Monte-Carlo Beach isn’t just a stretch of sand by the Mediterranean-it’s a carefully curated experience. If you’re thinking of lounging under an umbrella, sipping rosé with the sea as your backdrop, or just escaping the city bustle without leaving Monaco, this is where you need to be. Forget public parks with dusty benches. Monte-Carlo Beach delivers sun, service, and sophistication-all in one place.
Where Exactly Is Monte-Carlo Beach?
You’ll find it along the eastern edge of Monte-Carlo, tucked between the famous Larvotto district and the border with France. Locals call it Plage du Larvotto, but tourists know it as Monte-Carlo Beach. It’s not one single beach-it’s a chain of three distinct sections: the public beach, the private beach clubs, and the exclusive hotel-access zones.
The public section runs about 800 meters and is free to enter. You’ll see families, joggers, and locals here in the early morning. By noon, it fills with tourists renting sunbeds for €15 a day. The real magic happens further down, where the private clubs take over. These aren’t just lounges-they’re full-service resorts with Michelin-starred restaurants, towel service, and DJs spinning chilled house music after lunch.
What Makes It Different From Other Mediterranean Beaches?
Most beaches in southern France or Italy give you sand, sea, and maybe a gelato cart. Monte-Carlo Beach gives you everything else: a concierge to book your yacht, a sommelier to pair your oysters with Champagne, and a security team that knows your name by the third visit.
Here’s the reality: Monaco has no natural coastline to speak of. The entire beach was engineered. Sand was imported from Sardinia. The water is monitored daily for clarity. Even the umbrellas are custom-designed to block UV rays without casting harsh shadows. This isn’t happenstance-it’s precision.
Compare it to Nice’s Promenade des Anglais. It’s crowded, chaotic, and littered with vendors selling knockoff sunglasses. Monte-Carlo Beach? You’ll wait 10 minutes for a cocktail, but it’ll be served in crystal glassware with a lemon twist made from organic Meyer lemons.
How to Get There (And How Not To)
Driving? Don’t. Parking in Monte-Carlo costs €50 an hour, and the streets are narrower than your smartphone. The best way to arrive is by public transport. Take the Monaco bus line 1 or 2 from the train station. Get off at Plage du Larvotto. It’s a five-minute walk through a palm-lined promenade.
If you’re staying at a luxury hotel like Hôtel de Paris or Fairmont Monte Carlo, most offer complimentary shuttle service to the beach. Some even include a free towel and bottle of sparkling water with your room key.
Don’t try to walk from the Casino. It’s a 25-minute uphill trek through traffic and steep sidewalks. You’ll arrive sweaty, out of breath, and out of place.
Public Beach vs. Private Clubs: What’s Worth It?
You can enjoy Monte-Carlo Beach without spending a dime. The public zone has clean restrooms, showers, and lifeguards on duty from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunbeds cost €15, and umbrellas are €10 extra. Bring your own towel, snacks, and a good book.
But if you want to actually relax, skip the public side. The private clubs-like Beach Club de Monaco, Le Plongeoir, and La Plage-offer everything you’d expect from a five-star resort. Day passes start at €80 and go up to €250, depending on location and exclusivity.
Here’s what you get with a club pass:
- Private cabana with air conditioning
- Complimentary chilled towels and bottled water
- Access to a floating platform for swimming
- Priority table service at the beachfront restaurant
- Free use of paddleboards and snorkeling gear
Some clubs even offer yoga at sunrise or private cocktail mixology classes. You’re not just renting a chair-you’re buying into a lifestyle.
Best Time to Visit
June to September is peak season. Temperatures hover around 26-29°C. The water is warm enough for swimming without a wetsuit. But if you want fewer crowds and lower prices, aim for late May or early October. The water is still swimmable, the sun is still strong, and you’ll have your own cabana without a waiting list.
Weekends are packed. Arrive before 10 a.m. if you want a good spot. Midweek, especially Tuesday and Wednesday, is when locals go. You’ll see fewer tourists and more real Monaco residents-people who own yachts and still choose to sit on the sand.
