Monaco is a country smaller than Hyde Park, but the culture and experiences it brings are like no other. It’s located just under an hour from Nice Airport, and the drive from the airport goes through Nice and into Monaco, making it great for sightseeing.
When there, the entire principality can be walked end-to-end in an afternoon, with the old town, the Rock, the Casino, and the Grand Prix circuit being the main destinations of Monaco.
Getting There
If you’re flying from another country, the closest airport to Monaco is Nice Côte d’Azur. The cheapest route available is Tram 2 from either terminal to Nice Saint-Augustin station, then a coastal train to Monaco-Monte-Carlo.
As for the bus, Bus 80 is a direct option. It takes about 45 to 50 minutes. Taxis are always readily available, and, if you really want to see some impressive views, helicopter transfers exist.
The Rock
Discover a place where timeless beauty and Mediterranean charm meet, a district known the world over as ‘the Rock’, keeping all treasures of the Principality: Monaco-Ville… https://t.co/8SWuSyoXdK
— Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer (@MonteCarloSBM) March 30, 2024
Monaco-Ville, the old town on the headland, is probably the best place to start when you arrive.
The Prince’s Palace opens its State Apartments to visitors each year from late March to mid-October. The 2026 season runs from 30 March to 15 October, with adult tickets costing £13 each.
Inside, you’ll find the Italian Renaissance frescoes covering 600 square meters, the Throne Room, and the Hercules Gallery.
Alongside this, just a few minutes’ walk to the cliff’s edge, is the Oceanographic Museum. Here, you’ll find the Sea Turtle Odyssey exhibit for anyone interested.
Casino Square and the Circuit
Down in Monte Carlo, the Belle Époque Casino de Monte-Carlo is open to visitors from 10 am to 1 pm.
Gaming rooms open at 2 pm, and if you’re interested in going inside, a passport or photo ID is required, and rooms are for adults only.
Inside the establishment, you’ll find French roulette alongside other casino favourites like baccarat and blackjack.
Bringing Parts of Monaco Home
Before coming home, there may be a few things you want to bring back. Barbagiuan, which are their fried pastries stuffed with chard and ricotta, are always worth taking home from the old town. It might even be a worthwhile treat while waiting at the airport if you’re travelling.
Monaco is also known for their stamps, which can be found at their local post offices. These are unique to the country and are probably the cheapest souvenir available in the principality.
There are even ways to bring the casino nature of Monaco home, as you can play online casinos that include live-dealer tables like roulette, blackjack, and more. Providers like Pragmatic Play offer these experiences, just at lower stakes and without the dress code.
Before Coming Home
On the last evening, it’s also worth visiting the harbour. Sit by the Port Hercule in the evening, and you’ll see the Rock light up on one side and the casino lighting up the other.
Alongside this, you can admire the sheer amount of wealth in boats and yachts that dock here, as it’s one of the most exclusive and expensive harbours in the world.
Monaco is a country smaller than Hyde Park, but the culture and experiences it brings are like no other. It’s located just under an hour from Nice Airport, and the drive from the airport goes through Nice and into Monaco, making it great for sightseeing.
When there, the entire principality can be walked end-to-end in an afternoon, with the old town, the Rock, the Casino, and the Grand Prix circuit being the main destinations.
Images courtesy of unsplash.com and pexels.com
