A Perfect One Day Monaco City Itineray – OUR CROSSINGS

The French Riviera is an incredible travel destination where sparkling blue waters meet dramatic cliff lines, dotted with charming villages.

It’s also a fantastic place to use as a base to discover and explore nearby towns or the entire coastline.

You could even tick another country off your bucket list and embark on a day trip to Monaco from Nice, like we did a few years ago!

Monaco is well known as one of the most glamorous places along the chic French Riviera, which has its own governing system and monarchy.

Even if your travel itinerary doesn’t include luxurious yachts and opulent casinos, Monaco is still worth a visit because it is the second smallest country in the world, behind the Vatican.

It is also an absolutely stunning place in every way, too – it’s full of life, clean, photogenic, and historical.

If you are wondering what’s there to see in this tiny principality that is less than 2 square kilometres in size, keep on reading to discover some of the best things to do.

Surgeon fish at the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco

Visit the Monte Carlo Casino

You can’t visit Monaco without stopping by the iconic Monte Carlo casino, even if you’re not a gambler.

It’s a beautiful, historic building where you can admire stunning Belle Époque architecture.

While the casino was built in 1865, James Bond is responsible for making it an icon after it was used as a key filming location for the 2006 James Bond film Casino Royale.

The main lobby of the casino is open to the public, and you can enter without having to pay a penny.

If you wish to enter the casino portion of the Monte Carlo, you have to pay an entry fee of €12-17, depending on the time of year.

This gives you access to the tables, the slot machines, and the bar, which serves slightly overpriced drinks, but hey, it’s the James Bond casino, so that is to be expected.

Once you’ve viewed the beautiful building, take a walk around the square and make sure you don’t miss the back of the building, as there’s a terrace with wonderful sea views.

The stunning interior of the famous casino

Explore the Old Town of Monaco

Next, head over to Monaco’s Old Town, also known as Le Rocher, which is one of the most picturesque parts of the city.

The old town is situated on a hill and is the only part of Monaco that has retained its historic character.

As you stroll past quaint shops, charming pastel-colored buildings and hidden courtyards, you are bound to fall in love with it.

While in the glitzy Monte Carlo district, wealth is noticeable around every corner with Lamborghinis and Ferraris whizzing past every few minutes, the old town is laid back and quite beautiful.

In addition to the colourful and narrow streets, Monaco’s old town is also home to the opulent 18th-century Prince’s Palace of Monaco, the official residence of the royal family.

Colourful houses around Monaco’s Old Town

Stop by St. Nicholas Cathedral

St. Nicholas Cathedral, also known as the Monaco Cathedral, is one of the most important religious monuments in Monaco.

The construction of the cathedral began in 1875, but it was only consecrated in 1911.

The cathedral is a popular tourist attraction because it contains the grave of Grace Kelly, the actress-turned-princess of Monaco.

It is also where Prince Albert married Charlene Wittstock, and where the world-renowned Monaco Boys Choir sing at Sunday Mass.

Inside, you can marvel at an exquisite grand organ and a white marble altar.

*Good to know – Don’t forget that this is a place of worship and dress accordingly: no shorts or skirts are allowed

Opening hours: The cathedral is open daily for tours from 8:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. – except during Mass services

The beautiful exterior of St. Nicholas Cathedral

Go For a Stroll in the Japanese Garden

Check out Monaco’s Japanese Garden, where you’ll find a sense of peace that you wouldn’t expect in such a busy city.

The beautifully designed gardens span over 7,000 square meters and present a harmonious blend of Japanese aesthetics with Mediterranean charm.

The gardens were created by Japanese landscape architect Yasuo Beppu at the request of Prince Rainier III in 1994.

The lanterns, timber, and tiles were imported from Japan, while the plants are essentially Mediterranean in origin.

Here you’ll be greeted by a tranquil koi pond, bonsai trees, a small traditional house, called the “Tea House”, and plenty of lush greenery.

Opening times: Open all year round, daily from 9am to 5.45pm

*Good to know – no picnics or snacks are allowed in this protected garden

A tranquil spot to relax and appreciate Japanese horticulture.

Visit The Oceanographic Museum

Founded in 1910 by Prince Albert I, a keen sea explorer and scientist, the museum is a must-see attraction in Monaco.

The prince embarked on many expeditions and brought back unique objects that you’ll see on display, such as the skeleton of a whale featured in the museum’s zoology room.

From the moment you enter the historic building, you can feel its unique atmosphere.

There’s the magnificent building itself, sweeping views of Monaco and a marine animal rescue centre.

