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Introducing the Monaco Grand Prix
Sunday December 6 2026
What to expect in this guide
• Where is the Circuit de Monaco?
• What’s the circuit like?
• How many days should you plan for?
• How does a race weekend work?
• Best booking resources for F1 trips
Estimated Reading Time: 2-3 minutes
The Monaco Grand Prix takes place on the Circuit de Monaco, a street circuit that runs through the heart of Monte Carlo in the Principality of Monaco. The track follows the city’s roads and the harbour front, with the Mediterranean as a backdrop.
The circuit is tight and twisting, with narrow streets, sharp elevation changes, and very little run-off. Famous sections include Sainte-Devote at the first corner, the Fairmont Hairpin (the slowest corner in Formula 1), the tunnel, the harbourside chicane, the swimming pool section, and the final corner at Anthony Nogues. Mistakes get punished quickly here, and overtaking is difficult.
The grandstands at Monaco are uncovered. The race takes place in early June, when the Côte d’Azur is usually warm and dry. Rain does happen and changes the race significantly. Pack for both.
The Formula 1 sessions run alongside support races such as Formula 2, Formula 3, and the Porsche Supercup. The full schedule is published on F1.com about four weeks before the race.
How many days should you spend at the Monaco Grand Prix?
Plan for three full days, Friday to Sunday, to see every Formula 1 session and the support races.
Monaco Grand Prix weekend schedule at a glance
A typical Formula 1 weekend runs Friday to Sunday. Friday is practice. Saturday is final practice and qualifying. Sunday is the Grand Prix.
Each year, a handful of Grand Prix follow a sprint format. On a sprint weekend, Friday includes practice and sprint qualifying. Saturday includes the sprint race and Grand Prix qualifying. Sunday is still the Grand Prix. Sprint weekends rotate around the calendar each season, so check the current year’s schedule on F1.com.
Best booking resources for F1 trips
Take a look at our Grand Prix ticket & travel packages »
Prefer to do it all yourself? You’re welcome to take what you’ve learned here and build your own trip from scratch.
I keep going back to these travel companies because they’re reliable, easy to use, and usually have the best value. They’re where I start every time I plan a trip.
Tickets
Motorsport Tickets and Grand Prix Tickets are the two agencies I’ve trusted for years. They’ve always been reliable, easy to deal with, and quick to help if something comes up.
Hotels
ZenHotels is one of my go-to sites for hotel bookings. It pulls prices from loads of smaller sites you might not know about, so it’s great for finding deals. I also check Expedia and Booking.com when I want more options.
Excursions
Viator is packed with walking tours, attraction tickets, and local experiences. It’s especially handy if you’re heading to a new Grand Prix city. It’s a great place to find extras to add to your trip.
Getting to the Monaco Grand Prix
In this guide you'll learn about how to get to Monaco for the Monaco Grand Prix.
Where to stay for the Monaco Grand Prix
In this guide we'll help you choose the best place to stay during your trip to the Monaco Grand Prix.
Choosing a grandstand at the Monaco Grand Prix
In this guide we'll help you choose the right grandstand for your Monaco Grand Prix experience.
Watching from a balcony or yacht at the Monaco Grand Prix
In this guide you'll learn about the alternatives to a grandstand at the Monaco Grand Prix.
Getting around at the Monaco Grand Prix
In this guide you'll learn about the different options for getting around during the Monaco Grand Prix.
