Monaco City Breaks

A guide to Monaco

Synonymous with opulence, wealth, sunshine and glamour, Monaco makes a fantastic weekend destination. As the world’s second-smallest independent state, Monaco exists in a kind of limbo, halfway between a city and a country; it is generally referred to as a principality or a city-state. However you describe it, there is no denying Monaco is primarily a haunt of the rich and famous. It is situated on the French Riviera, and boasts gorgeous Mediterranean sunshine and long sandy beaches, meaning it is in the special position of being able to offer a city break in conjunction with a beach holiday - where enjoying the sun and sea costs nothing.

World-famous luxury and opulence

Getting to Monaco is relatively easy. The best way to fly there is to catch a plane to nearby Nice airport, (for those on a budget, EasyJet fly to Nice) where you can pick up a hire car, bus or train to Monte Carlo. The journey into Monaco only takes around 45 minutes by road. When you get into Monaco, there is a wealth of things to see and do, including the famous Monte Carlo casino - a must-see – partly open to casual visitors, but you can expect to pay to enter the more exclusive parts. Also, make sure you dress smartly – this isn’t flip-flop and t-shirt territory. Museums here include the somewhat bizarre Museum of Dolls, Automatons of Yesteryear Museum, the Oceanographic Museum and the free museum of Old Monaco. Those interested in culture will love the many old churches and medieval chapels, as well as iconic landmarks such as the Palace of the Prince.

Shopping and the Grand Prix

Make sure to put aside some of your holiday money for shopping on a trip to Monaco, as the trendy boutiques, fashionable emporiums and luxury stores here make this an excellent destination for browsing. Visitors will want to incorporate a few hours on the golden sands of the stunning Plage de Larvotto beach, looking out across the French Riviera. The world-famous Monaco Grand Prix takes place in May; if you intend to travel here during the race, be sure to book early as hoards of F1 racing fans descend upon the country and accommodation may be hard to find.