Superyachts moored in the harbour of Fontvieille below the terraced apartments of Monaco
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Monaco

From the Hôtel de Paris and Le Louis XV on the Place du Casino to the Grand Prix, the Yacht Show and the superyachts of Port Hercule: Monaco at its finest, chosen by one rule: first class or not at all.

The harbour of Fontvieille, MonacoPhotograph: Diego F. Parra
Monte-Carlo and Port Hercule below the mountains, seen through the pines from the Rock
Monte-Carlo and Port Hercule

La culture

A principality on a rock

Monaco has been ruled by the House of Grimaldi since 1297, when François Grimaldi took the Rock disguised as a monk; the family still lives in the Prince's Palace above the harbour. At about two square kilometres, it is the second-smallest country in the world, and one of the most densely built.

Monte-Carlo grew up around the Casino, opened in 1863 and rebuilt by Charles Garnier in 1878, with the Hôtel de Paris beside it since 1864; the Société des Bains de Mer still runs both. Princess Grace brought Hollywood to the Rock in 1956, and the Oceanographic Museum, built into the cliff by Prince Albert I, was directed for three decades by Jacques Cousteau.

Each year the Grand Prix runs through the streets and around the harbour, and each September the Yacht Show fills Port Hercule with the world's finest new superyachts. This guide brings together only the first class: the hotels, the tables, the yachts, the homes and the private banks that meet our standard.

A few words of French
EnglishFrenchSay it
HelloBonjourbohn-ZHOOR
PleaseS'il vous plaîtseel voo PLAY
Thank youMercimair-SEE
Good eveningBonsoirbohn-SWAHR
The bill, pleaseL'addition, s'il vous plaîtlah-dee-SYOHN, seel voo PLAY
Port Hercule full of yachts below Monte-Carlo, with the mountains and the coast towards Italy beyond
Port Hercule and Monte-Carlo

Where to go

The best places to visit in Monaco

Monte-Carlo: the best time to visit, the one best hotel, restaurant and beach club, and how to arrive by private jet, helicopter or yacht.

The Rock of Monaco from the air: the Prince's Palace, the old town, the cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum above a deep blue sea
The Rock of Monaco and the Prince's Palace

Monaco

Best time to visitJune and September are the best months: warm sea, long days, and the two great moments of the year, the Grand Prix and the Monaco Yacht Show. Late May is lovely too, and spring brings the tennis.

  • Stay
    Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carloone of the 25 Finest Resorts

    Monaco's palace hotel on the Place du Casino since 1864, whose Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III Diamond Suites are among the most expensive suites in Europe.

  • Dine
    Le Louis XV – Alain Ducasse à l'Hôtel de Paris

    Alain Ducasse's flagship holds three MICHELIN stars.

  • Beach
    Monte-Carlo Beach

    The Société des Bains de Mer's beach resort at Monaco's eastern edge (on Roquebrune-Cap-Martin land, in France), a hotel since 1929, with cabanas and the MICHELIN-starred restaurant Elsa.

Arrive privately
By private jet
Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE / LFMN), about 30 to 40 minutes by car.
By helicopter
The usual way in: Nice airport to the Monaco Heliport takes about 7 minutes, with frequent flights through the day operated by Monacair and booked through BLADE; Héli Air Monaco also flies transfers.
By sea
Port Hercule, 760 berths in a deep-water harbour that also takes cruise ships up to 300 metres; in the heart of the Principality, below Monte-Carlo.
Good to know
Monaco has its own heliport at Fontvieille; there is no airport in the Principality.
The domes and towers of the Casino de Monte-Carlo framed by palm trees, with the Hôtel de Paris to the right
The Casino de Monte-Carlo from the gardens

Stay

Luxury hotels and resorts in Monaco

Monaco's hotels at our standard, led by the Hôtel de Paris on the Place du Casino.

Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo

Opened in 1864 on the Place du Casino, this is Monaco's palace hotel and the address for Grand Prix weekend, when its rooms look down on the circuit.

Visit website ↗
A superyacht moored in Port Hercule below the grand hotels and terraces of Monte-Carlo
A superyacht below Monte-Carlo

The finest hotels

Each rated Forbes Five-Star or holding two or three MICHELIN Keys.

A restaurant on two terraces built into the rocks above a calm sea, palms and a stone wall above it
A terrace restaurant above the sea

Dine

The best restaurants in Monaco

Monaco's MICHELIN-starred tables, led by Alain Ducasse's Le Louis XV, and the beach club at Monte-Carlo Beach.

