Monako

French is Monaco's official language, and it's what you'll see on signs and hear from most residents. Monégasque, a local Ligurian dialect, survives mainly in ceremonial use and street names in the old town.

English and Italian are both widely understood in hotels, restaurants, and the casino district, thanks to Monaco's international clientele — you're unlikely to need more than a few French basics.

Monaco is not part of the European Union, so EU "roam like at home" rules don't automatically apply here. Check with your carrier before assuming your usual EU data allowance covers Monaco — many French and Italian plans do work seamlessly given the short distances involved, but it's worth confirming.

Monaco Telecom runs the local network, but prepaid tourist SIMs are hard to find in Monaco itself. Most visitors bring a French or EU SIM or eSIM, or rely on roaming. Coverage is excellent everywhere given Monaco's small size and dense urban build.

Tap water in Monaco is safe to drink, drawn from the same network as neighboring France. Pharmacies, marked with a green cross, are common in the city center, and a rotation system keeps at least one open on Sundays and public holidays.

No special vaccinations are required for Monaco beyond what's generally recommended for travel to Western Europe.

Monaco isn't an EU or Schengen member, but it has no border controls with France. In practice, it follows the same entry rules as the Schengen Area. Most EU, UK, US, Canadian, and Australian passport holders who can enter France visa-free for short stays can visit Monaco the same way.

Anyone who needs a Schengen visa for France should use it for Monaco too; there's no separate Monégasque visa for short tourist visits.

Visa and entry requirements change frequently. Verify current requirements with the official immigration authority or your country's embassy before travel.

Monaco is formal and image-conscious. Smart, neat clothing is expected in restaurants, the casino, and upscale shops — beachwear should stay at the beach or pool.

The gaming rooms at Monte-Carlo Casino and Opera House enforce a real dress code after 2pm: no shorts, sportswear, or flip-flops. Jackets are recommended for men in the evening. The atrium and slot-machine hall stay open to everyone, with no dress code or entry fee.

Photography is generally fine in public areas, but avoid photographing security checkpoints, palace guards up close, or private yachts without permission.

Public holidays can close banks, government offices, and some smaller shops, though most restaurants and tourist-facing businesses stay open. Book ahead if visiting around Monaco's National Day in November, when the Prince's Palace hosts official ceremonies.

Shops generally open Monday to Saturday, with many closing for a couple of hours around lunchtime; Sunday hours are limited outside the main tourist areas.

• On foot: Monaco is tiny and hilly — most sights are within a 20-minute walk of each other, and public elevators and escalators built into the hillside help with the steep climbs.
• By bus: The local CAM network covers the whole country with frequent buses; tickets can be bought on board by card or contactless phone.
• By boat: A small shuttle ferry crosses the harbor between Port Hercule and the casino district, saving a walk around the port.
• By train: Monaco's own train station connects to Nice, Menton, and the rest of the French Riviera rail network in minutes; buy tickets via the French national rail site, SNCF Connect.

Meals in Monaco follow French and Italian rhythms: a light breakfast, a proper sit-down lunch, and a dinner that often starts late by international standards. Seafood, olive oil, and fresh vegetables dominate menus, reflecting the wider Mediterranean coast.

Local specialties worth trying include barbagiuan, a fried pastry stuffed with Swiss chard and ricotta, and socca, a thin chickpea-flour flatbread shared with neighboring Nice. Cafés and bakeries also sell fougasse monégasque, a sweet, orange-flower-scented bread studded with nuts and candied fruit. Restaurants range from casual bistros to several Michelin-starred dining rooms, so both modest budgets and special-occasion splurges are catered for.

Monaco sits in the middle of the French Riviera, so most visitors pair it with day trips just across the border. Nice is the region's biggest city, with its own old town, beaches, and airport, about 30 minutes away by train.

Closer still is Èze, a medieval hilltop village with sweeping coastal views, and Menton, a quieter town near the Italian border known for its lemon festival and gardens. Both make an easy half-day trip by bus or train.