From the Casino de Monte-Carlo and James Bond to the legendary Grand Prix and Oceanographic Museum, Monte Carlo packs glamor, history and culture into one of the world’s smallest destinations.
James Bond, the Monte-Carlo casino and one of Europe’s oldest royal families, Monaco has always known how to make an impression. The Casino de Monte-Carlo featured in GoldenEye (1995), when Pierce Brosnan’s 007 brought his particular brand of glamor to the Riviera. But there’s much more to this tiny principality than Bond and roulette. Covering just 2.1 square kilometers, Monaco is one of the world’s smallest countries, yet it has an substantial reputation for wealth, luxury and spectacle. The Grimaldi family has ruled here since 1297, while the casino, opened in 1863 and later expanded by Paris Opera architect Charles Garnier, helped turn Monaco into an international playground. Today, the Formula 1 Grand Prix races through its streets each May, while the Oceanographic Museum, once headed by Jacques Cousteau, offers a very different glimpse of the principality.
Where to Stay
Stay in the heart of Monte Carlo at the 5-star Hotel Metropole, which has been a fixture of Monaco’s glamorous Carré d’Or since 1886, with the Casino de Monte-Carlo just moments away. And, in fact, hotel guests have free entry to the Casino. The hotel’s Belle Époque architecture has evolved over the years, most recently under the direction of French designer Jacques Garcia, who brought his signature mix of antiques, rich fabrics and decorative detail to the interiors. More recently, 45 rooms and suites were redesigned by Garcia, with a lighter Mediterranean aesthetic that feels more relaxed than the hotel’s grander public spaces.
Yellow plays a striking role in the newly renovated rooms, with soft butter and golden tones alongside powder blue. Combined with floral fabrics, brass details, antique mirrors and honey-colored wood, the palette references the light and warmth of the Riviera while keeping Garcia’s decorative instincts in check. There is also the Lobby Bar, which doubles as one of the hotel’s more sociable spaces and displays works by artists including Picasso, Andy Warhol and Francis Bacon. Add to this a pool area designed by Karl Lagerfield and you can’t ask for a more elegant stay in Monte Carlo.
Opened in 2025, the Spa Métropole by Guerlain is a vision in pale stone and golden wood with sculptural paper works by artist Claudine Drai creating a quiet, light-filled space. Ten treatment rooms offer personalized Guerlain rituals, while the facilities include a hammam, sauna, cold plunge, sensory shower, fitness room and Pilates and yoga studio. The spa is also handily connected to the Odyssey pool designed by Karl Lagerfeld.
Where to Eat and Drink
The Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo has a diverse range of restaurants from classic French, modern Mediterranean fare and high-end Japanese cuisine. The two Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac (formerly at La Réserve de Beaulieu and Abbaye Saint-Michel) serves refined French haute cuisine. Yoshi, a superb Japanese restaurant specializing in sushi, sashimi, nigiri and teppanyaki, has a more intimate feel than the hotel’s grander dining rooms. And Odyssey, although beside the pool in the dramatic space designed by Karl Lagerfeld, is the hotel’s more relaxed Mediterranean restaurant. During warmer months, Zia at Odyssey, from chefs Manon Santini and Rocco Seminara, combines Italian flavors with high-end takes on pizza, including truffle and caviar creations.
Amu on the Fairmont hotel’s roof terrace offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean and a satisfying French and Italian menu built around local produce, responsibly sourced seafood and classic Mediterranean flavors. The menu ranges from a traditional Niçoise salad and burrata to red prawn carpaccio from Sicily, tuna crudo with yuzu kosho and Mediterranean sea bream tartare with confit tomatoes and jalapeño. There are also pizzas, pastas, grilled meats and a catch of the day. Desserts include Italian favorites like panna cotta and tiramisu prepared tableside.
U Luvassu, by the harbor offers a relaxed taste of the Monaco that exists beyond the casinos and superyachts. At Port Hercule, fourth-generation fisherman Eric Rinaldi serves the day’s catch at his family fish market and waterfront restaurant, from wild Mediterranean fish and lobster to generous seafood platters. It is relaxed, local and unusually unpretentious for Monte Carlo.
What to See and Do
The Royal Palace (only open in summer months) is a must see. Set high above the city, the Prince’s Palace is the official residence of Monaco’s sovereign and a symbol of the Grimaldi family’s long history. Built as a fortress in 1215, it has been transformed over the centuries into an elegant palace combining medieval, Renaissance and classical features. The palace is known for its grand State Apartments and historic interiors. There’s currently a temporary exhibition on the royal wedding of Grace Kelly to Prince Rainier III (until 25 September 2026).
A glitzy shopping mall beside the Metropole hotel offers an array of high end brands like Isabel Marant, Max Mara, Missoni, Orlebar Brown and even posh children’s shops like Gucci Kids. And just outside the mall is Alter, a petite boutique featuring the sustainable fashion brand founded in 2018 by Pauline Ducruet (daughter of Princess Stéphanie of Monaco). The brand is known for its gender-neutral designs and eco-responsible materials. Its collections feature ready-to-wear clothing and bags and a versatile new swim line, combining relaxed silhouettes, minimalist styling and functional details. The brand usesrecycled materials where possible, reflecting its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of fashion.
The Collection of Cars of H.S.H. the Prince of Monaco began with Prince Rainier III, who started collecting automobiles in the late 1950s. What began as a personal passion grew into a collection of around 100 remarkable cars, opened to the public in 1993. Since July 2022, the collection has been housed in a large basement space beside the harbor. From a beautifully preserved 1903 De Dion Bouton to a 2013 Lotus F1, the collection spans more than a century of automotive history. Highlights include racing cars from the Monte-Carlo Rally and Monaco Grand Prix, alongside the Lexus used for the 2011 royal wedding of Prince Albert II of Monaco and Charlene Wittstock.
Hidden beneath the gardens of Monte-Carlo, and open by appointment only, Hauser & Wirth gallery offers a discreet and unexpected setting for contemporary art. Tucked away from the bustle of the surrounding luxury boutiques, hotels and Casino Square, the gallery feels like a hidden cultural retreat within the heart of the principality. Its subterranean location adds to the sense of discovery of a range of work from artists like Philip Guston, Louise Bourgeois and Andy Warhol.
Want to see more Forbes articles on your feed? Tap here to make Forbes Australia a preferred source on Google.
Look back on the week that was with hand-picked articles from Australia and around the world. Sign up to the Forbes Australia newsletter here or become a member here.
