Monaco, Monte Carlo or Cannes?

[Toulou]

It isn't often that one gets to go here...and I'm overwhelmed! I love the thought of Monaco but question the actual walking, etc. Does anyone have some experience there or should I take it easy and just do Nice and the train? Thanks!

 

[Intr3pid]

Monaco has a lot of glitz but also some famous landmarks. It sports a daily change of guard in the summer. On our port stop, we did the Moyenne Corniche drive between Monaco and Cannes, stopping for a couple of hours in each location. Cannes is a tender port, BTW.

In Monaco, we walked along the seawall, took the elevator up the citadel, and caught the change of guard midday. Plenty of spots for snaps on this walk - including from the cliff looking over the city. Reminded us of Vancouver but with toned-down mountains. It does have a destination feel - a place you think you should visit at least once.

Nice is more laid back with lots of history in town and your classic French Riiviera beach. Cannes is a scaled-down Nice but with an excellent town promenade. Both are very walkable without any climbing required. If you are actively touring in other ports, you could take it easy in Nice or Cannes.

 

[imbelle]

I concur with Intr3pid. I will add that unless you specifically want to gamble, Monte Carlo is a pass.

 

[braysmommy]

We took the train to Monaco and spent the first part of the day at the aquarium which was amazing! https://www.oceano.org/

 

[fredandkell]

For us, Monaco (specifically the Monte Carlo area) was a bust. Very hot, hilly, crowded, and a weird vibe. The area of Monaco by the aquarium and cathedral was much prettier. You can read my trip report in my signature (if on phone turn sideways to see it) of our shore excursion from our 2018 Med cruise. If I had to do it again, I’d just do the Cannes beaches.

 

[mama&me]

Mom and I did a nonDisney excursion for this port. It was either through Viator or through Costco’s shore excursion company. It’s been awhile but I remember it was a small minibus; just mom and me with 2 other couples. We went to a perfume factory where I purchased some cute soap souvenirs. I remember driving past the Grand Prix. The race was to be the following day so they were setting up for it. That was fun to see and take pictures of. The main reason for booking this was to take mom to Monaco to see the castle. She was interested in the history of Princess Grace. We saw the changing of the guard and got great pictures of us with the beautiful French Riviera in the background. The walking was all at your own pace which was perfect. The driver gave us tons of info while he was driving us places but then just dropped us off and told us where to meet him.

 

[TikiThunderPirates]

It isn't often that one gets to go here...and I'm overwhelmed!

What do you want to do in ports? What are you into? Shopping, Dining, Movie filming locations, fast cars, promenades? If I have some ideas maybe I can point in you a direction between those city choices.

 

[tidefan]

What about St. Tropez?

 

[Toulou]

Thanks to everyone... I'm just hung up over being in/near Monaco, coming home and crying that I passed on going. But...having heard of the heat, the non escalator/elevator, I think I'll stay with the Nice and train tour. Relaxing end of cruise port days!

 

[Mommb]

Thanks to everyone... I'm just hung up over being in/near Monaco, coming home and crying that I passed on going. But...having heard of the heat, the non escalator/elevator, I think I'll stay with the Nice and train tour. Relaxing end of cruise port days!

I recommend that plan.

On our most recent Med cruise, my husband, daughter, and I took the train to Monaco and walked around a bit just to say we’d been there. It was indeed hot and tiring. If we hadn’t gone to the Chagall museum in Nice on our first Med cruise, I would have stuck with Nice and walked around some more, and if we do another Med cruise, that’s what I’ll do, as there wasn’t much to see in Monaco while walking besides signs for expensive real estate.

 

[Sakura1017]

Pass on Monte carlo like one person said if your not gambling there's not much to do there. There was a popular bakery/restaurant there but it was jam packed when we were there on a port excursion.
I enjoyed Monaco because there were things you could do that had different activities.