A plan for Monaco

This is the second smallest independent state in the world (after the Vatican) and is entirely urban. Monte Carlo is not the capital of Monaco but a government district. The country is divided into nine sectors: Monaco-Ville (the old city), the Condamine (port quarter), Monte-Carlo (business and recreation) and Fontvieille (recreation, second port for smaller boats and light industry) are the most well-known among them.

With no natural resources to exploit other than its location and climate, the principality has become a resort for tourists and a tax haven for wealthy people. Monaco is six times the size of the Vatican and the world's most densely populated country. While its borders have not moved since 1861 (when it lost over 80% of its territory to France), Monaco has still grown its territory by creating artificial land from the sea, which is how the area Fontvielle came to be. Its size is smaller than Central Park.

Tourist information

Visit Monaco. Tourist information website. (updated Jan 2024)

Office of Tourism, 2a boulevard des Moulins, Monte-Carlo. Mon-Sat 09:30-17:00. (updated Jan 2024)

Information Desk, Place Sainte-Dévote / SNCF railway station - 2nd floor, Monte-Carlo. Mon-Sat 09:00-17:00. (updated Jan 2024)

Read

Rainier and Grace, republished as Grace of Monaco, by Jeffrey Robinson. An account of the lives of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace of Monaco, intertwined with the history of the country. The author knew Rainier and Grace personally, and he interviewed members of the royal family for the book.

The principality of Monaco offers a great balance of historical and modern attractions. There are various museums and palaces to visit as well as shopping malls and casinos. Monaco also offers relaxation spots along the harbour and even around the attractions. It is relatively easy to navigate Monte Carlo and Monaco if you take the time to learn where the various "short cuts" are. City maps are generally available at most news vendor stands and shops for a small fee. The 12 Tourist information could be a good starting point before venturing to explore the city.

1 Monte Carlo Casino (Grand Casino), Place du Casino, ☏ +377 98 06 41 51, vip@montecarlocasinos.com. 14:00-04:00. The Monte Carlo Casino is a gambling and entertainment complex which includes a casino, the Opéra de Monaco, and the office of Les Ballets de Monte Carlo. Owned and operated by the Société des bains de mer de Monaco (SBM), a public company in which the Monaco government and the ruling family have a majority interest. The company also owns the principal hotels, sports clubs, foodservice establishments, and nightclubs throughout Monaco. If your wallet permits it, try your luck in the Grand Casino and gamble alongside the world's richest and often most famous. You'll need your passport to enter (as Monégasque citizens are prohibited from gambling at the casino, though they can work there), and the fees for entry range enormously depending on what room you are going to; often from €30 up into the hundreds. The dress code inside is extremely strict: men are required to wear coats and ties, and casual shoes are forbidden. The gaming rooms themselves are spectacular, with stained glass, paintings, and sculptures everywhere.

2 Hike or drive up Tête de Chien ("Dogs Head"). Enjoy one of the most spectacular views over Monaco. 1 Another nice place nearby with an extraordinary panorama can be found right north of the "Fort de la Tête de Chien". A big chunk of the Formula 1 track can be seen from this viewpoint. Equipped with binoculars it is the most economical and special way to see the Grand Prix live. (updated Sep 2016)

3 Hike along the coastal path from Monaco to Carnoles. A beautiful walk with splendid views towards Monaco. It takes roughly 2 hours from Monte-Carlo to circle Cap-Martin and finally reach Carnoles train station, where you can catch a train back to Monaco. An alternative to go back is by bus number 100. The overall distance is about 9 km. (updated Sep 2016)

4 Azur Express (Departure opposite the Oceanographic museum), ☏ +377 92 05 64 38, contact@monacotours.mc. Fun tourist trains make daily tours all over Monaco. You will visit the Monaco Port, Monte-Carlo and its Palaces, the famous Casino and its gardens, the Old Town for City Hall and finally the royal Prince’s Palace. Commentaries are in English, Italian, German, French and another 8 languages. This enjoyable tour runs about 30 minutes long without the possibility to leave the train. €10 adults, €5 children. (updated Sep 2016)

5 Monte-Carlo Sporting (Sporting Monte-Carlo). In the summer time, Monte-Carlo is illuminated with dazzling concerts at the exclusive Salle des Etoiles, which lies within the Sporting complex. It has featured such artist as Natalie Cole, Andrea Bocelli, the Beach Boys, Lionel Richie and Julio Iglesias. The club also hosts a small casino which includes basic casino games. With no one under the age of 18, the rate per person is €20. (updated Jul 2017)

Food in Monaco is varied, but generally expensive, and even very basic meals often cost over €20-30. Take a look at the menu before entering even shabby restaurants or you may be in for a surprise. There are places where you can find decent value, but they often require knowing about beforehand. Restaurants where locals dine are often located a little bit away from the waterfront and often serve better food for lower prices (however, since you are in Monaco: nothing is a bargain).

There are many restaurants catering to tourists, from the Cafe de Paris across the street from the casino, to the waterfront restaurants along the Port de Fontvieille. During the winter months, you will find the restaurants to have a slightly lower price tag. Bouillabaisse is a good tip.

Budget

There is a variety of restaurants and cafés in the city with a moderate price tag and excellent food. A few simple cafés exist along the marina-side, more like beach bars than anything else, serving simple meals such as pizza, salads and hotdogs throughout the day. These can be good for sitting back during the hot midday with a cold beer or glass of wine, a snack to recharge your batteries from exploring the city, and the gentle lapping of the Mediterranean (and often the roar of supercars) in your ears. Most of these restaurants are equipped with water-misters in the ceilings that gently cool and refresh the clientele.

