The Principality of Monaco is a city-state that has always been synonymous with luxury and beauty. Monte Carlo is one of the city's central districts, home to luxury shops, museums and the famous casino. If you have decided to spend some time in this state bordering France and speaking a Ligurian dialect, you will not be disappointed: even just the view of the coast is worth the trip. Even though the district is relatively small, there are plenty of things to see!
So let's find out what to see in Monte Carlo, the best attractions and things to do!
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10 Things to see in Monaco
1 - Monte Carlo Casino
Framed by the Carré d'Or and the Gallerie des Allées Lumieres, the luxury shopping quadrangle and gallery, and fronted by a huge fountain, the Casino is without a doubt the symbol of Monte Carlo. It is housed in a marvellous chic Beaux-Arts style building, which also houses a theatre with ballet and incredible shows.
Thanks to the income from this world-famous gambling hall, the Principality of Monaco can keep taxes so low that it is considered a tax haven. However, access to the gaming rooms is forbidden to Monegasques. Even if you are not a gambler, you can enter to visit the halls, a riot of marble, gold and sculptures, designed by the same architect who designed the Paris Opera.
Beware of the rules for the visit: the entrance is forbidden to those under 18 years of age and at the entrance all the necessary checks will be made, you will also be asked for a photo ID, preferably a passport or an electronic identity card valid for foreign travel.
How to get there: at Place du Casino, opposite is the wonderful Casino Garden. Easily accessible on foot from Monaco-Monte Carlo Station (900 m, 11 min). Near the Parking du Casino - Get directions
Openinghours: visits from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., games rooms from 2 p.m. until the last game table closes. For the Covid emergency, hours are limited from 12:00 to 21:30
Ticket price: for info and activities see official website
2 - Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo
Photo by Robin. The Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo is part of the large Casino complex and is a miniature copy of the famous Paris Opera House. Stuccoes, gold decorations, lights and a breathtaking stained glass window overlooking the blue Mediterranean: a true representation of the Belle Epoque, whose supporting beams were designed by Gustave Eiffel, the engineer who became famous for building the iconic Eiffel Tower.
This theatre has always hosted top international artists and has also been the stage for some premieres. Today, it is home to Les Ballets de Monte-Carlo and the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra. Unfortunately, the interior cannot be visited unless you attend a performance.
How to get there: at Place du Casino, inside the Casino complex and opposite is the beautiful Casino Garden. Easily accessible on foot from Monaco-Monte Carlo Station (900 m, 11 min). Near the Parking du Casino - Get directions
Timetable: depending on shows and premieres, see official website
Ticket price: depending on performances and premieres, see official website
3 - Casino Gardens
Photo by Piponwa. If you arrive in Munich by train or if you leave your car in the Parking du Casino underground car park, before arriving at the Theatre and Casino you will pass through some beautiful gardens, the Casino Gardens or Casinò Garden. From here you will have a beautiful view of the buildings described above and it is the right place to take a postcard photo!
It is a beautiful place where flower beds and ponds alternate in an elegant style that gives peace and tranquillity. You can also admire the little fish swimming peacefully in the ponds and look out onto terraces decorated with modern sculptures. The ideal place to take a refined rest during your visit to the city!
The gardens are located in Allées des Boulingrins. Within easy walking distance of the Casino de Monte Carlo (180 m, 3 min) and the Monaco-Monte Carlo railway station (800 m, 10 min). Near the Parking du Casino - Get directions
Treat yourself to some shopping in the best luxury boutiques: as you cross the gardens, on one side you will see a street made up only of shops of the world's most famous brands. Prague, Dior, Bulgari, Cartier, Balenciaga, Louis Vuitton to name but a few.
4 - Old Town
The Old Town of Monaco, or Monaco-Ville, stretches out at the foot of La Rocher and is an almost entirely pedestrianised route full of views and history. Very well-kept and elegant, it has narrow streets full of small shops and bakeries with very inviting shop windows.
If you decide to stroll through the old town, don't forget to pass by Place Sant Nicolas, admire the Chapel of Mercy and walk through the Condamine area, where the herb market always takes place in the morning. From there you can go down to Port Hercule or visit the Moneghetti quarter, a riot of historic villas, greenery and playgrounds.
