One Day in Monaco: My Walkable Monaco Itinerary from Nice
Monaco may be the second-smallest country in the world, but it has plenty to see during a day trip. Its compact size allowed me to explore Monte-Carlo, Port Hercule, the Prince’s Palace, Monaco Cathedral, Port de Fontvieille, and several gardens and viewpoints during one day in Monaco.
I visited Monaco in March 2019 while using Nice, France, as my base. Hotels in Monaco were expensive, so I caught an early train from Nice and spent about eight hours exploring the country before leaving shortly before dark.
The trip did not go smoothly on my first attempt. On March 24, 2019, I boarded a train at Nice Saint-Augustin Station, but it skipped stop after stop—including Monaco. Passenger access at Monaco-Monte-Carlo Station was restricted that day because Chinese President Xi Jinping was making a state visit.
After what felt like hours, the train finally stopped, and I was able to return to Nice. I tried again the following morning, and that trip went according to plan.
Can you see Monaco in one day?
Yes. I spent about eight hours exploring Monaco entirely on foot. That was enough time to see Monte-Carlo, Port Hercule, the Prince’s Palace, Monaco Cathedral, Port de Fontvieille, and Saint-Martin Gardens. I did not enter the casino or Oceanographic Museum, and my route involved some backtracking.
Monaco is the second-smallest country in the world and one of the most densely populated. Its compact size makes it possible to see much of the country during a Monaco day trip, especially if you enjoy walking.
There are not many countries where you can see so much on foot between an early arrival and sunset.
Table of Contents
- My Monaco Visit at a Glance
- My One-Day Monaco Itinerary at a Glance
- How to Get to Monaco from Nice by Train
- Stop 1: Monte-Carlo Casino and Casino Gardens
- Stop 2: Walk West Toward Port Hercule
- Stop 3: Explore Port Hercule
- Stop 4: Prince’s Palace and the Changing of the Guard
- Stop 5: Port de Fontvieille and Monaco’s Rooftop Gardens
- Stop 6: Visit Monaco Cathedral
- Stop 7: Oceanographic Museum or Saint-Martin Gardens
- Practical Tips for Seeing Monaco in One Day
- Final Stops Near Fontvieille
- What I Would Do Differently on Another Visit
- Final Thoughts on My One Day in Monaco
- Self-Guided Monaco or Organized Tour
- Related Content
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My Monaco Visit at a Glance
- Visited: March 2019
- Time in Monaco: About eight hours
- Transportation: Train from Nice
- Arrival station: Monaco-Monte-Carlo
- Getting around: Entirely on foot
- Best for: Travelers comfortable with hills and substantial walking
- Photographs: All photographs in this guide are my own
- Attractions entered: Monaco Cathedral
- Attractions viewed from outside: Monte-Carlo Casino, Prince’s Palace, Oceanographic Museum, and the Prince’s car collection
My One-Day Monaco Itinerary at a Glance
If you are wondering what to do in Monaco for a day, this route covers many of the country’s best-known outdoor sights and viewpoints. It also works well as a self-guided day trip to Monaco from Nice.
This is the route I personally followed during my one day in Monaco:
- Arrive at Monaco-Monte-Carlo Station from Nice
- Walk east to the Monte-Carlo Casino and Casino Gardens
- Turn around near the Fairmont Monte Carlo and walk west
- Explore the lower and upper walkways at Port Hercule
- Walk uphill to the Prince’s Palace
- Watch the changing of the guard and photograph Port Hercule
- Continue to Port de Fontvieille
- Visit Monaco Cathedral
- Pass the Oceanographic Museum
- Walk through Saint-Martin Gardens
- Finish near Port de Fontvieille before returning to the station
This walkable Monaco itinerary is best for travelers who do not mind spending most of the day on foot. Monaco is compact, but it has hills, and my route doubled back because I visited Monte-Carlo first. I did not use buses during my visit.
If seeing the 11:55 a.m. changing of the guard is your priority, I recommend a more direct route than the one I walked. Go from the station toward Port Hercule and the Prince’s Palace first. You can then visit Monaco Cathedral, Saint-Martin Gardens, and Port de Fontvieille before finishing around Monte-Carlo.
Prefer less walking?
I explored Monaco independently, but a guided tour may be a better fit if you want transportation from Nice, limited walking, or visits to Monaco and Èze on the same day.
How to Get to Monaco from Nice by Train
For a Monaco day trip from Nice, the train is a convenient direct option. I departed from Nice Saint-Augustin Station and arrived at Monaco-Monte-Carlo, Monaco’s railway station. Monaco-Monte-Carlo Station was one of the nicest stations I saw along the French Riviera. It had a modern design, ticket machines, a ticket office, and places to purchase food.
