A city break to Monaco
Thinking about a city break in Monaco? Good call. It’s not the kind of place that stretches out - you don’t need a week. What you need is a couple of days, good shoes, and a sense of curiosity. Between the palace on the rock, the boats in the harbor, and the casino that’s more legend than lounge, Monaco does compact better than most capitals do big. Small? Yes. But nothing about a city break here feels short.
The history of Monaco
Monaco didn’t start with yachts. It started with Greeks. Around the 6th century BC, they set up camp and called it Monoikos - "one house", or maybe just "we’ll do it our way." Fast forward to 1297, a guy named François Grimaldi dressed as a monk and snuck into the fortress. Took it. Held it. That move kicked off a dynasty that still runs the show.
Through the centuries, Monaco kept its borders small and its independence tight. It danced between Spain and France, signed a treaty in 1861, and became what it is now - sovereign, tiny, and hard to ignore. Wars passed by. Wealth arrived. And somehow, the Rock stayed firm.
Why visit Monaco?
You don’t need a week. You need a good pair of shoes and a day that doesn’t rush. Monaco, right along the French Riviera, is layers of story wrapped in style. You walk from a palace to a port in ten minutes. Take a turn, and you're in gardens. Take another, and you're watching a red Ferrari squeeze through a roundabout where a bus definitely shouldn’t fit.
The city has lanes that whisper old things and rooftops that glint new. There’s the old town up on the rock, the glitz down by the water, and enough people-watching to write a novel about. No checklist needed. Just follow the coast, look up, look down, repeat.
European Best Destination in 2025
Monaco didn’t shout. It just kept doing its thing—and Europe noticed. In 2025, Monaco was named European Best Destination. Not for the size (you can walk it in a lunch break). Not for the noise (there isn’t much unless there’s a Grand Prix). But for balance. Sea, stone, skyline, and space to breathe between them. Turns out, that mix wins hearts. And votes.
3 must-visit attractions in Monaco
- Casino de Monte-Carlo – Even if you don’t gamble
Walk in, look up, and try not to stare. It’s more theater than casino, more opera than poker room. People play. Others just wander through, nod politely, and leave with a story. - Prince’s Palace of Monaco – The one on the Rock
It’s been the Grimaldi home since medieval times. Get there just before noon, catch the Changing of the Guard, and peek inside if the flag’s down and tours are on. - Oceanographic Museum – Where sea and science meet
Built by a prince who loved the sea more than court life. Turtles, sharks, coral. Big windows. Big tanks. And from the rooftop, one of the best views in the principality.
Where to stay in Monaco
Sleep here and you’re never far from anything. At the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, you’re basically next to the Casino. At the Fairmont, you’re over the sea. At Hermitage Monte-Carlo, it’s Belle Époque meets room service. Pick your view - harbor, palace, or rooftop pool. You’ll be fine.
Bonus: Port Hercules
Port Hercules is Monaco’s front door and parking lot for floating mansions. It curves into the city like it belongs there. Walk along the edge, past the yachts, and try to guess who owns what. Then sit. Watch the harbor shift with the light. If it’s race week, it won’t be quiet - but it’ll be Monaco at full volume. And that’s worth seeing.
Mr Gwen
As a husband, dad of 2 children and employer, holidays are important to Gwen. Enjoying everything from small-scale boutique hotels to luxury holidays in beautiful resorts is therefore one of his favourite hobbies.
