Monaco is known for its glitz and glam – from the F1 Grand Prix and the famous Casino de Monte Carlo, to the endless amount of Rolls Royce’s, private jets and superyachts. With a convenient flight time of only two hours from London, your first steps here will instantly give you a mix of LA, Miami and Vegas vibes. Monaco is the second smallest country in the world, approximately the size of New York’s Central Park, but it’s also one of the richest countries, where 1/3 of people are millionaires. Contrary to most assumptions, it’s still possible to holiday in this picturesque country without emptying out your pockets. In this blog post, I outline the best 10 things to see and do in Monaco – you will see from my pictures why it has quickly become one of my favourite countries…

It’s worth knowing from the outset that Monaco is divided into four distinct districts: Monaco-Ville, La Condamine, Monte Carlo and Fontvieille. My recommendations of things to see and do includes all these areas…

1) Monaco F1 Grand Prix

Every year in late May or early June, Monaco hosts the F1 Grand Prix, which attracts hundreds of visitors from across the globe and creates an electric atmosphere. I visited Monaco at the end of March, which is a great time to see all the preparation for the Grand Prix coming together, as you can see from the pictures below. I walked the entire F1 track, otherwise known as Circuit de Monaco, which is easily doable as the streets of the city are the race tracks themselves. The best race track point is the famous Fairmont Hairpin curve! I highly recommend walking the F1 track when visiting Monaco, as conveniently, all the other Monaco sites are along the F1 track too.

Take a look at how preparations are coming together for the 29th May 2022 Monaco Grand Prix…

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2) Casino Monte Carlo

Visiting the famous Casino Monte Carlo is a must-do when in Monaco. The exterior grounds are surrounded by lush gardens, boutique stores and luxury cars. Tours for the Monte Carlo Casino run each morning, before doors open for gambling at 2pm each day. Famous sculptures are also displayed around the Casino – my favourite is the Sky Mirror in Casino Square, designed by Anish Kapoor.

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3) Port De Fontvieille

Port De Fontvieille is located in the south of Monaco and offers, in my opinion, the best and prettiest vista of the country, overlooking rows of superyachts, mountains and the Mediterranean Sea. Fontvieille is also home to Fontvieille Park and the Princess Grace Rose Garden.

BOOK: Monaco and Monte Carlo: Guided Hidden Gems Tour

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4) Posh cars and superyacht spotting

Whilst roaming around Monaco, whether that’s through the intertwined streets or along the coast, you’ll quickly notice the sheer amount of fancy cars and superyachts. The streets around the Casino are lined with luxury cars from Porches to Bentleys, and Port Hercule and Port Fontvieille are the best spots to see glamourous yachts. Be sure to have your cameras at the ready to capture these beauties! You can even have your own Ferrari or Lamborghini driving experience.

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5) Musee Océanographique de Monaco

The architecturally-stunning Musee Océanographique de Monaco was founded by Prince Albert I and opened in 1910. The museum features an aquarium, exhibitions and much more, not to mention the fact it’s located on the edge of a cliff!

BOOK: Musee Océanographique de Monaco

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6) Prince’s Palace of Monaco

Located in Monaco-Ville and built in 1191, the Palace is the official residence of the Prince of Monaco. The Changing of the Guards takes place outside the Prince’s Palace daily at 11.55am and is free to watch. Paid tours of the interior of the Palace are also available.

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7) Saint Nicholas Cathedral

Saint Nicholas Cathedral, also known as Monaco Cathedral, is also in Monaco-Ville, in between the Prince’s Palace and Old Town.

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8) Explore Monaco’s Old Town

You will be surprised to know that aside from the modern luxury vibes, Monaco has a historic Old Town in Monaco-Ville, which dates back to the 6th Century and oozes history and culture. There are also charming orange and golden hues in the tiny alleyways of the Old Town, making this an Instagrammer’s paradise!

To my surprise, I found that souvenirs are really reasonably priced in Monaco’s Old Town, so I definitely recommend waiting until then to buy your keyrings, magnets and ornaments!

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9) Stade Louis II

The Stade Louis II is the home of AS Monaco, and is located in the Fontvieille district. It’s a short walk from Port De Fontvieille and you can walk around the exterior of the stadium – great to explore if you are a football fan!

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10) Jardin Exotique de Monaco

Jardin Exotique de Monaco is a beautiful botanical garden and it’s filled with hundreds of exotic plants, including cactuses and palm trees, and has a cliffside setting.

BOOK: From Nice: Full Day Monaco and Monte Carlo Tour