Car spotting in Monaco: where to see supercars

Monaco covers less than a square mile, but few places in the world have as many supercars per street. On a summer evening in Monte Carlo you can see hypercars, limited editions and rare classics within a few minutes' walk of each other. Here's where to go and when.

Place du Casino

The square in front of the Casino de Monte-Carlo is the most famous car spotting location in the world. The Hôtel de Paris and the Café de Paris sit around it, and supercars come and go all evening as their owners arrive for dinner, a stay or a night at the casino. The most eye-catching cars are often left parked out front. Find a spot at the edge of the square and be patient: the line-up changes constantly.

Hôtel Hermitage and the streets around the casino

Just off the square, the Hôtel Hermitage and streets such as Avenue de Monte-Carlo and Boulevard des Moulins are lined with luxury shops, and expensive cars park up all day. Walk a loop rather than waiting in one place.

The Grand Prix circuit

Monaco's streets become a Formula 1 circuit once a year, and on a normal day you can walk most of the track. The Fairmont hairpin, the slowest corner in Formula 1, and the tunnel beneath the Fairmont hotel are popular with drivers who like to hear their engines echo, so listen as well as look. Port Hercule, where the track runs along the harbour, adds superyachts to the view.

Larvotto

Along Avenue Princesse Grace, near Larvotto beach, you'll find supercar showrooms, so there's something to look at even on a quiet day.

What you're likely to see

Modern Ferraris, Lamborghinis and McLarens are an everyday sight, along with Rolls-Royces and Bentleys. Monaco is also one of the best places in the world to see hypercars such as the Pagani Huayra and Bugatti Chiron out on the road rather than in a collection. Look out for foreign plates too: in summer, cars arrive from all over Europe and the Middle East.

When to go

• Summer, especially July and August, is peak season, when Monaco and the rest of the French Riviera are full of visitors.
• Evenings are best, when cars arrive for dinner and the casino.
• Grand Prix week. The Monaco Grand Prix (3–6 June in 2027) brings some of the world's rarest cars, but also huge crowds, high prices and road closures, with much of the circuit fenced off.
• Top Marques Monaco, a supercar show held each May at the Grimaldi Forum (5–9 May in 2027), brings new hypercars and concept cars to town.

Other events worth planning around include the Monaco E-Prix for Formula E cars in spring, the Monte Carlo Rally each January and the Historic Grand Prix, held every two years (the next one is in 2028).

The Prince's car collection

For a guaranteed look at rare cars, visit the Prince of Monaco's car collection. Started by Prince Rainier III, it has around 100 cars, from early horseless carriages to Formula 1 cars and royal limousines.

Etiquette

Monaco is safe and well policed, and the rules are strictly enforced. Stay on the pavement, never step into the road for a photo and don't crowd owners or valets. Hotel forecourts are private property, so take photos from the public pavement and do what security staff ask. Keep people out of your photos where you can: privacy is taken seriously here.

More places to spot supercars

Closer to home? Read our guide to where to spot supercars in London. Heading further afield? See car spotting in Dubai.