In many beautiful places, there is plenty of space but no moorings. In Monaco, it's exactly the opposite - more than half of the entire coastline is made up of harbours, more or less.
Just three kilometres of coastline
However, it should be noted that the time-honoured principality measures just three kilometres from one land border to the other (both with France) along the Mediterranean. If you subtract the Plage du Larvotto from this - there has to be a beach after all - this still leaves room for two former natural harbours protected by piers. Even if they have long since been built around as closely as the manageable area of Monegasque territory would suggest.
Port Hercule: Happiness has its price
This narrowness is further emphasised by the fact that the land rises steeply away from the water. Like the tiers of an amphitheatre, the rows of light-coloured facades rise dramatically up the slopes. But this is precisely what creates the spectacular panorama that Monaco offers from the sea - and from Port Hercule, the marina at the foot of this splendour.
Getting a place here requires luck, among other things. And even that has its price. But in this situation, who wouldn't understand that slightly different rules apply?
Even more top marinas:
- Pure Caribbean: Port de Gustavia on St Barth
- Retreat: Marina di Porto Cervo in Sardinia
Christian Tiedt
Editor Travel
