Monaco as a possible port day

Hi there.

Hubby & I have been watching the Monaco Grand Prix today. Or rather, OH (a total sport-a-holic) was watching the GP, I was skipping in and out whilst doing other things and thinking how pretty it all looked. Anyhow, it got me thinking about us possibly visiting there one day on a cruise ship...

I know that it pops up from time to time on P&O's cruising itinerary. Can anyone please tell me what are the best things to see & do around the port on a budget? Please be gentle, I realise that the skies the limit and it's millionaires row, however in our case I am talking realistic everyday means! ;) Is there an iconic place to grab a coffee/cocktail and while away an hour or so just simply watching the world go by, by chance? Or is the place just too wildly, crazily expensive to even consider. Any suggestions most welcome!

Thanks everyone. :)

use the ho-ho bus a good tour of Monaco , it also drives around the f1 course

We were there last year the weekend before the GP and it was exciting to see all pit area preparations, and to walk around some of the race course.

Monaco is very easy to do on foot and we visited the palace and watched the midday changing of the guard as well as the botanical gardens. A very pleasant port to visit and see all the millionaires yachts.

Years ago, for a small fee, you could go inside the casino to have a look. It was very ornate and quite interesting. Of course, these things change and it may no longer be an option. Sure a bit of internet research will provide the current state of affairs!

use the ho-ho bus a good tour of Monaco , it also drives around the f1 course

I can see hubby really enjoying that tour. Thank you! :)

We were there last year the weekend before the GP and it was exciting to see all pit area preparations, and to walk around some of the race course.

Monaco is very easy to do on foot and we visited the palace and watched the midday changing of the guard as well as the botanical gardens. A very pleasant port to visit and see all the millionaires yachts.

We love visiting botanical gardens. Thank you for that suggestion and the changing of the guard sounds good too. :)

Years ago, for a small fee, you could go inside the casino to have a look. It was very ornate and quite interesting. Of course, these things change and it may no longer be an option. Sure a bit of internet research will provide the current state of affairs!

We visited the Prince's car collection.

Hundreds of cars to swoon over.

We visited the Prince's car collection.

Hundreds of cars to swoon over.

My wife's sister and brother in law are currently cruising the med on board Oceana.

My wife's brother in law is a big F1 fan and his birthday happens to fall on race day this year.

Therefore, it being a bit special they paid for an excursion that included grandstand seats to watch today's Grand Prix in Monaco.

I'm sure we will get to hear all about it when they get back home.

So, If your husbands an F1 fan you can incorporate it into a cruise.

My husband and son did the walking excursion which included a walk around the race circuit then a visit to the palace to see the cars. The next time we went we all did the walk. There was also a little road train.

A few years back we walked the circuit on our own. Printed a copy off before we left. When we got to the bends before the tunnel I took hubbies photo. Then listened to the cars drive past us. Then inside the tunnel took another pic and again stood and walked the cars drive past us...

We then walked up the hill to where the palace is and round to the cathedral where princess Grace is buried.

Go upto the pink palace on the hill where the royal family reside and see the Changing of the guard, it's great and fabulous views

There is only one place to have a coffee and watch the 'expensive' world go by and that is the Café de Paris is Casino Square. We have visited off a cruise on a couple of occasions and spent an hour or more sitting having our coffee and OH will enjoy watching all the expensive cars driving past. It is definitely the place to see and for others to be seen.

There is only one place to have a coffee and watch the 'expensive' world go by and that is the Café de Paris is Casino Square. We have visited off a cruise on a couple of occasions and spent an hour or more sitting having our coffee and OH will enjoy watching all the expensive cars driving past. It is definitely the place to see and for others to be seen.

Oh! That sounds wonderful. Café de Paris it is then! :D

Thanks everyone for all the great suggestions. You have all given us a lot of options. We're starting to get quite excited by the thought of it all. Cruising is a lovely way to holiday and cruisecritic is such a helpful forum. Cheers! :)

Cafe de Paris is a wonderful spot in good weather to sit and people watch but just be aware of prices before you order as the prices are extortionately expensive even for a drink.

Hols 4

we caught a town bus up to Casino Square as it is a bit steep ( only a couple of Euros)

Got a front row seat outside Cafe de Paris and ordered 2 Cokes,7 euros each but it was worth it for the atmosphere and being a car nut I was in heaven watching all the super cars stopping at the casino. You are allowed in the front of the casino certain times. There is a gift shop next to the casino not too expensive. The bus takes you back near the cruise terminal.I would love to go again it's amazing!

Cafe de Paris is a wonderful spot in good weather to sit and people watch but just be aware of prices before you order as the prices are extortionately expensive even for a drink.

Thank you, majortom. I had a feeling that visiting here would be a tad expensive. However, since starting this thread yesterday, we have been so buoyed up by all the lovely suggestions that we had decided to actually book a cruise visiting Monte Carlo on Azura next year. Admittedly, it's not high season and the F1 gang will have well left town. But we will hopefully have chance to sample the delights that the port has to offer at a much quieter time.

Also, thanks to all who have advised us here on this CC thread, we can pace ourselves to enjoy things that do not necessarily cost the earth but will still give us a true flavour of the port. We plan to watch the changing of the guard at the Royal palace, have a stroll around part of the F1 circuit, (map will be downloaded from google before we go). We intend to call in to the botanical gardens and then wander along the harbour and gaze at all the luxury yachts (and in our mind's eye pick our own). ;) Popping in to view the casino might be an option, (we believe it costs 10 euros each) but we might decide instead to put the funds to splurging the money on a cool beer & cocktail at Cafe de Paris, watching the world go buy & admiring the fast cars. :)

Thank you once more for all the great suggestions. Our cruise on Azura by chance happens to coincide with a special big birthday for me so that has made it even more special than ever. Best Wishes. :)

I’m pleased that you have sorted your day out. You'll have a lovely cruise, I’m sure. Enjoy your special day and your chocolates from the captain 🤞( unless they’ve stopped them by then) !

I was wondering whether we could have a deckko inside the casino. Thank you. We will have a search online for more info. :)

I went inside the casino. More grand hotel than Las Vegas. Worth having a look. My partner had to stay outside as she left her passport on the ship. They checked my nationality before I entered.

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Cafe de Paris is a wonderful spot in good weather to sit and people watch but just be aware of prices before you order as the prices are extortionately expensive even for a drink.

Drinks maybe a bit more expensive than a back street café but still only a fraction of what you pay for the same in a café in St Marks in Venice, that is what you call extortionate if not day light robbery!

Cafe de Paris is a wonderful spot in good weather to sit and people watch but just be aware of prices before you order as the prices are extortionately expensive even for a drink.

My wife and I had a great time sat in the outside area last October people watching. I had a latte and my wife had a fresh orange juice. Total cost 16 Euros.

We have been to Monte Carlo on four cruises now and always found something different to do. One thing I would suggest is take the little ferry boat across the harbour, only 2 euros and you get to see some of the mega yachts up close. My favourite, which we have seen on every visit, is the Lady Moura. She's owned by a Saudi billionaire and is estimated to be worth 250 million US dollars

Monte Carlo also has a lovely beach :)

There is only one place to have a coffee and watch the 'expensive' world go by and that is the Café de Paris is Casino Square. We have visited off a cruise on a couple of occasions and spent an hour or more sitting having our coffee and OH will enjoy watching all the expensive cars driving past. It is definitely the place to see and for others to be seen.

One of our favourite places , only we like to have a glass of Champagne lol