What to Do in Monaco For a Day | 9 Luxurious Things to Do in Monte Carlo

Monaco might be small, but it is perfectly formed. The Principality of Monaco lies on the Mediterranean sea and is bordered by France, with Italy also within easy reach. Monte Carlo is often mistaken for the capital of Monaco, but it’s actually one of Monaco’s best-known districts.

The advantage of its compact size, at 2.08 square kilometers, is that it’s very easy to explore. Here are our top tips on what to do in Monaco for a day. Having said that, there’s so much to see that you might well want to stay longer.

What to Do in Monaco for a Day

Whether you’re into culture, shopping or fine dining, there are some great things to do in Monte Carlo and Monaco. Here are the best Monaco attractions that you shouldn’t miss. We’d also recommend a Nice to Monaco day trip if you have time.

1. Monte Carlo Casino

When visiting Monaco in 1 day, you shouldn’t miss Montecarlo Casino. This famous landmark is a spectacular Belle Epoque building that also houses the Opera House.

The casino opened in 1863 and Charles Garnier, the famous architect of the Paris Opera House added the opera hall in 1878 to 1879.

The interior is as impressive as the outside, with huge chandeliers and stained glass.

Entry Fees & Practicalities
The Casino de Monte-Carlo charges around €20 to enter the gaming rooms, which open from 2pm. You can see the atrium for free, and morning sightseeing visits with an audio guide run before gaming starts.

You must be 18 or over and carry photo ID such as a passport. The dress code varies by room and time of day, so dress smartly, especially in the evening.

2. Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate

Monaco Cathedral is often known as Saint Nicholas Cathedral, and is the place where Prince Rainier and Princess Grace were married. Building started in 1875 and it was consecrated in 1911 on the site of a 13th century church.

This impressive landmark is located in the historic Monaco-Ville district at 4 Rue Colonel Bellando de Castro.

Also in the old town, nicknamed The Rock (or Le Rocher in French), don’t miss the changing of the guard, every day at 11.55 am. It takes place in front of the Prince’s Palace of Monaco on the Place du Palais.

This ceremony is performed by the Compagnie des Carabiniers du Prince (Prince’s Palace Guards), established in 1817.

3. The Prince’s Palace

The guards stand watch over the Prince’s Palace. Whether you visit Monaco in one day or for longer, this imposing building definitely merits a visit. The State Apartments house stunning 16th century frescoes. The old town itself has some picturesque cobbled streets lined with restaurants and gift shops.

4. Formula One

Monaco is famous for its association with Formula One racing. The annual race is traditionally held in late May, though the 2026 race moved to early June. Tickets and accommodation can be very hard to come by, so book well in advance!

The Formula One circuit is in the heart of the city and you can retrace the steps of so many racing drivers yourself if you come with a car. The Automobile Club de Monaco, who organise the Grand Prix and the Monte-Carlo Rallye, has a popular racing memorabilia store at 46 rue Grimaldi.

5. Gardens in Monaco

The Exotic Gardens contain thousands of rare plants, as well as a grotto. The Princess Grace Rose Garden is located within Fontvieille Park, and was remodelled and extended in 2014. There are around 6,000 rose bushes and well over 300 varieties.

It’s important to note that The Rainier III Zoological Garden (Jardin Animalier Rainier III), located at Place du Canton in Monaco is temporarily closed and expected to remain closed for several years. The garden originally closed in October 2024 to undergo crucial safety and stabilization work on the rocky cliff face directly overlooking the site.

Following the completion of the cliff safety project, the park will undergo a modernization and redevelopment program. Ordered by Prince Albert II, this overhaul will completely redesign the park to focus heavily on animal welfare, introducing significantly larger, mixed habitats and lush vegetation.

6. Yachts in Monaco

La Condamine holds the Port de Monaco (also known as the Port Hercule), and the Yacht Club designed by Sir Norman Foster and Partners. It takes centre stage in Monte-Carlo’s remodelled harbour. The luxurious boats in Monaco are definitely worth having a look at.

7. Musée Océanographique de Monaco

If you only have one day in Monaco, the Musée Océanographique de Monaco is a must-see, containing a world-class aquarium with 350 species of fish and more than 6,000 specimens. There’s even the possibility of stroking a shark with a special tank where the (thankfully very small!) sharks swim up to you if they want to be stroked.

For something new, the immersive Mediterranean 2050 exhibition takes you on a journey through the sea’s past and a hopeful vision of its future. It spans 1,000 square metres and has drawn more than half a million visitors.

The Mediterranean Aquarium is being renovated, but the Tropical Aquarium, the Shark Lagoon and the outdoor sea turtle area all stay open while the work goes on. The oceanographic museum has a terrace restaurant and well stocked gift shop.

