What would an internationally famous resort be without novel ways to drain your cash supplies? Foremost among Monaco’s entertainment options is a flutter at the casino. Celeb spotters will be unable to resist Monte Carlo’s beaches, where the swimming is lousy but the tanning and conspicuous yacht parties are world class. Those with a taste for strolling should be able to circumnavigate the country (4.5km of borders) before lunch, taking in some beautiful gardens, touristy alleys and views of France and Italy along the way.

Jardin Exotique

Who would’ve thought cacti could be so much fun? With 7000 varieties of cacti and succulents, the Jardin Exotique is paradise for prickle-lovers. If 7000 cacti is about 6998 too many, the garden is still worth a visit for its spectacular views.

Musée National de Monaco

This ain’t your usual collection of dusty rocks and stuffed animals: the Musée National de Monaco is dedicated to dollies and their frightfully spooky siblings, automata. The museum has everything from a dancing Josephine Baker robot to the Ken and Barbie owned by Princess Caroline and a gigantic 18th-century nativity scene packed full of little locals. Put your hair in pigtails and get on down.

Palais du Prince

Monaco’s royal palace has been around since the 13th century. Every Grimaldi since has found it necessary to leave their mark on the place, and as a result this is not one of Europe’s most elegant castles. It is worth taking a look inside though - 15 rooms, including the Throne Room, are open to the public.

If you’ve already blown your cash and can’t afford the entrance fee, the changing of the guard won’t cost you a cent. It starts just before noon and is over within two minutes, so be on time.

In the south wing of the palace, the Musée des Souvenirs Napoléoniens has a collection of Napoleon’s personal knick-knacks, including one sock, a handkerchief and a bunch of medals, coins, uniforms and swords.

Musée Océanographique

If you’ve got a thing for fish, it’s worth making the trip to Monaco just to come here. The museum is probably the best aquarium in Europe, with 90 seawater tanks and a display of living coral. There’s also a display on the work of the late, great Jacques Cousteau, as well as other ocean explorers.

If you’re unlucky enough to hit Monaco on one of those 65 rainy days, this is the perfect place to console yourself.

Monte Carlo Casino

If it weren’t for the casino, Monaco would be just another little town on the Côte d’Azur, somewhere for Parisian public servants to take their secretaries for a dirty weekend. Instead, Monaco is a fairy tale land built on luck, where the glitterati advertise the fact that they’ve got so much they’re throwing it away. You may not have two euros to rub together, but you can soak up the atmosphere and use the toilets for free, provided you can disguise yourself as a high roller with money to burn. However, if you want to penetrate the inner sanctums, you’ll need a considerable wallop in your wallet. It’s almost worth it just to view the over-the-top baroque splendour of the casino’s architecture.

Jardin Exotique

Who would’ve thought cacti could be so much fun? With 7000 varieties of cacti and succulents, the Jardin Exotique is paradise for prickle-lovers. If 7000 cacti is about 6998 too many, the garden is still worth a visit for its spectacular views.

Musée National de Monaco

This ain’t your usual collection of dusty rocks and stuffed animals: the Musée National de Monaco is dedicated to dollies and their frightfully spooky siblings, automata. The museum has everything from a dancing Josephine Baker robot to the Ken and Barbie owned by Princess Caroline and a gigantic 18th-century nativity scene packed full of little locals. Put your hair in pigtails and get on down.

Monte Carlo Casino

If it weren’t for the casino, Monaco would be just another little town on the Côte d’Azur, somewhere for Parisian public servants to take their secretaries for a dirty weekend. Instead, Monaco is a fairy tale land built on luck, where the glitterati advertise the fact that they’ve got so much they’re throwing it away. You may not have two euros to rub together, but you can soak up the atmosphere and use the toilets for free, provided you can disguise yourself as a high roller with money to burn. However, if you want to penetrate the inner sanctums, you’ll need a considerable wallop in your wallet. It’s almost worth it just to view the over-the-top baroque splendour of the casino’s architecture.

Musée Océanographique

If you’ve got a thing for fish, it’s worth making the trip to Monaco just to come here. The museum is probably the best aquarium in Europe, with 90 seawater tanks and a display of living coral. There’s also a display on the work of the late, great Jacques Cousteau, as well as other ocean explorers.

If you’re unlucky enough to hit Monaco on one of those 65 rainy days, this is the perfect place to console yourself.

Palais du Prince

Monaco’s royal palace has been around since the 13th century. Every Grimaldi since has found it necessary to leave their mark on the place, and as a result this is not one of Europe’s most elegant castles. It is worth taking a look inside though - 15 rooms, including the Throne Room, are open to the public.

If you’ve already blown your cash and can’t afford the entrance fee, the changing of the guard won’t cost you a cent. It starts just before noon and is over within two minutes, so be on time.

In the south wing of the palace, the Musée des Souvenirs Napoléoniens has a collection of Napoleon’s personal knick-knacks, including one sock, a handkerchief and a bunch of medals, coins, uniforms and swords.

Currency: Euro
Meals

Budget: €6-10
Mid-range: €10-30
High: €30-65
Deluxe: €65+

Lodging

Budget: €30-50
Mid-range: €50-80
High: €80-120
Deluxe: €120+ (more…)

Monaco is a country that thrives on spectacle and glitz. The big one for the year has to be the Formula One Grand Prix, held in mid-May, when the world’s best drivers hit the city streets and crossing the road becomes an extreme sport. Those who can’t get enough of big, throbbing engines should also be in town in January for the Monte Carlo Motor Rally. Dedicated to showing off in all its forms, Monaco also hosts the International Circus Festival in January, the Great Magic Prize (an international prestidigitators’ playoff) in March and the International Fireworks Competition (duked out in the natural amphitheatre of Monaco’s harbour) in early August.

The shoulder seasons - April/May and September/October - are the most pleasant times, climatically, to visit Monaco. Summer - June to August - can be very hot, and you’ll be pressing flesh with most of Europe. Winter is a better bet, as it may be a bit rainy but it’s unlikely to be too cold. Car-racing fans will probably want to be here either in January for the Monte Carlo Rally or May for the Grand Prix.

Visas: No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
Time Zone: GMT/UTC +1
Dialling Code: 377
Electricity: 220V ,50Hz
Weights & measures: Metric

A tiny speck on France’s eastern Mediterranean coast, Monaco weighs in at an awesome 1.95 sq km. There isn’t a great deal of geographic variety possible in such a small area. Most of the country is hilly, rugged and rocky, and there are some very fetching sea cliffs.

Those keen on wildlife spotting are best advised to visit the Monaco aquarium. The country is almost entirely urban and not the best place for nature lovers. With no forest or woodland cover left here, the only fauna you’re likely to see are cockroaches, alley cats and other tourists.

Monaco’s climate is typically Mediterranean, with a bit of rain but not too much chill in the winter. Summers are dry and can get very hot. The Monégasques claim they enjoy 300 days of sunshine a year.

Monaco’s urban bus system has six lines, and will take you to all the tourist spots. If you want to get back to your hotel after 9pm, however, you’ll need to catch a taxi. Be impressed by the escalators and public lifts linking city streets.

Buses run from all over Monaco to the surrounding French countryside. The train station in La Condamine runs a frequent service to Nice, 20 minutes away, and it’s an easy day trip. If you want to arrive in style, HeliAir Monaco will bring you by helicopter from Nice airport.