The best things to do in
Monaco

Casino de Monte-Carlo

Monte-Carlo, famed for its glamour, is the best-known part of Monaco. Visitors will find a large collection of exotic automobiles and Michelin-starred restaurants in the area. Casino de Monte Carlo is the most famous building in Monte Carlo. It was opened in 1865 and is claimed to be the most beautiful casino in the world. The casino has featured in many blockbuster movies, including James Bond films "GoldenEye," and "Never Say Never Again".

If you're not interested in casino activities, you should stop by to take in the Belle Époque architecture. Other interesting parts of the building include the Atrium and Café de la Rotonde.

Exotic car fans will be happy to know that rare hypercars are regularly parked in front of the casino for your viewing pleasure. If you're in town with your exotic car, note that the valet service is as good as they come. You won't need to worry about missing your planned scenic drive after visiting the casino.

The building also houses Monaco's famed opera house, Opéra de Monte-Carlo. If you're an opera fan, be sure to browse through the performance calendar.

Casino Square

Casino Square (Place du Casino) is definitely our favorite spot in Monte Carlo. While it rained during our last visit (during the 2024 Monaco Yacht Show), the weather had a minimal effect on the area’s allure. It is one of the most iconic locations in Monaco. You can’t really claim to have visited the principality without stepping into the square.

It is surrounded by several high-end restaurants, shops, luxury hotels, and high-profile casinos. These include the world-famous Casino de Monte Carlo, Casino Café de Paris, and Hotel de Paris. In addition, you can enjoy great views of the superyachts in Port Hercule from Av. de Monte-Carlo, which is just a few meters away.

The road cutting through Casino Square is part of the street circuit used during the Monaco Grand Prix. This makes it a must-visit spot for any Formula One fan. While it's easy to visit most of Monaco's attractions in a short period, Place du Casino should be at the top of your list if you have limited time.

Explore Monaco by Air

The French Riviera is an beautiful corner of the planet. From the countless scenic driving routes to nice beaches, islands, and remarkable rock formations, this location has everything to provide a great vacation. Unless you plan to be here for weeks, relatively speaking, you can’t cover much ground. The next best thing? A helicopter tour. Manoco has a helipad by the Mediterranean Sea, offering a glorious view.

Two main helicopter tour providers here include Monacair and Heli Air Monaco. Both offer a variety of shared and private rides with different helicopter models. Tours range from short explorations of the city-state to extended Riviera tours. Consider the private tours, which offer more flexibility. Also, if you can spare the time, plan for long tours or transfers to other parts of the French Riviera.

If you’re arriving in Monaco from Nice, a good option is the transfer from Nice airport. To get an idea of what’s in store for you on one of these tours, check out the video of our Monaco tour above or our Nice video, which shows an available helicopter tour in Cannes.

Port Hercules

Looking down the hill from Casino Square, you’ll find one of the spots Monaco is famous for. In Port Hercules (Port Hercule in French), located in the La Condamine district of Monaco, you’ll find yachts of various sizes docked ready to go on a Mediterranean cruise.

Some yacht brokers insist there’s a silent competition here on who has the largest yacht. Time your trip carefully, and you may see megayachts that appear as large as cruise ships. Yachting fans who can time their trip for late September can enjoy the Monaco Yacht Show, arguably the most elegant, if not the best on the planet. During our visit to the 2024 show, we stopped by at Majesty Yachts to learn more about the Majesty 100 Terrace. We also did a walkthrough of the Go yacht with Fraser Yachts.

Beyond the yachts, Av. J.F. Kennedy Street, which passes through Port Hercules, is lined with local stores and restaurants you can explore. You can also visit some yacht builders with offices nearby to get a yacht built to your specifications. Don’t forget to make an appointment before your visit.

Fontvieille

Fontvieille is a modern district in Monaco, known for its planned urban landscape that contrasts with the more historic areas of the city-state such as Le Rocher and Monte Carlo. Reclaimed from the sea in the 1970s, the district blends residential, commercial, and green spaces.

