Monaco is renowned as a sun-drenched playground of the rich and beautiful with countless celebrities flocking to the exclusive watering hole of Monte Carlo.

What few people realise though is that it is possible to experience Monaco on a budget; the principality is not only home to exclusive hotels - in La Condamine harbour there are reasonably-priced rooms to be had as well.

In the early hours of the morning, the Mediterranean glitters in the sun as one of the few fishing boats based here chugs out of Fontvieille Bay.

Monaco's youngest district is laid out entirely on territory reclaimed from the sea as there simply wasn't enough space on land to build it.

Find out more about budget hotels in Monte Carlo at smh.com.au.