Monaco is often reduced to Monte Carlo and the Place du Casino, the glitzy Belle Époque square framed by a famous trifecta. While you could flit from the slots and game tables at the Casino de Monte-Carlo to the see-and-be-seen terrace of Café de Paris Monte-Carlo and finish with a cocktail and live jazz at Forbes Travel Guide Five-Star Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo’s Le Bar Américain, there’s much more to see beyond this plaza.
And don’t let its size fool you — although Monaco is the world’s second-smallest independent state, even tinier than New York’s Central Park, it carries large cultural cachet. Home to Forbes Travel Guide’s annual Summit luxury travel conference and host to elite jet-setters since the casino opened nearly 150 years ago, the principality’s glamour continues to be a big draw.
The Dynamic New District
Acclaimed architects like Renzo Piano have recently helped modernize Monaco, revamping seaside promenade Larvotto, the principality’s main beach. They have also worked alongside the likes of Norman Foster and Tadao Ando to design residences in the new pedestrianized eco-district of Mareterra. Here, you’ll find everything from contemporary gallery 21 Art (plus public works like an Alexander Calder sculpture) to one of the most talked-about new restaurants, Greek-inspired zephyr, whose terrace spills out along Mareterra’s discreet new port.
The Hot Wellness Retreats
While the Monégasques know how to indulge, wellness is also at the heart of the destination, whether it’s a multi-day retreat at Four-Star Surrenne Riviera, just across the border, or a Pilates reformer class on superyacht-lined Port Hercule at Pilates Fit Club, which also offers events on yachts and paddleboards at Larvotto Beach.
Another way to reset is at the marble-lined Le Spa Métropole by Guerlain at Four-Star Hotel Metropole in Place du Casino. After alternating between the hammam and sauna, let the experts work their magic during a bespoke facial before taking a seat at Zia at Odyssey’s Karl Lagerfeld-designed poolside terrace. Superstar chefs Manon Santini and Rocco Seminara craft spruced-up Mediterranean fare like caviar-dolloped red prawn carpaccio and tuna crudo with ‘nduja sausage oil and caponata emulsion. The pizzas are arguably the best in town, so you can’t go wrong with a classic like margherita topped with fior di latte mozzarella.
The Buzzy Beach Clubs
Monaco may be sandwiched between the French and Italian rivieras, but it’s known more for its pool moments than its beach scene — apart from the legendary Monte-Carlo Beach Club, that is. The 1920s-era gem caters to families, couples and solo travelers alike thanks to its kids club, water sports, Jacquemus-branded pontoon and mix of restaurants from the sleek poolside Le Deck to Mykonos-inspired, dancing-endorsed Maona Monte-Carlo, the principality’s take on the Riviera’s buzzy beach clubs.
Pointe La Vigie’s cliffside setting has long been one of the area’s most exciting corners, and this season it’s home to newcomer La Vigie Zanoni Monte-Carlo, which has a private dock, so it’s reachable by boat. At lunch, you’ll quickly fall into the Riviera’s relaxed pace, sipping rosé and sampling a selection of chef Simone Zanoni’s beautifully plated langoustine carpaccio or tube-shaped seafood paccheri.
From Port Hercule, you can also hop on a boat and zip around the coast to the tiered La Môme Riviera beach club, where DJs spin on Fridays and Saturdays in a setting designed to feel like you’ve slipped away to Capri. Even the water is a brighter shade of turquoise over there.
Spend the afternoon lounging on a beach bed or head back to Larvotto and take a seat on the plage at Gucci-themed La Rose des Vents, where you can order oysters and pastas straight to the sand.
Nikki Beach Monte Carlo, perched atop Fairmont Monte Carlo, claims one of the principality’s best rooftop pools. The views here, stretching over the skyline and Mediterranean, are as much a draw as the DJs and live musicians playing on the weekends.
The Can’t-Miss Meals
Start your morning — or ease into weekend brunch — at a new Mareterra café, Marlow, where petit-déjeuner takes on a British twist. The space is also a favorite for afternoon tea and scones. For something more lavish, sit on the palm-fringed terrace of Hôtel de Paris, where celebrated pastry chef Cédric Grolet opened his first outpost in Monaco. Even if you don’t have a sweet tooth, it’s hard to resist one of his seasonal, mousse-filled fruit creations.
In the evening, start with a drink on the terrace of Wine Palace along the harbor or inside Four-Star Hôtel Hermitage’s swanky new cocktail bar, Gustave, under the Eiffel dome.
For dinner that leads to dancing, rooftop Amazónico is the place. Those who prefer a lavish meal capped off by sunset views should book a table at renowned restaurant Blue Bay Marcel Ravin, where the namesake chef weaves touches of his native Martinique into a symphony of dishes that highlight some of the top producers and ingredients from around the region.
If you ask locals where they’re most often dining, GAIA Monte-Carlo is usually the answer. Elegant without being fussy, the Greek-style restaurant is known for its own fish market, so the sea bream carpaccio and sea bass ceviche couldn’t be fresher.
Begin with the fan-favorite yellowtail carpaccio, whose bite-size pieces are perfectly sculpted and served with sauces like pickled green chili and aioli. The starters are as authentic as a taverna in Athens, so share a mix of taramosalata, fava and tzatziki before moving to one of the showstopping mains like salt-crusted fish with orange zest. Save room for the ultimate finale: a tower of housemade frozen Greek yogurt sprinkled with caramelized walnuts and honey.
