My Monaco Grand Prix Experience: Travel Tips, What to Expect & Must-Know

Published on 4 August 2025 at 15:09

Monaco grand prix 2025

Hi, I'm Lola! Founder of Racingmedia Girls, and this year, I experienced the dream weekend of a lifetime: I got to attend the Monaco Grand Prix! 🏁✨

In this blog, I’ll share my personal experience at this iconic F1 race, tell you all about how I won tickets through Williams (yes, really!), and what was included in this unforgettable prize.

Thinking about going to Monaco yourself, but worried about the cost? I’ve got you covered! Click here for my tips on doing Monaco on a budget without missing the magic.

Tip: at the bottom of the blog, you’ll find a video guide about the Monaco Grand Prix.

I honestly don’t even know where to begin! Let’s start with the original plan.

Originally, I had budgeted a €600 weekend, you can read here in detail what I paid and how I managed it. I flew from Amsterdam to Nice, stayed in Nice, and planned to attend the Monaco Grand Prix only on Friday and Saturday with general admission tickets.

But then, everything changed.

It was Thursday evening, and I was standing in a supermarket in Nice when I suddenly got an email from Williams Racing:

 

An absolute dream come true! This meant I now had grandstand tickets for all three days , while I was only planning to go for two.

To this day, we are incredibly thankful to Williams for this amazing opportunity. We want to take this moment to say a massive THANK YOU again!

Side note:
Many F1 teams run weekly giveaways where you simply need to enter your details. You might win tickets, merch, or even VIP experiences, so definitely sign up for all the teams’ newsletters and giveaways. You never know!

Friday, My First Ever Day in Monaco!

Friday had finally arrived, the moment I had been waiting for, stepping into Monaco for the very first time.

As a Formula 1 fan, Monaco is one of those places you deeply admire, an iconic track, rich in history, and on top of that, many of the drivers actually live there, so you feel even closer to the heart of the sport.

We took the train from Nice, which was super easy, just a 30-minute ride and only €5. And honestly? The journey itself was already a dream, with stunning along the way.

Once we arrived in Monaco, we headed straight to the Fanzone, which is free to enter. It’s basically one long street from the train station to the Fanzone Stage, filled with merch stands and team pop-ups. Every F1 team has their own booth, and there are also plenty of stands selling Monaco souvenirs.
Just like at every race, be warned, the merch and souvenirs are on the pricey side!

Friday in the Fanzone is all about driver interviews. Teams come on stage in pairs or groups of four, answer fun questions, and sometimes even play games.
This time, the drivers had to draw the Monaco track blindfolded, and some lucky kids from Monaco got to ask them questions directly. 

After that, it was time to find our seats in the grandstand, and wow, Williams really came through. We had an incredible view over the harbour, and because we were sitting at the very top, we could also peek over our shoulders and see the end of the start/finish straight.
Unreal.

All in all, it was an unforgettable first day!

The only downside? The train ride back to Nice was packed, everyone leaves at the same time, so the journey home was a bit chaotic, but honestly, it didn’t matter. I was still floating from the magic of Monaco.

Saturday, The Most Iconic Day of the Monaco Grand Prix Weekend

Because overtaking is nearly impossible on the tight streets of Monaco, qualifying is everything. Where you start on Sunday is likely where you’ll finish, so Saturday truly sets the tone for the race.

We decided to head to Monaco a bit earlier that day to explore more of Monte Carlo before the real crowds arrived. We wanted to get a feel for the city beyond just the circuit.

We started by walking toward the famous Casino de Monte-Carlo and the iconic hairpin, but unfortunately, everything was fenced off for the race weekend, so we couldn’t get up close. Still, we soaked up the atmosphere and caught a glimpse of Monaco’s unique culture, we saw so many McLarens, and Aston Martins and Ferraris were driving around like it was no big deal.

It really is a different world and such a fun one to peek into!

Of course, being proper tourists, we stopped by a visitor center, and guess what? You can get a free Monaco passport as a souvenir, such a fun little memory to take home!

After our mini adventure, we made our way back to the circuit. Our seats were a little different from Friday, but still amazing, with a great view of the harbour once again.

Qualifying was intense. At first, it looked like hometown hero Charles Leclerc had secured pole position, but in a last-minute twist, Lando Norris snatched it away! The crowd reacted sportively though, and the atmosphere was electric. Another amazing day!

We ended the evening at McDonald’syes, there is one in Monaco, and it’s honestly a great tip if you’re eating on a budget. The fast-food spot is right next to a lovely little marina, and you can sit there and enjoy the vibe without breaking the bank.

All in all, another unforgettable day in Monaco!

Sunday, Race Day in Monaco,  A Dream Come True

The weekend flew by, and suddenly it was already race day, the final day of the Monaco Grand Prix weekend!

