Monaco on Foot: Lifts, the Rock and Rose Garden
Walking is the quickest way to cover Monaco, provided you use its public lifts and escalators between levels. Roughly 80 lifts, 35 to 37 escalators and 8 travelators join the port to the upper streets, and the official “Monaco Malin” brochure maps them. Use this page to pick a route by area, and keep in mind that the walks are free.
The Rock: Monaco-Ville
This is the old town on its headland. Reach Place du Palais, where the free Changing of the Guard is at 11:55 each day. Continue to Rue Basse and Rue Émile de Loth, then loop through the Saint-Martin Gardens on the cliff edge. The gardens are free, and a bronze statue of Prince Albert I stands among them. The cathedral on the Rock holds the tombs of Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace, so treat it as a church rather than a photo stop.
The race circuit on foot
The Circuit de Monaco is 3.337 km of public streets. A walking loop starts on Boulevard Albert 1er, passes Casino Square and the Fairmont Hairpin, runs through the tunnel and returns along the harbour front. Cars and buses use the roads, so cross at the lights. Grandstands and barriers appear several weeks before the Grand Prix, which is 4 to 6 June in 2027, and they block parts of the route.
Fontvieille and the Rose Garden
Fontvieille was built on land reclaimed from the sea. Its park is free and equipped for strollers and reduced mobility. The Princess Grace Rose Garden inside is open day and night. It contains hundreds of rose varieties, a 1984 bronze of the princess by Kees Verkade and sculptures that include works by Arman and César. Buses 4 and 6 serve the “Roseraie” stop, and the official garden page gives details.
Larvotto and the Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden, designed by Yasuo Beppu, is free and opens from around 9:00 until sunset. It sits by the Larvotto promenade, the walk to the public beach. Wear beachwear only at the beach, because walking around town in swimwear, shirtless or barefoot can earn a fine.
Cap d’Ail coast path
Just over the border, the Sentier du Littoral covers about 3.6 km between Plage Marquet and Plage Mala. Cap d’Ail station and bus line 100 get you there. Weather can close it, so check conditions before you set off.
Adding Èze
If you want a hill walk, the Nietzsche Path from Èze-sur-Mer climbs to Èze village. It is about 2.1 km with 400 m of ascent and takes around an hour. It is free and open all year, but boots are advised, it is not for small children and it closes in bad weather.
Where the lifts are
Monaco’s own guide to getting about on foot explains the lift network. See monservicepublic.gouv.mc .
Guided walks can be compared on Viator .
Read more: Monaco day trips and Monaco workshops .