Monaco Grand Prix Circuit
F1 car on Monaco Circuit
Monaco Grand Prix Circuit
Past Monaco Grand Prix at Casino Square
Past Monaco Grand Prix at Casino Square
Looking down at the Fairmont Hairpin
Monaco Tunnel section of the F1 circuit
Monaco Tunnel section of the F1 circuit
Port Hercule track section
Port Hercule track section
STREET CIRCUIT
The Monaco Grand Prix Circuit is one of the most famous street circuits in motorsport. Instead of using a permanent racetrack, the Circuit de Monaco follows normal roads through Monte Carlo and La Condamine. The route climbs from Port Hercule towards Casino Square, drops past the Fairmont Hairpin, passes through the tunnel and returns to the harbour. Outside major race periods, visitors can walk much of the same route used by Formula 1 cars.
The first Monaco Grand Prix was held on 14 April 1929 after Antony Noghès helped create a race through the streets of Monaco. Monaco later became one of the seven venues on the first Formula 1 World Championship calendar in 1950. Today, the circuit is interesting even for casual visitors. Seeing it on foot shows how narrow and steep the streets really are, while famous points such as Casino Square, the hairpin, tunnel and harbour fit naturally into a normal day of sightseeing in Monaco.
The Monaco F1 circuit is best explored on foot. Visitors can normally follow the circuit freely on foot or by bike, corner by corner. The current track is 3.337 km long, but a walking lap takes longer than the distance suggests because of hills, road crossings and photo stops. Allow around 1 to 1.5 hours for a relaxed walk.
The hardest part is the climb from Sainte-Dévote towards Casino Square. From there, the route drops towards the Fairmont Hairpin and the waterfront before becoming much flatter around Port Hercule.
You do not need to complete every corner to enjoy the circuit. For a casual visitor, Casino Square, the Fairmont Hairpin, tunnel and Port Hercule show the most recognisable parts of the track. A map on your phone is useful because the racing route is not clearly marked at every point when the temporary Grand Prix structures are gone.
View Monaco Grand Prix Map
The circuit reaches Casino Square after the uphill section from Sainte-Dévote. Formula 1 cars pass beside the Casino de Monte-Carlo before beginning the descent towards Mirabeau and the Fairmont Hairpin.
This section can look surprisingly normal without the race barriers and advertising seen on television. The casino and surrounding buildings make the location easy to recognise, but the shape of the racing line is less obvious than at the hairpin.
Tip: Approach Casino Square from the uphill side of the circuit. This gives a better idea of how much the track climbs before reaching the square.
The Fairmont Hairpin is probably the easiest part of the Monaco Grand Prix Circuit to recognise on a normal day. The road makes an extremely tight turn directly below the Fairmont Monte Carlo hotel.
The corner has had several names over the years as the hotel changed identity, including the Loews Hairpin and Grand Hotel Hairpin. Seeing it in person also makes its small size much clearer. The road, pavement and surrounding buildings leave very little space around the corner.
Tip: View the hairpin from the higher pavement before walking downhill. Its full shape is easier to see and photograph from above.
After passing Portier, the circuit enters the famous Monaco tunnel before returning to daylight near the harbour. Drivers experience a sudden change in light while travelling through one of the faster parts of the lap.
For visitors, the most interesting part is often the contrast between the famous television image and everyday Monaco. On a normal day, the tunnel simply carries regular road traffic through this part of the city.
Tip: The tunnel can become very noisy when traffic is busy. The entrance and harbour-side exit are usually better places for photos than the middle of the tunnel.
A large part of the final section of the Monaco F1 circuit runs around Port Hercule. After leaving the tunnel area, the route continues past the Nouvelle Chicane, Tabac and Swimming Pool section before reaching La Rascasse and returning towards the start-finish straight.
The main straight runs beside the harbour on Boulevard Albert Ier. This area gives one of the clearest views of how tightly the race is fitted between the marina, city streets and surrounding buildings.
Tip: Continue beyond the main straight towards the Swimming Pool and La Rascasse sections. The harbour part of the circuit is more interesting than the start-finish area alone.
For much of the year, the Circuit de Monaco does not look like a traditional racetrack. Grandstands, many safety barriers and other temporary structures are removed, leaving regular streets, traffic lights, pavements and everyday traffic.
The appearance changes before major motorsport events as Monaco prepares the track. Seeing some of the barriers and grandstands can make famous corners easier to recognise, but construction and road restrictions can also make walking less convenient.
For most casual visitors, a normal non-race period gives the easiest experience. You can explore at your own pace without race-day crowds or controlled areas.
You can explore the Monaco Grand Prix Circuit independently, but guided tours can add more context or make the route easier to see. A dedicated F1 walking tour covers the full circuit, while other options combine parts of the track with Monaco sightseeing by bus or on an evening walk.
Monaco-Monte-Carlo railway station is a convenient starting point. The Monte-Carlo exit is on Pont Sainte-Dévote, close to Sainte-Dévote corner and Port Hercule. The exit is also accessible by lift.
If you are already sightseeing in Monaco, there is no need to travel to a special circuit entrance. You can join the route near Casino Square, the Fairmont Hairpin, Port Hercule or several other points along the track.
Walking gives the clearest idea of the circuit’s steep streets and tight corners. Comfortable shoes are useful, especially for the uphill section towards Casino Square.
Monaco has many public elevators and escalators that can reduce the amount of climbing. However, using them may take you away from the exact racing route. Local buses are also useful if you only want to see one section of the circuit rather than walk a full lap.
If you arrive by car, using a public underground car park is easier than looking for parking directly beside the circuit. Parking de la Condamine is well placed for Port Hercule and the lower section of the track. Monaco Parkings operates more than 40 public car parks across the Principality.
Parking des Salines at the western entrance to Monaco is another useful option, especially when the centre is busy. From there, central Monaco can be reached by a marked pedestrian route or public transport.
Early morning is usually the most comfortable time for a full circuit walk. Traffic tends to be lighter, temperatures are lower in warm weather and taking photos is easier before central Monaco becomes busier.
If you want to see some Grand Prix barriers and temporary structures, visit closer to a racing event. However, the closer you get to an event date, the greater the chance of construction, diversions or restricted access.
Access changes significantly during the Monaco Grand Prix and other races held on the circuit. Roads close to normal vehicles, and some parts of the track can also be closed to pedestrians unless they have a valid ticket or pass.
If your main aim is to walk the circuit rather than attend the race, choose a date outside the event period. When visiting close to a motorsport weekend, check current information from the Automobile Club de Monaco or the Monaco Government before starting your walk.
The current Circuit de Monaco is 3.337 km (2.074 miles) long and has 19 turns.
The Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix is run over 78 laps, giving a total race distance of 260.286 km.
Many sections of the track are normal roads when racing events are not taking place, so it is possible to drive through several famous parts of the circuit. However, normal traffic rules, junctions and road directions still apply, so it is not the same as completing an uninterrupted racing lap.
Yes. Circuit de Monaco is the official name, while Monaco F1 circuit, Monaco F1 track and Monte Carlo circuit are commonly used alternatives. The route is not entirely inside Monte Carlo because it also passes through La Condamine around Port Hercule.
Ayrton Senna holds the Formula 1 record with six Monaco Grand Prix victories. He also holds the record for the most Monaco pole positions, with five.
