29 Best Things To Do In Monaco

1. See the collections at Musée Océanographique de Monaco

Musée Océanographique de Monaco (Oceanographic Museum) is a must-visit for people who are into marine life. It is situated on a cliff and parallel to the majestic Mediterranean Sea. This one-of-a-kind museum features 6,000 species in aquariums, offering you the chance to see rare aquatic life such as piranhas, different types of seahorses, octopuses, and jellyfish. It has different exhibitions for various sea life. You can catch a glimpse of glowing corals, sharks, or a tortoise with scales. It also has a museum where you can learn oceanography and look at various skeletons of marine mammals. This space is also devoted to fossils, aged diving gears, and valuable books. The museum was founded by Prince Albert I, the current Prince’s great-great-grandfather.

Musée Océanographique De Monaco

Address: Avenue Saint-Martin, 98000 Monaco

Website: Musée Océanographique De Monaco

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm daily)

Price: 7 EUR (8.40 USD) - 16 EUR (19.21 USD)

2. Enjoy a swim at Larvotto Beach

Head to Larvotto Beach for crystal clear waters, white pebbles, and a lively yet relaxing atmosphere. Despite being set in a city, the beach is kept clean thanks to the authorities and locals. It is ready to welcome people of all ages who want to bathe or get a tan. It is jam-packed with beachgoers, especially in July and August, which is the height of summer, so you should plan your trip well. Surrounding restaurants are ready to serve you delicious local and international food. There are also lounges that offer water activities such as jet-ski and scuba diving.

Larvotto Beach

Address: Monte-Carlo 98000

Opening hours: 7am - 8pm (daily)

3. Discover the beauty of Nouveau Musee National de Monaco

Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account

Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (NMNM) allows tourists to look at Monaco’s heritage and contemporary arts. It comprises Villa Paloma and Villa Sauber, which cater to more than 10,000 artworks dated in the 19th and 21st centuries. These two buildings are in different locations and both offer diverse collections composed of performing arts, representations of the human body, landscapes, and nature. Other collections that can be found in these two buildings include sculptures, drawings, paintings, ceramics, optical views, and etchings from famous French-Monacan artists like François-Joseph and Jean-François Bosio. There are scheduled exhibitions of these villas daily. As of the moment, Villa Paloma is having an exhibition called “SHIMABUKU, The 165-meter Mermaid and Other Stories” until October 3, 2021. This exhibition features an artist’s adventures around the world. Meanwhile, Villa Sauber displays “Marginalia. Inside the Comics Art Collections” until September 5, 2021. This exhibit explores and presents the art of comic books.

Nouveau Musee National de Monaco

Address: Villa Paloma: 56, boulevard du Jardin Exotique; Villa Sauber: 17, avenue Princesse Grace

Website: Nouveau Musee National de Monaco

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)

Price: 6 EUR (7.20 USD)

4. Enjoy a stroll along Monaco Harbor

When in Monaco, don’t miss out on the chance to take a glimpse of luxurious yachts docked in the Monaco harbor, also known as Port Hercules or Port of Hercule in French. It is the only deep-water port in Monaco and one of the most modern ports in the Mediterranean. With its large space, more than 700 luxury vessels such as yachts and ships can dock here for maintenance, technical service, resupplying of water, food, and fuel, or for a stopover. The yachts docked here usually participate in the annual Monaco Yacht Show. There are two big parking lots in the port if you decide to visit by car.

Monaco Harbor (Port Hercule)

Address: 6 Quai Antoine 1er. Monaco 98011

5. Relax at Quai Jean Charles Rey

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Quai Jean Charles Rey is a busy spot with a scenic view of Port Fontvieille. This is the perfect place if you want to have a drink or a meal while catching the sunset. Here, you will find numerous bars and restaurants such as Le Michelangelo Monaco, Ship and Castle, La Salieri, and Moshi Moshi, to name a few. Whether you want Italian, Japanese, or Mediterranean food, there is something for you. You can also rent a boat in aliceBoat, where you can get a chance to watch dolphins while having complimentary drinks and snacks on the Monaco waves.

