10 tips for visiting Monaco with kids

If you’re like me, your travel wishlist never gets any shorter. I’ve got those countries I’ve always wanted to visit, those destinations I want to go back to with my daughter, the places I visited 20 years ago and need to see again… and if that wasn’t enough, reading family travel blogs and magazines, I get inspired to add a few more. Like visiting Monaco with kids.

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The images which stick in my mind are Grace Kelly queening it over the principality, yachts moored off the shore, the Formula 1 race winding through its streets – all the glamour of the south of France with an added helping of luxury, 

Then my friend Ting from My Travel Monkey visited to celebrate her 40th birthday and looking at her photos, and the description of the amazing meal she had made me think I needed a sunshine break there myself – especially as the closest I’ve been recently is Corsica. But can you visit Monaco with kids?

I decided to find out… And while I haven’t gone as far as booking, I do have 10 tips for visiting Monaco with kids, and making the most of your trip if you’re tempted too.

When to visit Monaco with kids

No-one wants to visit Monaco in the pouring rain – but equally in high summer, you’ll find more crowds crammed into the little country, the smallest in the world after the Vatican.

So if you want sunshine without melting, May or June is a great time to visit Monaco with kids.

Venture beyond Monte Carlo

If you’re visiting Monaco with kids, Monte Carlo – what most people associate with Monaco – won’t be top of your list.

Do stop off at the impressive marble and gold Casino de Monte Carlo to marvel at the Belle Epoque architecture – you’ll recognise it from two Bond films – but then move on for a more family-friendly side.

The old city of Monaco-Ville, with its winding lanes is great to wander around – some of the best views are from the Rampe Major.

The port quarter of Condamine prides itself on being authentically Monegasque, and you’ll also find prices are a little cheaper here, including for hotels. Kids will love the carousel near the Stade Nautique along with play areas on Place d’Armes and nearby Rue Princess Caroline.

Take a bargain tour

Despite its expensive reputation, you needn’t spend a fortune in Monaco – and that includes taking a mini tour on the cheap. Hop on the Line 1 bus route, and you’ll be whisked past the Place du Casino and along the Avenue d’Ostende down to the superyachts in the harbour.

Single tickets cost just 2 euros (and under sevens travel free) while a day pass is only 5,50, plus you can pay using a card on the bus itself. They’re also useful for saving little legs from the principality’s hills (although keep an eye out for the 78 lifts, 35 escalators and 8 moving walkways along the way too)

The solar-electric powered Bateau Bus uses the same tickets, to take you from one side of the Port Hercule to the other – who needs a superyacht when you can be shuttled across on your own mini cruise?

There’s also the Monaco Petit Train, a land train which drives between the main tourist sites – at 13 euros for adults and 7 euros for children aged two to eight, it’s not quite as cheap as the bus, but you get a little 30-minute guided tour and you can always take the train up and walk down.

If you want a traditional hop-on hop-off bus tour of Monaco, you can find those too.

Cool off in the aquarium

An aquarium is always one of my daughter’s favourite things to do and the Musée Océanographique de Monaco is one of the largest scientific institutions dedicated to the study of the ocean – plus a great air-conditioned escape from the sun.

As well as its most famous shark inhabitants, there are more than 4,000 species of fish, whale skeletons and more great views from the rooftop terrace.

Go for a swim

When in the south of France, visit the beach! Although you’ll find private beaches and fancy beach clubs, you can also sunbathe for free – Larvotto Beach is a great option in Monaco with kids, as there’s a jellyfish net as well as public access between the loungers for hire.

For a quieter beach, you can also head down to the waves from the aquarium – find the stairs leading to the car park, then from the rear of the museum there’s a path leading to more small steps down to a secluded cove.

Or swim in the open air salt-water pool of Stade Nautique Rainier III, an Olympic size swimming pool on the waterfront. There is an entry charge at around 12 Euros for adults who are not residents (reduced for kids).

Eat for less

You could splurge at one of Monaco’s Michelin-starred restaurants. Or you could try traditional Monegasque food for a lot less at the Marche de la Condamine on the Place d’Armes.

As well as fresh fruit and vegetables, pick up socca – a crispy oven-baked chickpea pancake – at Chez Roger, one of the restaurants at the market. Keep an eye out for barbaguian too, called Monaco’s national dish.

The pastry is stuffed with Swiss chard and ricotta, although you can also find them filled with anything from rice and Parmesan to vegetables.

French ‘hypermarche’ chain Carrefour also has a branch in Monaco – I remember visiting the huge supermarkets on childhood holidays in France and being wowed by choice… and the temptingly exotic French stationery!

Pretend to be a racing driver

Visiting during the Monaco Grand Prix would certainly be an experience – but with crowds and prices going up (not to mention city streets closing for the Formula 1 cars), it’s not the best time for families.

Instead, you can walk around the route in around an hour – most maps you can pick up for free will highlight it.

Or pose by the bronze model of the winner of the first ever Monaco Grand Prix in 1929, William Grover-Williams at the wheel of his Bugatti Type 35, on the roundabout joining Rue Grimaldi Boulevard Albert 1er, Avenue d’Ostende, and Avenue John F. Kennedy

If you’re dying to get behind the wheel, there’s also a small go-kart centre on level 1 of the Pecheurs car park near the waterfront.

Discover how important the royal family is

Dating from 1214, the Palais Princier de Monaco is still home to the Grimaldi family, Monaco’s royals, although you can get a sneak peek inside.

After watching the changing of the guard at 11.55am, there are tours of the state apartments at midday costing 10 Euros (5 for children).

The nearby Cathedral houses the graves of Princess Grace and her husband Prince Rainier III.

Escape the crowds

If the heat or the hustle and bustle are getting too much, the Jardin Japonais is a perfect tranquil retreat.

The miniature Zen garden was created by Rainier III in memory of Grace Kelly, with bridges curving over trickling streams, koi carp in the ponds and flowers along the paths.

Make an entrance

You can drive from Nice in 40 minutes or take the train along the coast – if you’re staying in the south of France you could even consider a day trip to Monaco – but for a memorable entrance, sailing into that wonderful harbour is a fabulous way to arrive.

Splash out on a private boat trip, or for a cheaper option with the same stunning scenery, join a small boat tour along the coast from Nice.

Check out some of the different options for Monaco boat trips here.

*First published 2019, last updated 2026*

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Images courtesy Depositphotos

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