Monte Carlo Travel Guide – Tourist attractions and useful tips

Getting to know Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo is many things, a place for lavish cars and boats, tourists and locals with money, great restaurants and the European sort of Las Vegas, but at much smaller scale.

What you can do for free in Monte Carlo

1. Visit the Monte Carlo Harbor
   Take a stroll around this area, admire the luxurious yachts, the sail boats and the cruise ship, and enjoy the sea and the beautiful landscape.
2. Visit the Japanese Gardens
   Walk around in these gardens will and you will discover all the essential components that make a mesmerizing Japanese garden: a pond, islands, a waterfall, lanterns, bridges, a tea house and a Zen garden. The rich mix of Japanese tradition and Mediterranean touches is the result of a close collaboration between gardeners from both Monaco and Japan.
3. Walk around the Casino Square
   Walking around the Casino Square is free! You don’t have to enter the casino and actually gamble to take in the atmosphere and enjoy the experience. Admire the imposing building and its surroundings without spending a dime!

Top spots to visit

1. Prince’s Palace
   During the summer, when the prince’s family is away, this outstanding palace is open to tourists. When a flag is standing over the palace, it means that the prince is currently in the palace. Most of the items that can be found during a visit in the palace date from the XVI century and some even from the XIII century.
2. The Private Collection of Antique Cars of H.S.H. Prince Rainier III
   The car enthusiast Prince Rainier III began collecting old cars in 1950, and decided to open the collection to the public in 1993. The exhibition spans over 5 000 square meters, bringing together more than a hundred different cars
3. Casino of Monte-Carlo
   The Casino of Monte-Carlo is a gambling and entertainment complex, a landmark of Monaco and it can also be seen as a symbol of opulence and wealth. You can enter the building for a fee. The interior will most likely impress you, and you can also try your luck if you wish to gamble. Overall, visiting this place it is indeed a fascinating experience.

Hidden spots to visit

Pay attention to the green

Many public gardens and wonderful acres of greenery can be found around the steep center of Monte Carlo, and they are often missed out on by the tourists that are focused on the imposing buildings. The clifftop garden near the Town Hall provides a wonderful view of the old harbour.

Restaurants

Some of the best fine-dining restaurants you can find in  Monte Carlo, that will surely impress you are Le Grill, Buddha-Bar, Blue Bay and Restaurant Joel Robuchon Monte-Carlo

If you really want to get a taste of the local cuisine, recommendations are Quai des Artistes, Hostellerie Jerome, Le comptoir and Valentin.

Some cheaper options include Il Fornaio, Maison des Pates Monaco, V.I.P. Very Italian Pizza and Son of a Bun.

 

Recommended time for visiting

Visiting Monte Carlo is best in the early fall, when temperatures are warm and weather is still dry, yet hotel rates are much lower. Summer is the most popular time to visit Monte Carlo, but that comes with more expensive accommodation. If you decide to visit during October and November, keep in mind that this is the rainiest season in Monte Carlo.