By the time you’re reading this, Monaco will be filling up.
The terraces will be setting tables for lunch, the harbour will be getting busier by the hour and someone, somewhere, will already be regretting the shoes they packed.
For the first time in years, I won’t be there.
What started as an annual Formula 1 tradition slowly became one of my favourite weekends of the year. Somewhere between the race, the Riviera sunshine and the familiar faces you somehow bump into every time, Monaco became much more than a Grand Prix destination.
So, while I’m experiencing Monaco FOMO, I thought I’d finally share the places I keep returning to.
Not necessarily the most exclusive or the most expensive. Just the addresses, walks and little tips I’d give a friend heading there for the first time.
Everyone will tell you to go to Café de Paris.
And honestly, they’re right.
Even if it’s just once, it’s worth sitting there with a coffee and watching Monaco wake up around you. It’s historic, iconic and one of the best places to understand the city’s rhythm.
But my personal favourite is Café Cova at Larvotto.
It’s slightly removed from the chaos, right by the beach and somehow always attracts exactly the sort of people you’d hope to run into in Monaco. Fashion people, locals, familiar faces and occasionally someone you’ve definitely seen before but can’t quite place.
It’s become my favourite way to start the day, in my opinion serves the best matcha in Monaco.
If there’s one piece of advice I can give anyone visiting Monaco, it’s simple: walk.
Monaco is far smaller than most people imagine and you’ll often arrive faster on foot than by car. There is no Uber and, during Grand Prix weekend, taxis become an extreme sport. I’ve had more issues trying to get a taxi at 3am in Monaco than anywhere else in Europe.
Comfortable shoes are absolutely essential.
And while we’re on practical advice, learn where the public lifts are.
Most visitors don’t realise they exist, but they’re hidden throughout the city and can save you from climbing what feels like half the Riviera. Once you know where they are, you’ll wonder how you ever managed without them.
People watching is arguably Monaco’s greatest sport.
Casino Square deserves all the hype it gets.
If Monaco had a runway, this would be it. You’ll see everything from hypercars and couture gowns to people carrying shopping bags worth more than most monthly salaries.
But my second favourite spot is the Larvotto promenade.
The beach walk offers a completely different side of Monaco. Slightly more relaxed, slightly more local and equally entertaining.
Some of my favourite afternoons have been spent doing absolutely nothing there except watching the world go by.
The Riviera wasn’t built for rushed lunches.
Some of my favourite Monaco memories involve sitting down for what was supposed to be a quick lunch and realising several hours have somehow disappeared.
If I had to choose one favourite, it would be Avenue 31.
It’s become one of those places I return to every trip, the kind of address that immediately feels familiar the moment you walk through the door.
Sexy Tacos remains a classic when I’m in the mood for something a little more lively, while Nikki Beach is one of those places I’ll never seem to tire of. Whether it’s for lunch, a drink or simply a few hours in the sun, it’s always a good idea.
That said, not every meal needs to come with a reservation.
Some days, my perfect Monaco lunch is simply a salad and fresh fruit from Marché de La Condamine.
It’s one of my favourite spots in the Principality and offers a completely different atmosphere from the polished glamour Monaco is known for. A little more local, a little less polished and exactly the kind of place I find myself returning to year after year.
Monaco does glamour exceptionally well, but sometimes the simplest lunches end up being the most memorable.
Shopping in Monaco deserves far more attention than it gets.
Of course, the Métropole is a must.
Calling it a shopping centre almost feels unfair. It’s elegant, beautiful and unlike most luxury malls you’ll find elsewhere.
Beyond the obvious designer boutiques, my favourite addresses are Sabrina Monte-Carlo, Work In Progress and Le Dressing (a treasure trove of vintage and one of a kind finds).
Even if you’re not planning on buying anything, Monaco remains one of those places where browsing is an activity in itself.
After years of Monaco trips, I’ve learned a few things.
A linen shirt will save almost any outfit.
Comfortable sandals are more important than you think.
A light jacket is always worth bringing.
Sunglasses are non-negotiable.
And if you’re wondering whether a particular bag is too much, the answer is probably no.
Monaco is one of the few places where your favourite fashion pieces never feel overdressed.
People love to criticise Monaco.
Too flashy.
Too expensive.
Too artificial.
And perhaps some of that is true, but I also think that’s what makes it unique.
Monaco doesn’t pretend to be something it’s not.
It’s glamorous, excessive, safe, beautiful and occasionally ridiculous, and somehow that’s exactly why it works.
Every year I tell myself I’ll spend more time elsewhere on the Riviera: Nice, Menton, Antibes and Saint-Tropez.
And every year Monaco finds a way of pulling me back.
Maybe it’s because it feels like stepping into a film. Maybe it’s because some of my favourite memories live there. Or maybe it’s because traditions become harder to replace as we get older.
Whatever the reason, I’ll already be planning my return before this weekend is over.
See you next year, Monaco
Sophia’s Monaco Edit
Coffee: Café Cova
Lunch: Sexy Tacos
Dinner: Avenue 31
Casual lunch: Marché de La Condamine
Shopping: Work in Progress
People watching: Casino Square
Underrated tip: use the public lifts
Biggest mistake: relying on taxis during GP weekend
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