What is Monaco known for?

Monaco sits on the alluring French Riviera and is known for being a small principality headed by the Prince of Monaco. Gorgeous and glittering, it is the world`s second-smallest country (after the Vatican), but for what it lacks in size it makes up for in extravagance. It is famous for it`s riches, gambling, car races, countless yachts and displays of extravagance. Monaco is glitzy and glamorous, and offers visitors a chance to mingle with the rich and famous.

What are the best places to visit in Monaco?

The Monte Carlo Casino is perhaps the obvious attraction to visit. Featured in so many movies, the Casino de Monte Carlo, as it is officially called, is an entertainment complex. You do need to dress up, especially if you visit at night. The Prince`s Palace of Monaco is the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco. It was built in the 12th century as a fortress and it has a long and dramatic history. The best part of this palace is the stunning views over the whole city. It`s a great place for photographer lovers. Another stop you`ll want to make is at the Oceanographic Museum, a museum of marine sciences. The museum offers great rooftop views and the park next to the museum is really lovely as well.

For some greenery and beautiful plants, check out the Exotic Garden of Monaco, it has a large variety of succulent plants. The beautiful Japanese Garden in the heart of Monaco is also great for peaceful strolling amongst some beautiful flora and fauna.

And for some chill time, check out the Monaco Beaches. There are three beaches available in Monaco: The Plage des Pecheurs, a natural beach that is typically not very crowded; The Solarium on the New Sea Wall is an artificial beach; and the Larvotto Nature Reserve, a supervised beach great for snorkeling.

Monte Carlo can make for an interesting base to explore not only the peculiarities of one of the smallest countries in the world, but also the spectacular coastline of the French Riviera which surrounds the city on all sides except for the seafront.

From Monte Carlo, there are endless day trip opportunities that will take you along the Cote d`Azur, from the bustling port cities of Nice and Marseille to the charming resort towns of Antibes or Cannes. There are beautiful beaches, restaurants and cafes overlooking the Mediterranean and of course, warm sunny weather that complements the scenery marvelously.

Across the border, to the east, you can even day trip as far as the Italian city of Genoa, for unique cultural and culinary experiences, while inland there are winding mountain roads and quaint rural communities to explore in the French interior.

When is the best time to visit Monaco?

With 300 days of sunshine per year, you’re almost guaranteed bright, sunny days during your visit. The summer is very warm and sunny, which makes it the best time to visit Monte Carlo if you want to soak up as much sunshine as possible.

The average temperature ranges from lows of 70°F to highs of 80°F between June and August. Sea breezes bring a cooling relief from the summer heat, but it’s still important to wear high-factor sun cream to protect yourself from the high UV levels.

If you love swimming, the best time to go to Monte Carlo is when the water has heated to 75°F in the summer. The water remains warm enough to swim in until October when temperatures begin to drop.

Spring and fall are perfect if you want to explore Monte Carlo without it being too hot. The average temperature between October to November is around 72°F with lows of 57°F. In spring, the weather begins to warm up after winter to 63°F, which is great for a holiday because it’s mild and the city isn`t as busy as the summer.

How many days should I spend in Monaco (and the French Riviera)?

We recommend 7-10 days based on what you want to see and do. We offer flexible vacation packages so you can select your number of nights in each city, desired hotel and activities. We suggest a minimum of 3 nights in larger cities.

What is the best way to get around Monaco?

Walking is by far the best way to get around due to its compact layout, size, and the fact that most of the tourist destinations are concentrated into primary areas. The roads are generally flat (unless you`re in the mountain area), and there are escalators which service the steeper roads. There are seven public escalators and elevators (all free) that help navigate the steep slopes of the city.

Public Elevators currently in use:
1- between the Place des Moulins and the beaches
2- between the Princess Grace Hospital Center and the Exotic Garden
3- between the harbor and the Avenue de la Costa
4- between the Place St. Dévote and the area of Monéghetti
5- between the Terraces of the Casino, the Congress Centre Auditorium and the Boulevard Louis II
6- between the Avenue des Citronniers and the Avenue Grande-Bretagne
7- between the highway and the Larvotto Boulevard.

If you find yourself on foot and wanting to reach the opposite bank of Port Hercule, look for the small pedestrian-only ferry that runs each 20-minutes or so during daylight; it costs about €2.

What is the currency of Monaco?

The currency of Monaco is the Euro. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for euros upon arrival.

Do people speak English in Monaco?

There are 125 different nationalities that reside in Monaco, hence many languages are spoken. French is the sole official language; however, Monégasque is the national language and some natives still speak the ancient Monégasque. Italian and English are widely understood and spoken. We suggest you get agood English-French guidebook and familiarize yourself with common phrases such as hello, goodbye, excuse me and numbers 1-10.