Monaco & Monte Carlo
Shore Excursions, Riviera Tours & Monaco Excursions
Monaco is a sovereign city-state on the French Riviera, located between Nice and the Italian border - the second-smallest country in the world and the most glamorous port of call on any Mediterranean cruise itinerary. Private Shore Trips offers private Monaco excursions and Monte Carlo shore excursions from Port Hercule - no coach trips, no shared groups. Exclusively your party, with a private driver-guide, exploring the Casino, the Prince's Palace, Eze, and the Cote d'Azur at your own pace. Rated 4.9/5 on TripAdvisor.
$50 Deposit
Reserve private Monaco excursions and Monte Carlo shore excursions with a low initial deposit.
|
|
Monaco Excursions & Monte Carlo Shore Excursions - Casino, Prince's Palace & the French Riviera
Monaco is a sovereign city-state on the French Riviera - the second-smallest country in the world at less than one square mile - located between Nice to the west and the Italian border to the east. Cruise ships dock at or anchor near Port Hercule, the yacht-filled harbour at the foot of the Rock of Monaco. Private Monaco excursions and Monte Carlo shore excursions from Private Shore Trips give you the full principality in a morning - the Monte Carlo Casino and its manicured gardens, the Prince's Palace with the daily Changing of the Guard at 11:55 am, Monaco Cathedral where Princess Grace is laid to rest, the Oceanographic Museum perched on the cliff edge, and a lap of the Formula One Grand Prix street circuit. Private Shore Trips offers a private alternative to coach trips to Monaco - smaller vehicles, closer drop-off points, and no fixed group schedule. Our Riviera Highlights private shore excursion covers Monaco, Monte Carlo, Nice old town, and the hilltop village of Eze in 6 hours.
Driver's Note - Your Private Shore Trips Riviera Guide
The French Riviera was built long before tourism existed. The streets of Eze village, the lanes of Saint-Paul-de-Vence, and the cliff roads above Monaco are too narrow for large coaches - which is why coach trips are required to park in designated lots at the edge of town and walk their passengers in. Our 8-seat private minibus drives directly into these villages, takes the shortcuts through the back streets that coaches cannot access, and drops you at the door of what you came to see. You are not seeing the French Riviera from a coach window or a distant parking lot. You are inside it.
Beyond Monaco, the Cote d'Azur stretches in both directions. The medieval village of Eze is 15 minutes west along the Grande Corniche - one of the most dramatic coastal drives in Europe - and pairs perfectly with a Monaco excursion on a half-day tour. Nice is 30 minutes west with its Promenade des Anglais, Vieille Ville, and the Cours Saleya flower market. For guests with a full port day, our Best of French Riviera private tour runs 8 hours and reaches Cannes, Grasse, and Saint-Paul-de-Vence. For guests who want maximum flexibility, a Flexible Riviera private tour lets you build the itinerary with your driver-guide on the day. Reserve with a $50 deposit.
Frequently Asked Questions - Monaco Excursions & Monte Carlo Shore Excursions
Where do cruise ships dock in Monaco?
Most cruise ships dock at the Nouvelle Digue pier in Port Hercule, directly below Monte Carlo. When the pier is occupied, ships anchor in the harbor and tender passengers ashore to the same location. From the pier the Casino is about a 15-minute walk uphill. Your private driver-guide will meet you at the port with a name sign.
Can I see all of Monaco on a port day?
Yes. Monaco is less than one square mile, so a private half-day Monaco excursion covers all the key sites - the Monte Carlo Casino, the Prince's Palace, Monaco Cathedral, the Oceanographic Museum and a drive along the Grand Prix circuit. This leaves the rest of your port day free for a visit to Eze, Nice or other Riviera destinations. A private Monaco shore excursion is far more efficient than a coach trip - smaller vehicles access the principality's narrow streets and elevated viewing points that large buses cannot reach.
What is the village of Eze and how far is it from Monaco?
Eze is a medieval hilltop village about 15 minutes west of Monaco along the Grande Corniche. Its narrow stone lanes climb to the Exotic Garden at the summit, where the views stretch across the entire Riviera. Most Monaco excursions include a visit to the Fragonard perfume factory at the base of the village. Eze pairs perfectly with Monaco on a half-day excursion and is one of the most photographed destinations on the French Riviera.
Why are smaller vehicles recommended for Monaco and the French Riviera?
Many towns and villages along the French Riviera were built centuries before modern tourism and feature narrow streets, tight turns, steep hills, and limited parking access. Coach trips to Monaco are often required to park outside historic town centers, which results in long walks and less sightseeing time. Smaller 8-seat vans and private vehicles can navigate these roads more easily, access closer drop-off points, and reach scenic areas larger coaches cannot. This allows guests to spend more time enjoying destinations like Eze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence with less walking and greater flexibility.
Is Monaco steep and difficult to walk?
Monaco is built on a hillside and there are steep climbs between the harbour, the Casino and the Rock. However, the principality has an extensive network of free public elevators and escalators that connect different levels of the city. Your guide knows exactly which ones to use, so the walking stays manageable for all fitness levels.
What is the back-to-ship guarantee?
Our back-to-ship guarantee means that if an unforeseen delay during your private Monaco excursion or Monte Carlo shore excursion prevents you from returning to the port before your ship departs, we will arrange and cover the cost of transportation to your next port of call. This guarantee applies to all private shore excursions booked through us from Monaco. Your tour must be scheduled to return 1.5 hours before the ship departs.
Monaco Excursions, Monte Carlo Shore Excursions & French Riviera Tours
Book a Monaco excursion directly or explore French Riviera and Mediterranean cruise ports:
Monaco & Monte Carlo Shore Excursions
French Riviera Cruise Ports
More Mediterranean cruise ports
|
|
|
