Nice To Monaco Day Trip

This guide is going to cover everything you need to know about a Nice to Monaco day trip! If you’re visiting the south of France, you can’t skip over Monaco. It’s one of the most unique places on earth, and also happens to be one of the smallest countries in Europe. That’s right — it’s an independent country… mind as well cross a new one off the list! Let’s dive into how to spend one day in Monaco, how to get there from Nice, and basic FAQs.

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History Of Monaco

I was going to attempt the summarize the history of this small nation here, as I often do in my guides, but simply can’t put it into a few hundred words. If you’re interested in reading about the complete history of Monaco, check out this article. If you’re looking for the “spark notes” version…

Monaco sits up on a cliff, so it was originally a desirable location for defense because of the “rock of Monaco”. It was founded in 1215 as a colony of Genoa.

Monaco was briefly under French control later in its history, but the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861 officially recognized Monaco’s sovereignty. Furthermore, Monaco has been governed by a constitutional monarchy since 1911 and  joined the UN in 1993.

Monaco is the second smallest country in the world and stretches just 1 square mile.

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Fun Facts About Monaco

Here are some interesting facts I learned during my guided tour in Monaco:

• Monaco is one of the wealthiest countries in the world. 1/3 of its residents are millionaires.
• There are only 38,000 people that live here — about 8,000 are born here and are true Monaco people. Your lineage must extend 3 generations back to obtain a passport.
• The other 30,000 people that reside in Monaco represent 100+ countries.
• If you work in Monaco, you can make 30-40% more than the neighboring French or Italians, but you must know 5 languages. 97% of people don’t work.
• Monaco doesn’t have a capital city, but it is split into 4 “city sections”. Monte Carlo is the most well-known.

How To Spend One Day In Monaco

Now that you know some basics about how Monaco came to be, here are the sights to see during your day trip to Monaco from Nice. These sights can be visited on a one day guided tour, or visited on your own. Either way, don’t miss them!

Palais Princier De Monaco

One of the top sights to see in Monaco is the Prince’s Palace. This is official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco, which was built in 1191 as a Genoese fortress. Several restorations have occurred over the years to transform this palace into the iconic residence it is today.

The palace is located in Monaco-Ville — the oldest part of the city, and has been the home of the Grimaldis since the 13th century. The palace is open for visits year-round between 10am – 5 pm, and is famous for its frescoes!

Oceanographic Museum Of Monaco

Are you an ocean lover? You have to visit the museum of marine sciences during your Nice to Monaco day trip. There is an aquarium in the basement of the museum that features over 4,000 species of fish, along with Mediterranean and tropical marine ecosystems.

Casino Square (Monte Carlo Casino & Hôtel De Paris)

Of all the places to see during your one day in Monte Carlo, Casino Square is my top recommendation. Located in the center of the small country, this square was originally built in 1850 and renovated in 2020. It’s surrounded by the most exquisite hotels and glamorous casinos. There’s a circular fountain the middle, along with iconic palm trees.

Pro-tip: This square and the surrounding buildings often appear in movies and shows. Also, keep an eye out for famous people entering & leaving the buildings, along with the long line of out-of-this-world cars pulling up for valet at Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. The hotel is named after Paris, of course — I have a complete Paris weekend guide you can read here.

This casino is one of the most famous in the world, and draws people from all over the world. The slots, bars, etc. open at 2 pm, although there are tours in the morning as well. Entrance is not free (who’s surprised?!) — it costs 19 Euro to visit, and you must be 18+ with a valid passport.

Pro-tip: There is a dress code to enter the Monte Carlo Casino. If you’re wearing sandals, sneakers, jeans, shorts, or a hoodie you will be denied entry.

Before you leave the area, take a stroll through the Jardins des Boulingrins. This peaceful garden oasis features fountains and gardens.

La Condamine Market

La Condamine Market is a farmers market open everyday, all year around. It first opened in 1880 and was renovated in 1992. Today, tourists can expect a covered market with food stalls, shops, florist markets, local produce, etc.

There are three zones in the market — all of which serve local goods! Don’t miss it!