Fontvieille has a large shopping center, offices, and residential buildings, all set against the backdrop of the Mediterranean Sea. It also boasts a marina filled with luxury yachts and surrounded by many fine-dining restaurants. While the harbor is not as large as Port Hercules, it has a similar appeal.

Visitors can explore the Princess Grace Rose Garden, a beautiful space dedicated to Monaco's beloved princess. It features thousands of rose bushes in a well-kept setting. Fontvieille is also home to the Stade Louis II, the stadium where AS Monaco FC plays its home games.

Monaco Top Cars Collection

The Monaco Top Cars Collection is a museum housing the personal collection of cars that belonged to Prince Rainier III. The prince acquired the automobiles over a thirty year period. The museum was originally in the Fontvieille district of Monaco. It moved to Port Hercules close to the Automobile Club de Monaco on the route of the Monaco Grand Prix street circuit in 2023.

The collection was re-organized in 2012 when some of the original cars were sold. However, there are still plenty of amazing cars to see including the Bugatti Type 35 which was driven to victory in the first ever Monaco Grand Prix in 1929.

An interesting car in the collection is the 2019 Ferrari F1 car driven to victory at the Italian Grand Prix by Monaco native Charles Leclerc. Others include the Gruppo Bertone-designed 1967 Lamborghini Miura and a replica of the 1954 Sunbeam Alpine MK1 featured in Alfred Hitchcock's movie To Catch a Thief.

Palais du Prince (The Prince's Palace)

The Prince's Palace is in Le Rocher (Monaco-Ville). As the official residence of the ruling Grimaldi family, the palace has a long history, dating back to its origins as a fortress in the 13th century. Visitors to the palace can embark on guided tours that offer a glimpse into the world of Monaco's royalty.

The State Apartments, with their lavish decor, priceless art, and exquisite furnishings, showcase the elegance of the palace. Highlights include the Throne Room, where official ceremonies occur, and the Palatine Chapel, a beautifully ornate private chapel used by the royal family. The changing of the guard, which takes place daily at 11:55 AM, is a popular attraction, providing a colorful and ceremonial display of tradition.

Beyond its historical significance, the location offers views of the surrounding city and the Mediterranean Sea. During the summer months, the palace courtyard transforms into a unique venue for open-air concerts by the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, adding a cultural dimension to the visitor experience.

Monaco Grand Prix

The Monaco Grand Prix is one of the most popular races on the F1 calendar. It also has plenty of fans outside the F1 crowd due to the prestige associated with Monaco. If you’re interested in watching the Grand Prix live, plan accordingly. Note that hotel prices are at their highest during the Grand Prix weekend and are difficult to come by. Even the cost of mooring a yacht at Port Hercules increases during the weekend.

Only few F1 venues can match the chic of Monaco’s race weekend. The race day atmosphere is electric, with exclusive parties and celebrity appearances. Official premium hospitality tickets are available for the entire weekend. These include the recently introduced tickets offering race viewing from a yacht.

They say the paddock is a great place to close business deals in a casual setting. If you’re looking to host business partners at a race, Monaco is the place to do it.

Musee Oceanagraphique

Sandwiched between Jardins Saint-Martin and Jardins Suspendus in Le Rocher, Musee Oceanagraphique (Oceanographic Museum) works on conservation and research to help tackle environmental issues. This is without a doubt our favorite place in Le Rocher. If you're wondering why, visit the link. It has a video of our visit to the museum.

Apart from being a museum, it has a large aquarium with marine life in large tanks. A popular section is the "Shark Lagoon," which has 240,000 liters of seawater. It hosts various shark species, including nurse sharks, blacktip reef sharks, and hawksbill turtles. Other popular fish in the aquarium include the venomous blue-spotted stingray native to the Indo-Pacific region.

In addition to the marine life, the museum also has various ocean-related displays. These include a reproduction of a giant squid and a replica of David Bushnell's turtle submarine. Families traveling with children should consider the museum a must-visit place. The little ones will thoroughly enjoy the large aquarium displays.

