In anticipation of Christmas, Monaco dresses up in festive attire to be transported to a wonderful winter wonderland on the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. From luxury hotels to events in the city center and from the Place du Casino to Fontvieille, the elegance of the Principality meets New Year’s magic for the delight of children and adults. When the winter days get shorter and the night sky resembles an endless black curtain, life in Monaco takes on a special charm – you can rent a luxury car in Monaco to make this experience even more unique. This is the best time of year to rejuvenate and take in the views from the terrace of your hotel room, enjoy a gourmet meal in a prestigious restaurant, or take a stroll and admire the surroundings.
Let’s start with the city illumination, which usually starts working around November 22. As an exception in the year of the World Expo, the first Christmas lights were switched on at the Monaco 360° mini-pavilion located on Quai Albert Ier. This ceremony invariably began in past years at the foot of the main Christmas tree on the Place d’Armes.
The magical fairy tale continues in the Christmas village of Port Hercule. The unique atmosphere of the Canadian Far North will reign in the port of Hercule until the beginning of January. The program includes walks between rows of wooden chalets, panoramic views from the Ferris wheel, children’s entertaining activities, and an open-air ice skating rink.
In the center of the Principality, around Place du Casino, another Christmas market has appeared, which will delight shoppers and fans of luxury brands until mid-January. The Christmas Promenade Monte-Carlo Shopping has a Winter Fantasy atmosphere! Once on the Avenue de Monte-Carlo, stop by the Gourmet Chalet to sample signature dishes from Michelin-starred chefs or visit one of the many designer boutiques to shop the winter collections.
Monaco’s streets seem to be trying to outdo each other with the wealth of Christmas decorations. The gigantic fir tree at the Place du Casino sparkles with thousands of lights, surrounded by brightly lit igloos that defy the cold.
The hotels of the Principality also invite you to be transported to your own Christmas fairy tale for every taste: the luxurious, cozy interiors of the Hermitage Monte-Carlo Hotel with its majestic fir trees, the atmosphere of the sea coast at the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort with magical decorations and the enchanting decoration of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo Carlo with exclusive elements – mention the spruce from Chopard. Monaco celebrates the holidays in all its splendor!
A few steps away, the Métropole Monte-Carlo Hotel offers its version of Sweet Christmas, in which tradition, fantasy, and gastronomic delights are intricately mixed. The hotel enchants guests at first sight, from the starry scattering over the alley leading to the lobby to the cozy atmosphere inside. You find yourself in a magical land where a spreading spruce tree, hung with delicacies and sparkling with multicolored lights, rises in pride of place. Sitting comfortably on the suite’s terrace, you can endlessly admire the play of light, from the azure tones of the Mediterranean Sea to the red and golden shades of the Place du Casino below.
Fairmont Monte-Carlo offers children and adults who stay here at this best time of year a world full of myths and legends. The hotel, located at the famous corner of the Formula 1 race track, will tell its guests the wonderful story of the Nutcracker. Santa Claus placed funny wooden soldiers everywhere who hid many secrets this year. It is said that when the clock strikes midnight in the Principality, the Nutcracker and his friends come to life… and entertainment and incredible adventures involving fairy-tale characters begin!
The Tavolo restaurant offers guests of the Hotel Columbus Monte-Carlo exclusive New Year’s menus for true gourmets. The Méridien Beach Plaza Hotel knows how to surprise: it has prepared a “Holiday” Advent calendar with many surprises!
Are you going to celebrate the New Year holidays together, with your whole family or with friends? Monaco invites you to a Christmas fairy tale that only comes true here…
