From Casinos to F1 Races!
Pack your fancy clothes and get ready for a fun adventure in the world’s 2nd smallest country with this guide on the best things to do in Monaco!
I visited Monaco recently and loved it there! I also got to know the country pretty well and now I’m eager to tell you all my tips and tricks on how to make the best out of your trip!
Below you’ll find the main attractions and fun activities, plus a short list of the most amazing hotels in Monaco!
On that note, I definitely recommend booking your accommodation in advance (especially if you’re coming in May during the F1 race), as this place is so popular with tourists.
Quick Picks for Your Stay
If you don’t have time to read the whole pest, check out this short list with some of the top activities that you should do while in Monaco:
And here are the best hotels: Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo (luxury), Fairmont Monte Carlo (mid-range), Novotel Monte-Carlo (budget)
1. Visit the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
No better place to start your Monaco adventures than at the Oceanographic Museum which is set in the City Center (also known as Monaco Ville).
Housed in gorgeous Baroque buildings, the museum was founded back in the 1900s by Prince Albert I of Monaco, who led lots of sea expeditions during his time!
The museum is pretty big and it has an aquarium as well as educational spaces where both adults and kids can learn more about the ocean and what threats it faces nowadays. There are also lots of fun activities that I’m sure you’ll have so much fun trying out!
Its aquarium, which is the home to so many sea creatures (around 6000), is considered one of the best aquariums in Europe and it even has a shark lagoon! Now that’s something you don’t see every day!
PRICE: US$21
2. Admire the Saint Nicholas Cathedral
If you’re looking for some free things to do in Monaco, then here’s a really cool place that you can visit during your trip!
I loved walking around this cathedral (map) while I was in Monaco and admiring its unique architecture!
Located just a short walk away from the Oceanographic Museum, also in the City Center, the Cathedral is the resting place of the Grimaldi family (Monaco’s royal family). While there you can also see the tomb of Princess Grace Kelly and King Rainier III.
Its interiors are just as beautiful and it’ll be hard not to notice the huge organ and the marble altar, along with all the intricate carvings and arches.
Some tourists who visit the Cathedral come during the Sunday Mass (which starts at 10:30) so that they can hear the Monaco Boys Choir singing! Apparently it’s an amazing experience, so if you’re visiting during that time, maybe try it out!
PRICE: Free
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3. Explore the Prince’s Palace
Located in Monaco Ville, in the huge Place du Palais (map), you’ll find the Prince’s Palace, the official residence of Monaco’s royal family!
Before you head in to visit the Palace, make sure you go on a stroll in the square I just mentioned. The views over the city and Mediterranean are stunning from here and you can take some nice pics.
PRO TIP: Head to the Palace at 11:55 AM (maybe 5 or 10 min before that) so that you can see the changing of the guards!
Only a part of the Palace is open to the public and that includes the Hercule Gallery, Throne Room, Yellow Room, Mirror Gallery, Red Room and the York Room.
NOTE: The Palace is open seasonally, usually from April to October, although that can change. But double check their website, if you want to visit, to make sure it’s open when you’re going.
PRICE: US$10
4. Try your luck at Monte Carlo Casino
Can you even say Monaco without mentioning its famous casino?
As one of the most popular gambling sites in the world, the Monte Carlo Casino is located in the Place du Casino (map), an iconic square that is home to some luxury hotels, bars, and luxurious stores.
That’s where you’ll also find the Casino Café de Paris (map), where you can enjoy some drinks while admiring the gorgeous Casino building and the square.
The Monte Carlo Casino has made an appearance in many books and movies, including the Bond series! If you watch some of the first movies from the 80s and 90’s like Never Say Never Again and GoldenEye, you’ll spot the Casino.
