Regularly Visiting the World's Most Expensive City for Budget Lunches and £3.80 Pints

The world’s second-smallest country, Monaco , officially expanded by six hectares in December 2024, when Sovereign Prince Albert II inaugurated Mareterra with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

This newly developed pedestrian-friendly district, created by renowned architect Renzo Piano and marketed as Monaco’s inaugural eco-neighbourhood due to its advanced environmental features, now emerges from the Mediterranean Sea. It introduces two seaside homes, with one crafted by the acclaimed Italian designer himself, along with several highly exclusive mansions to the principality's scenery.

Mareterra is widely considered the most expensive real estate development anywhere in the world, with per-square metre prices starting at around €100,000 (£84,143) and apartments generally starting at €10m.

Monaco also commonly features in "world's most expensive" rankings, such as a recent list detailing the city-state's position. The Costliest Metropolises Around The Globe by the investment migration company Henley & Partners.

If you have cash to splash, there’s no shortage of ways to do it in the principality. A three-night package at this weekend’s Grand Prix Could cost you anywhere from £5,600 (by staying at the Holiday Inn in Nice) to £16,500 at the four-star Fairmont Hotel.

However, not doing so doesn’t imply there’s some unseen obstacle at the border preventing your entry. If you reside close to Monaco and happen to be among the 26,000 individuals who commute into Monaco for work but live elsewhere, France I can assure you from personal experience that enjoying it doesn’t require a billionaire’s budget.

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There’s no charge for strolling through Mareterra. This is precisely what I am doing on this clear-skied spring day. I tread along a tree-shaded path lined with Mediterranean pines and bug lodgings that meanders softly towards the area’s heart. During my journey, I take pleasure in observing Quatre Lances , a massive sculpture created by Alexander Calder, which was particularly beloved by Prince Albert’s mother, Grace Kelly.

I puzzle over two peculiar draws: a shadowy chamber connected to the 12-meter deep saltwater-filled base of La Grotte Bleue (Blue Grotto), beneath where the neighborhood rests, and a vibrant meditation area adorned with pink and purple crystal formations.

Throughout the broader city-state, eight eateries collectively boast 13 Michelin stars, but at the opposite end of the spectrum, the situation differs considerably. Marché de la Condamine is the most extensively covered food hall along the French Riviera.

It's where I always head for lunch, accompanied by a serving of local gossip among the bustling shared tables. A useful hint is to follow the longest line, which often extends out the door for some freshly made pasta here. Maison des Pâtes (starting from €7.90/£6.70).

Another favourite is bite-sized barbajuans , a deep-fried pasta pocket stuffed with cheese and Swiss chard, which is regarded as Monaco's national dish. You can get one for approximately €1.40 (£1.20). A Roca .

When tallying up your change, lunch stands out as the highlight of the day in Monaco. There’s an abundance of upscale eateries, such as the stylish ones. Beefbar In the charming harbor area of Fontvieille, they provide fixed-price meals during lunchtime if you're willing to indulge a bit—typically consisting of two dishes along with a glass of wine for approximately €30 (£25). This cost would barely pay for the entrée later in the day.

You can recover part of your expenses by enjoying a Monaco-made beer with the post-work crowd during Happy Hour (6-8 pm). Brasserie de Monaco , a microbrewery at Port Hercules, where a pint sets you back €4.50 (£3.80).

Monaco’s main attractions, including a tour of the Casino de Monte-Carlo (€19/£16), a glimpse of the recently-uncovered Renaissance frescos inside the staterooms of the Prince’s Palace of Monaco (€10/£8.40) and the excellent Oceanographic Museum (€22.50/£19), offer entry fees comparable to most big city destinations.

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However, how about enjoying some of the glamour from Monte Carlo without breaking the bank? Sipping on a distinctive "La Condamine" cocktail at Le Bar Americain, the atmospheric lounge bar nestled within the iconic establishment. Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo , will cost you €35 (£30). Nonetheless, you can purchase a whole bottle of the main component, L'Orangeraie, a tangy orange liqueur produced using bitter oranges gathered in Monaco, directly from the source. La Distillerie de Monaco , at approximately the same cost.

If money was no object, I'd splurge on a luxurious day at the Thermes Marins de Monaco (€240/£200) for a massage, pool entry, and lunch. However, it’s tough to say no to just €6 (£5) for renting a sunbed and an umbrella at the site. Stade Nautique Ranier III (entry £10/€12), an open-air, Olympic-size pool where locals learn to swim with the backdrop of mega yachts at Port Hercules.

I would also splurge on the seven-minute helicopter transfer from Nice Côte d’Azur airport to the principality with Blade (€195/£164), even though the seaside vistas during the train trip are among the finest globally, and for just €5.90 (£5), they come at an incredibly low price.

Sleeping is where spending power comes into sharp focus. Monaco has a ban on subletting, including Airbnb and just one two-star hotel, the Hôtel de France (doubles from €135/£114), while three-star hotels command what feel like four- or five-star rates.

But Monaco’s tiny size means that staying outside in places like pastel-pretty Menton, just a stone’s throw from the Italian border and around 10km north of the principality, is no hardship. The train is no longer than 20 minutes from the charming town along the French Riviera, where you can find many snug accommodations ranging from two to three stars, like the Hôtel Lemon (doubles from €100/£84).

The final money-saving suggestion I have is Carlo, a locally developed app from Monaco that provides you with a 5% cashback when shopping at affiliated stores. This includes many outlets and eateries within the principality. Download the app And pre-register your card information, so you can use it for payments whenever you like. See the total grow over time, but remember to spend it all before your departure.

Getting something at no cost in Monaco? Nothing beats that sensation.