Fontvieille harbour to Cap-d'Ail by the sea: a walk in Monaco

From the quiet side of the Rock through Fontvieille's harbour and across the French border on the coastal path to a swimming cove in Cap-d'Ail.

Best time: Morning, with swimming at Plage Mala; avoid in rough seas

The route, stop by stop

1
Jardin Animalier (Monaco zoo)
Small zoo on Place du Canton; 30 min optional.
Prince Rainier III's small zoo, founded in 1954 on Place du Canton at the foot of the Rock; an inexpensive hour for families.
2
Museum of Stamps and Coins
Short rainy-day stop; 30 min optional.
A small, quiet museum of Monaco's postage stamps and coins: a rainy-day stop for the story of a tiny country issuing its own stamps and money.
3
Port de Fontvieille
Harbour walk; lunch deals at Graziella or Beefbar; 45 min.
Monaco's second, quieter harbour under the Rock's south face: 275 boats, restaurants where residents eat, and none of Port Hercule's crowds.
4
Les Perles de Monte-Carlo
Oysters at the shellfish farm's counter (call ahead); 30 min.
A no-frills tasting counter on the working quay of Fontvieille harbour, among tanks and ropes: Monaco-farmed oysters, clams, prawns and sea bream straight from the source.
5
Fontvieille to Cap-d'Ail coastal path and Plage Mala
3.6 km seaside path from Plage Marquet; swim at Plage Mala; 90 min.
Just across the French border, a 3.6 km seaside path runs from Fontvieille past villas and rocks to Plage Mala, a small cove for a swim away from Monaco's crowds. It is in…