Before arriving in Monaco, I had no idea that it was it’s own country. Small as it may be, Monaco packs a punch when it comes to dreamy travel destinations. This upscale area of the world is home to many luxuries — the most famous being the Monte Carlo Casino. After all, what is life if not a gamble?
James Bond truly made this casino an icon after it appeared in the book ‘Casino Royale’. Since then tourists have flocked to the landmark to place their bets and test their luck {or to simply pose with the stunning building}. Personally, viewing the spectacle from afar wasn’t enough for me. I wanted in. After stepping foot inside the casino, however, my opinions slightly changed.
Let’s start with the logistics.
Getting to the Monte Carlo
At this point along my journey through the French Riviera, I was using Nice as my base. I knew it was extremely easy to visit Monaco from Nice, so I booked a train ticket out of Gare de Nice-Ville. The journey from Nice to Monaco takes approximately 15 minutes via train {you can also leave from Nice Riquier Station which takes a similar amount of time}. Tickets to Monaco will cost you between €1-5. From Gare de Monaco, the walk takes 13-15 minutes to arrive at the Monte Carlo casino.
Dresscode
This was something I struggled to find information about prior to arriving at the Monte Carlo. There were many discrepancies pertaining to what is and isn’t allowed in the casino. My advice to you — go with smart casual. Meaning, don’t expect to walk up to the infamous casino wearing flip flops and jean shorts. In the same respect, don’t buy a ball gown with the expectation that you are about to enter an over the top, glamorous venue. Personally, I opted for a black romper, a smart blazer, and black booties — and I was nearly overdressed.
There were tourists at the tables wearing very casual attire, which somewhat took away from the ‘ritzy’ aspect of the casino itself.
Once Inside the Casino
The main lobby of the Monte Carlo is open to the public, free of charge. That being said, there isn’t much to the lobby. If you plan to enter the casino portion of the Monte Carlo, you can expect the following:
An entry fee of €12-17 {depending on the time of year}. This gives you access to the slot machines, the tables, and the bar. The bar serves overpriced drinks, but hey, it’s the James Bond casino so that is to be expected.
Required identification {most commonly your passport}. Basically, don’t forget your passport at home if you want access to the casino. They will require this once you’ve purchased your ticket and upon exiting the lobby.
And finally, an underwhelming atmosphere. Compared to the exterior of the building, I found the interior of the casino to be somewhat drab. I can appreciate the fact that it’s a historic landmark, meaning it’s, well, old. That being said, the outdated-ness of the casino was a deterrent for me. Sure, I prefer it over the modern dark, smokey, neon casinos of today, but I was expecting more James Bond sexiness, less dusty museum vibe.
Things to do in Monaco
If the exterior of the Monte Carlo is enough of the casino to satisfy your James Bond needs, there are plenty of other things to do in Monaco. Personally, I did not prioritize my time to explore the tiny country but you can read about more activities to partake in here. One highlight that I can personally recommend is a walk around the Monaco Harbor. Something about it just screams lavishness — and by something I mean the hundreds of yachts. Monaco is absolutely stunning in every way; it’s clean, full of life, photogenic, historical, and glamourous.
In terms of my final thoughts on the Monte Carlo, I would say I was slightly disappointed. Do I think a visit inside the iconic casino is worth the small fee? Sure. I gambled, won some money, and lived out my own personal James Bond moment. That being said, don’t have your expectations of the interior set as high after witnessing the exterior of the building. The exterior was the highlight of the experience overall.
Over to you, have you been to the Monte Carlo? Were you disappointed?
