Monaco 🇲🇨🍸☀️🚤

Monaco, a tiny independent state, surrounded by France and Mediterranean coastline. Famous for its yacht-lined harbour, Grand-Prix race track, and the Monte-Carlo casino.

Before heading to the Côte d’Azur, I thought Monaco was really small. On the pop-out map that we got, it was looked tiny and easy to get from one side to another. I was wrong. Yes, the area of land is small, but the streets are kinda in layers. As its all on a hill, everything is built tall and thin.

You could be walking along ‘Avenue Princess Grace’ and want to go the next street up. Instead of having to walk all the way along, they have these clever alleys, stairs, and lifts that connect everything together.

Here are some things that we saw in Monaco.

Visiting the Palace

Monaco is a Sovereign State, governed by the Prince of Monaco, currently Albert II. The Palace, where the Royal family live is situated on a hill, looking out the ocean and over the town. It’s open to the public and well worth the visit. Every day at 11.55am precisely, on the square in front of the Palace is the Changing of the Guard. A traditional ritual interesting to watch.

Grand Prix

The Monaco Grand Prix, which is held here every year is considered the most important and prestigious automobile races in the world.

The race track is held on a narrow course on the streets of Monaco. Yes, you can drive on a Grand Prix race track. We took the No 1 bus from Boulevard Albert 1er, up along Avenue J F Kennedy that follows most of the route through the city. You get to travel along the route of the track and even pass under the tunnel and round the hairpin bend in front of the Fairmont Hotel.

They even have the finish line painted onto the road. I managed to snap a McLaren sports car crossing it! Only in Monaco.

Monte Carlo Casino

Located in the Monte Carlo area of Monaco, Casino de Monte Carlo, as its officially called, is the entertainment complex featured in so many movies and high on the list of things to see in Monaco.

To enter the casino, you do have to dress up and there is also an entry fee. Although, saying that you can get into the lobby area for free and casual attire is allowed. We went in during the afternoon and we accepted in shorts and tees. Other people were walking in with flip-flops and baggy shorts. I believe, further into the evening, you would definitely have to dress smartly.

We stayed to enjoy the atmosphere outside the casino – see the all the super-cars roll up for the valet parking and the high rollers get out to go spend all their cash inside.

For a car-geek, this is the place to go. We were outside the casino on a Friday night, and it was just one-after-another. Aston Martin, Bentley, Lamborghini, Ferrari, Rolls Royce, Mercedes, BMW’s, they just kept coming.

Monaco Cathedral

Another sight to see in Monaco is the Cathedral, known as the Saint Nicholas Cathedral. Located around the corner from the Prince’s Palace, the Cathedral is where Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace got married and also where they are now buried, as well as many of the Grimaldis family. Entrance is free,

Take a boat across the Harbour

A great way to see Monaco’s harbour, and all the expensive yachts – without buying one – is to take the public boat that crosses the harbour. Including in the 24hour bus ticket, it allows you to get from one side to the other.

North Quay of the Port Hercule, you can get on to go to the Monte Carlo Casino. For only 2 euros, its worth it for a different view of Monaco. It also a great way to catch that sea breeze. 

I wish I was back in the Côte d’Azur, in Nice and in Monaco soaking up the sun, watching the supercars whizz past. Until next time..