Let’s be honest: Monaco is not cheap. This miniscule principality is all glitz and glamour, yachts and old money, luxury cars and expensive tastes. But while your modest travel budget may not allow you to indulge in the fancy parties and exclusive real estate, looking is always free, thank goodness!
Getting to Monaco is sinfully easy (and cheap!) from Nice. You can take the bus or the train to Monaco: the bus, leaving from Nice’s centre, only costs 1 Euro and the train, leaving from the SNCF station slightly north of the main boulevard only costs about 4 Euros. Though the bus is more cost-effective, it’s also slower, with the journey taking 45 minutes in comparison to 25 mins on the train.
Though I get horribly carsick, the bus stop was closer to our hotel in Nice, so we hopped on and I hoped that I wouldn’t throw up. Due to traffic, we arrived in Monaco nearly an hour later, and after the winding roads I was feeling quite ill. As this is nothing new, I tried to ignore the waves of nausea and tried to figure out where we would go first.
We started our walking tour with a trip to the Royal Palace. Beware, the 10-minute walk up the steep paved hill to get here exhausted me- make sure you pace yourself!
Unfortunately Prince Albert was too busy to greet Liebling and I (hrumph!) so we had to move on. Next up was a short walk to take a look at all those fancy yachts Monaco is known for.
And then another short walk to take in more of Monaco from above.
We walked in the Old Town near the Palace, where I purchased a 2.50 Euro ($3 USD) can of Coke. Ouch.
Strolling around in Monaco’s centre, I was disappointed to see that all the stores were closed (it was Sunday). Not that I would have been able to afford anything…
We then arrived at Casino Square, location of the Monte Carlo Casino, where we were treated to massive crowds and very expensive cars. We are far from high-rollers, but going into the casino and taking a photo is free, so that is what we did!
Have you ever been to Monaco? Is it a place you’d like to go to?
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
That casino is seriously impressive!
When I’m rich I’ll have to go back to gamble
Monaco is really beautiful…love the view from above.
Lara recently posted..Dear India
The aerial view is crazy impressive.
I have never really thought about Monaco as a travel destination for me. I would probably go though, just so many more places that I want to see that this would be fairly low on the list. These shots are beautiful though.
Melissa recently posted..Happy Canada Day
Agree! But a great day trip from Nice!
Aww, sorry you were carsick! Hope you took the train for your journey back to Nice so as not to endure that a second time! I used to suffer terrible carsickness as a child, right up to my early teens. I would invariably feel nauseous, the urge to spit constantly (sorry, TMI!) or outright vomiting while in cars and for some reason, the smell of leather car seats made it much worse. Happy days.. Oh well, I outgrew it more or less but till today still occasionally have a ‘moment’ in cars.
Monaco looks beautiful and I love that ordinary folks (you and Liebling) were there, I used to feel too intimidated but now, who knows? I may go. Funnily enough, my Mum and brother travelled to Monaco years ago for a Lebanese family friend’s daughter’s glam wedding.
The majority of the people there were tourists like us, so no need to feel intimidated
. Motion sickness is the worst, I never throw up but always feel like I’m about to..
Love all the aerial photos. I went to Monaco I believe for maybe 4 hours on a tour when I was in high school. We saw the glitz and glamour and then quickly moved on.
Stephanie – The Travel Chica recently posted..Off the Backpacker Trail in Tarija
I don’t necessarily think it’s a place to spend a lot of time, but a quick day trip from Nice or Italy is worth it.
I love cities on the water! Monaco has never been on my list of places to visit but I enjoyed your pictures. The architecture is beautiful.
Sylvia – SlySpeaks recently posted..Why I Quit Cable: The Beginning [Part 1]
Me, too!
I visited Monaco in May. Monaco is gorgeous and super glamorous. Wish I had the money to do some shopping there. I also took the bus from Nice to Eze Village and Monaco and experienced at bit a motion sickness both days. However, a little bit of tummy sickness was worth it for the views.
You and me both! Would love to do some shopping there!
Wow! The shots are amazing. I haven’t traveled to Monaco but it is now on my list. Gorgeous pictures.
Dr. Reginia recently posted..Happy 4th from Reginia!
It’s definitely pretty. Thanks!
I went to Monaco for a few hours when I was a child and obviously was not interested in the casino and fancy cars. I love the sea though so passing through the country/city to admire the view and chill by the water sounds like a plan for a day. Your pictures are beautiful!
Carminelitta recently posted..Newness for your ears: Evil Round That Corner, Fabian Akilles
Merci! It´s super easy to do from Nice and if you bring a picnic it doesn´t have to be expensive either!
Great post! Love Monaco!
Thanks!
Fabulous photos! We definitely want to go to Monaco. Le Husband is a massive Ferrari fan so I want to take him to the Grand Prix there one year.
Emm in London recently posted..Exploring the Cumbrian Town of Hawkshead
I didn’t post any pics, but everything was set up in preparation for the Grand Prix when we were there!
I have visited Monaco a few times and hotels are seriously expensive. The trick is to stay ‘over the border’ (across the street, actually) in the French section, Beausoleil. It’s not cheap, but a lot cheaper than the real thing and just as close. Lovely photos, thank you – I’d almost forgotten what the principality looked like!