If you want to visit the Casino I’ll list all the ways you can do so below, and you can choose the option that’s more convenient for you:
- Visit the Atrium (which has a bar and an aperitif area), the Salle Renaissance and a slot machine room for free without needing to show your ID or wear a specific dress code
- Get the audio guide tour for US$20 (available for kids between 6 years old and 18 years old)
- Buy a ticket to play at the casino for US$20, but for this, you’ll need to show your photo ID (driver’s license is not accepted), be over the age of 18 years old, and wear appropriate clothing (no shorts, sporty clothes or flip flops)
You can learn more about the prices and conditions of entry on their official website.
PRICE: Free or US$20 for tours and playing
There are the usual shopping centers and then there’s the one in Monaco, which is on a whole other level with its marble floors and crystal chandelier!
If you want to do a bit of shopping then a visit to Metropole Shopping Center (map) is a must!
Packed with luxurious stores like Philip Plein, Elisabetta Franchi and some more affordable ones like Sephora, this mall offers everyone a very unique shopping experience!
6. Check out the Car Collection of the Prince of Monaco
Set near Port Hercule, this museum is a must-see for any car lover, or even if you’re not, I’m sure you’ll enjoy seeing the private collection of vintage automobiles of Prince Rainier III!
It took the late Prince over 40 years to make this collection and his son Prince Albert II of Monaco has continued to work on the collection and add more cars over the years.
Expect to see a lot of precious jewels here from cars dating back to the 20th century, to automobiles used in races and even some wagons!
PRICE: US$11
7. Enjoy the sun at Larvotto Beach
Make sure to pack a swimsuit because you’ll definitely want to hit Larvotto Beach while you’re in Monaco!
Located in the Larvotto area, about a 20 min walk away from the City Center, the beach is not super big, which means that during summer, it can get pretty crowded, so my advice is to go early in the morning and secure your spot.
You’ll find a couple of restaurants and terraces right on the beach from where you can get some drinks, grab a bite, and also sit there, under the umbrellas during the part of the day when the sun is way too strong.
There’s also a nice promenade (map) named after the beach where you can go on a stroll right at sunset or even a sunrise, if you’re an early bird who loves hitting the beach as early as possible!
8. Take a day trip to charming Eze
Once you set foot in Eze, you’ll immediately fall in love with it!
When I visited the South of France, I wanted to explore as many places as possible and I was glad to find how close the towns were.
PRO TIP: If you are taking any day trips, make sure you get an option on your phone that includes data and calls for France, because the one that you’ve got for Monaco might not work in France. So double check, because I didn’t and when I got to Monaco, I realized I didn’t have any internet!
Or you could buy an eSIM, which may be a cheaper option, especially if you’re traveling for a longer time. Airalo is a great one, but if you want to see other options, check out our latest post with the best eSIM for international traveling.
One of my favorite places in Southern France was Eze, a gorgeous hilltop town that is close to Monaco (1h away by train)! However, if you have more time on your hands, then I’d definitely recommend visiting Nice (20 min train ride from Monaco) and/or Mention (10 min train ride from Monaco).
To get to Eze from Monaco, you will have to take the train, from Monaco Station (map), to Eze Station (map). From there you can take the 83 bus that will leave you right in Eze Village, which is perched on a hilltop. Make sure you have some cash on you, preferably coins, to pay for the bus.
Another alternative to taking the bus from Eze station is to do the famous Nietzsche Trail (map). It takes around 40 min to 1h to reach the top, depending on how often you stop! It’s not too difficult (I did it once) but you’ll need proper shoes, like some sneakers.
The trail was named after Friedrich Nietzsche, the famous German philosopher, who lived here for a few months and did this trail, which apparently helped him to write the third part of his famous book Thus Spoke Zarathustra.
Eze is absolutely incredible! You’ll feel as if you’ve time-traveled to a medieval town! The old part of the village is built entirely out of stone and the views are just breathtaking.
While here, you can explore its super narrow, cobblestone streets, which are packed with souvenir shops and visit some attractions like the Le Jardin Exotique (map) and the Chapelle Sainte-Croix, des Pénitents blancs (map).
