Monte-Carlo is widely recognized as one of the most alluring vacation destinations in the world. Its combination of beautiful sights, high-class accommodations, and unique attractions is difficult to match, even at other Mediterranean destinations.
To some extent this means you almost can’t go wrong when you visit! So long as you have a place to stay, you’ll be sure to see and do some memorable things. On the other hand however, you can only get the most out of this kind of bucket list trip if you do a little bit of advance planning.
With that in mind, here are our five recommendations for things to do before you visit Monte-Carlo.
1. Plan Out Your Meals
Monte-Carlo is known for a lot of fancy venues and upscale attractions. Among them all though, some of the restaurants and bars shine brightest. As you’re likely aware if you’re exploring a trip to this part of the world, eating out won’t be cheap. But if you plan in advance, and perhaps work to set a little bit of extra cash aside, you’ll likely be in for some of the best meals of your life.
As to where you should eat specifically, a number of options were covered in a Monte-Carlo travel guide posted here previously. That guide touched on Cafe du Paris and A’Trego in particular, which should certainly be on your list. In planning out meals however, you may also want to consider Le Blue Bay, Elsa, and — if you really want to splurge — Alain Ducasse’s Le Louis XV at Hotel de Paris.
2. Book a Boat
If there’s one thing Monte-Carlo is recognized for above all else, it’s the postcard-perfect harbor that defines the cityscape. It’s really quite something just to lay eyes on the sailboats, catamarans, and full-scale yachts glinting the shallows of the Mediterranean with such a picturesque city rising around them. But it’s even better to be on one of the boats! For what amounts to a few hundred dollars (depending on specifics), you can charter a sailboat or catamaran for the day, and explore the waters around Monte-Carlo. But it’s definitely something you’ll want to arrange in advance.
3. Brush Up on Your Hold’em Skills
Casino de Monte-Carlo is one of the area’s most famous and irresistible attractions. And rest assured, it is not the same sort of gaudy, flashing facility you see in casino hubs like Las Vegas or Macau. This casino is a classy and borderline-palatial venue that seems plucked out of time. It’s an essential visit, and while there are plenty of games to play inside — from slots, to roulette, to poker — the poker tables are the real draw.
If you have even the slightest interest in casino activity (even if that just means you kind of want to feel like James Bond for the night), a stop at the Monte-Carlo poker tables is about as good as it gets. To fully enjoy the experience though, it’s best to brush up on how to play Texas Hold’em beforehand. This is the primary variety of poker on offer, and while it’s also the most well-known type of poker in the world, it can’t hurt you to do a brief refresher. As long as you have the rules and procedures of the game nailed down in advance, though, you’ll have a wonderful time at the poker tables in this one-of-a-kind venue.
4. Book Oceanographic Museum Tickets
The Oceanographic Museum (or Musée Océanographique de Monaco) has become another one of the city’s main attractions, and with good reason. It’s a beautiful museum built into a cliff over the water and housing artifact exhibits, live aquariums, a virtual Great Barrier Reef immersion, and even an escape room — not to mention some extraordinary views, reports Lonely Planet. It’s the sort of attraction you can happily spend a whole day exploring, and tickets are actually not that expensive. However, we’re listing it in this piece about preparation because it’s still a good idea to buy tickets online in advance. It’s a very popular attraction, and you’ll want to ensure you face no hassle getting in.
5. Stock Up on Classy Beach Attire
Last but not least, remember to stock up on some classy beach attire! Larvotto Beach is one of the more relaxing and satisfying seaside spots in Europe — and actually recently reopened with some new terraces and restaurants for guests to enjoy. If you want to enjoy the beach in style though, it’s best to have your sharpest beach attire and a few stylish accessories as well. It’s not essential, but there’s something fun about looking the part in Monte-Carlo!–