle Ages, before calling into the high-class perfume factory of Fragonard.
Discover the pretty village of La Turbie and lap up the wonderful views over Monaco. Drive along the F1 Grand Prix route, be transfixed by Monte Carlo, and admire the quaint village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence. Retrace Pablo Picasso’s footsteps in Antibes before exploring Cannes, famous for its yearly Film Festival and home to a stunning mountain-backed bay.
While Monaco may not be the first place that springs to mind when planning a family-friendly vacation there are certainly plenty of delights here to keep your little darlings more than happy. Here are our kid-friendly recommendations for your trip to Monaco.
Stop little legs from getting tired too quickly and prevent boredom from setting in by keeping constantly on the go. Most kids love travelling in a different way to the norm, so feeling the breeze through their hair on an open-top bus can be a huge delight for younger members of the family. With the sights and scenes constantly changing, the whole family is sure to be entranced.
There are 12 stops along the route, letting you get off and explore at leisure. Services are frequent, so you won’t be waiting too long when you’re ready to begin your sightseeing adventure.
Be dazzled by the many glass buildings of Monte Carlo, see the opulent yachts in Port Hercules, enjoy a sense of tranquility in the pretty Japanese Garden, enjoy the sunshine at Larvotto Beach, stop to smell the roses in the Princess Grace Rose Garden, see the F1 Circuit de Monaco, or visit the handsome Prince’s Palace.
#8 – Visit Monaco Top Cars Collection
photo credits: Car Throttle
Transportation enthusiasts of all ages are sure to be impressed by the many fabulous cars at the Monaco Top Cars Collection.
See the private collection of automobiles amassed by Prince Rainier III and watch your kiddos’ eyes light up as they move from one stunning exhibit to the next. Parents—nobody will blame you if you can’t contain your excitement either!
With some 100 cars to marvel at, and with everything from vintage beauties to fast and furious racing models, there’s something to make every automobile enthusiast’s heart race that little bit faster.
As an added bonus, the display is indoors, giving you the perfect opportunity to beat the heat for a while and cool down. Take plenty of pics to remember your awesome day out at one of the most unique collection of cars in the world.
Don’t miss the fantastic Oceanographic Museum of Monaco if you really want to have a fabulous day out. The whole family can learn more about the fascinating creatures that lurk in the oceans deep and see a huge selection of sea creatures.
There are around 300 different marine species to ogle, including fish in all sizes and colours, seahorses, crabs, turtles, and octopus. The ferocious inhabitants of Shark Lagoon are often a hit with visitors of all ages.
There’s an intriguing selection of bizarre and unusual things too that is sure to make you wonder.
Free Things to Do in Monaco
With high costs usually part and parcel of a trip to Monaco it can be a wonderful feeling to do something low cost or, even better still, free! Be kind to your wallet and include some of Monaco’s best free experiences on your itinerary.
#10 – Relax on the Beach
photo credits: HelloMonaco
Monaco’s Larvotto Beach is often said to be of the most glamorous stretches of sands on the planet.
Popular with locals and tourists alike, you can really mingle with the jet set on the artificial beach’s soft imported sands. Although the private, paid area attracts most of the area’s affluent sun-seekers, the free public area is still a top place to soak up some rays and work on your tan.
A place to see and be seen, Larvotto Beach is, naturally, a terrific place to hide between your over-sized shades and indulge in a spot of people-watching.
The cool, clear waters of the Mediterranean beckon on a hot summer’s day, providing the perfect way to cool down in the heat and perfect your swimming strokes.
Constructed in the late 1800s and completed in the early 1900s, the handsome building stands on the site of a much older Christian place of worship.
The Cathedral’s façade is made from pale limestone from the nearby French village of La Turbie, and inside you’ll find a spectacular altar made from gleaming marble. There is much religious art to enjoy and the setting is serene.
The cathedral is the final resting place of many members of Monaco’s Royal Family, including Prince Rainier III and actress-turned-princess, Grace Kelly.
#12 – Watch the Changing of the Guard
photo credits: Travel-Ling
One of Monaco’s top things to see is also completely free.
In the morning, wander through the atmospheric streets of the Old Town, soaking up the history and charms, before making your way to the Prince’s Palace. Take time to admire the lovely buildings around the Place du Palace and soak up the regal air.
Take your place in front of the opulent Prince’s Palace to watch the masterful and highly coordinated Changing of the Guard ceremony. Soldiers clad in blue, black, and white and carrying weapons march proudly to the palace, ready to relieve their colleagues of duty and take their places in front of the palace.
The ceremony is held every morning at 11.55 am; arrive earlier, though, to make sure you get the best views.
Best Things to Do in Monaco at Night
There is absolutely no reason to hit the hay when the sun goes down over Monaco. Indeed, the nighttimes are just as much fun as when the sun is shining brightly in the clear blue skies. There are swanky restaurants aplenty, beautiful bars, lively nightclubs, boat trips, and more. Of course, we shouldn’t forget about the cool casino either!
#13 – Chance Lady Luck at the Casino
photo credits: Hole In The Donut
Feel like James Bond and spend an evening high rolling in Monte Carlo’s Casino. Test your luck at the gaming tables and roulette wheels—practising your poker face beforehand is advisable!
You never know—you might just walk out of there a winner! Do remember to gamble responsibly though—there’s no point ruining the rest of your trip for a night of expensive fun!
It’s easy to get lost in the moment here, but as your heart beats in your chest and you feel exhilaration racing through your veins and your palms becoming sweatier, don’t forget to look around and appreciate the magnificent splendour of the building itself. It’s a whole different world!
The renowned Monaco F1 Grand Prix circuit takes on a whole different appearance at night, with many lights showing the way around the route. Gaze out to the ocean and see the sparkling lights from yachts, cruise ships, and other pleasure vessels lighting up the darkness and casting shimmering reflections on the water’s surface.
Stand in Monte Carlo’s luxurious Casino Square, surrounded by a nocturnal hive of activity, splendid buildings, buzzing casinos, and stores that stay open late to serve night owls.
Other highlights include the Cathedral, the Prince’s Palace, the Old Town, and the medieval village of Eze.
#15 – Party Hard in Stylish Bars and Clubs
photo credits: Monte-Carlo SBM
Monaco has myriad places to drink, dance, and be merry. Many places have strict dress codes, however, so do be sure to don your finery!
Sip colourful fruity cocktails in decadent lounges, unwind to the soft lilting sounds of jazz and piano music, and mingle amongst the rich and famous in one of the world’s most affluent and stylish locations.
When your feet want to move, hit the dance floors and party to the best sounds from top DJs, shaking and shimmying like a true VIP. With all genres of music to be found, Monaco offers a terrific clubbing experience for all.
Final Thoughts on the Most Epic Things to Do in Monaco
In Monaco, you can enjoy a stunning beach-side setting and an array of excellent things to see and do, from racing along in a luxury vehicle and soaring in the skies to hitting up major landmarks and dancing the night away.
Monaco doesn’t have to be all that pricey, so … what are you waiting for?!
Have a blast on vacation, armed with this comprehensive list of the very best things to do in Monaco for a magical and memorable holiday.
Gin lover. Coffee addict. Nicola has traveled the world for 7 years and is a staff writer for Hotel Jules. Born in London, Nicola first got the taste of travel studying abroad in Barcelona. Since then she's been hooked - traveling the world non-stop. Passionate about green travel and vegan lifestyle, Nicola spends more of her free time staring at maps wondering where she will head to next!
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