If I’m honest, these types of articles never really hold much sway with me. This is mainly because if I see a gorgeous picture of a destination, I’m immediately sold. I really don’t take that much convincing…
But when it comes to Monaco, I reckon things are slightly different. Because when I told people I was heading there, I was met with many of the same questions: “Where is that?” “Is there actually anything to do there?” “Isn’t that a place where only the super wealthy go?!”
As it turns out, Monaco is not only a beautiful country, but there’s also heaps to do. It can also be pretty affordable too…if you play your cards right!
So, forget what you may have heard about Monaco. Here are 10 reasons why you shouldn’t discount it for one of your next destinations!
1. It’s easy to visit for just the weekend
We spent just two nights in Monaco over a bank holiday weekend, which was the perfect amount of time to get to grips with the area. We could easily have found more to do for a fourth day, but we managed to tick off everything we really wanted to do.
We flew to Nice airport from London Gatwick. From there, we paid €33 for a return coach to Monaco. The journey takes around 40 minutes, and there are a fair few stops. We were dropped off just down the road from Monte Carlo casino – a 5-minute walk to our Novotel Hotel!
2. 300 days of sunshine
Here in the UK, we’re not really blessed with too much sunshine throughout the year. We might get a day or three at some point, but that’s about it. Well, it turns out that Monaco’s got all our sunshine, since they have 300 days of it every year! That means, if you’re looking to top up your tan or just receive a spot of Vitamin D, Monaco is a fantastic destination with almost guaranteed sun.
3. It can be as affordable or as luxurious as you want to make it
As much as I would love to say otherwise, unfortunately I did not win the lottery before I flew to Monaco. Rather, the weekend was paid for out of my personal savings, with flights by Easyjet, and accommodation from budget chain Novotel. Sure, we splashed out on a few nice meals here and there, but it could have been a lot worse. We opted for a daytime look round the Monte Carlo casino (for a €10 fee), and walked as much as possible (mainly because we were there on May Day and buses weren’t running…). If you have a few thousand quid to spare, of course you can rent out a yacht, splash the cash at the casino or book in to a 5* hotel. But even if you’re looking after the pennies you can still have an incredible time in Monaco.
4. Oozes with iconic history
Monaco is a representation of 20th-Century glamour, much of which is still evident today. In 1956, Prince Rainier married the American actress Grace Kelly (whose understated grave stone can be found within the Saint Nicholas Cathedral). And every year the principality hosts the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix – tourists and locals can even walk the circuit in the weeks beforehand. The 19th century Casino de Monte-Carlo is a glamorous sight to behold, whether you’re a keen gambler or not. It’s featured in movies that have spanned the ages, including several Bond movies (‘Never Say Never Again’ and ‘GoldenEye’), plus Hitchcock’s ‘To Catch a Thief’.
5. Technically a different country
For those of you who like adding to your country ‘total’ (I’m not judging!), Monaco counts as a country in its own right…and it’s always an interesting fact to drop into conversation.
6. Fantastic sunsets
Californian sunsets are one thing, but as far as sunsets in Europe go, you’ll be hard-pressed to find any more beautiful than those seen in Monaco. To get the best views, get up high to somewhere like Le Rocher! Or, if you want to make an evening of it, book a table at the Horizon Deck and restaurant (above) for a meal with a view.
7. Beaches
Although Monaco is known for its city nightlife, there are also plenty of beach spots for those wanting a blissful slice of R&R. Larvotto Beach is popular with families (sometimes too popular, so get there early to reserve your spot!), and is just a short walk from Monte Carlo. There are also a few other beaches in nearby France, including Plage Marquet and Villefranche-sur-Mer.
8. Bar, restaurant and nightlife options are plentiful
Oh man. Trying to get round all the top bars and restaurants in just two nights was IMPOSSIBLE. In the end, we managed just two: the Horizon Deck, restaurant and champagne bar at the Fairmont Hotel, and the Art Dec0-style Cafe de Paris. But there are dozens of award-winning luxury bars and restaurants that will appeal to all palates.
9. Easily walkable
At just 0.78sq mi, Monaco is possibly the most walkable place I’ve ever been to. According to Google Maps, it takes just 45 minutes to walk from one side of Monaco to the other – but bear in mind that some parts are quite steep, so you may well need some F1-style pit stops! Even though it is quite steep, there are public lifts around which your feet will definitely appreciate.
10. Well situated for day trips into France and Italy
With France just next door and the Italian border around 8 miles away, Monaco is perfectly situated for day trips somewhere a little different. I’m not being paid to mention them (I promise!) but I love the range of tours available on Viator, including day trips to Cannes, Antibes and Italian markets.
I’ve popped into Monaco for an afternoon when I was in Nice with my Mum some years ago, and it was just stunning! I always thought it was unaffordable as a destination though, so it’s good to know you can do it on any budget!
Oooh you’ve intrigued me! I’ve been looking for other places that would serve as good weekend trips (I know, I know, there are many…) but the sun factor is a good one, I shall definitely look into it further!
Didn’t really have much interest in visiting Monaco until I start following your trip – I love that I can get there so quickly for a bit of glamour and sunshine without having the break the bank!
Oh that makes me so happy to read, thank you so much! Yes, it’s definitely possible – don’t be put off by all the OTT glamour! x
You’ve convinced me to give it another go Emily because when I went, I was a student and definitely felt it would have been unaffordable to stay so we did a day trip from Nice and I remember just feeling like everything cost the earth so it’d be nice to go back knowing that you can travel it despite needing a lottery win (of course, I’m not going to complain if a lottery win comes my way!!)
Fantastic news, Shikha! I think staying in Nice and visiting Monaco for the day is a smart move though, mainly because you get the best of both worlds! Definitely need to head back soon to actually see more of Nice than just its airport 🙂
I visited years ago, it really is a very beautiful place!
Monaco City is my favorite one.It is a perfect city for tour and travels.It is hard to resist its beauty.There are a lot of activities in Monaco to enjoy and I have enjoyed every single thing in Monaco.