The Principality of Monaco

There are high speed trains (TGV) available here for many French (and International) destinations. In addition, there are regional (TER) trains for just about any location up and down the coast. There are also EuroCity services (Thello) trains that utilize this station.

Each of the various train services are roughly equivalent in price, but operate on their own schedules. So preferring one over the other is generally just a matter of when you want to depart versus price differences.

There are usually two French Rail TER trains per hour to Monaco from Nice, and this is exactly what we selected to ride on.
Click here to view a Google Search Results Page for "train schedule from Nice to Monaco".

Gare de Monaco Train Station

All trains arriving in Monaco pull into an underground terminal that lies just beneath the city’s surface. Upon disembarking, travelers ascend to the main exit level, where they emerge onto a modern plaza. Stepping out onto the sidewalk, you're immediately greeted by a stunning cityscape—Monaco’s steep hills, Mediterranean views, and elegant architecture come into view the moment you exit the station. It’s a remarkably smooth transition from train tunnel to postcard-perfect scenery.

What makes this experience even more fascinating is that the Monaco–Monte-Carlo train station is technically located just across the French border, yet it functions as a primary gateway into the Principality of Monaco. As soon as you walk out the front entrance of the station, you are already in Monaco proper, highlighting just how compact and unique this country truly is.

To put that into perspective, Monaco covers only about 2.02 square kilometers—approximately 202 hectares or 500 acres—making it the second smallest country in the world after Vatican City. Despite its tiny size, Monaco is densely packed with life and luxury. As of 2022, the principality had a population of 36,469 residents, resulting in an astonishing population density of 19,009 inhabitants per square kilometer. This makes Monaco the most densely populated sovereign state on Earth, a remarkable statistic that becomes even more impressive once you've walked its hills, explored its ports, and seen just how efficiently every inch of space is used.

Our visit to Monaco was designed with simplicity in mind—we decided that we would explore the entire principality on foot. Given Monaco’s incredibly compact size, this was not only practical but also the best way to fully experience its charm and elegance up close. For example, the distance from the Monaco–Monte-Carlo train station to Monaco Harbor (Port Hercule) is less than half a mile, making it an easy and enjoyable walk, even for casual travelers.

With that in mind, we mapped out a walking route that would lead us through some of the most iconic and picturesque sites the city-state has to offer. Our itinerary included highlights such as the luxurious Casino de Monte-Carlo, the vibrant harborfront, the serene gardens near the Prince’s Palace, and even a stroll through the charming old town of Monaco-Ville. By traveling on foot, we had the freedom to explore side streets, admire stunning viewpoints, and soak in the ambiance of one of the most glamorous places in the world—all at our own pace. Monaco may be small in size, but it’s incredibly rich in sights and experiences, and walking proved to be the perfect way to discover them.

Our Monaco walking plan began at the Monaco-Monte-Carlo train station, from where we set out on foot toward the world-famous Casino de Monte-Carlo, a scenic walk of approximately one kilometer. This leisurely route allowed us to take in the glamorous surroundings of Monaco, with its pristine streets, luxurious boutiques, and spectacular views of the Mediterranean.

The Monte Carlo Casino, an architectural and cultural icon, was Monaco’s first-ever casino, opening its doors in 1863. Designed by Charles Garnier, the same architect behind the Opéra Garnier in Paris, the casino’s ornate Beaux-Arts façade, grand columns, and gilded interiors make it one of the most visually stunning gambling establishments in the world. More than just a casino, it is a symbol of prestige and opulence, drawing high rollers, celebrities, and tourists from all over the globe.

The casino gained legendary status in popular culture, particularly for its association with James Bond films. It was memorably featured in Never Say Never Again (1983) and GoldenEye (1995), where its luxurious setting provided the perfect backdrop for espionage, high-stakes gambling, and intrigue. Beyond Hollywood, the casino played a crucial role in Monaco’s history—it was built as part of a strategic plan to boost tourism and generate income for the tiny principality, ultimately transforming Monaco into the playground of the rich and famous.

As we approached this legendary establishment, we couldn’t help but be mesmerized by its grandeur, the neatly manicured gardens, and the row of exotic cars parked outside, reinforcing the casino’s reputation as a world-class destination. Whether you come to try your luck at the gaming tables, admire its breathtaking architecture, or simply soak in the glamour, the Monte Carlo Casino is an absolute must-visit for anyone exploring Monaco.

