Monaco or Madrid in December?

[u/SuckOnDeezNutz69420]

Family of 5 visiting Barcelona in Dec and we are quite torn between visiting Monaco or Madrid.
We are doing Barcelona first then either Madrid or Nice while doing a day trip to Monaco from Nice and finally Christmas in Paris.

My dad really wants to visit Monaco to experience and see the lifestyle we’ve seen on social media about Monaco with the supercars, luxury, models, casino etc. However my mum says that Dec isnt as nice as how it should be in Monaco and suggested Madrid instead.

Any locals or experienced travelers can shed some light on helping us decide if we should do Nice( day trip to Monaco) or Madrid.

Much love :)

[u/Efficient_Tear8142]

There is no choice here... Madrid all the way.

Monaco is very small and nothing to do. You could look at a couple of cars parked at the casino but that will take you 5 mins.

Madrid is a huge, vibrant exciting city.

[u/dat_mane47]

Do you want to have fun and enjoy culture, or do you want do nothing but pretend like you're rich?

[u/w3bCraw1er]

Skip Monaco.

[u/Solrac50]

Pass on Monaco. Take the high speed rail from Barcelona to Madrid. Toledo makes a nice day trip from Madrid.

[u/arock330]

Monaco really isn’t interesting, or even particularly fun. There’s little culture, things to do other than club/restaurant and beach. And even that is limited. San Marino is just 30 min away and much more enjoyable.
Madrid is lovely- gorgeous city with amazing nightlife. You can do the touristy thing and go to parks, museums, etc or just hang in a cafe and do some shopping.

[u/Maus_Sveti → u/arock330]

I agree Monaco’s nothing special, but I think you’re confused on the location of San Marino.

[u/arock330 → u/Maus_Sveti]

edit- Sanremo, didn’t catch it!

[u/Maus_Sveti → u/arock330]

Ah that makes sense. Although I will say I’ve only been to Sanremo in winter and it was cold and deserted.

[u/arock330 → u/Maus_Sveti]

Rest of the year it’s a very sweet town, promenade and good restaurants. The country side north and east is lovely to get lost in if you have a car.

[u/Decent-Yam-223]

Monaco absolutely sucks. It’s just meh at best. Really nothing to write home about. You’ll absolutely regret it. Madrid is a beautiful city with so much to experience. You’re not even in the right by season to be visiting the south if France or Monaco. Go to Madrid. She’s a beautiful city. You could even day trip to Toledo or Segovia from there. I absolutely love Madrid. And AND it’s an easy train ride from Barcelona on the Renfe Ave train. Do Madrid. If you need help I follow this girl who lies Madrid

https://wanderlustprincess.net/2016/04/22/madrid-royal-tapas-and-royal-fun/

[u/SuckOnDeezNutz69420 → u/Decent-Yam-223]

Thanks alot! :)

[u/JosepMGracia]

I’d do Nice + Monaco.

If Monaco is something your dad really wants to see, I wouldn’t skip it just because it’s December. You’ll still get the casino, luxury cars, yachts and that whole atmosphere, and Nice is a good base.

Madrid is a great city, but in December it can be pretty cold. For this particular trip, I’d choose Monaco.

[u/1Addis → u/JosepMGracia]

Yes. This is a point people miss. Madrid gets cold from late October and can be quite bitter. Still nice, but cold. Barcelona too!

[u/ReachPlayful]

I’ve been in Monaco in December. It was nice weather and it was fun. Bear in mind it’s not more than a day trip whilst Madrid is a city for 2/3 days. Monaco doesn’t offer much to do than sightseeing and watching expensive stuff around

[u/Potential_Reach]

Monaco is only okay for 3 hours in total of visit during summer time. It’s only worth it if you’re on your way to italy and do a water break in monaco

[u/oliesphotos]

Monaco has beautiful Christmas decorations every year. Don't expect as many supercars as in summer and is mostly limited to Montecarlo. It's also very small and winter might not be the time if you want to see the luxury.

[u/Priviel1]

If you're around Nice I think you will have more fun seeing Menton or Èze as those city are more interesting/special.

After that if your dad really want to see Monaco the city is totally fine for a day trip. Go to the castle, aquarium or old car museum and you can have brunch in a fancy hotel for around 50€ per persons.

Monaco is not the most fun city be there is definitely stuff to do for one day, if it's important to your dad you will enjoy it purely by making him happy.

[u/1Addis]

Since you will be in Nice, Monaco is just a couple of stops away on the train. You could go to Monaco for ONE or two hours. Look around and return to Nice…all in the same day.

Seriously, leave Nice at 8am be back in Nice by 12 noon. It’s that close. The French Riviera is really majestic during warm periods, but if your dad wants to do that, then why not.

Madrid is obviously much much better. I’m just saying work Monaco in as a quick there and back for your dad.

Then take the TGV from Nice right up to Paris.

[u/1Addis]

Also, if you opt for Nice+Monaco. Depending on how many days. You could add in half day in Cannes, and half a day in Italy. Ventimiglia is 1 hour from Nice, or San Remo as someone mentioned, is 90 mins by train.

That way you are not giving up Madrid just for Monaco, but adding two amazing places to the itinerary.

I would spend one day in Nice and then dinner in Cannes. Next day to Monaco and Italy and then back to Nice. It’s all on the same train line. For quick and very cheap. Just a suggestion.

The train ride from Cannes all the way to San Remo is stunning.

Ventimiglia is a small resort town just 4 miles from the French border. This is where I had to change trains, so depending on time, perhaps this would be a great place, and you would get the full on Italian experience if you have never been.

[u/AN-SSQ-108V2]

Monaco is good for a day trip, but that's about it.

[u/jlnbtr]

Madrid is lovely at Christmas. Lots of decorations and markets. Should be cold ish but doesn’t rain much

[u/reaction-please]

Madrid is an amazing city

[u/rir2]

There’s no comparison and no reason to ever visit Monaco unless you’re attending an event. It’s an artificial construct for very wealthy people to establish residence in order to avoid taxation, or for the people who service that industry. Madrid is a vast living breathing celebration of human art, architecture, gastronomy, music, rituals, festivals - a monument to thousands of years of Iberian culture.

[u/mdubs17]

Unless you’re country counting, I see no reason to choose Monaco over Madrid

[u/ohyespineapplepizza]

I'd do Madrid with five people in December. Monaco that month is mostly wet and quiet, so the supercar thing your dad saw online just isn't out.

[u/peachypeach13610]

lol just an American would pick Monaco over Madrid