Things to Do in Monaco: Our 10 Best Highlights & Tips

The 10 Most Beautiful Sights in Monaco

Monaco is only about 2 square kilometers in size, so you can easily explore the city-state in a single day.

Most of Monaco’s highlights are located in the districts of Monte Carlo and on the Old Town Rock (Monaco-Ville).

Map of Our Top Attractions in Monaco

To give you a better overview, we’ve marked the most important things to do in Monaco on a map.

Casino de Monte-Carlo

In the Monte-Carlo district, you’ll find everything associated with glamour, glitz, and wealth. Luxury hotels, high-end boutiques, and sleek sports cars.

At the heart of the district stands the Casino de Monte-Carlo — one of the most famous casinos in the world. You may know it from James Bond GoldenEye or Ocean’s Twelve.

You can take a look at the atrium, the café, and the casino’s boutique for free — even with your kids. And that alone is seriously impressive!

For the gaming rooms, you’ll pay an entry fee of 20 euros. Minors are, of course, not permitted here.

Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo

Right next to the casino stands what is probably the most famous hotel in Monaco: the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo.

It really doesn’t get more refined, prestigious, or opulent than this. Already a showstopper from the outside, hotel guests enjoy every luxury the world has to offer. The hotel’s restaurant has been awarded 3 Michelin stars.

Of course, that comes at a price. In the off-season, a room starts at 900 euros, and in peak season from 1,500 euros.

Your travel budget probably won’t stretch that far. For a taste of luxury on a smaller scale, stop by the Café de Paris Monte-Carlo. An espresso costs 6 euros here, and a main course starts at 30 euros.

To the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo

Opéra de Monte-Carlo

Since all good things come in threes, Monte-Carlo has a third glamorous draw: the opera house. If you’re only making a quick trip to Monaco, it’s enough to snap a photo from the outside and move on.

But if you’re staying longer, you should seriously consider seeing an opera. The interior of the building is absolutely stunning and radiates a truly royal feeling.

And what could be more fitting for a Monaco vacation than watching a French opera in an elegant evening outfit? Provided, of course, that you have the funds for this touch of glamour.

Port Hercule Marina

Between Monte-Carlo and Monaco’s old town lies the Port Hercule marina.

If the Ferraris and Lamborghinis along the roadside weren’t enough for you, the yachts here take it up another notch. You won’t find any ordinary boats here.

As you walk along the harbor, you might notice there’s no beach in sight anywhere. As a small substitute, an outdoor pool was built at Port Hercule. So if you need to cool off, you can swim a few laps there at your leisure.

Prince's Palace

Behind the marina rises the Prince’s Rock, which has been the seat of the Grimaldi royal family since the 13th century. And what couldn’t be missing on the rock? The Prince’s Palace, known in French as Le Palais Princier.

You can tour the palace — admission to the museum costs 15 euros.

Another highlight is the changing of the guard in the palace square at 11:55 AM. From the large forecourt, you also get a fantastic panorama of Monaco and the marina.

Monaco-Ville - Old Town of Monaco

Even though you probably picture Monaco as all modern, upscale buildings, it also has a genuinely charming historic district. The Monegasques (yes, that’s what people from Monaco are called) lovingly call it Le Rocher.

Charming, historic buildings line the Prince’s Rock. Here you can stroll leisurely through the alleyways and forget for a moment that you may be surrounded by countless millionaires.

Bars and restaurants in Monaco-Ville come at a price too, but here you sit in a cozy atmosphere and can rest a bit after the climb up to the Prince’s Rock.

Cathedral of Notre-Dame-Immaculée

Monaco’s cathedral is also located on the Rocher, just behind the old town. It’s the burial site of the Grimaldi family — Grace Kelly was buried here as well. There’s a good chance that, during a Sunday service, you might catch a glimpse of a member of the royal family.

It’s really worth stepping inside the church.

The interior is, in contrast to the rest of Monaco, rather understated — but beautiful nonetheless. Admission is free.

Oceanographic Museum of Monaco

The Oceanographic Museum is a must if you’re on a family vacation in Monaco. Here you’ll find an incredible variety of fish and marine life that will have many a child’s eyes going wide.

You’ll learn a great deal about the ocean as a habitat — and that’s fascinating not just for kids!

Another standout feature of the Oceanographic Museum is the rooftop terrace with a stunning view. There’s even a turtle playground for kids up there.

The museum is also located on the Prince’s Rock and is easily walkable from the old quarter. A ticket costs 22.50 euros for adults.

To the Ticket for the Oceanographic Museum

Saint-Martin Garden

Across from Monaco’s cathedral and next to the Oceanographic Museum lies the Saint-Martin Garden. If you’re on a quick visit, it’s a perfect spot to take a little detour into some greenery and catch your breath.

From the garden, you get a lovely view of Port Fontvieille, another marina in Monaco. We actually find it slightly more photogenic from above than Port Hercule.

Within the Saint-Martin Garden itself, you can admire various exotic tree and plant species.

Saint-Martin is open from 9 AM to 6 PM and admission is free.

