Monaco Hidden Gems | 14 Unusual Things To Do In Monte Carlo
Find here the best Monaco hidden gems! The inside scoop on what to actually do in Monaco for a good time.
Monaco is the world capital of the rich and the famous. From being the home to the Batmobile, to hosting over 700 events each year, to being the preferred docking port for superyachts, Monaco is truly what people imagine it to be. This little 2.02 sqm Principality shines with success of the Grimaldi legacy.
The party scene is impeccable and abundant, and the list of fine-dining restaurants seems never-ending. However, finding activities to keep you entertained outside of these two pillars (and the very touristy things) is hard. Especially if you’ve been living her for as long as I have, it can get… boring.
I don’t know about you, but whenever I want to find the good stuff to do in a new city, I always search for “hidden gems [insert city here]”. Normally, I’m flooded with results. But for Monaco? Nothing interesting. It’s always the same 5 results that are published, and frankly, I know that most of them are overhyped.
I’ve lived in Monaco for the past 3 years, and I’ve gotten to know the Principality inside and out. And let me tell you, Monaco has so much more to offer… So here is a list of the best Monaco hidden gems that are actually worthy of the Monaco name from an experienced Monaco student and resident.
This post is all about the best Monaco hidden gems.
THE BEST MONACO HIDDEN GEMS
MONACO HIDDEN GEMS: FOOD
1. Luxury Japanese Mochis
Have you ever wanted to just go taste-test a bunch of desserts from a ton of restaurants? You don’t want to go through the appetizers and the main course… just straight to the desert? Though that’s totally a legal thing to do, it might feel weird.
Well, this is totally accessible at Maya Bay, a high-end Thai/Japanese restaurant in Larvotto, the neighbourhood at the very edge of Monaco (toward Italy). The restaurant is divided into the Thai side and Japanese side, walled with bright-red colours and Asian décor.
And for the desert? Mochi Ice Cream. In case you’ve never heard of this, mochis are Japanese rice cakes made from mochigome, aka glutinous rice. The twist here is that they are filled with homemade ice cream. The whole thing has a sticky, stretchy, soft, and chewy texture. It’s truly a Japanese delicacy.
Just make your way to the entrance of the restaurant, where you will be greeted by the hosts. Just tell them that you want to takeaway mochis. They will bring you a menu of all the flavours that they have, and you get to pick as many as you want (they are 4 EUR a piece).
Maya Bay has a list of about 10 different flavours (or perfumes as they say it here) to choose from. Since this is a fairly new offering, the flavours are always changing. The picture below has all of the listed. My personal favourites are Black Sesame, Lychee and Mango & Passion. But truthfully, they are all amazing.
Though this particular hidden gem is about the mochis, Maya Bay is also an amazing restaurant. If you do want to make a night out of it, I encourage you to stay there for dinner as well. They have an extensive menu, so it will suit even the pickiest of eaters. My favourite meal there is the “MAYA CRISPY DUCK”, to be shared between 2 people. Mouth-watering.
Disclaimer: expect them to take about 20-30 minutes to bring you the box with mochis. I have no idea why they take that long to bring them – maybe someone with mochi knowledge can explain? I know it isn’t about how busy the restaurant is…
Address: Maya Bay, Le Rocabella, 24 Av. Princesse Grace, 98000 Monaco
2. The Rowing Club Restaurant
I don’t know about you but NOTHING gets me more mad than falling for a tourist trap restaurant. Well, this particular restaurant is the polar opposite of that, which is great. I was on the fence about including this in the list of Monaco hidden gems because I wanted to gatekeep it… but I promised you the best.
The Rowing Club Restaurant is my go-to restaurant, especially during high tourist season. It’s located in a rather hidden place, so people tend to miss it (which is great for us). It is a laid-back, yet classy restaurant. Indeed, since it is part of the Rowing Club (duh), then it is held to a great standard. Basically, this is the restaurant where you’ll find locals. It’s by the water, so you’ll have a fresh breeze, and you’ll be eating among all the yachts as well!
Take note that the Rowing Club is only open for lunchtime. They have an extensive menu so it’s suitable for anyone.
Address: Restaurant de la Société Nautique de Monaco, 1 Quai Louis II, 98000, Monaco
3. The Condamine Market
Another local’s favourite for a quick meal.
Le Marché de la Condamine (translation: Condamine market) is AMAZING if you are looking for fresh food: pasta (literally made the same day), pizza, rotisserie, bakery… This market actually celebrated 120 years of business in 2014.
This is a go-to for locals, students, or people who work in Monaco as the service is quick and great. Due to how loved this place is, there’s a lot of hustle and bustle. Don’t get too scared by how hectic it is… Maybe avoid going between 12 and 2 as that’s when it’s at its busiest. But anytime aside from that is great.
