Monaco: A Land of Elegance, Splendor and Fairytale!
Welcome to the second smallest state in the world, the Principality of Monaco! You don’t need glass princess shoes or a white horse to visit this place.
The tiny royal Monaco on the French Riviera is a very seductive country with its elegance and quality. Its richest place is Monte Carlo. Covering only 18 km², the country is the second smallest country in the world after the Vatican. We know Monaco from the fairytale-like love of American actresses Grace Kelly and Prince Rainer III.
The Grimaldi family, the oldest ruling family in Europe, defeated the Genoese Republic in 1297 and founded Monaco. According to the agreement with France, which was valid until 2002, if there was no heir from the Grimaldi family, the administration of the country would be left to France. In 2002, France and Monaco signed an agreement that Monaco would maintain its status as an independent state even if there were no heirs.
There are many reasons to visit Monaco, which is 15 km from Nice and 8 km from Italy; Formula Grand Prix is one of them. You can see the most luxurious yachts you can see in the world at the marinas of Monaco. At the same time, the magnificent houses and luxury casinos of the rich with big zero earnings.
According to the last census, the population of Monaco is 38,300 people, the length of the country is about 3,350 meters. Its measurement is 1000 meters at its widest point and 245 meters at its narrowest point. Many districts in the country were created by filling the sea with concrete.
Places to Visit in Monaco
1-Royal Palace of Monaco
The Palais du Prince, located above sea level on the Le Rocher Peninsula, was built in the 13th century as a Genoese fortress for protection. Restored over the centuries, the castle was finally transformed into a luxurious Louis XIV-style palace.
Although not as imposing as other palaces in Europe, the palace is one of the most popular and interesting touristic structures in Monaco. The Royal Family has resided in this palace since 1927. The flamboyant changing of the guard ceremony that takes place every day in front of the palace is worth watching. When the Prince of Monaco is not at the palace, the tower flag is lowered at half-mast and the palace is opened to the public.
Climbing the Rample de la Major stairs, you reach the palace square and the Royal Palace stands before you in all its majesty. Visiting this palace, which contains the magnificence of seven centuries of uninterrupted domination, feels like a journey through the centuries from the Renaissance to the Napoleonic era.
In front of the palace is a statue of one of the important Garibaldi family for Monaco and various ball figures. Perhaps the most beautiful is the magnificent view. It is possible to capture interesting photo frames of the first stop of the Monaco Trip that you want to immortalize.
2-Monaco Cathedral-Saint Nicholas Cathedral
Monaco Cathedral was built in 1875 in Roman-Byzantine style with white stones brought from the city of La Turbie. The tombs of former Monaco princes are also located inside the cathedral. Inside the cathedral you will also see a magnificent episcopal throne made of Carrara marble, an altar and a painting of Louis Brea from 1500.
3-Monaco Top Cars Collection
Prince III in the museum. Classic cars that Rainer has accumulated over 30 years are on display. There are many cars here, from the 1903 model De Dion to Ferraris and Rolls Royces. It is possible to have a pleasant time in the museum, which hosts an incredible visual feast for car enthusiasts.
4-Ocean Science Museum
Opened in 1910, the Musee Oceanographique (Museum of Ocean Science) is one of the oldest aquariums in the world. There are a total of 3 aquariums in the museum, namely the Tropical Aquarium, the Mediterranean Aquarium and the Shark Lagoon. At the same time, the inventions of Jacques-Yves Cousteau are also exhibited in the museum.
You can taste unique flavors accompanied by the magnificent view of Le Rocher Peninsula from La Terasse Restaurant in the museum.
5-Monaco Palace of Justice
The old courthouse located near the Monaco Cathedral. The architecture of the building, which was built in 1930, is very impressive. Quite an interesting architecture built of porous stone with pebbles and shells.
6-Monte Carlo
Monte Carlo, one of the 5 regions of Monaco, is the richest region of the country. Its casino is located in the heart of Monaco, but the people of Monaco are not allowed to gamble and enter the casino.
Monte Carlo Boulevard is divided by 2 elegant boulevards, Princesse Charlotte and Boulevard des Moulins. Avenue de la Costa and the Opera Hall, with their luxury boutiques, are among the favorite places of Monte Carlo. The Michelin-starred luxury restaurants of Monte Carlo are full of people who care about their taste buds.
7-Exotic Garden
Opened in 1933, the Jardin Exotique (Exotic Garden) is located on a steep cliff overlooking the Mediterranean. The garden, which has more than 7,000 kinds of plants, is a very beautiful place with its unique tropical plants.
In the garden, you can visit the Observatory Cave, where there are findings from the prehistoric period, and the Anthropology Museum, where there are collections from pre-Roman and Roman period collections.
8-Stamp and Coin Museum
This museum gives you a journey into the postal history of the Principality of Monaco. Alongside the rare collections of stamps, the coins were first published in 1885. All documents used in the stamp and printing process from the Charles stamp to the present are exhibited.
