Monaco is one of the wealthiest nations on the planet, despite covering less land area than New York’s Central Park – is it expensive to visit?
It can be remarkably expensive to visit Monaco, with some expert advice suggesting that you should stay outside of the micronation and travel in. It’s also quite expensive where entertainment and hospitality are concerned, but you can manage a short visit on a tight budget if you’re smart.
Read on to learn more about Monaco, why it’s so expensive, and how much it costs to vacation there.
Making Moves In Monaco
Around two hundred years ago, Monaco was a relatively unassuming spit of land, located at the eastern end of the French Riviera. It wasn’t home to much, and it was a long way from reaching the levels of splendor it exhibits today.
However, at the tail end of the nineteenth century, leading into the twentieth century, the Monégasque government decided things had to change. This tiny micronation – little more than a city – would become a ‘billionaire’s playground’ in the space of a single century.
Although there was a brief rocky period of occupation during the Second World War, Monaco came through the twentieth century wrapped in gold. It became known as a tax haven and a place that welcomed wealth with open arms.
It’s an independent nation in its own right, but it exists hand-in-hand with France, following the much larger nation’s rules, laws, and practices. Today, the minuscule region of Monaco is a member of the United Nations, and it is one of the richest countries on the planet.
There are no other locations on Earth with as dense a population of wealthy individuals as Monaco. It’s estimated that one-third of all Monaco’s residents are millionaires, and there are allegedly half a dozen billionaires that publicly call Monaco home.
For example, at the top of the table sits Stefano Pessina, an Italian-by-birth businessman with more than eleven billion dollars to his name. If you have a fortune of this size, you’ll enjoy a very comfortable life within the confines of Monaco.
Owing mostly to the opulent nature of the nation, Monaco has almost no crime, no poverty, and it’s renowned for its cleanliness and perfect appearance. It’s the home of the Monaco Grand Prix, the Monaco Yacht Show, and the streets of this city-nation are almost always overflowing with supercars and high fashion.
With all that information in mind, how expensive is it to visit Monaco, even for a short period of time?
It’s Time For A Vacation
As with most places, Monaco is as expensive as you make it, and there’s quite a sliding scale when it comes to a vacation there. For example, you could stay in the $1000-per night Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo, or you could opt for a more affordable form of accommodation.
Some of the most budget accommodation within the region of Monaco can be booked out for around $130-per night. That budget will secure you a double room in a relatively luxurious hotel, complete with meals as standard.
Thankfully, when you’re staying within Monaco, you won’t need to worry about a travel budget, as the nation is so small you can get around on foot with ease. Although, you will need to budget for getting to Monaco, which usually involves flying into Nice and driving into Monaco.
Once you’re in the micronation, you’ll be presented with countless opportunities for fine dining, ranging from cafes to bistros and luxurious restaurants to opulent bars. According to the popular travel website, TripAdvisor, the highest-rated restaurant in Monaco is La Montgolfiere Henri Geraci.
However, while this restaurant comes highly rated, it isn’t as expensive as you might think. For example, you can purchase a four-course menu for around sixty dollars, including appetizers, starters, main courses, and desserts.
Like we’ve said – it’s as expensive as you make it.
There are many places in Monaco that won’t break the bank when it comes to breakfast, lunch, or dinner. If you’re more of a fast food person, Monaco is home to McDonald’s, and several independent fast food joints – it isn’t all expensive extravagance.
Finally, if you’re looking for something to do in Monaco, you don’t always have to pay the big bucks. You can lounge on the beach, go yacht-hunting or celebrity-spotting, or explore the local area.
But, in keeping with our ‘as-you-make-it’ explanation, you can always saunter into the Monte-Carlo Casino and blow a few thousand dollars. It’s entirely up to you.