On the lower floor, you will find an aquarium that is widely considered one of the best in Europe, as it contains more than 90 tanks with fascinating 6,000 sea creatures.

You can also stop by the Sea Turtle Odyssey, an outdoor area dedicated to sea turtles and learn learn about the many threats turtles face in the wild.

There’s even an option to enjoy panoramic views of Monaco from the museum’s rooftop terrace, and experience a virtual dive into a Mediterranean marine protected area.

The Whale room contains a skeleton of an 18-meter-long fin whale

Wander around the Exotic Garden and Cave

Set on a steep cliff face, the Exotic Garden showcases a remarkable collection of succulent plants from all over the world.

You’ll be struck by the vast diversity of the plants, as over 1,000 species of succulent plants thrive in the Mediterranean climate.

Some are from South and Central Africa, and some are from Latin and North America.

But that’s not all – below the blooming gardens lies the Grotte de l’Observatoire, which can be accessed via a staircase of over 300 steps.

Originally discovered in 1916 during the work on the garden, the caves are bursting with stalagmites, stalactites, columns and draperies.

Embark on a Formula 1 Walking Tour

For a racing fan, this is a must-do when visiting the city.

If you plan your visit accordingly, you can tick off a bucket list item by watching the renowned Monaco Grand Prix.

The legendary urban circuit, with its 78 laps and 3.3km in length, is said to be one of the most challenging ones as drivers face narrow streets and tight corners.

If you miss the race itself, you can still walk the famous street circuit, experiencing iconic sections like Casino Square and the Fairmont Hairpin, as well as learn about the race history on a guided tour.

You need to wear comfortable shoes and be in decent physical shape, as the tour covers the entire 2-mile circuit and includes some elevation changes.

One of the many hairpin bends along the legendary track in Monaco

Check out théâtre Fort Antoine

Originally built as a military fortress, today the 18th-century fort has been transformed into a beautiful open-air theatre with stunning Mediterranean views.

In addition to those stunning views, it is also famous for summer performances. The outdoor theatre seats around 350 spectators, providing an intimate setting.

Check out the cultural program to see what dance shows, plays, concerts or film screenings are on offer.

The small amphitheatre has some of the best views

Stop by the Juan Manuel Fangio Statue

An automobile racer, Juan Manuel Fangio was born in 1911 in Argentina into a family of Italian immigrants and made his Formula One debut in 1950 at the age of 39.

The five-time world champion who dominated the sport back in the 50’s was celebrated for his smooth racing techniques and driving precision.

You can see the life-size bronze statue of a Formula 1 legend leaning on his iconic Mercedes-Benz W196 at a corner of the F1 circuit near Port Hercule.

It stands as a reminder of his outstanding achievements, and you can even squeeze into the hollowed-out driver’s seat for pictures.

The statue is a tribute to Fangio’s legacy

Getting to Monaco from Nice

The most convenient way to travel from Nice to Monaco is by train. This way, you save the hassle of renting a car, driving and finding somewhere to park.

An average train journey is around 23 minutes, and there are normally 55 trains per day travelling from Nice to Monaco.

The first train leaves at 05:53 am and the last one at 21:36 at night.

The price of a train ticket starts from as little as €5.90, depending on the route, time of day, and class you book.

Tickets are cheaper if you book them online rather than on the day.

Nice-Ville train station in Nice, from where you depart to Monaco

Practical Information For Visiting Monaco

You can walk from the west to the east of Monaco on foot in just 45 minutes

Please remember to carry your ID with you at all times, as it is a legal requirement.

Even though Monaco is a beachside city, there’s a dress code, and you are not allowed to wander around in a bikini.

The official language of Monaco is French, but Italian and English are also widely spoken.

Be prepared for smart dress codes at restaurants and casinos.

Monaco has strict noise regulations; be quiet in public areas.

You can get a novelty passport stamp with the official seal of Monaco.

Check out seasonal events – Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival takes place in January, while the Monaco Yacht Show is in September.

And, that’s a wrap!

So there you have it, some of the best things to see and do in Monaco.

Its small size means you can see all the major highlights in a day without feeling rushed.

As you can see, you don’t need a lot of money to visit attractions, as some of them are even free, plus there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Travel doesn’t have to be expensive, and Monaco is no exception.

We had a great time and barely spent a thing! We travelled by train, packed a sandwich and a few snacks for our lunch.

While I probably wouldn’t spend an entire vacation in Monaco, it is a fantastic place for a day trip from the French Riviera.

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Now, over to you!

Have you been to Monaco? Let us know in the comments!

Let us know if you are planning a visit to Monaco and have travel-related questions!

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