Nature and Outdoor Activities
- Birdwatching Locations
- Saint-Martin Gardens (Monaco-Ville)
- Nearby Nature Escapes
- Jardin Exotique de Monaco (Cliffside botanical garden)
- National Parks Nearby
- Mercantour National Park (90 mins drive in France)
- Cycling/Walking Paths
- The coastal path (Sentier Littoral) towards Cap-d’Ail
- Scenic Viewpoints
- Tête de Chien (Located in La Turbie, overlooking the entire Principality)
- Bonfire-Friendly Spots
- Prohibited in all of Monaco due to high density
Essentials
- City
- Monte Carlo, Monaco
- Population
- 39,000 (Approx. 15,000 in Monte Carlo district)
- Internet Speed
- Average 150 Mbps (Monaco Telecom Giga Speed)
- Currency & Banking
- Euro (EUR). 1 EUR ≈ 1.09 USD. Major banks: CFM Indosuez, Barclays
- Tap Water
- Safe to drink, high mineral content
- Power
- 230V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/E/F sockets (European standard)
- SIM Card
- Monaco Telecom (Main provider). Note: EU roaming often excludes Monaco
- Banking for Expats
- Revolut (widely accepted), Compagnie Monégasque de Banque (CMB)
- Accommodation
- Extremely high-end. Airbnb starts at €250/night; Hotels €400+
- Cashless Friendly
- Yes, cards accepted everywhere including small boutiques
- Short Term Rentals
- Airbnb, Booking.com, and local agencies like Monaco Properties
- Budget Accommodation
- Non-existent in Monaco. Closest is Hotel Forum in Beausoleil, France (~€110)
- Best Area to Stay for Tourists
- Carré d'Or (near Casino) for luxury; Fontvieille for modern vibes
- Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads
- Beausoleil (France) – literally across the street, significantly cheaper
Working and Networking
- Best Coworking Space
- The Office Monaco (Price: ~€60/day). Located at 17 Av. d'Annonciade
- Best Cafe for Work
- Metropole Shopping Monte-Carlo (various cafes with Wi-Fi). Starbucks at One Monte-Carlo
- Networking Events
- Monaco Business Expo (Annual); Yacht Club de Monaco seasonal mixers
- Social Events for Expats
- British Association of Monaco; 'Expats in Monaco' Facebook Group
Transportation
- Best Taxi/Ride App
- Monaco Taxi (+377 93 15 01 01). Note: Uber is restricted within Monaco
- Bike/Scooter Rental
- MonaBike (Electric bikes). €1 per 30 minutes. 300+ bikes across 44 stations
- Best Beach Nearby
- Larvotto Beach (Avenue Princesse Grace). Free public section available
- Top Regional Airline
- Air France (NICE Airport - NCE is the closest hub)
- Top International Airline
- Monacair (Helicopter shuttle to Nice Airport - €160, 7 mins)
- Highway Access
- A8 Autoroute (La Provençale) connecting to Nice and Italy
- Main Train/Transit Hub
- Gare de Monaco-Monte-Carlo (underground station)
- Public Transport Passes
- Monaco Bus (CAM). €2 per trip. €5.50 for 24-hour pass
- Regional Travel
- TER Train to Nice (€4.40, 20 mins) or Menton (€2.50, 10 mins)
Health and Wellness
- Best Hospital
- Centre Hospitalier Princesse Grace (CHPG), 1 Avenue Pasteur
- Yoga & Wellness Centers
- The Yoga Shala Monaco (Rue de Millo). Specific classes: €30
- Gyms & Fitness Centers
- World Class Fitness (6 Avenue Maréchal Foch). Day pass approx €50
- Laundry Services
- Le Teinturier de Monaco (25 Boulevard Albert 1er)
Food and Drink
- Best Food Delivery App
- Del Monaco, Carlo (local services), UberEats (limited from France)
- Best Local Dish to Try
- Barbagiuan (Fried pastry stuffed with Swiss chard and ricotta)
- Vegan/Vegetarian Options
- EQVITA (Rue du Portier) – High-end plant-based dining
- Best Dessert Spots
- Pâtisserie Riviera (Boulevard des Moulins) – Historic venue
- Affordable Shopping Spots
- Marché de la Condamine (Indoor market with local food stalls)