Entry Fees & Practicalities
Adult tickets cost around €20.50 in 2026 and cover the aquariums, the exhibitions and the rooftop terrace with its sweeping sea views. Children under four get in free.

The museum is open every day except 25 December and the Formula One Grand Prix weekend. If you’re also visiting the Prince’s Car Collection, a combined ticket is about €33.

8. Monaco Top Cars Collection

In July 2022, the Private Cars Collection of HSH Prince of Monaco moved from Fontvieille to a purpose-built home at Port Hercule, right beside the Piscine section of the Grand Prix circuit. Around 70 vehicles are on show, and giant screens and touchscreens add an interactive layer.

The collection also runs temporary exhibitions, such as From Yesterday to Today in summer 2026, which paired classic models with their modern successors. Check what’s on before you go.

There are classic cars, Formula one race cars, and a very rare pink Mercedes Benz 300 SL Gullwing Coupé. The Lexus LS600h Landaulet is an ecologically advanced hybrid that was used for the marriage of Prince Albert and Charlene in 2011. Prince Albert is passionate about limiting climate change and whilst we were in Monaco, we saw him and his family participating side by side with local people on a World Climate March.

Entry Fees & Practicalities
Adult entry is €10, with a reduced rate for children. You’ll find it at 54 Route de la Piscine on Port Hercule, a short walk from the Oceanographic Museum, so it’s easy to see both in one afternoon.

9. Larvotto Beach

Larvotto is Monaco’s only public beach, and it’s free. A renovation completed in the early 2020s gave it a new promenade, breakwaters and lifts down from Avenue Princesse Grace. In summer, a net keeps jellyfish out of the swimming area.

The public sections sit next to private beach clubs and seafront restaurants. That makes it easy to swap sightseeing for a swim and a long lunch in the afternoon.

Where to Eat in Monaco

You’ll be spoilt for choice in Monaco, as there are so many excellent restaurants specializing in fish and meat, to suit all budgets. We particularly enjoyed Les Perles de Monte-Carlo, Beef Bar, Maya Bay and the Brasserie de Monaco. Les Perles and the Brasserie de Monaco have lovely views, while Beef Bar and Maya Bay are great evening destinations.

If you want something newer, Robuchon Monaco on rue du Portier opened in 2025 and earned its first Michelin star in 2026, less than a year later. The cooking is modern French with a sharing-style menu, and Robuchon’s famous mashed potato still comes with every main course.

For a more relaxed lunch or brunch, Marlow sits on Place Princesse Gabriella in Mareterra, Monaco’s newest waterfront district. It opened in January 2025 with a British private-club feel and a sunny terrace. It’s a good stop between Larvotto Beach and Monte-Carlo.

Thanks to the mild climate, you may even be able to eat outside as we did a couple of times, despite it being December.

Shopping in Monaco

What to see in Monaco in one day if you’re more into shopping than museums? Well, Monaco has some very luxurious shops and is the perfect place for a spot of retail therapy.

You’ll find a range of luxury brands here including Bottega Veneta, Lanvin and Miu Miu. There are many more in the nearby Carré d’Or (Golden Quarter, literally translated) including jewellers and antique dealers.

Metropole Shopping Monte-Carlo is opposite the Casino Gardens, and houses 80 boutiques. Don’t forget that tax free shopping is available in Monaco to those who are not citizens of the European Union.

How to Get to Monaco

By plane –  There is no airport in Monaco itself. Nice Côte d’Azur Airport about 28 km from Monaco by road. In summer 2026 it served 130 destinations in 47 countries. The direct Express Bus 80 runs from both terminals into Monaco in about 45 to 60 minutes.
By helicopter – Monaco’s Heliport, on the seafront, reduces that journey time to just 7 minutes from the airport to the centre of the Principality.
By train – There are regular trains from Monaco/Monte-Carlo station to a variety of destinations including Nice-Ville which takes 20 to 25 minutes.
By car – Around 30 minutes drive from Nice International Airport.

How to Get Around Monaco

Monaco is steep, but you rarely have to climb. The Principality has around 80 free public lifts, plus dozens of escalators and moving walkways linking its different levels.

One lift goes straight from the Parking des Pêcheurs up to the Oceanographic Museum. Look for “Ascenseur Public” signs, and you can cross the whole country on foot in about an hour.

Monaco also has an extensive network of buses but to really travel in style, we recommend hiring a car at Nice Airport. We chose Auto Europe and were really pleased with our luxurious Audi A4, which had plenty of boot space, air conditioning and ample acceleration.

No we weren’t trying to outdo the Formula One drivers, but there are a few hills where it definitely came in handy! Pick-up was easy but the system for returning the car was particularly efficient. We just drove into the designated car park area at Nice airport, handed over the keys and someone inspected the vehicle, then we were on our way.