Le Jardin Saint Martin

With attractions like the Oceanographic Museum and the Prince's Palace nearby, it's easy to walk by Le Jardin Saint Martin (Saint Martin Garden) without noticing it. One of the exotic green spaces in Monaco, the garden is located close to Cathédrale de Monaco in the heart of Monaco's Old Town. This garden is a perfect place to take a break while you explore Le Rocher. Featuring stunning views through Monaco to the Mediterranean Sea, the park will make Monte Carlo's busy streets seem miles away.

It contains some intriguing Mediterranean plant species including yellow agaves and Aleppo pine trees. Other interesting things to look out for in the garden include Fontaine du Gouverneur, a statue of Princess Grace, and one of Prince Albert I by French sculptor François Cogné.

One Monte-Carlo

Unlike most other popular places in Monaco, One Monte-Carlo hasn't been around long. It was only opened in 2019 and doesn't have the Belle Époque architecture of the buildings around it. Instead, the seven buildings have a unique modern look that can't go unnoticed. Famous architect Sir Richard Rogers' firm is responsible for this work of art. If you're unfamiliar with the name, he also worked on the Pompidou Center in Paris and London's Millennium Dome.

Considered one of Monaco's most coveted addresses, One Monte-Carlo houses apartments and top luxury brands, including Gucci, Prada, and Hermès. Its location close to Hotel de Paris and Hotel Hermitage makes it the ideal place to shop for guests staying at these SBM properties.

Shopping on Av. de Monte-Carlo

There's plenty to see when walking down Av. de Monte-Carlo from Casino Square towards La Condamine. There's the Thermes Marins Monte Carlo fitness center and the superyachts and megayachts moored at Port Hercules. However, looking to the right, where Hotel de Paris is located, you'll notice many high-end shops lining the street. You'll find brands including Hermes, Gucci, and Prada.

If you don't find what you're looking for, try the stores at Hotel Hermitage, a two-minute walk up Av. Princesse Alice. There are also options on the other side of Hotel de Paris. Designer stores here include Salvatore Ferragamo, Giorgio Armani, and Cartier.

If you're staying at one of the nearby SBM hotels, they'll happily help you get your shopping bags to your room. So feel free to indulge in a lengthy shopping spree.

Stroll through Le Rocher

Le Rocher (The Rock) is the part of Monaco that hosts the Prince's Palace, the Oceanographic Museum, and Jardin Saint Martin. Also referred to as Monaco-Ville, two additional attractions are worth visiting here. These are the Monaco Courthouse and Cathédrale de Monaco (Saint Nicholas Cathedral). While the courthouse isn't open to the public, you should look out for it as you stroll by. The building is made of white stones and has a great-looking façade.

The Romanesque Revival architecture cathedral, built in 1875, is open for daily tours, excluding mass time. The cathedral is famous for housing the final resting place of many from Monaco's Royal Family, including Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III.

You'll also find two famous organs - the grand organ built by Jean-Loup Boisseau and the choir organ built by Tamburini in the church. Tourists visiting the building should note the dress code.

Moneghetti District

The Moneghetti District's narrow streets will give you a different experience of the French Riviera. Also known as Les Moneghetti or Little Monaco, this part of the city-state is home to many native Monegasques. Situated in the northern part of Monaco, the streets have steep hills, so be ready for a workout while you explore the neighborhood.

Interestingly, Les Moneghetti is home to the only train station in the city-state. Gare de Monaco Monte-Carlo underground train station was opened in 1999. Most trains passing through the station are part of the Transport Express Régional (TER) regional train service running from Marseille to Ventimiglia, Italy. Visitors can seize the opportunity to go on a day trip to one of many charming towns and villages around Monaco, like Villefranche-sur-Mer, Cap-d'Ail and Èze.

Le Jardin Japonais

If you've seen our video tour of Monaco, you'll notice that we ended the tour at Le Jardin Japonais. Why did we make that choice? After hiking around Monaco's attractions, Le Jardin Japonais is the perfect place to relax. The Japanese garden-themed park is located a few minutes walk from the Fairmont Monte Carlo Hotel tunnel. It was designed by landscape architect Yasuo Beppu at the request of Prince Rainier III. The park comes complete with stone lanterns, bamboo hedges, a waterfall, and a pond with colorful koi fish.

