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Looking for the best places to stay in the beautiful principality of Monaco? From luxury resorts and casinos to charming beachfront accommodations, there’s sure to be somewhere that’s perfect for you.
So, without further do, let’s dive in and find out where to stay in Monaco on your next trip.
Best Places To Stay in Monaco
Looking for the best places to stay in Monaco on a time crunch? Here are my top picks.
- 🏆 Best Overall Hotel – Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo
- 💎 Best Luxury Hotel – Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo
- 👪 Best for Families – Le Méridien Beach Plaza
- 🏨 Best Boutique – Boutique Hotel Miramar
- 🤑 Best Budget – Hostellerie de la Tour
- 🏖️ Best Resort – Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort
6 Best Neighborhoods & Areas to Stay in Monaco
Not sure whereabouts to stay in Monaco? Don’t worry, I’ve got you covered. Let’s check out some of the best neighborhoods and areas to stay in Monaco.
1. Fontvieille
The best area for avoiding the tourist vibes.
Formerly known as the industrial district of Monaco, Fontvielle is one of the first areas you’ll reach when traveling into the Principality from Nice or Cannes. It’s because of this that many tourists ignore this region altogether, which means it’s normally a lot quieter and more authentic than many districts in Monaco.
If you’re a fan of football, you’re probably going to be right at home in this neighborhood. After all, it’s where you’ll find the Louis II Stadium, the home of AS Monaco. Elsewhere in the district, you can find the peaceful Aux Canards Garden, row upon row of beautiful residential houses and apartments, and a huge luxury harbor.
In fact, this underrated area of Monaco is home to Formula One legends like Hamilton and Schumacher, and the houses have yacht moorings rather than traditional car parking. That’s a whole new level of luxury. That’s because the Fontveille neighborhood was created by reclaiming land from the sea in 1970 when Prince Rainier III wanted to build a new neighborhood but was lacking any space!
Fontvielle Mini Guide
Best area to stay for industrial architecture, football, and avoiding the main tourist hubs.
- Best Hotels – La Regalido • Best Western Le Val Majour • Hôtel Belesso
- Best Hostels – Hostellerie de la Tour
- Best Apartments – Chiara Monte Carlo
- Where to Eat – BeefBar ($$$$), Moshi Moshi ($$$) La Saliere ($$)
- Where To Drink – Le Rouge et le Blanc, Ship and Castle, Gerhard’s Cafe Monaco.
- Top Attractions – Stamps and Money Museum, Aux Canards Garden, Louis II Stadium
2. La Condamine
The best area for shopping and eating out.
As the name of this neighborhood might suggest, La Condamine is full of huge apartment buildings that rise up all around the bay. Located in the heart of central Monaco, La Condamine has a number of amazing attractions that you can check out including the stunning Port Hercules, Princess Antoinette Park, and the amazing Rainier III Nautical Stadium.
However, one of the most loved landmarks in the La Condamine neighborhood is much older than any of the high-rise buildings that categorize the area. It’s the regular farmer’s market that has taken place in Place d’Armes since 1880. Try some Monegasque delicacies and find some of the freshest produce that you’re likely to find anywhere in the country.
The region of Monaco is also home to some impressive shopping if you’re looking to treat yourself. As La Condamine is nestled in between the historic Old Town or Monaco-Ville and the luxurious Monte-Carlo, it’s a neighborhood that’s close to a lot of Monaco’s most beloved sites without having to fork out for a costly stay in the Monte-Carlo area.
La Condamine Mini Guide
Best area to stay for shopping and eating out.
- Best Hotels – Port Palace • Boutique Hotel Miramar • Ambassador Monaco
- Best Apartments – Browse top rentals in La Condamine
- Where to Eat – Woo Monaco ($$), Komo Monaco ($$), Maison des Pâtes Condamine ($)
- Where To Drink – Supernature, Before Monaco
- Top Attractions – Port Hercules, Princess Antoinette Park, and Rainier III Nautical Stadium
3. Monaco-Ville
The best area for history and culture.
With this neighborhood’s roots all the way back to the 13th Century, you know that Monaco-Ville, or Monaco City, is going to be jam-packed with historic architecture and culture. Known locally as The Rock or Le Rocher in French for its position on top of the hill overlooking the superyacht-filled harbors of Monte Carlo and beyond, Monaco-Ville is best loved for its historic sites.
If you love royal history, you’re in for a treat. Monaco-Ville is where the opulent and stunning Prince’s Palace of Monaco is located. Even though the Monegasque royal family still lives here, the palace is partially open to the public at different points throughout the year – depending on when the royal family is back at home of course!
