Rainy Day Activities in Monaco for Families
Visiting Monaco with Kids on a Rainy Day: What to Do and See
Is a rainy weekend in your European holiday forecast? Have no fear! Monaco can be the perfect spot to beat those rainy day blues.
We recently took a trip to Monaco with our kids. While we were hoping for sunny weather, Mother Nature had other plans, and we ended up experiencing the country on a rainy day. Nevertheless, we made the best of it! Here are some of our favorite activities and tips for exploring Monaco with kids when the weather isn't cooperating.
Monaco on a beautiful day. Not a rainy day like we had (stock image: pexels)
Exploring Monaco
Monaco is a small country located on the French Riviera, known for its luxury, glamor, and beautiful views of the Mediterranean. It is the second smallest country in the world, and easily walkable in a day from one end to another. However, what do you do when it rains? Don't worry, Monaco has plenty of indoor activities to offer for kids and adults alike. Here are some tips to make the most of a rainy day in Monaco with kids.
3 Important Things to Know
1. What to bring
First off, make sure you pack your umbrellas and raincoats. We always travel with a few compact raincoats that easily fit in our backpacks as well as a small umbrella. With the rain coming down, we were grateful to have them on hand as we explored the city.
Liesel, Ben and I have had rain shells for years, but Mason was needing one for this trip. We got this version from Columbia in bright blue for him and it makes me smile every time he wears it. The blue color is so cheery and it’s the perfect, adorable fit for a toddler.
2. How to stay connected
Also, don’t make the same mistake we did, and forget that Monaco is its own country! We have been using SIM cards for our phones during our trip to Italy and totally forgot that entering Monaco make our SIM cards useless. We took the $10 hit on our Verizon phone plan so that we would have service to get around. However, if you plan ahead, you can find a cheap eSIM for one day, leverage your phone’s international data plan (if that’s an option), or download Google Maps, a translator, and currency converter, and be fairly self-sufficient in offline mode. We also always travel with a power bank for our phones to make sure we have a spare charge. This power bank from MyCharge has lasted us for 5+ years and is super durable!
3. Getting around
The easiest way to get to Monaco from Italy is by renting a car. I was surprised at how much parking was available in Monaco, and the parking garages have a cap of €30 / day. Other options include:
1. By Plane: The closest international airport to Monaco is Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) in Nice, France. From the airport, you can take a taxi, a private transfer, or a helicopter to Monaco. The helicopter transfer is a popular and scenic option, taking around 7 minutes to reach Monaco.
2. By Train: Monaco has its own train station called "Monaco-Monte-Carlo." The French national rail company, SNCF, operates regular train services to Monaco from various cities in France and neighboring countries. From Nice, it's a short train ride of around 20 minutes to Monaco. Trains from other major cities like Paris and Milan also connect to Monaco.
3. By Boat: Monaco is a popular destination for yachts and cruises. If you are traveling by boat, there are several marinas in Monaco where you can dock your vessel.
If you’re renting a car, you’ll likely need an international driver’s license to rent a car. For our US friends, they are available at any AAA office and cost about $20. They are super easy to get in the US but almost impossible to get once abroad, so don’t forget this important step! Also, it’s important to note that Monaco is a de-facto member of the European Schengen. US visitors to the Schengen area are limited to 90-day visits. If you’re curious about the Schengen, check out our Instagram reel here!
And now for the list of things to do on a rainy day in Monaco!
The Monte Carlo Casino is popular to visit, even in the rain
Visit the Casino
One of the most iconic attractions in Monaco is the Monte Carlo Casino. Although children are not allowed inside the gaming rooms, you can still take them to see the beautiful architecture and the luxurious interiors. The entrance fee is €17 per adult and includes a guided tour of the gaming rooms. It's definitely worth a visit to see the grandeur of the casino and imagine what it's like to be a high roller.
Our chaotic lunch at the fancy Fairmont
Walk around the Fairmont Hotel
Another great indoor activity is to visit the Fairmont Hotel, located next to the casino. You can walk around inside the hotel, admire the beautiful lobby, and grab a bite to eat at the lounge. Prices at the lounge are expensive but not too crazy. I recommend grabbing a few appetizers and a plate of French fries to share while people-watching!
Besides the Fairmont, there are plenty of other hotels in Monaco to explore. The Hotel de Paris and the Hermitage Hotel are both located near the casino and have beautiful interiors. You can also check out the lobby of the Hotel Metropole or the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel. It’s a great way to experience Monaco, as each hotel is unique in its own way.
stock image (canva)
C’mon ride the train
The Monaco Choo Choo is a small train that takes you on a tour of the city. The train is covered, so you’ll stay mostly dry on a rainy day and has a multilingual audio guide, so you can learn about Monaco's history and landmarks while staying dry. The tour lasts about 30 minutes and costs €8 per person.
stock image (canva)
Check out the Fish
The Monaco Aquarium is a great indoor activity for kids and adults. The aquarium has over 90 tanks with various sea creatures and is located near the port. The entrance fee is super affordable at €16 for adults and €10 for children.
The Monaco Grand Prix track at night (stock image: canva)
Road Trip
If you have a rental car, you can take advantage of the rainy weather and explore the town of Monaco as well as the French / Italian coast. Unless it’s race weekend, you can actually drive the majority of the Grand Prix racetrack. After you’ve taken your personal race car for a spin, set your GPS to Place du Palais to get over to Old Town. Once you’re done, you can hit the road and drive to nearby towns like Menton (France) or Sanremo (Italy). Check our our Instagram Story Highlights to see the charming town of Menton!
Enjoying the pebble-filled beach at Menton
Wrapping it up
Monaco may be known for its sunny weather, but there are plenty of things to do and see on a rainy day. From exploring hotels and casinos to taking a train tour or visiting the aquarium, you can still have a memorable experience with your family while staying dry so don't let a little bad weather spoil your adventure. Embrace it and make the most of your day in this beautiful country with your kids.
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