A little more
Monaco.
A lot less roaming.

Travelling to Monaco: what to know before you go

Monaco is a tiny principality on the French Riviera, squeezed between the mountains and the Mediterranean close to the Italian border. In about two square kilometres it fits a clifftop old town, a famous casino, a yacht-filled harbour and the streets of a Formula 1 circuit. It suits day trips from Nice, people-watching, gardens and motorsport fans.

Where to go

• Monaco-Ville (Le Rocher). The old town on its rocky headland holds the Prince's Palace, where the changing of the guard takes place just before midday, narrow lanes of pastel houses and the cathedral where Princess Grace and Prince Rainier are buried.
• Oceanographic Museum. A grand museum built into the cliff face below the old town, opened in 1910 by Prince Albert I and once directed by Jacques Cousteau.
• Monte-Carlo Casino and Place du Casino. The ornate Belle Époque casino, designed by Charles Garnier's team, faces formal gardens and the Hôtel de Paris.
• The Grand Prix circuit. The Monaco Grand Prix is run on public streets, so you can walk the route: up the hill from Sainte-Dévote, around Casino Square, down the famous hairpin, through the tunnel and along the harbour.

Best time to visit

Spring and autumn, roughly April to June and September to October, offer warm weather, gardens in bloom and fewer crowds. July and August are hot and busy, with beach life and summer events.

Staying online in Monaco

Mobile coverage is excellent throughout Monaco, with fast 4G and 5G. Free Wi-Fi is available in many public places and hotels. One thing to know: Monaco is not part of the European Union, so EU roaming rules do not automatically apply, and some European plans charge extra there. Because it is surrounded by France, phones may also switch between Monégasque and French networks as you walk. Install an eSIM before you travel and switch it on when you arrive, so your data stays predictable.