Monaco holidays

• Essentials
  • Overview
  • Basics
  • Getting there
  • Getting around
• City sights
  • Top sights
  • Tourist trail
  • Nearby trips
  • Grand Prix
• Things to do
  • Eating out
  • Cafe bars
  • Shopping
  • Nightlife
• Planning
  • When to go
  • Where to stay
  • Find a hotel

Monaco overview

Monaco is one of the most glamorous holiday destinations on the planet and perfect for a weekend visit or short city break. At less than a square mile, there are few places on earth with so much to see in such a small area.

The Royal Palace, with the quaint changing of the guard; the fairy-tale legend of the late-Prince Rainier and Princess Grace; the Monaco Grand Prix around the Principality's narrow streets; world famous Casino; Monte-Carlo Rally; the magnificent setting of the Rocher de Monaco; the harbour packed with exclusive yachts – it all adds to up to an amazing place for a holiday or short break.

And then there are the locals... Just 4,500 are native Monegasque citizens although many others live there, in part to avoid paying tax. Wealth is flaunted everywhere, with Bentleys, Ferraris and Lamborghinis the car marques of choice.

The city is also a gigolos' paradise. Of all the countries in the world, Monaco has the largest proportion of over-65s – and most of them are stinking rich. When people watching in a restaurant or cafe you can hardly miss the young and beautiful 'nieces' being lunched by their older 'uncles'.

As well as obvious attractions like the casino, palace and harbour, there’s much else to see. The Oceanographic Museum has possibly the finest aquarium in Europe, while the Exotic Garden is worth visiting simply for the astonishing views over the rest of the Principality. Whatever your reason for taking a Monaco city break remember to check out the best deals on Travel Insurance before you go.

Monaco is also easy to reach. Nice airport is only a short hop up the Riviera coast with cheap flights galore. What you save on a budget airline fare can be squandered on a helicopter flight from Nice to Monaco. You may have to share with the odd millionaire, but it's a city break arrival you’ll never forget.