Three MICHELIN stars

Two MICHELIN stars

  • Les Ambassadeurs by Christophe Cussac✦✦Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo

    Christophe Cussac, at the Métropole, steps from the Casino.

  • L'Abysse Monte-Carlo✦✦Hôtel Hermitage

    Yannick Alléno's sushi counter in the Hôtel Hermitage Monte-Carlo.

  • Blue Bay Marcel Ravin✦✦Monte-Carlo Bay

    Marcel Ravin's Caribbean-Mediterranean cooking. Visit website ↗

Beach clubs

  • Monte-Carlo BeachMonte-Carlo

    The Société des Bains de Mer beach resort at the eastern edge of Monaco (on Roquebrune-Cap-Martin land), a hotel since 1929, with beach cabanas, the MICHELIN-starred restaurant Elsa and seasonal concepts including La Vigie.

A table laid with gold chargers, folded white napkins, silver and crystal glasses
A table laid for dinner

Private chefs and catering

For a villa, a yacht or a wedding.

  • Monte-Carlo CateringMonaco

    The catering service of the Société des Bains de Mer, owner of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo and Hôtel Hermitage. It brings the group's kitchens and service teams to private receptions and off-site events in the Principality. Visit website ↗

Superyachts moored in Port Hercule below the apartment towers of Monte-Carlo
Superyachts in Port Hercule

Sail

Yacht charter in Monaco

Port Hercule and Fontvieille, the superyacht brokers with offices in Monaco, and the yards that serve them.

Superyacht marinas

  • Port HerculeMonaco

    760 berths in a deep-water harbour, up to 40 metres deep in the outer port, that also takes cruise ships up to 300 metres; it is the stage for the Monaco Yacht Show. Visit website ↗

Yacht clubs

  • Yacht Club de MonacoPort Hercule (members' club)

    Founded by Prince Rainier III in 1953 and presided over by Prince Albert II since 1984, with more than 2,500 members from 80 nationalities and a clubhouse by Foster + Partners opened in 2014. Visit website ↗

Superyacht charter brokers with an office here

  • BurgessMonaco, Palma and Athens

    Founded in 1975 and headquartered in London, Burgess runs about 19 offices worldwide for charter, sales, new build and management. Visit website ↗

  • FraserMonaco, Palma and Athens

    A brokerage with more than 75 years in the business, over 240 staff in 21 offices and roughly 6,500 charter days a year. Visit website ↗

  • EdmistonMonaco

    A London-founded house working at the top of the market in charter, sales, management and new build. Visit website ↗

  • Camper & NicholsonsMonaco, Antibes, Cannes, Palma and Athens

    Established in 1782 and the oldest name in yachting, with charter, sales, new build and owner services. Visit website ↗

  • Y.COMonaco

    A full-service superyacht company (charter, sales, management, build and refit) with offices in Monaco, London, Fort Lauderdale and Auckland, offering charter access to about 1,000 yachts. Visit website ↗

  • Northrop & JohnsonMonaco, Antibes, Palma and Türkiye

    Founded in 1949 and focused on yachts over 30 metres. Visit website ↗

  • Ocean IndependenceMonaco, French Riviera, Palma and Athens

    A Swiss-headquartered brokerage with 15 offices and over 120 staff. Visit website ↗

  • IYCMonaco and Athens

    A global superyacht firm with 15 offices covering sales, charter, charter management and crew, with a Monaco office on Boulevard Albert 1er and a presence in Athens. Visit website ↗

  • Moravia YachtingMonaco

    A boutique Monaco brokerage operating from Port Hercule since 1962 and part of the Hill Robinson group since 2017, offering bespoke charter on a curated fleet up to about 55 metres alongside sales. Visit website ↗

  • Yachting Partners International (YPI)Monaco

    A house with about 50 years in the business and offices in Monaco and London, covering charter, sales and management of yachts from 25 metres upward.

Refit and maintenance

  • Monaco MarineFrench Riviera and Provence

    A network of nine yards from Marseille and La Ciotat to Antibes, Beaulieu-sur-Mer and Monaco, servicing superyachts up to about 160 metres and 6,000 tonnes, with 30 years in refit and maintenance. Visit website ↗

Motor yachts moored in rows in Port Hercule, the old town on the Rock beyond
Yachts in Port Hercule
A cruise ship at Monaco's cruise quay, seen through the trees of the Rock
A cruise ship at Monaco's cruise quay

Cruises

Monaco by sea

How the ships arrive in Monaco, and the luxury lines that call.

