Is Monaco worth visiting? That’s the question I got asked when I first put it on my itinerary and to be honest. I wasn’t sure back then. Our itinerary took us through the North of Italy and we would make a detour to get there so it added a couple of hours to our trip. That is why the question arose in the first place.
Now Monaco is a small piece of land but its a whole new country which had me intrigued so I decided to take the plunge. We decided not to stay there but rather just do it as a day trip. This was very different when compared to our trip to our last small country Andorra (that can also be done as a day trip from Barcelona). This was largely due to costs and logistics which I’ll cover in the article.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases at no additional cost to you. Read my disclaimer for further information.
Table of Contents
Is Monaco Worth Visiting – The Pros
Its Pretty
Monaco is incredibly pretty. Clean streets, well designed layout, plenty to see in the area and even well designed parks. While there are plenty of things that Monaco is famous for, many people fail to talk about how cute the little streets are.
Its a very hilly region so you will find that you have a panoramic view at almost every bend and twist of the road. We were wowed as we entered in. When you slow down and walk, you will also find plenty of view points. That being said, it is best enjoyed when the sun is shining above.
Gorgeous Coast
Despite its small size, Monaco has an impressive coastline. In fact, I would say the views from here are the absolute best. Many of the harbors have numerous yachts docked in them. These are super luxurious and we spent quite a bit of time admiring them.
We even checked out the different names and googled who they belonged too. Monaco was very hot on the day that we were there so we didn’t stay out in the sun for long but despite the short duration, this remained one of my favorite things to do there.
If you are a fan of beaches, you will find that Monaco has a couple of really nice ones. Generally this is touted as THE REASON why you should visit Monaco.
Is Monaco worth visiting for the coast? I did love the coast and views. The beaches were lovely but they were not mind bogglingly so. That’s just my opinion though.
Its Different
If you have travelled through Europe or talked to people who have, you probably have heard that it starts to look the same. I’m pretty guilty of this too especially when I’ve been traveling through a particular part of Europe for long.
Monaco hits different on this front. The way the city is planned feels so different. From the parking garages at different levels in the hills to the way the road snakes such that it gives you a view. Even the buildings don’t necessarily have the same vibe. They are beautiful none the less.
I think one of the big differences is because of the wealth index of the people who live here. You notice it in all things big and small. I’m not just talking about the yachts and luxury cars.
Is Monaco worth visiting for the change in vibe? I think so.
Child Friendly
Monaco was very child friendly. In fact, in some ways, I believe the city is designed while keeping children in mind. There was a huge playground where the kids could play. It was located at a spot where the parents could sit down and enjoy the view. Win win in my opinion because both Shawn and I were exhausted at this point in our trip. Our kids had a ball. They loved it and it was designed with children of all ages in mind.
There was even a drinking water fountain nearby where you could refill your water bottles. Plenty of trees so you could rest in the shade if it was too hot.
There was even a stream of water where children could play in. Well maintained and clean. I’ve not even delved into the cool garden with fish in the ponds. So is Monaco worth visiting with kids? I would say yes because my kids loved it.
Walkable
Monaco is very walkable which is pretty much the theme for almost all big cities in Europe. It did take me by surprise because it is very hilly. What also surprised me was how wheelchair accessible it is. We knew this because we had a stroller with us.
There were elevators where needed, walking paths, ramps and while we did have to take a detours, it was appreciated. What I would like to add is that sometimes the detours are a little longer because of the hilly terrain.
It’s A Quick Day Trip
Is Monaco worth visiting for a quick day trip? I would say yes to this one. Monaco can easily be reached from either France or Italy. Its located right in between them on the southern coast. We drove in but there are many tours from France or tours from Italy that will take you there. The roads are nice, the drive is peaceful. Traffic can be a problem though.
Another thing to consider when making this decision is whether you will manage to explore it all. Again, I would say yes. Monaco as a country is small. The city is small too. So you could easily cover the highlights in a day.
Monte Carlo Makes A Great Stop
If you love celebrity spotting or just want to soak up all the glam, then Monte Carlo is the place to stop at. Its glitzy and the buildings are beautiful. You can see celebrities stepping out of their fancy cars. There’s always a crowd here. The experience is pretty surreal. We didn’t stop here for long because it wasn’t really our thing but I know many people who would love to spend time in the square.
Is Monaco Worth Visiting – The Cons
Costs
Monaco is expensive. Everything here is. From the accommodation to the parking and even the food. So your budget is going to take a hit even if you visit as part of a day trip. This is something that you should plan for. It is without doubt one of the biggest cons to visiting Monaco.
Parking And Traffic
Traffic into Monaco can be crazy. This is because lots of people visit as part of a day trip. It just makes more financial sense that way. It takes a long while to drive in and get your parking. Now there are many parking garages that are available but each of these are at different levels. If you arrive mid day, you will find that a large number of these are full which definitely adds to the struggle.
In addition to this, the parking fees are very high. So make sure that you do your research before you visit.
There’s Not A Lot To Do
I think my pet peeve when visiting Monaco was the fact that there wasn’t a lot to do. This could have been because we were traveling with kids but I highly doubt it. That in combination with the high cost of things around us meant that we left pretty quickly after taking in the sights.
Lots And Lots Of Tourists
There are a surprisingly large amount of crowds that head to Monaco every single day. Summer months are the worst but the flow of tourists doesn’t stop all year round. So if you ask me if Monaco is worth visiting because of the crowds, I would say no. That being said, if you step away from the Monte Carlo region of the city, the crowds diminish.
So in the end would I say that Monaco is worth visiting? I don’t know. I liked the views and the fact that I saw a whole new country. Would I visit again. No. There’s nothing more that I would add to what I saw. The prices were beyond me. I did love the facilities for children and the parks which was the highlight of our visit.
Day Tours To Monaco
I’ve talked alot about ‘Is Monaco worth visiting?’. Before I sign off on this post, I’m dropping a few links to day tours that you can take from either France or Italy. Hopefully that makes your travel planning easier.
Note that Nice is the easiest and closest base when it comes to tours to Monaco. Menton is probably the nicest base if you are on the Italian side.
Other Posts That May Interest You
- Is Italy worth the trip?
- What should you pack for Italy in summer?
- Florence in 2 days: Everything you need to know
- Is Florence worth the hassle?
- Budget things to do in Florence
Don’t Forget To Pin The Post
