Anchored in the heart of the Côte d’Azur, the Principality of Monaco is one of the places not to be missed for discovering the French jet-set. The world’s second-smallest state attracts visitors every year for its casino, luxury hotels, Princely Palace and Grand Prix. Known the world over, Monaco is also a city full of history and charm, where the Grimaldi family has reigned for hundreds of years. The city’s festivities are particularly popular in summer, so where to stay in Monaco?
In this guide, we’ll come back to the subject of accommodation in the principality. We’ll recommend the most interesting places to stay in each sector, grouped by budget so that you can make the best choice to suit your expectations.
Main information
Before going into the description of the places to target when selecting your accommodation in Monaco, here are the essentials to know from a tourist point of view. This should give you a better idea of the city and its constraints.
Our favorite places to stay
For those in a hurry, here are our favorite places to stay in Monaco:
- $$ this hotel, with its ideal location, offers good value for money.
- $$$ this luxury establishment, located in the heart of Monte-Carlo, is surely the best place to stay in Monaco.
Map of Monaco’s different districts to stay in
To give you a quick overview of where to stay in Monaco, you’ll find on the map below all the Monaco accommodation recommendations we’ll be sharing in this guide. You can also use it to locate the different neighborhoods we’ll be detailing.
The essentials for choosing where to stay in Monaco
Where to stay in and around Monaco
Let’s get to the heart of the matter with a review of the main areas where we recommend staying in Monaco.
Stay in Monaco-City: discover the principality's best attractions
Often nicknamed "the rock", Monaco's historic district will seduce you with its pedestrian lanes and colorful old Renaissance-style dwellings. As you'll have guessed, this is the oldest part of the principality, and the perfect place to start a walking tour of the city.
A true medieval village, with its fortress overlooking the town, you'll find hotels, restaurants, souvenir stores and major institutions. Indeed, if you're an architecture buff , you'll love the Palais Princier, the Hôtel de Ville and the cathedral. This is the ideal district for those wishing to stay close to historic monuments. We recommend a visit to the Palais Princier, built in the 13th century.
You'll love its Italian gallery and its many frescoes. Continue on to Monaco Cathedral, where Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier were married. For nature lovers and families alike, the Jardins Saint-Martin, built during the reign of Prince Honoré V, is the perfect place to take a break in the heart of nature. Although this is a very touristy area, you'll love staying here for its picturesque charm and authenticity.
It's one of the best places to stay in Monaco. Although you're in an area that's very popular with tourists, you'll still find affordable accommodation in Monaco. However, unlike other areas of the principality, there is very little on offer, mainly hotels. You'll have to walk a long way to find one.
We therefore advise you to book well in advance to stay. In terms of transport, the area has plenty of parking. However, there is very little public transport in the area.
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This establishment offers sleek, modern accommodation. You'll appreciate its breakfast and proximity to Monaco's Palais Princier.
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This elegant hotel will win you over with its spacious, carefully decorated accommodation. Some even have a sitting area. There's also a pizzeria on site.
Accommodation in Monte Carlo: in the Principality's most famous area
Located to the east of the Rock, and to the north of Monaco city, Monte-Carlo is renowned for its famous casino. A visit here is an absolute must when visiting the area.
Every year, Monte-Carlo attracts many tourists and, above all, wealthy personalities. As you may have guessed, this is certainly the principality's most famous district. You'll find a wide range of prestigious restaurants and palaces. And if you're a keen shopper, you'll be impressed by theubiquitous luxury brands lining the streets.
You'll appreciate its central location, close to the beaches and the port of La Condamine. As for sightseeing, we recommend a visit to the opera house to see the Salle Garnier, a testament to Monaco's grandeur.
To get around, there are plenty of bus stops and parking lots. And, unsurprisingly, you'll find some very luxurious accommodation. Indeed, you'll find plenty of 5-star hotels and palaces in historic mansions. You won't find any apartments in this area, and even mid-range accommodations command very high prices.
As you can see, staying in this area requires a very substantial budget if you want to live like a star. In fact, staying in this area is a fabulous experience, as the quality of hotel services is second to none.
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This boutique hotel offers accommodation with private dressing rooms in luxurious rooms with refined, modern decor. You'll appreciate the hotel's spa with hammam.
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This sumptuous 5-star palace, listed as a historic monument, will seduce you with its Belle Epoque decor and 7,000 m2 spa. You'll appreciate the period furniture and the different views over the city, garden or sea. The accommodation also features a gourmet restaurant and a gym.
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Set in a sublime building dating back to 1864, this 5-star hotel will seduce you with its elegant decor and rooms in a variety of styles. Two swimming pools, a gourmet restaurantand preferential rates for activities in Monte-Carlo will delight you.
