Monaco’s private beach bars and clubs are renowned as being among the best on the Riviera, but did you know that the Principality is also home to a number of pristine natural swimming spots that are so low-key that they almost have ‘secret’ status?
At barely three kilometres in length, it is simply not possible for Monaco to own a long sandy beach like that of the fabled Pampelonne near Saint Tropez or even Nice’s pebbled Promenade des Anglais, but size doesn’t always matter, and the Principality can still boast several gems that are perfect for those looking for a change from the glitz and glamour.
First up on our list of swimming places to visit is La Crique des Pêcheurs or Fisherman’s Cove (pictured above).
Found at the foot of the Rock, not far from the Musée Océanographique de Monaco, this place is super secluded and is accessible via a staircase leading out from Level –3 of the Parking des Pêcheurs. You can also access the beach on foot via the Digue de l’Avant Port.
It’s a gravel beach without any swimming supervision, and the water gets deep quickly, meaning that the waves and currents can be a bit rougher than at other spots along the coast, so only enter the sea if you’re a strong swimmer.
Not too far away is the much bigger – but equally uninterrupted – Plage du Solarium or Solarium Beach.
The look of this secret spot falls between Brutalist swimming pool and concrete amphitheater thanks to the massive steps on the outer side of the Port Hercule harbour wall. Even in the height of summer, hardly any people visit this spot so it’s the ideal place to head to if you want to bask peacefully in the sunshine or enjoy an al fresco lunch.
Like at Fisherman’s Cove, there are no lifeguards here and the surge can be a lot to manage for some, especially as there’s nowhere to put your feet down!
Then comes the Pont de Fer beach, which is slotted between the two private enclaves belonging to Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer’s Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort and Monte-Carlo Beach.
It’s not strictly within the Principality’s boundaries – it’s actually in France and belongs to the commune of Roquebrune Cap Martin – but it’s right below one of Monaco’s biggest tourism draws and sports venues, the Monte-Carlo Country Club.
It’s a stony beach, like many others in a region where soft sand beaches are in the minority, and quite a lot of the local seagrass washes up on its shores. Together, these two attributes put the majority of beachgoers off, but if it’s solitude and sea views that you’re seeking, this is an easy-to-find and easy-to-get-to solution that will certainly tick those boxes.
Further along, under the Monte-Carlo Beach hotel, there is another private and secluded ‘beach’. To get to this spot, beachgoers have to go in the direction of the hotel and take the hidden stairway on the right of the driveway that leads up to the establishment. This route will take you down a somewhat unappealing tunnel, but follow it through and you will be rewarded with a concrete platform right on the water that overlooks the Principality and the Mediterranean Sea.
If you continue beyond the concrete platform, you will soon find yet another small beach enclave right under Club La Vigie. It’s quite rocky here and is not the easiest place to access the cooling water, but few people know about this little beach, meaning that it’s one of the quietest spots in the Principality for a swim.
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