6. Explore Palais Princier de Monaco

Monaco is a sovereign city-state led by Prince Albert II, whose traditional residence is Palais Princier de Monaco. It was a former fortress constructed in 119, then became a resident in the late 13th century. The Palace has a museum displaying historical artifacts and documents related to European history, antique car collections of Prince Rainier III, and even a zoological garden. See the 16th-century frescoes in the State Apartments and the throne, decorated with red velvet canopy and topped with the crown.

Palais Princier de Monaco

Website: Palais Princier de Monaco

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)

Price: 4 EUR (4.80 USD) - 8 EUR (9.61 USD)

7. Catch a show at Opéra de Monte-Carlo

Opened in 1879, Opéra de Monte-Carlo was created as part of Casino de Monte-Carlo. It used to be a private theatre commissioned by Charles III. Since its opening, it witnessed notable theatrical performances, including the world premiere of “Don Quichotte” by Jules Massenet in 1910. Even without a show, the opera will amaze its visitors. Marvel at its architecture, which is designed in a Beaux-Arts style by Charles Garnier. The hanging chandeliers are exquisite, giving the visitors a taste of royalty once they set foot inside. Plus, it can seat up to 524 persons. It is the venue for the annual Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival where contemporary musicians perform.

Opéra de Monte-Carlo

Address: Place du Casino, 98000 Monaco

Website: Opéra de Monte-Carlo

8. Stroll around Les Jardins Saint-Martin

Between Oceanographic Museum and Monaco Cathedral is a garden on a cliff - Les Jardins Saint-Martin. Built in 1816, this Mediterranean garden has a variety of trees and plants such as pine forests, holm oaks, myrtles, pistachio trees, and more. It also has cactuses and flowers growing on the lawns. There are many benches to sit in that allow you to look at beautiful sceneries, making it the right place if you want to get out of the crowd. There are also sculptures here you can marvel at, including the bronze statue of Prince Albert I created by Francois Cogne.

Les Jardins Saint-Martin

Address: Avenue Saint-Martin, 98000 Monaco

Website: Les Jardins Saint-Martin

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

9. Admire the fabulous Princess Grace Rose Garden

This memorial garden is a tribute to Princess Grace by her husband, Prince Rainier III. It eventually turned into a municipal park in 2014 and comes with over 4,000 unique varieties of roses. The actress-turned-princess is known for her love of plants and flowers, evidently shown in her book “My Book About Flowers” in 1980, and her commemorated statue stands at the heart of the garden. This is the best place to unwind since there are herbs and other plants that add to the fragrance of the surroundings.

Princess Grace Rose Garden

Website: Princess Grace Rose Garden

Opening hours: 6am - 7pm (daily)

10. Marvel at the car collection at La Collection de Voitures de S.A.S. le Prince de Monaco

This collection of Prince Rainier III, which began in the late 1950s, started out in the Palace garage. Then in 1993, the Prince decided to open it to the public, showcasing different antique cars, royal carriages, and even F1 racing cars. Some famous brands of cars you’ll find here include 1928 Lincoln Continental, 1924 model T Ford, 1953 Cadillac, a 2013 Lotus F1 via Hispano Suiza, Rolls Royce, Ferrari, Maserati, and the infamous Lexus used in the 2011 wedding.

La Collection de Voitures de SAS le Prince de Monaco

Address: Place du Palais, Monaco-Ville 98015 Monaco

Website: La Collection de Voitures de SAS le Prince de Monaco

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)

Price: 4 EUR (4.80 USD) - 8 EUR (9.61 USD)

11. Try your luck at Casino de Monte-Carlo

Are you a fan of the James Bond series? Do you want to know what it feels to live like a millionaire? Do you want to try your luck at a top-notch casino? If your answer is yes to any of these questions, then don’t miss out on Casino de Monte-Carlo. Aside from being the location for Bond’s Never Say Never Again and EagleEye, it also offers thousands of slot machines and gaming tables with a staggering 1 million EUR (1.20 million USD) at stake for the jackpot. Before you go here, make sure you are at the legal age of 18, wearing presentable clothes, and that you have your ID with you. A little trivia about Monaco’s casinos: locals cannot play a game or even visit the casino. Everything the casino has to offer is exclusive for tourists only.