- E-commerce/Online Store
- Amazon.fr (shipments arrive via French post network)
- Grocery Delivery
- Carrefour Monaco (Fontvieille Shopping Centre) via their app
- Bar/Nightlife Area
- Port Hercule (La Rascasse, Jack Monaco) and Jimmy’z Monte-Carlo
- Local Brewery
- Brasserie de Monaco (Route de la Piscine). Freshly brewed on-site
- Wine Bars
- Cave & Terrasse (Hôtel de Paris wine cellars are legendary)
- Street Food Stalls
- Chez Roger (Marché de la Condamine) for Socca (chickpea pancake)
- Popular International Cuisine
- Nobu Fairmount Monte Carlo (Japanese-Peruvian). Price approx €150/pp
Culture and Attractions
- Must-See Landmarks
- Casino de Monte-Carlo, Prince's Palace of Monaco
- Museums & Art Venues
- Oceanographic Museum (Avenue Saint-Martin). Entry €19
- Historical Sites
- Monaco-Ville (The Rock), Saint Nicholas Cathedral
- Religious Sites
- Sainte-Dévote Chapel (dedicated to the patron saint)
- Annual Events
- Monaco F1 Grand Prix (May); Monaco Yacht Show (September)
- Cultural Districts
- Monaco-Ville (Old Town)
- Theater Venues
- Opéra de Monte-Carlo (Salle Garnier)
- Local Markets
- Marché de la Condamine (Daily 7 AM - 3 PM)
- Music Scene
- Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival (November)
- Street Art
- The Champions Promenade (Footprints of famous football players)
- Cooking Classes
- Metropole Hotel occasional culinary workshops
- Art Galleries
- Opera Gallery Monaco (1 Avenue Henry Dunant)
- Historic Buildings
- Hôtel de Paris (Place du Casino)
- Local Heritage
- The Grimaldi Dynasty history spanning over 700 years
Other Services and Amenities
- Parcel Delivery Service
- La Poste Monaco (Palais de la Scala, 1 Avenue Henry Dunant)
- Tech Repair Services
- iConcept Monaco (Apple authorized service provider)
- Table Tennis Spots
- AS Monaco Table Tennis (Stade Louis II)
- Language Classes
- Alliance Française (Menton or Nice, 20 mins away)
- Libraries & Study Spots
- Médiathèque de Monaco (Louis Notari Library)
- Community Centers
- Espace Léo Ferré
- Gaming Lounges
- Non-existent; luxury gaming is focused on Casinos
- Casino & Gaming Halls
- Casino de Monte-Carlo, Casino Café de Paris
Business
- Studio Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €55,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €2,200,000)
- Studio Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Applicable to Beausoleil, France: €12,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = €480,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €60,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €3,600,000)
- 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Beausoleil: €15,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = €900,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center)
- Approx. €75,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €6,000,000)
- 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City)
- Beausoleil: €18,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = €1,440,000)
- Corporate Tax
- 25% (Applicable only if >25% of turnover is generated outside Monaco)
- Dividend Withholding Tax
- 0%
- Tax System
- Residence-based; No personal income tax for residents
- Highest Income Tax Bracket
- 0% (Exception for French nationals)
- VAT
- 20% (Same as France)
- Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules
- No
- Property Tax
- None (No annual property/land tax)
- Property Transaction Tax
- 4.5% to 7.5% Registration Duty plus notary fees
- Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads
- Yes, 0% personal income tax, 0% wealth tax, 0% capital gains tax for residents.