Are you wondering what to wear in What to Wear in Monaco ? In this guide we will give you a seasonal overview of what to wear in Monte Carlo in summer, winter, spring and fall alongside outfit inspiration.
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But before we get onto the specifics of what to wear in Monaco along with some outfit inspiration we thought it would be worthwhile to talk about what exactly constitutes Monaco, and how the seasons will affect your Monaco Packing List.
Where is Monaco?
Although many people think Monaco is a part of France (usually part of South of France or the French Riviera) but it is actually an independent sovereign country that is officially called the Principality of Monaco.
Monaco is surrounded on land by France though it is only 10 miles away from Italy too.
It’s most famous neighbourhood is Monte Carlo and is famed for its’ casinos and beaches.
Monaco Dress Codes
Monaco itself does not have a dress code however there are plenty of places in Monaco that do have dress codes which are enforced. Those most strictly enforced are at casinos in Monaco.
Monaco Casino Dress Codes
In Monaco casinos the dress code is strictly enforced and usually means that shorts, sneakers, and flip flops may not be worn. And in some instances a jacket may be required. For a more detailed guide on what to wear in Monte Carlo check out this post.
As the dress code can differ between casinos it is worth checking each casinos specific policy before travel.
What to wear in Monaco at Night
Although my packing lists don’t usually include formal wear and high heels I would recommend you adding this to your Monaco packing list.
If you plan to visit a casino or a high end Monaco restaurant then you will want some nicer outfits with you.
For this reason I recommend packing a pair of heels and a dress. I tend to opt for a black dress as this can be dressed up and modified with accessories easily so is great for a Monaco Capsule Wardrobe.
What to Wear in Monaco in Summer (June, July and August)
Summer in Monaco is categorised as June, July and August. And during this period both the temperatures and the crowds will skyrocket.
During the Summer in Monaco you can expect lots of sunny days and very little rain. Average summer temperatures tend to hover around 27°C with August being the hottest month and with usually only one day of rain in the month.
As such we would recommend putting the below on your summer Monaco packing list:
Maxi Dresses
Maxi dresses are my number one pick for Monaco in Summer. They are stylish and work well on beaches, restaurants and even in casinos if dressed up.
Loose and flowing dresses are better for the day than tight fitting ones made of man made fabrics as they will keep you cooler.
Maxi Skirts
Maxi skirts are also great for pairing with T shirts and Tank tops in Monaco.
Evening Dress
As many Monaco attractions like casinos and restaurants do have dress codes, and many people will dress up glamorously in Monaco. Therefore a smarter dress for evenings is a must for Monaco.
T Shirts and Tank Tops
These are perfect for out exploring Monaco however just don’t expect to go into churches in a tank top without covering your shoulders first. For this reason we recommend always carrying a pashmina with you.
Pashmina
I never travel anywhere in Europe without a pashmina. It is great in the evenings in case you get chilly dining al fresco.
Trousers and Blouse
Trousers and blouses are a great alternative to maxi dresses for exploring Monaco. They are also a great day to night transition outfit for going out to dinner in the region.
Linen trousers are popular with the locals and are good in the hot weather.
Shorts
Although shorts are on my what not to wear in Paris list they are a great choice for Monaco. However if you do bring shorts be sure not to wear them in an evening for a casino as this is against dress codes.
Swimwear
If you are visiting Monaco in the summertime chances are you will be spending time on the beach or if you are lucky on a yacht or on a boat trip. Therefore you will want to have some stylish swimwear with you.
As there are no dress codes on the beach in the Monaco you can choose whatever swimwear you feel most comfortable in whether that be one pieces or bikinis.
Depending on how long you plan to spend on the beach here depends on how many pieces of swimwear you will need.
I would recommend packing at least two swimwear pieces so one can be drying while you are wearing the other.
Beach Cover
Most people in Monaco when not swimming or sunbathing will put on a beach cover on when they head to bars or local amenities so we recommend adding one or two beach covers to your packing list.
Sun Hats
Sun hats are a staple on any Monaco summer packing list. Be sure to pick a wide brimmed straw hat instead of a baseball cap to fit more in with the locals.
Underwear
Goes without saying
PJs
We recommend packing lightweight PJs and loungewear for Monaco in the summer.
And if you are visiting other neighbouring areas in France in Summer be sure to check out our other French Summer packing Lists:
- What to wear in Provence
- What to wear in the South of France
- What to wear in Paris in June
- What to wear in Paris in July
- What to wear in Paris in August
- What to wear in France in July
What to Wear in Monaco in Spring (March, April, May)
Depending on what time you are visiting Monaco in Spring will depend on how hot the temperatures are.
April really kicks off the peak tourist season in Monaco and you may find March too cold to be spending too much time on the beach and you may need some additional layers.
May is obviously the warmest month in Spring and Monaco is the warmest region of France in Spring. You can expect temperatures in May to be around 14-20°C.
For this reason we recommend packing the same as the summer, though you may need less in terms of swimwear as the weather may be too cold and you will need to add some additional layers.
Therefore on the top of the summer packing list we recommend brining the below during Spring:
Cardigan
Monaco evenings in Spring can be cold so be sure to add a cardigan or two to pair to your dress and trousers outfits.