Staying in Fontvieille: in the most recent area
Fontvieille is the most westerly part of the principality. As you'll soon notice, this area is completely reclaimed from the sea. This recent district, which saw the light of day in the 70s at the instigation of Prince Rainier III, is often overlooked by tourists when it comes to finding accommodation, as it contains the majority of Monaco's industries.
However, it has many advantages over other areas of the Principality. Far less posh than areas such as Monte Carlo, it boasts tourist attractions such as the Louis II stadium. Because of its sporting appeal, this is also where the Monaco Grand Prix Formula 1 races are held.
For museum enthusiasts, we recommend a visit to the Naval Museum, dedicated to all types of navy from antiquity to the present day. You can also visit the Musée des Timbres et des Monnaies, which exhibits the private collections of Prince Rainier III of Monaco.
For those who want to stroll and enjoy nature, head to the Louis II marina to discover its many luxury boats. You're bound to be impressed by all this wealth. Continue your stroll along the Chemin des Sculptures to stroll through the emblematic Princess Grace Rose Garden, surely the most beautiful public garden in Monaco.
As you'll have guessed, this quiet, residential area is ideal for staying away from the hustle and bustle of the city. It offers a wide range of leisure activities to suit all tastes. As far as restaurants are concerned, you'll find more affordable eateries here, mainly located on the marina, and even the presence of a McDonald's testifies to the more affordable nature of this area.
In terms of accommodation, this area offers a more substantial range. In fact, you'll find more affordable hotels here. Fontvieille also has a number of seafront apartments and studios to stay in, but these are mainly privately owned.
For unusual and original accommodation, you can even opt for an unusual night on a private boat in the marina. A unique experience to stay in idyllic surroundings. To get around, Fontvieille has plenty of parking spaces.
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This boutique hotel will win you over with its restaurant, heated outdoor swimming pool and numerous guest services. You'll love the accommodations with balconies overlooking the sea or the Princess Grace rose garden. You'll be seduced by the sober, elegant suites.
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Featuring an outdoor swimming pool and gym, this accommodation offers spacious, bright and sober rooms. You'll appreciate the balconies overlooking the sea and the modern, well-cared-for décor.
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In this sublime boat, you'll enjoy a totally unusual night's sleep right in the middle of the Fonvieille marina. With its lounge, terrace and bar, this accommodation offers you the very best in refined, uncluttered rooms and a jacuzzi.
Lodging in Condamine: the Principality's best shopping district
Situated to the north of Monaco Ville, the heart of the principality enjoys a privileged location along Port Hercule, between the Rock and the Monte-Carlo district. You'll appreciate its charm, with a marina that hosts world-class events every year, as well as its architecture lined with beautiful buildings.
With its small village feel, its authentic, mainly pedestrianized center is brimming with shopping streets. It's not for nothing that La Condamine is considered the liveliest shopping district in Monaco Ville. As you can see, it's not the ideal place to stay. In fact, we recommend that you take the Rue Princesse Caroline, one of the most popular shopping streets.
You'll also find plenty of terraces to quench your thirst in the sunshine. For lovers of Mediterranean flavours, head for the magnificent Place d'Armes, where the market square is located.
For lovers of flora and fauna, we recommend a visit to the exotic garden, with its multitude of cacti and breathtaking views. La Condamine is also renowned for its motor racing, since it's here that the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix starts and finishes. For car enthusiasts, the Automobile Club de Monaco is a must-see on your stroll through the area.
If you're looking to stay the night, La Condamine offers a wide range of affordable apartments and studios. In fact, you won't find many hotels in the area where to stay. In fact, there are very few hotels in the area, which is why we don't necessarily recommend that you stay here to sleep, but rather to stroll around.
As in Fontvieille, you'll also find unusual private accommodation aboard yachts in the marina. A worthwhile experience if you're on a budget for accommodation. In terms of transport, the area offers plenty of parking, as well as nearby bus stops.
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This sea-view accommodation offers self-catering units with desk and terrace. You'll appreciate its modern, designer rooms, carefully decorated. Enjoy a wide range of on-site activities. It's a good compromise for staying in Monte Carlo without breaking the bank.
Summary
Monaco is a destination that attracts visitors every year for its luxury and majestic scenery on the Mediterranean coast. Due to its size, all sectors are adjacent to each other and very well placed within the principality.
As you will have gathered from this guide, there are relatively few places to stay in Monaco, and they are extremely expensive, especially in Monte Carlo. So you’ll have to either steer clear of them voluntarily, or opt for apartment rentals. In any case, if you want to stay in Monaco, you’ll need to make your reservations as early as possible, as many events take place in the principality throughout the year, and prices soar at these times