Monaco from Cannes during the 2026 Cannes Film Festival

TER regional train: Cannes → Monaco Monte-Carlo

According to SNCF TER Sud PACA, the TER regional train runs directly from Cannes to Monaco Monte-Carlo underground station in 62 minutes, covering 38 km. No advance reservation is required: tickets can be bought at station machines or via the SNCF Connect app (available on iOS and Android). Monaco station has four exits depending on your destination: Monte-Carlo (Casino), Parvis Sainte-Dévote, La Condamine, and Fontvieille/Le Rocher.

Why the train is the best option

• No traffic, no impossible parking: the train is by far the easiest way to get there
• High frequency: a train every 20–30 minutes during peak hours
• Monaco Tourism information point at the station (1st floor, Mon–Sat, 9am–5pm)

The Rock: medieval lanes and panoramic views

Perched 60 metres above the Mediterranean, Monaco-Ville retains a medieval village character despite the tourist crowds. From the station, the free public lift takes you straight up — a welcome touch when arriving with luggage. Cobbled lanes and pastel-coloured houses create an authentic atmosphere far removed from Monte-Carlo’s grand hotels.

The highlight is the Changing of the Guard at exactly 11:55am in the Palace Square, an eight-minute ceremony that is entirely free to watch. According to visitmonaco.com, arrive 10–15 minutes early to secure a good spot. From this same square, the panoramic view over Monte-Carlo and the sea is one of the most breathtaking on the Côte d’Azur.

Saint Nicholas Cathedral (Notre-Dame-Immaculée) is worth a visit: built in white Romanesque-Byzantine style, it contains the tombs of Prince Rainier III and Grace Kelly. Free entry, open 8am–7pm in May.

The State Apartments of the Prince’s Palace, open from 30 March to 15 October 2026 (10am–6pm, then 7pm in summer), cost €13 per adult. The visit takes around 30–45 minutes.

Highlights

• Changing of the Guard at 11:55am: free, spectacular, not to be missed
• Grace Kelly’s tomb in the Cathedral — a direct link to the 1955 Cannes Film Festival
• Sea view from Palace Square: a guaranteed photo opportunity
• Free lift from the port up to the Rock

Inside the Casino — without placing a bet

According to the official SBM website, the Monte-Carlo Casino — designed by Charles Garnier (architect of the Paris Opera) between 1878 and 1879 — can be visited without gambling from 10am to 1pm for €20. The atrium with its 28 Second Empire columns, the Salle Europe with its stained-glass ceiling and eight Bohemian crystal chandeliers, and the Salle Garnier (Opera House) make for a rare architectural spectacle.

For those wishing to gamble (from 2pm), the same €20 entry fee includes €10 of credits. The dress code is strictly enforced after 2pm (no shorts or trainers) and even more so after 7pm (no T-shirts or sweatshirts). The Atrium and boutique remain free and accessible at any time.

Worth noting: Monégasque citizens are legally barred from the gaming rooms.

Highlights

• Belle Époque architecture among the finest in Europe
• Morning visit with no dress code (T-shirts and shorts accepted)
• Casino Square and its supercars: free spectacle at any hour

Two institutions for an unforgettable half-day

The Oceanographic Museum, founded in 1910 by Prince Albert I, welcomes some 650,000 visitors a year. Its panoramic terrace, carved into the cliffside above the Mediterranean, offers one of the most spectacular views in Monaco. According to musee.oceano.org, adult admission is €22.50 and opening hours in May are 10am–7pm.

The Exotic Garden is the big news of 2026: after six years of closure for major safety works (€18m), it reopened on 30 March 2026. According to the Journal de Monaco (Order 2026-1081), it houses 5,000 species of succulents and cacti, the Observatory Cave (stalactites, prehistoric paintings), and a new snack bar with pergola. Adult admission: €12. Combined ticket (Garden + Cave): €15. May opening hours: 9am–7pm.

Highlights

• Exotic Garden reopened after 6 years: the largest restoration project since 1933
• Oceanographic Museum terrace: the finest sea view in Monaco
• Aquarium and touch pools at the Oceanographic Museum (great for families)

The harbour and the new Mareterra district

The waterfront walk along the quays of Port Hercule is free and open around the clock. During the Cannes Film Festival, superyachts congregate here, sailing between the Croisette and Monaco — the quayside view of the Rock is one of the most photographed in the Principality. According to ports-monaco.com, the harbour has around 700 berths.

