Monaco is a city-state of about two square kilometers on the Mediterranean coast of the French Riviera. France borders it on three sides, and the sea forms the fourth. The country is made up of several districts. The two best known are Monte Carlo, with its casino and harbor, and Monaco-Ville, the old town on the Rock, where the Prince's Palace sits. Monaco is a separate country with its own government, and the palace is the official residence of its ruling prince.
A visit can cover the palace, the old town, the Oceanographic Museum and the casino area, with time to walk the harbor. The trip suits travelers who want sea views and a compact place where most sights are within walking distance, though the streets climb steeply. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons, with mild weather and fewer crowds than midsummer. Plan at least one full day, and add a second to see more of the coast or take a day trip to nearby towns.
Five things to know before Monaco
- Fly into Nice and take the train
Regional trains from Nice reach Monaco-Monte-Carlo station in about 20 minutes. Driving and parking in Monaco cost far more time.
- Bring your passport for the Casino
Visitors to the Monte-Carlo Casino gaming rooms must be 18 and show a passport or ID. Monaco's own citizens are not allowed to gamble there.
- Check the Grand Prix dates before you book
Roads close and rooms along the Riviera jump in price for the Formula 1 weekend, usually in late May or early June.
- Use the public lifts and escalators
Monaco is steep. Free public lifts and escalators link the harbor, Monte Carlo and the upper streets, so you rarely need a taxi.
- Register for EES at your Schengen entry point
You reach Monaco through France or Italy. EES registration for most non-EU visitors happens at the first Schengen border you cross, which is usually not in Monaco. EES explained
Monaco travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
Fingerprints and a face photo at your first Schengen border.
Read the guideThe 90/180 ruleHow Schengen days add up across every member country.
Read the guideETIAS explainedNot running yet: what it will cost and who will need it.
Read the guideTourist taxesCity and hotel taxes across Europe, and who pays them.
Read the guideTravel insuranceMedical cover, cancellations and what policies exclude.
Read the guideDestinations in Monaco
When to go
- Rainy days
- Days with storms
- Best
- JanuaryClear6 rainy daysHigh12°Low7°Mild, quietJanuaryClear
- High
- 12°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 60 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, quiet
- FebruaryClear7 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°MildFebruaryClear
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 71 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- MarchPartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh14°Low9°SpringMarchPartly cloudy
- High
- 14°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 90 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Spring
- AprilPartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°WarmAprilPartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 69 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- MayPartly cloudy9 rainy daysHigh20°Low14°Grand PrixMayPartly cloudy
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 14°
- Precipitation
- 66 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Grand Prix
- JunePartly cloudy8 rainy daysHigh24°Low19°Warm seaJunePartly cloudy
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 43 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- JulyClear5 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh27°Low22°Hot, busyJulyClear
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 22°
- Precipitation
- 17 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, busy
- AugustClear6 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh28°Low23°Hot, busyAugustClear
- High
- 28°
- Low
- 23°
- Precipitation
- 35 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 1
Hot, busy
- SeptemberClear7 rainy daysHigh24°Low19°Warm seaSeptemberClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 19°
- Precipitation
- 62 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm sea
- OctoberClear9 rainy daysHigh20°Low16°MildOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 16°
- Precipitation
- 133 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- NovemberClear9 rainy daysHigh16°Low11°RainyNovemberClear
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 11°
- Precipitation
- 123 mm
- Rainy days
- 9
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Rainy
- DecemberClear8 rainy daysHigh13°Low8°MildDecemberClear
- High
- 13°
- Low
- 8°
- Precipitation
- 87 mm
- Rainy days
- 8
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
Average daily high and low in Monaco, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Monaco
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
17
- Feels like
- 14°
- Humidity
- 33%
- Wind
- 6 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Monte Carlo
09:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today19°13°0%Monday: Clear. High 19°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Tue19°14°0%Tuesday: Cloudy. High 19°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed18°12°10%Wednesday: Rain. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 10%.
- Thu18°14°22%Thursday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 22%.
- Fri18°12°46%Friday: Rain. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 46%.
- Sat16°11°19%Saturday: Cloudy. High 16°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 19%.
- Sun15°12°41%Sunday: Rain. High 15°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 41%.
Updated 06:54 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Festivals by month
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- JunMonaco Grand PrixAcross Monaco
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Monaco FAQ
Do I need a passport to go to Monaco?
Carry your passport. You need it for the Casino and as proof of how and when you entered the Schengen area.
Can I visit Monaco as a day trip from Nice?
Yes. The train takes about 20 minutes, and one day covers the palace, the old town on the Rock, the harbor and Monte Carlo.
Is there a dress code in Monaco?
The Casino gaming rooms expect smart clothes and no beachwear. Around town, swimwear is for the beach only.
What currency does Monaco use?
The euro. Cards are accepted almost everywhere.
When is the best time to visit Monaco?
April, June, September and October are warm without the peak crowds. Avoid the Grand Prix weekend unless you are going for the race.