As we continued our leisurely walk along Avenue de Monte-Carlo, having just passed the world-famous Casino de Monte-Carlo, we soon found ourselves alongside another architectural gem—the Opéra de Monte-Carlo. Situated directly to our left, this elegant opera house shares the same Beaux-Arts grandeur as the casino itself. Just beside it, easily spotted by its prominent rounded structure, is the prestigious Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo—one of the most luxurious and iconic hotels in all of Europe.

The Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo is a five-star masterpiece known for its opulent interiors, Michelin-starred dining, and unrivaled views over Port Hercule and the Mediterranean Sea. It’s a favorite among royalty, celebrities, and luxury travelers—and as you might expect, the rates reflect its elite status. For instance, a standard room with a harbor or sea view typically starts at 745 euros per night, while a deluxe sea view room with a private terrace can easily exceed 1,000 euros. Even if you're not staying there, the grandeur of the hotel’s exterior and its placement at the heart of Monte Carlo's "Golden Square" make it a worthy stop on any walking tour.

A Brief History of the Opéra de Monte-Carlo

The Opéra de Monte-Carlo, also known as the Salle Garnier, has a fascinating origin tied closely to the evolution of the casino. In the 1870s, Monaco offered few cultural attractions beyond gambling. To enrich the principality’s offerings, Prince Charles III, in collaboration with the Société des Bains de Mer, commissioned the construction of a concert hall as an extension of the casino complex. The renowned architect Charles Garnier, best known for designing the Paris Opera House, was chosen for the task. The hall officially opened in 1879 and quickly became a cultural beacon, attracting performers and patrons from across Europe.

The venue featured a dual-entrance design: the main public entrance was accessible from inside the casino, while a private entrance on the western side was reserved for Prince Charles III and his guests. Today, the Salle Garnier remains an important part of Monaco’s cultural scene, hosting concerts, ballets, and opera performances in one of the most lavish settings imaginable.

This is the famous Sun Casino which is adjacent to the Fairmont Hotel and is located at the very center of the "Fairmont Hairpin" which is the Formula 1 racing name for this corner in front of the hotel - the rest of us can just call it Avenue Princess Grace.

If you have ever seen a Formula 1 Race, then you will have seen race cars looping around this very tight corner as they descend to make the right turn onto Boulevard Louis II.

If you have never seen a Formula 1 Race and you want to see what I am talking about, then go watch this video on YouTube. The camera was on top of the Sun Casino building pointing down at the corner as the race cars slow to approximately 30 mph.

The Avenue Princess Grace as it approaches the Sun Casino and the famous Fairmont corner. If you look at the left center area of this image, you can see how the Avenue makes a 180 degree turn and swings downhill just in front of the Sun Casino.

This just might be one of the most famous corners in any type of racing! It is officially known as "turn 6" in Formula 1 Racing also known as "Grand Hotel Hairpin".

We had stopped for a Starbucks (needed something iced, as it was getting hotter by the minute), in a shop high above the Avenue Princess Grace. These images are looking east along the Monaco shoreline as it marches off to the border with France. Incredible view and we were able to get some of the off-shore breeze up there!

The street at the very bottom of these pictures (as seen from Starbucks) is Boulevard Louis II as it begins it's route west into the Larvotto Tunnel. Avenue Princess Grace continues eastward, the right turn onto Boulevard Louis II takes you to the Larvotto tunnel.

This Starbucks has a really nice patio where patrons could consume their drinks, relax and take in the stunning views! And not only did this patio have a tremendous view of the east side of Monaco, it had an even better view of the Mediterranean Sea.

As we were sitting there enjoying our iced drinks and sitting on the Starbucks bacony, their wall to prevent customers from falling down the cliff to Boulevard Louis II below did not preclude us from being able to see a number of "super cars" on the road below. We took a video of these cars, because it was just too good to be true. That video is displayed below;

Click the above video poster image to view our Monaco video - We were hiking around the Formula One race course locations in Monaco, and after walking past the Fairmont Hairpin Bend, we see a Starbucks just to the east of Boulevard du Larvotto. As we get a table to enjoy our drinks, we realize that we situated above Boulevard Louis II which leads to the tunnel. As we looked out from the Starbucks patio, you could see a number of very high-end cars driving onto the Roundabout du Portier.

You can see why there is a tunnel here, the Fairmont Hotel is immediately above above the tunnel entrance. When you exit the western end of the Tunnel, you will find yourself in front of the Monaco Harbor.

