Monaco Travel Guide | Tourist4Tourist

Local time: 12:37
Currency: Euro (EUR)
Capital: Monaco
Calling code: +377
Drive on the: right

Overview

A tiny, wealthy city-state on the French Riviera: the old town on the Rock, the Casino of Monte Carlo, superyachts and the Formula 1 Grand Prix.

Monaco is a city-state on the Mediterranean, surrounded on land by France and entirely urban. It is the second smallest independent state in the world after the Vatican, and much of the Fontvieille district stands on land reclaimed from the sea. Monte Carlo is not the capital but a district: the old town, Monaco-Ville, sits on a rock above the sea, with the Prince's Palace, the cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum, while Monte Carlo has the Casino, the opera house and the luxury shops.

Monaco is made for people with money to spend, but walking around costs nothing: the streets of the Grand Prix circuit, the yachts in Port Hercule and the changing of the guard are free to watch. Hotels and restaurants are expensive, so many visitors stay in Nice, Menton or Ventimiglia and come in by train. French is the official language and English is widely understood. Monaco uses the euro and has open borders with France.

Monaco-Ville (the Rock): The old town of pedestrian lanes, with the Prince's Palace, the cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum.
Monte Carlo Casino: The gaming rooms, open to visitors in the morning, and the opera house behind them.
Port Hercule: The main harbour, full of superyachts and cruise ships.
Oceanographic Museum: Marine collections and an aquarium with 4,000 species of fish.
Monaco Grand Prix: Formula 1 on narrow city streets, every year in late May or early June.

Places to visit

City
Park
Historic site

Cities

Monaco-Ville: The old town on the Rock: pedestrian lanes, the palace, the cathedral and the Saint-Martin Gardens.
Monte Carlo: The district of the Casino, the opera house, grand hotels and luxury shopping.
La Condamine: The port district, the second oldest in Monaco, with the Condamine market and a pedestrian shopping street.
Fontvieille: A district built on reclaimed land, with a second harbour, the stadium and museums of cars and stamps.

Beyond the cities

Port Hercule (site): The main harbour, with moorings for up to 500 boats.
Prince's Palace (site): The palace on the Rock, with audio-guided tours and the changing of the guard at 11:55.
Monte Carlo Casino (site): The famous gaming rooms, with strict dress codes in the evening.
Oceanographic Museum (site): A museum and aquarium in Monaco-Ville.
Jardin Exotique (park): Gardens of rare plants high above the city, with a cave visited on guided tours.
Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate (site): The cathedral of 1875, burial place of former princes and of Princess Grace.

Things to do

See

Changing of the guard Monaco-Ville: Every day at 11:55 in front of the Prince's Palace; the palace itself has audio-guided tours (€10 in 2025).
Casino by day Monte Carlo: From 10:00 to 13:00 visitors can walk through the casino with an audio guide (€17 in 2025), without the evening dress code.
Oceanographic Museum and Aquarium Monaco-Ville: Marine collections and a large aquarium; bus 1 or 2 from the station.
The Prince's car collection Fontvieille: Around 100 vehicles, from carriages to Formula 1 cars.
View from Tête de Chien: A viewpoint above Monaco that overlooks much of the Formula 1 track.

Do

Walk the Grand Prix circuit: Outside race weeks you can walk the streets of the circuit; tourist office maps mark the route.
Coastal path to Cap-Martin: About 9 km and 2 hours from Monte Carlo around Cap-Martin to Carnoles station, then the train back.
Seaside trail from Cap d'Ail: A 3 km, 45-minute path along the sea into Fontvieille; closed in bad weather and unlit at night.

Shop

Condamine market La Condamine: A market on the Place d'Armes since 1880, with local food stalls.

Tours and tickets in Monaco PartnerGuided tours, day trips and attraction ticketsSee activities

Itineraries

Monaco in 2 days (2 days)

Monaco-Ville (1 night): The palace and the changing of the guard, the cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum.
Monte Carlo (1 night): The Casino, Port Hercule and a walk along the Grand Prix circuit.

Holidays and events

1 January 2026 · New Year's Day
27 January 2026 · Saint Devota's Day
6 April 2026 · Easter Monday
1 May 2026 · May Day
14 May 2026 · Ascension Day
25 May 2026 · Whit Monday
4 June 2026 · Corpus Christi
15 August 2026 · Assumption Day
2 November 2026 · All Saints Day
19 November 2026 · National Day
8 December 2026 · The Immaculate Conception
25 December 2026 · Christmas Day

Getting around

Main airports	NCE

Walking is the best way to get around, helped by seven free public lifts and escalators; some sights, such as the Jardin Exotique, are at the top of steep climbs. A small boat-bus crosses Port Hercule about every 20 minutes in daylight (€2). City buses run five routes from about 06:00 to 21:00, plus a night bus. Taxis cannot be hailed in the street: use the ranks at Avenue de Monte Carlo and the station, and agree the fare or check the meter. Uber and Bolt cannot pick up passengers in Monaco. Cars are of little use in town; to drive, UK drivers need a 1968 International Driving Permit as well as their licence, while a Canadian licence is valid for up to 12 months. Storing luggage is very difficult.

Flying to Monaco? PartnerCompare fares and find the cheapest datesSearch flights

Where to stay

Luxury hotels: Grand hotels such as the Hôtel de Paris on the Place du Casino.
Mid-range hotels: A few in Monaco; better prices just across the border in Beausoleil.
Hostels and budget rooms: Not in Monaco: look in Nice (20 minutes by train), Menton (10 minutes) or Ventimiglia (30 minutes).

