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Are you going on vacation from the UK to Nice in France? That’s an opportunity to experience Monaco, about 13 kilometers ride by train from Nice. The principality of Monaco is near the French Riviera. When you arrive, why not visit the man-made public beach, private beaches, the famous Monte Carlo casino? Read on as I provide tips for exploring scenic beaches in Monaco, their facilities, and the things you can do there.
Key Points
Monaco city
Monaco is a principality headed since 2005 by Prince Albert II. The place is about 2 square kilometers and has a population of roughly 38,000 people. The state is larger than Vatican City and near Provence in France and Italy. The official language is French.
Annual festivals held there include the springtime Arts Festival and the Monte Carlo Opera. The Formula 1 Grand Prix is in May. Monaco’s Monte Carlo Casino attracts the world’s most affluent people, who come with glittering yachts. Another attraction is that the citizens don’t pay taxes.
My exploration of the city revealed fantastic restaurants and magnificent hotels. Monaco beaches allowed me to experience activities on public or private beaches. Below are the beaches I recommend and what to do there.
Larvotto Beach
The Larvotto beach is an artificial beach on the eastern side of Monaco, near the Monte Carlo Casino. Larvotto is the only public beach in Monaco. The beach is delimited into a paid side and a free side with first-class facilities. Its ground is covered with fine sand, and the bottom of the pool with light-colored gravel. So I advise you to wear shoes while walking on the beach. Also, if you visit the place in the summer, look out for Jellyfish.
If you aren’t an expert swimmer, don’t be scared, the water level is low, and you can follow a handrail into the water. When you arrive at the paid or free side of Larvotto beach, rent sunshades for nearly five euros and sunbeds for fifteen euros. But on the free side of the beach, bring your sunshade and spread a towel on the sand to sit on. Visit good restaurants, bars, and cafés and can attend recurring beach parties.
Plage des Fossettes Beach
The second public beach I visited was in St Jen Cap Ferrat outside Monaco. You’ll travel about ten kilometers from Monaco to get there. The seawater is clear, and if you go with children, they can swim on the shallow side of the water.
If you love water sports, this beach is the right place to do skin diving, and it has an underwater path for skin divers. A lifeguard is on duty when the beach is crowded. I enjoyed taking cold showers after swimming, but I had to buy food and snacks from cafés and restaurants in the Port near the beach. Beware, the sea contains pesky Jellyfish, and there is no place to get sunshades. When you visit, bring yours along.
Nikki Beach
The Nikki beach is on the seventh-story (rooftop) of the Fairmont Monte Carlo Hotel. I savored a sensational view of the sea and the Monaco environs from the private beach club. This beach’s mammoth swimming pool attracts the cream of the rich in Monaco and tourists who want to have a good time and relax.
However, the main attraction is the music played by world-class Disc Jockeys who perform there annually during summer. Likewise, when you get here, you will enjoy their Chefs’ culinary prowess and eat delicious continental and local cuisine as I did.
Monte Carlo Beach
Monte Carlo Hotel in Roquebrune gives you access to the pebbled private Monte Carlo Beach. Near the beach are restaurants and modern bungalows, and pine trees line the sea coast area. Inquiries revealed they had diving support, couches, sunshades, shower cabins, and every necessity that’ll make my visit pleasurable and unforgettable.
When I arrived, I was at ease and swam in the water that didn’t have any waves. I must warn you that the bottom of the beach is covered with fine gravel. If you cherish going on a boat cruise, you can hire one at the tiny dock nearby. If you go with children, they can swim in the knee-deep pools. During winter, you can swim in warm seawater in this beach’s gigantic pool.
The best time to visit Monaco
The best time to travel to Monaco on holiday to enjoy yourself on the Larvotto beach is from May to October. At that time, the temperature is between 25 °C and 30° Centigrade. If you like sunbathing on the beach, the seawater temperature may not exceed 19° Centigrade. Tourists who like to swim on the beach may visit in June when the water temperature is nearly 22 to 23° C. As for me, I prefer going to Monaco in August, when the seawater temperature is up to 26 °C.
How to get around Monaco
Monaco is a small state, so I explored most of it on foot. However, you may go to the Larvotto public beach and other beautiful spots by boarding CITY buses. Buy either a single-trip bus ticket from the bus driver or many tickets for several trips. Other means of traveling to the beaches include taxis, cars, and bicycles or renting a car and driving.
Like most cities in the Côte d’Azur area, Monaco is perfect for visits to the artificial beach and private beaches to swim in clear, clean ocean waters and sunbathe. So, what are you waiting for?
