Every summer along the French Riviera, the conversations are almost always the same with the locals.
“Does it feel busier this year?”
“Have you noticed more Americans?”
“Is business better than last summer?”
“Are there more yachts than ever?”
For those of us who live and work here, tourism isn’t just something we observe—it’s something that shapes everyday life. Restaurants fill up, beaches become busier, luxury hotels sell out, and the streets of Monaco transform into a fascinating mix of holidaymakers, business travellers, yacht owners and day-trippers.
Now the numbers are in, and they confirm what many suspected: Monaco enjoyed another exceptional year.
According to the Monegasque Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (IMSEE), the Principality generated €1.1 billion in accommodation and food service revenue during 2025, an increase of 6.3% over 2024. Even more impressive is that this growth came during a year when overall revenue across Monaco’s wider economy declined by 7.6%, highlighting just how resilient tourism has become.
The figures reinforce Monaco’s position as one of the most successful luxury tourism destinations anywhere in the world.
Nearly Seven Million Visits
IMSEE’s annual visitor survey—compiled from almost 6,900 questionnaires collected at Monaco’s main tourist attractions—painted an impressive picture of visitor activity throughout the year.
During 2025, Monaco welcomed approximately 6.7 million visits.
Visitors spent an estimated 9.3 million days in the Principality, with tourists accounting for roughly 1.4 million overnight stays.
Day visitors typically remained in Monaco for around 1.2 days, while overnight guests stayed an average of 3.8 days.
Although Monaco occupies barely two square kilometres, it continues to attract visitor numbers that many much larger destinations would envy.
Luxury Hotels Continue to Dominate
Hotels remained by far the preferred accommodation choice, accounting for more than 71% of all overnight stays.
That comes as little surprise.
Monaco has spent decades building one of the world’s strongest luxury hospitality brands. Legendary properties such as Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo and Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort continue to attract discerning travellers seeking world-class service, Michelin-starred dining, wellness experiences, casinos and exclusive shopping—all within walking distance.
France Supplies the Crowds—The World Supplies the Spending
Almost 48% of all visits came from residents of neighbouring France, largely because Monaco is so easily accessible by train or car for a day trip.
Yet when it comes to overnight tourism, international markets dominate.
Visitors from outside the European Union represented approximately 42% of overnight stays, demonstrating Monaco’s global appeal to affluent travellers from North America, the Middle East, Asia and beyond.
This international mix has become one of Monaco’s greatest strengths. Rather than relying heavily on a single market, the Principality attracts visitors from virtually every corner of the globe.
Couples Lead the Way
Monaco continues to appeal primarily as a destination for couples.
Couples represented 37% of all visitor groups, followed by families at 32.7%.
Leisure remained the overwhelming motivation, with almost 95% of visits being holiday-related. Business travel, however, still played a significant role, accounting for nearly one-quarter of overnight tourist stays.
Events such as the Monaco Grand Prix, the Monaco Yacht Show, international conferences and corporate meetings continue to ensure Monaco enjoys a healthy balance between leisure and business tourism throughout the year.
The Biggest Spenders Come From the Middle East
One statistic stood out more than any other.
Visitors from the Middle East recorded the highest daily spending, averaging more than €1,000 per person, per day while staying in Monaco.
Overall, direct visitor expenditure reached an estimated €1.4 billion during 2025.
Perhaps the most remarkable figure is this:
Although overnight tourists represented only 7.5% of all visits, they generated more than 61% of all tourism spending.
It’s a reminder that Monaco has never been about attracting the highest number of visitors—it has always focused on attracting visitors who contribute significantly to the local economy.
More Visitors... But It Doesn’t Feel Overwhelming
Personally, the atmosphere today feels very different from the period immediately after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
Back then, it often seemed as though the entire world had decided to return to the Riviera at once. Airports were overflowing, roads were congested, reservations were difficult to secure and many visitors appeared to arrive without much planning.
In contrast, to me, the past two summers have felt noticeably more balanced.
Yes, the region continues to break tourism records, but the crowds seem better distributed throughout the season. Visitors appear more informed, reservations are made earlier, and travel patterns have become more predictable.
Perhaps it’s because tourism professionals have adapted. Perhaps travellers themselves have become more experienced. Or perhaps the Riviera has simply found its rhythm again after the disruption of the pandemic years.
Looking Ahead to 2026
With continued investment in luxury hospitality, major international events, world-class restaurants, cultural attractions and improved transport links—including the growing popularity of direct flights from North America to nearby Nice Côte d’Azur Airport—there is every indication Monaco’s tourism momentum will continue.
The Principality remains one of the safest, cleanest and most prestigious destinations in Europe, and demand for premium experiences shows little sign of slowing.
If 2025 demonstrated anything, it’s that Monaco’s appeal extends far beyond its famous casino, glamorous harbour and Formula One weekend. It has become a year-round luxury destination that continues to attract visitors from around the globe while generating extraordinary economic value for one of the world’s smallest nations.
Now the question is whether 2026 will set yet another record.
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