Monaco Tourism

Monaco is famously the playground of the rich and famous, despite being the world's 2nd-smallest nation. Spanning just 200 hectares, this historic principality features grand casinos, designer malls, opulent bars and clubs, and a human-made beach, attracting celebrities and vacationers year-round.

Monaco is a tiny yet glamorous principality located on the Mediterranean Sea in the French Riviera. With its stunning harbor, beautiful beaches, and vibrant nightlife, Monaco is a great destination for travellers looking for a luxurious getaway. Not only is it home to the annual Formula One Grand Prix, but it also has a rich cultural heritage that can be experienced in its museums, galleries, and other attractions.

The main reason to go to Monaco is to experience the luxury and glamour of its casinos, world-class hotels, and restaurants. The Casino de Monte Carlo is one of the most famous casinos in the world, and it is here that the famous Monte Carlo Rally takes place each year. Other attractions include the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco, which is home to a vast collection of marine life, and the Prince's Palace of Monaco, a beautiful palace that dates back to the 13th century. For those looking to explore Monaco's great outdoors, there are plenty of activities for visitors to enjoy. Hiking and biking trails wind through the hills and mountains of Monaco, while the beaches provide plenty of opportunities for swimming, sunbathing, and water sports. There are also plenty of activities to enjoy on the water, such as sailing, fishing, and water skiing. When it comes to accommodation, Monaco has something for everyone, from luxury hotels to budget-friendly apartments. Visitors should also keep in mind that Monaco is a tax haven, so it is worth considering if they are looking for an inexpensive way to enjoy the principality. No matter what type of traveller you are, Monaco is sure to offer something to suit your needs. From its glamorous casinos and luxurious hotels, to its beautiful beaches and outdoor activities, this principality is a great destination for a luxurious vacation.

Holidays to Monaco put the spotlight on one of the flashiest destinations in the French Riviera.

Small country, big personality

Monaco takes up less than one square mile along the south coast of France. It might only be about as big as New York’s Central Park, but what it lacks in size, it more than makes up for in glamour. This pint-sized country’s earned itself a reputation for being a playground for international jet-setters. Think flashy yachts, fancy hotels and the world-famous Monte Carlo Casino. And when it comes to culture, Monaco’s heavily influenced by its neighbours – there are Italian restaurants scattered all over, and the official language is French.

Endless entertainment

For a tiny country, Monaco’s got plenty to offer entertainment-wise – most of it centred around the Monte Carlo quarter. Big-name events like the Grand Prix sit firmly on the annual calendar, performers take to the stage at the opera house most nights, and Monte Carlo Casino’s always on hand if you fancy a flutter. You don’t have to fork out loads of cash to fill your days here, though. It’s free to flick out a towel on the man-made Larvotto Beach, and the luxury shops along Avenue de Monte-Carlo are a haven for window shoppers.

A slice of history

Monaco’s got a historic side, too – no more so than in the Monaco-Ville district, also known as The Rock. The narrow, medieval streets around here are teeming with cafes and souvenir shops. Plus, there are plenty of places to try traditional Monégasque food. And it’s also where you’ll find architectural gems like St Nicholas Cathedral and the Old Monaco Museum. The latter shines a spotlight on Monaco’s heritage with paintings, costumes and ceramics from the past.

The country for the rich

The country of Monaco is the second smallest sovereign state in the world, but is really famous due to its immense wealth. It’s a 1,95 square kilometres small dukedom at the coast of the Mediterranean, squeezed between France and the Azorean coast. It’s only 10,6 kilometres away from Italian boarder as well. It’s the most densely inhabited country in the world and is made up mostly of the old town. There are several newer buildings constructed between old ones, where mostly casinos are located. With the lack of living space city is expanding to the sea. The infrastructure is mostly underground, among other things the railway. 

The beginning of the dukedom of Monaco

The area of modern day Monaco was used as a hideaway by the ancient people, as the hills surrounding it are perfect to form a sanctuary. In the 6th century BCE the territory was part of the Greek cultural circle and fell under the Roman rule later on. For a short time it was also French. But it was at the time when Monaco became part of Genova as one of its colonies that we can talk about the beginning of the modern Monaco. Events took place then that in a way still shape the country today. It was in this time that the first fortress was constructed and that’s how the family Grimaldi gained control of the city. The founder of the Monaco dukedom was Francesco Grimaldi, also known as cunning. He conquered the fortress in an attack, where he lead men dressed as hooded monks of the Capuchin order (in Italian – Monaco). In the year 1419 the Grimaldi’s bought the territory of Monaco from the Aragon dynasty. Until 1793 the dukedom was more or less autonomous, although it was under a vassal influence of the French kings. The dukedom was also pray to many invasion, tha latter during 2nd World War when Italian forces occupied the city, and after Italian capitulation German forces moved in. In 1993 Monaco officially became a full member of United Nations with a the power of vote. There’s also a treaty between France and the constitutional monarchy of Monaco that even if there would be no heir to the throne, the country would still remain independent. This is not an unusual claim, if we consider that the prime minister of Monaco (up until 2002) had to be a French citizen, although approved by the duke, nominated by the French government.