Old Monaco develops around Port Hercule and includes important attractions such as the Cathedral, the Oceanographic Museum and the Princes' Palace. It's an easy walk from Monaco-Monte Carlo Station (1 km, 10 min) - get directions
Admire the view from Vue Panoramique sur Monaco: while strolling through the narrow streets of the old town, don't miss this wonderful panoramic terrace! From here you can enjoy a wonderful view over the city and the harbour. The perfect spot to take a postcard photo!
5 - Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
Photo by Joseolgon. Located in the streets of Old Monaco and consecrated in 1911, the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, more simply called Cathédrale de Monaco, is a white marble jewel built in neo-Romanesque style and located right in the centre of the Principality.
Inside are important treasures, such as the St. Nicholas Altarpiece dating back to 1500, the Triptych of St. Devote and a large, recently restored organ. But that's not all: it houses the tombs of Prince Rainier III of Monaco and Grace Kelly, located to the left of the presbytery.
Witness the performance of the Little Singers: if you are a believer, we recommend that you attend the Holy Mass celebrated every Sunday morning at 10 a.m., sung by the Little Singers of Monaco.
How to get there: 4 Rue Colonel Bellando de Castro, in the old town. Within easy walking distance of the Princes' Palace (240 m, 3 min) and the Oceanographic Museum (400 m, 5 min) - Get directions
Hours: daily 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Tours are restricted during the celebration of Holy Mass and religious festivities
Ticket price: free
6 - Oceanographic Museum
Photo by Stanimir Stoyanov. Inaugurated in 1910, the Oceanographic Museum, full name Musée Océanographique de Monaco, was founded at the behest of Prince Albert I, navigator and oceanographer, who wanted to pass on his passion to as many people as possible.
The museum offers 6,500 m2 of space with over 6,000 marine species: a real attraction for children and adults alike! You can admire sharks, turtles, fish from the Mediterranean and the tropics and much more. Since 1989, a living coral reef has developed inside the aquarium. In addition to the tanks, the museum houses a collection of instruments that tell the story of the birth of oceanography.
As one of Monte Carlo's main attractions, it is recommended to book a priority admission ticket in advance.
Stroll through the Jardins de Saint-Martin: after your visit to the museum, be sure to take a stroll through the beautiful Jardins de Saint-Martin, located right next door, from where you can admire a splendid view of the museum itself and the sea. One of the best times is definitely at sunset.
How to get there: on Avenue Saint-Martin, in the old town. Within easy walking distance of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (400 m, 5 min) and Port Hercule (1.3 km, 15 min) - Get directions
Hours: October to March 10am-6pm, April to June and September 10am-7pm, July and August 9:30am-8pm
Ticket price: full price €16.00, concessions €10.00
7 - Palace of the Princes of Monaco
Photo by Niels Mickers. Absolutely unmissable on a visit to Monte Carlo is Le Palais des Princes de Monaco, or the Princes' Palace! Located along La Rocher in the city centre, it overlooks the sea from above, offering a unique panorama of the coastline. It is the 13th-century residence of the Prince of Monaco, now open to the public seasonally.
The entrance has a double Carrara marble staircase and the visit will take you through a series of rooms that tell the story of the Principality, including the State Apartments, the gold and yellow Louis XV Salon, the multicoloured woodwork of the Mazarin Salon, the precious brocades decorating the Blue Room and the Empire-style Throne Room. All along the way you can also admire numerous frescoes, portraits and valuable furniture from the 1700s.
Witness the Changing of the Guard: just like in London, Monaco also has its own Changing of the Guard ritual, which takes place every day at 11.15 a.m. in the courtyard of the Palais on the Place du Palais.
How to get there: on the Place du Palais, in the old town. Easily accessible on foot from the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception (240 m, 3 min) and from Monaco-Monte Carlo Station (1 km, 10 min) - Get directions
Hours: visits only from April to October 10am-6pm, July and August until 7pm
Ticket price: full price €10.00, concessions €5.00
8 - Japanese Garden
The Japanese Garden, full name Jardin Japonais de Monaco, is a Japanese-style communal garden that will transport you to the pure Japanese atmosphere. A perfect harmony ta forms and elements of nature, where water is the dominant thought, decorated with red bridges and water lilies, in full Zen style: a place of peace in which to regenerate.
The garden, which is located right on the coast with a wonderful view of the sea, was created in 1994 at the behest of Prince Rainier III and the work was commissioned to the landscape architect Yasuo Beppu, who also won the Grand Prix of the Osaka Flower Show in 1990. The garden was indeed built according to the strongest principles of Zen philosophy, and you will realise it as soon as you set foot in it!