Casino Monte-Carlo

Address: Place du Casino, Monte-Carlo 98000, Monaco

Website: Casino de Monte-Carlo

Opening hours: 2pm - 8:30pm (daily)

12. Go on a leisure walk around Casino Square

If you prefer a more laid-back activity while still being surrounded by Monaco’s casinos and vibrant nightlife, you can just walk around Place du Casino (Casino Square). You can stay outside and go sightseeing or even spot celebrities entering Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo. Surrounded by ornate buildings, this park area also offers lots of eateries. Eat on the cozy terrace of Café de Paris or try Meditteranean dishes at Le Grill. You can even go on a bus or helicopter tour.

13. Catch a thrilling race at Formula One Monaco Grand Prix

Aside from Casino de Monte-Carlo, this country is known for being home to the most-watched race in the world, the Monaco Grand Prix. The country produced popular and homegrown F1 racers such as Nico Rosberg and Felipe Massa. If you happen to be in Monaco around the end of May, you will witness some of the world’s fastest racers such as Lewis Hamilton, Max Verstappen, and Charles Leclerc. See some of the best racers battle it out in the historic districts of Monaco. While most celebrities and rich people arrive at the event in yachts and boats, there are temporary grandstands around the circuit area where visitors and locals can cheer on the racers.

Formula One Monaco Grand Prix

Website: Formula One Monaco Grand Prix

Takes place: May 20 - 23

Price: 100 EUR (120 USD) - 1,000 EUR (1,201 USD)

14. Tour Musée naval de Monaco

Founded in 1993, Monaco Naval Museum (Musée naval de Monaco) showcases more than 250 naval ships, paintings, and maritime artifacts. This museum was conceptualized by a sea and boat enthusiast named Professor Claude Pallanca, who had collected those items during his tenure as a dental surgeon in the military. Eventually, the collection accumulated more than 1,200 scale models and navy-related objects. The museum has a wide variety of historic vessels such as Spanish galleons, Viking longboats, and World War II submarines and torpedoes. The museum also displays perfect replicas of the iconic Titanic and France.

Musée naval de Monaco

Address: Terrasses de Fontvieille, niveau 2, Avenue Albert II, 98000 Monaco

Website: Musée naval de Monaco

Opening hours: 10am - 6pm (daily)

Price: 2.50 EUR (3 USD) - 5 EUR (6 USD)

15. Wander around Jardin Exotique de Monaco

Jardin Exotique de Monaco, which means “exotic garden of Monaco,” is a large garden with a collection of succulents from various countries such as Mexico, Central and South America, and South and East Africa, to name a few. Since its collection of plants are from dry locations, the garden caters to numerous succulents, cactuses, and agaves. These plants grow extravagantly and produce flowers depending on their climate in their country of origin. Below the garden is the Observation Cave, which has stalagmites, stalactites, draperies, and columns. There will be specialists who will guide tourists upon visiting.

Jardin Exotique de Monaco

Address: 62 Bd du Jardin Exotique, La Condamine 98000 Monaco

Website: Jardin Exotique de Monaco

Opening hours: 9am - 7pm (daily)

Price: 3.80 EUR (4.60 USD) - 7.20 EUR (8.60 USD)

16. Shop at Avenue de Monte-Carlo

Monaco is synonymous with luxury. Feel like a celebrity when you drop by Monte-Carlo Avenue, which is a street filled with luxury boutiques selling clothing, bags, jewelry, and accessories. You will find stores like Prada, Gucci, Hermès, and Valentino here. After you shop, you can dine in L'Hirondelle, a restaurant with a beautiful sea-view terrace where you can eat Mediterranean cuisine.

Avenue de Monte-Carlo

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

17. Pay a visit to Cathédrale de Monaco

Monaco Cathedral, also known as Cathédrale de Monaco, Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate, and Saint Nicholas Cathedral, is a special cathedral where many notable people of the Grimaldi dynasty were buried, including Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III. The cathedral itself is an enchanting place with Roman-Byzantine style architecture. Built in 1875, it is Monaco’s symbol of faith and dedication to St. Nicholas. The structure displays elegant white stones from La Turbie, a French village close to Monaco. Its grandiose high altar is still being used for mass, and two ancient organs made in the 1970s still continue to accompany the choir.