Where to Stay in Monaco

Monaco has a range of hotels for different budgets, all within easy reach of the main attractions.

Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo

We stayed at the Hôtel Hermitage, a Belle Époque palace on Square Beaumarchais, a few minutes’ walk from Casino Square. Many rooms look out over Port Hercule and the Mediterranean, and it feels like old Monte-Carlo at its most elegant.

Its showpiece is the Winter Garden, crowned by a coloured glass dome linked to Gustave Eiffel. In 2026 a new bar, Gustave, opened beneath it, part of a renovation that has also added redesigned rooms and the Diamond Suites.

The hotel is a serious dining destination too. It’s home to L’Abysse, a sushi counter by Yannick Alléno with two Michelin stars, and Pavyllon, which has one star.

Staying here also gave us access to the Monte-Carlo Beach Club, a lovely way to swap sightseeing for a swim and a lazy afternoon by the sea. Guests also have direct access to the Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo spa.

Columbus Hotel Monte-Carlo, Curio Collection by Hilton

A good mid-range option is the Columbus Hotel Monte-Carlo, Curio Collection by Hilton, which has a fantastic location overlooking the sea and the Princess Grace Rose Gardens.

This Montecarlo hotel has the added advantage of not being situated within the main Formula One racing circuit. It means that hotel guests can come and go freely during the race, and many racing drivers choose to stay here.

Our newly redecorated deluxe room had a balcony with a Rose Garden view, air-conditioning, soundproofing, a flat-screen TV, safe and complimentary wifi. We particularly liked the substantial roof terrace, also overlooking the garden, and the spacious lobby lounge.

Practical Information for Monaco

• Climate in Monaco: thanks to its Mediterranean climate, the Principality of Monaco enjoys over 300 days of sunshine every year. The average weather in Monaco is around 26-29ºC or 80-84ºF in Summer and 8-14ºC or 48-58ºF in Winter.
• Currency in Monaco: the euro is the official currency in Monaco. Most major credit cards are widely accepted. Travellers cheques are not frequently accepted.
• Driving in Monaco: For those travelling to Monaco from the European Union, your local driver’s license is sufficient. Those travelling to Monaco from outside the European Union will need an international driving permit as well as their own driver’s license. Driving in Monaco is on the right, and only children over 10 years old may sit in the front passenger seat.
• Language in Monaco: the official language in Monaco is French. Many people speak English and some also speak a dialect, known as Monégasque which is taught in schools and is similar to Italian.
• Population of Monaco: Monaco had 38,857 residents at the end of 2025 from 144 nationalities, according to IMSEE, Monaco’s official statistics institute. That makes it the most densely populated sovereign state in the world. Just under 10,000 residents are Monégasque citizens, and Monégasque, French and Italian nationals make up the largest groups.
• Voltage in Monaco: The standard voltage is 230 V with a standard frequency of 50 Hz.

Final Thoughts on What to Do in Monaco For a Day

If you’re only in Monaco for a day, we hope this list has given you some good ideas of how to spend your time. From exploring the old town to soaking up the sun on Larvotto Beach, there are plenty of activities to keep you busy.

And if you’re looking for more ideas of things to do in Europe, be sure to check out our other articles.

Have you ever visited Monaco and Monte-Carlo? We love Monaco for its great restaurants, tourist attractions and security.

Frequently Asked Questions About Monaco

What are the top things to do in Monaco in one day?

Start at the Prince’s Palace for the changing of the guard at 11:55am, then visit the cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum, all close together on the Rock. In the afternoon, walk along Port Hercule past the superyachts, see the Prince’s Car Collection and end at the Casino de Monte-Carlo.

How do I get from Nice to Monaco?

The quickest public option is the regional train from Nice-Ville to Monaco-Monte-Carlo, which takes about 20 to 25 minutes. From Nice airport, Express Bus 80 runs directly to Monaco in about 45 to 60 minutes, and a helicopter transfer takes around 7 minutes.

Do I need a passport to visit the Monte Carlo Casino?

You need valid photo ID, such as a passport or national identity card, to enter the gaming rooms, and you must be 18 or over. Entry costs around €20 from 2pm, and the atrium can be visited for free.

What is the best time of year to visit Monaco?

Spring (April to June) and early autumn (September and October) bring warm weather with fewer crowds than July and August. Avoid the Grand Prix weekend unless you’re going for the race, because prices rise sharply and some attractions, including the Oceanographic Museum, close.

Can you walk around Monaco in a day?

Yes. Monaco covers only about 2 square kilometres, and you can walk from one end to the other in about an hour. A free network of public lifts and escalators connects the steep levels, so it’s easy to explore on foot.

Read all our tips for things to do in Monaco here.

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