48 hours in Monaco – Weekend Edition
Monaco In Less Than 48 Words
Much like the Vatican City, Monaco is what people call a “city-state”, and is the second-smallest independent state in the world. It is prosperous despite its size, and is almost an entirely urban location. What deserves particular mention is its idyllic location by the Côte d’Azur.
Jardin Exotique (Photo by Sylvain Leprovost)
First 24 Hours
Fly to the city-state of Monaco via the Nice Côte d’Azur Airport of France, which is the primary way of getting into the city-state. It is located 16 kilometers west of Monaco. From there, you can catch Bus 110 that arrives at the terminal every 30 minutes. It will take you directly to the city-state after a 45-minute journey, and will cost around €18.
Le Meridien Beach Plaza (Photo from Google images)
Monaco is divided into four main districts: Monte Carlo, Monaco-Ville, La Condamine, and Fontvielle. The city-state is not particularly big and is compact, making navigation through it pretty easy. However, you should still try to pay a visit to its main tourist office (2a Boulevard des Moulins, 00 377 9216 6116, website), where you can get valuable tourist information. It is open daily from 9 am to 7 pm.
CHECK IN: Get relaxed at Monaco’s splendid hotels
In the city-state, you can stay comfortably at any one of the several excellent hotels. One of the best in the city-state is Fairmonte (12 Avenue des Spelugues, Monte-Carlo 98007, (377) 93 50 65 00, website). It is conveniently located and offers excellent service, complete amenities such as a pool and lovely sundeck.
A nice alternative is the Hotel Metropole (4 avenue de la Madone, Monte-Carlo 98007, (377) 93 151515, website), which has high-class facilities, plus fast room service, a sea water pool and a spa. You can also try out the Le Meridien Beach Plaza (22 Ave Princesse Grace, Monte-Carlo 98000, (377)93 30 98 80, website). It offers luxurious rooms and amenities, a great view of the beach and friendly staff, that too at manageable prices.
PRINCE’S PALACE: See a residence of royalty
One of the most popular attractions in Monaco is the Prince’s Palace of Monaco (B.P. 518, MC 98015 Monaco Cedex, +377 93 25 18 31, website). It is the official residence of the Prince of Monaco, and was built back in 1191 as a Genoese fortress. The structure is a blend of different architectural styles, with the Renaissance influence being the most dominant. Inside, you will see its lavishly-decorated state apartments, as well as the Museum of Napoleon souvenirs and the Private Collection of Antique cars.
Prince’s Palace of Monaco (Photo by Yun Huang Yong)
LARVOTTO: Go to the beach
Another popular tourist attraction in Monaco is the Larvotto Beach. It is a beautiful man-made beach where one can snorkel, engage in water sports, or simply swim about. It is also filled with numerous restaurants and bars located conveniently near the shores. The beach is situated in front of Avenue Princess Grace on the east end of Monaco – Monte Carlo. The best way to get there is to walk or take the 4 or 6 bus.
Larvotto Beach (Photo by Andy & Sam)
JARDIN EXOTIQUE: Unwind, rewind
You will also love the Jardin Exotique (62 Boulevard du Jardin Exotique, B.P. 105 – MC 98002, +377 93 15 29 80, website). It is a botanical garden located at a cliffside, which commenced operations back in 1933. It is home to about 1,000 different species of succulent plants, particularly cacti. You can also see at the site a large natural underground cave, wherein you can see unique stalactites and stalagmites. The site has the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology as well, where you can find prehistoric human remains. The garden is open daily from 9 am to 6 pm, and admission will cost €7.
PORT HERCULE: Let’s take a view
You can also try to visit the Port Hercule (Quai Antoine-Ier, Monaco 98000). It is the only deep-water port in Monaco. Its scenic harbor is located at The Rock’s base, overlooking a hill, the Prince’s Palace, and other sights. It also features many choices for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
DINNER TIME: Discover Monaco’s restaurants
After the first day’s sightseeing you can have your dinner at the superb restaurants in the city-state. One of the best dining experiences is available at Avenue 31 (31, avenue Princesse Grace, Monte-Carlo 98000, Monaco, 377 97 70 31 31, website). Though it is very expensive, it offers friendly service and delicious, well-prepared dishes.
