Monaco is a glittering rock on the Mediterranean—the world’s second-smallest country with a royal palace, a storied casino, and a harbor crammed with superyachts. Yet beyond the spectacle lies a compact tangle of lanes, gardens, and museums that reward unhurried wandering. Over seven days, you can savor both the principality’s history and its Riviera ease.

Founded by the Grimaldi dynasty in the 13th century and famous for Princess Grace, the Monaco Grand Prix, and James Bond lore, the microstate is divided into distinctive districts: Monaco-Ville (the Old Town), Monte Carlo (casino quarter), La Condamine (market and Port Hercule), Fontvieille (marina and rose garden), and Larvotto (beach). Expect postcard views at every turn.

Practical notes: the euro is standard; French is the official language (English and Italian widely understood). Dress codes apply in certain venues (jacket-smart wear for the Casino de Monte-Carlo after early evening; bring ID). Book restaurants and tours well ahead during peak periods, especially the Monaco Grand Prix (late May) and the Monaco Yacht Show (late September).

Monaco

Monaco is a city-state where everything sits within a few minutes by bus, elevator, or on foot. It’s ideal for a week that mixes culture, water time, and glamorous nights, with easy day trips across the French and Italian Riviera.

• Top sights: Prince’s Palace, Monaco Cathedral, Oceanographic Museum, Casino de Monte-Carlo, Japanese Garden, Larvotto Beach, Princess Grace Rose Garden, Cars Collection of H.S.H. the Prince of Monaco.
• Fun fact: The iconic Monaco Grand Prix dates to 1929—you can walk the circuit’s hairpins and tunnel any day of the year.
• Food scene: From a 3-Michelin-star temple to beachside grills. Don’t miss barbajuan (Monaco’s stuffed, fried ravioli) and Mediterranean seafood.

Where to stay: For old-school glamour and a central perch, choose Monte Carlo; for neighborhood vibes near the market and harbor, La Condamine; for quieter marina sunsets, Fontvieille; for beach access, Larvotto. Search and compare stays here: VRBO Monaco and Hotels.com Monaco.

Getting in: Fly into Nice (NCE). For European flights and trains, compare on Omio (flights) and Omio (trains). From outside Europe, check Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. From NCE, take tram L2 to Nice-Ville (or Nice Saint-Augustin) then a TER train to “Monaco–Monte-Carlo” (about 35–50 minutes total; train segment ~22 minutes; ~€4–€6 via Omio). Taxis run ~45 minutes (often €100–€150). Helicopter transfers are ~7 minutes per person from the airport heliport.

Getting around: CAM buses cover all districts; single tickets are around local rates with day passes available. Elevators and public escalators knit the cliffs into easy walking routes. Parking is plentiful but paid; Uber drop-off works, but pick-ups inside Monaco are limited—use local taxis.

Day 1: Arrival, Casino Square Glow, and Larvotto Sunset

Morning: Travel to Monaco. If you arrive via Nice, grab a light breakfast at the airport, then tram + train to Monaco. Drop bags and freshen up.

Afternoon: Stretch your legs around Casino Square: admire the Belle Époque Hôtel de Paris, the newly revamped Café de Paris, and the mirror “Sky Mirror” lawn. Stroll the Japanese Garden to reset after the journey, then follow the seaside promenade to Larvotto Beach for a first dip.

Evening: Welcome dinner at Café de Paris Brasserie (classic onion soup, sole meunière, and a polished terrace). For a toes-in-the-sand vibe, La Note Bleue on Larvotto serves Mediterranean plates and hosts live jazz in season. Cap the night at Bar Américain (golden-age cocktails, live music) or try your luck at the Casino de Monte-Carlo—bring ID and observe the smart dress code after early evening.

Day 2: Old Town Icons and a Private Walking Tour

Morning: Start in Monaco-Ville with a private guide to unlock the stories behind the palace, cathedral, and cliffside gardens.

Featured activity: Fascinating Monaco - Private Walking Tour (2 hours, flexible start). Explore the Prince’s Palace square, Saint Nicholas Cathedral (Princess Grace’s tomb), and the Oceanographic Museum’s façade while hearing royal anecdotes and urban legends.

Afternoon: Visit the Oceanographic Museum—Jacques Cousteau once directed it; the aquariums and rooftop views are superb. For lunch, head to La Condamine Market’s food hall for Niçoise socca and Monaco’s signature barbajuan at the communal counters, or sit down at Quai des Artistes on Port Hercule for oysters and a seafood platter.

Evening: Dress for a sky-high dinner at Le Grill atop the Hôtel de Paris (wood-fired meats, soufflés, and a retractable roof). Nightcap at the terrace of Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo overlooking the casino gardens, or slip into Blue Gin for sea-breeze cocktails.

Day 3: Eze Eagles’ Nest and Nice Old Town (Riviera Day Trip)

Morning: Take an early TER to Nice (about 22 minutes) to meet your guide, or arrange pickup. Drive the corniche roads to Eze, a stone village seemingly suspended above the sea. Climb to the cactus-topped Jardin Exotique for a panorama, then dip into a parfumerie to learn how Riviera scents are born.

Featured activity: The Best of the Riviera Private Sighseeing tour (full day). Typical route: Eze village and Fragonard perfumery, scenic viewpoints above Villefranche-sur-Mer, and Nice’s Belle Époque seafront.

Afternoon: Lunch with a view in Eze (think lemony sea bass or hand-cut pasta on cliffside terraces), then continue to Nice: wander the Cours Saleya flower market, peek into Baroque churches, and stroll the Promenade des Anglais. Return to Monaco by train in time for blue hour.