Mareterra, inaugurated on 4 December 2024, is Monaco’s first major urban extension in sixty years: 6 hectares reclaimed from the sea, designed by architects Tadao Ando, Norman Foster and Renzo Piano. According to visitmonaco.com, it features 500 metres of seafront promenade, four restaurants (99 Sushi Bar, Marlow, Marco, Zéphyr), and a forest of a thousand pine trees covering 40% green space. Public access, no admission charge.

Highlights

• Port Hercule: superyacht spotting and unique views of the Rock (free)
• Mareterra: world-class architecture, free public access
• Harbour-front restaurant terraces: guaranteed festival atmosphere in May

From local specialities to 3-Michelin-star dining

Monaco’s signature dish is the barbajuan: a small fried or baked pastry filled with Swiss chard, ricotta, leek and garlic, found all over the Rock for €2–4 each. The monégasque fougasse (an aniseed flatbread in the red and white colours of the flag) rounds out this Provençal-Italian culinary tradition.

For an affordable meal, the Place d’Armes market in La Condamine offers fresh pasta from €7 and local specialities in an authentic market atmosphere. Supernature (focaccia, natural wines) and Woo Monaco (organic food, buddha bowls) offer full meals for €15–30.

At the very top, according to the 2026 Michelin Guide, Monaco’s highlights include Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse (3 stars, Hôtel de Paris, €230–420/person) and five other starred restaurants. Advance booking is essential — and strongly recommended — during the Festival.

Highlights

• Barbajuan on the Rock: an essential snack at €2–4 each
• La Condamine market: the best value for money in Monaco
• 9 Michelin-starred restaurants in 2026, including Le Louis XV (3 stars)

Sleeping in Monaco or its immediate surroundings

During the Cannes Film Festival, Cannes hotel rates surge by 200–400%. Using Monaco as a base is a credible strategy: according to Tripadvisor, hotels in Beausoleil (the French town immediately above Monaco) start from €89/night at Hôtel Olympia — a five-minute walk from Casino Square. Alfred Hotels Monaco (€90–200) and the Capitole (€80–150) offer further options.

For those preferring to sleep in the Principality itself, the Fairmont Monte Carlo (4-star, €236–900/night) is the most accessible option among the grand hotels. For a more generous budget, the Hôtel Hermitage (€480–2,350) or the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo (€718–5,000+) offer the ultimate experience. All prices are indicative and exclude the Formula 1 Grand Prix period (4–7 June).

See our full comparison in our guide Where to stay during the 2026 Cannes Film Festival.

Highlights

• Beausoleil: hotels from €89/night, 5 min walk to the Casino — best value for money
• TER Monaco–Cannes in 1 hour: easy return after Festival screenings
• Cap-d’Ail (Hôtel Miramar, €100–180): alternative just 5 min away by car

Day-trip itinerary and budget from Cannes

Suggested day itinerary (from Cannes):

• 7:30am: TER from Cannes (€12, arriving 8:45am at Monaco Monte-Carlo)
• 9am: Casino Square, coffee at Café de Paris (~€5), exterior of Hôtel de Paris
• 9:30am: Ascent to Monaco-Ville (free public lift)
• 10am–11:30am: The Rock, medieval lanes, Cathedral
• 11:55am: Changing of the Guard (Palace Square, free)
• 12:30pm: Lunch at Place d’Armes market (~€15–20)
• 2pm: Casino visit (€20) OR Oceanographic Museum (€22.50) OR Exotic Garden (€12)
• 4:30pm: Port Hercule walk and Mareterra (free)
• 6:30pm: Return TER to Cannes

Indicative budget per person: return train (€24) + one attraction (€12–22.50) + lunch (€15–20) + coffee/snacks (€8–12) = €60–80 minimum, more depending on dining and activity choices.

Getting around: Monaco is entirely walkable (just 2 km²). The public lifts between the port and the Rock are free. CAM buses (6 routes, ~€1.50/journey, day pass €5) cover the whole Principality. Do not come by car: parking is scarce and costs €2.80/hour.

Mobile phones: British visitors should be aware that Monaco is not part of the EU, so EU free roaming agreements do not apply. UK networks vary considerably — some (e.g. Vodafone UK) include Monaco in their roaming bundle, while others (e.g. Three) do not. Check with your provider before travelling, or use an eSIM (see Practical Info below) to avoid unexpected charges. Monaco has had full 5G coverage since 2019 via Monaco Telecom.