The Principality of Monaco, a historic city looking towards the future

You will be dazzled and amazed at each turn, at the heart of the City of Princes. From the old town, a veritable open air museum, to the Place du Casino, unique in the world, discover the history of the Grimaldis.
A modern town, Monaco has extended its territory by reclaiming land from the sea; do not miss the Fontvieille district rising up from the water, where technology sits side by side with art. Immerse yourself in the heart of the teeming town by strolling around the typical market of la Condamine and discover the Moneghetti area.
There are 1001 ways to discover the Principality.

Breathe in the Mediterranean air while wandering through the Principality streets and savouring those unforgettable moments.

Monaco bus company offers you the possibility to move serenely in the Principality. The network covers all the tourist attractions, museums, the exotic garden, business centres, or even the Casino or the Louis II Stadium.

Enjoy also the solar boat-bus, another pleasant link between Monaco-Ville and the Casino with a playful and ecological transport. Learn more...

Monaco Town, the Rock

Discover the old town through the narrow alleyways from the middle ages which lead to the picturesque Place Saint Nicolas and Placette Bosio, the Chapel of Mercy, Palais de Justice and the Cathedral, a Roman-Byzantine style building built in 1875. »Read more

Discover the old town through the narrow alleyways from the middle ages which lead to the picturesque Place Saint Nicolas and Placette Bosio, the Chapel of Mercy, Palais de Justice and the Cathedral, a Roman-Byzantine style building built in 1875.

Naturally, your feet will guide you to the Place du Palais, where every day at precisely 11:55am the changing of the guard takes place in front of the Princely Palace.

In front of you, the Princely Palace, built in the 18th century then modified during the Renaissance.

Guardian of an ancient tradition, with its Italian-style gallery and its 15th century frescoes, the palace reveals to visitors some of its splendours such as the Main Courtyard with its 17th century Carrara marble double staircase, the Hercule Gallery and its delicate 15th century frescoes running along the blue and gold Louis XVth lounge and the Mazarin room with its multicoloured wood-panelling, the York Bedroom and finally the Throne Room with its Renaissance fireplace. Visit duration 35 to 40 minutes, tel: 00 377 93 25 18 31.

Located in the southern wing of the Princely Palace, the Museum of Napoleonic Souvenirs and Collections of the Historical Archives of the Palace contains a rich collection of more than a thousand objects and documents about the First Empire, such as objects which belonged to Emperor Napoleon 1st, clothes from the King of Rome, holy souvenirs of Saint Helen and more. The first floor is entirely dedicated to the history of the Principality. Visit duration: 1 to 2 hours, tel: 00 377 93 25 18 31.

Further on, at the Place du Palais, gaze at an exceptional panorama while strolling towards theSaint Martin Gardens. Planted in the 1830s during the reign of Prince Honoré V, they surround the Oceanographic Museum , on Avenue Saint Martin, another marvellous piece of architecture in the Principality.

Built in 1910 under HSH Prince Albert 1st, this Oceanographic institute was for a long time managed by Commandant Cousteau. Dedicated to marine sciences, the museum houses the most significant coral reef in the world in its all new shark lagoon, 400 cubic metres of water with hammerhead sharks and majestic stingrays swimming in front of a coral reef populated with a multitude of tropical fish and living corals. Visit duration at the Oceanographic museum: 2 ½ to 3 hours, tel: 00 377 93 15 36 00.

In front of the Oceanographic museum on the Avenue St Martin, catch the “Azur Express” tourist trains. These small trains decorated in the national colours take their passengers on a daily tour with commentary in French, English, Italian and German during which you will discover the Port, Monte-Carlo and its palaces, the famous casino and its gardens before arriving back at the old town with its ramparts and Princely Palace. Duration of the tour: 30 minutes, tel: 00 377 92 05 64 38.
Located close to the Oceanographic Museum, Monte-Carlo story presents “Monaco the Film” on the parking terraces of the Chemin des Pecheurs. With a screening every hour and simultaneous translation into six languages, this film in multivision explores the origins, history and future of the Principality. The show lasts for 35 minutes, tel: 377 93 25 32 33.
Located on the Rock at Place de la Visitation, the Museum of the Chapel of Visitation is part of a Baroque style chapel dating from the 17th century. It houses part of the remarkable collection of sacred works of art belonging to Mrs Piasecka Johnson, with masterpieces by Rubens, Zurbaran, Ribera and masters of the Italian Baroque. Visit duration: 30 minutes, tel: 00 377 93 50 07 00.

