The second smallest country in the world after the Vatican, Monaco is the centre of luxury and excess. With its two square kilometres and forty thousand inhabitants, the principality represents one in three millionaires.
From July onwards, the city’s streets are bustling with tourists from all over the world. However, you don’t necessarily have to be rich to appreciate this very special country, and for good reason, today we present you with five ways to discover Monaco.
Monaco: principalty to discover absolutely in your life.
On a weekend getaway
Monaco is the perfect destination for a weekend getaway. Indeed, you will quickly get a tour of the small principality, and 2 full days seem to be enough to discover the main places of the city.
The first must-see in Monaco is the Rock. It is the heart of the city. Overlooking the whole of Monaco, the Rock is the oldest part of the city. It was founded in the 13th century by the famous Grimaldi dynasty, which is still reigning today. You will discover magnificent narrow streets with colourful facades, lined with shops and restaurants. You can’t get to the Rock without visiting the famous Prince’s Palace, St. Nicholas Cathedral and the St. Martin’s Gardens opposite. From its summit, you can also enjoy an incredible panoramic view over the entire Bay of Monaco.
This part of the city is mainly visited on foot, however, you can always board one of the tourist buses or simply a city bus which will allow you to appreciate all the most emblematic places of the district at each stop. You can also take the mini tourist train that runs through the whole city.
End this first visit by walking through the Fontvieille district located at the foot of the Rock, where you can admire the marina, the sculpture trail, the Princess Grace rose garden and the Fontvieille museum.
Spend your second day in Monaco to visit its exotic garden as well as the small shopping district of Condamine located in the centre of the city which will lead you to the Port Hercule. Finish your tour of Monaco in style with a visit to the emblematic Monte-Carlo district and its famous Casino, for a first-rate view of the overflowing luxury of the principality.
Rent a flat for holidays
You have fallen under the spell of Monaco and a weekend on its coasts is no longer enough for you? You are lucky, the city is perfect for a summer holiday in the sun. Situated in the heart of the French Riviera, Monaco offers the promise of heavenly, luxuriously appointed beaches. Rent a flat for your holidays and enjoy real days of relaxation between sunbathing in the sun, discovering new tastes and strolling through the narrow streets of the Rock.
Enjoy a perfect time in the Monaco Casino.
Take a trip to the famous Monte-Carlo casino
Let yourself be carried away by the festive atmosphere of the city and discover the famous Monte Carlo Casino. Known as a reference in the field of gaming and entertainment, the Casino de Monte-Carlo is nevertheless a monument to be visited and admired. Illustrious and prestigious, it was designed by the same architect as the Opéra Garnier in Paris.
The casino impresses by its stature and its Belle Epoque style façade. Surrounded by gardens and scenery, it has above all the Grail, a huge terrace with an incredible view of the Mediterranean.
Come and see the famous Fireworks Festival
First held in 1966 as part of the events celebrating the Centenary of the Sovereign Order establishing the Monte-Carlo district, the traditional Fireworks Festival is the unmissable event of the Principality’s summer evenings.
It is an international fireworks competition in which the winners of the last 4 years compete against each other. The Port Hercule is the scene of this night walk and you can admire the show from the Avenue Ostende which is one of the best observation posts, but also at the Fort Antoine, in the amphitheatre or on the road to the Mont des Mules. Thrills and magic guaranteed!
A short tour to the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
It was Prince Albert I who created the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco in 1889 on the side of the rock facing the Mediterranean Sea. Endowed with a world-renowned know-how, the Museum presents more than 6,000 specimens. Go and discover its aquariums, where you will find all sorts of sharks, sea turtles and Mediterranean fish. In the second part of the visit, you will also have the chance to admire huge whale and dolphin skeletons, as well as fossils and models.
As you can see, Monaco is the ideal location for a discovery getaway. The principality can be easily visited in just a few days, making it the perfect destination for a weekend or a week in the summer season.