Monaco with kids
Monaco With Kids: How to Plan a Family Day Trip to Monaco
Monaco is smaller than most theme parks and you can see the highlights in a single day. The Oceanographic Museum is world class, the Changing of the Guard is free, the beach is free, and most of the gardens are free. Stay in Nice, take the train over, and the whole day costs less than you would expect from a country known for billionaires.
Monaco has a reputation for being expensive, and the hotels are. But the actual attractions are not. Most of the gardens are free. The beach is free. The Changing of the Guard is free. The Oceanographic Museum costs about €19 for adults and less for kids, and it is one of the best marine museums in Europe. Stay in Nice and take the 25 minute train, and the day itself is surprisingly affordable.
When to go
Monaco on a school calendar
- 1April and May
Spring
Best weather for walking the city. Gardens are in full bloom. The Prince’s Palace apartments open in April. Comfortable temperatures without the summer heat.
- 2September and October
Early fall
Warm enough for the beach, fewer crowds than summer, and everything is still open. One of the best windows for families.
- 3June through August
Summer
Hot, especially midday. Larvotto Beach is popular. Visit the museum and gardens in the morning, save the beach for late afternoon when the heat eases up.
- 4November through March
Winter
Mild by European standards but some seasonal attractions close, including the Prince’s Palace apartments and the tourist train. The Oceanographic Museum is open year round.
What to see
A full day with kids
Monaco is small enough that you can walk between everything. Start in the Old Town, catch the Changing of the Guard, then work your way down to the museum and the beach.
Oceanographic Museum
Built into the cliff face with a fin whale skeleton, aquariums, rooftop terrace with sea views, and interactive exhibits. Plan at least two hours. Get there at opening to skip the line.
Prince’s Palace and Old Town
The Changing of the Guard happens at 11:55 am and lasts about 10 minutes. Get there by 11:35 for a good spot. The Old Town around the palace is compact and easy to walk with kids.
Larvotto Beach
Free public beach with lifeguards, showers, and beach cafes. It is pebble, not sand, so bring water shoes. Visit late afternoon in summer when the heat drops off.
Where to sleep
Stay in Nice
Monaco hotels run €400 to 700 per night and most are not designed for families. Stay in Nice where you have better options at a fraction of the price, and take the train over.
| Option | Expect to pay | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Budget hotel in Nice | €80 to 120 per night | Families who want a base and plan to day trip |
| Mid range hotel in Nice | €120 to 200 per night | Families who want more space and breakfast included |
| Vacation rental in Nice | €100 to 180 per night | Families who want a kitchen and multiple rooms |
| Splurge hotel in Monaco | €400 to 700+ per night | Families who want the full Monaco experience overnight |
Book Nice hotels early, especially for summer. Most offer free cancellation.
Getting around
Take the train from Nice
- The train from Nice Ville to Monaco Monte Carlo takes about 25 minutes and runs frequently throughout the day
- Tickets cost a few euros each way. Buy at the station or through the SNCF app
- Do not drive. Parking in Monaco is expensive, the roads are steep, and there are tunnels everywhere
- Once you are in Monaco, everything is walkable. There are public elevators and escalators built into the hillside to help with the hills
- The tourist mini train does a 30 minute loop with commentary for about €10 per person. It runs spring through early fall
- Strollers work on the flat areas and in the museum, but the Jardin Exotique is all stairs. Use a carrier there
Before you go
The practical stuff
Add a country
Monaco as part of a French Riviera trip
Monaco fits perfectly into a France trip along the Riviera. Nice is the natural base, and from there you can also reach Antibes, Cannes and the hilltop villages of Èze and Saint Paul de Vence. Most families give Monaco a full day and spend the rest of the week in Nice and the surrounding coast.
“Monaco is one of those places that sounds intimidating until you actually plan it. Stay in Nice, take the train, and the whole day with the museum, the palace, the beach and lunch at the market comes in well under what you would spend at most US theme parks. The kids get a country they can walk across in an afternoon, and you get the Mediterranean.”
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor · Certified Family Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Former social studies teacher, mom of three, 60+ countries.
Adding Monaco to a Riviera trip?
Tell me who is coming and roughly when, and I will help you figure out how many days on the coast and what to see.
Quick answers
Is Monaco worth visiting with kids?
Yes. The Oceanographic Museum is one of the best marine museums in Europe, the Changing of the Guard is a hit with kids, the beach is free, and the whole country is small enough to see in a day.
How many days do you need in Monaco with kids?
One full day covers the highlights. Two days lets you take it slow and add the gardens and the Prince’s car collection. Most families day trip from Nice.
Is Monaco expensive for families?
The hotels are, but the day itself is not. Most gardens and the beach are free. The Oceanographic Museum costs about €19 for adults. Lunch at the La Condamine market runs about €35 to 45 for a family. Stay in Nice and the whole trip is reasonable.
What currency does Monaco use?
The euro. Monaco is not part of the EU but uses the euro as its official currency. Cards are accepted everywhere.
Can you take a stroller to Monaco?
Yes, on the flat areas, in the museum and around the harbor. The Jardin Exotique is mostly stairs, so use a carrier there. There are public elevators built into the hills to help with the steep parts of the city.
Where should families eat in Monaco?
The La Condamine covered market has pizza, socca, pasta and daily specials at reasonable prices. It is open Monday through Saturday until about 2 pm. The Spar Market in the Metropole center has picnic supplies.
How do you get from Nice to Monaco?
The train from Nice Ville to Monaco Monte Carlo takes about 25 minutes and runs frequently. Tickets cost a few euros. Do not drive because parking is expensive and the roads are steep.
Keep planning: France with kids, Italy with kids, international travel with kids, step by step.
Nicole Damiano, ASTA Verified Travel Advisor · Certified Family Travel Advisor with FG Luxury Travel. Adventures We Seek is my travel blog and planning resource. Trips are booked through Favorite Grampy Travels. Prices and fees last checked October 2026 and change often.
Family trip plans
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