Smaller ships berth at the cruise quay on Port Hercule's outer breakwater, below the Rock; larger ones anchor off Monte-Carlo and bring guests ashore by tender. The Principality limits the size of ships and the number of passengers they may land.

Seven of the luxury lines below begin and end voyages here.

The luxury lines that call here

From the lines' own 2026 and 2027 voyages. Ports change from season to season, so check the voyage before you reserve.

Luxury Cruise LinesSuites at Sea
A deep red Ferrari parked on the quay in front of a superyacht in Port Hercule
A Ferrari on the quay, Port Hercule

Travel

First-class travel in Monaco

The chauffeurs at our standard. Private jet arrivals are covered in the questions below.

Chauffeurs and self-drive

  • ChabéMonaco and the Côte d'Azur

    Founded in 1921 and built on service to the Paris palace hotels, Chabé runs an office in Monaco on quai Jean-Charles Rey that serves the Riviera with Mercedes-Maybach S580 and S-Class cars, and has moved VIP guests at the Monaco Grand Prix and the Monaco Yacht Show. Visit website ↗

  • Monaco Royal LimousinesMonaco

    A Monaco-registered chauffeur company at 6 rue Biovès running Mercedes-Maybach S580, Mercedes S-Class, BMW 7 Series and i7 and Mercedes V-Class vehicles for airport, heliport and yacht transfers across the Riviera. Visit website ↗

  • Elite Rent-a-CarNice, Cannes and Monaco

    A Geneva-based luxury and supercar hire firm with agencies in Nice, Cannes and Monaco on the Riviera, and delivery and collection across France. The fleet includes Ferrari, Lamborghini, McLaren, Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Porsche. Visit website ↗

  • Car4RentMonaco, Cannes, Saint-Tropez and Nice Airport

    Luxury and sports car hire with agencies at 9 boulevard Albert 1er in Monaco, 10 rue Hibert in Cannes, 15 place Vieille in Grimaud for Saint-Tropez, and at Nice Airport, as well as in Paris. Visit website ↗

  • Luxury RivieraVillefranche-sur-Mer

    Self-drive luxury cars and a chauffeur service from an office at 19 avenue du Général de Gaulle in Villefranche-sur-Mer, with a second office for the French Alps. Visit website ↗

  • MC Luxury RentalMonaco

    Supercar and luxury car hire from 30 boulevard Princesse Charlotte in Monaco, delivering to Nice, Cannes, Saint-Tropez and further afield. The fleet includes Ferrari, Lamborghini, Rolls-Royce, Bentley, Porsche and Maserati. Visit website ↗

The Casino de Monte-Carlo beyond the palm gardens of the Place du Casino, with the Hôtel de Paris and One Monte-Carlo to the right
The Place du Casino, with One Monte-Carlo on the right

Shop

Luxury shopping in Monaco

The jewellers, watchmakers, galleries and auction houses of Monte-Carlo.

The great shopping streets

  • Monte-Carlo Shopping PromenadeMonaco

    Some forty premium boutiques around Place du Casino, from One Monte-Carlo opposite the Casino along the Avenue de Monte-Carlo and the Allée François Blanc, including Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Bottega Veneta and Graff. Visit website ↗

Jewellers and watchmakers

Auction houses

  • Sotheby's MonacoMonte-Carlo

    Sotheby's has worked in Monaco since the 1960s, now from 20 avenue de la Costa, offering appraisals, advisory, art storage and lending; past Monaco sales include the Redé Rothschild collection (1975) and works from Karl Lagerfeld's estate (2021). Visit website ↗

  • Hôtel des Ventes de Monte-CarloMonaco

    Monaco's own auction house on Quai Antoine 1er, holding live and online sales of jewellery and collectible watches, old master paintings, furniture and silver, archaeology and design. Visit website ↗

  • Artcurial MonacoMonte-Carlo

    The Paris auction house of the Rond-Point des Champs-Élysées opened its Monaco branch in 2015 at the Monte-Carlo Palace on boulevard des Moulins; its summer sales of jewellery, collectors' watches and Hermès bags are held at the Hôtel Hermitage during Monaco Auction Week. Visit website ↗

Art galleries

The great marques

Official showrooms, most by appointment.

