Monaco
Monte Carlo
If you are traveling to Monaco your first stop will undoubtedly be Monte Carlo. This is one of the best cities in Monaco that everyone thinks of when they think of this beautiful nation. It’s fabulous for people watching – and car watching for that matter. The natural beauty of Monte Carlo will take your breath away, not to be outdone by man-made magnificence. The district is located on a promontory that has fantastic views of the Port of Monaco. From Place du casino you’ll also find incredible seaside views. For dinner try one of three Michelin-starred restaurants and after take a walk down Princesse Charlotte Boulevard or Boulevard des Moulins. Both offer haute couture shopping and luxury boutiques. Don’t forget the Opera House if you can handle more decadence.
La Condamine
The second oldest area and one of the important cities in Monaco after Monte Carl, La Condamine lies to the south-west of the principality. This city is the home of Monaco’s business district and covers the area of Port Hercule, filled with luxury yachts. The first impression you get on arriving at the port is that it’s a bit like Blackpool but with sunshine. The promenade is a long noisy strip of fairground rides, bouncy castles, go-karts, ice cream stalls and everything that the big kid in you could wish for. There’s also an open-air swimming pool with twisty water slides, what more could you want? The Princess Caroline district is a smart pedestrianized area set back from the port with lots of good shops and plenty of places to eat and drink. It is undoubtedly one of the best cities to visit in Monaco. It is a distinctly upmarket, but has a relaxed friendly vibe and is a nice place to browse for a couple of hours.
Gorbio
On arriving in Gorbio you’ll find yourself in the Place de la Republic a traditional city square complete with historic fountain. It is a place where a 300-year-old elm tree and two restaurants can be found. Unlike some of the area’s medieval villages, this famous city in Monaco still has a very lived-in feel to it; there aren’t so many ex-pats or holiday-makers here and there are plenty of locals who have lived here for generations. The village square is a real focal point with children playing football round the fountain, elderly folk chatting under the ancient tree and neighbors stopping for a chat and a pastis at the café. It is certainly a bit less “polished” than some of the other villages but this adds to its charm – some of the streets are a bit ramshackle and some of the houses look like they’ve been deemed beyond repair and left to the elements. However, this city in Monaco to visit is still extremely pretty and has plenty of character.
La Turbie
The old part of the city is a beautiful network of arches, stone buildings, and passageways that are immaculately kept. The Baroque church of Saint-Michel has a fine collection of paintings, as well as a fabulous altar made from 17 types of marble and was built in 1764. It is considered a major attraction of this popular city in Monaco. Surrounding the medieval village is a pleasant residential area with a number of good brasseries that look out onto a central square it’s a popular spot with locals as well as sightseers, making it feel not quite so “touristy” as some places. A panoramic viewpoint that looks out over the port of Monaco continues past the square and turns right to find the Rondo.
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat is sitting on a beautiful rocky peninsula of pine trees and palms just to the east of Nice. This top city in Monaco is the epitome of elegance and old Riviera glamour: from the small, chic harbor to the palatial gated villas and magnificent gardens of celebrities, oligarchs and famous family dynasties. The city itself is quite small and the shopping district is pretty much just one petite but lovely street. You’ll find more shops and boutiques, restaurants, cafés, and a small market place if you drop down to the port area while the beaches offer quite lovely beach clubs.
Monaco Ville
This is where you’ll find the old Monaco. Monaco Ville still has its small medieval lane from when it was a stronghold of the Grimaldi dynasty. To get there, you can walk up the Rampe Major, a red-brick path built in the 16th century. The walk will take you back the statue of the late Prince Rainer looking down on his beloved country. Be prepared to do some climbing! Monaco Ville is located at the top of a large rock cliff.