Monaco is one of the richest nations in the world, but what’s the average in-country cost of something as simple as a beer?
The price of a pint or bottle of beer can be anything from three euros to as high as seventeen euros for a single drink. It depends where you go, with small bars being the cheaper option, and bars in the casinos being the most expensive.
Read on to learn more about Monaco and how much it costs to take a vacation there.
The Jewel Of The Riviera
Monaco has consistently been known as one of the world’s wealthiest nations for the last few decades. It might be minuscule – just 2.1 square kilometers in area – but it’s densely populated with thousands of millionaires.
Reportedly, more than a third of Monaco’s residents are millionaires – or billionaires – and for good reason. Since the closing of the Second World War, Monaco has been a glitzy, extravagant, and coveted destination for the world’s elite.
The micro-nation is home to some of Europe’s finest casinos and most opulent hotels and harbors. It’s a glittering jewel on the Mediterranean, sat comfortably on the iconic and beautiful French Riviera.
Although the country has been rated around 145th in the world for total GDP, it has constantly boasted the highest GDP per capita. There are very few exports from Monaco but it’s a nation rich with business and high-value trading.
Furthermore, a huge portion of Monaco’s economy comes from the entertainment and tourism industries. There are massive annual events held in Monaco which draw in visitors from all around the world, such as regattas and the Monaco Grand Prix.
Therefore, it stands to reason that the base cost of a vacation in Monaco would be considerably expensive, and you’d be right for thinking that. It’s a relatively exclusive nation with some fairly stringent rules, and you’ll need to take quite a bit of spending money to enjoy your time there.
Fine Dining In A Fancy Nation
However, like many expensive destinations, there are establishments in Monaco that cater to those not classed as super-rich. They’re still higher value than your average hotels and restaurants anywhere else in the world, but they’re slightly more affordable where Monégasque venues are concerned.
It’s often stated that Monaco is quite simply synonymous with luxury, wealth, and status, and spending a week or two there is an unforgettable experience. From the beaches to the sparkling-clean streets and from the gilded hotels to the casinos, there aren’t many places like Monaco.
There are travel websites that try to offer an idea of just how much it costs to vacation in certain places. For example, budgetyourtrip.com recommends an average daily expenditure of one hundred and seventy euros per person.
If you were to stay in Monaco for one week, that’s just over one thousand euros each, assuming you’re traveling as a couple. That’s around twelve hundred dollars, a considerable investment but necessary to enjoy all that Monaco has to offer.
The tiny sovereign nation boasts some dramatically exclusive and high-class restaurants, eateries, and bars. As you could imagine, the cost of eating and drinking in these establishments is remarkably high.
For instance, in the Cafe de Paris, one of the finest dining experiences on the Riviera, a single beer can cost as much as eighteen euros. However, these tend to be locally-brewed, or special edition beverages that aren’t commonly seen outside of Europe.
You can pick up a Heineken or a Carlsberg in the Cafe de Paris for as little as ten euros per pint. The most expensive beverage on the menu is a bottle of the Ruinart Rosé champagne, coming in at the considerable price of one hundred and seventy-five euros.
If you venture into the Casino de Monte-Carlo, you’ll see guests purchasing drinks from Le Bar Salle Blanche. This is a members-only bar, meaning tourists typically won’t ever see the inside of it, let alone sample its beverages.
In Le Bar Salle Blanche, a single beer, lager, or stout costs between ten and twelve euros. This includes brands such as Corona, Guinness, and Heineken. It’s a little less daunting but bear in mind that you need to pay just to get into the casino itself.
Unfortunately, if the cost of these drinks offends you in some way, you’ll not dare learn about the price of a meal in Monaco. We’ll give you a clue: a three-course meal in the Cafe de Paris could wind up costing as much as two hundred euros per person.