Should I skip Monaco?

Yes, skip Monaco. Go to Menton instead, if that isn't on your list already.

You haven't said what is on your agenda; but there is so much to do and see in the area, in my opinion, it would be a shame to waste your limited time on a visit to a place known for casinos and high-end shopping. If you tell us what your interests are and what you've already scoped out, I'm sure you'll get lots of good suggestions.

Skip Monaco but it is more than just shopping.
Yes it is rich n famous. I like villefranche sur la mer, Nice is overcrowded.

Another vote for skipping Monaco. We went through there on the bus (in October) and the traffic was horrible. I'm sure there are things worth visiting there, but maybe in November or February.

There are lots of places to see in that area, so if Monaco doesn't appeal to you, see something else. However, buses go from Nice to Monaco to Menton every 15 minutes, and trains go between them every half hour, so it's easy to go from one to another, stopping as long or as little as you like. In other words, you can stop in Monaco and see how you feel about it; if you don't like it, you can get back on the next bus, and if you do, you can linger.

I enjoyed Monaco much more than I expected to, and found plenty to see besides the rich and fancy stuff like high-end boutiques. There's the aquarium, the Prince's car collection (they are adamant that it's not a "museum"), the Princess Grace Rose Garden (pretty in itself and with nice views), and the Jardin Exotique (ditto). There's also "the rock"; like Gibraltar, Monaco is built on a rocky outcropping that must have been easy to defend, and seeing this live and in 3-D brought home how it could have stayed independent. Plus, where else will you see a defibrillator at a bus stop?

The area around the casino had little appeal for me, except to see live what I'd seen in many movies (sort of like seeing the Plaza Hotel in New York).

Just fyi, Monaco is not in, or a part of, France.

I don't think it's such of a must see that you need to feel bad about skipping it. My wife and I blew through Provence and the Riviera in four days back in 2003, hope to return with a two week trip just focused on that area this year or next. Monaco was fine, but I don't feel like have to race back there on our next trip. I agree with one of the other respondents that Villefranche-sur-Mer is a great stop.

Thanks everyone! This makes me feel sooo much better about skipping Monaco! I enjoy hiking, museums, wineries, great food, small towns, etc and am just not feeling drawn to Monaco. If I have time, I may pop over on one of the buses as one of the responders suggested. Princess Grace's Rose garden does sound nice! 😃

Susan, I know Monaco isn't 'in' France but there was not a 'Monaco' selection in countries for this question. But thanks for the taking the time to make that note 🙄

I agree with the others. I wouldn't bother with it if it doesn't interest you. I went through it once, but I have more opportunities to go down there than other people. It's VERY far from a must-see in my book.

Monaco is a fun and unusual place. I love it.

In such a small place it is quite amazing what there is to see.

Fans of architecture will see multi level, 3-D living, where the whole country is linked by elevators, escalators, buses (incredibly cheap) and people movers; where residents and visitors coexist and everything is very orderly, neat and clean. Even the police wear white with white hats.

The aquarium is the best I have ever seen, better imho than Monterrey Bay, London or Boston.

The car collection is unique - everything is owned by the Prince as opposed to much being on loan as in most museums, and is arranged as the Prince sees fit.

The Jardin Exotique continues the vertical motif and has some serious cactus, fab views and neat walks.

Nobody has mentioned the Japanese Garden. While not a patch on either the Japanese Garden in Golden Gate Park nor the one in Fort Worth, it is really very nice and very Monegasque, great fish, and not bad for the roof of a car park.

It is fun to take the electric boat (included in bus tickets) across the harbour passing some amazing boats.

It is a country which calls out to be walked in. It is hard to express the differences with the surroundings in words, but if you think that all it is is a casino and fast cars that is wrong.

Monaco has the Jacques Cousteau Museum (in case you are a scuba diver), and changing of the guard right across the street at the palace. I'm going to Monaco for the day from Nice. My schedule is not overly tight, however.

If I had to choose, the Chagall Museum in Nice would win hands down over Monaco.

I also loved the Chagall Museum more than Monaco.

I thought Monaco sucked. Unless you are rich and want to drop 20k on shopping