Best Luxury Spots to visit in Monaco from Day to Night

Palatial streets, exotic palm trees and a harbour full of super yachts that drops jaws. Summer is here and its the time that chillier areas of Europe flock to the place to be, the Côte D’Azur. The twinkling jewel within the famed coastline being, of course, Monaco. Here at SPHERE, we have laid out how to experience Monaco to the fullest this summer 2024. With a series of its best luxury spots to visit throughout the day, from rich and royal culture to panoramic cocktails and unmissable menus as you move into the evening.

After a morning sun-soaked latte, begin your day at the Prince’s Palace to see the Prince’s Carabiniers perform the privileged encounter of the changing of the guard. Taking place at 11.55am every day, this is a traditional spectacle that any history enthusiast must catch. Whilst in the royal grounds, wander up for a look around the State Apartments of the Prince’s Palace. Open to the public from late March to October, a glimpse inside these elaborate spaces opens up centuries of insight into the Princely family. Finish with a tour of Prince’s house and be sure to look up at the ceilings for the array of intricate Italian Renaissance frescoes. Spanning a total area of 600 square meters, these exceptional works of art are a feast for the eyes.

With art on the mind, immerse yourself in one of Monaco’s summer exhibitions. After being filled with the vibrant impressionist pieces of Monet, the Grimaldi Forum Monaco has brought in the work of William Turner for the summertime. Leaving the space brimming with oil landscapes, delicate gouaches and atmospheric watercolours from the British painter. Each framed alongside work from contemporary artists to highlight Turner’s approach to light and atmosphere in his paintings. If contemporary is more your thing, head over to Monaco’s flourishing art market scene – The Principality. Host to two buzzing art fairs in the summer, Artmonte-carlo in July and Art3f Monaco in August. Each fair is accessible for all to surround themselves with lively contemporary artwork.

From dipping into Mediterranean waters to dipping into polar waters. The Oceanographic Museum is currently host to an immersive exhibition, “Polar Mission”, that is set to run for the next two years. Encapsulating visitors in over a century of life in the Arctic and Antarctica. Taking you from standing face-to-face with great polar explorers and the adapted animals of the poles to the Inuit people and researchers who are progressing the science around these areas. All by plunging you into a 650 square meter projection space. This summer getaway to Monaco is about to get much chillier than anticipated.

150 years ago, the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo first swung open their cellar doors for people to delve 10 metres below the surface. In celebration of this anniversary, a series of exciting events have been taking place since April until the end of October. Ran by Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, the events are ranging from elegant dinners to rare wine tastings and opportunities to discover the priceless treasures hidden in the cellars. Discover the events that the cellars have in store and head underground here.

New for the summer at Le Méridien Beach Plaza is the perfect spot for a late lunch leading into a night of innovative molecular cocktails and dancing barefoot on the sand. Muse is strongly rooted in Principality, ensuring that all of their suppliers are local and allowing Monegasque flavour to seep into every aspect of their menu. From their signature ravioli with local purple artichokes and fresh lobster summer salad to the temping Monegasque-inspired baba doused in orange liqueur by pastry chef, Julian Beaulieu. View the full main menu at Muse here.

It’s time for a bite to eat. In-vogue sushi restaurant chain, Nobu, has paved its way to Monte-Carlo. Tucked in none other than the Fairmont Monte Carlo, the popular Japanese has turned to marry Asian flavour with Nipponese and South American influences. Indulge in lobster wasabi sour cream tacos or umami chicken wings and bounce around the continents as your tastebuds do the same.

Continuing with South American flavour, newly opened restaurant Amazónico Monte-Carlo, brings guests on a sensory journey through the wild environments of the Amazon. With additional branches in Madrid, London and Dubai, Amazónico has now made its mark atop the Café de Paris Monte-Carlo. With incredible panoramic views of Monte-Carlo from the terrace space, the restaurant glances right over the curvaceous Formula One Grand Prix track. It’s a place to sip down some sunset cocktails and share some decadent plates fresh off the grill. All before dipping down their leopard-print staircase to the secret club space, bursting with Latin rhythm.

For after-dinner entertainment like no other, head to the Prince's Palace for a 9.30pm orchestral performance. Every summer since 1959, the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra gathers at the Cour d’Honneur of the Prince’s Palace to put on spectacular displays of classical music unlike anything you have seen before. Setting up their strings between the magnificent seventeenth-century staircases, this experience is as magical as it is memorable. View the timetable of performances and book tickets here.

Karl Lagerfeld-designed pool restaurant space, Odyssey at the Hotel Métropole Monte-Carlo, is being taken over until 31st August by Zia. Giving an Italian twist, the poolside pop-up has been brought to life by Manon Santini and Rocco Seminara. With the promise of dolce vita evenings under the stars, Zia offers a contemporary pizza menu for dinner from Wednesday to Sunday. Bringing experimental toppings to the table including avocado caviar and sweetly creative pizzas from strawberry-pistachio to chocolate and hazelnut praline. These carefully crafted diversions away from the classic Margherita aren’t to be overlooked.

Draped in blue zebra fabric with a breath-taking view over the yacht-dotted French riviera, La Môme Monte-Carlo is located on the rooftop of the Port Palace Hotel. Led by the passionate Chef Benjamin Zannier, the chic restaurant spot is home to a menu full of modern Mediterranean cuisine. Perhaps with the exception of their signature mega cookie, laced with melty Nutella and pistachio cream. View La Môme’s full menu here.

Fulfilling the roaring craving for dinner and a show is Maona Monte-Carlo. Promising an experience both Made by Monaco and Made in Monaco, Maona serves all of the Monegasque culinary classics. From estocaficada to warm and buttery fougasse and a very special peach melba with a nod to Auguste Escoffier. All made with the finest produce from small and well-trusted local vendors. After a meal that is as traditionally ‘Monaco’ as it gets, ensure you have a freshly shaken cocktail in hand before a cabaret performance from Maona’s Niki Black. A few more martinis, or the environment alone, may just have you getting up to dance.

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