What to do in Monaco?
Discussion
Sorry, I spent ages last night multi quoting posts, answering questions and thanking people and it just disappeared so I gave up in disgust! 
There’s some great info on here, so thanks to all who have contributed. I will be doing some research off the back of all the replies tomorrow. The hotel budget might be a bit thinner now because I got bored in the pub tonight and booked a trip to Vegas too
There’s some great info on here, so thanks to all who have contributed. I will be doing some research off the back of all the replies tomorrow. The hotel budget might be a bit thinner now because I got bored in the pub tonight and booked a trip to Vegas too
rolster said:
Hi i have been here coming up to two decades for my sins, far too many to mention!
However i would agree that unless your made of Money, take a hotel in Cap Dai, Beaulier sur Mare or Cap Ferrat. Villfrance is now like little Croatia so if that's your thing help yourself. Menton has some nice old drafty hotels but not much of modern design and construction.
If driving down with your own car its essential to make sure your hotel has its own parking otherwise you will be stuck on the local streets or public car parks, mostly constructed when cars were a lot smaller, although there are some nice exceptions like in Antibes. Look on any street in France and try and see a car that does not look like its been in a smash up derby.
As others have advised come to Monaco by train and the local bus service can take you everywhere you want to go to. If you must bring your car don't come between 07:00 and 10:30 in the morning or between 16:00 and 19:30 in the evening unless your prepared to be camped out in traffic for long periods of time. i.e. when i leave my office in next to the railway station port entrance it can take me 45 mins to travel to my apartment in Roquebrune 4 km away. When the weather is right and i walk it its quicker. In the morning if i come in by car, just after 06:00 it takes me 6 mins! Monaco now has lots of parking available look for the newer ones and bear in mind the width and length of your car, as often the spaces within them will be fine but getting up and down the curved entrance ramps can be a bit tricky for the uninitiated. Oh and be prepared for London parking prices!
The highlights i always take arrivals too are: the aquarium, the princes auto collection, Casino Square for some car and talent spotting during the day. Then at night it purely depends on your company i.e. with family or mistress etc you just have to remember that everything worth having if your making a event of it is expensive. There is non expensive for ordinary people tucked behind the main streets and in the markets where you can eat and drink well for a much more digestible sum.
Do your homework on where and when you would like to eat day and night time and book well in advance if you want to get a table in more popular times of the year. That goes for anywhere along the Cote de Azur for busy times but for all the more exclusive restaurants.
Remember 15th of July to 15th of August Monaco is just full of tourists and the locals have cleared out to cooler places, as the humidity and temperature is usually highest in this period. Ensure your hotel has a modern quiet air conditioning system between May and October, otherwise it's not really required.
Good local knowledge.However i would agree that unless your made of Money, take a hotel in Cap Dai, Beaulier sur Mare or Cap Ferrat. Villfrance is now like little Croatia so if that's your thing help yourself. Menton has some nice old drafty hotels but not much of modern design and construction.
If driving down with your own car its essential to make sure your hotel has its own parking otherwise you will be stuck on the local streets or public car parks, mostly constructed when cars were a lot smaller, although there are some nice exceptions like in Antibes. Look on any street in France and try and see a car that does not look like its been in a smash up derby.
As others have advised come to Monaco by train and the local bus service can take you everywhere you want to go to. If you must bring your car don't come between 07:00 and 10:30 in the morning or between 16:00 and 19:30 in the evening unless your prepared to be camped out in traffic for long periods of time. i.e. when i leave my office in next to the railway station port entrance it can take me 45 mins to travel to my apartment in Roquebrune 4 km away. When the weather is right and i walk it its quicker. In the morning if i come in by car, just after 06:00 it takes me 6 mins! Monaco now has lots of parking available look for the newer ones and bear in mind the width and length of your car, as often the spaces within them will be fine but getting up and down the curved entrance ramps can be a bit tricky for the uninitiated. Oh and be prepared for London parking prices!
The highlights i always take arrivals too are: the aquarium, the princes auto collection, Casino Square for some car and talent spotting during the day. Then at night it purely depends on your company i.e. with family or mistress etc you just have to remember that everything worth having if your making a event of it is expensive. There is non expensive for ordinary people tucked behind the main streets and in the markets where you can eat and drink well for a much more digestible sum.
Do your homework on where and when you would like to eat day and night time and book well in advance if you want to get a table in more popular times of the year. That goes for anywhere along the Cote de Azur for busy times but for all the more exclusive restaurants.
Remember 15th of July to 15th of August Monaco is just full of tourists and the locals have cleared out to cooler places, as the humidity and temperature is usually highest in this period. Ensure your hotel has a modern quiet air conditioning system between May and October, otherwise it's not really required.
I parked near the Football stadium and walked down to the town, prices seemed ok (in April last year).
Parking in CDZ definitely warrants Hire Car excess insurance!
MrBig said:
Sorry, I spent ages last night multi quoting posts, answering questions and thanking people and it just disappeared so I gave up in disgust!
There’s some great info on here, so thanks to all who have contributed. I will be doing some research off the back of all the replies tomorrow. The hotel budget might be a bit thinner now because I got bored in the pub tonight and booked a trip to Vegas too
There’s some great info on here, so thanks to all who have contributed. I will be doing some research off the back of all the replies tomorrow. The hotel budget might be a bit thinner now because I got bored in the pub tonight and booked a trip to Vegas too
Ok booked some flights (thanks BA flash sale) to Nice. Plan to get the train from the airport to Monaco, which I'm told is fairly easy?
Looked at the Hotel Le Quai de Princes and it's showing no availability for our chosen weekend, in fact google says it's temporarily closed, maybe for a refit?
Shortlist for hotels is currently:
Le Forum
Novotel
Ambassador
Miramar
All others welcome!
Looked at the Hotel Le Quai de Princes and it's showing no availability for our chosen weekend, in fact google says it's temporarily closed, maybe for a refit?
Shortlist for hotels is currently:
Le Forum
Novotel
Ambassador
Miramar
All others welcome!
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