Monaco is not a place for a budget stay. The tourist office will help walk-in visitors find a room, even a cheap one.

Eat and drink

Dishes to try

Barbajuan: The Monegasque speciality: a fritter stuffed with spinach and other fillings.
Socca: A chickpea pancake, typical of the region.
Pissaladière: A tart of caramelised onions and anchovies.
Bouillabaisse: The Provençal fish stew, a good choice in local restaurants.

Drinks

Champagne: Almost a national drink, and very expensive by the glass in fashionable places.

Eating out is expensive: even simple meals often cost €20 to €30. Check the menu before you sit down, and look for the places where locals eat, away from the waterfront. The market hall at the Place d'Armes sells regional snacks at low prices, and prices are slightly lower in winter.

Entry requirements and visas

Passport validity	Issued less than 10 years before you arrive, and valid at least 3 months after you leave the Schengen area

Passport	Entry	Max stay	Notes
EU / EEA	Visa free		No visa needed; carry a valid ID card or passport.
United Kingdom	Visa free	90 days	90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area.
Canada	Visa free	90 days	90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area.
United States	Visa free	90 days	90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area.
Australia	Visa free	90 days	90 days in any 180-day period across the whole Schengen area.

Other nationalities: check the official source below.

Official entry requirements

Monaco has open borders with France, and France handles its immigration and customs. You arrive through the Schengen area, so the Schengen rules apply: visitors from the UK, the US, Canada and Australia can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa, counting days spent in other Schengen countries. Border staff may ask for proof of accommodation, travel insurance, a return or onward ticket and enough money for your stay. Boats arriving from outside Schengen go through border control.

For stays of more than 90 days you need a residence permit. Cash of €10,000 or more must be declared. Rules depend on your passport and can change: check the official link before you book.

Money and payments

Currency	Euro (EUR)

Monaco uses the euro (EUR). ATMs are everywhere and currency exchange is easy. Monaco's own euro coins are minted in small numbers and make good souvenirs. Shops usually open from 09:00 to 12:00 and 15:00 to 19:00.

Health

Recommended vaccines	Routine vaccines, including measles (MMR), Hepatitis A: consider it, Rabies, only if you will work with wildlife

Healthcare is excellent. Monaco is not in the EU, so the European (EHIC) and UK (GHIC) health cards are not accepted: you need travel insurance that covers treatment and repatriation. Call 112 from a mobile or 18 from a landline for an ambulance. Check vaccines with a travel health clinic 6 to 8 weeks before you go.

This is general information, not medical advice: check with a travel health professional before you go.

Safety

Canada: Take normal security precautions (2026-10-20)
United Kingdom: No advice against travel (2026-10-20)

Crime is lower than in most European countries and street crime is rare, but stay alert in tourist areas and stations. Thefts have happened on trains to and from Monaco and at Nice airport, especially in the car rental parks while drivers load their luggage. Ask locally before swimming in the sea, especially if there are jellyfish. Heavy rain can cause flooding.

Customs and etiquette

Walking around in swimwear, bare-chested or barefoot away from beaches and bathing areas can be fined. The Casino has a strict evening dress code: men need a jacket and tie, and casual shoes are not allowed; bring your passport to get in. Top restaurants also expect a jacket and tie.

Drug offences carry heavy fines and jail sentences.

Language

Official languages	French
English	Widespread

Hello, good morning	Bonjour bawn-ZHOOR
Please	S'il vous plaît seel voo PLEH
Thank you	Merci merr-SEE
Excuse me	Excusez-moi ehk-SKEW-zay MWAH
Goodbye	Au revoir oh ruh-VWAHR
Do you speak English?	Parlez-vous anglais ? par-lay VOO ahng-LEH

What to pack

Passport: Needed to enter the Casino and for the Schengen border.
Travel health insurance: EHIC and GHIC cards are not accepted in Monaco.
A jacket and tie, or smart clothes: Required in the Casino in the evening and in top restaurants.
Comfortable walking shoes: Walking is the best way around, and the town is steep.
International Driving Permit: UK drivers need the 1968 permit as well as their licence.

Quick reference

Country facts

Capital	Monaco
Population	38,341 (2025)
Area	2 km²
Time zone	Europe/Monaco (UTC+1)
Calling code	+377
Driving side	right

Emergency numbers

Emergency	112

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a visa for Monaco?

Monaco has open borders with France and follows the Schengen rules: with a UK, US, Canadian or Australian passport you can stay up to 90 days in any 180-day period without a visa. EU and EEA citizens only need a valid ID card or passport. Check the official link before you book.

What is the nearest airport to Monaco?

Nice Côte d'Azur, about 40 km away, linked by train, express bus 80 and helicopter.

Is my EHIC or GHIC valid in Monaco?

No. Monaco is not in the EU, so you need travel insurance that covers medical treatment.

Can I visit the Monte Carlo Casino?

Yes: from 10:00 to 13:00 visitors can tour it with an audio guide, with a relaxed dress code. In the evening bring your passport and smart clothes.

Can I use Uber in Monaco?

Drivers can drop you in Monaco but cannot pick you up there; use the taxi ranks or start the ride from the French side.

Where can I stay on a budget?

In Nice, Menton or Ventimiglia, a short train ride away, or in Beausoleil just across the border.

Suggest an update

Travel rules, prices and timetables change. If something in this guide is out of date, tell us: we check every suggestion against an official source before changing the page.

Monaco