Activity Reviews in Monaco, Monaco

Since it is a bit of an up-and-down destination with yacht-filled ports at the bottom, the Old Town and Monaco Ville situated at the top, and the swanky Monte Carlo Casino and several luxury hotels nestled somewhere in between - the best time saving tip for spending time in the Principality is to embrace and learn to love the elevators. Take advantage of every elevator or escalator you stumble upon, even if you sometimes want to go in the opposite direction! Your feet will thank you.

At first glance, Monaco might seem every bit as kitsch as the glossy magazines make it out to be. But an all-day stroll through this micro-state will reveal its timelessness and unexpected originality, with definitely more to what meets the eye.

Start with a good breakfast

Start your day off with some tasty food at Stars'n Bars diner located at Port Hercule marina . The sight of all the super-yachts bobbing in the water is a spectacle in itself and it isn't every day that you get to sip your morning coffee whilst listening to the gentle lapping of water against the yachts moored nearby. This American-style restaurant offers a very extensive menu which won't break the bank either, with its typical American, English, and Continental breakfasts.

Peruse the markets & Royal history

For picturesque shopping and photos then head on over to the Condamine Market which is held daily at Place d'Armes. Bursting with life, it is a proper Provençal market exploding with vibrant colours and tantalising aromas. Even if you don’t actually have any intention of buying any fruit and veg, it's the perfect spot to soak in some of the Mediterranean life.

Located up the hill close to Place d'Armes is Monaco’s historic city centre which is a tangle of hilly, pedestrianised streets and the district of Le Rocher which is home to a couple of houses dating back to the 16th century. The charming Chocolaterie de Monaco which supplies to the Royal palace is located in this area, so you could snap up some posh chocolates or some pretty tins of loose tea for gifts to take home. From here you can easily make your way through to the Prince’s Palace of Monaco , which was originally built as a fortress in 1191. In 1297 Francois Grimaldi allegedly disguised himself as a monk and seized the grounds and the Grimaldi family have taken up residency in the palace ever since. It is now the private home of Prince Albert II and Princess Charlene. Although mostly closed to the public, you can take a tour of certain parts of the building such as the main courtyard and the Throne Room. It's worth going up to the palace simply to take in the breathtaking views of the Monaco harbour and the patriotic changing of the royal guards which takes place every day at 11:55am.

For more Royal history then follow the signs leading to the nearby Saint Nicholas Cathedral , a 19th-century Romanesque-Byzantine church that’s the final resting place of past members of the ruling Grimaldi family including Prince Rainier and Princess Grace.

Time for lunch

At lunch time why not consider booking a table at Elsa Restaurant - the world’s first organic restaurant to receive a Michelin star, and which is located at the swanky Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel . If you are in a more adventurous mood then you could opt for a fusion of Japanese cuisine and South American spices at the trendy Nobu Restaurant - situated in the 4-star Fairmont Monte Carlo Hotel , home of the Monaco Grand Prix's most famous hairpin bend located just outside the entrance of the hotel.

Enjoy a bit of culture & glamour

A visit to the renowned Oceanographic Museum of Monaco which houses aquariums suited to the natural habitat of over 6000 species is a hard one to resist. One of the museum's most popular exhibits is the 2.8-tonne whale skeleton suspended from the roof. There are many hands-on experiences where you can learn about and even touch a variety of fascinating creatures such as starfish, sea urchins and baby sharks. The museum also has a panoramic restaurant offering a stunning view. You could also stop and smell the roses at the Princess Grace Memorial Rose Garden which is set on the slopes of the serene Fontvieille Park and is appreciated by tourists and locals alike. The garden is home to around 4,000 roses of over 150 varieties grown in honour of Grace Kelly to keep her memory alive.

Arguably the most concentrated spot of glamour in Europe the Place du Casino is the epicentre of all things haute in Monte Carlo and is a definite must-do. The stunning Belle Epoque Hotel de Paris which has one of the most beautiful façades of any grand hotel is mere steps away from the Monte Carlo Casino itself. You can see the casino's ornate façade from way off – flanked by gardens almost as well manicured as the locals. Lots of people come just to get a look at the place, and even those who step inside aren’t necessarily there to play. With beginnings that date back to 1868, the pretty-as-a-picture Brasserie du Café de Paris , also on the Place du Casino, is an atmospheric place to stop for lunch and rest your weary feet. It remains the place to see and be seen with its outdoor tables set up at the perfect angle to watch the high-rollers turn up and get their Ferraris valet parked.

Nearby is the Cercle d'Or, which is widely recognised as an international mecca for some of the world's most prestigious labels. You could also walk by and admire the architecturally lavish structure that is one of the world’s most beautiful opera houses that is " Salle Garnier ", the home of the Opera of Monte Carlo.

To the beach

If you are determined to squeeze in some time at the beach , Larvotto is the only public beach in Monaco, and therefore tends to get very crowded between June and September when the sea is at its warmest. As with most beaches along the French Riviera there are pebbles instead of sand, and there are also plenty of bars along the streets for you to sit at, sip on a cocktail and admire the view. Scope out potential places for dinner on your way back to Monte Carlo centre from the beach. You pass a fair number of places which serve fresh seafood under the stars. The Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel also offers a 115 € dinner menu (excluding drinks) that can be enjoyed while your feet are in the water.

Close to Larvotto is the famous Japanese Gardens of Monaco , which covers about 7000 square metres, of which 1100 square metres is taken up by a man-made lake. The concept of this garden is unusual having been built on a concrete roof of a coach car park. All the buildings, gates, fences, tiles and lanterns were made and imported from Japan.

Nightlife

To end your day in the Principality what better way to do it than to sample some its legendary nightlife at Jimmy'z . The people who flock here tend to be big names in show business, fashion and sport, so if you fancy rubbing shoulders with the likes of Lionel Richie, Naomi Campbell or Pink, you’ve as good a chance here as anywhere else. Other popular hot spots include: La Rascasse - a classic restaurant / lounge / club and Twiga - which can be accessed by boat and has its own jetty.

On a parting note, thanks to the Côte d'Azur's abundant sunshine all year round, you are almost guaranteed amazing weather no matter what time of the year you decide to do a fleeting visit to Monaco.

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