Year-round sunshine, a dreamy setting and notoriously glam visitors make the French Riviera’s stretch of Mediterranean coastline a dream destination. And travelers seeking the pinnacle of its charms should jet to the cosmopolitan enclave of Monaco —where American actress Grace Kelly turned into a real-life princess upon marrying H.S.H Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956, casting a fairy-tale enchantment over the principality that lingers to this day.
Though it’s the world’s second-smallest country (tinier in area than New York City’s Central Park), Monaco overflows with ways to enjoy a weekend. From gardens and museums to high-end shopping, dining and a legendary casino, here’s your guide to a royally good time.
As always, check for travel restrictions and closures before planning your trip.
Friday: Casinos, Luxe Shopping and Late-Night DJ Beats
Monaco’s emblematic Casino de Monte-Carlo is a good place to start your stay, and the adjacent lush gardens are prime spots for snapping photos of this Charles Garnier–designed Belle Epoque building.
FYI: To go inside, you’ll need an ID and to dress the part (no beach clothes or ratty jeans, please).
Luckily, some of the world’s poshest boutiques have made their Monegasque homes just a poker-chip’s throw away from the casino’s doors at the One Monte-Carlo complex, where Prada, Balenciaga, Celine and Chanel, among others, are ready to test your credit card’s mettle.
If pre-loved haute couture bags, clothing, shoes and accessories are more your speed, head to the petit but packed Queen Bee/Preloved Monaco on Place de la Crémaillère or Le Dressing, a secondhand boutique just off the pedestrian-only Princess Caroline Street.
For dinner, reserve a table at Gaia, a casually elegant Greek-Mediterranean restaurant where fresh local ingredients are transformed into dishes such as grilled octopus, seafood orzo, ceviche, baked Feta cheese and homemade pita bread.
If you’re still raring to go, the resident DJ at Buddha-Bar, Donato Papadia, aka DJ Papa, is the master of atmospheric music.
Saturday: A Provençal Market, Local Liqueurs and Michelin Meals
A visit to Place d’Armes is essential for the daily Condamine Market, unfurling on this square since the late 1800s. The Provçenal character and affordable prices make it a gathering spot for locals and visitors who come to caffeinate, socialize, shop and dine.
Outside the market you’ll find mostly fruit and vegetable vendors, while indoors is a gourmet food hall with counters for tasting everything from sushi and fresh ravioli to wine or coffee.
Make a stop at A Roca, known for regional specialties, including Monaco’s barbajuans, fritters stuffed with Swiss chard and ricotta. Warning: It’s hard to eat just one.
From the market, detour down the street to La Distillerie de Monaco, the principality’s first and only distillery, where liqueurs, spirits and eaux-de-vie are made with citrus harvested from Monaco’s trees.
Place d’Armes sits at the base of “the Rock” (Le Rocher), Monaco’s elevated Old Town, also called Monaco Ville. Make the steep trek up to the Old Town, or if you prefer not to walk, jump on one of Monaco’s efficient and eco-friendly buses to see the scene.
Some of Monaco’s most famous landmarks are found in Old Town, such as its cathedral, constructed in 1875 in the Roman-Byzantine style. The renowned Oceanographic Museum houses a collection of curiosities related to the sea, as well as an aquarium and a rooftop terrace with pinch-me Mediterranean views.
From the museum, take a leisurely stroll through the St. Martin Gardens, whose winding paths cut through an exceptional collection of plants and sculptures. The garden has spectacular views of Fontvieille, Monaco’s most southern district and home to a small harbor, heliport and the Princess Grace Rose Garden, with more than 6,000 rosebushes.
Eventually you’ll end up at the Prince’s Palace of Monaco. Built beginning in 1215, it’s the official residence of the sovereign prince of Monaco and his family; tours of the state apartments and tickets to summer concerts in the courtyard can be booked in advance.
Continue to wander Old Town’s narrow streets while dipping in and out of shops, such as Chocolaterie of Monaco, satisfying chocolate lovers since 1920.
For a special lunch or dinner, try the Michelin-starred La Montgolfière, where Monaco-born chef Henri Geraci elevates his native cuisine in the intimate bistro he runs with his wife.
Or opt for more casual dining at Supernature near the port, where well-prepared dishes and sharing platters are made with fresh ingredients from the market and served alongside organic wines.
On Port Hercule and the famous bend of the F1 Grand Prix, La Rascasse serves up drinks and music well into the wee hours.
Sunday: Artisanal Pastries, Beachfront Lounging and a Promenade Stroll
Start your day with coffee at L’Épi d’Or, a family-run artisanal bakery known for its Monegasque fougasse, a pastry covered in red and white sugar-coated anise seeds (the colors of Monaco’s flag).
Many shops and restaurants are closed on Sundays, which makes Sunday the right day to lounge on Larvotto Beach. On the way, cut through the Japanese Garden, an oasis of Zen-like calm tucked between high-rises and the sea.
Monaco’s sandy stretch of public beach and pedestrian promenade is dotted with spots to stretch out on your own towel and swim in the turquoise waters.
Or book a comfy lounge chair under an umbrella at one of the beach clubs where “rosé all day” vibes prevail. La Note Bleue is a solid choice for its setting, seafood and regular lineup of evening musical entertainment.
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