A Quick Monaco Grand Prix Race Guide

The Monaco Grand Prix is not the oldest race on the Formula 1 calendar, but it is arguably the most classic and iconic. In the Monegasque capital of Monte Carlo, F1 cars race through the world’s most recognizable street circuit in a race that every single driver is desperate to win.

In the current era of F1 cars, Monaco is viewed as a bit of a “boring” race in terms of on-track action. But the circuit is actually super challenging for drivers, and the overall vibe of Monaco’s race weekend is hard to beat.

If you dream of going to one F1 race in your life, chances are it might be this one.

Here’s your mini Monaco Grand Prix race guide, including all you need to know about tickets, where to sit, the fan experience, what you can bring to the track, and more.

Quick race guide to the Monaco GP

Here’s everything you need to know if you’re headed to the Monaco Grand Prix this year, or are interested in traveling to the Monaco F1 race one day in the future.

Official race name

Officially, this is the FORMULA 1 LOUIS VUITTON GRAND PRIX DE MONACO.

When is it?

The Monaco GP takes place June 5-7, 2026 (local time). The schedule is:

June 5: Practice 1, Practice 2
June 6: Practice 3, Qualifying
June 7: Race

Race location

The Monaco GP takes place in Monaco at the Circuit de Monaco. This is a 3.337-kilometer (2.074-mile) long street circuit largely within the Monte Carlo area of Monaco. The circuit is known for being very narrow and technical, and drivers race 78 laps here.

The first Grand Prix was actually held in Monaco in 1929, before Formula 1 was even a series. The race was on the calendar in F1’s first year (1950), and has been run every single year since 1955.

Getting to the track

If you’re staying in Monaco for the Grand Prix, you can simply walk to the track each day. Monaco is tiny (less than one square mile), so you’ll have no trouble getting around (though it is VERY hilly with lots of stairs).

However, most race attendees do not stay in Monaco, as hotels are notoriously expensive and limited here. It’s much more affordable to base yourself elsewhere along the French Riviera.

Nice is the most popular choice because it’s the largest city on the Riviera and has an international airport.

From Nice, it’s just a 22-minute train ride to Monaco (and the public transit options are very affordable!). Trains are operated by SNCF under the ZOU! brand, and they run frequently. Check times and buy tickets in advance here.

You could also drive, but it’s not recommended. It’s not any faster than the train or the bus, and you’ll be extremely limited in where you can park. There’s nowhere to park close to the circuit, so you would still have to walk quite a bit or take a shuttle bus to get there.

Monaco GP ticket options

The Monaco Grand Prix is put on by the Automobile Club de Monaco, and I always recommend checking ticket options through the host circuit first. For the Monaco GP, check out:

Monaco-GrandPrix.com for official ACM tickets including single-day and multi-day ticket packages, grandstand tickets, and a couple circuit hospitality options. (You can also use the ACM site.)
F1 Experiences for speciality hospitality packages, including suite, rooftop, terrace, and yacht viewing.
Senate Grand Prix for exclusive hospitality for the Monaco weekend. (I’ve booked tickets with them and can vouch that they’re great!)

Tickets for the Monaco Grand Prix usually go on sale about 9 months in advance (tickets for the June 2026 race went on sale in September 2025). Hospitality packages/suites can sell out early due to limited quantity, and grandstand tickets for the main race also tend to sell out quickly since this is a very popular race and there are limited grandstand options.

For the Monaco Grand Prix, single-day tickets are available, as well as two-day and three-day ticket packages.

Best place(s) to sit

At the Monaco Grand Prix, you can choose from grandstand tickets and various hospitality ticket packages (think: suites, clubs, lounges, yachts, etc.).

There technically are general admission tickets sold for this race, however you’re confined to two small viewing areas (Le Rocher, a steep hill below the Prince’s Palace, and Z1, a standing-only spot near Tabac corner), and neither really is worth it in my opinion.

When it comes to grandstand seating, Grandstand K is commonly thought to offer the best views of the track (even better if you sit towards the top), as you can see multiple corners near the harbor and going into Swimming Pool. Any of the grandstands around the harbor are good, but K is our personal pick. (The drawback is that none of the grandstands are covered or shaded, so keep that in mind!)

Grandstand B at Casino Square is also quite an iconic spot, though the cars move more slowly through here, and it’s further away from the rest of the action around the circuit.

Unique to the Monaco Grand Prix are the rooftop, terrace, and yacht viewing packages. Watching the race from the comfort of a sleek yacht in the harbor right by the circuit is an experience that might be worth the splurge for you, though the views at basically track-level aren’t usually the best.

The fan experience

Even though the Monaco Grand Prix has a reputation for being “boring” to watch, the atmosphere at the track is electric. Monaco is all about glitz, glamour, and flashiness, so the people-watching here is a lot of fun.

If you’re attending any of the race days, you’ll get access to the MGP LIVE Fan Zone, which is located at Place d’Armes, just steps away from the circuit. Here, you can watch on-stage interviews with drivers, test out driving simulators or the Pit Stop Challenge, and enjoy live concerts.

What you can/can’t bring

Knowing what you’re allowed to bring to the race and what’s prohibited is important when planning your Monaco GP weekend! Here’s a quick overview so you’re prepared.

Monaco Grand Prix bag rules

There aren’t strict guidelines around what size bag you can bring to the race, but “bulky items” are prohibited, so you should aim to bring a small bag or purse.

Things you CANNOT bring to the Monaco GP include:

Weapons of any kind
Bulky items such as suitcases
Strollers, bikes, and scooters
Camera tripods
Glass bottles and cans
Pets

Things you CAN bring with you:

It’s recommended to pack light and only bring the essentials. You can bring your own food and drinks, as long as they’re not in a glass bottle or a can.

Track invasion info

Unlike some other Formula One races, there is no track invasion to get to the podium at the Monaco Grand Prix – BUT, that doesn’t mean you can’t get on the circuit here.

Because the Monaco circuit is made up on regular streets that locals need to use, the track “opens” every evening after the day’s race activities are over (usually between 7:30 and 9 p.m. each night). Once it opens, you can walk or drive the circuit.

If you want to walk the circuit with a guide, I can highly recommend a tour with The Inside Track Monaco, which does operate tours during race weekend!

Other race weekend events

In Monaco, the race really IS the weekend, followed by glitzy yacht parties and all-night clubs. Getting an invite to a yacht party isn’t really do-able for most people without some sort of connection, but you can definitely book a spot at a popular restaurant or lounge for an evening during race weekend — if you can afford it.

The most popular and iconic spots include: Twiga (the club to go to for big concerts), Jimmy’z Monte-Carlo (open-air club), Amber Lounge (VIP nightlife), La Rascasse (the famous bar), Nikki Beach Monte Carlo (atop the Fairmont Hotel), and Amazónico (high-end restaurant).

What else to do in Monaco

If you’re traveling for the Monaco Grand Prix and will be visiting Monaco and the surrounding French Riviera during your trip, here are 5 things you can do while you’re not at the track:

Visit the historic Prince’s Palace of Monaco
See the Prince of Monaco’s private car collection
Check out the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo (or at least stop by to see all the expensive cars parked outside)
Take a guided walking tour of the Monaco circuit with The Inside Track Monaco
Visit nearby French towns like Menton, Eze, and Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

Have you ever been to the Monaco Grand Prix? If not, is it a race you’d like to attend?