The country for the rich

The main reason for so many rich people moving into Monaco is its favourable tax policy. The wealth of the nation comes from gambling and also tourism, which we must understand in the broader sense – the most famous event attracting people is the Formula 1 Grand Prix race. There are cars to be seen on the streets of Monaco, you could hardly see anywhere else. Just a walk among the streets with fascinating glitter or the rich is an experience inviting tourists. This gets even more impressive upon reaching the shore and seeing the yachts, which are often nothing shy of floating villas. 

Instead of clothing many people prefer window shopping for cars. There’s Rolls Royce, Jaguar, Bentley, and many more, to feat your eyes upon. The tall apartment buildings have receptions with staff present all day and there are no names on the doorbells – just the numbers. There are also boutiques, jewellery shops, hotels and restaurants showing off the wealth, as a price for a full dinner can often top 1000€. Lately it’s become a trend for rich single women to buy apartments there and currently every second bank account of Monaco is owned by a woman. 

Due to the high concentration of wealth and rich people, Monaco is a country that places a lot of pride in its security. Safety against criminal is here much higher than in many other places in the world. So many rich people come here for the tax policy and safety, and make Monaco their haven. Police constantly watches every inch of the city with hundreds of cameras, so even a pickpocket would get caught right away.

Circuit de Monaco

Circuit de Monaco is the city racing circuit on the public road. The idea for a road race originated in 1929, when the president of the Monaco automobile club – Anthony Noghes – organized a formula 1 race. The circuit is often called Monte Carlo and is especially popular because it’s narrow and wavy. It gives advantage to more skilled drivers not so much to the drivers with the strongest car. The biggest challenge is overtaking, as the strip is narrow and quite dangerous. There’s also another challenge for competitors – the change between daylight and the tunnel. The change of light takes some time to adjust and those moments can always be problematic at high speeds. The racing track in Monaco cannot be compared to any other, as it’s more dangerous, but it only claimed one fatality. Still as the race has its historical meaning and is the only one in the city circuit, it’s a classic on the calendar of the Grand Prix caravan. Usually it stands that a pole position in Monaco also means the win in the race. But there are collisions, strategy of pit stops and other things that can cause or gain a victory. Many like to poke fun of the track by comparing it to a bicycle race in your bathroom, or a helicopter chase in the living room.

Monaco is a place that causes many visitor so dream about such a glamorous lifestyle, with fancy cars, gambling, yachts, expensive restaurants… But happiness does not derive from money. Many rich people are obsessed with gathering money and are just worried they’ll run out in the future. Many are constantly scared what will happen to them. There are also many celebrities that just can’t enjoy life as most of us and are constrained to their gilded cages and can only appear in public with heavy protection of bodyguards. So being rich is not enough to also be happy.

Monaco is famously the playground of the rich and famous, despite being the world’s 2nd-smallest nation. Spanning just 200 hectares, this historic principality features grand casinos, designer shopping centres, opulent bars and clubs, and a human-made beach, attracting celebrities and holidaymakers year-round.

Located along the French Riviera, Monaco enjoys a warm climate during most of the year, though we recommend visiting in April or early autumn if you want to avoid hoards of crowds and get discounted hotel rates. Check out some of the best things to see and do during your stay in Monaco.

Best things to do in Monaco 

Larvotto Beach Monaco's only public beach

Whether you want to soak up the sun or enjoy waters sports, there’s really no better place to go than Larvotto Beach, which happens to be the only Monaco beach that's open to the public. The sea is surrounded by nets to protect tourists from jellyfish, and the long strip of golden sand provides ample space to sunbathe.

Expect to face crowds of tourists during the peak tourist season. We recommend laying down your towel or paying a few euros for a lounger early to secure a comfortable spot. The beach itself is surrounded by plenty of restaurants and offers facilities like free toilets, changing rooms and showers.

Palais du Prince Tour the head of state’s home

The Palais du Prince is the official residence of Prince Albert II, Monaco’s current head of state. The building dates back to the 13th century and thanks to its hilltop location, this elegant building can be seen from almost anywhere in Monaco.

Tours are available to the public. Inside the palace, you can view the ornate Throne Room, Italianate-style gallery, the famous Blue Room and a Palatine Chapel. Tickets cost around €8 per adult and €4 per child. Twin tickets are available if you also want to combine a visit to Palais du Prince with the Oceanographic Museum or the prince’s car collection.

