MC
Monte Carlo
Monaco’s glittering casino quarter
Monaco’s glittering casino quarter
The legendary Belle Époque casino, all marble, gilt and chandeliers — the symbol of Monaco. You can admire the facade and atrium free, or dress up to play inside.
💡 The square outside is free; there is a dress code and small fee to enter the gaming rooms.
The grand square framed by the casino, the opulent Hotel de Paris and the Cafe de Paris — the glittering, supercar-lined stage of Monte Carlo.
💡 Come at dusk when the facades light up and the supercars gather.
Monte Carlo climbs the hillside in tiers of gleaming towers above the Mediterranean — the terraces and gardens offer spectacular Riviera views.
💡 The casino terraces and the Jardin Exotique have the best panoramas.
The boutiques of the Golden Circle and the parade of Ferraris, Bentleys and Rolls-Royces make Monte Carlo a spectacle of wealth in motion.
💡 Even window-shopping and car-spotting here is an experience in itself.
After dark the quarter dazzles — the lit casino, the reflections on the harbour and the buzz of the bars and clubs give Monte Carlo its legendary glamour.
💡 Dress smart for the evening — Monte Carlo takes its dress codes seriously.
Monte Carlo dining runs from the stratospheric to the surprisingly sane. At the top sit temples of gastronomy like Alain Ducasse’s Le Louis XV in the Hotel de Paris, three Michelin stars of Riviera splendour. But you need not spend a fortune: the Cafe de Paris on the casino square is a classic people-watching spot for a coffee or a salade niçoise, and the nearby Condamine market has excellent, affordable Monégasque and Niçois food — try barbagiuan (fried chard-and-cheese pastries) and socca (chickpea pancake). Cocktails at the Hotel de Paris bar or a sunset drink on a terrace complete the Monte Carlo experience. Book ahead for the famous tables.
Monaco is tiny — barely 2 square kilometres — and Monte Carlo is easily walked, though it is steep, so make use of the many public lifts and escalators that link the levels for free. An excellent bus network covers the principality, and the train station (Monaco-Monte-Carlo), carved into the rock, connects along the coast to Nice and the Riviera in minutes. There is no airport in Monaco; most arrive via Nice airport (about 30 minutes away) by bus, train, or the scenic helicopter transfer. Driving and parking are possible but rarely worth the hassle in such a compact, walkable place.
Admire the casino and Hotel de Paris, then the terraces and Jardin Exotique for the sea views.
The Golden Circle boutiques, the supercars, and a coffee at the Cafe de Paris to watch the world go by.
Cocktails, dinner and — if you dare — a flutter in the glittering casino gaming rooms.
You can admire the casino, Hotel de Paris and supercars for nothing — entry fees only apply inside.
Public elevators and escalators link Monaco’s steep levels for free — save your legs.
The train from Nice takes 25 minutes and drops you in the heart of Monaco — far easier than driving.
The casino and smart venues enforce dress codes — bring something elegant for the evening.
Quick answers to the questions travellers most often ask before visiting Monte Carlo.
Yes — even on a budget, the Belle Époque casino, the glittering square, the supercars and the Mediterranean views make Monte Carlo a fascinating spectacle. Much of it, including the famous casino square and the gardens, is free to enjoy.
Yes — the atrium is open to view, and the gaming rooms admit visitors (18+) for a small entry fee, with a dress code (smart attire, no shorts or flip-flops). You can also just admire the facade and square for free.
Most visitors come via Nice, about 30 minutes away. The train to Monaco-Monte-Carlo is quick, scenic and cheap; buses also run along the coast, and there are helicopter transfers from Nice airport for a splurge. Monaco has no airport of its own.
It can be, but it need not be. Hotels, fine dining and the casino are pricey, yet the casino square, gardens and sea-view terraces are free, the Condamine market is affordable, and a day trip by train from Nice keeps costs down.
The glittering casino quarter of Monte Carlo, the superyacht harbour of Port Hercule and the historic old town on the Rock — the three faces of Monaco.