Formula 1 race cars are generally hitting speeds of 160 mph as they enter this tunnel. And if you recall, the race cars slowed to approximately 30 mph on the Grand Hotel Hairpin, then they had to make a sharp right turn onto Boulevard Louis II from Avenue Princess Grace and then they accelerate again!

NOTE: Image # 1 is the property of Alexander-93 via Wikipedia using the Creative Commons CC0 License.

This is the scene as we walked down the stairs from the Larvotto Tunnel looking for the harbor water taxi (bateau bus) to get to the Musée Océanographique. You can see the water taxi dock area in the lower center of this picture.

Our travel research had made us aware that the water taxi was inexpensive and would save us from having to walk completely around the harbor to reach the Musée Océanographique. As an example, it would have been a 2.5 kilometer walk to get to the Musée Océanographique if we had walked around the harbor, but using the taxi allowed us to sit in comfort and admire all of the beautiful yachts as we motored along.

The harbor was filled with beautiful motor yachts, and as we were taken by water taxi to the other side of the harbor, every direction we looked at was filled with more & more beautiful motor yachts. Keep in mind that this is a very expensive harbor to keep a boat in; An article on Forbes stated "To moor in one of the world’s most expensive marinas during high season, a superyacht owner can be expected to pay up to $4,130 per night, and during prime time events such as the Monaco Grand Prix rates can skyrocket to $100,000 or more for a five-day stay in Monaco’s prime berths.”

Port Hercules is the only deep-water port in Monaco and it has been in use since ancient times. The modern port was completed in 1926, and underwent substantial improvements in the 1970s. It covers almost 40 acres, enough to provide anchorage for up to 700 vessels.

The border with France is just beyond that set of hills in the distance - remember that Monaco is just a tick larger than two square kilometers.

You can see how the city marches up the surrounding hills and some buildings & hills disappear into the clouds.

Those hills above Monaco belong to France, giving you yet a better grasp of just how small Monaco is.

The Yacht ‘Lady Moura’

This spectacular four-level yacht, 344 feet long by 62 feet wide, boasts a state-of-the-art leveling system to avoid lateral tilts as it turns or accelerates. Its hull was built with a combination of steel and high-strength aluminum and is powered by two 6,868 horsepower diesel engines, which allow it to reach a top speed of 20 knots.

The Lady Moura is owned by Saudi Arabian businessman, Nasser Al-Rashid.

After our water taxi ride across the Monaco Harbor, we decided to visit the Musée Océanographique de Monaco. The water taxi dropped us off at a point where we could walk alongside the Mediterranean Sea. The images above are all of the rear area of the Musée Océanographique de Monaco, as we approached it from the harbor area. Image # 1 is looking back east as we approached the rear area of the Musée.

Image # 2 is looking down at a small beach as we approached the Musée Océanographique. See the steps in the lower center of that picture? That is the only way down to this beach and those stairs are very steep! The parking building for the Musée Océanographique is at the top center of image # 1, pedestrians (like us) are required to walk around the parking building to the left.

The Oceanographic Museum was inaugurated in 1910 by Monaco's modernist reformer, Prince Albert I. Jacques-Yves Cousteau was director from 1957 to 1988.
The Oceanographic Museum aquariums area contains a set of pools with more than 200 species of invertebrates.

The Oceanographic Museum area contains the largest cabinet of marine world curiosities, created by artist Mark Dion. More than 1,000 objects from the Oceanographic Museum’s collections are displayed in a 180-square-metre space: fossils, chimaeras, diving gear, valuable books etc.

This monumental example of Baroque Revival architecture has an impressive façade above the sea, towering over the sheer cliff face to a height of 279 feet (85.04 m). It took 11 years to build, using 100,000 tons of stone from La Turbie (a village in France in the hills above Monaco). During construction, the names of twenty well-known oceanographic research vessels personally selected by Prince Albert I were inscribed into the frieze of the museum's façade.

NOTE:

Monaco Yacht Club

Back to the Train Station

After our visit to the Musée Océanographique was finished, we decided that we should catch a bus and visit the Formula One race starting point before we began our walk back to the train station. The starting line is on Boulevard Albert 1st, next to the Monaco Automobile Club building, so the walk back to the train station would take us through some of Monaco that we knew would be scenic.

For a more complete discussion of the Monaco F1 Race Circuit, visit the Formula One Website.

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