BY FOOT:

Walking is by far the best way to get around Monaco; however, there are some areas, such as the Exotic Gardens, that require a large change in elevation and therefore make for rather strenuous hikes. There are also seven public escalators and elevators (all free) that help negotiate the steep slopes of the city. If you find yourself afoot and wanting to reach the opposite bank of Port Hercule, look for the small 7 Bateau Bus, a pedestrian-only ferry that runs each 20 minutes or so during daylight; it costs €2.

BY BUS:

Monaco has an urban bus service, operated by the Compagnie des Autobus Monaco, through the city’s five bus routes (labeled 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6) which serves 143 stops. Each stop has the bus number(s) that stop there, and most stops feature a real-time display showing waiting times for the next service. Each stop has a name and a network map. The service usually starts at around 6 in the morning and runs right through until about 9 o’clock at night. Tickets can be purchased on board the buses themselves (2€) or at many news vendors and shops throughout the city and at auto ticket machines at the bus stops (1.50€) – often it will be advertised as to where you can do this. A daily pass allows you to use the buses all day for €5.50 (9/2016) and can also be purchased on board the bus. A night bus service operates in a circular route from 22.00 until 04.00.

BY MOTOR SCOOTER:

You can easily rent a motor scooter in Nice and take a short trip east along the sea into Monaco. The views are beautiful and the ride is fun along the twisty seaside road. There are plenty of places to park for free. Theft is not a concern, as there are cameras throughout and police everywhere. To rent one whilst there, you must be at least 16 years old.

BY BICYCLE:

Cycling is definitely a good option to get around in Monaco, but the traffic in high season can be intimidating. There are two bicycle shops in town, which rent out bicycles. 1 The bike shop rents e-Bikes and road bikes, whereas 2 Newteon focuses on e-Bikes only.

BY CAR:

Private cars are singularly useless for getting around Monaco, as you’ll spend more time trying to park than if you walked or took a taxi instead.

International rental car companies do have offices at the airport in Nice and also in Monte Carlo city. These include Avis, Gare Monte Carlo, Europcar and Hertz – drivers must have held a national driving license for at least one year and it is usually requested that the cost is paid for with the driver’s credit card. Driving in the city center can be intimidating in Monte Carlo with heavy traffic – however, it is often worth this to drive alongside the more expensive vehicles in the city! Make sure to request a car with an automatic gearbox if you are not used to driving manual.

BY TAXI:

Taxis cannot be hailed on the streets (they won’t stop) and there are two main taxi stands open around the clock at the Avenue de Monte Carlo and the railway station, although it is always best to agree a fee beforehand or make sure the meter is running. Most hotels will provide taxis or courtesy drivers. The best is to get the taxi service phone number to be able to call a taxi wherever you are.

EAT:

Food in Monaco is varied, but generally expensive, and even very basic meals often set you back over €20-30. Take a look at the menu before entering even shabby restaurants or you may be in for a surprise. There are places where you can find decent value for your money, but they often require knowing about beforehand. Restaurants where locals dine are often located a little bit away from the waterfront and often serve better food for lower prices (however, since you are in Monaco: nothing is a bargain).

There are many restaurants catering to tourists, from the Cafe de Paris across the street from the casino, to the waterfront restaurants along the Port de Fontvieille. During the winter months, you will find the restaurants to have a slightly lower price tag. Bouillabaisse is a good tip.

Budget:

There is a variety of restaurants and cafés in the city with a moderate price tag and excellent food. A few simple cafés exist along the marina-side, more like beach bars than anything else, serving simple meals such as pizza, salads and hotdogs throughout the day. These can be good for sitting back during the hot midday with a cold beer or glass of wine, a snack to recharge your batteries from exploring the city, and the gentle lapping of the Mediterranean (and often the roar of supercars) in your ears. Most of these restaurants are equipped with water-misters in the ceilings that gently cool and refresh the clientele.

• Stars ‘n’ Bars, 6 quai Antoine-1, +377 97-97-95-95. June-Sept daily 11AM-midnight; Oct-May Tues-Sun 11AM-midnight. Bar open until 3AM. American style sports bar serving standard burgers pizzas and sandwiches. Drinking or dining during Happy Hour offers reasonable value for money.
  
