Despite being the second smallest country in the world, Monaco packs a lot into its 2km squared principality. Known for its motorsport connections, its glamorous inhabitants, and of course its appearance in the 2011 Selena Gomez classic movie Monte Carlo, the historic country is the perfect place to spend the most luxurious of weekends away.
Whether you’re an F1 fan hoping to walk along the iconic Grand Prix track, a foodie with a taste for the most decadent of meals, or simply want somewhere hot in the sun you can relax and unwind, there’s so much to see and do in Monaco.
Located next to the South of France, Monaco is known for its glamorous and luxury vibe, and while this is certainly true (the buildings are stunningly beautiful), the principality also has a very relaxed and friendly nature. As the country is so small, the majority of the attractions are within walking distance, adding to the laidback feel.
And while it’s definitely possible to live the life of luxury when visiting Monaco, there’s also plenty to keep you occupied that won’t break the bank, with museums, walks and coffee shops.
With this in mind, we’ve come up our ideal way of spending a long weekend in Monaco, including all the must visit cultural sites, and the restaurants worth splashing out on.
Where to stay
Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo
Ok, if you’re looking to go all out and stay at the most glamorous hotel you can find in Monaco, head to the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo. The luxurious hotel perfectly balances its classical features with modern service and old school charm. The hotel staff are incredibly warm and welcoming, and the rooms are elegantly furnished with many overlooking the port and Monaco race track.
For serious foodies, the hotel has its own Michelin starred restaurant Pavyllon, and breakfast is served every morning in the stunning Mezzanine with its own stained glass ceiling. And if you’re not already feeling relaxed enough the hotel has its own spa facilities and indoor swimming pool.
The hotel is part of the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and so as a guest of the hotel you have free access to the Monte Carlo casino, and the Monte Carlo Beach Club.
Prices at Hôtel Hermitage Monte Carlo start from £507 per night on a bed & breakfast basis. Book your stay here.
What to do
Watch a race
If you can, plan your long weekend away around one of the big races that take place in Monaco. There’s the Formula E Grand Prix, the Monaco Historic Grand Prix and of course, the F1 Grand Prix which all take place each year usually in April and May.
There are various ways to enjoy a race when in Monaco. If you can, grab tickets for the stands as it will be an incredible atmosphere, or depending on which hotel you’re staying there’s opportunities to watch a race from various rooftops (in the Hermitage we were able to watch the race from the outdoor terrace) or there are various points around the city, where you can catch a glimpse of the races for free.
Visit the Monte Carlo Casino
Featured in James Bond movies, Never Say Never Again and GoldenEye, and Ocean’s Twelve, you can’t visit Monaco without a stop at the famous Monte Carlo Casino.
Games begin from 2pm, and if you don’t feel like placing a bet, the casino is available for visits between 10am to 1pm, so you can still soak up the famous atmosphere.
Head to the beach club
If you visit Monaco during the warm summer months, and want to spend a day relaxing in the sun and swimming in the sea, head to the Monte-Carlo Beach Club. Lined with striped sun chairs and cabanas, the beach club has both access to a private pebble beach with crystal clear blue water and a heated pool. There’s also a restaurant on site where you can enjoy a crisp class of rosé as you watch the sun go down.
Learn a thing or two
For such a small country, there are plenty of museums to keep you occupied while in Monaco. If you’re a motorsports fan we’d recommend a visit to the Cars Collection of HSH the Prince of Monaco, where you can see over 70 cars from the collection of Prince Rainier, including racing cars that have competed in the Monaco Grand Prix.
The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco is also worth a visit, since opening in 1910 it’s renowned around the world for protecting and raising awareness of the oceans.
Watch a movie
If you’re in Monaco during the high summer season (July to September), the best way to spend an evening is with a trip to the movies. And no, we don’t mean spending your holiday in a dark cinema. We mean take a seat at the open-air cinema, which has been around since 1948 and is quite literally built into the rock of the country, and relax while catching the newest release.
Where to eat
Amazónico
You may be in Europe, but with the addition of the recently opened Amazónico in Monte-Carlo you can take a visit to South America. The large restaurant has an outside terrace overlooking the square and casino and is great for dinner where you can try the incredible variety of Peruvian inspired ceviche and sushi and a great selection of grilled meats and fish. Inside and downstairs there’s a bar and club, which has an intimate atmosphere and a delicious collection of cocktails.
Café de Paris
Café de Paris is an iconic feature of Monte-Carlo, having served the people of Monaco for 150 years. The classic brasserie is open all day for breakfast to dinner with an à la carte menu featuring dishes such as escargots (my personal favourite), steak and crêpes suzette, which are said to have been invented on the property.
COYA
Dinner with a view? Yep, sign us up. Open from April to September COYA looks out over the sea, and serves a collection of Latin American classics headed up by chef Victoria Vallenilla. It’s also right next to the nightclub Jimmy’z so you can go from dinner to drinks to dancing in less than a two minute walk.
Other things to note
To get to Monaco, the easiest way is to fly into Nice, and from there you can either take the train or a taxi to nearby Monaco, which is about a 30 minute drive depending on traffic.
Also keep an eye out for lifts throughout the city which locals rely on to navigate the rather hilly landscape.
Just an FYI to clear up any confusion (I wasn’t sure on the difference either) Monte Carlo is one of four quarters in Monaco (the others are Fontvielle, Monaco-Vielle, and La Condamine), but is perhaps the most instantly recognisable part of Monaco, thanks in part to the many tourist attractions in the area.
British Airways flies regularly from London to Nice, book flights here
Senior Entertainment and Lifestyle Writer
Lydia Venn is Cosmopolitan UK’s Senior Entertainment and Lifestyle Writer. She covers everything from , to the latest celebrity news. She also writes across our work/life section regularly creating , covering exciting new releases and sharing the latest must-haves. In her role she’s interviewed everyone from Margot Robbie to Niall Horan, and her work has appeared on an episode of . After completing a degree in English at the University of Exeter, Lydia moved into journalism, writing for the , before working as Features Editor at , where she spoke on BBC Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour and Talk Radio. She has an encyclopedic knowledge of Gilmore Girls and 00s teen movies, and in her free time can be found with a margarita in hand watching the Real Housewives on repeat. Find her on .