Make your way to Place d’Armes Plaza and you’ll see the Condamine Market’s building right there. (If you go early enough, then you’ll also get to see the outdoors fresh food market located in the middle of the Plaza… the smell of fresh fruits, vegetables and flowers are amazing.)
My favourite place is the fresh pasta counter, called Maison des Pâtes. You’ll know it when you see it, trust me. Pick the pasta you want, and pick the sauce and voila! Another staple in there is Le Comptoire, great Italian food, especially their sandwiches.
Address: Marché de la Condamine, 11 Rue Terrazzani, 98000 Monaco
4. National food: Barbaguans
Have you ever heard of barbaguans? They are a kind of fritters stuffed with Swiss chard and ricotta, mixed in with herbs, garlic and leek. Seriously worth the try.
Barbaguans are Monaco’s national food, eaten particularly on November 19th, Monaco’s national day. Barbaguans mean’s “Uncle John” in the Monegasque language!
They are available in a few places around town. Any small local restaurant/cafe/market will likely have them. The main Carrefour (supermarket) in Fontvielle will have them as well.
I like them warmed up, but I also see people eating them cold.
5. For Pizza: Miami Plage
Miami Plage isn’t a hidden gem in the sense that it’s hidden… it’s just one of my favourite restaurants in Monaco for a trendy night out.
As an added bonus, they have one of the only wood-burning pizza ovens in Monaco. So if you want some real pizza, that is your stop.
Other than that, the Miami Burger is great, the Burratina à la Truffe is a must-try, and the Chuisa pizza is a chef’s specialty!
What I also really like about this restaurant is that the owner is on-site every single day. Make sure to reserve if you plan on going. It gets very very busy! (+377 93 50 94 16)
Hint hint: they have barbaguans!
Address: Miami Plage, Le Palais de la Plage, 37 Av. Princesse Grace, 98000 Monaco
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MONACO HIDDEN GEMS: LOCATIONS
6. Hidden view of the Oceanographic Museum
The Oceanographic Museum is DEFINITELY overhyped. I waited for such a long time to go, and it was such a letdown. SO boring and not worth the 20-something euro ticket to go in. But let me tell you, it is THE most beautiful building from the outside in all of Monaco.
Unfortunately, tourists normally only get to see one side of the museum: the side where the main entrance is. The real beauty of the museum is facing the ocean… I mean, have you seen the picture?! There’s only one place where you can actually see this. Added bonus: it’s an Instagram-worthy background.
There are 2 ways of getting there. If you’re too lazy to read, you can input these coordinates into Maps: 43.730672946014785, 7.426550316895226
If you are at the main entrance of the oceanographic museum / if you are close to the palace:
- Face the Oceanographic museum
- To your left, you will see electric escalators going down. Go down those.
- Once you are down the escalators, you will see elevators. Go down the elevators, all the way to the bottom floor.
- Once you are out the elevator, you will walk a hall lined with pictures of the museum on either side. At the end of that, in the middle of the room, there will be another set of electric escalators. Ride those escalators all the way down.
- Once you are all the way down, you will see a huge parking lot to your left (probably with big transport busses). Don’t go there: go to the right. There are doors that lead outside, with a view to the sea.
- Go out those doors, and feast your eyes upon the most beautiful view of the museum.
- Now take pictures!
If you aren’t at the top, where the palace and museum are:
- Make your way to Malizia Mar, a restaurant on the Monaco Dyke.
- Face the ocean, with your back towards Monaco’s main yacht port.
- Start walking right: you know you’re heading the right direction if you see an outdoors gym to your right.
- Keep walking along the shore. You’ll walk past a parking lot, just keep walking directly against the shore, straight, straight, straight.
- Eventually, that road along the shore will end, and it will take a right.
- As soon as you turn right, you will come face to face with the most beautiful view of the museum.
- Picture time!
7. The Most Beautiful Sunrise
I am a sucker for sunrises, and Monaco has some of the most beautiful sunrises I’ve ever seen. Clear and uninterrupted views of the sun rising straight out of the ocean.
Just make your way to Malizia Mar, a restaurant on Monaco’s dyke. On one side, you’ll have the docs with all the big and impressive yachts, and on the other side, just ocean. That’s where the sun will rise.
Take a seat on one of the benches there, and take in the sunrise. Also, if you look over the railing, you’ll see the Solarium Beach where you can also sit and relax. It’s basically an artificial beach built on the dyke used for sunbathing and swimming when the waters are calm enough.
Make sure to get there towards 5:30am to experience the whole thing- or towards 7am if you don’t mind missing the beginning.