• Pizzeria Monégasque, 4 rue Terrazzani, +377 93-30-16-38. Mon-Sat noon-1:45PM and 7:30-11PM (until midnight Fri-Sat). For those on a budget, be sure to grab a slice of one of their delicious gourmet pizzas that taste even better when sitting on the outdoor terrace. Main courses are also available from 10€-22€.
  
• McDonald’s, Boulevard Louis II (On the stairs down from the Fairmont hairpin curve to the tunnel entrance.), +377 97 70 37 91. Mo-Sa 07:00-00:30, Su 07:00-24:00. One of the few places in Monaco with reasonable prices. This must be one of the McDonald’s with the best view in the world! There is a second branch in the Fontvieille Shopping Centre.

Mid-range:

• Café de Paris, Place du Casino, +377 98 06 76 23. Daily 8AM – 2AM. The nerve centre of Monte Carlo, where people go to see and be seen, buzzing with the feel of old time Monte Carlo, circa early 1900s. Menu items change frequently, as do the waiters, who seem intent on rushing patrons through their meals. For people-watching, you could try a diet Coke for a €6 (glas of beer 14€, ice cream 16€). Reservations to dine are recommended.
• Beefbar, quai Jean Charles Ray, 98000. Quality cuts of beef on offer, attached with high, though surprisingly worthwhile price tag. Small cups on puree are available for the meat, though an additional cup (one is far too small), costs 8.5€. Wine selections are paired perfectly with the red meat. Chic atmosphere and the staff are extremely attentive.
  
• Baccarat, 4 Escalier Saint-Charles, +377 93-50-66-92. Serving some of the finest Italian fare in Monte Carlo, Baccarat has an airy and authentic atmosphere. The oven-baked turbot with artichokes has customers such as Robbie Williams coming back again and again.
  
• Fuji, 4 av de la Madone. Sleek and sexy Japanese restaurant that offers authentic sushi favourites at reasonable prices.

Splurge:

Dining in Monaco can be a very sobering experience to whomever is paying the bill. Perhaps the most exclusive and famous restaurants in the city are the Louis XV Restaurant and the Le Grill de L’Hotel de Paris, both centered on the very exclusive Hotel de Paris. You are more than likely to be seated next to a member of the rich and famous, and the gourmet food is simply out-of-this-world – however, these experiences come with a rather hefty price tag!

• Louis XV, Hôtel de Paris – Place du Casino, +377 98 06 88 64, adhp@sbm.mc. Daily 19:30–21:45, Tu off. In one of the finest hotels in the world, run by one of the finest chefs in the world (Alain Ducasse) this Michelin 3 star rated restaurant serves dining perfection among luxurious glitterati. The level of sophistication for all dishes is hard to be surpassed, the sea bass with Italian artichokes regularly reaches a score of 19/20 by restaurant critics. The restaurant contains the world’s largest wine cellar: 250,000 bottles of wine (many priceless) stashed in a rock cave. Reservations are essential, as are jacket and tie for men. A la carte from €200.
  
• Le Grill de L’Hotel de Paris, In the Hôtel de Paris, place du Casino, +377 92-16-29-66. Although often overlooked by the famed ‘Louis XV’, look above to the Hotel de Paris’ rooftop for its equally elegant contender. Less intimidating than the Ducasse citadel downstairs, Le Grill offers every imaginable sort of grilled fish, and meat that come from the nearby Alps. The selection of 600,000 wines are the perfect accompaniment to every dish, and the service is impeccable. Dining on the rooftop affords you stunning, panoramic views of Monte Carlo, and in the summer, a blanket of starry sky. €40-60 for a main dish (without drinks).

DRINK:

Champagne has the status of a national beverage in Monaco. A single glass can cost as much as €40 at a fashionable restaurant!

• Jimmy’z Monte-Carlo, 26 avenue Princesse Grace, +377 98 06 70 68, jimmyz@sbm.mc. Open all night from 11:30 pm. The ultimate night club in Monte Carlo, the famed Jimmy’z is frequented by royalty and the uber-rich, which isn’t a surprise considering some of the hefty price tags, a beer will cost you upwards of 26€. If you can’t afford it, there are other clubs to go to. There are two entrances – one, two floors down in Le Sporting Club, the other at street level, and many rock stars and billionaires have walked through both. Staff can be quite rude, but so are most of the patrons. Definitely an experience.
  
