Monte Carlo
Travelers come to Monte Carlo for Casino Square, the harbor full of yachts and the coast around it.
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Monte Carlo is the best-known district of Monaco, the small city-state on the Mediterranean coast of the French Riviera, a short drive east of Nice. The Casino de Monte-Carlo opened in 1863 and sits on Casino Square, with grand hotels nearby. The Opera de Monte-Carlo is close by, and yachts fill the harbor at Port Hercule. Each year the Monaco Grand Prix runs its race through the streets of the district.
Most visitors spend a day or two on the casino, a harbor walk, the views over the bay and the Oceanographic Museum on the cliffs. The area suits couples, families and anyone who wants a coastal base with easy train access to the rest of the Riviera. Spring and early autumn are mild and less crowded than summer, the busiest and most expensive season. Plan one full day for the main sights, or two or three days for a slower visit.
Monte Carlo in five
- Carry your passport to the casinoThe Monte Carlo casino checks ID at the door, so carry the passport you traveled on, not a photocopy. Without it you are turned away at the entrance.
- Use the public elevators between the harbor and the upper townThe streets climb steeply from the harbor to Monte Carlo, and public elevators and escalators link the lower and upper levels. Use them for the climb, then walk the flat promenades.Getting around
- Book Grand Prix weekend months aheadThe Monaco Grand Prix is held in May, and hotel rooms fill fast that weekend. If you want those dates, book early or stay in Nice or Beausoleil.Sport
- Fly into Nice and take the train along the coastMonaco has no airport, so most visitors land at Nice Côte d'Azur and continue by train. Parking in Monaco is limited, so a car is rarely worth it.Getting around
- Set up an eSIM before you landTrain timetables, bus routes and maps all need mobile data, and the streets are steep and easy to get lost on. Install the eSIM before you leave home.Phones and eSIM
Things to do in Monte Carlo
See all attractions in Monte Carlo
Need to know
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Entry
- Passport for most visitors; Schengen short-stay rules apply via France Read more
- Emergency
- 112 general, 17 police, 18 fire and ambulance
- Tipping
- Service usually included; rounding up is common
- Time
- UTC+1, UTC+2 in summer (daylight saving)
Weather by month
- Best
- Good
- Mixed
- JanuaryMild, quiet
- FebruaryMild, quiet
- MarchSpring starts
- AprilMild, flowers
- MayGrand Prix
- JuneWarm, long days
- JulyHot, busy
- AugustHot, crowded
- SeptemberWarm, calm
- OctoberMild, calm
- NovemberRain, quiet
- DecemberCool, quiet
Right now in Monte Carlo
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
16
- Feels like
- 13°
- Humidity
- 44%
- Wind
- 9 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 0%
Monaco-Ville
01:50 AM
Tuesday, November 3
- Today19°15°0%Tuesday: Partly cloudy. High 19°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 0%.
- Wed18°14°28%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 18°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 28%.
- Thu16°14°60%Thursday: Rain. High 16°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 60%.
- Fri15°13°58%Friday: Rain. High 15°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 58%.
- Sat17°11°28%Saturday: Cloudy. High 17°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 28%.
- Sun15°13°41%Sunday: Rain. High 15°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 41%.
Updated 11:20 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Day trips by train
- Niceabout 20 min by trainThe old town, the Promenade des Anglais and the Cours Saleya market.
- Mentonabout 10 min by trainA quiet old town on the border, known for its lemon festival in February.
- Cannesabout 45 min by trainThe Croisette promenade and the film festival in May.
Before you go to Monte Carlo
Rules for Monte Carlo, checked
- Monaco is not a Schengen member, but it follows Schengen visa rules through France. Check entry requirements on the official government site before you book.Source
- Smoking is banned in many public places in Monaco, including beaches.
- Locals are barred from the casino gaming rooms, and visitors must show ID and be of legal age to play.
Plan around Monte Carlo
Monaco's neighborhoods, sights and planning basics
Read the guideWhere to stayHotels in Monte Carlo and the nearby coast
Read the guideGetting aroundTrains from Nice, elevators and car hire
Read the guideVisas and entryEntry rules for visitors arriving through France
Read the guideMoney and costsEuros, card use and typical daily costs
Read the guideSport eventsGrand Prix and other sport events in the principality
Read the guideMonte Carlo FAQ
Is Monte Carlo worth visiting?
Yes, for the harbor views, the casino and the Grand Prix circuit. The principality is small, so one or two days covers most of it.
How do you get from Nice airport to Monte Carlo?
Take a train along the coast from Nice, which runs through Monaco and to Monte Carlo. Check the timetable before you travel.
Does Monaco use the euro?
Yes, Monaco uses the euro, and it mints its own euro coins. Cards work at many places, but carry some cash for small purchases.
How many days do you need in Monte Carlo?
One to two days covers the casino, the harbor and the old town around the Prince's Palace. Add a night if you want to see the coast beyond it.
Can you visit Monte Carlo on a budget?
Yes, if you stay in Nice or Beausoleil and take the train in. Walking the harbor and the old town costs nothing.
When is the best time to visit Monte Carlo?
April, June, September and October are mild and less crowded. May brings the Grand Prix, with high prices and full hotels.