Sweater
This is great for exploring in March and Early April in Monaco. However if you feel the cold it is a good idea to keep this on your list for any Spring month.
Jacket
This may be needed if you are visiting the Monaco in March.
You may also be able to remove the sunhat from your packing list if you are visiting in March.
What to Wear in Monte Carlo in Fall (September, October and November)
Autumn, or Fall in Monte Carlo and Monaco generally is classified as September, October and November. However November is more akin to Winter in the region, and September and early October similar to summer.
In particular, if you are visiting Monaco in September you can pretty much select the same outfits as you would in August as the temperatures are very similar.
However the later in Fall you visit the cooler it becomes and peak season tends to end in mid–October.
If you are visiting in late October and November you probably wont be needing lots of swimwear as it will be too cold to get in the water everyday.
Also you will want cardigans and sweaters on your packing list, and in November you may even need a jacket.
What to Wear in Monaco in Winter (December, January and February)
Monaco Winters are often mild and dry with average temperatures being between 12 and 8 C degrees (53F -46F).
Personally I don’t think the weather in Winter is warm enough for the beach or to go swimming but it is unlikely you will need anything thicket than a jacket or sweater during Monaco Winters.
Therefore when putting together your Monaco Winter packing list we recommend abandoning the summer packing list and wearing the below instead:
Jacket/Coat,
You will definitely want a jacket for Monaco in Winter. However during most winters a warm jacket will be enough and a thick coat won’t be required.
Cardigans, Sweaters and Top Layers
We recommend packing a few different types of top layers with you for instance a combination of cardigans, sweaters and hoodies of different weights so you have enough variety in case of a very cold snap.
Long Sleeve Tops
It is unlikely you will be wearing short sleeve t shirts in Monaco in the Winter. Long sleeve t shirts and blouses are therefore a much better choice.
Evening Dress
Even though it is winter you will still want a more glamorous dress for evenings. Just be sure to have a blazer or pashmina with you for cooler nights and potentially pair it with tights too.
Jeans
Although linen trousers are perfect for Monaco in Summer and the shoulder seasons, they are too lightweight for Winter visitors to the region.
Instead we recommend going with heavier weight trousers in Winter. We tend to recommend packing jeans and some heavier smart woollen trousers instead.
Pashmina
I never go to Europe without one. But it is a handy extra layer for Winter visitors.
Underwear
Goes without saying
Pjs
A slightly heavier weight pair are better in Winter.
What to Wear in Monaco for Men
For men visiting Monaco we recommend adding the following items to your packing list:
- Mixture of long and short sleeve t shirts for day time and night. Polo shirts are also good when you need a smarter day time look.
- Shirts – mix of long and short sleeves. Be sure to check dress codes of any places you are heading in Monaco as many restaurants and attractions may stipulate long sleeves.
- Trousers – we recommend selecting natural fabrics such as cottons and linen for summer. a
- Shorts – Shorts are fine for on the beaches in Monaco however you may not be allowed to enter some night time attractions in Monaco in shorts. So be sure to have some trousers with you for evenings.
- Blazer / Linen Jacket – these should be Brought no matter the season as some restaurants and casinos require jackets to be worn for entry.
- Sunglasses
- Sneakers
- Smarter Pair of Shoes or sandals
- Pjs
- Underwear
Best Shoes for Monaco
Sneakers
Sneakers are perfect for Monaco during the day. It is great for walking around the city, beach and for the hills of the region.
Note: if you are visiting in Summer be sure to pack sneaker socks too to reduce odour and sweat in your shoe.
And while these are perfect for day time it is worth noting you should have a change of shoe for the evening as many Monaco establishments especially those in Monte Carlo have dress codes and sneakers are not on them.
Sandals
Perfect for the beach and dinner in summer and shoulder seasons. However if you are there in Winter boots are more appropriate.
I personally like to wear espadrilles when in Monaco for days in summer.
Heels
I never normally add heels to my packing lists as they take up lots of room and are uncomfortable for walking. However these are a must for Monaco in my opinion.
People tend to dress for dinner in Monaco and there is lots of glitz and glamour. For this reason we recommend having heels with you for nights in Monaco.
Flip Flops
Flip flops are a great choice for the beach, around pools and on yachts but aren’t great for walking around Monaco.
What Else to add to your Monte Carlo Packing List (non clothing)
- Sunscreen
- Aftersun cream
- Reusable Water Bottle
- Phone / Camera
- Charger
- Sunglasses
- Insect Repellant – for summer and shoulder seasons
- Toiletries
- Beach bag
- Accessories – to dress up outfits for nights in Monaco.
Note: if you have room in your suitcase then you can bring toiletries with you. Toiletries are very easy to buy in Monaco however you will pay a premium for them.
FAQs About What to Wear in Monaco
Can you wear shorts in Monaco?
Yes you can wear shorts in Monaco during the day. However if you want to go to a casino then shorts will not be permitted.
Can you wear trainers to Monaco casino?
No generally speaking sneakers and trainers are against Monaco casino dress code rules.