The Monaco Town walk will take around 2 hours (excluding museums).
For the children, there is the play area at the beginning of the Saint Martin Gardens towards the Princely Palace.

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Monte-Carlo, the casino

As you arrive at the Place du Casino, the sight of this masterpiece by the famous architect Charles Garnier will take your breath away. Built in 1863, the Casino has been designed around an atrium surrounded by 28 onyx columns, behind which the Salle Garnier, an Italian theatre decorated in red and gold is... »Read more

As you arrive at the Place du Casino, the sight of this masterpiece by the famous architect Charles Garnier will take your breath away. Built in 1863, the Casino has been designed around an atrium surrounded by 28 onyx columns, behind which the Salle Garnier, an Italian theatre decorated in red and gold is the veritable miniature replica of the Paris opera house.

Every season, the most beautiful opera shows are staged here. Further on, the gaming rooms are marvellously decorated with stained glass windows, sculptures, and unique allegorical paintings. Visits to the casino last 35 to 40 minutes,
tel: + 377 98 06 21 21,
website : www.casinomontecarlo.com

Around the Place du Casino, window shop at the heart of the famous Cercle d'Or: jewellers, haute couture boutiques, antique dealers and more will help you to travel in great luxury.

Spend time exploring the Casino Gardens and Terraces with their magnificent flowerbeds and diverse species of plants. Overlooking the sea the terraces bathed in sun invite you to stroll along them.
Walking down towards the sea and the Grimaldi Forum, high tech conference and events centre, you will discover the National Museum - villa Sauber and the Japanese Garden.

The National Museum - Villa Sauber, 17 avenue Princesse, Grace reveals the fascinating world of automation and old dolls in period costumes, presented in a miniature world with miniature objects and furniture. The atmosphere is of the elegance of centuries past; in the spirit in which Madeleine De Galéa had gathered her collection. Completed by a remarkable Neapolitan scene, this marvellous collection has is housed in a select environment in a splendid villa built by Charles Garnier. Visit duration: 1 hour,
tel: 00 377 93 30 91 26.

The Japanese Garden (free admission, 9am – sunset) is located on the Avenue Princesse Grace.
This magnificent garden, designed by the landscape architect Yasuo Beppu has been laid out over 7,000 m2 at the edge of the Mediterranean. An authentic work of art, it blends stone, water and plants in marvellous harmony. This park at the foot of the city is blessed with a special atmosphere accentuated by the use of water sprays on the bushes of azalea, rhododendrons and camellias.

The Monte-Carlo walk will take around 1 hour (excluding museums).
For children, there is the Trocadero garden, Place des Moulins and the merry go round on the Esplanade du Larvotto.

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Fontvieille, the high tech district

Fontvieille is a district completely reclaimed from the sea. The Principality made use of modern technology to build this area and in return Monaco chose to accommodate high-tech and non-polluting companies within it. »Read more

In this part of Monaco the Stade Louis II was opened in 1985. A football pitch with 16,000 seats, surrounded by an athletics track, a sports hall with 3,000 seats and an Olympic sized heated fresh water swimming pool, make it possible to hold international competitions at the highest level and do so in one of the finest sports complexes in the world. Visit duration: 45 minutes to 1 hour
tel: 00 377 92 05 40 11. Map It

At Fontvieille, embark on the Sculpture Path and discover beautiful monumental works by Arman, Blake, Botero, Calder, César and more. Almost one hundred contemporary works sit alongside creations by sculptors living in Monaco. Also, do not miss the heart shaped Rose Garden dedicated to Princess Grace. You can admire almost 180 varieties and around 4,000 roses surrounded by their wonderful fragrance. Duration of the walk: 2 hours.
Climbing back up the Esplanade Rainier III, you will find no less than four museums or parks to familiarise yourself further with the Principality.

It’s a passion for cars which awaits you at the Exhibition of HSH The Prince of Monaco’s Vintage Car Collection. You can admire around a hundred vehicles of all ages from the great companies of Europe and America as well as six horse drawn coaches. From the De Dion Bouton 1903 to the Lamborghini Countach 1986, as well as the 1929 Bugatti, the Citroen Torpedo of the Croisière Jaune or the 1952 Rolls Royce, each one of these passionately maintained gleaming models illustrates a page in the motoring history of the 20th Century. Visit duration: 1 hour,
tel: 00 377 92 05 28 56.

