Monaco is known for being a playground of the rich and famous. The tiny city state has long attracted some of the world’s wealthiest people and is said to have the highest concentration of billionaires per square metre than anywhere else. It’s a place where extremely successful people flaunt their designer purchases and ultra-expensive cars, but is it budget-friendly?
You might be surprised to know that it’s possible to visit Monaco without breaking the bank. There’s no need to try to earn extra money for a trip by trying get-rich-quick schemes or playing casino games such as Megaways slots. With some pre-planning and careful budgeting, you can enjoy a trip to Monaco and not blow all your money.
Accommodation
Despite its small size, you can easily spend a full day or two exploring what Monaco has to offer, especially if you’re into racing and want to go for the Monaco Grand Prix. Hotels can be very expensive, though it’s possible to find some with reasonable rates. As always, it’s best to book as far ahead as you can to secure the best deals.
If you can’t find anything in Monaco itself that suits your budget, consider staying a short distance away. There are plenty of hotels, Air B&Bs, guest houses and the like in nearby France. Staying in France can be cheaper overall, even if you factor in the cost of getting to and from Monaco.
Dining
Monaco has more than its fair share of fine dining restaurants and exclusive eateries. While there are lots of expensive places to eat, this doesn’t mean that you won’t find somewhere more affordable. If you want to eat somewhere with inexpensive dishes, there are some relatively cheap restaurants at the covered Condamine Market (Marche de la Condamine), 15 Place d’Armes, which dates back to 1880. Here you’ll find an assortment of budget-friendly restaurants along with some stalls offering an array of foods.
Another option worth considering is Tip Top (11 Av. des Spelugues), a restaurant that serves popular foods and is open 24/7. It’s located right by the famous Casino de Monte Carlo and dining here is relatively cheap compared with other places in Monaco.
Drinking
If you’re keen to have a drink or two during your time in Monaco, whether it’s cocktails, beer or something else, you’ll find no shortage of options. There are lots of bars serving all sorts of drinks and while many of them are pricey, there are some with rather low prices. A few recommendations include La Rascasse (1 Quai Antoine 1er) and Bar Le Zinc (La Condamine Market, 15 Place d’Armes), both of which are quite lively and popular with locals.
There’s also Brasserie de Monaco (Rte. de la Piscine) where you can choose from a wide range of finely produced drinks. This bar and restaurant has a great location overlooking Port Hercule and is an ideal place to unwind and recharge your batteries.
Getting Around
The fact that Monaco is so small means that everything is within walking distance. It can take less than an hour to walk between the east and west sides. There are some steep parts, but thankfully you can avoid these by making use of the escalators and lifts. If you want to get around a bit faster, check out the MonaBikes, which can be hired from some 49 stops all around the city-state.
If you stay outside of Monaco, public transport options as well as taxis/Ubers shouldn’t be too expensive. Plan ahead and do some research to find out the most affordable way of getting into and out of the city-state. Factor time and convenience into your decision-making too.
Top Attractions
There are lots of worthwhile attractions you should consider visiting during your time in Monaco. Many of them cost money, of course, though there are some free ones that should certainly form part of your itinerary. Plage Larvotto is a man-made beach in the centre of Monaco and is ideal for when you want to splash about in the sea, catch some rays or just unwind. There are also a few sculpture trails that take you to various points throughout the city-state and showcase its rich history and artistic heritage.
For those who enjoy nature, there are some beautiful public parks such as the Princess Grace Rose Garden and the Japanese Garden, both of which are peaceful and picturesque. You can also enter some of Monaco’s most famous and long-standing buildings for free. A prime example is the Casino de Monte Carlo, which is elegant and spectacular throughout. If you do pay a visit to the casino, think twice about gambling because the odds are always against you.