Evening: Casual dinner back in Monte Carlo: Mozza (buzzy Italian brasserie; pizza al taglio and burrata) or Song Qi (sleek Cantonese; dim sum and Peking duck). Gelato stroll around Port Hercule to end the day.

Day 4: Beach Morning, Cars and Gardens, Michelin-Star Evening

Morning: Coffee and flaky viennoiserie at Mada One (by chef Marcel Ravin), then enjoy Larvotto Beach—swim platforms, protected bay, and shaded promenades make it easygoing. Rent a paddleboard or book loungers for a lazy morning.

Afternoon: Taxi or bus to Fontvieille to see the Cars Collection of H.S.H. The Prince of Monaco—over a hundred vehicles from F1 machines to royal classics. Walk to the Princess Grace Rose Garden, a contemplative loop of 300+ varieties. For a late lunch or seafood snack, Les Perles de Monte-Carlo on the marina does pristine oysters and sea urchin when in season.

Evening: Tasting-menu night at Blue Bay (2 Michelin stars; Caribbean–Mediterranean dialogue—ask about the signature cassava and egg). For a lighter plan, L’Intempo at the seaside has a broad Mediterranean menu. Sip cocktails at Blue Gin’s deck with waves below.

Day 5: Three Countries in a Day—Italian Markets, Menton, and Monaco

Morning & Afternoon: Cross-border flavor today. Depending on the weekday, your guide steers you to Ventimiglia (Fridays) or Sanremo (Tuesdays/Saturdays) for an open-air market—cured meats, Ligurian pesto, and leather goods—then to pastel Menton for lemon-scented streets and seaside cafés.

Featured activity: Discover 3 countries in 1 Day: Italian Markets, Menton and Monaco (full day, private). Expect scenic coastal drives and time to sample focaccia, anchovy-laced pissaladière, and Menton’s famed lemon tarts.

Evening: Back in Monaco, keep it relaxed at Les Perles de Monte-Carlo (oysters and local fish) or go brasserie-style at Quai des Artistes. For a late-night scene, La Rascasse on the harbor flips from sundowners to a live-music/DJ bar.

Day 6: Scavenger Hunt, F1 Circuit, and a Monte Carlo Night

Morning: Tackle Monaco’s highlights via a playful, self-guided scavenger hunt—great for couples, families, or friends who like puzzles with their sightseeing.

Featured activity: Monaco Scavenger Hunt and Highlights Self-Guided Tour (2+ hours). Decode clues that lead you between Old Town viewpoints, marina corners, and grand squares.

Afternoon: Walk the Formula 1 circuit: begin at Sainte-Dévote, up Beau Rivage to Casino Square, down to the Fairmont hairpin, through the tunnel, and along the harbor chicanes. Break for espresso and pastries at Cova Monte-Carlo or ice cream near the Metropole.

Evening: Dinner at Pavyllon Monte-Carlo by Yannick Alléno (refined, produce-led cooking; a counter seat lets you watch the brigade). If you’re in the mood to dance, Jimmy’z (seasonal) is a Riviera institution; otherwise, sip a nightcap with live jazz at Bar Américain.

Day 7: Final Views, Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: If you’re keen on vistas, head up to La Turbie (short bus/taxi) for the Tête de Chien viewpoint over Monaco and the Cap-Ferrat peninsula, or linger in town at the NMNM’s Villa Paloma for contemporary art. Brunch on the beach at La Note Bleue or pop back to Mada One for pastries and excellent coffee.

Afternoon: Pick up gifts at Chocolaterie de Monaco (heritage teas and truffles) and the Condamine Market’s gourmet counters for olive oils and herbes de Provence. Depart via TER to Nice for your flight—compare schedules and fares on Omio (trains) and, for flights, Omio (Europe) or Trip.com/Kiwi.com for intercontinental routes.

Evening: If you have a late flight, enjoy a final seaside walk along Larvotto’s promenade or a sunset spritz with a view of the yachts at Port Hercule—Monaco’s signature farewell.

Optional/Alternate: Shore Excursion Choices From Nearby Ports

If you’re arriving by cruise into Villefranche or Monaco and want a compact highlights tour, these private options bundle Eze, Monaco-Ville, and Monte Carlo into one efficient day.

• Shore excursion to Eze, Monaco & Monte-Carlo from Villefranche (6 hours, private).

  

Food & drink cheat sheet (for quick reference):

• Breakfast/coffee: Mada One (creative pastries), Cova Monte-Carlo (Milanese patisserie), Café de Paris (classic terrace).
• Lunch: Marché de la Condamine food hall (socca, barbajuan), Quai des Artistes (seafood brasserie), Les Perles de Monte-Carlo (oyster bar, Fontvieille).
• Dinner: Le Grill (rooftop classics), Blue Bay (2★ tasting menu), Pavyllon Monte-Carlo (modern French), Mozza (Italian brasserie), Song Qi (Cantonese).
• Drinks/nightlife: Bar Américain (live music), Blue Gin (sea views), La Rascasse (DJ/live bands), Jimmy’z (iconic club; seasonal).

Wherever you book, secure tables early for weekend evenings and major events. Tipping is discretionary; service is typically included, but rounding up or adding 5–10% for excellent service is appreciated.

Booking resources:

• Stays: Search Monaco stays on VRBO | Compare Monaco hotels on Hotels.com
• Transport to/from Monaco: Omio flights (within Europe), Omio trains (Europe), Omio buses (Europe), Trip.com flights (global), Kiwi.com (global)

Seven days in Monaco lets you live the Riviera rhythm—mornings by the sea, afternoons with history and gardens, and nights under casino lights. With Eze, Nice, and the Italian markets within an hour, you’ll collect a mosaic of Mediterranean flavors and views you’ll want to revisit.