Esplanade Rainier III also houses the Museum of Stamps and Coins. This museum opened its doors to the public at the beginning of 1996 in order to highlight the Stamps and Coins of the magnificent private collection of HSH the Prince Sovereign. Visit duration: 45 minutes, tel: 00 377 93 15 41 50.
The Naval Museum brings together some one hundred and eighty superb models of famous ships including several pieces from the private collection of HSH the Prince Sovereign. Models of large transatlantic liners such as Titanic or the Normandy are displayed alongside exploration vessels such as the Pourquoi Pas of Commandant Charcot, the Calypso and Alcyon of Commandant Cousteau or the Antarctica of Doctor Jean-Louis Etienne. Visit duration: 45 minutes, tel: 00 377 92 05 28 48.

Leave on a journey under the tropical trees of the Zoological Park. Many species of tropical and African fauna (black panther, white tiger, hippopotamus, rhinos, reptiles, exotic birds etc.) live in exemplary, comfortable conditions. Visit duration: 1½ to 2 hours, tel: 00 377 93 25 18 31.
On the Fontvieille site, you can be dazzled by the vast blue of the sea from above by helicopter. Fly over the Principality of Monaco and its surroundings for an unforgettable experience and discover the dazzling panorama of the Cote d’Azur from exhilarating heights. You can experience this intoxicating feeling in complete safety 7 days a week through one of the companies located at the Monaco Heliport, Avenue des Ligures. Choose from Héli Air Monaco: 00 377 92 050 050, or Monacair: 00 377 97 97 39 00, flight duration is 10 minutes or more,

The Fontvieille walk excluding the museums and sculpture path will take around 1 hour.
For children, there is the garden near the Princess Grace Rose Garden and the merry go round at Fontvieille.

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From la Condamine to Moneghetti, the heart of Monaco

To experience the traditional Monaco, visit the local market at la Condamine. Every morning, this large esplanade located in the heart of town wakes up to the colours and smells of the fruit and vegetable stalls, surrounded by shaded arcades where you can enjoy an aperitif and a bite to eat while reading th... »Read more

To experience the traditional Monaco, visit the local market at la Condamine. Every morning, this large esplanade located in the heart of town wakes up to the colours and smells of the fruit and vegetable stalls, surrounded by shaded arcades where you can enjoy an aperitif and a bite to eat while reading the paper.

Opposite you can admire the "Rampe Major" staircase and its two 16th century gates leading towards the Rock.

Nearby, the pedestrian area of the Rue Princesse Caroline dotted with pleasant landscaped gardens, and attractive boutiques gently slopes towards the sea. At Port Hercule , you can go sailing on a 55 minute trip around the Bay of Monaco aboard a catamaran equipped with two underwater viewing compartments, tel: : 00 377 92 16 15 15. The port is a lovely place to stroll around with many bars where you can have a drink in the sun.
Then, head for les Moneghetti, where you will discover, among private villas from the early 20th century, the Parc Princesse Antoinette and its hundred year old olive trees with its miniature golf course (closed in September) and many facilities for children.

On the France-Monaco border, you will find the Exotic Garden. Opened in 1933, it contains remarkable species of cactuses from Africa and Latin America, from the aloe plants of Cape Town to the giant agaves from the Aztec regions. Over 7,000 varieties of plants flourish in this ideal climate. Visit duration: 2 hours,
tel: 00 377 93 30 33 65.

Within the Exotic Garden, 60 metres underground, visitors can discover the immense chambers of the Observatory Prehistoric Cave, where stalagmites, stalactites and limestone concretions are illuminated with wonderful lighting effects! Visit duration: 1½ hours,
tel: + 377 93 15 29 80.

Still on the Boulevard du Jardin Exotique, take a step back in time at the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology. Containing a series of priceless tombs originating from around the Principality, and notably Grimaldi, in Italian Liguria. This museum, founded in 1902 by Prince Albert 1st, retraces the most important stages in the history of the human race, from Australanthropus to Pithecanthropus and Homo sapiens fossils. Visit duration: 30 minutes,
tel: 00 377 93 15 80 06.

The walk from la Condamine to Moneghetti (excluding museums) lasts for 2 hours.
For the children there is the Princess Antoinette Park, the merry go round near the Stade Nautique and the children’s area at the bottom of the Princess Caroline pedestrian area.