A popular port of call for cruisers or daytime stop for French Riviera travelers, Monte Carlo offers so much more than a quick diversion on a longer trip. The principality sandwiched between France and Italy offers luxury accommodations, fine dining, an incredible, palm-tree adorned setting on the coast, and top notch hospitality. With an almost nonexistent crime rate, a distinct local culture, 300+ days of sun per year and hoards of attractions, ranging from luxe beaches to lounge on to top rated restaurants, Monte-Carlo may be the best home base for your next getaway on the Côte d'Azur.
Getting to Monte-Carlo
Flying into Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE) from the United States or other destinations is the easiest way to reach Monaco. From there, visitors can book a seat on.a helicopter via Blade, for a 7 minute flight from Nice to Monaco that takes off about every half hour. A seat is 195 euros, each way.
If driving is preferable, taxis and private transfers can easily be books. Trams and buses also connect Nice Airport to Monaco, as does a train from Port Nice, should public transportation be your preference.
MORE FROMFORBES ADVISOR
Staying in Monte-Carlo
At 514 acres, the entire principality of Monaco is smaller than Central Park. When checking into a hotel in Monte-Carlo, proximity to the city center is worthwhile, as visitors can walk pretty much anywhere. And of course, plenty of five-star experiences await.
For a serene getaway featuring a rooftop pool, spa, sprawling views of the yacht-speckled Mediterranean Sea and luxurious suites, look no further than the Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo, one of three Leading Hotels of the World in Monaco.
It would be easy to stay in the resort-like Hôtel de Paris without ever leaving, should you choose. The property is home to several excellent and lauded restaurants, including Em Sherif Monte-Carlo, an upscale Middle Eastern restaurant that also serves an exquisite breakfast; Le Louis XV, Alain Ducasse’s three Michelin star project at the front of the hotel; and on the eighth floor, the Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Grill with incredible coastal views, Monegasque fare, plus famous souffles.
A bit more subtle, but just as elegant is the nearby Hotel Hermitage, an 1890s Belle Époque palace gorgeously renovated for modern travelers. Rooms and suites also overlook the Mediterranean, and the property is within minutes of the nearby luxury boutiques and casino. The extravagant space is beautifully decorated and a pleasure to discover common spaces in. To dine, Pavyllon Monte Carlo by Yannick Alléno, offers lunch and dinner on a sunny terrace or inside a modern space.
As with Hotel de Paris, Hotel Hermitage is a Monte-Carlo SBM Resort, meaning guests have access to all the properties’ facilities and complimentary shuttle service to the Monte-Carlo Beach Club, a private beach and pool with cabanas, a full service restaurant and bar.
Forbes Travel GuideMonte Carlo Luxury Hotels - Forbes Travel Guide
Dining in Monte-Carlo
Fine dining enthusiasts can hop between six excellent Michelin starred restaurants in Monaco, many of which are housed within the five star hotels. Additionally, a handful of Michelin recommended restaurants offer lunch and dinner within the principality, and local spots are gems as well.
New to Monte-Carlo as of late 2023 is Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac, tucked in the back of Hôtel Métropole. Helmed by chef Cussac, whose mentor Joël Robuchon ran the two-star restaurant in the same space, Les Ambassadeurs offers artful French gastronomy, with over-the-top flare, like rolling bread carts and dessert carts, fully staffed and eager to help guests indulge. A thirteen course degustation menu is the best way to taste the offerings, but an ala cart menu is available as well.
For more of a local flare, eat like a Monegasque at Le Marché de la Condamine, an outdoor farmer’s market and indoor food hall open daily. Here, vendors offer socca (chickpea crepes popular in the region), sandwiches on crunchy baguettes, roast meats, pasta and more, to enjoy with plenty of wine and beer, cafeteria style. Fresh produce, butchers and seafood vendors also offer hyper-local ingredients.
Forbes Travel GuideMonte Carlo Travel Guide - Forbes Travel Guide
Exploring Monte-Carlo
One of Monte-Carlo’s biggest assets is its small size — in just a matter of days visitors can hit up every attraction and not feel like they missed out.
The Casino de Monte-Carlo is a big draw for many, an extraordinary palatial space for high (and lower) stakes table games, co*cktails and more. Dating back to 1878, the historic casino is an architectural marvel, full of paintings, frescos and detail worth viewing even if gambling isn’t in the cards. The casino is open daily for tourist visits from 10 a.m. - 1 p.m. and tables open at 2 p.m. Those who wish to play French Roulette, Baccarat, Black Jack, Craps, Poker and beyond need to be 18 or older and have a valid passport or ID to present when purchasing chips. At night, catch a performance at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo, a cultural institution adjacent to the casino known for world class performances of classic European operas.
Musée océanographique de Monaco is another highlight, a natural history museum and aquarium housed in an early 20th Century Baroque Revival building. Here, visitors can enjoy aquarium exhibits and wildlife, plus ephemera from the Antarctic exhibitions of Prince Albert I.
Nearby, the Prince’s Palace is a highlight for day trippers and visitors alike. Entry is free to tour historic quarters, learn about the principality, view art installations and exhibits and witness the daily changing of the guard at 11: 55 a.m.
Outdoors, Monte-Carlo and Monaco is easy to navigate, by foot or by luxury rental car, which many F1 enthusiasts are eager to borrow in the home of the famous Monaco Grand Prix. The Jardin Exotique de Monaco offers a cliffeside walk around tropical and desert plants, Princess Grace Japanese Garden is a popular destination for serene strolls by waterfalls, and Fontvieille Park is a local favorite to explore urban gardening, culinary plants, ducks and more.
