Monaco feels like a magic kingdom. This tiny principality—smaller than Central Park—is known for glittering wealth, superyachts, posh resorts, and royalty.

But you don’t have to be a millionaire yourself to enjoy Monaco. Stroll through the Princess Grace Rose Garden. Tour the Cathédrale de Notre-Dame-Immaculée. Spend an afternoon at Larvotto Beach—it’s free! With 300+ days of sunshine per year, Monaco is a delightful destination for a day trip from southern France or a short vacation.

3 reasons to buy travel insurance for Monaco

1. You need to protect your travel investment. As you’ve probably guessed, Monaco is not the place for a budget vacation. One recent survey named it the most expensive destination in the world, costing $2,258, on average, for a five-day stay.¹ That doesn’t include airfare! Trip cancellation/trip interruption benefits can reimburse you for nonrefundable, prepaid trip costs If you must cancel or interrupt your trip for a covered reason.
2. Insurance is your best defense in case of travel delays. A long airport delay can dampen any vacation… but travel delay benefits make things better by reimbursing you for your extra lodging, food and transportation expenses during a covered delay. This benefit can be especially valuable when an unexpected delay strands you in a high-dollar destination like Monaco.
3. Rental car insurance is a must. Want to channel your inner Max Verstappen by driving around Monaco in a sporty car? You certainly can (as long as you get an International Driving Permit and stick to the speed limit), but you’ll want to buy rental car insurance in advance. The collision damage waiver that’s required in Europe can be really expensive and requires a hefty deductible.² The OneTrip Rental Car Protector costs just $11 per day, with no deductible. (Benefits/coverage may vary by state, and sublimits may apply.)

3 of the best travel insurance plans for Monaco

1. OneTrip Prime is our most popular plan, with all the benefits you need for an international vacation. Plus, kids 17 and under are covered for free when they’re traveling with a parent or grandparent. (Free coverage for children is not available on policies issued to Pennsylvania residents.) You get 24-hour assistance and concierge services, too!
2. OneTrip Premier is designed to protect expensive vacations. It doubles most of the post-departure benefits of OneTrip Prime. The Cancel Anytime upgrade, available with OneTrip Prime and OneTrip Premier, can reimburse 80% of your lost non-refundable trip costs if you cancel your trip for almost any unforeseeable reason your plan does not already cover.
3. AllTrips Premier is the smart choice for frequent travelers. It protects every trip you take in 365 days, whether international or domestic. Choose one of four benefit levels for trip cancellation/interruption.

Planning a trip soon? Don’t drag your feet: Buy travel insurance within 14 days of paying your first trip deposit. See plan options from Allianz Travel Insurance.

3 of the best things to do in Monaco

1. Roll the dice at the Casino de Monte-Carlo. This Belle Epoque landmark, a favorite location for the James Bond movies, is known for its opulence. Even if you’re not a gambler, you can still gawk at the luxury cars parked out front and the glamorous people parked inside. You may enter the casino from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. just to tour the rooms (gambling doesn’t begin until 2 p.m.), but you’ll still have to pay an entrance fee.³
2. See some underwater marvels. One of the world’s oldest aquariums, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco features modern exhibits inside a historic cliffside building. Get up close and personal with stingrays, sharks, sea turtles, jellyfish and other marine animals. The views from the terrace are a nice bonus.
3. Traverse the Grand Prix track. Formula 1 fans can take a walking tour of the 3.3-km route for the Monaco Grand Prix, including the famous Fairmont hairpin turn. A knowledgeable tour guide will share insider stories of racing lore and legends.

3 of the best hotels in Monaco

You can’t miss the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, a grand 1864 building on the Place de Casino. It’s known as one of the best places to watch the Grand Prix, but its views are magnificent any time of year. Guests praise the flawless service and the immaculate rooms.

The Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo calls itself “a source of wonder for your senses, emotions and dreams.” That may be an overstatement, but the Métropole certainly is one of the best hotels in Monaco. Enjoy the Michelin-starred restaurants; the swimming pool designed by Karl Lagerfeld; the excellent concierge service; and the luxury spa with a hammam, caldarium, ice fountain, and more.

Don’t have a 5-star travel budget? You should know that there are some affordable hotel options in Monaco. The Hôtel de France is one favorite, with small but comfortable rooms and friendly staff. It’s conveniently located in the La Condamine shopping district, from which you can walk to the Prince's Palace and the Monte-Carlo Casino.

3 of the best restaurants in Monaco

Don’t leave Monte Carlo before you’ve dined at Le Grill, the iconic rooftop restaurant at the Hôtel de Paris. Some say it was opened at the request of Princess Grace. Others say Aristotle Onassis created it for his girlfriend, opera singer Maria Callas. Whichever is true, you won’t soon forget the experience of looking out over the sea and dining under the stars when the roof is retracted in summer. Le Grill is known for Mediterranean cuisine and a raspberry and pistachio soufflé that is “mind-blowing,” according to the Michelin Guide.⁴

The ultimate high-end dining in Monaco is Le Louis XV - Alain Ducasse, which is also located at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. This is the restaurant where now-famed chef Ducasse got his start. In 1987, Prince Rainier III of Monaco challenged him to win three Michelin stars within four years. He did it in less than three.⁵ Taste exquisite and extravagantly priced dishes like “marinated gamberoni from San Remo, delicate saffron rock fish gelée, gold caviar” and “pigeon breast from la Ferme du Renard Rouge over a woodfire, leg confit, brocoletti, sloe & anchovy.”

If ultra-fancy restaurants are just not your thing, seek out Les Perles de Monte-Carlo. This unassuming waterfront spot is owned by two marine biologists who farm oysters. You’ll find outdoor dining, organic wines, and the freshest seafood.

What do I need to travel to Monaco?

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