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Daily Mail
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Riviera chic! How to spend 48 hours in Monaco: From luxe stays at ocean-front hotels to yachts, fine dining and a Jacquemus beach club
Monaco: a staple on the French Riviera where luxury meets beach bums, Lamborghinis outnumber taxis and fine dining reigns supreme. American actress Grace Kelly put the tiny principality on the map when she married Prince Rainier III in 1956 - and ever since, Monaco has been the sparkling jewel on the Mediterranean. Here's how to do 48 hours in Monaco the right way - with panoramic views, a dip in the Mediterranean and a designer beach club. WHERE TO STAY Monte-Carlo Bay Tucked away on Monaco's Larvotto peninsula, the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort is a contemporary gem. With seafront rooms, sprawling balconies and complementary Clarins products, there was little need to leave the grounds. From the moment we pulled up to the lobby, we were met polished marble, tropical palms and sweeping views of the Mediterranean. The hotel - with four hectares of gardens and cascading waterfalls, has a youthful yet sophisticated feel, where honeymooners can relax but where families and babymooners are also welcome. The lagoon-style pool is large enough to spend an entire day - plus it has a sandy bottom! The rooms are stunning and generously proportioned, each with a balcony (mine was two-stories!) and a front-row seat to those famed Côte d'Azur sunsets. And while there are plenty of places to eat in Monaco, we had to look no further than the ground floor, where three five-star restaurants offer fine dining. If you want to say goodbye to the beach and hello to the glitz and glam of Monte-Carlo - Hôtel Hermitage is at the heart of it all. This classic belle époque hotel sits in the center of the city, steps from the iconic Casino de Monte-Carlo, luxury boutiques and designers shops. Upon arrival, we were met with the most pleasant scent of smooth florals that wasn't overpowering. We were led to our room by the most helpful attendant who was a wealth of knowledge when it came to Monaco that we left with a handful of fun facts about the area. (Did you know Monaco nationals are banned from Casino de Monte-Carlo?!) This place is old money charm, with marble columns, sweeping staircases, and the glass Jardin d'Hiver dome designed by the Gustave Eiffel. We were lucky enough to snag a room overlooking the iconic Monte-Carlo harbor where super yachts filled the sea and a fresh bouquet of flowers greeted us. Jacquemus beach club You can't go to Monaco without a day at a beach club. This year, Monte-Carlo Beach has teamed up with renowned French designer Jacquemus for the first ever Jacquemus Beach Club. With Aperol Spritz' in hand, we lounged in style on Jacquemus' banana yellow sun beds with black striped towels under the shade of the branded beach umbrellas. When it was time to cool off, it took no more than a few steps to make it to the edge of the pier, where we dove in head first to the clear sea. The design of the exclusive club is directly inspired by the La Croisière collection, which was unveiled in January 2025 in Paris. And their influence goes beyond the pier, with their designs in the pool area and two pop up boutiques for you to shop when you're ready for a break from the sun. Jacquemus at Monte-Carlo Beach will be available all summer long until October 7, 2025. Charter a boat No visit to Monaco is complete without getting out on the water, and there's no better way to experience the glamour of the Côte d'Azur than by chartering a private boat. On our recent trip, we did exactly that with the help of Livenup Experiences, a charter company offering tailor-made yacht tours of the French Riviera that will fit your every need. Departing from Fontvieille Marina in Monte-Carlo, the day began with a seamless boarding experience and a warm welcome from our captain, Fred, and Livenup owner Jean-Marc, who immediately made us feel like VIPs. The boat we chose, the PrincessV50, was sleek, spacious, and stocked with towels, water, and fresh croissants for our 9am pickup. As we cruised out of Monaco's harbor, we got to experience stunning panoramic views of the iconic skyline, with yachts bobbing in the port and the towering hotels of Monte-Carlo glittering high above us. Fred then navigated us east toward Èze-sur-Mer, where we dropped anchor just beneath the medieval hilltop village of Èze for a swim in the Caribbean-clear turquoise water. The beauty of chartering through Livenup Experiences is the flexibility - with the crew eager for us to customize the itinerary as much as we pleased. The company, which was founded in 1985 by Jean-Marc, now has five of its own boats, but also the ability to charter countless others, depending on the requirements and wishes of its guests. We would have stayed basking in the sun and sea for the rest of the afternoon had it not been for Jean-Marc's casual mention of the sea life in the Mediterranean Sea, and the promise of an unforgettable dolphin experience. And unforgettable it was, as a short ride later found us riding alongside at least a dozen dolphins as they frolicked, jumped, and glided under the boat as our legs swung just feet over them. 