Monaco casinos Gamble with the nation’s high-rollers

Monaco is perhaps most famous for being a playground for the rich and famous, which is reflected by its numerous casinos in the Monte Carlo ward. Casino de Monte Carlo is arguably the most popular gambling hotspot, though the Casino Le Café de Paris is the largest venue in the principality, with over 400 gaming and video poker machines.

If you fancy placing wagers amid celebrities and business magnates, Monte Carlo is the place to go. You’ll find around 100 table games and 1,000 slot, gaming and video machines spread across the city’s 4 casinos.

Musée Oceanographique Get close to over 6,000 marine life

Musée Oceanographique houses over 6,000 marine life and reconstructed coral reefs, and around 100 pools designed to replicate the natural environment of the animals that live in them. Officially opened in 1910, it's one of the oldest aquariums in the world. 

If you want to get close to sharks, sea urchins and a vast array of tropical and Mediterranean sea creatures, head to Musée Oceanographique at 10am to beat the queues and view the aquariums before swarms of crowds flood the building. By paying around €8, you get a ticket that grants you entry to the museum and the Palais du Prince.

Monaco’s gardens Become one with nature and relish in stunning vistas

Monaco may be the world’s 2nd-smallest sovereign state, but it boasts plenty of green spaces that offer a break from the hustle and bustle of the casino and shopping districts. Head to Fontvieille just outside the city centre to relax at Jardin Exotique, which overlooks the ocean, offers stunning vistas, and provides a home to over 7,000 species of plants. Nearby, there’s an Observatory Cave where you can check out stalactites and stalagmites.

If you want to enjoy some peace and quiet, head to Les Jardins St Martin in the historic Monaco-Ville district. This park is full of snaking paths, shaded benches, sculptures and coastal views, and because it doesn’t attract hoards of tourists, it’s one of the best places to enjoy a quiet picnic.

Monaco Cathedral Monaco’s iconic place of worship

Explore Monaco-Ville to find Monaco Cathedral, which was constructed using white stones during the 19th century. Inside this Neo-Romanesque structure, you’ll find a grand organ, a white marble altar, and ornaments dating back to the 16th century. It also houses the remains of Monaco’s princes and princesses.

As a place of worship, there is no entrance fee to Monaco Cathedral. We recommend allocating a couple of hours to tour this iconic religious site, and remember to be respectful by wearing appropriate clothes and exploring this historical building in silence.

Monaco museums Learn about Monaco’s history

Monaco has plenty of fascinating museums, the most visited being the Musée Oceanographique, which is home to over 6,000 sea creatures. However, other museums worth visiting include the Musée de la Chapelle de la Visitation on Le Rocher and the Monaco Naval Museum, which overlooks the marina.

The Naval Museum features Spanish galleons, Roman ships, traditional Viking longboats and a model of the Titanic. In total, there are over 250 model ships and maritime artefacts in this impressive building , taking you on a journey through Monaco's history.

Métropole Shopping CenterEmbrace Monaco’s upscale shopping experiences

Given Monaco’s status as a playground for the rich and famous, it’s no surprise that the principality offers an abundance of high-end shopping opportunities. Located opposite the Casino Gardens, the Métropole Shopping Center houses around 80 designer boutique stores, but its opulent interior makes it worth a visit even if you don’t intend to stock up on expensive clothes and goods. You’ll be welcomed into a luxurious setting with marble floors and stylish period chandeliers.

Some of the brands you’ll find inside the Métropole Shopping Center include Gucci, Giovanni Raspini, Chantelle and Crème de la Mer – make sure you’re equipped with plenty of cash if you intend to replenish your collections of clothes, perfumes and jewellery.

Waterfront bars Mingle with the rich and famous at night

You won’t struggle to find a place to drink and party after the sun goes down in Monaco, thanks to its dozens of late-night bars and nightclubs – you might even bump into a celebrity or two while you’re there. Whether you want to dance until dawn or enjoy a jazz-and-swing night, you’ll find something that matches your night-time desires in Monaco.

Jimmy’z Place du Casino is one of the most iconic clubs in Monaco, offering fabulous cocktails, light bites and stunning views over the city and ocean. Its outdoor space, which features circular canopies over its open-air seating area, is what makes it so enchanting. You’ll be shoulder to shoulder with affluent partygoers when the sun goes down in Monaco.

Enjoy fine dining Eat at Michelin-starred restaurants in Monte Carlo

Many claim that Monaco has more Michelin-starred restaurants per sq m than any other country. These fine-dining establishments are dotted all over the principality, and offer just about any dish you can imagine. You’ll find a cluster of them in the Monte Carlo ward that serve Mediterranean delights using the finest ingredients.

Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse is a trendy restaurant with 3 Michelin stars. It has a wine cellar containing over 400,000 bottles, while its food menu consists of local favourites like ravioli (served with wood mushrooms, avocado and cabbage) and blue lobster (with cime di rapa, baby turnips and pink peppers). Book your table early because this establishment is in high demand.