Best Things To Do in Monte Carlo

Going to Monte Carlo? Use this guide to help plan your itinerary so you don’t miss any of the best things to do in the Capital of Monaco.

Where is Monaco?

Monaco is a small country on the Mediterranean Sea near the border of France and Italy.

About Monte Carlo

Monte Carlo is the perfect mix of vibrant city life and quiet, old town charm. The city offers stunning views, narrow cobblestone streets, gorgeous beaches, fabulous food, and more.

Keep reading for the best things to do in the capital of Monaco.

Prince’s Palace of Monaco

The Prince’s Palace of Monaco is the official residence of the Prince of Monaco.

Monaco City

Monaco City is also known as “Old Monaco”. The narrow alleyways here were established in the middle ages. The cobblestone streets weave their way down the hill from the palace.

The palace sits atop a rocky hill and has a view the Mediterranean Sea.

There are panoramic views everywhere you turn in Monaco City as you make your way back down the hill.

Monte Carlo Casino

You can’t go to Monaco without seeing the infamous Monte Carlo Casino! Tours are available in the morning, and the casino opens for gaming in the afternoon. The inside is much smaller than I imagined it to be (it’s nothing like a Las Vegas casino!) but it is SUPER swanky.

Place du Casino

There is a garden directly in front of the casino. If you stand in the right spot you can actually see a reflection of the casino in the circular mirror in the middle of the garden. This round garden is the Place du Casino, the heart of Monaco. Around this circle are many famous sites in Monte Carlo.

Monte Carlo Pavilions

The Monte-Carlo Pavilions are a luxury outdoor shopping mall located right across from the Place du Casino.

Cafe de Paris

Also right across from the Place du Casino is another famous casino in Monte Carlo, the Cafe de Paris.

Monte Carlo Beaches

Larvotto Beach is gorgeous! There was even a HUGE inflatable waterslide straight into the beach. It had to have been at least 10 stories high.

Japanese Garden in Monte Carlo

The Japanese Garden in Monaco is a peaceful garden in the middle of the bustling city. The garden features a pond, islands, a waterfall, lanterns, bridges, a tea house, and a Zen garden for meditation. Entry to the park is free!

Best View / Overlook of Monte Carlo

If you have a car, don’t miss this postcard-perfect panoramic view of Monaco.

Here is the exact {GPS Location} on Google Maps.

Luxury Spa Treatment in Monte Carlo

Thermes Marins is Monaco’s state-of-the-art spa. It was one of the most unforgettable spa experiences I have ever had.

It started with a full body, lavender-scented, exfoliating sea salt and argan oil scrub on a water bed. That pink massage table you see is actually a water bed. The bed shapes exactly to the body, minimizing pressure and allowing the muscles to fully relax. It was like floating on a cloud.

The scrub was followed by a citrus-scented bath and hydrotherapy massage, and then a detox mud wrap to eliminate water weight. The final treatment was a Mediterranean massage using *PURE GOLD FLECKED* olive oil.

I left with the softest skin ever with faint sparkles of pure gold all over.

Best Restaurants in Monte Carlo

Ladurée in Monte Carlo

Ladurée is a famous French bakery known for their macarons and pastries.

There are Ladurée shops all over the world, but the one in Monte Carlo is worth visiting just because of this beautiful is this all-white carousel!

My top 3 favorite macarons from Ladurée are vanilla, salted caramel, and strawberry candy. If you only try one or two, those are my top picks. But they have so many fun flavors to try!

L’Hirondelle

The Michelin-starred L’Hirondelle is the perfect restaurant in Monte Carlo for lunch after a spa treatment at the Thermes Marins spa. We tried the prawn fritters with mango, avocado, tomatoes, and ponzu dressing. We also had the Fishes “à la plancha”, with fried zucchini blossoms, wild sea bass, organic salmon, and Mediterranean prawns. Everything was so good!

We could not pass up this strawberry chocolate dessert. L’Hirondelle is the perfect lunch in Monte Carlo with an amazing view overlooking the harbor!

Blue Bay

The best restaurant in Monte Carlo for a special dinner is the Michelin-starred Blue Bay restaurant.

The tables on the terrace at Blue Bay offer an amazing sunset view of Monte Carlo.

Our dinner at Blue Bay was phenomenal. The chef had prepared a special tasting menu just for us. Everything was fresh, delicious, and gorgeous.

For dessert they brought out an iPad for the menu. As we were savoring the last bites of an exception meal, the neatest thing happened.

A truly unbelievable fireworks show started to go off over the bay. I have honestly never in my life seen a fireworks show this amazing before. So many lights and colors. Disney comes close. But this was incredible. Towards the end I just had to put my camera down and watch in amazement. The perfect ending to the perfect weekend.

Photo via Sommer

Monte Carlo Hotel

The most iconic hotel in Monte Carlo is the legendary Hotel de Paris.

The hotel is located right next door to the famous Monte Carlo Casino. Guests of the hotel get free admission to the casino.

There are four restaurants inside the hotel, the most noteworthy being the three Michelin star Alain Ducasse restaurant.

The French country-style rooms are spacious and updated.

The hotel staff are friendly and helpful.

Photo via Sommer

Rooms have amazing views of the Place du Casino.

We loved our private balcony with a view of the Place du Casino!

The hotel left a delicious welcome gift in our room.

We loved having breakfast on our private balcony.

Check out the view from our balcony at the Hotel de Paris.

We could see all the shoppers at the Monte Carlo Pavilions.

We had a direct view of the Monte Carlo Casino and all the major sites around the Place du Casino. I could sit out here and people-watch all day! The balconies of the Hotel de Paris are the place to see and be seen in Monte Carlo.

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