At the base of the town, before you go into its old part, you will find an old perfumeries that offers free tours, called Parfumerie Fragonard – L’usine Laboratoire (map)! They also have a small shop from where you can get souvenirs.
9. Eat something yummy at Condamine Market
Who doesn’t love exploring the local markets when they’re visiting a new place?
I love it, as it really offers a real and authentic taste of the city.
If you’re also a fan, make sure you head to Le Marché de la Condamine (map), a cute market that’s located in the Condamine area.
Open everyday, from morning until 3PM, the market has lots of small stands rich with yummy fruits, vegetables and flowers.
But you’ll also find lots of little shops from where you can buy some amazing souvenirs. There are also plenty of cafes and restaurants, where you can eat cooked food and delicious pastries!
Definitely bring some cash with you, in case they don’t accept cards.
10. See some art at Nouveau Musée National de Monaco
You’re going to love this museum!
Housed in 2 different (and gorgeous) buildings, the museum boasts some amazing art exhibitions and incredible architecture!
One location of the museum is at Villa Paloma (map), where you’ll get to see the stunning sea views from its various terraces, and one is at Villa Sauber (map)! Both buildings have a Belle Epoque architecture that you’ll want to admire for hours!
But make sure you head inside, as they have some amazing art exhibitions that usually change once every few months.
PRICE: US$7
11. Visit the Princess Grace Japanese Garden & Rose Garden
I think I’m not the only one who immediately thinks of Princess Grace Kelly, when someone mentions Monaco!
She was such a style icon and not only! I’d highly recommend watching this movie with Nicole Kidman, about her life, before heading to Monaco! It will give you a peek inside the life of this amazing woman.
You’ll find, built in her memory 2 gorgeous gardens, where you can escape the city heath and walk around, while admiring some gorgeous flowers!
One of them is the Princess Grace Japanese Garden (map), which is located in Larvotto. As the name suggests, the garden has a Japanese style, which includes some ponds, little bridges and a small tea house.
Then there’s the Roseraie Princesse Grace (map), a gorgeous rose garden that has around 300 types of roses! Wow, this place is probably like paradise for any flower lover!
PRICE: Free
12. See the yachts at Port Hercule
Monaco is the ultimate holiday destination for the rich and famous! Its glitz and glamor attracts celebrities and well-off people from all over the world!
Did you know that 1 out of 3 people who live in Monaco, is a millionaire?
I mean wow! If you want to get a taste of the country’s opulent and lavish style, just head to Port Hercule (map) where all the luxury yachts and boats are docked.
Despite its modern looks and boats, the port is super old and it offers some amazing views, especially at night when the whole city is lit up!
13. Attend the Grand Prix Race
So there are 2 Grand Prix races that you should know about: the historic Grand Prix and the Formula 1 Grand Prix, which is the most famous ones.
The Historic Grand Prix race is held in the beginning of May, every 2 years, and what’s different about the Formula 1 race is that the cars are actually vintage ones, some dating back even to the pre-war times. The circuit is the same one they do for the Formula 1 race and you can learn more about the event and get tickets from their official website.
You’ll find that they’re much cheaper than the Formula 1 ones, with prices from US$65 to US$125, so if you’re looking for a cheaper way to attend a car race in Monaco, this could be a great option!
The Grand Prix Formula 1 race is usually held for 3 days in the last week of May on the streets of La Condamine area and Monte Carlo.
It’s a super big event and yes, the country is absolutely bombarded with tourists!
There are a few ways to attend the F1 Grand Prix de Monaco, some super expensive, some free! I’ll list the main ones below so you can make an idea and plan in advance, as you’ll definitely need to book everything super early:
PRO TIP: I wouldn’t recommend visiting Monaco during the race if you’re not planning to attend, because they usually close a lot of the roads (since it’s a street circuit) and the whole country is absolutely packed with tourists who want to see the race, celebrities and socialites. So yes, it can get pretty crowded!
However, if you are a fan and want to see the race, as well as explore Monaco, then I’d recommend booking your hotels way in advance, as everything is sold out during that period.
