GIBRALTAR TRAVEL GUIDE
Gibraltar is a British Overseas Territory at the southern tip of the Iberian Peninsula. It is recognised historically as the southernmost point of Europe and is also strategically positioned at the western end of the Mediterranean, forming one of the ancient Pillars of Hercules. Spain is to the north and Morocco (North Africa) is to the south, on the other side of the strait 24 kilometres (15 miles) away.
Gibraltar is dominated by the Rock of Gibraltar, a 426m high limestone ridge which is 200 million years old.
Due to Gibraltar’s location it is affected by local topography and it is a place of meteorological extremes. Summer is dry and warm with an average of 10.5 hours of sunshine a day and averages around 27 - 34C. The summer months of July and August are the busiest and hottest. Winter in Gibraltar can be a mixture of mild, wet and cool weather with the winter temperatures ranging from 10 - 18°C.
There’s plently to do in Gibraltar as it has a rich history being an area of land fought over by the Brits and the Spanish. That history is present all over the island with World War tunnels and a Moorish Castle.
GIBRALTAR GENERAL INFO
Monaco is a sovereign city-state on the French Riviera in Western Europe. It is bordered by France on three sides and the Mediterranean Sea on the other.
Monaco has an area of 2.02 km² and a population of 36,371, making Monaco the second smallest and the most densely populated country in the world.
Monaco has a land border of only 4.4 km (2.7 mi), a coastline of 4.1 km (2.5 mi) and a width that varies between 1,700 and 349 m (5,600 and 1,145 ft).
The official language is French, but Monégasque, Italian, and English are widely spoken and understood.
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How to Get to Monaco
By road
There is a European motorway network which covers many countries in Europe including France, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, Great Britain, Spain, Netherland, Belgium, Luxembourg, Austriaand more and this network of roads is only 8km from the centre of Monaco which means the Principality is well connected by road.
Monaco is 22km away from it’s nearest airport - Nice in France. There are three beautiful routes between Nice and Monaco - the ‘Grande Corniche’ which passes through La Turbie and Col d’Eze with an altitude of 510m, the ‘Moyenne Corniche’ which passes through Eze village or the ‘Basse Corniche’ which takes you along the coast.
By rail
There is a major train station in Monaco which is connected to some main european cities.
The TGVs to and from Paris (journey time 5.5 hours).
Overnight trains to Strasbourg, Paris, Toulouse, Irun, Port-Bou, Milan, Venice, Pisa and Rome.
Regional Express Trains which connect the towns on the Côte d’Azur
Trains to Milan, Genova or Basel during the day.
Monaco railway station: http://www.garedemonaco.com
By Air
Plane
There is no airport in Monaco so if you want to travel by plane you will use the Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport which links the Principality of Monaco to more than 86 worldwide destinations
The airport is 22km from Monaco.
Website: http://en.nice.aeroport.fr
There are direct shuttles from Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport and Monaco. They depart every 30 minutes and cost 18 Euros per person.
Helicopter
The Monaco heliport is located in the Fontvielle district of Monaco and it makes the Nice Côte d’Azur International Airport only a 6 minute flight away from the Principality
Helicopter transfers are provided by the following companies:
Héli Air Monaco Héliport de Monaco - Fontvieille
Tél + 377 92050050
Website : http://www.heliairmonaco.com
Monacair
Héliport de Monaco - Fontvieille
Tel. +377 97973901
Website: https://monacair.mc/
By boat
There are two harbours in Monaco where you can arrive by boat in to Monaco.
Hercules Harbour
Hercules Port is a natural bay at the foot of the ancestral rock of the princes of Monaco
It is one of the few deep-water port of the French Riviera. It was used as a trading port by the Greeks and Romans but had the disadvantage of being poorly sheltered from the easterly winds. This prompted the erection of two piers in the early twentieth century which went some way to providing better protection.
Website: http://www.ports-monaco.com
Fontvielle Harbour
Only fifty years ago Fontvieille was a narrow stretch of sand where the rock plunged into the sea. The emergence of a new area in Monaco was linked to the economic development of the principality. During the development of these new plots of land (17 hectares encroaching on the sea) one section was set aside for the creation of a marina. Sitting at the foot of the Rock of Monaco to the east, the Port of Fontvieille is certainly one of the most sheltered in the region, being protected from the easterly winds by the rock and from the southerly and westerly swell by the large sea wall, which provides protection to the entire Fontvielle area
Website: http://www.ports-monaco.com
The Best Time to Visit Monaco
Monaco enjoys a temperate Mediterranean climate, characterised by hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters. The average temperature is approximately 16.5°C and the seasonal amplitude is less than 15°C. The annual average rainfall is 714.6 mm with the highest precipitation occurring in autumn and spring. Due to the weather I’d recommend Spring and Autumn as the best time to visit Monaco. The peak months are the summer months of July and August and whilst it doesn’t generally get too hot at this time the crowds can be a lot so it’s best to be avoided if possibe.
Top 10 Things to See and Do in Monaco
Larvotto Beach
Fontvielle
The Princes Palace
Casino Monte Carlo
Monaco Harbour
Jardin Exotique
Collection de Voitures Anciennes
Le Rocher
Accommodation in Monaco
There’s no denying it staying in Monaco is expensive. The main accommodation is hotels but there are a few rooms in houses or whole apartments or you can even stay on a boat in the harbour. I’d recommend booking at least 3 - 6 months in advance, particularly if you’re on a tighter budget as the cheaper accommodations do tend to sale out as far as 6-9 months in advance.
Where to Stay in Monaco
Luxury budget - these hotels cost around £650 - £1000 a night depending on the season.
Red Sail a stay with a difference onboard a beautiful catamaran
Fairmont Hotel is where we stay in Monaco as you can get rooms overlooking the hairpin bend from the Formula One race and we love it here.
Mid range - these hotels are around £300 a night.
Port Palace is a fantastic four star hotel overlooking Hercules Port which is still resonably priced.
Novotel Monte Carlo has a swimming pool and views over the harbour
Backpacker budget - these hotels cost around £100 - £150 per night.
There’s not many to be honest. If you are travelling to Monaco on a budget you might want to look just outside Monaco, when I say outside, I mean literally on the border of Monaco and France. There are a lot of options just outside that could work for you and as Monaco is so small it’s no issue getting in to Monaco.
Hotel de France is a great option which is still in the heart of Monaco but for a fraction of the cost.
Monaco Apartment is a great option as it is a 2 bedroom flat with a fully equipped kitchen.
Eating in Monaco
The food in Monaco is a Mediterranean cusine with influences from northern Italy and Southern France. There is an emphasis on fresh ingredients with olive oil, seafood and vegetables all playing a major role in many dishes.
Here are my top choices of food to try when in Monaco
Tarte au citron
This is a delicious lemon flavoured tart which is often served as a dessert.
Socca
Socca is a crepe made from chickpea flour. It’s a great streetfood, perfect for grabbing as an afternoon snack whilst taking in the sights or sitting by the harbour.
Focaccia
Oh I love a focaccia! It’s a sweet flatbread that can be flavoured with all kinds of different things such as oranges,nutes, raisins, anise, apples and brandy. It’s just delicious and worth hunting down a slice (or two) whilst in Monaco.
