Larvotto Beach
Larvotto is Monaco's only public beach — a 300-metre arc of smooth imported pebbles curving along Avenue Princesse Grace, with the Grimaldi Forum on one side and the Japanese Garden a short walk away. The water here is genuinely clear, the Mediterranean shade of blue that photographs never quite capture, and in summer it reaches 26°C without much effort on anyone's part.
Renzo Piano and landscape architect Michel Desvigne reshaped the whole district, and the promenade that resulted is one of the more considered pieces of public space in Monaco — wide enough to breathe, lined with palms, and open around the clock.
💛 What travellers fall for
Regulars know to arrive before 10am in July and August — a spot goes fast and the supervised hours don't start until then anyway. The ice cream parlour Mullot is the consensus mid-afternoon stop. Bring water shoes: the pebbles are smooth but they're still pebbles, and the walk to the water's edge is longer than it looks.
The story behind Larvotto Beach
Before Prince Rainier III authorised a 54,000 m² land reclamation into the sea in 1961, Larvotto was a modest pebble beach bounded by a retaining wall dating to around 1931. Construction finished in 1963, adding roughly 10% to Monaco's total territory — a significant expansion for a country measured in city blocks. The Summer Sporting complex had already taken shape nearby in the 1930s, and the Monte-Carlo Sporting opened in June 1974.
The beach was substantially rebuilt again, with the Renzo Piano-redesigned district opening on 3 July 2021, bringing a larger beach footprint, a renovated promenade, and new dining. As of October 2025, a €9 million coastal protection project is underway, replacing geotubes with three rockfill islands; completion is set for spring 2026.
Good to know
Bus 4 or 6 from Monaco-Monte Carlo station drops you at 'Plages' in about ten minutes (€1.50 via the Monapass app). The beach is free and open year-round. Underground parking below the promenade runs around €24 for a full day. No smoking, no dogs.
July and August bring 10 to 15 hours of sunshine a day and water temperatures between 24°C and 26°C — the peak of the season, and the most crowded. September and October are quieter, the sea still warm enough to swim at 20–23°C. Winter is mild by northern European standards but the water drops to around 13°C, and the promenade becomes a place for walking rather than swimming.
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What travellers say about Larvotto Beach
This is a lovely spot! Just take a look at the photos, and you'll see the beautiful sandy beach, though there is some dirt in the water. The free showers are a nice touch. Benches are available for about 40€ per day. It’s a wonderful place for kids to play and for families to relax together.
Larvotto Beach in Monaco is absolutely spectacular. The water is crystal clear, the atmosphere feels elegant yet relaxed, and every moment there feels luxurious. I loved the clean shoreline, comfortable beach areas, and the beautiful Mediterranean views stretching across the coast. The restaurants nearby offered excellent food and attentive service, making the entire experience even more memorable. Whether you want to swim, sunbathe, or enjoy a peaceful evening walk, this beach delivers everything perfectly. The setting feels safe, vibrant, and welcoming for visitors of all ages. Larvotto Beach truly captures the charm, beauty, and sophistication of Monaco in every way
Plage du Larvotto in Monaco is one of those places that perfectly captures the idea of a beach in the city without losing its calm or charm. it’s not a sandy beach, which is actually a plus — no sticky sand everywhere, just smooth pebbles and a clean walkway. the water is super clear, calm, and very inviting, which makes it great for a swim even right next to the main promenade. everything feels well maintained and organized, just as you’d expect in monaco. along the beach you’ll find a nice selection of restaurants and cafés, all modern and stylish but not over the top. you can grab a proper lunch at neptune or miami plaje, or just stop for a coffee or aperol at one of the smaller places right by the water. it’s a great setup — you can spend the day there easily, moving between the beach and the cafés without ever feeling rushed. the whole area has been recently redone, and it shows. the promenade looks great, the facilities are clean, and the vibe is balanced between relaxed locals and visitors enjoying the view. even though it’s the main public beach, it never feels chaotic. overall, larvotto is easily one of the nicest city beaches around. clean water, easy access, good food, and no sand to deal with — it’s the kind of place you’ll always end up coming back to.
The beach it self is very clean and has a nice view. On the contrary, it is not very big, has almost no trees at all and is quite expensive.Ideal for the ones that like to experience a more luxorious beach experience, but the beaches in the nearby at the French coast are more family-friendly.
Beautiful beach but not entirely sure why swimming wasn’t allowed and I didn’t understand the rocky business in the background either.
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