If you’re an early bird and like to get in a workout before sunrise, go to the outdoors gym right beside, and enjoy a morning workout with a sunrise. Priceless.
8. View of Monaco from the Top
Looking for a top view of Monaco that isn’t from the Palace? I got you.
On Maps, head to 37 Boulevard de Belgique. That address is a house, but that’s not where you’re heading. What you’re looking for is the lookout point just to the right of that house, you can’t miss it.
You’ll get a beautiful view of Fontvielle neighbourhood- which, in my opinion, is the nicest residential neighbourhood in Monaco. Any other view from above is normally taken from the palace, so the view you’ll be getting here is totally different.
Do yourself a favour and walk to this lookout point. You’ll walk through Jardin Exotic, also a very beautiful residential area, full of gardens and greenery.
Exact coordinates: 43°43’52.4″N 7°24’53.9″E
9. Hidden Courtyard in the Hôtel de Paris
I’ve seen too many tourists come to Monaco and never get to see the inside of the Hôtel de Paris. For those wondering, this hotel is the most expensive hotel in Monaco (the penthouse goes for 45,000 EUR per night- yes, you read that right). It is definitely worth seeing the hotel from the inside.
Now, I get that just walking through the front doors of the hotel can be intimidating, especially if gorgeous people dressed in head-to-toe Chanel stroll out to their Bentleys. On top of that, the front door faces Monaco’s most popular place: the Casino Plaza. Having all the eyes of the public in you might inch you away from going inside.
Let me tell you that there is a back door to get in there, away from the prying eyes of the public. You do not want to miss this actual Monaco hidden gem:
- Make your way to the Woman’s Prada store (not the men’s!). It’s just around the corner from the Monaco Plaza. You know you’re at the right store if there’s Cartier to the left and Bvlgari to the right.
- Between the Prada store and the Bvlgari store, there is a wide alleyway. (See picture below)
- Go down the alleyway, and through doors. You might be greeted by a doorman, just walk through, don’t be intimidated by that. You are allowed to be there.
- Past the door, you will go down a flight of stairs.
You have arrived to the hidden courtyard of the Hotel de Paris! Quite the Monaco hidden gem, huh? It’s truly beautiful and worth the visit. Take pictures, it’s an Instagram-worthy place.
Once you are done looking around the courtyard, make your way to the inside of the Hotel de Paris! The entrance is located to the left, towards the middle (your back facing where you walked in from).
Just walk through the doors, and you’re inside the main lobby of the Hotel de Paris. Take your time and look around…!
If you’re the bathroom selfie type, make your way to the hotel’s bathroom. From where you walked it, walk about 10 meters more, and you’ll see a corridor lined with mirrors to your left. Head there, and the first door to the right is the women’s bathroom.
MONACO HIDDEN GEMS: ACTIVITIES
10. Open Air Cinema
Want a late-night activity that isn’t clubbing? Look no further. Open Air Cinema is an outdoor cinema located close to the palace.
Every night, they play a movie in its original version at 10pm. You can take a look at the movie schedule on their website. The ticket counter opens at 8:45pm every night. Depending on the night, it can get rather busy, especially if it’s a new movie. Commercials start at 9:30pm.
When you get there, you have the choice of 3 different types of seating- white chairs, green chairs and black chairs. The white chairs are the cheapest, 12EUR per person (9EUR if you’re a student). The green chairs are 18EUR and the black chairs are 30EUR. Pro tip: go for the green chairs. Even if the black ones are more expensive, they are uncomfortable and not worth the much higher ticket price.
They have a great snack bar inside, with burgers, nachos, hot dogs, crepes and croque-monsieur’s (yes, you read that right). They have salty and sweet popcorn, candies, drinks… It’s great.
Getting there is quite easy, but not obvious if looking through Maps:
- Head to the oceanographic museum
- Face the front entrance of the museum
- Head to your left
- Right before getting to the escalators, look to your right
- You will see a sign pointing you towards the Open Air cinema!
Address: The Monaco Open Air Cinema, Chemin des Pêcheurs, 98000 Monaco
11. Gym on the Beach
I couldn’t call myself a fitness blog if I didn’t include fitness in my Monaco hidden gems!
Monaco has many gyms, most of them are private clubs requiring a minimum of 1 year membership. For those who are around for just a few days, it isn’t the most convenient thing. And we all love the outdoors gym by the docs, but I know that gym rats want real gym equipment.
Look no further: The Fit Factory. This is a brand new gym (launched around June 2022) right on the Larvotto Beach. They have one-day, one-week, and one-month memberships. Basically, it very suits people staying for any length of time.
