Lady’s Guide to One Day in Monaco

What do you think of when you think of Monaco? For me it’s yachts, casinos, palaces, and princesses. But I’ve visited the principality many times, and on each trip it reveals more of itself to me. While the images that first pop into my head are always there, Monaco is more than just Princess Grace and Formula 1. If you want to discover it, today I bring you A Lady in London’s guide to spending one day in Monaco.

Monaco

One of the few surviving principalities in Europe, this tiny country on the Mediterranean packs a lot into a small space. Tall buildings cascade down steep slopes to the waterfront, and superyachts moor in the marina.

A peninsula features a hilltop palace and historic streets, and there are views and gardens all around. One of the most famous casinos in the world is here, too.

How to Get to Monaco

It’s easy to get to Monaco, and there are a lot of ways to do it. There are direct trains from Nice, which is how most visitors arrive (and even if you don’t arrive this way, the cave-like train station is worth seeing).

Monaco is also served by buses from places like Eze village and other towns along the French Riviera.

If you want to spend one day in Monaco in style, you can take a helicopter from Nice airport. Yes, really.

Where to Stay Monaco

If you’re tempted to stay a night in Monaco, there are plenty of places to do it. Glitzy Monte Carlo is dripping with luxury hotels, and there are a lot of other accommodation options as well.

I stayed at Le Meridien Beach Plaza on my last trip to Monaco and had an enjoyable visit. My room had huge windows with sea views, and the location was great. I recommend it if you want to stay in a hotel in Monaco.

If you’re more interested in an apartment rental, look no further than than this attractive 2-bedroom place in the heart of Monaco. Sleek, modern, and stylish, it’s in an ideal location for exploring the city-state.

One Day in Monaco

Once you’re here, there are a lot of things to do with one day in Monaco.

From the famous gardens of the Jardin Exotique de Monaco to the royal palace, the casino to the marina, this place offers more than one might expect from such a small country.

Casino in Monte Carlo

I start my current visit at the casino in Monte Carlo. It’s surrounded by lush gardens and open-air cafes. There’s always a Lamborghini or ten parked out front, too.

I’ve been inside the casino in Monaco once (I tried a few times before that, but always got turned away on dress code grounds. You can take the lady out of California, but you can’t stop her from wearing flip flops on the Mediterranean).

I was expecting something magical, but I found I liked the outside of the casino better.

On this visit, I admire the exterior and luxury goods shops across the street, then take in the views from the terraces on the Avenue de Monte-Carlo as I make my way down to the marina.

The Marina in Monaco

The Port Hercule harbor in Monaco is always full of life and impressive boats, and I spend some time admiring the gleaming hulls as I walk by.

Lots of events take place here throughout the year, and people are setting up for one as I pass.

In the other direction, I spot historic villas and the Sainte-Devote Chapel, which look like the modern city has grown up around them.

Prince’s Palace of Monaco

Soon I find myself at the base of a stairway leading up to the Prince’s Palace of Monaco. It’s a decent climb, but worth it for the views over Monte Carlo. Of course, there’s the royal residence at the top to look forward to, too.

Once at the summit, I take in the changing of the guard in the big plaza in front of the palace. I’ve toured the state rooms on previous trips to Monaco, so I skip that on this trip and head into the historic streets.

Historic Streets of Monaco

With one day in Monaco, walking around the narrow lanes is my top priority. Some are full of restaurants and souvenir shops, but others are completely empty apart from the silence of history.

Their colorful buildings and shutters are all Cote d’Azur, and they’re beautiful to get lost in. There are covered alleys and passageways galore, and it all feels like a wonderful maze.

Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate

When I’m done getting lost, I find myself at the Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate in Monaco. I’ve never been inside before, so I pop in and discover a beautiful historic church with graves of former princes.

The grave of Princess Grace is here, too. Covered in flowers, it’s a testament to how much people loved her and still do.

Back outside, there’s more evidence of her enduring popularity. Dotted throughout the area are signs with photos of Princess Grace of Monaco and stories about her activities in those places.

Museums in Monaco

Down the street and past the beautiful St Martin Gardens is the Oceanographic Museum, Monaco’s famous aquarium and marine sciences museum.

I remember loving it on my first visit to the principality, but with only one day in Monaco on this trip, I don’t have time for a visit.

In fact, there are a lot of museums in Monaco. From naval museums to vintage car museums, prehistoric anthropology museums to national museums, this city-state packs a lot of culture into its borders.

Markets in Monaco

I walk back down towards the marina and find myself in the Place d’Armes. There’s a farmers’ market here with fresh produce being sold under red-and-yellow striped awnings.

Everything from beans to stone fruits and apples is for sale, and it adds a local feel to Monaco. It’s refreshing to see the principality isn’t just Lamborghinis and royals.

Restaurants in Monaco

Around the corner, I walk down Rue Princess Caroline. This street is packed with cafes and restaurants. Sculptures and art installations add interest in between.

It’s a great place to sit and have coffee or lunch and watch the beautiful people go by.

Train Station

From Rue Princess Caroline I take one of the long subterranean moving walkways to the train station in Monaco.

It’s amazing how far one can go underground here, and how much of the city is accessible this way. Given the steep hills, it’s great that travelators and elevators abound.

Soon I reach the Monaco train station, which feels like something out of a James Bond film. Cavernous and cut into a cliff side, it’s one of the most unique stations I’ve seen on my travels.

I hop on my train when it arrives, and just like that my time in Monaco comes to an end.

One Day in Monaco and Beyond

I hope you’ve enjoyed this guide to spending one day in Monaco and that it’s inspired you to explore this country beyond the cliches.

There’s a lot to do and see here, and still more I haven’t done. On my next visit I would love to explore the Jardin Exotique de Monaco, a place that’s eluded me on all my trips.

But it’s nice to save something for a future visit, because now I have a reason to come back. And I’m sure that when I do Monaco will reveal more of itself to me again. I hope the same is true for you.

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