How to Spend a Luxurious Weekend in Monte Carlo Without Breaking the Bank.

Marcel Ravine, a chef of two-star Michelin restaurant Blue Bay in Monte Carlo, places his signature dessert in front of me. The elegant dish looks like a heap of spring blossoms in a bowl, some ebony-colored and others of amber hues. “These aren’t flowers, but rather crispy chocolate florets,” he explains. And, for an extra dash of color and flavor, he sprinkles the treat with the real pink flowers from his garden. Growing up on the Island of Martinique, Ravine picked fruits and vegetables with his grandmother in her orchard, as well as cocoa beans that she turned into a rich, delicious drink. Ravine draws his culinary vision from his Caribbean heritage and his grandmother’s cooking. “I use a lot of Caribbean influences,” he tells me. “That chocolate-flowering dessert is inspired by her.”

A part of Monaco, which is a little kingdom on the French Riviera, Monte Carlo is a tiny municipality of only 4000 residents but has a lot going for it. From its five Michelin-star restaurants to its five-star hotels to its high-end designer boutiques, Monte Carlo will please even the most discerning travelers. And yet, until recently, it wasn’t high on the list for many American travelers who were typically too focused on Paris. That, however, is changing. Post-pandemic, more Americans take a detour from the French capital to see this Euro-Mediterranean jewel.

One reason travelers used to skip Monte Carlo was its reputation as one of the most expensive spots on the planet. Yet, a quick getaway here doesn’t have to break the bank. Of course, if the legendary five-star Hôtel de Paris fits your budget, you are in for an unforgettable treat. Located in the Casino Square, it overlooks the beautiful Casino Monte Carlo where several James Bond movies were filmed. But an Airbnb can cost under $200 a night and even less off-season, September-March, so you can spend more on Monte Carlo’s superb gastronomy. Come hungry because several new places have opened just in the past year.

In addition to Caribbean-inspired Blue Bay that reopened post-renovation, the iconic 150-year-old Café de Paris Monte-Carlo underwent a major revamp, serving French-Mediterranean fare. Last fall, Taera welcomed guests with bright Venezuelan colors and cuisine. The long-awaited Amazonico began serving Latin American favorites in a rainforest ambiance this spring. Meanwhile, Le Grill offers the best views in town: You can see France, Italy, and Monaco as you savor their world-famous souffles (thank Maria Callas for that; it was her wish to dine overlooking all three countries at once.)

The Michelin-starred places are pricey, but not all food in Monte Carlo is. Charming local places like Saint Nicolas Pizzeria, Arrow Burger, and Crêperie du Rocher offer very affordable menus with dishes averaging $20. Meanwhile, Monte Carlo’s museums and art galleries are surprisingly inexpensive. A ticket to the Museum of Oceanography, which hosts the world's oldest aquarium, built by Prince Alfred I, a marine explorer, costs under €20. Visiting Prince's Palace Grand Apartments and the Royal Collection of Cars is only €17. The entrance to the Princess Grace Japanese Garden, named after actress Grace Kelly, who married Prince Rainier III of Monaco, is €6. To save even more, buy a Three-Day Activity Leisure Pass for €45, which gets you into over 60 hotspots across the French Riviera.

Some things don’t require spending any money. Take a walk in Saint-Martin Gardens located between the Museum of Oceanography, and Monaco Cathedral, or have a picnic underneath its lush trees. Viewing the changing guards’ ceremony in front of the Prince’s Palace is free, as are the breathtaking Mediterranean views from its hilltop location. Overall, you’ll be surprised by how affordable this luxury destination is.