• Buddha-Bar Monte-Carlo, Place du Casino (A short walk up the stairs from the hairpin curve at Fairmont hotel), +377 98 06 19 19, buddhabarmontecarlo@sbm.mc. Tu-Sa 18:00-02:00. The famous Buddha themed bar, which also serves outstanding meals.
  
• Zelos, Top Floor Grimaldi Forum Ave. Princesse Grace, +377 99 99 25 50. Showcasing panoramic views from the top floor of the Grimaldi Forum, the outdoor seating area offers the perfect spot to see yachts cruising into the harbor. Top models and the people who want to be with them dance the early mornings away here and we defy you not to do the same. Cocktail list is impressive and bite-sized treats are available.
  
• Bar at the Columbus Monaco, 23 Avenue des Papalins Monte Carlo, +377 92 059000. More laidback and informal than some of its counterparts, its subdued atmosphere is a refreshing change from some of the high energy Monaco bars. Decked out in shades of chocolate, it’s almost as sweet as the chocolate martinis, which come with a big truffle in each glass which slowly melts into your drinks and tastes heavenly. Formula One race car driver David Coulthard is a co-owner, which means you have a good chance to run into some Formula 1 drivers.

If you’re on a budget, Monaco is not the best place to be. For example, a two star hotel without breakfast and bathroom will cost around €60 per person. A better option is to stay in one of the many towns outside of Monaco, for example Ventimiglia, which is a sea-side town situated on the French-Italian border on the Italian side. Nice is only 1/2 hour away from Monaco and it’s very cheap to use the frequent trains. During the winter season, a comfortable two star hotel will only cost you about €20 a person.

The Monaco Tourism center staff will also sit down and make phone calls to assist walk-ins in finding accommodation. Even if you ask for “cheap” lodging.

Mid-range:

• PV-Holidays have two properties in the area. Each room is a self-catering studio or apartment. Located in Beausoleil both properties range from €150-€160 per night. +33 1 58 21 55 84
  
• Colombus Hotel: Situated in La Condamine, the Colombus Hotel is co-owned by successful Glaswegian hotelier Ken McCulloch, designer Amanda Rosa and British F1 racing driver David Coulthard (all Monaco residents today). There is an excellent restaurant and the lobby is a great spot to relax on the comfortable sofas. Rooms are modern. The hotel is located just by the heliport, and about 200 meters from the Stade Louis II.
  
• Hotel Ambassador, corner of ave Prince Pierre, info@ambassadormonaco.com. Surprisingly standard mid range hotel that is good value for business travellers and those watching their euros. Rooms are kitted out with the usual TV, mini bar air con, with wi fi access and cable making it a nice touch.
  
• Hôtel Cosmopolite, 4 rue de la Turbie, +377 93-30-16-95, fax: +377 93-30-23-05. Simple hotel that is well priced given the hotels location. There’s no elevator, and only some rooms have bathrooms, but its reasonably cheap and the hotel owner, Madame Gay Angèle is welcoming and makes you feel right at home. €75-105 double without bathroom; €80-180 double with bathroom.
  
• Bw Hotel Prince De Galles. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 11:00. Facing the Mediterranean, with panoramic terrace and bar, lush tropical garden and Mediterranean Restaurant.

Splurge:

• Hôtel Hermitage, Square Beaumarchais, +377 98 06 40 00, hh@sbm.mc. Perched on a clifftop, the Hermitage offer idyllic living at its best. The majority of rooms have balconies, so guests can have stunning views from their rooms. While the hotel is quite old, all amenities and features and modern and elegant in their styling and a stay here is truly well deserved. The SBM’s Carte d’Or offers the Hermitage’s guests transport and access to the facilities of the Monte Carlo Beach Hotel and Les Thermes Marins spa. double €320-€528; junior suite €568-€792; suite from €1596.
  
• Hôtel de Paris, Place du Casino, +377 9216 30 00, fax: +377 9216 26 26, resort@sbm.mc. Check-in: 15:00, check-out: 12:00. Offering a level of sophistication that has awarded itself as one of the world’s most famous hotels. Featuring marble pillars, crystal chandeliers, Louis XVI chairs, and sumptous carpets, its a vision of luxury and a favorite among the world’s travellers. Rooms are simply enormous with marble and brass furnishings and the hotel is home to the country two finest eating establishments, the Le Grill de l’Hôtel de Paris and Le Louis XV. The SBM’s Carte d’Or offers the de Paris’ guests transport and access to the facilities of the Monte Carlo Beach Hotel and Les Thermes Marins spa. €400-€940 double; from €1995 suite.
  
• Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort, 40, avenue Princesse Grace, +377 98-06-02-00, fax: +377 98-06-00-03, resort@sbm.mc. Check-in: 16:00, check-out: 12:00. Awe impressive 4-hectare (10-acre) resort. The high price reflect the quality of stay. Only steps away from Monte Carlo’s sandy beaches, more than 3/4 of rooms open onto sea views. Marble bathrooms feature flat screen tvs with cable ties, the hotel pool has an indoor pool covered with an ornate glass dome, and the hotel bar is none other than Jimmy’z’s. The furnishings are sandstone floors, soft Mediterranean pastels and sleek modern amenities. The service to detail is outstanding, different shampoos and towels on different days, and the staff are polite and attentive without being intrusive. The SBM’s Carte d’Or does not offer the Bay Hotel’s guests access to the facilities of the Monte Carlo Beach Hotel or Les Thermes Marins. The Bay Hotel is rather self-contained, but lacks a beach. €300-€800 double; €750-€1400 suite.
  
• Hôtel Métropole, 4, avenue de la Madone, +377 93 15 15 15, metropole@metropole.com. It was built in 1886 and has 126 guest rooms, including 64 suites. It was designed by Hans-Georg Tersling. Prince Andrew of Greece and Denmark died there in 1944, and American television host Mike Bongiorno died there in 2009.

Shopping in Monte Carlo is usually quite exclusive and is certainly no place for a budget holiday. There are plenty of places to melt the credit card alongside Europe’s high rollers. The chic clothes shops are in the Golden Circle, framed by Avenue Monte Carlo, Avenue des Beaux-Arts and Allées Lumiéres, where Hermès, Christian Dior, Gucci and Prada all have a presence. The area on and around Place du Casino is home to high-end jewelers such as Bulgari, Cartier and Chopard. You will find, however, that most tourists will simply enjoy wandering the area and window shopping, even if you don’t buy anything. The normal shopping hours are from 9AM to noon and 3PM to 7PM.

For a more cultured take on shopping in Monte Carlo, try the Condamine Market. The market, which can be found in the Place d’Armes, has been in existence since 1880 and is lively and attractive – many hours can be spent simply wandering around, bargaining for souvenirs from the many tiny shops, boutiques and friendly locals. If however, your shopping tastes are more modern, just take a short walk along the esplanade to the rue Princess Caroline pedestrian mall.

The Fontvieille Shopping Centre is also a more “normal” shopping experience with 36 shops selling electronic goods, CDs, furniture, and clothes as well as a Carrefour supermarket and McDonald’s. The tourist office also issues a useful free shopping guide to the city.

• Le Métropole Shopping Center, 17 Avenue des Spélugues, +377 93 50 15 36, contact@ccmetropole.com. Mo-Sa 10:00-20:00; Su off. 80 shops in a beautiful ambient. The chandeliers are amazing.

Some stores to browse or buy:

• Fred Boutique, 6, av des Beaux-Arts, Monte Carlo 98000. Located on the exclusive avenue of des Beaux-Arts, this is one of only a handful of Fred boutiques in the world. An official jeweler of Monaco’s royal family and a favorite of celebrities, you may not be able to afford much in this boutique, but its worth a jaw dropping visit. If you go to Monte Carlo, you shouldn’t miss this.
  
• Boutique du Rocher, 1, av de la Madone, Monte Carlo 98000. Opened by Princess Grace in the 60s, travellers still flock here to grab the very best in take home souvenirs. Choose from hand-carved frames and mirrors, ceramics, homewares and toys. Prices are moderate and all proceeds go to local charities.
  
• Davidoff, 17, av des Spélugues, Les galeries du Métropole, Monte Carlo 98000. High end cigar and cigarette store, where you are assisted by staff that know their product well.
  
• Galerie Moghadam, 23 & 41, bd des Moulins, Monte Carlo 98000. Award-winning speciality shop that offers superb hand woven tapestries and carpets.
  
• Pratoni Monaco, 7, Avenue Princesse Grace (Larvotto). 10-12:30/14-19:30. Monaco fashion brand Pratoni offers a variety of ready-to-wear clothing & accessories for gentlemen in addition to wide range of made-to-measure services. All items are of high quality and made in Italy or Monaco.