Monaco is the world's second-smallest country — 2.02 km² of Mediterranean cliff face and reclaimed sea, home to 38,000 residents and 140 nationalities, with a GDP per capita that outstrips every other nation on Earth. What Monaco lacks in geography it compensates for in concentrated glamour: the Casino de Monte-Carlo (1863) inspired Ian Fleming's James Bond; the Monaco Grand Prix turns the city's streets into a Formula 1 circuit each May (the most prestigious race in the sport); and the Oceanographic Museum founded by Prince Albert I, an avid marine explorer, sits on a vertiginous cliff above the Mediterranean with exhibits that would credit any capital city. The Grimaldi family has ruled Monaco since 1297 — Prince Albert II continues a dynasty that survived the French Revolution, two world wars and the transformation of a tiny fishing village into the world's premier tax haven. The Jardin Exotique on the cliff face, the Condamine market, the pedestrian lanes of La Condamine district and the old town of Monaco-Ville (Le Rocher) offer a Monaco that exists beyond the casino and Formula 1 legends — a genuine, if expensive, Mediterranean principality.
The cliff-face garden contains 7,000 succulent species including century-old cacti and the world's largest collection of euphorbia — views from the terrace over the principality and Mediterranean are the finest in Monaco.
The rock outcrop of the original Monaco — the 13th-century cathedral (grave of Princess Grace Kelly), the Grimaldi family palace with changing of the guard at 11:55, and the winding lanes of the medieval village.
🎫 Book tickets via GetYourGuidePrince Albert I's 1910 museum on a cliff above the sea is one of Europe's finest — the basement aquarium holds 6,000 specimens; the roof terrace provides the best view of the Monaco peninsula from above.
🎫 Book tickets via GetYourGuideEven non-gamblers can admire the 1863 Charles Garnier (of Paris Opera fame) casino from the gardens — the Belle Époque facade, manicured topiary and Ferraris parked outside create the Monaco postcard.
🎫 Book tickets via GetYourGuideThe authentic neighbourhood of Monaco (where Monégasques actually live) has restaurants that are expensive by French standards but reasonable by Monaco ones — Polpetta or La Note Bleue for local pasta and socca.
The Monaco street circuit (Circuit de Monaco) is driveable year-round — walk or drive Sainte-Dévote corner, the tunnel, Loews hairpin and Anthony Noghes corner; the barriers are 50 cm from road edge at race speed.
🎫 Book tickets via GetYourGuidePrince Rainier III's personal collection of 100+ vintage cars includes a 1903 De Dion Bouton, a 1956 Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud and Formula 1 cars from Monaco Grand Prix victories — an underrated museum.
Monaco's reclaimed land district has the Stamp and Coin Museum, the Naval Museum and a port full of superyachts — the contrast between the mega-wealth marine hardware and the practical Fontvieille workshops is very Monégasque.
Monaco has a network of public lifts and escalators connecting its vertical neighbourhoods — the Moneghetti hill district above the Grand Prix tunnel has residential Monaco as Monégasques actually inhabit it.
The American Bar of the Hotel de Paris has served royalty, film stars and racing drivers since 1864 — a cocktail here at sunset (if budget allows) or the adjacent free Place du Casino terrace for Mediterranean dusk views.
The lemon capital of France and Italy's border — Menton's Baroque old town, frescoed Salle des Mariages by Jean Cocteau and the Marché Couvert fruit market reward an early morning visit before the crowds.
The eagle's nest medieval village 15 km west of Monaco at 427 m has 360° views of the Riviera — the cactus garden at the summit, stone lanes and the Fragonard perfumery make it the quintessential Côte d'Azur stop.
🎫 Book tickets via GetYourGuideThe deepwater bay village 20 km west is one of the most beautiful on the Riviera — the Chapelle Saint-Pierre decorated by Jean Cocteau, lunch of bouillabaisse at a quayside restaurant, swimming off the citadel beach.
Port Hercule is Monaco's old port and the finish line of the Grand Prix — superyachts, Formula 1 memorabilia shops and the best views of the Rock of Monaco at golden hour from the quayside.