How to get there: 5 Av. Princesse Grace. Within easy walking distance of The Champions Promenade (350 m, 4 min) and the Monte Carlo Casino (700 m, 10 min) - Get directions
Hours: daily 9:00-17:45, in summer fion 18:45
Ticket price: free
9 - Exotic Garden
Photo by kajikawa. Another wonderful garden to discover is the Jardin Exotique de Monaco, located in the heart of Monaco, a stone's throw from the harbour, and open since 1933. This garden contains a wide variety of plants from all over the world, flowering throughout the year. Among the species on display are agaves and cacti from Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, Mexico, the USA and South America.
But this is not the only attraction of the garden: with the help of experienced speleologists, you can visit a limestone cave reaching up to 100 metres above sea level, rich in cavities, stalactites and stalagmites. The artefacts found in the cave can be viewed at the Museum of Prehistory, which is included in the visit.
Visit it also just for the view: thanks to its marvellous location on a hill, you can enjoy a wonderful view of the sea as you stroll among the plants, thus taking really wonderful photos!
How to get there: at 62 Boulevard du Jardin Exotique, in the city centre. Within easy walking distance of the Villa Paloma Museum (160 m, 2 min) and the Princes' Palace (1.1 km, 15 min) - Get directions
Hours: November to January 9am to 5pm, February to April and October 9am to 6pm, May to September 9am to 7pm
Ticket price: Full €7.40, concessions €3.90. Includes Exotic Garden, temporary exhibitions, Observatory Cave and Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology
10 - New Munich National Museum
Let's talk museums again, this time to discover the New National Museum of Monaco, which houses impressive works of contemporary art in a series of exhibitions, permanent collections and events related to the Principality's cultural heritage.
The museum is divided into two extraordinary locations. The first one is Villa Sauber, one of the last Belle Epoque villas in Monaco, where today you can visit exhibitions and shows dedicated mainly to Art and Entertainment. The second location is Villa Paloma, located on the other side of Monaco from Villa Sauber, near the Exotic Garden, and due to its elevated position it offers a splendid view of the sea and the city. Inside you can visit exhibitions and shows dedicated to Art and the Territory.
How to get there: Villa Sauber at 17 Av. Princesse Grace. Easily accessible from the Japanese Garden (220 m, 3 min) - Get directions / Villa Paloma at 56 Boulevard du Jardin Exotique. Easily accessible on foot from the Exotic Garden (160 m, 2 min) - Get directions
Hours: Villa Paloma daily 10am-6pm / Villa Sauber depending on temporary exhibitions, see official website
Ticket price: full price €6.00, reduced €4.00. Includes entrance to both museums
Other attractions, activities and excursions in the surrounding area
Let us dwell for a moment on the museums. The first one that definitely deserves a mention is the Prince's Vintage Car Collection, a car museum located opposite the residence of the monarchs of Monaco that collects all the cars belonging to the royal family. Other interesting museums are the Monaco Naval Museum (€4.00) and the Museum of Stamps and Coins (€3.00). And in between, we recommend a stroll through the Jardin de l'Unesco (free), lush and elegant gardens with sculptures and fountains. Finally, next to the Cathedral is the Museum of Old Monaco (free, only open from June to September). If you're travelling with children, don't miss the small but well-kept Jardin Animalier de Monaco (€6.00), the animal garden commissioned by Prince Rainier III.
What to do in Monaco
Coffee break at the iconic Café de Paris
Stroll along the Promenade
Find the stars on The Champions Promenade
Watch the sunset from the Théâtre du Fort Antoine
Lunch with a sea view at La Note Bleue
Relaxing at Plage Marquet
Reach La Tête De Chien
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Attending the Grand Prix: the Grand Prix de Monaco is the most exclusive race in motor racing. It has now become a true social event, held every year since 1929 in May
Coffee break at the iconic Café de Paris: perhaps the most famous café in Monte Carlo, located on the Place du Casino! Obviously higher than average prices, but the experience is definitely worth it
Stroll along the Promenade: take a stroll along the characteristic Avenue d'Ostende, or Promenade, perhaps at sunset, one of the most evocative moments. On one side you will have the sea and the marina, on the other beautiful historical buildings
Find the stars on The Champions Promenade: this is not the Walk of Fame in Cannes or Hollywood, here you will find the footprints of the world's most famous footballers! So go in search of the names on this street
Watch thesunset from the Théâtre du Fort Antoine: this open-air theatre is the best place from which to admire the sunset over the sea and the city! Also, in summer, the small arena becomes the stage for numerous concerts and events
Lunch with a sea view at La Note Bleue: good food, a sea view and a wonderful atmosphere, these are the winning features of this wonderful restaurant with a sea view! Also ideal for an aperitif
Relax at Plage Marquet: small sandy beach from which you can admire the town. It is not equipped and in high season very crowded, but ideal for a few hours of relaxation in the sun.
