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48 Hours In Monoco (Race Weekend)

  • Writer: Jeff Graham
    Jeff Graham
  • Apr 30
  • 3 min read

Day 1: Coastal Trains, Aperitifs & Blackjack at Monte Carlo


11:00 AM – Land in Nice & Ride the Riviera

  • Land at Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE)

  • Hop on Tram Line 2 from the airport to Nice-Ville Train Station (~25 mins)

  • From there, take the TER regional train to Monaco (~25 mins)

  • Sit on the right side of the train — the ride hugs cliffs over turquoise water and pastel beach towns


12:30 PM – Arrive in Monaco During Race Weekend (!!!)

  • You land right into the sound of F1 engines echoing off the cliffs

  • It's the Historic Grand Prix weekend — and Friday practice means free entry to the grandstands

  • You head straight to the track and find yourself 20 feet from vintage race cars flying by with the harbor behind you

  • Commentary bounces between French, Italian, and English — it’s unreal


3:00 PM – Check In: Cap d’Ail Airbnb

  • Take a short local bus or rideshare to nearby Cap d’Ail, just over the French border

  • Your Airbnb is tucked into the cliffs, with:

    • A killer view of the Mediterranean

    • A small shared pool

    • And way more affordable pricing than anything inside Monaco


5:00 PM – Quick Work Call + Pool Dip

  • Jeff logs on for a call while you dip your feet in the pool

  • The sound of distant race cars is still buzzing in the background


10:00 PM – Late Dinner in Cap d’Ail

  • You hike down (lots of stairs) to a casual restaurant along the water

  • Menu: Caesar salad, burger, glass of local rosé

  • Yachts bob in front of you like it’s no big deal


11:30 PM – Night Stroll Into Monaco

  • Walk into Monaco — it’s a labyrinth of elevators, staircases, and cliffside tunnels

  • Suddenly you’re back on the racetrack, which is now open for pedestrians

  • You grab a drink on the actual circuit. Because how could you not?


12:30 AM – The Casino de Monte-Carlo

  • 📍 Place du Casino, 98000 Monaco

  • Laura plays three hands of blackjack inside this Versailles-meets-Bond-level glam palace

  • Outside: Hotel de Paris, where rooms start at €4,000 a night

  • You people-watch, sip slowly, and take in the absurdity


2:00 AM – Late Night Swim Under the Stars

  • Back to Cap d’Ail

  • Quiet pool, starry sky, toes in the water

  • Monaco magic activated


Day 2: Palaces, Clifftop Museums & Rooftop Martinis


8:30 AM – Early Start: Hike to Le Rocher (The Rock)

  • Steep but scenic walk to the oldest part of Monaco

  • Winding pastel streets, hidden alleys, and sea views at every turn


9:30 AM – Oceanographic Museum of Monaco

  • 📍 Avenue Saint-Martin, 98000 Monaco

  • Built into the cliff — part aquarium, part marine history museum, part architectural fantasy

  • Don’t miss:

    • Coral chandeliers

    • Shark tanks

    • Rooftop views


11:00 AM – Prince’s Palace of Monaco

  • Included in your museum ticket

  • Inside the royal apartments: painted salons, antique tapestries, and Grace Kelly’s favorite rooms

  • Surprisingly intimate — feels lived in and timeless


12:30 PM – Pizza in Old Town

  • Tiny café in the alley serves goat cheese + roasted eggplant + honey pizza

  • It makes you laugh out loud. In the best way


2:00 PM – Market Stop + Afternoon Reset

  • Grab groceries in Monaco before heading back to Cap d’Ail

  • Pasta, pesto, a bottle of rosé = DIY dinner

  • Laundry, quick nap, emails — somehow it feels like you live here now


6:30 PM – Dressed & Back to Monaco for Night Two

  • You clean up and walk back into the city

  • Start at a bar near the casino with a good table deal and a chill crowd


8:00 PM – Drinks on the Racetrack (Again)

  • Same spot, different energy

  • This time, sunset glow + champagne glasses clinking


9:00 PM – Yacht Port People-Watching

  • You drift toward the harbor and watch the ultra-wealthy dine on their decks

  • Boats that look like Bond villain lairs

  • Everyone’s dressed like a Vogue editorial


10:00 PM – Rooftop Party on Le Rocher

  • You spot lights on the cliff and climb

  • It's open to the public, with lasers, music, and a glowing bar

  • Order two pink martinis — and the bartender comps your second round


11:30 PM – One Last Spin at the Casino

  • Jeff plays Texas Hold ’Em

  • Folds quickly. No regrets.


12:30 AM – Clubbing on the Circuit

  • You pass a nightclub built into the racetrack infrastructure

  • Shrug. "When in Monaco."

  • You plan to grab water — then get pulled into a dance circle with Czech college students

  • Jeff teaches them the Soulja Boy

  • You shut the place down


2:00 AM – Final Swim Under the Stars

  • You walk home under the cliffs

  • Quiet again. Pool. Moonlight. Still not sure if this trip was real

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