The Great Marques: showrooms, factories and cars to hire ›

Formula 1 cars climbing the hill from Sainte-Dévote past crowded balconies at the Monaco Grand Prix
The Monaco Grand Prix

Experience

Events and things to do in Monaco

The Monaco year: the great events, month by month; each event's own website gives this year's dates.

The great museums

Opera houses, concert halls and festivals

The Oceanographic Museum rising from the cliff above the sea, with Monaco and the mountains behind, seen from the air
The Oceanographic Museum from the sea

Health spas

  • Thermes Marins Monte-CarloMonaco

    Monaco's great seawater spa, next to the Hôtel de Paris and the Hôtel Hermitage.

Sport and motoring

  • Monte-Carlo Country ClubMonaco (Roquebrune-Cap-Martin, just over the border in France)

    A members' club founded in 1928, with an Art Deco clubhouse, and home of the Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters (on the Events list). Its clubhouse restaurant is open to visitors. Visit website ↗

  • Rallye Monte-Carlo HistoriqueMonaco

    The Automobile Club de Monaco's historic rally since 1998, for models that took part in the Monte-Carlo Rally between 1911 and 1986. Visit website ↗

  • The Cars Collection of H.S.H. the Prince of MonacoPort Hercule

    Prince Rainier III's collection of around a hundred cars, from a 1903 De Dion-Bouton to a 2013 Lotus Formula 1 car, moved in July 2022 to a 3,500-square-metre gallery beside the swimming-pool section of the Grand Prix circuit. Visit website ↗

After dark

  • Jimmy'z Monte-CarloSporting Monte-Carlo

    The Société des Bains de Mer nightclub, open for more than 50 years and fully renovated in 2017, with resident DJs and international guest acts. Visit website ↗

  • Sass' CaféMonte-Carlo

    Opened in 1993 and run by the Treves family for three decades, a Monaco institution that moves from Mediterranean and Italian dinner to live music and dancing as the night goes on. Visit website ↗

The towers and terraces of Monte-Carlo above Port Hercule under a clear blue sky
Monte-Carlo above Port Hercule

Live

Luxury real estate in Monaco

A home in Monaco: the agencies and advisers at our standard, for the purchase and for life after it.

Prime real estate

Branded residences and new developments

  • MareterraLe Portier (sea-extension district), Monaco

    Monaco's new six-hectare district reclaimed from the sea, launched at the instigation of Prince Albert II and inaugurated in late 2024, with about 110 apartments and 10 villas, including the Renzo Piano-designed Le Renzo and the Valode & Pistre-designed Les Jardins d'Eau.

Residency

  • Monaco Residence Permit (Carte de Séjour)Monaco

    Residence (not an investment programme). The Principality's Residency Section of the Police Department issues a temporary one-year card first, on proof of suitable housing (owned or rented) and sufficient financial resources; the official page sets no fixed sum. Visit website ↗

A sleek motor yacht beneath the wooden mast of a classic sailing yacht, superyachts across the harbour
Yachts in the harbour, Monaco

Private banks and advisers

  • CFM Indosuez Wealth ManagementMonaco

    Founded in 1922 by sovereign order of Prince Louis II, it is Monaco's oldest bank and part of Crédit Agricole's Indosuez Wealth Management network. Visit website ↗

  • CMB MonacoMonaco

    A Monegasque private bank founded in 1976, wholly owned by Mediobanca, which Banca Monte dei Paschi di Siena has controlled since September 2025, with about €17.7 billion in client financial assets. Visit website ↗

  • UBSMonaco and Italy

    UBS (Monaco) S.A. has served high and ultra-high-net-worth clients and family offices in the principality since 1956. Visit website ↗

  • Julius BaerMonaco, Milan, Madrid and Tel Aviv

    The Zurich-based private banking group, present in about 25 countries, lists Monaco, Milan, Madrid and Tel Aviv among its locations. Visit website ↗

See all 10
  • PictetMonaco, Spain, Italy and Israel

    The Geneva private bank, established in 31 financial centres, has Mediterranean offices in Monaco, Madrid, Barcelona, Milan, Rome, Turin, Verona and Tel Aviv. Visit website ↗

  • Edmond de RothschildMonaco

    In Monaco since 1986, the bank moved in 2026 into an 11-level headquarters in La Condamine housing about 270 staff, covering relationship banking, discretionary management, wealth planning and real estate financing. Visit website ↗