Reach La Tête De Chien: this is the top of the mountain overlooking Monte Carlo and the Principality of Monaco, from where you have a wonderful view of the sea and the city itself! To do when it is not too hot
What to see nearby
The Principality of Monaco is just a stone's throw away from the beautiful Cote d'Azur, so there are a number of wonderful towns and places to visit around Monaco. Here are some of them.
Nice: The capital of the Alpes-Maritimes department, nestled on a long pebble beach, is considered the capital of the Côte d'Azur and is best visited on an organised tour. It is 19.2 km away.
Cannes: famous for its International Film Festival and its luxury boutiques on Boulevard de la Croisette. Opposite the city is the beautiful St Marguerite Island, which can be reached by ferry. Cannes is 49 km away.
Capo d'Aglio: perfect for a trip to the sea and long, green walks, with the scent of aromatic Mediterranean herbs. It is 3.2 km away.
La Turbie: a small village set in the rock, just above Monte Carlo, criss-crossed by medieval cobblestone alleyways. It is 3.4 km away.
Eze: a village of medieval origins at 429 metres above sea level. In the past, it bewitched even the philosopher Nietzsche, who was enchanted by its sunny, flower-filled alleyways. It is 8 km away.
Roquebrune-Cap Martin: the old medieval village of Roquebrune-Cap Martin overlooks the sea and is characterised by its colourful alleyways and vaulted passageways. It is 5.4 km away.
Cagnes sur Mer: beautiful Provence town not too far from Monte Carlo where Renoir lived the last 12 years of his life. It is 30 km away.
Saint Paul de Vence: a romantic, medieval village perched on a mountain, characterised by cobbled alleyways, ancient walls, pretty little squares, numerous craft workshops and ateliers of artists who decided to live here. It is 34.7 km away
Menton:'the city of lemons', famous not only for its lemon festival in February, but also for its numerous tropical gardens and its long seaside promenade that runs alongside the beach. It is 8.4 km away.
What to see in a day
Monte Carlo is a perfect destination to visit in a day. With less than 24 hours you can explore the old town, stroll along the main streets and admire the iconic gardens. Here's how to organise the various stops.
10:00 - Place du Casino, Casino and Grand Théâtre and waterfront promenade
11:00 - Visit to the Jardin Japonais de Monaco and stroll along the Champions Promenade
15:00 - Jardin Exotique de Monaco
17:00 - Old Town, Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception and Palais des Princes de Monaco
19:00 - Sunset at the Théâtre du Fort Antoine
What to see in 3 days
With three days at your disposal, you will have plenty of time to immerse yourself in the good life of Monte Carlo. The first day is obviously dedicated to discovering the centre and the main streets, the second day you can visit some interesting museums, and the third day you can discover the magic of the nearby Côte d'Azur. Here are the details of the itinerary.
Day 1: Place du Casino, Jardin Japonais de Monaco, Jardin Exotique de Monaco, Old Town, Théâtre du Fort Antoine
Day 2: Oceanographic Museum, Prince's Car Collection, Afternoon shopping and relaxation, Evening at the Casino
Day 3: Excursion to the French Riviera
Plan your stay in Monte Carlo: tips, flights and hotels
Monte Carlo is easily reached by car from north-west Italy (from Genoa 182 km, 2 h 20 min; from Turin 267 km, 3 h 20; from Milan 305 km, 4 h). Alternatively, you can fly into Nice(compare flights), then travel overland to your destination by direct train (Nice-Ville Station to Monaco-Monte Carlo Station, 25 min, €3.50 each way).
For accommodation, we recommend staying in the city if you're on a high budget(compare accommodation on booking), otherwise if you're self-catering you'll prefer nearby towns, staying in Nice can also be a good option. Monte Carlo is indeed an expensive destination, with a very high cost of living! It is small, so it is easy to get around on foot. The nightlife is concentrated in the Casino area.