Cathédrale de Monaco

Address: 4 Rue Colonel Bellando de Castro, 98000 Monaco

Website: Cathédrale de Monaco

Opening hours: 9am - 6pm (daily)

18. Visit the traditional Le Jardin Japonais

If you want to experience peace and tranquility, head on over to Le Jardin Japonais. Le Jardin Japonais, which simply translates to Japanese Garden, is a creation of Japanese landscape architect Yasuo Beppu, who won the Osaka Flower Show in 1990. Yasuo Beppu created this garden with Japanese traditional design, including stone lanterns and bamboo hedges, with Mediterranean plants such as pines and olive trees. There is also a pavilion where you can look at koi fish swimming among water lilies and lotuses. Take a break from the active and lively atmosphere in Monaco and retreat to this paradise.

Le Jardin Japonais

Address: 5 Avenue Princesse Grace, Monte-Carlo 98000 Monaco

Website: Le Jardin Japonais

Opening hours: 9am - 6:45pm (daily)

19. Explore the stunning Old Town

Old Town in Monaco-Ville, one of the districts in Monaco, is a picturesque area that still has its old-town charm complete with medieval lanes. This is where you’ll find popular and historic attractions such as Musée Océanographique, Monaco Cathedral, Palais Princier de Monaco, and Les Jardins Saint-Martin and the old remnants of colorful houses and the narrow streets. Various staircases lead to certain places of interest. The efforts of the Monaco government preserved the rustic walls of the town. Since it is sitting on a rock, it is a vantage point to admire the Mediterranean sea.

20. Enjoy nature at Fontvieille Park

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Across Princess Grace Graden is Fontvieille Park. If you want to be surrounded by nature, take a stroll around this famous municipal park that showcases different Mediterranean trees such as cypress, olives, and pines. Some exotic plants such as Strelitzias, Stenocarpus, and Araucarias are also found here. You might even catch sight of ducks, geese, and carps in its lake. This large green space is a famous spot where locals and tourists can relax.

Fontvieille Park

Address: Avenue de Fontvieille, 98000 Monaco

Website: Fontvieille Park

Opening hours: 6am - 7pm (daily)

21. Take photos of beautiful sculptures at Fontvieille quarter

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Fontvieille is one of the four districts in Monaco. It is famous for holding events such as art3f, an international art fair where contemporary artists around the world contributed their paintings, sculptures, and photographs. Here, you can also find a sculpture trail in Fontvieille Park, which has numerous pieces worth seeing from various artists. Some notable sculptures are “A Woman with a cigarette” by Fernando Botero, “Fish” by an unnamed Italian sculptor, and “The Sitting Couple” by award-winning Lynn Russel Chadwick.

22. Visit Chapelle Sainte Dévote

Chapelle Sainte Dévote is a Catholic chapel overlooking the harbor. It is dedicated to Saint Devota, the patron saint of Monaco. Saint Devota was a young Christian woman from Corsica who was murdered for her faith. A boat brought her body to Vallon des Gaumates. Against the walls of Vallon des Gaumates, the chapel was built. The chapel is said to date back all the way to 1070. Then, it was given a new look with its 18th-century Neo-Greek style façade in 1870. Its stained window glass, which was heavily damaged during World War II, was also restored.

Chapelle Sainte Dévote

Address: 1 Ruelle Sainte-Dévote, 98000 Monaco

Website: Chapelle Sainte Dévote

23. Enjoy a performance at Fort Antoine

Fort Antoine Theatre is a quaint amphitheater that showcases open-air plays during summer. Constructed in 1709, this picturesque open-air theatre can seat up to 350 people. This theatre was a fortress in the early 18th century before getting destroyed in 1944. In 1953, Prince Rainier III decided to rebuild the fortress as a theatre. You can watch different performances here, including orchestras, shows that combine food and literature, skits, and improv shows. Aside from going here to watch a performance, you can also drop by just to take some Instagram-worthy photos.

Fort Antoine

Address: Avenue de la Quarantaine, 98000 Monaco

Website: Fort Antoine

Opening hours: 24 hours (daily)

24. Rejuvenate at Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo

If you ever get tired of roaming around the city, you can always relax at Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo. This spa specializes in wellness, fitness, and health. It is equipped with modern technology that is used for anti-aging, slimming, and relaxation. Its outdoor hot tub gives you a birds-eye view of the Rock, which is in Monaco-Ville. There is also a heated pool where you can swim while admiring the majestic Mediterranean Sea. You can also dine at L'Hirondelle, which is found on the property of this haven.

Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo

Address: 2, Avenue de Monte-Carlo, 98000 Monaco

Website: Thermes Marins Monte-Carlo

Opening hours: 9am - 6:30pm (daily)

Price: Starts at 115 EUR (138.12 USD)

25. Roam the wonderful Moneghetti District

If you plan on moving or owning a place in Monaco someday, Moneghetti District has plenty of residential buildings for sale. One of the buildings here is Soleil d'Or, which offers great views. You can also check out the private villas in this calm district or visit Parc Princesse Antoinette and be mesmerized by its hundred-year-old olive trees.

26. Enjoy luxury dining at Le Louis XV Restaurant

There is no better way to satisfy your delicate palate than by dining at Le Louis XV restaurant. If you want to do something memorable, tasting the food served here will definitely culminate your Monaco getaway. This three Michelin star restaurant boasts a unique culinary experience in the French Riviera with its Mediterranean cuisine, which is prepared by highly skilled chefs. Have a taste of gamberoni from San Remo with rockfish gelée, and caviar or baked locally-caught fish with courgette, shellfish, lemon. Desert here includes ice creams, souffles, and cakes. If you can’t decide what to eat, you can let the chef decide on three half dishes, cheeses, and dessert. The exquisite setting of the place and its fantastic service are second to none in the world of luxury fine dining.

Le Louis XV Restaurant

Address: Place du Casino 98000 Monaco

Website: Le Louis XV Restaurant

Opening hours: Mon, Thu, Fri: 7pm - 8pm; Sat - Sun: 12pm - 1pm, 7pm - 8pm (closed on Tue & Wed)

27. Enjoy a match at Stade Louis II

If you are a fan of football or different sports, you might want to visit Stade Louis II, a stadium in Fontvieille. This stadium hosted the UEFA Super Cup from 1998 until 2012. The original Stade Louis II, built in 1939, was home to AS Monaco or Association Sportive de Monaco Football Club SA. It was then rebuilt in 1985. Now, it is also home to the Monaco national football team. The stadium has a current seating capacity of more than 16,000 people. On the stadium grounds, you will find Salle Gaston Médecin, an indoor multi-sports center where basketball, volleyball, fencing, and judo are played.

Stade Louis II

Address: 7 Avenue des Castelans, 98000 Monaco

Website: Stade Louis II

Price: 3 EUR (3.60 USD) - 95 EUR (114 USD)

28. Tour the sculptures at Musee de la Chapelle de la Visitation

Another religious site in Monaco worth visiting is Musee de la Chapelle de la Visitation (The Chapel of Visitation). This 17th-century Baroque building functions as a chapel and museum as it was formerly home to consecrated sculptures and paintings by Rubens, Zurbaran, Ribera, and Italian Baroque masters, donated by Barbara Piasecka Johnson, a Polish art connoisseur.

Musee de la Chapelle de la Visitation

Address: Place de la Visitation, 98000 Monaco

Website: Musee de la Chapelle de la Visitation

Opening hours: 10am - 4pm (daily)

29. Get a taste of local flavors at Marché de La Condamine

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

The best way to get to know a foreign place is by going to its local market. Marché de La Condamine is Monaco’s valued heritage market where tourists can taste local delicacies and bring home souvenirs to remind them of the state’s beauty and glamour. This 140-year-old market also sells herbs, plants, flowers, fresh produce, meats, and fish. Get a bite at local food stalls where barbajuan, Monaco’s national dish, is served.

Marché de La Condamine

Address: 11 Rue Terrazzani, 98000 Monaco

Website: Marché de La Condamine

Opening hours: 7am - 3pm (daily)

Experience all-year-round fun at Monaco

If you want to experience luxury and learn about the interesting history and culture of Monaco, the best time to visit is May to November, where the weather is ideal. However, you can visit Monaco any time of the year as it offers events and attractions that cater to all sorts of people. As long as you try out the activities on this list, you are guaranteed to have a good time.