Monte Carlo Holidays & City Breaks

Monte Carlo Holidays & City Breaks

Monte Carlo is famous for its glitz and glamour, and sits beautifully on the Côte d’Azur in southern France. Lined with flashy hotels and luxury yachts, it has one of the world’s most exclusive postcodes. Take in the scenery before admiring royal buildings or settling down for an afternoon at the beach.

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We also have travel guides available for City Breaks destinations, including: Dubai | Florence | Las Vegas | Paris

 

Map of Monte Carlo

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8°C - 29°C

The climate in Monte Carlo is typically Mediterranean. The summer months of July and August see the highest temperatures with tourists heading straight for the coast, while January is the coldest and October the wettest.

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2 hours

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) is located just over 3 miles southwest of the city of Nice and is the third busiest airport in France.

Monte Carlo is best for...

Gamblers: Fancy a flutter? Then head to Monte Carlo. Known for its world-class casinos, the city has been attracting high rollers since the 19th century. Step inside one of the most beautiful gambling houses in the world with a visit to the Casino de Monte-Carlo. And it’s just as magnificent on the outside with its stunning Belle Époque architecture.

Foodies: Monte Carlo’s gastronomy scene is worth the trip alone. There are around 170 restaurants to choose from and many of them are run by critically acclaimed chefs. Expect Champagne brunches overlooking the Mediterrean and locally-caught seafood. But whatever you do, don’t forget to try the soufflé the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, it’s legendary. 

Photographers: Found on the Larvotto peninsula, Monte Carlo has breathtaking views which extend into the serene Mediterranean Sea. Sitting on top of a rocky promontory, its raised position provides incredible panoramas, especially if you manage to wake up before sunrise.

Fast facts for Monte Carlo

Language: The official Monte Carlo language is French, which is spoken by around 58% of the total population of the country and widely understood. Italian and English are also spoken here, so if you don’t know any French, you’ll still be able to get by with one of these languages. However, you may find locals are more receptive to you if you attempt the language, even if it’s just merci (thank you) or s'il vous plaît (please). 

Currency: The currency in Monte Carlo is the Euro.

Local time: Monte Carlo is an hour ahead of the UK (GMT+1). 

Fly to: Nice Côte d'Azur Airport offers plenty of transport options for getting to Monte Carlo. The bus is the cheapest option and takes around 45 minutes, or if you prefer, you can take the train. Taxis will cut down your journey time but they can be pretty expensive.  

Flight time from UK: 2 hours

Tourist Information: Further tourist information can be found at Monte Carlo’s tourism website.

 

 

Monte Carlo safety and security

For up-to-date advice on travelling to Monte Carlo, please visit the FCDO website.

Monte Carlo weather

Monte Carlo weather is actually delightful all year round, and there are plenty of reasons to come here other than the sunshine. However, with 14 hours of sunshine a day in July and average highs of 24ºC, it’s easy to see why Monte Carlo is such a popular holiday destination in the summer months.

Make the most of quieter seasons

The weather in Monte Carlo is generally bright and sunny, with a Mediterranean climate and 300 days of sunshine a year. If you’re planning on swimming in the ocean, summer is the best time to visit, when sea temperatures reach a balmy 24ºC. For more affordable room rates and cooler weather ideal for exploring the city’s museums and casinos, April or October are the best times of the year to come to Monte Carlo.

During the cooler months of the year, especially in winter, when temperatures reach an average low of 10ºC and the Monte Carlo weather can feel distinctly chilly, there are still plenty of indoor attractions like the Napoleon Museum and the fascinating Oceanographic Museum.

Some of our favourite places to visit in Monte Carlo include the 13th century Prince’s Palace, the Grand Prix Course (where, if you’re lucky, you may get a driver to take you around the famous track in a performance car, weather permitting) and the stunning Casino de Paris, also known as the Grand Casino. Whether you can afford to gamble and rub shoulders with the rich and famous or not, it’s still well worth visiting this iconic building to see all the gold and marble inside, and take some photos of its palace-like façade on sunny days.

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