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As mentioned on the previous tip, traffic may be somewhat confusing in Monaco, mainly in peak season, so my advice would be to park your car and walk. Most main sees are at walking distance and there are also lifts to help you move around the hilly areas more “quickly” and easily. Since you will be walking a lot make sure you take comfortable shoes.
We arrived in Monaco by car, traveling from Italy. Also it is also very easy to reach Monaco driving from Southern France, as is the case of places in French Riviera. In the case of Italy, there is a highway that runs along Riviera dei Fiori (San Remo) that ends up on the winding road till you get “down” to Monaco. We found traffic in Monaco to be somewhat confusing, … There are several parking spread around Monaco, all well signalized. Most of them are underground parks and most of them also showed the “Full” sign when we drove past them. At the end, we parked in Avenue Princesse Grace, where there are park meters. I don’t recall exactly how much we paid, but I think it was about 1.5eur/hour (I remember that price was about the same as in Italy, where it ranged from 1 to 1.5 euro/hour).
This being the land of the rich & famous, seeing the Principality from a helicopter would be wonderful if you enjoy flying, I was recommended this helicopter company before we went. Check out their web site below.There is no airport in Monaco. The nearest airport is in Nice, on the Cote d'Azore, only 17 km west of Monaco. Many airlines, including budget ones use Nice airport.http://www.nice.aeroport.fr/include/default.asp
We had our own car to get to & from Monaco. If like me you do not like heights, you will hate the roads in this area.We had a choice of 2 roads to Monaco from Nice, the winding, cliff hugging coastal road or the motorway. We chose the motorway which was still pretty hairy! Many huge lorries as this is also the main route in to Italy, we went over many very high bridges any bungy jumper would be proud of! No Nice way to get to Monaco if you dont like heights!There is no bus station in Monaco, but there is a train station, apparently the trains follow the coast & have the most wonderful views over the Cote D'Azor. Train from Nice takes only 20 minutes & is very cheap. Check out the web link for other destinations to Monaco
Ascenseurs Publics, are free public lifts (elevators), which take you up & down the hill sides of Monaco. There are presently between 10 - 15 in operation. Collect a map from the tourist office to see where the lifts are.We gave up on the Ascensuers Publics (see general tips!), & walked up the Rampe Major (ancient fortifications) to get to & from the palace and Monaco Ville area.
Montecarlo lies within this small territory. Best view is by driving the "Haute Corniche" (High Road) day or night. Another interesting route is the "Moyenne Corniche" (Middle Road), while the "Basse Corniche" (Low Road) follows the sea coast where traffic is heavy during summer months. Parking a car is not easy, try to look nearby the port area. Many reserved parking spots for motorcycles.
Monaco is obviously far too small to have it's own airport - but Nice Airport in France are very close.There is a good range of bargain fares via Easyjet and others to the Riviera's airport.If you have saved money on that then you feel like blowing it all on a helicopter transfer into Monaco. The Six minute flight will currently set you back 69 Euros.You may not be a Millionaire - but you will certainly feel like one.P.S. There - I've done it : Written a whole tip on helicopters without making a very obvious 'Large chopper' joke.
Being such a mountainous little place one of the most useful forms of transportation is the lift (or if your american elevator) system. It will certainly save you a bit of legwork.Although there are no formal border facilities, on at least one of these journeys you are transported from one country to another (should you have any mad desire to visit France)This is the list of current public lifts / elevators availbale for use :1- between the Place des Moulins and the beaches 2- between the Princess Grace Hospital Center and the Exotic Garden 3- between the harbor and the Avenue de la Costa 4- between the Place St. D'vote and the area of Mon'ghetti 5- between the Terraces of the Casino, the Congress Centre Auditorium and the Boulevard Louis II 6- between the Avenue des Citronniers and the Avenue Grande-Bretagne 7- between the highway and the Larvotto Boulevard.
This tourist train is a very nice attraction for kids but not only. It starts in front of the Oceanographic Museum and in 35 minutes you see (the tour is commented in french, english, italian and deutch languages) the port, Montecarlo and its palaces, the famous Casinò with gardens, the old city and the palace of the Prince. Every day from 10.30 to 18, except for January. Free for kids under age 5/y/o.
To get to the tiny state of the Principality of Monaco by boat (or more likely by a luxurious yacht) especially your own one, you must be really, but really rich. What with all those yachts one sees in the port. Still, the views must be magnificent, probably the best ones you can get approaching Monaco. And at the very least rivaling the ones you get from above as the road (carrying you with it) climbs down into the city.This tip is actually mid-getting there and mid-must see. I do not actually know why I put it in this section. I wanted to think how to recreate the views you could see from getting by boat. So if you need this particular tip not only as a practical thing, but as aesthetical, too, you might go to the furthest end of the pier and get the same magnificent effect free of charge.
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Reviews and photos of Monaco attractions posted by real travelers and locals. The best tips for Monaco sightseeing.
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Q: Hi everyone. It's been over 30 years since I've been to the south of France, and I am planning a trip to Monaco next May, so I'd...
A: Yes, the train is still a good way to travel. I suggest visiting Collioure in France between Perpignan and the Spanish border. It´s a great little place and you won´t...
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