1 Chez Roger (In the market hall east of Place d'Armes), ☏ +377 93508020. Mon-Sat 09:45-13:30. Try the typical food of the region. Socca (chickpea pancakes) for €3 and Pissaladière (caramelized onion and anchovy tart) for €2 (Aug 2020). The Monégasque speciality Barbajuan, which is a kind of fritter stuffed with spinach and other ingredients, can be bought in the shop to the right of Chez Roger's. (updated Aug 2022)

Champagne has the status of a national beverage in Monaco. A single glass can cost as much as €40 at a fashionable restaurant!

1 Jimmy’z Monte-Carlo, 26 avenue Princesse Grace, ☏ +377 98 06 70 68, jimmyz@sbm.mc. Open all night from 23:30. The ultimate night club in Monaco (it's not actually in Monte Carlo), the famed Jimmy'z is frequented by royalty and the uber-rich, which isn't a surprise considering some of the hefty price tags, a beer will cost you upwards of €26. If you are not willing to afford it, there are other clubs to go to. There are two entrances: one, two floors down in Le Sporting Club, the other at street level, and many rock stars and billionaires have walked through both. Staff can be quite rude, but so are most of the patrons. Definitely an experience. (updated Mar 2020)

2 Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo, Place du Casino (a short walk up the stairs from the hairpin curve at Fairmont Hotel), ☏ +377 98 06 19 19, buddhabarmontecarlo@sbm.mc. Tue-Sat 18:00-02:00. Asian bar and restaurant is quite a decadent scene and quite expensive. Expect a queue for the bar and table service with the usual club-style sparklers after 23:00. (updated Sep 2016)

3 Gerhard's Café, 42 Quai Jean-Charles Rey, ☏ +377 92052579, office@gerhardscafe-monaco.com. Mon-Sat 08:00-03:00, Sun 11:00-03:00. Down to earth pub/restaurant with southern German/Austrian cuisine in the midst of poshy Fontvieille district. (updated Aug 2020)

4 Twiga, Top Floor Grimaldi Forum Ave. Princesse Grace, ☏ +377 99 99 25 50, info@sumosantwiga.com. Tue-Sun 19:00-02:00. Showcasing panoramic views from the top floor of the Grimaldi Forum, the outdoor seating area offers the perfect spot to see yachts cruising into the harbour. Top models and the people who want to be with them dance the early mornings away. Cocktail list is impressive and bite-sized treats are available. (updated Aug 2020)

5 The Bar @ Columbus Hotel, 23 Avenue des Papalins Monte Carlo, ☏ +377 92 059000. More laid-back and informal than some of its counterparts, its subdued atmosphere is a refreshing change from some of the high energy Monaco bars. Decked out in shades of blue, it's almost as sweet as the chocolate martinis, which come with a big truffle in each glass which slowly dissolves into your drinks and tastes heavenly. (updated Mar 2020)

Note that (as of September 2024) it is very difficult to store luggage. The train station info desk even has a sign outright saying it's not possible anywhere in the country.

By foot

Walking is by far the best way to get around Monaco; however, there are some areas, such as the Exotic Gardens, that require a large change in elevation and therefore make for rather strenuous hikes. There are also seven public escalators and elevators (all free) that help negotiate the steep slopes of the city. If you find yourself afoot and wanting to reach the opposite bank of Port Hercule, look for the small 9 Bateau Bus, a pedestrian-only ferry that runs each 20 minutes or so during daylight; it costs €2.

By bus

Monaco has an urban bus service, operated by the Compagnie des Autobus Monaco, through the city's five bus routes (labelled 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6) which serves 143 stops. Each stop has the bus numbers that stop there, and most stops feature a real-time display showing waiting times for the next service. Each stop has a name and a network map. The service usually starts at around 06:00 and runs right through until about 21:00. Tickets can be purchased on board the buses (€2) or at many news vendors and shops throughout the city and at auto ticket machines at the bus stops (€1.50) — often it will be advertised as to where you can do this. A daily pass allows you to use the buses all day for €5.50 (2016) and can also be purchased on board the bus. A night bus service operates in a circular route from 22:00 until 04:00.

In 2025 and 2026, Monaco is providing free bus service around certain big events such as the Yacht Show and the Grand Prix.

Monaco is one of the safest places on the planet, with nationwide video surveillance and one police officer per 100 residents. You can feel safe wearing your diamonds and Rolex, even for a night walk through the streets or coastline, with almost no street-crime, and a strong police presence. It has one of the lowest homicide rates of any country in the world, and among the lowest in terms of overall violent crime. Because of their wealth, public spaces are blanketed with cameras and any kind of disorder may produce an immediate reaction and the attendance of several officers. However, pickpocketing may occur during sporting events, like the Formula One Grand Prix and major football games.

Homosexuality is legal, although there are no specifically gay places in Monaco. You can walk with your same-sex partner hand in hand without being insulted in public places.

Monaco security can follow anyone on public areas, streets & corridors, using the vast camera network without losing you from their screens.

Be wary of dive-bombing seagulls. They like to steal food from people eating outdoors.

In many ways, the Respect section of the France page can detail how to be respectful toward the Monegasque population, but Monaco is a separate nation and it may be insulting to casually conflate the two. Monaco's population retain their own history, their own culture, and their own lifestyle. Directions or other help are only a smile and a question away.