Close ILTakeCare Suggestion
IL TakeCare app – For all your insurance & wellness needs

Policy purchase, claims, renewal & more

Monaco Travel Guide: Best Places & Time to Visit, Delicacies

Indian embassy near Monaco

Embassy of India
13-15 rue Alfred Dehodencq
75016 - Paris, France

Visa Process for Indian Visitors to Monaco

As there is no embassy in Monaco, tourists are required to apply for Schengen Visa. To apply for this, the tourists need to submit the following documents:

  • A passport which is valid for at least 3 months after the date of the requested visa
  • Visa application forms
  • Maximum three photographs
  • Covering letter mentioning the details of the traveller, type of travel, and details of the visit
  • Confirmed hotel reservation for the complete stay
  • Confirmed air tickets
  • Day-to-day itinerary
  • Travel Insurance
  • Income tax returns or Form 16 for last 3 years
  • Original and updated personal bank statements for last 6 months

For more details, one can contact the nearest Monaco embassy.

About Monaco

Famed as the second smallest independent state in the world, Monaco is a haven for tourists who wish to spend their days amidst wonderful climate and enchanting beauty. Not only this, but the country is also the home of annual Formula One Grand Prix. Lying on the Mediterranean coast, this country offers stunning views that can make one forget all the worries and immerse into a leisurely stroll. Be it the beaches, museums, high-end buildings or glamorous casinos, Monaco has everything that one can expect on a luxurious vacation.

Places to visit in Monaco.

There are many tourist places in Monaco that have been attracting the travellers from across the world. Some of those famous places in Monaco are listed below:

  • Palais Princier: Located in old Monaco-Ville, this palace offers a stunning view of Monte-Carlo. Tourists can also attend the famous changing of the guard ceremony performed by the "Carabiniers at 11:55 am
  • Oceanographic Museum: A world-famous museum, it has an incredible collection of numerous sea creatures and even the models of Prince Albert’s laboratory ships. Moreover, the oceanographic museum has a huge aquarium that houses more than 4,000 species of fish and 200 families of invertebrates making it a must-visit place
  • Grand Casino: Though it might be an extremely wealthy affair to gamble at the Grand Casino, there is no harm in visiting the casino to get the royal feel. Be it the gaming room, the décor or the ambience; it will never fail one’s expectations.
  • Monaco Cathedral: Built in 1875, it is one of the best places to visit in Monaco. The majestic interior and the famous altarpiece by the Niçois painter Louis Bréa is one of the major attractions of Monaco Cathedral.
  • Jardin Exotique (Exotic Gardens): A home of thousands of rare plants and beautiful trees, Jardin Exotique offers a memorable walking tour to the tourists. There is also a cave where guided tours are available

Apart from these, one can also visit Church of the Sacred Heart, Monaco-Ville and Marlborough Fine Arts Gallery.

How to reach Monaco

The nearest airport to Monaco is Côte d'Azur Airport in Nice which is around 40 km away from Monaco. People travelling from India can take flights to Nice from cities like Mumbai, Delhi and Bangalore. Some of the major airlines operating between India and Nice are Aeroflot, Emirates and Air France. Taxis and buses are available from the airport to the city.

Travelling in Monaco.

  • Walking is the best way to explore the places to visit in Monaco. However, there are some places where you can reach via public escalators and small pedestrian-only ferry
  • There is one urban bus service that can be used to travel to the famous places in Monaco
  • Travellers can rent a motor scooter in Nice or a bicycle from the Auto-Moto-Garage and take a short trip to Monaco
  • Many hotels provide taxi services so that can be a good option to travel across Monaco

Best time to visit Monaco

Though Monaco is a great destination for a year-round trip, April and October are the best months to take a trip to Monaco. Tourists can also plan their trip as per the dates of Formula 1 Monaco Grand Prix to experience the thrill of the world’s most glamorous motorsport event. To ensure a good accommodation during this time, tourists are advised to book the hotels in advance and plan the journey accordingly.

dest-icon

Famed as the second smallest independent state in the world.

Request call back for assistance in insurance purchase.

Please enter the name
Please enter a valid mobile number
Please select the Category

What to pack?

The packing essentials highly depend on weather of Monaco. Therefore, tourists must check the weather conditions of the country before the final packing. Some of the things that are inevitable on the packing list are:

  • Comfortable footwear
  • Sunglasses
  • Important medicines
  • Travel documents including travel insurance policy
  • Umbrella and hats
  • Bathing suits
  • Accessories and other essential toiletries

Top delicacies

The food at Monaco is excellent. Its high-end cafés and luxurious restaurants satiate the hunger pangs of tourists with their internationally-renowned delicacies while giving world-class hospitality. Some of the top dishes one must try during their trip to Monaco are:

  • Barbajuan: Usually served as an appetizer, this is a baked pastry filled with ricotta, swiss chard, garlic and herbs.
  • Swiss Chard Pie: A lip-smacking pastry, Swiss Chard Pie is made with Swiss chard blette, parmesan cheese, eggs, onions, parsley, and rice.
  • Pissaladière: Though this dish is originally from Nice, Pissaladière in Monaco is prepared with a Monégasque twist. It is topped with tomatoes, onions and olives.
  • Fougasse: A flavoured bread easily found in the local bakeries, Fougasse is decorated with tasty raisins, nuts and anise that make it a must-try dish.

Top Indian restaurants in Monaco

Indian Star

  • Location: 23 Boulevard de la République, 06240 Beausoleil, France
  • Contact: +33 4 93 41 94 34

New Indien restaurant

  • Location: 9 Boulevard de la République, 06240 Beausoleil, France
  • Contact: +33 4 93 78 17 89

Thayagam

  • Location: 6 Boulevard des Moneghetti, 06240 Beausoleil, France
  • Contact: +33 4 93 83 42 97

Shopping list essentials

Shopping in Monaco is an expensive affair. If one has a hefty budget for the trip, then places like Golden Circle and Condamine Market are best to cherish the love of shopping. There is also Fontvieille Shopping Centre where tourists can buy stuff from stores like Fred Boutique, Davidoff, Boutique du Rocher and Galerie Moghadam. Ranging from home souvenirs and hand-woven tapestries to exclusive jewellery and chic clothes, Monaco has everything that a shopping lover can imagine.

Healthcare centers

Here are some of the healthcare centres tourists can contact in case of an health emergency:

  • The Princess Grace Hospital is the general hospital located at 1 Avenue Pasteur.
  • Another healthcare centre is the Monaco International Medical Center which is located in Fontvieille.
  • For night pharmacies and on-duty doctors, tourists can dial 141 and check the availability.

It is advised that tourists can buy a travel insurance policy to get the best services in case of an emergency. The travel insurance policy can help them trace the best health care centre and get the appropriate treatment on time.

Currency

The official currency of Monaco is Euro.

Basics of local communication

French is the official language. However, Monegasque is the national language. Many people also speak English and Italian. One more thing to keep in mind is that while in Monaco, tourists should never call the residents French as they feel offended for it hurts the Monegasque and Monegasque pride. Respect their culture, and you will be greatly welcomed on your trip.

Below are some of the French words and their meanings in English. A quick understanding of these words will ease the communication in Monaco:

French English
Bonjour Hello
Merci Thank You
Oui Yes
Non No
Je Suis désolé I Am Sorry
Aidez-moi Help
Au revoir Goodbye
Connaissez-vous cette adresse? Do You Know This Address?
Combien? How Much?

Still unable to decide?

Ask for a call back from an insurance expert.

Please enter the name
Please enter a valid mobile number
Please select the Category

Error message here