We were buzzing with excitement, wondering what kind of seats Williams would surprise us with this time. And honestly? These were the best tickets ever.

Once again, we were seated opposite the iconic harbour, but here’s the secret, if you walked all the way up to the top of our grandstand, you could actually see the start/finish line!
How cool is that?!

And it gets even better, if you looked to the side of the stand, you could see right above the pit exit, where all the VIPs hang out, and we even had a clear view of the podium. It was genuinely a bucket list dream come true.

 

We enjoyed every single second, especially because we originally didn’t have any Sunday tickets at all. Without Williams, we wouldn’t have even been at the track that day, so we were incredibly grateful to be there, soaking it all in.

As for the race itself, well, it was typical Monaco, not the most action-packed in terms of overtakes, but the atmosphere? Absolutely unmatched.

Watching the race surrounded by fans from all over the world in such an iconic place was unforgettable. The crowd was full of energy and passion, and of course, Charles Leclerc’s fans were everywhere, it was his home race after all.

This was truly the day of my dreams, and once again, a massive thank you to Williams for making it all possible.

Monday, A Surprisingly Special Bonus Day in Monaco

We weren’t flying home until Tuesday, so we decided to head back to Monaco one last time on Monday, hoping that this time, we’d finally get to see the Casino and the famous hairpin up close.

By then, the teardown had already begun, but that didn’t stop us. We started our uphill walk toward the casino, and on the way, we actually bumped into former F1 driver Nyck de Vries, such a cool surprise!

When we finally reached the casino, we were blown away. The luxury was on another level, so many insanely expensive cars parked out front. We were literally just standing there, staring.

After that, we made our way to the Monaco hairpin, and yes, this time we could actually access it! There were still some epic cars parked around the corner, and we stayed for a while, just soaking it all in and watching what rolled by.

And then, out of nowhere,  we ran into Lando Norris’ dad. What are the chances?!

But the day wasn’t over yet.

We decided to walk down toward the harbour to check it out from a new angle. But as we got closer, we suddenly found ourselves heading toward the paddock.
And, no joke, the gates were wide open.

I looked at my friend, and we both had the same thought. We just walked in.

Nobody stopped us. Nobody sent us away.

Of course, it was already being dismantled, and there were no drivers or team members around anymore, but still, I got to stand in the paddock, something I’ve dreamed of for years as an F1 fan.

Sure, it wasn’t the glamorous version you see on TV, but just being there meant everything. Hopefully, one day, I’ll get to experience it when the action’s in full swing, but for now, this moment was more than enough.

A completely unexpected, unforgettable Monday, the perfect ending to the best weekend of my life.

Is Monaco accessible, and would I recommend it?

Yes, I would 100% recommend visiting Monaco!
Looking for a complete A to Z guide to the Monaco Grand Prix?
Then I highly suggest checking out our video. In it, I walk you through the costs, the location,
and share all my personal tips. Here’s a quick summary below:

Is the Monaco Grand Prix Easy to Access and Worth Visiting?

Getting to Monaco:
Monaco is easy to reach from Nice, as well as from other French or Italian cities. The only downside? The return trip is a lot busier, and you can expect a packed train on the way back. typen.

What Can You Bring to the Monaco Grand Prix? (Food, Drinks, Cameras)

Monaco’s rules aren’t too strict. You’ll get checked at the entrances, but in general, you’re allowed to bring your own food and drinks (no cans). Small cameras are totally fine, and I always recommend packing a poncho just in case. For a full guide on what to bring or not to bring to a Grand Prix, check out our article [link].

What’s the Dress Code for the Monaco Grand Prix?

A lot of people wonder if there’s a dress code in Monaco. Honestly, you can just wear whatever you feel comfortable in. Many people walk around in team merch, but something you see more in Monaco than at other races are stylish outfits that are a bit more elevated. So my tip: just wear what makes you feel good!

What’s the Atmosphere Like at the Monaco F1 Grand Prix?

It’s honestly such a fun vibe! A lot of people assume the fans in Monaco are just rich people with no real passion for the sport, but that’s really not true. Yes, I’ve heard a few people around me who clearly had no clue what was happening on track, but you get that everywhere. Some people are just there for the atmosphere. Still, even for real motorsport fans, it’s absolutely worth the trip. The vibe is great, and it’s amazing to see so many different types of fans.

When is the Monaco Grand Prix held?

The 2025 edition took place from Friday, May 23 to Sunday, May 25. Starting in 2026, the race will move to the first full weekend of June.

Why is qualifying so important in Monaco?

Overtaking is extremely difficult on this narrow circuit, so qualifying often determines the race winner. Pole position is crucial.

Can fans bring food, flags, or camp at the Monaco GP?

 

  • Food and drinks are allowed, though space is limited.

  • Flags and banners are welcome if they don’t obstruct views.

  • Camping or tents are not permitted anywhere in Monaco.

 

 

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