'Welcome to the French Riviera,' Jean-Marc said in a gleeful tone that mirrored our own awestruck faces. Rent a luxury car While Livenup's boat tours are among the most luxurious ways to experience the Riviera, the company also offers a variety of high-octane adventures on land. Thrill-seekers can take a spin in a Ferrari or Lamborghini through the winding roads above Monaco, as either the driver or passenger, or live out a Formula 1 fantasy with a race car driving experience. Whether you're after adrenaline or leisure - or both - the company curates unforgettable moments that match the glamour of the region. If it's the famous Monaco Grand Prix you're after, Livenup Experiences also has you covered, as the company rents out both yachts and apartments from which visitors can watch the F1 motor races with full catering service. Grimaldi Forum Monaco This summer, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco presents 'Colours!', an exhibition dedicated to the modern history of color through major 20th-century masterpieces from the Centre Pompidou collection. Curated by Didier Ottinger, the show brings together over a hundred masterpieces by icons such as Picasso, Matisse, Kandinsky, and Basquiat, offering visitors a rich multisensory experience. The exhibition will feature more than 100 works from artists such as Michel Basquiat, Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Amedeo Modigliani and more. In addition to the rich visual journey, seven spaces will also be enriched with sound creations by composer Roque Rivas, and olfactory sensations by perfumer Alexis Dadier. The stunning exhibition will be open daily from July 8 to August 31. WHERE TO EAT Zia For a meal that perfectly blends Mediterranean flavors and playful creativity, look no further than Zia, the newest culinary jewel tucked inside Monte-Carlo's Hotel Metropole. Located in the former Odyssey space - designed by none other than Karl Lagerfeld - Zia is stylish yet relaxed, but most importantly, delicious. We arrived to the outdoor restaurant while it was still light out, which meant we got to take in the chic decor, which is styled around the hotel pool. As for Zia's menu, which is the creation of chefs Manon Santini and Rocco Seminara, it was a delight from the beginning. We started with a sea bream ceviche in a bright marinade, a beef carpaccio, and the green salad, which was beautifully presented. The standout, however, was the pizza. Thin-crust and wood-fired, we indulged in a truly stunning zucchini pizza, which featured yellow zucchini and zucchini flowers, and another with tomato sauce and thin slices of prosciutto. But what truly set the experience apart was Zia's Negroni Game. A concept that is charming and fun, diners are presented with a set of cards to build their own custom Negroni, with the result leading to a bespoke cocktail. Our Negroni, which featured a vanilla bourbon, came out delicious and surprisingly refreshing.
The Irish Sun
03-07-2025
- The Irish Sun
The sunshine spot with stunning beaches, water activities, busy casinos, bustling nightlife – and flights start from €28
FAMOUS for its grand casinos, royal history and F1 Grand Prix, Monaco makes the perfect sun escape for all the family. Monaco is a sovereign city-state and microstate on the French Riviera. 6 Monaco is the perfect destination for a mix of beach and city life Credit: Alamy 6 Monaco is just 25 minutes from Nice Credit: Alamy 6 There's something for all the family to explore Credit: Alamy Just a 2h 35m flight from Dublin, Ryanair currently have flights from A 35-minute bus ride from Or take a captivating 25 minute train ride along the coast with tickets starting from €4.10. READ MORE ON TRAVEL Soak up the sun on one of Monaco's public or private beaches with average summer temperatures reaching 27C. Sun lovers can catch some rays on the public beach Plage du Larvotto that has toilets and showers for guests to use. For those who love water activities, choose from jet skis, boats, windsurfing, and para-sailing. There's plenty of bars and restaurants nearby to grab a bite after your beach day. Most read in News Travel Other top beaches include La Plage d'Eze Beach, Baie de Garavan Beach and Baie du Soleil Beach. Pack a picnic and enjoy the beautiful gardens dotted around Monaco including the Japanese Garden and the Princess Grace Botanical Garden. Ryanair launches new flights to cheap holiday hotspot For those who love window shopping, pay a visit to the Metropole Shopping Monte-Carlo with its exquisite design and luxury brand shops. Browse the stall at Marché de la Condamine on Place d'Armes and Marché de Monte-Carlo on ave St-Charles. A must-visit for motor enthusiasts is The Private Collection of Antique Cars of H.S.H. Prince Rainier III. History buffs will have lots to explore at the Prince's Palace of Monaco and at Cathedrale Notre-Dame-Immaculee. Stop by the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco to learn about all the wonders of the marine world. No trip to Monaco would be complete without stopping by a casino. A good place to start is Casino Square - home to Casino Café de Paris. Take a stroll through the charming streets and alleys in the old town that are bustling with bars and restaurants. Foodies will have plenty of cafes and restaurants to choose from, ranging from casual meals to fine dining. Don't forget to try the national dish of Monaco, Barbajuan, a fried ravioli. 'PARADISE' People took to One visitor said: 'My only question now is when can I return. It was the most relaxing short break I have had, that says a lot as I don't tend to relax. 'I like to see and go all the time. Everything about the place is excellent, when you get past the hype of billionaires and fancy cars, the great and beautiful strutting their well heeled stuff at the casino. 'The cost of food and drink is as good in value as any other city. "The local bus is excellent and the old town is a pure gem for the tourist but as every square meter is in demand, there is a great lived in feeling to every alley and street. 'You just have to look. Forget about the "rich" of Monaco. Visit and enjoy.' Another added: 'I went to French Riviera to watch the F1 race. "I visited the whole area Cannes, St. Paul de Vence, Provence's villages, drove to Les Corniches and of course went to Monaco. 'On the day of the race is a nice, very well organised party at a lovely city. 'We also went there the day after the race to have an idea of their everyday life and it was even greater! The place is a paradise on earth.' 6 The charming streets have numerous cafes, bars and restaurants Credit: Alamy 6 The Monte Carlo is a must-see Credit: Alamy 6 Ryanair currently have flights on offer Credit: Alamy