What to Pack
Forget the oversized beach bag. Monaco doesn’t do clutter. Bring:
- High-SPF sunscreen (the UV index here is among the highest in Europe)
- A wide-brimmed hat (sun protection isn’t optional-it’s expected)
- A lightweight cover-up (you’ll be walking past designer boutiques)
- Waterproof phone case (saltwater and electronics don’t mix)
- €20 in small bills (for tipping, snacks, or last-minute towel rentals)
Leave the loud beach towels and inflatable dinosaurs at home. This isn’t a family pool party. The dress code is “elegant casual.” Think linen pants, silk shirts, and minimalist sandals. Even the kids dress like they’re heading to a yacht party.
Food and Drinks On-Site
There’s no need to bring your own food. The beach clubs serve some of the best seafood in the region. At Le Plongeoir, try the grilled octopus with saffron aioli. At Beach Club de Monaco, the lobster roll comes with truffle butter and is served on a wooden plank with edible flowers.
Drinks? The signature cocktail is the Monaco Sunset: gin, blood orange liqueur, and a splash of prosecco. It’s served in a chilled coupe glass and costs €28. You could buy a bottle of wine in a supermarket for €12-but you won’t get the view, the service, or the ambiance.
For lighter bites, grab a fresh coconut water or a bowl of seasonal fruit from the juice bar. They use only local produce from the French Riviera’s hillside farms.
Rules You Can’t Ignore
Monaco has strict rules-and they’re enforced. No alcohol on the public beach unless you’re in a licensed club. No dogs (except service animals). No drones. No loud music. No smoking on the sand. Violate these, and you’ll get a polite but firm request to leave. Repeat offenders are banned.
Even the way you walk matters. No bare feet on the walkways. The paths are marble and heated in winter. You’re expected to respect the space as much as you enjoy it.
What to Do After the Beach
Monte-Carlo Beach isn’t a destination-it’s a starting point. After your swim, head to the nearby Monaco Yacht Show Pavilion (open year-round) to see real superyachts up close. Or take a 10-minute taxi ride to the Oceanographic Museum, where you can explore deep-sea exhibits and watch penguins waddle through glass tunnels.
If you’re feeling fancy, book a table at Le Louis XV at the Alain Ducasse restaurant. It’s a 15-minute drive away, but worth every euro. Reserve weeks ahead.
Is It Worth the Price?
If you’re looking for a cheap day at the beach, Monte-Carlo isn’t for you. But if you want to experience the Mediterranean the way the ultra-wealthy do-without needing a private jet-you’ll find no better spot.
The cost isn’t just for the sand or the water. It’s for the silence between waves, the way the light hits the water at 5 p.m., the fact that no one yells, no one pushes, and no one leaves trash behind. It’s the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve stepped into a different world-one where luxury isn’t flashy, it’s effortless.
That’s why people come back. Not for the cocktails. Not for the sunbeds. But for the feeling that, for a few hours, everything is exactly as it should be.
Can I visit Monte-Carlo Beach for free?
Yes, the public section of Plage du Larvotto is free to enter. You can bring your own towel and sit on the sand. Sunbeds and umbrellas cost €15 and €10 respectively. There are public restrooms, showers, and lifeguards on duty during daylight hours.
Are children allowed at Monte-Carlo Beach?
Children are welcome on the public beach and at most private clubs. Many clubs offer kid-friendly menus, shallow swimming zones, and supervised play areas. However, some exclusive areas restrict access to adults only after 3 p.m. Always check the club’s policy before arriving.
Can I bring my own food and drinks?
You can bring food and non-alcoholic drinks to the public beach. Alcohol is strictly prohibited unless purchased from a licensed vendor. Private clubs do not allow outside food or drinks-everything must be ordered on-site.
Is Monte-Carlo Beach crowded in summer?
Yes, especially on weekends between June and August. The public beach gets packed by 11 a.m. Private clubs often require advance reservations. For a quieter experience, visit on weekdays or during shoulder seasons like late May or early October.
What’s the best way to book a private cabana?
Book directly through the club’s website or by phone. Popular spots like Beach Club de Monaco fill up weeks in advance. Day passes start at €80 and include a cabana, towel service, and access to all facilities. Some clubs offer half-day rates for afternoon visits.