14. Catch a sunset near Port Fontvieille’s viewpoint
After a day of exploring the city, visiting all the incredible attractions and maybe even hitting the casino, there’s nothing better to do than to go on a walk around Monaco!
I caught some gorgeous sunsets while I was visiting the city and although they’re so beautiful. There are some amazing viewpoints in the city that are just breathtaking!
One of my favorites is the Port Fontvieille viewpoint (map), from where you can see the sea from above and also a bit of the city!
Be camera-ready because you’ll definitely want to take some pics here!
15. Grab dinner at Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse à l’Hôtel de Paris
Want to commemorate your Monaco holiday with dinner at one of the most prestigious restaurants in the country?
Then definitely make a reservation at fine-dining restaurant Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse, which is located in Hôtel de Paris.
The 3 Michelin-starred restaurant serves Mediterranean cuisine in a sophisticated setting that requires an elegant dress code.
You can book your table through their website and also check the menu there! Usually, a meal price for one person starts somewhere at US$100 and can go higher than that, depending on what you order.
16. Snap some pics at the Exotic Garden of Monaco
Ready to admire some stunning views?
Then head over to the Exotic Garden of Monaco, which is set in a gorgeous location overlooking the Mediterranean Sea!
The Garden is home to numerous species of succulent plants and cacti from all around the world.
Your ticket will include access to explore the garden, the huge greenhouses which are located outside the grounds of the Garden, but still part of it and also to an underground cave made out of limestone rock, that looks absolutely incredible!
PRICE: US$8
17. Walk around the Grand Prix Circuit
If you’re not coming when the race is on but still want to see the Circuit you can just go on a walk around it!
You can check out the map on their website and see which way they go. But I’ll also add below the main points and locations, so you can get an idea:
- Sainte Devote (map)
- Casino Square (map)
- Portier (map)
- Quai Kennedy (map)
- Bureau de Tabac
- Piscine/Swimming Pool
- Rascasse (map)
- Anthony Noghes
- Quai Albert 1er (map)
Where to stay in Monaco
Well, not that we’ve seen all the fun things that you can do in Monaco, let’s check out some amazing hotels that you can book for your trip!
I’ve only included a short list here, but there is a wider range of options waiting for you in this post on where to stay in Monaco, so definitely check, especially if you want to find cheaper options.
- Luxury: Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo – overlooking the famous Place du Casino, this hotel is set in a historic building from the 1800s and it’s also the home of the famous Le Louis XV-Alain Ducasse restaurant which has 3 Michelin stars.
- Mid-Range: Fairmont Monte Carlo – admire the sea views from the rooftop terrace of this hotel that has a spa center, an outdoor pool and 4 restaurants.
- Budget: Novotel Monte-Carlo – a modern and affordable hotel that has rooms with a balcony, a swimming pool and a restaurant.
FAQs about things to do in Monaco
🔝Is Monaco worth visiting?
Yes! Monaco is an amazing place, with incredible attractions, a rich history and fun things to do!
👑 What is Monaco best known for?
The world’s 2nd smallest country is known for being super rich, for its Casino, Grand Prix Race and Royal Family.
📅 Is 2 days in Monaco enough?
Yes, 2 full days in Monaco are enough to see the main attractions.
🚶♀️Can you walk everywhere in Monaco?
Yes, you can walk pretty much anywhere in the central areas where the attractions are, but you might need to use the bus if you want to venture outside of the center.
Final thoughts on things to do in Monaco
What an iconic place! Make sure to watch some of the old Bond movies to get in the whole Casino Royale vibe before you visit!
I hope this guide on the best things to do in Monaco, shed some light and now you feel more than ready to plan your trip!
As always I recommend booking your hotels here in advance, as the country gets a lot of visitors, especially during summer (June, July and August) and during the Grand Prix Race.
Enjoy your holiday and if you have any questions about Monaco, just drop them in the comment section below and I’ll make sure to answer as promptly as I can!
Happy exploring,
Victoria
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