Exploring Cheap Lunces and £3.80 Pints in the World's Most Expensive City: My Regular Malaysian Adventure

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 area, crafted by renowned architect Renzo Piano and heralded as Monaco’s inaugural eco-district due to its advanced environmental features, emerges from the Mediterranean Sea. It introduces two seaside homes, with one created by the acclaimed Italian designer Renzo Piano himself, along with several highly exclusive villas to enhance the skyline of the principality.

Mareterra is often regarded as the priciest real estate project globally, with costs beginning at approximately €100,000 (£84,143) per square meter and residences typically starting at €10 million.

More widely, Monaco makes frequent appearances on “world’s most expensive” lists, including a recent ranking of 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, if this isn't the case, it doesn't imply there's some unseen obstacle at the boundary stopping you from crossing over. Being situated just a stone's throw away from Monaco, and being among the 26,000 individuals who commute into Monaco for work while residing elsewhere, illustrates this point effectively. France I can assure you from personal experience that enjoying it doesn’t require a billionaire’s budget.

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For instance, exploring Mareterra comes at no charge. This is precisely what I am doing on this clear-skied spring day. I tread along a shady path lined with Mediterranean pines and bug lodgings that meanders softly towards the area's heart. During my journey, I find myself admiring Quatre Lances , a monumental sculpture by Alexander Calder, a favourite of Prince Albert’s mother Grace Kelly.

I scratch my head at two of the more unusual attractions, a dimly-lit room that opens onto the 12m-deep hollow, seawater filled foundations of La Grotte Bleue (Blue Grotto) over which the neighbourood sits, and a meditation space that pops with pink and purple crystals.

Throughout the larger city-state, eight eateries collectively boast 13 Michelin stars; however, at the opposite end of the spectrum, the situation stands as follows: 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 rumors shared among lively groups sitting at bustling community tables. A useful hint is to follow the longest line, which often extends out the door, typically indicating freshly made pasta availability. Maison des Pâtes (starting from €7.90/£6.70).

Another favourite is bite-sized barbajuans , a fried ravioli stuffed with cheese and Swiss chard that is regarded as Monaco’s national dish. These typically cost approximately €1.40 (£1.20) each. A Roca .

While tallying your coins, lunch stands out as the finest meal of the day in Monaco. There are numerous upscale eateries, such as the stylish ones, available here. 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 main dish in the evening.

You can recover part of your expenses by enjoying a locally brewed Monaco beer with colleagues during the post-work happy hour from 6 pm to 8 pm. Brasserie de Monaco , a microbrewery located at Port Hercules, where a pint is priced at €4.50 (£3.80).

The principal points of interest in Monaco, featuring 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), offers entrance fees similar to those of most major urban areas.

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However, how about enjoying some of the glamour of Monaco 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 an entire bottle of the main component, L'Orangeraie, a tangy orange liqueur produced using bitter oranges sourced from Monaco, directly from the source. La Distillerie de Monaco , at approximately the same cost.

If money was not an issue, I would reserve 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 sun lounger and an umbrella at the Stade Nautique Ranier III (Entry fee: €12/£10), an open-air, Olympic-size swimming pool where locals acquire their swimming skills amidst the backdrop of luxurious superyachts 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 sea vistas from the railway trip are among the finest globally, and for just €5.90 (£5), they come at an incredibly low price.

When it comes to expenses, sleeping arrangements really highlight financial capabilities. In Monaco, there’s a prohibition against subletting, which includes platforms like Airbnb, along with only having a single two-star hotel available. Hôtel de France (Double rooms starting at €135/£114) whereas three-star hotels charge prices typically associated with four-or five-star establishments.

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 takes no more than 20 minutes from the French Riviera town, which has a broad choice of cosy two- and three-star places to stay, such as the Hôtel Lemon (doubles from €100/£84).

My last money-saving tip is Carlo, a home-grown Monaco app that offers five percent cash back at participating merchants, including a significant proportion of shops and restaurants in the principality. Download the app And pre-register your card information, using this card for payments as needed. See the total grow over time, ensuring all funds are used up before your departure.

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