In addition to the royal palace, you can also visit the fantastic Musee Oceanographique de Monaco, which is dedicated to all things related to ocean sciences. Alternatively, head to the beautiful Saint Nicholas Cathedral where all the Grimaldi royals, including Princess Grace Kelly, are laid to rest. If you love old-fashioned amphitheaters and alfresco gigs and shows, carve out some time to visit the incredible Theatre du Fort Antoine.
Monaco-Ville Mini Guide
Best area to stay for architecture, history, and culture.
- Best Hotels – As it’s a historic district, there aren’t any hotels in this area, but there are quite a few apartments.
- Best Apartments – Apartment Monaco • Elegant Baroque Apartment • Charming 2 Bed Apartment
- Where to Eat – La Montgolfière, Henri Geraci ($$$), Quai des Artistes ($$$), La Tavernetta ($$)
- Where To Drink – L’Express, La Rascasse, Le Petit Bar Monaco
- Top Attractions – Prince’s Palace of Monaco, Musee Oceanographique de Monaco, Saint Nicholas Cathedral, Theatre du Fort Antoine
4. Monte Carlo
The best area for luxury and nightlife.
What’s there left to say about Monte-Carlo that hasn’t been said before? Full of opulent casinos, clubs, and hotels, it’s the ultimate place to stay if you’re looking for high-end luxury. In fact, it’s commonplace to see supercars and superyachts around every corner and see at least a handful of people who are dressed to the nines.
Whether you’re wanting to live out your James Bond fantasies at the Monte Carlo Casino, or you want to treat yourself to some designer items at the Metropole Shopping Monte Carlo, there’s a luxury vibe that’s bound to match your interests.
It’s no secret Monte Carlo is one of the most expensive places in the world, so it stands that you’re unlikely to find any budget options in this neighborhood. If you’re looking to watch your spending, definitely eat, drink, and stay elsewhere, and come to Monte Carlo for window shopping and to see how the other half lives…
Monte Carlo Mini Guide
Best area to stay for opulence, luxury experiences, casinos, and nightlife.
- Best Hotels – Hotel Metropole Monte-Carlo • Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo • Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo
- Best Apartments – Browse top rentals in Monte Carlo
- Where to Eat – Rampoldi Monte Carlo ($$$$), Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris ($$$$), Il Terrazzino ($$)
- Where To Drink – Le Bar Americain, Buddha Bar Monte Carlo, Horizon Rooftop
- Top Attractions – Auditorium Rainier III, Casino de Monte Carlo, Metropole Shopping Monte Carlo
5. Le Larvotto
The best area for beaches and family getaways.
Looking for the beachfront Monegasque fantasy? Well then, you’re going to want to consider staying in the Le Larvotto neighborhood. Home to the most popular public beach in the entire Principality, Le Larvotto is popular with just about every kind of traveler, including families looking to have some classic Riviera fun in the sun.
In addition to the gorgeous Plage du Larvotto (Larvotto Beach), you can also find a whole host of great resorts, eateries, and bars where everyone can soak up those sunset vibes over the Mediterranean Sea. If you’re looking for a more peaceful spot away from the hustle and bustle of the beach, check out the meticulously designed Jardin Japanais – Princesse Grace located in the west of Le Larvotto.
Finally, if you’re in Monaco for an indoor event, then chances are pretty good that it’s going to be hosted in the Grimaldi Forum. That’s located right in the heart of Le Larvotto, so staying here means that you can seamlessly get to and from your event venue, regardless of the time of day. Overall, Le Larvotto has that quintessential beachfront neighborhood vibe that a lot of Monaco tourists are searching for.
Le Larvotto Mini Guide
Best area to stay for stunning beaches and relaxing family vibes.
- Best Hotels – Le Méridien Beach Plaza • Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort • Hotel Olympia
- Best Apartments – Browse top rentals in the Larvotto
- Where to Eat – Twiga ($$$$), La Note Bleue ($$$), Avenue 31 ($$)
- Where To Drink – Blue Gin, Amber Lounge, Duke
- Top Attractions – Plage du Larvotto (Larvotto Beach), Jardin Japanais – Princesse Grace, Grimaldi Forum
6. Saint Roman
The best area for tennis, coastal views, and day-tripping.
Located over in the far east of Monaco, on the border with France, the Saint Roman neighborhood, otherwise known as La Rousse-Saint Roman, is known really for one thing and one thing only – the Monte Carlo Masters Tennis Event. Held every year as a warm-up tournament for the French Open so the world’s best male tennis players come from all around the world to play in Saint Roman.