Schedules and fares can change, so check SNCF Connect before traveling.
The station became the starting point for my one-day Monaco itinerary. From there, I followed a steeply inclined path downhill toward Port Hercule. A small church near the bottom served as a useful landmark when I needed to find my way back to the station.
Stop 1: Monte-Carlo Casino and Casino Gardens
When I reached the bottom of the path from the station, I had a choice. Port Hercule, the Prince’s Palace, Port de Fontvieille, and Monaco Cathedral were to the west. The Monte-Carlo Casino was to the east.
I chose to walk east first and save Monaco’s ports and palace for later. This worked, but it also caused me to retrace my steps. On another visit, I would arrange the stops more efficiently.
As I walked toward Monte-Carlo, I repeatedly saw Monaco’s red-and-white flag. There were also many Chinese flags on display because of President Xi Jinping’s state visit the previous day.
The Monte-Carlo Casino is one of the country’s most famous buildings. I did not enter the casino, but its exterior and surrounding gardens were still worth seeing. The gardens had interesting plants and sculptures as well as beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea.
The Fairmont Monte Carlo and casino area were the farthest east I walked. If you are following this Monaco walking itinerary, this is a sensible place to turn around unless you have additional sights planned farther east.
Stop 2: Walk West Toward Port Hercule
After turning around, I retraced my route toward Port Hercule. Along the way, I passed a sculpture of a Grand Prix car. The Monaco Grand Prix takes place on a street circuit through Monaco. I hope to return someday to experience it in person.
I also noticed small electric cars, charging stations, and a children’s slide. These little details were part of what made walking through Monaco interesting. The state visit also meant that displays of Chinese and Monegasque flags appeared throughout the area.
Stop 3: Explore Port Hercule
Port Hercule was one of the places I most wanted to see. As a teacher, I had often shown my students an image of the harbor to demonstrate how densely developed Monaco is. It was really neat to finally stand there and see that familiar view in person.
There are several ways to explore the port. I began on the lower walkway, where I could get close to the ships, sailboats, and yachts. Some of the yachts were modern, while others had a more classic appearance.
As I ventured farther along the pier, I briefly wondered whether I had entered a restricted area because I saw few other tourists. None of the security staff stopped me, so I continued to the end and used my zoom lens to photograph Monaco’s tightly packed buildings.
This location gave me a view of the Monte-Carlo Casino and Port Hercule that I rarely see in other Monaco photographs. I was proud that I had figured out how to reach the edge of the pier and capture those images.
I eventually found the stairs leading to the upper walkway. Some of the yachts were enormous, including one that looked like a small cruise ship. I also watched a vessel using a large claw to retrieve something from the Mediterranean while struggling to remain in place because of the wind.
All the photographs in this guide are my own and were taken during my March 2019 visit.
Stop 4: Prince’s Palace and the Changing of the Guard
From Port Hercule, I walked uphill toward the Prince’s Palace. The climb followed a gradual incline rather than one extremely steep hill.
I passed an international school, benches, and public restrooms along the way. There were also several places to stop and photograph the harbor and Monaco’s densely stacked buildings.
Near the top, I reached a castle-like tower and then climbed a short flight of stairs to the palace area. While I was taking pictures, the changing of the guard began.
The ceremony is scheduled to take place daily at 11:55 a.m., but I recommend checking the Prince’s Palace website before planning your itinerary around it.
Historic cannons and stacks of cannonballs added to the atmosphere around the palace.
Beside the palace, a viewing platform provided one of the best views of Port Hercule that I saw all day. This is one stop I would include on any Monaco itinerary for one day.
Stop 5: Port de Fontvieille and Monaco’s Rooftop Gardens
After visiting the palace, I continued toward Port de Fontvieille. It is smaller than Port Hercule but still very picturesque, with colorful buildings and large yachts in a sheltered harbor.
Because Monaco has so little available land, I noticed gardens and trees on top of many buildings. From above Port de Fontvieille, I photographed several rooftop gardens before following the path toward Monaco Cathedral.
Stop 6: Visit Monaco Cathedral
Monaco Cathedral houses the tombs of Monaco’s princes and was the site of the 1956 wedding of Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly. During my March 2019 visit, admission was free, and photography was allowed without flash. Visitors followed a set route through the cathedral that ended near the royal tombs.
My visit lasted about 15 minutes, making the cathedral an easy stop for travelers deciding what to see in Monaco in one day. Access, services, and visitor rules can change, so check the cathedral’s current information before your trip.
Stop 7: Oceanographic Museum or Saint-Martin Gardens
I did not have enough time to enter the Oceanographic Museum. Because I had visited similar museums elsewhere, I decided to prioritize Monaco’s outdoor sights. Outside the museum, I saw a submarine, an octopus sculpture, and a small tourist train. Eight-year-old me would have begged to ride it; thirty-six-year-old me almost did.
