The Best of Monaco in 1 Day

When I think of Monaco a few things come to mind; the iconic Monte Carlo casino, yachts, James Bond, the Grand Prix and pretty much anything else that screams bucket loads of money. The type of money I will never, even in my wildest dreams, come close to owning. But just because I could never afford to live in Monaco didn’t stop me from wanting to see it. So, when I spent some time in the south of France I decided to do a day trip from Nice and spend 1 day in Monaco. It was a busy day, but it was a lot of fun and I definitely recommend it. 

Despite the flash and luxury of this tiny country, Monaco is an affordable place to visit for a day and an easy trip from most places in the French Riviera. As long as you are content with window shopping rather than the real thing, you can embrace your inner James Bond or Bond Girl and spend a day in the land of the elite. Here’s how to spend 1 Day in Monaco. 

Getting to Monaco

The ultimate way to arrive in Monaco is via private helicopter, but chances are if you are reading this that’s not exactly an affordable option. Not to worry- there are much cheaper ways. If you are staying in Nice, the easiest method is to the train. It’s only about a 20 minute ride. Alternatively, you can take a bus which is more budget friendly. It does fill up very quickly though so be prepared to stand. The bus takes about 45 minutes.

Getting Around Monaco

The majority of the city is pretty walkable, although it is quite hilly. There is a hop-on-hop off bus that will take you to the main sights as well as local city busses which cost 2 euro per ride. Tickets can be bought on board, and local busses run every 20-30min. For more information and a city map to best pick your route, visit the tourism office outside the Casino bus stop in the city centre (they also frequently have discount coupons for city attractions).

How to Spend 1 Day in Monaco: What to See and Do

As small as it is, there’s something to look at nearly everywhere you go in Monaco. My favourites are:

‘The Rock’

This is the oldest section of Monaco where the old town and palace are located. Every day at 11:55am changing of the guard ceremony takes place in front of the Prince’s Palace. It’s not the biggest show but fun to see if you are there at the time. If interested, try to come a little early to get a better view.  The state apartments of the palace are also available for viewing at a cost of 8 euro per person, but be sure to check the schedule ahead of time.

The Rock is also a great place to take photographs of Monte Carlo and the port, and to souvenir shop or grab a bite to eat in one of the many cafes in the old town.

The Oceanographic Museum

I’m not a museum person but even I couldn’t resist checking out this famous attraction. Located on the cliff of The Rock overlooking the Mediterranean Sea, The Oceanographic Museum, nicknamed the Temple of the Sea, is worth going to for the views alone. Tickets aren’t cheap, running at 19 euro per person (as of May, 2024), however at the time I visited the visitor centre had discount coupons for 3 euro off, which is worth checking before you visit!

The museum is home to over 6000 species, which can be found in the multitude of aquariums located on the lower level. Take a look at schools of tiny clownfish, seahorses, tropical fish, and even sharks. On the higher levels you can also find the skeletons and preserved bodies of different species of sharks, as well as ‘Oceanomania the biggest collection of ocean curiosities’.  This enormous book-case style exhibit is full of skeletons, diving gear, books, and even a stuffed white bear from Greenland.

The Oceaographic museum has a couple other displays, along with a rooftop terrace with incredible views and is home to a family of African spurred turtles. The museum restaurant is also located on the roof, with both indoor and outdoor seating offering stunning views over the city and the sea.

The Exotic Gardens

Located at the top of the city, it’s probably easiest to take a bus to the Exotic Gardens.  The Exotic Gardens are home to a bunch of flora and fauna but it’s the scenery that makes it worth the money. I happily spent nearly an hour sitting on a bench over-looking The Rock and the ports where I got to see the private helicopters land. *NOTE: The gardens are temporarily closed and set to reopen in 2025.* 

The Monte Carlo Casino

Probably the most iconic sight of Monaco, the Casino is top of my list of things to visit. It’s also a great place to look for fancy and expensive cars; taking photos with them is fine, but don’t try to touch any unless you want an army of security after you!

The Casino opens its doors at 2pm to the public, so I would recommend making it your last stop for the day (the bus stop to return to Nice is conveniently close by). There is no dress code or fee to go inside the main area, but there is for the private rooms where you will also need to hand over your passport. Inside the casino is absolutely stunning, but sadly no cameras are allowed in the building so you will be kindly asked to stow your bags behind the counter (at no charge). Once inside you are free to wander the areas with the slot machines, and a public room with card tables where you, along with the other tourists, are more than welcome to try your luck at Black Jack or roulette. I risked a whopping 5 euro at one of the slot machines but sadly watched it disappear way too quickly. At least I tried!

Shopping in Monaco

Unless you won big at the casino chances are you can’t afford to do much other than window shop. But if you are willing to forgo the fancy designer brands and are looking for some souvenirs, you can find some good buys near the Casino and in the Old Town on The Rock. Like all other places, shot glasses, post cards, and souvenir t-shirts are easy finds. For something a little more authentic to remember your Monaco experience, look for some Grand Prix merchandise- sure it comes with a price tag but it’s fun if you have any car enthusiasts to shop for.

What to Wear in Monaco

Ok, maybe silly but when I was planning my day trip I was in a bit of a panic deciding what to wear. I knew I would be walking a lot so I needed something sensible, but I wanted to look nice- didn’t I have to? Turns out no- you don’t need to pull out the LBD. I saw more local women in tracksuits than stylish dresses, and if it weren’t for the flashy watches and jewelry, they wouldn’t have stood out at all. So don’t worry about having the perfect outfit, but if you do want to channel your inner bond girl- by all means go ahead!

Monaco is the perfect spot for a day trip. Even if you will never be able to afford living there yourself, it’s incredible to see the wealth of this luxury destination.

Ready to Book Your Trip?

Don’t forget travel insurance!

Please do not travel without travel insurance! I’ve had to use it multiple times throughout my travels and it has saved me thousands of dollars. You can learn more about travel insurance here. If you are looking for a provider I love and recommend SafetyWing. For Canadian readers, take a look at SoNomad.

Book your accommodation

I love and recommend booking.com for accommodation. They have a range of hostels, guesthouses, hotels, and resorts. Plus, the platform has a great loyalty program that means the more you book, the more you can save. 

Book your tours

My go-to tour provider that I love to recommend is GetYourGuide. They have options all over the world and partner with local companies for everything from day trips to food experiences and even airport transfers. 

Get connected

If you want to have data while travelling for online maps or any other needs, an esim is one of the easiest solutions. I have used esims around the world from Brazil to Uzbekistan, Greece to the USA- they are super easy and you don’t risk losing your home sim! There are two brands I have used and recommend so I suggest comparing both. 

Airalo: download the app, pick what country you want an esim for, and after you purchase it follow the installation instructions. You can use promo code HANNAH3326 to save $3USD on your next esim purchase.

Truely: This one is easier in that it’s a one-time download instead of downloading an esim for each country. It also allows you to hotspot and tether- which not all esims do. Check out options here.

Not sure what to pack?

I have destination-specific guides for some countries but you can also check my travel essentials and camera gear if you are looking for some ideas. 

Looking for a travel buddy?

Check out my group trips!