One of the best things about staying in Saint Roman is the expansive, panoramic views over the water. As you’re up on the hillside, you can see over the buildings below and get uninterrupted views. This neighborhood is also a great place if you’re looking to enjoy some coastal hikes out towards Roquebrune Cap Martin in France, or want to stop off on any of the hidden beaches all around the coastline such as Plage du Rocher or Plage du Golfe Bleue.
Although there aren’t a ton of options right now for places to stay in Saint Roman, there are currently a lot of apartment blocks in development, which are expected to include some holiday rentals. It’s a lot more chilled out on this side of Monaco, and you’re still within walking distance of Le Larvotto, so you can enjoy the vibrant beach life but then retire to a quieter neighborhood to relax and recharge your batteries.
Saint Roman Mini Guide
Best area to stay for the Monte Carlo Masters, coastal views, and access to the French Riviera.
- Best Hotels – Much like Monaco-Ville, Saint Roman doesn’t have many hotels, but it does have plenty of apartments and holiday rentals to choose from. One hotel that is available is Monte-Carlo Beach.
- Best Apartments – Browse top rentals in Saint Roman
- Where to Eat – Il Giardino ($$), Pizza Saint Roman ($$), Le Vietnam ($$)
- Where To Drink – Espresso Napoletano MC, Le Deck
- Top Attractions – Monte Carlo Country Club, Monte Carlo Masters Tennis Tournament
FAQs About Where to Stay in Monaco
What is the best part of Monaco?
Realistically, it depends on what you’re wanting to do and see on your Monaco vacation. Many people will say that staying in Monte Carlo is the peak Monaco experience, however, if you’re traveling with kids or are on a budget, that’s going to be a no-go for you.
Many people consider Le Larvotto to be one of the best places to stay in Monaco as it’s close to the beach, has plenty of eateries, and is within striking distance of both Monaco-Ville and Monte-Carlo. So, if you’re looking for a central base in Monaco, consider staying in the Le Larvotto area.
Is it better to stay in Nice or Monte Carlo?
Nice is definitely the cheaper option, even with the price of the train into Monte Carlo. The direct train from Nice to Monaco only takes around 18 minutes and only costs around 4 Euros each way. When you add in the fact that there are around 45 trains every day each way, you’ve got plenty of flexibility when it comes to staying in Nice and traveling into Monaco.
However, if you want the opulent experience and don’t want to have to rely on trains every day, Monte Carlo might be a better place to stay for you. It will be more expensive, but you won’t be spending around 40 minutes every day shuttling back and forth to Nice. If you want an all-encompassing and immersive Monegasque experience, you should definitely splurge and stay in this tiny country.
How many days do I need in Monaco?
As Monaco is relatively small, you really only need 2-3 days to properly explore this charming principality. It’s also a very expensive place to visit, so your wallet might not want you to stay for much longer!
It also depends on why you’re visiting Monaco. If you want to see all the royal sites and culture, you can probably do this in 2-3 days without much trouble. If you’re visiting for the tennis and want to explore the sights in one trip, you might need 4 days in Monaco.
Which hotels in Monaco are best for families?
There are so many great family hotels all around Monaco. Depending on which neighborhood you’re staying in you might enjoy the Hôtel Columbus Monte Carlo, Le Méridien Beach Plaza, the Fairmont Monte-Carlo, and many more that have been listed throughout this guide.
Despite the reputation that Monaco has for being a billionaires’ playground (which is largely correct), there is still plenty to see, do, and enjoy on a family trip to Monaco. You can enjoy the amazing beaches, check out the stunning gardens, have an adventure on the coastal hiking trails, and much, much more!
Where are the best beaches in Monaco?
The best free, public beach in Monaco is Larvotto Beach. Many of the beaches in Monaco belong to specific hotels or beach clubs, however, you can find plenty of beautiful free beaches, especially in the Saint Roman neighborhood in the east of the country.
A lot of these beaches are technically on the French side of the eastern border, but they’re easily accessible by a series of stairs and lifts from the clifftop hiking trails. Honestly, some of these beaches are hidden gems if you visit Monaco during the off-peak season!
Of course, if you’re staying in some of the more luxurious and high-end beachfront hotels and resorts in Monaco, you might have access to a private strip of beach. This is very common to see, so if you want a guaranteed luxury beach experience, complete with loungers, parasols, and table service, consider booking a hotel or resort with private beach access.