Monaco Racing Circuit

The Circuit de Monaco is Monaco’s racing circuit, where the Formula 1 race The Monaco Grand Prix is held every year.

If you’re a motorsport fan, you’ll recognize the circuit right away. If not, you’ll probably walk right past it without noticing — because for most of the year, they’re just ordinary streets.

Monaco’s racing circuit runs from below the Prince’s Rock past Port Hercule all the way to Monte-Carlo.

The Formula 1 race is an absolute highlight and one of the best things to do in Monaco if you love motorsport. Tickets aren’t cheap, though — like so many things in Monaco.

To the Tickets for the Monaco Grand Prix

Monaco in One Day: What You Shouldn't Miss

Are you planning a vacation on the Côte d’Azur or in Nice and want to take a day trip to Monaco? Great idea! In a single day, you can get a solid feel for the famous city-state and tick off the most important Monaco attractions.

These are the highlights you can easily fit into one day:

• Visit the Casino de Monte-Carlo
• Marvel at the marina
• Walk up to the Old Town Rock and enjoy the view
• Visit the Cathedral of Notre-Dame-Immaculée and stroll through the Saint-Martin Garden
• A visit to the Oceanographic Museum

Our Hotel Recommendations for Monaco

The number of hotels in Monaco is fairly limited — but almost all of them are absolutely beautiful! Here are our top 3 hotel picks across all price ranges that Monaco has to offer.

If you’re looking for a wider selection or a more budget-friendly place to stay, we recommend staying in Nice instead. From there, you can get to Monaco super quickly.

Cool Activities in Monaco

Beyond an evening at the opera or a stroll along the marina, there are plenty of other great things to do in Monaco. You’re guaranteed not to get bored.

#1 Boat Tour Along Monaco’s Coastline

Monaco is seriously impressive from the water — and you can see for yourself on a sightseeing cruise along Monaco’s coastline.

From the boat, you get the perfect vantage point for Monaco’s sights and scenery. An audio guide provides fascinating background information along the way.

Bring your camera, because you’ll pass by plenty of great photo opportunities throughout the tour!

To the Sightseeing Boat Tour Along Monaco’s Coastline from Nice

#2 Swimming at Monaco’s Beach

Just before the border in the direction of Italy, you’ll find Monaco’s only beach — the artificially created Larvotto Beach.

The pebble beach is especially worthwhile if you’re in Monaco with kids. Larvotto Beach is really family-friendly, and if you’re spending several days in Monaco, a beach day is always a great idea.

In addition to Larvotto Beach, there are many other great beaches along the Côte d’Azur. We share our ten best tips for beaches on the Côte d’Azur in a separate article.

The Most Beautiful Beaches on the Côte d’Azur

#3 Eating at the Marché de la Condamine

If you don’t want to blow half your budget on lunch, the Marché de la Condamine is the perfect spot. Here you can get delicious snacks and food at normal prices.

In the small market hall, you’ll find a good selection of restaurants and quick-bite eateries. We especially loved the pasta dishes at Maison des Pâtes.

General Info and Tips for Monaco

Now that you know the best things to do in Monaco, here are a few key facts and practical tips about the principality.

Entering Monaco

The same entry rules that apply to France also apply to Monaco. Although Monaco is not an EU member state, the principality has a neighboring agreement with France.

This means you can enter Monaco just as easily as any other EU country. Your national ID card is sufficient for entry. Very convenient if you’re doing a road trip along the Côte d’Azur.

Getting to Monaco by Plane

The nearest airport to Monaco is Nice Airport. From there, shuttle bus Line 80 takes you directly to Monaco. The journey takes about 45 minutes.

Tickets and Info for the Airport Bus

Alternatively, you can take a taxi or book a private transfer.

Getting to Monaco from Nice

If you’re only planning a quick trip, it makes the most sense to stay in Nice and make a day trip from there.

From Nice-Ville station, there’s a regular and fast train connection to Monte-Carlo.

A one-way ticket costs 5.90 euros. The train runs toward Ventimiglia, and after about 20 minutes you’ll be in Monaco.

When Is the Best Time to Visit Monaco?

From June through September, Monaco is great for a beach vacation. Temperatures are also still pleasant for sightseeing.

If you don’t necessarily need to swim in the ocean, we’d especially recommend traveling in April. You’ll have perfect temperatures for sightseeing and can soak up the sun on the beach, even if it’s still a little too cold for swimming.

How Big Is Monaco?

The Principality of Monaco is about 2 square kilometers in size. The coastline stretches approximately 4 kilometers. That makes Monaco the second smallest country in the world, after the Vatican. The principality is even smaller than Central Park in New York.

Approximately 39,000 people live in Monaco, of whom about 80% are immigrants and roughly one third are millionaires.

Why Is Monaco So Wealthy?

And finally, the question of all questions: why is Monaco so rich? This is largely due to taxes. The residents of Monaco pay no income tax — it was abolished as far back as 1869.

That abolition was made possible, incidentally, by the enormous success of the casino, which generated a large sum of revenue for the principality.