At just 2 square kilometers, Monaco can be fully appreciated in two days; on the third day, extend your trip to towns along the French Riviera for a complete mini-loop.
After arriving by train in the morning, walk uphill to Monaco-Ville’s Rock District. At 11:55 AM, watch the changing of the guard at the Prince’s Palace Square, then tour the royal apartments and frescoes inside. In the afternoon, descend the steps to Sainte-Dévote Cathedral (where Grace Kelly is buried) and the Oceanographic Museum, and visit the cliffside aquarium to see Mediterranean marine life and the rooftop turtle pond. At dusk, take a loop walk along the edge of the old town to admire the yachts’ masts and sunset at Port Hercule. The old town’s hidden viewpoints offer more surprises than typical photo spots—explore its narrow lanes for unexpected gems.
Start your morning in Monte Carlo: visit the casino’s Golden Hall and the Opéra Garnier, then soak in the luxury vibe at the Place du Casino crossroads and the opulent shopping arcade. In the afternoon, head down to Larvotto Beach for sunbathing or swimming, then take a public elevator up to the reclaimed district of Fontvieille to explore the Japanese Garden and Rose Garden (Grace Kelly Rose Garden). Enjoy dinner at a seaside restaurant by the harbor, and in the evening, stroll and take photos under the illuminated Casino Square. On non-race days, you can walk a section of the Formula 1 circuit and snap photos at the famous Sainte-Dévote hairpin turn and tunnel entrance.
Take a 15-minute bus ride up to Èze’s Eagle’s Nest Village, where a stone garden atop the cliffs overlooks the Mediterranean. In the afternoon, return to Nice to wander the Promenade des Anglais and explore the old town’s salad market, or make a side trip to Menton, the lemon town. Depart in the evening from Nice Airport or train station. If you want more time, swap Èze for nearby coastal towns like Villefranche-sur-Mer or its villa gardens—coasting along the shoreline at a slower pace is equally rewarding. The entire extension route can be covered using the same euro-denominated payment method, with no need for extra currency exchange.