Maya Bay (Photo from Google images)
Have a taste of Japan in Monaco at Maya Bay (24, avenue Princesse Grace, Monte-Carlo 98000, 377 97 70 74 67, website), a trendy Japanese restaurant with outstanding service, sushi, and a beautiful ambience. You can also try out Zelo’s (10 Ave Princesse Grace | Grimaldi Forum, Monte-Carlo 98000, 37799992550). It serves an authentic Italian/Mediterranean cuisine, which you can eat while having a breathtaking view of the sea.
Next 24 Hours
Your next 24 hours in Monaco can be used to discover the city-state’s other tourist attractions. One of them is the Oceanographic Museum (Avenue Saitn-Martin, 98000 Monaco, 00 377 93 15 36 13, website). It is a museum for marine sciences, where you can see a rich collection of various species of flora and fauna either in stuffed or skeletal forms.
Oceanographic Museum (Photo from Google images)
It also houses sea-related objects such as model ships, tools, and weapons. The site has an aquarium as well, where you can find over 4,000 fish species and 200 families of invertebrates. The museum’s building too is a sight, built out of 100,000 tons of stone on a cliff face. It is open daily from 9:30 am to 7 pm, and admission will cost you around €13.
SAINT NICHOLAS CATHEDRAL: Let’s go to church
Another worthy attraction in the city-state is the Saint Nicholas Cathedral (Avenue Saint-Martin, MC 98000 Monaco-Ville, +377 93 30 87 70, website). Also known as the Monaco Cathedral, it is dedicated to St. Nicholas, and was one of the first parish churches in Monaco. Built in 1875, it has the Great Altar, an Episcopal throne made out of white Carrara marble, and a mausoleum where most of the members of the famous Gimaldi family are interred.
Monaco Cathedral (Photo by cform)
ZOOLOGICAL TERRACES: See wild animals
You must make it a point to visit the Zoological Terraces (Les Terrasses de Fontvieille, Monaco 98000) as well. It is one of the major tourist destinations in the city-state, and was established by H.S.H Prince Rainier III in 1954. Inside the site, you can find over 250 animals of different species, including white tigers, lions, lemurs, monkeys, hippopotamuses, black panthers and some exotic birds. It is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, and admission will usually cost around €4.
MONTE CARLO CASINO: Hustling at the poker tables
Perhaps one of the most popular tourist attractions in Monaco is the Monte Carlo Casino (Place du Casino – MC 98000 Principality of Monaco, +377 98 06 21 21, website). It is a state-owned gambling facility that is best known for hosting the annual European Poker Tour Grand Final. The site is for tourists only, and Monaco citizens are forbidden from entering its gaming rooms. You can find there over 21 gaming tables, and you should probably dress up even if you just plan on playing the slot machines. It is open daily, starting at 2 pm, and admission will cost you around €10.
Monte Carlo Casino (Photo by Sam Garza)
NIGHTLIFE: Indulge in Monaco’s vibrant nightlife scene
You should also find time to Indulge in the nightlife pleasures afforded by Monaco’s bars and clubs. One of the most popular is Jimmy’z (26, av Princesse Grace, Monte Carlo Sporting Club, Monte Carlo 98000, 377-92-16-22-77, website). It is where the beautiful and the glamorous go wild in their trendiest outfits. There the dance floor is always crowded, and an energetic and fun filled night out is guaranteed. A nice alternative is the Sass Café (11, av Princesse-Grace, Monte Carlo 98000, 377-93-25-52-00), a club that assures a wild evening with a diverse crowd, and hosts live music performances.
You can also try out Stars n Bars (6, quai Antoine-Ier, Monaco 98000, 377-97-97-95-95, website). It is known for its celebrity paraphernalia collection, excellent sandwich choices, and live entertainment on weekends. It has also hosted performances by Julian Lennon, Britney Spears, and Stevie Wonder.
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I just love Monaco,I can walk and just stare at that gorgeous sight whenever I visit some family in Fontvieille!!!
tres magnifief avec elegance……TROP…