Best Time to Visit Monaco

Summer: warm, sunny and busy

From June to September, Monaco is at its best for the sea. July is the driest month, with sun for about 12 hours a day. August is the hottest at 26°C, and the sea stays warm into September. Evenings are mild enough for dinner outside on the port in Monte Carlo.

It's also the busiest and priciest time. Yachts fill Port Hercule, and the nearby French and Italian Riviera roads get slow. If you hate crowds, aim for early June or mid-September instead. The Monaco Yacht Show in late September is the big draw, and hotels fill up for it.

Spring and autumn: the sweet spot

April and May are mild and green. At 16°C to 19°C, it's good weather for walking the Jardin Exotique, which has cacti on a steep hillside, or the old town on the Rock (the clifftop district with the palace). May is a bit rainy, with showers on about nine days, but they usually pass quickly.

The Monaco Grand Prix usually takes place in late May. It's a thrill if you love racing, but rooms cost a lot and the streets close off. Not a motorsport fan? Go in April, or in early June once the barriers are gone.

October is still warm at 20°C, but it's the start of the wetter season. Rain is heavy at times, so keep a museum on your list, like the Oceanographic Museum.

Winter: quiet and mild

Winter here is gentle. Highs sit around 12°C to 13°C, and you won't need a heavy coat. November is the wettest month, with 123 mm of rain on 11 days, and it's the one to skip if you want views and a dry stroll.

December has a cosy feel. There's a Christmas village near Port Hercule, with a big wheel and an ice rink. January brings the Monte-Carlo Rally, and the Monte-Carlo Rolex Masters tennis is in April. Winter suits city breaks, casino evenings and the Prince's Palace, with far fewer people around. Just don't expect beach weather.