From the Dominican Republic, I flew to Europe on a World2Fly flight to Madrid. It was time to knock out those last remaining European countries. First up was the tiny and most densely populated independent state in the world, the Principality of Monaco, to see if it was possible to backpack Monaco on a budget.
Some fast travel is on the cards for the next 2 weeks.
After a one-night stay at the OZZ HOSTEL – NICE (top hostel, by the way), it was back to Nice-Ville Train Station for the 08:19 to Ventimiglia, stopping in Monaco – Monte Carlo (5.90€).
Monaco was, at the time of my visit, my 112th UN-listed member state and my 125th on my own country and territory list.
The Principality of Monaco was granted observer status in June 1956. In May 1993, it became the 183rd United Nations Member State. It is the 2nd smallest sovereign state in the world after the Vatican, one of six European Microstates.
The country is divided into four districts: Monaco-Ville, La Condamine, Monte-Carlo, and Fontvieille.
Port Hercule in the La Condamine quartier in the Principality of Monaco:
Monaco has long been considered a tax haven because of its favourable personal and corporate tax rules. The country does not tax individuals on their income, and corporations have favourable tax treatment.
Dubbed the “Billionaire’s Playground”, over 40% of Monaco’s residents are millionaires.
It’s a playground for the rich and famous, the elite. Man sport stars such as Lewis Hamilton, Novak Djokovic, Jenson Button live here, even cyclists such as Tadej Pogacar and Chris Froome. Bono, Dame Shirley Bassey, Jean-Claude van Damme, and Ringo Starr have all called Monaco home. The late Roger Moore is buried in the Monaco cemetery.
Maybe when Nomadic Backpacker starts earning some proper money, I will move here with my wife.
As good as posts like The Perfect One Day Itinerary in Monaco are for SEO, or Top/Best/Awesome Things You Must See (before you die?) in Monaco, I hate these clickbait-style blog posts with a vengeance. I’m like, do something original, and most posts with this sort of title have me scrolling on by.
This is a record of my day. To hell with SEO.
I arrived in Monaco at 08:43 and left at 14:16.
I backpacked Monaco in 5 hrs 33 minutes. Hardcore. Since there are no luggage lockers in La Gare de Monaco, I carried my main bag around with me. If ever there was a reason to travel as light as possible, it is for days like this. Out of all the travel hacks I could bring you, travelling light would always be the number one hack!
A heavy bag will be your own worst enemy! As you trudge through the streets, you will be cursing yourself for packing all that superfluous crap.
Fontvieille Port:
Monaco Tourist Office
I hiked up to the Visit Monaco Tourist Office, where I got a visitor’s passport, stamped with the day’s date, as a record of my stay. If you want your passports stamped, head to the town hall.
And a Monaco Map:
Then to the Monte-Carlo Casino. Shame that you are taking photos directly into the sun!
There are no photos of me inside the Monte Carlo Casino, as they have a dress code. I’d left my posh get-up in Mexico.
Monaco Grand Prix Circuit
Then it was down to the Fairmont Hotel. Nope, I wasn’t here to get a bed. I was here for the Fairmont Hairpin, the World’s Most Famous Bend in the world of motor racing.
Monaco is, of course, home to the Monaco Grand Prix.
I haven’t watched Formula 1 in years. I used to watch it with Dad, though, in the days of Michael Schumacher. And in 2001, I saw the race in Kuala Lumpur!
Then, it was into the Tunnel Larvotto, which goes under the Fairmont Hotel. This was great, walking through the Monaco F1 Grand Prix Tunnel!
The Monaco GP 2025 is on May 5.
There’s a lot of money in Monaco, though it doesn’t feel as rich as Zurich or Bern does. The streets aren’t packed with shops selling Rolexes and the like. Though I did see quite a few Porsches and Ferraris, and a McLaren.
How to get to Monaco:
The question is, can you backpack Monaco on a budget? Yes. It’s easy. Unless you need to spend a minimum of 24 hours for it to count, a room at the cheapest joint in town will wipe out your budget, which is why I toured Monaco on a day trip.
The train from Nice, where I stayed 1 night, cost just 5.90€:
And then I just walked everywhere.
There are Supermarkets, and I had a quick look and the prices were the same as those in Nice.
Later in the Old Town, behind the Palais Princier, I saw shops selling baguettes for the same price as in Nice. There are toilets around town that are free, there are a few spots with free Wi-Fi, as is checking out views at the Picture-Worthy Locations, highlighted on the free Visit Monaco Plan Officiel map and in a country that has 300 days of sunshine a year, the views are awesome.
Other free things to do in Monaco include: Witnessing the Changing of Guards at the Prince’s Palace of Monaco:
The Prince’s Palace of Monaco is the official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco. It is currently home to Prince Rainier’s son and successor, Prince Albert II, seen here leaving in a cavalcade.
Visiting the Cathédrale de Monaco – Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate:
I took 20 minutes to remember those who have passed and say thanks.
Explore the old town in Monaco-Ville:
Grace of Monaco was an American actress (Grace Kelly) and Princess of Monaco as the wife of Prince Rainier III from their marriage on April 18, 1956, until her death in 1982.
I picked up a fridge magnet, which other than a coffee, was the only thing I bought:
Monaco to Genoa by train
I took the 14:16 from Monte Carlo to Ventimiglia (6.40€) and then bought an onward ticket for the 15:10 to Genoa that continues to Milan (21€ is the intercity option; the slow train is 17.10€).