Address: Fit Factory, Promenade infèrieure du Larvotto, Avenue Princesse Grace, 98000, Monaco
12. Exclusive Nike Store
Looking for an actually good Monaco souvenir or gift? Head to the Nike Monte Carlo
store. Not only do they have a great selection of clothing, but you can personalise any one of them with the “Nike Monte Carlo” imprint.
Address: Nike Monte Carlo, 7 Av. Saint-Charles, 98000 Monaco
13. Jazz Night at Le Bar Américain
If you’re looking for a true experience of the legend of Monte Carlo, with the fancy décor, the feel of luxury and impeccable service, head to Le Bar Américain in the Hotel de Paris. All things 1920s-style atmosphere, glamour and sophistication come together at Le Bar Américain.
What makes this place an experience is the live bands playing every night, and it really sets the scene for a super romantic evening. Serious James Bond vibes with a background of jazz, swing, blues, soul and French music performances. Check out the scheduling!
If you don’t want to be so close to the music, they also have a lovely terrace outside. Make sure to give them a call to reserve to get the seat you want (at least one day before).
Address: Le Bar Américain, located inside the Hotel de Paris, Place du Casino, 98000 Monaco
14. Personal Favourite: Biking at Night
Now, this Monaco hidden gem is hidden in plain sight. It is frankly my favourite thing to do when I have friends or family coming over, and they love it as well! EVERYONE I know who’s done this told me to include it in this list of Monaco hidden gems.
When you walk around Monaco, you’ll notice a few red bike stations. These bikes are called MonaBike and you can rent them out. During the day, riding a bike around Monaco can be a little overwhelming, especially if you are not familiar with the streets or where the stations are… it just gets a bit of getting used to.
So, if you take anything from this list of Monaco hidden gems, please let it be this: Ride the bikes at night. I’m talking late at night when the busy streets have calmed down and you are at liberty to take it slow and look around. Seriously, just get lost in the streets of Monaco… there’s so much to see, and most tourists only see 1/3 of what Monaco has to offer. Not only is it not hot anymore, but Monaco by night is a whole other experience. You just have to do it to understand…!
They are electric bikes so don’t be scared of all the ups and downs… just start pedalling and the motor will start on its own. Getting access to these bikes is quite easy:
- Download the PBSC app
- Create an account
- Chose the length of your pass (make sure to pick a minimum of 24 hours, read notes for why)
- To unlock a bike, press the red lock button in the bottom middle of the screen
- Point the camera to the QR code on the bike
- A little green light and a sound will go off. Pull the bike back.
- You’re all set!
Notes:
- When picking a pass, make sure to pick at least a 24-hour pass. The reason for this is that a bike can only be used for a maximum of 30 minutes- big penalties will apply after that. So, if you plan on using the bike more than twice a day – and believe me, you will – then the 24-hour pass is absolutely worth it. Especially if you ride at night, you will WANT to ride more than twice. Also, some of the bikes have kinks in them (i.e. they have a SUPER tough resistance or the motor shuts on and off all the time): if that happens and you only have a 1-time pass, then you won’t be able to take out another one for replacement. The price is 1 EUR per ride, 3 EUR per day, or 8EUR for a whole week.
- The app indicates where all the stations are. It might happen that the station you go to is full, so be sure to make your way to the stations before the 30-minute mark. In case you lost track of time, the app will tell you how long you’ve been using the bikes.
- When picking a bike, make sure that the brakes are working, especially the right break. You can test this by just pressing down on the break: if it touches the handle very easily (i.e. with no resistance) then don’t pick that one. You want your bike breaks to work, especially in Monaco. Also, make sure that the bike has at least 3 bars of battery on them. You can test this by pressing on the power button in the middle of the bike.
- One person can unlock up to 4 bikes on one account, make sure to select the number of bikes you want when paying for your plan.
- The disclaimer on the app will scare you, saying that it is going to take out 300 EUR from your bank account. Don’t worry, it won’t. The only thing it does is freeze 300 EUR on your account, not actually take them out of your account. They will un-freeze instantly once your pass expires. The reason for this is in case you steal a bike!
- People under 18 years old have to wear a helmet (not provided). Honestly, no one really checks, but at your own risk.
- People under 14 cannot ride these bikes. Again, at your own risk.
- When you plug the bikes back into the stations, make sure to give them a good push and that the green light appears on the station, not the red one. The red one means that it hasn’t been plugged in correctly.
- Just make sure to respect the traffic direction as, in Monaco, bikes MUST abide by traffic laws just as cars do. So remember: stop at a red light, people who are walking have priority, and do not go against the direction of traffic.
That’s it! This post was all about Monaco hidden gems: I hope they were a pleasant for you!. Let me know for any further questions 🙂
xx LS
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