  • Rothschild & Co Wealth ManagementMonaco, France, Italy and Spain

    The family-controlled group's wealth management arm has Mediterranean offices in Monaco, Marseille, Aix-en-Provence, Milan and Madrid, the last opened in 2021. Visit website ↗

  • Barclays Private BankMonaco

    Barclays has a long-standing private bank in the principality offering a full private banking service backed by the Barclays Group. Visit website ↗

  • EFGMonaco and Cyprus

    The Swiss private banking group runs EFG Bank (Monaco) from Villa Les Aigles on avenue d'Ostende and has its own office in Limassol, Cyprus. Visit website ↗

  • Société Générale Private BankingMonaco

    Named best private bank in Monaco for 2026 by Euromoney, noted for its discretionary management and advisory processes. Visit website ↗

Private healthcare

International schools

  • International School of MonacoMonaco

    Founded in 1994, it is an IB World Continuum School offering all four IB programmes, with bilingual English-French teaching in the primary years. Visit website ↗

The marina of Fontvieille below its ochre and red apartments and the Tête de Chien, from the Rock
Fontvieille from the Rock

Plan your trip

Luxury travel in Monaco and the Mediterranean: your questions answered

When is the best time to visit Monaco?

June and September are the best months: warm sea, long days, and the two great moments of the year, the Grand Prix and the Monaco Yacht Show. Late May is lovely too, and spring brings the tennis.

Where are the best luxury hotels in Monaco?

Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo (one of the 25 Finest Resorts).

How do you arrive in Monaco by private jet?

Nice Côte d'Azur Airport (NCE / LFMN), about 30 to 40 minutes by car.

Which are the best restaurants in Monaco?

Monaco has one restaurant with three MICHELIN stars on our list: Le Louis XV (Hôtel de Paris).

Do you tip in Monaco?

As in France: service is generally included, and 5–10% extra for good service is appreciated. Round up for drivers. Luxury hotels: porters €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day, €10–20 for a concierge who goes out of their way.

What should you wear in Monaco?

Monaco expects polished dress in town, and walking around in swimwear, shirtless or barefoot anywhere other than beaches and bathing areas can bring a fine. Shoulders and knees covered in the cathedral and churches. On yachts, soft-soled or bare feet on deck. Smart dress for fine dining. The Casino de Monte-Carlo has a dress code: in the evening, no shorts, T-shirts, short-sleeved shirts or sweatshirts; by day, no beachwear, flip-flops, sandals, tank tops or ripped jeans.

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Glasses of red wine and a candle on a restaurant table in warm evening light
A glass of red by candlelight

Customs and etiquette

Customs and etiquette in Monaco

How Monaco does things.

Language
French is the official language; Monégasque is the traditional language, and Italian is common. English is widely spoken in hotels, restaurants and at the casino.
Greetings
As in France: a handshake on first meeting, bonjour / bonsoir with monsieur / madame; cheek kisses among friends.
Dress
Monaco expects polished dress in town, and walking around in swimwear, shirtless or barefoot anywhere other than beaches and bathing areas can bring a fine. Shoulders and knees covered in the cathedral and churches. On yachts, soft-soled or bare feet on deck. Smart dress for fine dining. The Casino de Monte-Carlo has a dress code: in the evening, no shorts, T-shirts, short-sleeved shirts or sweatshirts; by day, no beachwear, flip-flops, sandals, tank tops or ripped jeans.
Dining
As in France: lunch about 12–2 pm, dinner from about 8 pm. Book well ahead, especially during the Grand Prix, the Yacht Show and summer.
Tipping
As in France: service is generally included, and 5–10% extra for good service is appreciated. Round up for drivers. Luxury hotels: porters €2–5 a bag, housekeeping €5–10 a day, €10–20 for a concierge who goes out of their way.
Good to know
The Casino de Monte-Carlo admits over-18s only and requires photo ID (a passport or national identity card; a driving licence is not accepted). There is an entrance fee.

Every list on this page is checked by hand and dated: last checked October 2026. Hotels, restaurants and events link only to their own official websites, where confirmed.

The Mediterranean Season Letter

Where to be, every season

Four letters a year, one for each season: the Mediterranean from spring to autumn, and Beyond the Mediterranean, into the Alps, in winter. The one best hotel to book, and the events worth crossing a sea for.