If the Oceanographic Museum is one of your priorities, allow more time or remove another stop from this itinerary. This is one reason the answer to how long to spend in Monaco depends on whether you want to enter the major attractions or mainly see the outdoor highlights.
Below the museum are the Saint-Martin Gardens. I walked through the gardens on my way back toward Port de Fontvieille. The blooming flowers, sculptures, statues, and colorful eagle made this a relaxing part of the day.
The path also provided another angle for photographing Port de Fontvieille.
Practical Tips for Seeing Monaco in One Day
Is Monaco Worth Visiting for a Day?
Yes. Monaco was worth visiting for the harbor views alone. Port Hercule had been an image I used with my students to explain how crowded and densely developed Monaco is. Seeing that familiar view in person was especially memorable.
Monaco’s small size also made it possible to see a surprising amount of an independent country during a single day on foot.
Is One Day Enough in Monaco?
One day in Monaco is enough to see many of the main outdoor sights, including Monte-Carlo Casino, Port Hercule, the Prince’s Palace, Monaco Cathedral, Port de Fontvieille, and Saint-Martin Gardens.
One day will feel rushed if you want to enter the casino, tour the palace, spend substantial time at the Oceanographic Museum, or enjoy a slower meal.
How Much Walking Is Involved?
I completed my Monaco in one day route entirely on foot and did not use buses.
I do not have an exact distance, but I walked from an early-morning arrival until shortly before dark. The route included hills and backtracking, so it is best for travelers comfortable spending most of the day walking.
Are There Hills in Monaco?
Yes. Monaco may be small, but its different districts are located at varying elevations. My route included downhill paths, gradual climbs, and stairs.
Travelers with mobility limitations or anyone who prefers less walking should research Monaco’s public elevators and buses or consider a guided tour with transportation.
Are There Public Restrooms in Monaco?
I found plenty of clean, free public restrooms throughout Monaco. Attendants often had a tip jar, and I tipped €1 when I used the facilities.
This was my experience in March 2019, so current conditions may differ.
What Should You Prioritize With Limited Time?
For a first visit, I would prioritize:
- Port Hercule
- The palace viewpoint
- Monaco Cathedral
- The casino exterior and gardens
- At least one view of Port de Fontvieille
Travelers particularly interested in marine life should reserve enough time for the Oceanographic Museum. I skipped the interior during my visit.
Final Stops Near Fontvieille
Near Port de Fontvieille, I stopped at the Fontvieille sundial. Its stone dials use shadows to display information, although clouds can make it difficult to see.
I then walked down to the port for ground-level views of Fontvieille and the Prince’s Palace.
During my 2019 visit, the Collection of Cars of H.S.H. the Prince of Monaco was in Fontvieille, and I saw the attraction from outside. The collection has since moved to a new location at Port Hercule, so current visitors will find it there rather than near Fontvieille.
What I Would Do Differently on Another Visit
This was my only trip to Monaco. If I returned, I would plan the order of my stops more carefully because my route doubled back after I walked east toward Monte-Carlo and then west toward Port Hercule and Monaco-Ville.
I would consider visiting Port Hercule and the Prince’s Palace first, especially if I wanted to arrive before the 11:55 a.m. changing of the guard. I’d then continue through Monaco-Ville, visit the cathedral and gardens, and finish around Monte-Carlo before returning to the station.
My original route still worked because I did not mind walking, and it allowed me to see much of Monaco in about eight hours. It simply was not the most direct way to organize a one-day Monaco itinerary
Self-Guided Monaco or Organized Tour
I found central Monaco easy to explore independently and do not think every visitor needs a tour.
A guided experience could still be worthwhile if you:
- Want transportation from Nice
- Prefer less walking
- Have limited time
- Want to combine Monaco and Èze
- Would benefit from a guide explaining Monaco’s history
- Are visiting from a cruise ship
Relevant options could include:
- Monaco and Èze day tour from Nice
- Monaco, Monte-Carlo, and French Riviera small-group tour
- Private Monaco tour from Nice
- Monaco walking tour
- Shore excursion from Villefranche-sur-Mer
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Final Thoughts on My One Day in Monaco
My day trip to Monaco from Nice gave me enough time to see the country’s most famous outdoor sights, photograph both harbors, and experience a place I had often shown my students.
I arrived on an early train, explored entirely on foot, and left shortly before dark.
The route required plenty of walking and was not perfectly efficient, but that is part of what I learned from completing it. With better planning, travelers can follow a more direct route while still seeing Monte-Carlo, Port Hercule, the Prince’s Palace, Monaco Cathedral, Port de Fontvieille, and Saint-Martin Gardens during one day in Monaco.
