Considering that one in three citizens is a millionaire, Monaco isn’t known as a budget destination. That doesn’t mean you have to write it off! This city is still extremely accessible to those of us with far fewer zeros in the bank. Get ready to visit a Bond-worthy casino, witness a changing of the guard, and soak in the sea breeze!
Getting To Monaco
One of the best ways to do Monaco on a budget is to not actually stay in Monaco. There are plenty of other towns to stay in along the French Riviera. We personally opted to use Nice as our launching pad, as hotels there seemed to be more affordable. Monte Carlo is extremely walkable. The entire country is less than one square mile in area. Most of what you’ll want to explore is also accessible by bus, and the routes can be found here. We bought our SNCF train tickets to Monaco from a machine at the station for about $13 each way. The train stops at several towns along the journey, so it can fill up to standing room only. This did happen on our trip back, but luckily, the ride is only about 20 minutes.
Monaco’s Monte-Carlo Casino
Monaco is famous for its iconic Monte-Carlo Casino. It’s been featured in films such as James Bond, Ocean’s Twelve, and Iron Man 2, just to name a few. And yes, plebs like us are allowed to test our luck at the tables…as long as you pay the entrace fee and follow the dress code! As we are not avid gamblers, we opted instead to take a self-guided historic audiotour of the casino. These are available 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. (last entry at 12:15) and cost 20 euros. We arrived at exactly at 10 a.m., practically having the casino to ourselves. Arriving early helps you beat the large tour groups which were showing up right as we were leaving.
The tour was stunning, and the opulence was evident. Clearly, the casino always wins. Monaco’s Monte-Cralo Casino opened in 1865 and was the idea of Princess Caroline. It completely boosted the country’s economy. The audiotour was honest and told some tales of its less fortunate patrons. Personally, I appreciated visiting when I didn’t have to see the money loss in real time. If you visit later in the day without the audiotour, you’ll receive a voucher for 10 euros to the slots, bar, or restaurant. The casino gardens are public, free, and small enough for a quick visit on your way in or out!
Changing Of The Guard
Getting to the changing of the guard is quite a hike. Held at the Prince’s Palace, on Palace Square, you have to take the short but aggressive incline up to Old Town. There are bus routes as well! The changing of the guard occurs daily at 11:55 AM, so we did have to walk rather quickly from the casino a mile away. On the journey there, you’ll pass the picturesque Port Hercule, so plan a few extra moments for photos. The ceremony itself takes only a few minutes, and you’ll witness the precision of the soldiers. My favorite part was the drum-led marching. I thought it was cool, my partner thought it was skipable, so make of that what you will! Still, it’s a time honored tradition…and free. You can also visit the palace for just 10 euro. Sadly, it was closed for the season during our March visit.
Exploring Old Town Monaco
Surprisingly, my favorite part of Monaco wasn’t the glitzy glamour surrounding the casino. Rather, it was exploring the winding streets of Old Town, also known as Monaco-Ville. A fort was built in this section of the city during the 13th century. It still has an authentic feel, just with a few more chinzy, bedazzled souvenirs. You’ll find all of your traditional tourist shops as well as some affordable take-away foods. Let the beautiful streets lead you to the even more stunning Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate. This 19th century church is completely free to visit and well worth it. Across the road, you can walk the cliffside Gardens Saint-Martin. The serene path provides sweeping views of the ocean below. You can also consider visiting Musée océanographique de Monaco. This oceanic museum has rave reviews and discounts online, but we decided to save the time and cash.
Seaside Juicery
I hoped to visit Café de Paris Monte-Carlo, adjacent to the casino, but the prices were for high rollers. Grabbing just a coffee or a drink wasn’t an option — I asked — though I have seen a few people on TikTok have success with this on a slow day. Dining will be one of you biggest expenses visiting Monte-Carlo. Luckily, we found Seaside Juicery. It’s a small, green and pink counter service with a few outdoor tables, tucked on a quiet side street. We split a refreshing salad and açaí bowl that were perfect in the hot weather. Seaside Juicery is completely gluten free and plant-based. Intrigued by locals freqeunting a corridor across the street throughout our visit, we investigated and discovered a coffee vending machine. For €0.50, we had to get (small) lattes and were pleasantly surprised. Easily the cheapest coffee in the country!
Princess Grace Japanese Garden
The Princess Grace Japanese Garden isn’t very large, but it offers a moment of peace. There are bridges over koi-filled waters, perfectly manicured trees everywhere you look, and benches to rest your feet. It is completely free, so spend as long or as little as you would like here. If you want to keep basking in the sun, Larvotto Beach is just around the corner. The iconic public pebble beach is free and considered well-looked after. To escape the sun, consider visiting the cave at the Exotic Garden on the other side of the city.
F-1 Fairmont Hairpin
If you’re an avid fan of Formula One or cars in general, you have to visit the Private Cars Collection of HSH Prince of Monaco. Tickets to the museum are only 10 euros as of 2025. There are about one hundred cars from a variety of brands. Throughout Monte Carlo are several F-1 track viewpoints you can check out, or rent a car to drive yourself. During our visit, bleachers were being set up for an upcoming race. If you’re less of an enthusiast, seeing the F-1 Fairmont Hairpin Turn should suffice. A flight of stairs next to the hotel will lead you to the Fairmont Hairpin Viewing Point. From here, you can look out over the impressive almost 180-degree curvature. Yes, you will see cars actually driving on it, as the road is in everyday use. It’s an easy spot to check off at the end of your day!
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