9-Naval Museum
This museum emerged after this sea passion of a man who fell in love with the sea. Professor Claude Pallanca dreamed of the sea, sailing boats and sailing from an early age. During his military service, he was assigned to Jeanne d’Arc as a dentist. This was the turning point in his life because he established very close friendships with naval officers here. Of course, his love, admiration and passion for the sea has increased even more.
His incredible collection over the years, Prince III. Thanks to Rainier, he turned it into a museum in 1993. In this museum, there are more than 1200 ship models, navy and maritime objects. Also, Professor Claude Pallanca has in recent years added paintings of ships and planes from the Second World War to this unique collection. The most important thing that makes this museum so special; Being an international museum dedicated to all navies from ancient times to the present.
10- New National Museum
The museum includes 2 separate villas, Villa Paloma next to the Exotic Garden and Villa Sauber located on Princess Grace Boulevard. The Nouveau Musee National de Monaco also hosts temporary art exhibitions featuring avant-garde paintings, drawings and photographs.
11-Monaco Grand Prix
The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the oldest tracks raced since the beginning of Formula 1 (1950). The race on the narrow Monte Carlo streets was actually very risky. The track, which has a capacity of 37,000 spectators, is one of the most challenging tracks with its narrow streets and bends. The atmosphere of the city takes a completely different turn during the race period.
12-Fontvieille Park
This park is one of the favorite places for both tourists and locals, especially for families with children. It is adorned with lush trees such as pine, cypress and olive and has a very successful landscape. At the same time, exotic plants from different soils are also planted in the park. The winding roads and artworks that run through the park have created an area rich in both botanical and cultural aspects.
13-Prehistoric Anthropology Museum
The Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology was founded in 1902 by Prince Albert I. The majority of the archaeological and paleontological exhibits belong to the Principality of Monaco. It was also sourced from neighboring regions such as France and Italy.
After Prince Albert gave the order for the construction of the museum, he was also the financier. The story began with the collection of artifacts found in the long excavations in the Grimaldi Caves between 1895 and 1902 under one roof. In 1902, Prince Albert chose the Government House building for the museum exhibition. After serving here for 58 years, the museum moved to its new building in the middle of the Exotic Garden in 1960. In the collections exhibited in the museum, you witness the admirable evolution of humanity during interglacial periods.
14-Monaco Beaches
Of course, sun, sand and azure Mediterranean waters. The beaches of Monaco are ideal for many water sports such as jet skiing, windsurfing, scuba diving and snorkeling. The first of your options; Larvotto Beach. It is located on Avenue Princesse Grace and is a beach consisting of two coves. It has a length of about 400 meters. Your other alternative; Crique des Pecheurs. This is a much smaller, private and quiet beach.
When to go to Monaco?
The right time to plan your Monaco trip is definitely about your expectations from this trip. If you want to swim, sunbathe and gain a princely tan, of course you should choose the summer months. If you are choosing this period, you should consider that it is high season. If you are into Formula Grand Prix, then you should make this trip in May. Spring is also the most beautiful time in this country. If you are into luxury yachts or gourmet delicacies, plan for September because both the Monaco Yacht Show and the Monaco Gastronomy Festival are held in September.
What to Eat in Monaco?
Barbagian: Barbagian can be called a kind of ravioli or puff pastry. A filling is prepared with chard, leek, ricotta, garlic and various fresh herbs, and the dough is filled with this filling and fried. This dish is usually served as an appetizer in Monaco. It is one of the classic flavors of Monégasque cuisine.
Fougasse: These sweet cupcakes are flavored with orange flower water and garnished with raisins, hazelnuts, anise. You can find it at local bakeries.
Gnocchi: Although it is essentially an Italian flavor, gnocchi is a flavor you can often see on restaurant menus in Monaco. Its main ingredients are potatoes, semolina, wheat flour, egg and cornmeal. Especially when it is prepared with seafood, it becomes a very delicious and satisfying meal. It can also be flavored with ingredients such as cheese, mussels, shrimp, spinach, and garlic.
Stocafi: The name given to cod fish cooked in tomato sauce. It is also flavored with black olives and vegetables. A very traditional flavor.
Daube de Boeuf with Penne – Penne Pasta with Beef Stew
Traditional beef stew served over penne pasta. Pasta is sauced with the juice of the stew and becomes a very tasty dish.
In addition, the oldest olive tree on the French Riviera is located in Monaco, and the Monégasque Olive is also very famous on these shores.
Monaco is a country where luxury life is felt in every corner, home to some of the richest people in the world, and at the same time sticking to its traditions. You will feel like you are on the set of a movie in Monaco. If you want to spend time full of pleasant memories in this country that dazzles with its unique elegance, make your private plane reservations before it’s too late!
Contact us for a comfortable and safe flight that will make you feel special while flying to a destination that is the address of luxury with its unique style and unique atmosphere!