Monaco

Monaco may be tiny, but it certainly has a big personality! 🇲🇨 At just around 2 km², the Principality is one of the world’s smallest countries, yet it is home to almost 39,000 residents — making it one of the most densely populated places on earth. The official population for 2025 was 38,857. 

I visited Monaco from Cannes, and it makes a fantastic addition to a French Riviera trip. You can easily travel along the coast by train, making Monaco a straightforward day trip from places such as Cannes or Nice, or you can stay for a few nights and enjoy the Principality at a more leisurely pace.

Monaco is perhaps best known for its glamour, luxury and Monte-Carlo Casino, but there is much more to it than that. The Principality is famous for the Monaco Grand Prix, superyachts and its spectacular Mediterranean setting. 

Explore the old town around the Prince’s Palace, wander through the narrow streets of Monaco-Ville, visit the Oceanographic Museum or simply enjoy the views across the harbour. The famous Casino de Monte-Carlo and its Belle Époque architecture are another essential stop. 

And that’s the fun of Monaco: you can experience a taste of it in a day, or slow things down and make it part of a luxury Côte d’Azur escape. ✨

It works particularly well as part of a twin-centre or multi-centre break, combining Monaco with Cannes, Nice, Menton or even the Italian Riviera. 🚆🌊