It's the perfect place to end your exploration of the city-state, but if you choose to do that, you should note that the garden closes at 5:45 or 6:45 pm, depending on the season. You certainly don't want to show up there only to encounter closed gates.

Thermes Marins Monte Carlo

Thermes Marins Monte Carlo is a top-notch fitness and wellness center in the heart of Monte Carlo. It is a great place to relax after hiking around town.

The 6600sm center offers state-of-the-art equipment to provide the rejuvenation you need. In addition to the fully equipped fitness center, other amenities and services include multiple Elemis treatments, various massage options, a heated seawater pool, and an outdoor whirlpool.

The center also has an in-house restaurant, L'Hirondelle. It offers healthy Mediterranean dishes and an outdoor dining area with clear views of Le Rocher and the Mediterranean Sea. If you stay at Hotel Hermitage Monte Carlo or Hotel de Paris, you can access the center without exiting the building.

Larvotto

Larvotto district is just a short walk from Monte Carlo. The beautiful beach here has clear blue waters and white sand. This makes it ideal for a day of lazing around.

The beach has amenities, including sun loungers, umbrellas, and beachside restaurants where visitors can enjoy great Mediterranean food while enjoying the sea views. It is also known for its calm, shallow waters.

Larvotto Beach is also a hub of activity and social life. During the summer, the beach buzzes with energy, attracting a mix of swimmers, and people enjoying water sports.

Beyond the beach, Larvotto is the nearest Monaco district to the new land reclamation project in the principality called Mareterra. It is expected to increase the supply of luxury waterfront homes and maybe even redefine luxury living in the city-state. Unlike current developments, Mareterra emphasizes green technology, including solar panels. While it is still under construction, you should find some time to catch a glimpse of it while you're here. Also present in Larvotto is the Grimaldi Forum, Monaco's most popular event-hosting location. It plays host to high-profile events like Top Marques Monaco which we visited for the first time in June 2024.

The Grand Prix walk

Given the popularity of the Monaco Grand Prix, walking the path of the street circuit used in the race is a common activity among visitors. Every time we are in the city-state, we make sure we at least take a partial walk along the path. You can start the hike at the Sainte Devote Church and proceed up the hill on Av d'Stende, passing by landmarks like Thermes Marins, Hotel de Paris, and Casino Square.

Proceeding from Casino Square, you can walk by Av Des Spelugues, which will take you to the most famous part of the circuit, the Fairmont Hairpin, right by the hotel that shares its name. You can then proceed to the tunnel and emerge in La Condamine, where the super and mega yachts await to dazzle you.

The final part starts at the corner where the La Rascasse bar is located. From here, you can proceed down Boulevard Albert 1er, where the pit lane is located to complete the tour.

Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (NMNM)

The Nouveau Musée National de Monaco (NMNM) is a prominent cultural institution that showcases Monaco's rich heritage and contemporary art scene. Spread across two locations - Villa Paloma, next to Jardin Exotique, and the grand Villa Sauber in the Larvotto district. The museum offers various exhibitions featuring modern art.

Both villas are historic buildings, and their stunning architecture complements the artwork. The NMNM is known for its rotating exhibitions, which highlight the works of famous and emerging artists from Monaco and other countries.

In addition to its art exhibitions, the NMNM plays a vital role in preserving Monaco's cultural history. The museum often collaborates with international institutions, hosting temporary exhibits that explore various art. It is a must-visit destination for all visitors who appreciate modern art.

Cruise the Mediterranean coast

Monaco only has a coastline of 2.38 miles, and there is no better way to explore it than in a supercar. Tourists can head out of the city-state to other parts of the French Riviera as the Mediterranean Sea breeze blows through their hair. You can rent a Ferrari, Lamborghini, or any other grand tourer to cruise around the beautiful coastal roads.