St. Nicholas Cathedral

This Cathedral has a few different names; you may also see it called the Cathedral of Our Immaculate Lady. It’s also informally known as the official Cathedral of Monaco! It’s located in Monaco-Ville and is the Roman Catholic cathedral of the Archdiocese of Monaco.

Monaco Old Town (Monaco Ville)

Several of the sights mentioned above are in the Monaco Ville section of Monaco, but regardless of whether you see the above sights or not, be sure to take a stroll through here! This part of the country is full of historic buildings, monuments, and charming cobblestone alleyways.

The old town sits on top of a hill and is full of small shops and cozy cafes.

Nice To Monaco Day Trip: How To Get There

By Bus

You can travel from Nice to Monaco on a day trip by public bus for as cheap as 3 Euro! The buses travel every 30 minutes or so. You’ll want to go from Leopold II station in Nice to the Place d’Armes stop in Monte Carlo. The journey is super affordable and will take you just 35 minutes or so!

It’s also just 30 minutes by car, although I only recommend renting a car if you’re very comfortable driving — the roads are incredibly windy and people like to drive fast (and maybe pretend they’re in the Monaco Grand Prix!).

By Train

To get from Nice to Monte Carlo by train, you can go to either the Nice Ville or the Nice Riquier train station. There are trains every 15-20 minutes or so, and the journey takes you just under 20 minutes! It also costs about 3 Euro. 

Since the train costs the same amount as the bus, but takes about half the time, I recommend taking the train if you’re looking to travel to Monaco on your own.

Nice To Monaco Day Trip

My top recommendation for visiting Monaco from Nice is to book a guided tour! This is what I did for a full day during my trip to the south of France and felt like I was able to see SO much in a short amount of time!

This top-rated, full-day tour will bring you from Nice to several towns in the south of France, including Monaco. Here is a snapshot of the day:

You’ll get picked up from your hotel in Nice around 8:30 am and visit the “Moyenne Corniche” viewpoint for 15 minutes. Enjoy the panoramic view of the port of Villefranche-sur-Mer and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. From here, you’ll have free time in the medieval village of Èze. This was my favorite part of the day.

Visiting Èze

Èze is incredible — it’s a small city built up on a large hill, covered in medieval stone towers and windy, narrow, cobblestone streets. I loved wandering through here and looking at the quaint shops, taking photos, etc. You’ll visit decently early in the morning, so no one else will be around.

Next, you’ll take a guided tour of the Fragonard perfumery. This was another highlight for me, as I got to explore the chemistry behind making fragrances, and had time to buy a few special souvenirs to bring home at the end of the tour.

Visiting Monaco

Up next is the highlight of the day — the day trip from Nice to Monaco. You’ll have time here to see the above sights (old town, cathedral, palace, Forumla 1 circuit, casino, etc) and also have free time for lunch.

Visiting Antibes, Cannes, & Saint-Paul-De-Vence

The fun continues in the afternoon with a pitstop in Antibes — biggest marina of business and luxury in Europe, aka the port of billionaires before going to Cannes and Saint-Paul-De-Vence. This “jewel of Provence” is a medieval fortified village and is known for its centuries of history and art.

The day is extremely full and long, but if you’re tight on time in the south of France, this is definitely the best way to explore the region. Plus, all the logistics for the Nice to Monaco day trip are done for you.

Monaco Day Trip FAQs

• What documents do I need to visit Monaco? A valid passport is required for US citizens, however there are no official border crossings between France and Monaco. I didn’t have my passport checked during my day trip from Nice to Monaco.
• What is the currency in Monaco? Monaco is not an official member of the EU, but its official currency is the Euro. 
• What is the language spoken in Monaco? The official language is French, but many people also speak English, Italian, and Monégasque. Since Monaco is quite touristy, you will find English speakers no problem!
• What is the best time to visit Monaco? The shoulder seasons. Spring and fall are the best times to visit, as summer is peak tourist season and will be hot!
• Is it possible to visit Monaco on a budget? Yes, if you do a day trip from Nice to Monaco. Most hotels in Monaco are going to cost around $500 USD for just one night. Opt for Nice instead!

That brings us to the end of another guide — this one covering everything you need to know about visiting Monaco from Nice for a day! Nice is actually one of my favorite cities in Europe, and this region is a dream. I hope this inspires you to plan a future trip!

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