Larvotto is Monaco's seaside district, and its beach is the place where the principality's glamorous image meets ordinary summer life. The beach is mainly public and accessible all year round, and it is sheltered from the surf, so the water is usually calm and suitable for a relaxed swim from late spring until early autumn. Alongside the public stretch you will find private beach clubs with loungers, parasols and restaurants set right on the sand, where you can pay for a more comfortable day with food and drink served at your sunbed. The district is also the setting for a modern seafront promenade that continues towards Mareterra, Monaco's new seafront extension, so you can combine a swim with a long, flat walk beside the water, with the cliffs of the Rock and the towers of Monte-Carlo rising behind you. For a country that is mostly built on steep slopes, the flat, open feel of Larvotto is a welcome change, and for families it is the most natural place to spend an easy afternoon.
Behind the beach, the district has several things worth seeing. The Grimaldi Forum, a glass-and-steel venue, hosts exhibitions, concerts and major events, the Japanese Garden is a short stroll away, and Avenue Princesse Grace runs along the edge of the district with shops, cafes and apartment buildings. Villa Sauber, a Belle Époque villa that belongs to the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco, stands in the same area, so you can add a little culture to the day if it is open.
The hop-on hop-off bus also stops nearby, so it is simple to reach from the port or the Casino without a long walk.
How to plan it
The public beach is free to use, so you only need to bring a towel, sun protection and water. If you want a lounger, a parasol, showers and a meal, a private beach club is the easier option, and you should expect prices to match Monaco's reputation, so check menus and rates before you sit down. In July and August the beach is busy, particularly at weekends, and the best times are early morning or after about five in the evening, when the heat softens and the crowd thins.
Outside the summer season it is a pleasant place for a winter walk, with the sea bright and the promenade almost empty, but swimming is only for the hardy and most beach clubs are closed.
Some practical points are worth knowing. Beach rules on food, glass, dogs and lifeguard cover are posted at the access points, and as on any beach it is sensible to keep your belongings in sight. Check on arrival what changing and shower facilities are open, and note that the promenade has benches and some shade at intervals. A sensible plan is to visit the Japanese Garden in the morning, swim or lie on the sand at midday, have lunch on the promenade or at a beach club, and then walk along the seafront at sunset.
It is not a wild or secluded beach, but it is clean, calm and very Monaco, and it gives you something no other part of the principality can: a long, flat, sunny stretch beside the sea.
What to expect
The experience
A free public beach with calm water, optional private beach clubs on the sand, and a flat seafront promenade towards Mareterra.
Best time
Late spring to early autumn for swimming, early morning or after five in the evening to avoid the busiest hours.
How long
Two to four hours, or a full day with a beach club.
Tips
Bring a towel, sun protection and water, check beach club prices before you sit, and keep your belongings in sight.
Quick picks
- Best for
- Families and travellers who want a swim and a flat, easy seafront walk in Monaco.
- Families
- Excellent: calm, sheltered water, space to play and plenty of places to eat nearby.
- Couples
- A relaxed afternoon on the sand followed by a promenade at sunset and dinner by the water.
- Pair with
- The Japanese Garden, the Grimaldi Forum and the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco.
- Time needed
- Half a day for a swim and a walk.
Good questions
Is Larvotto Beach free?+
The main beach is mainly public and can be used without charge. Private beach clubs in the district charge for loungers, parasols and meals.
Can you swim in Monaco?+
Yes, the beach is sheltered from the surf and the water is generally calm. Swimming is most comfortable from late spring to early autumn.
Is the beach open all year?+
The public beach is accessible all year round, but most beach clubs close outside the summer season and the sea is cold in winter.
What else is nearby?+
The Japanese Garden, the Grimaldi Forum, Villa Sauber and the seafront promenade towards Mareterra are all close, and a hop-on hop-off bus stop is within walking distance.
Is it good for children?+
Yes, the calm water, the flat promenade and the cafes make it the most family-friendly seaside spot in the principality. Supervise young children near the water as you would at any beach.
