Monaco packs an extraordinary number of world-class attractions into just 2.02 square kilometres. From the legendary Monte Carlo Casino to the cliffside Oceanographic Museum, the principality rewards visitors who plan their time well. Here are the essential things to do in Monaco, with practical details on prices, hours, and how to get there.
Things to Do in Monaco: Iconic Landmarks and Attractions
Casino de Monte-Carlo
The Belle Epoque masterpiece that put Monaco on the map, the Casino de Monte-Carlo opened in 1863 and still operates as one of Europe’s most famous gambling halls. The ornate atrium and marble columns are worth seeing even if you do not gamble. Entry to the main gaming rooms costs 19 EUR and requires a passport (Monaco residents are banned from gambling). Dress code is smart: no shorts, flip-flops, or sportswear. Open daily from 2:00 PM to 4:00 AM. The casino is on Place du Casino in the Monte Carlo district, a 15-minute walk from the train station or a short ride on bus lines 1, 2, or 6. Our Monaco neighborhoods guide has more on the Monte Carlo district.
Prince’s Palace of Monaco
Perched on the Rock of Monaco (Le Rocher), the Prince’s Palace has been the official residence of the Grimaldi family since 1297. The State Apartments are open to visitors from April through mid-October. Entry costs 10 EUR for adults and 5 EUR for children aged 6 to 17. The daily Changing of the Guard ceremony takes place at 11:55 AM sharp in the Palace Square, a tradition unchanged for over a century. The palace is in Monaco-Ville, accessible by bus lines 1 and 2 or a steep 10-minute walk up from the port. The National Day celebrations at the palace are covered in our events guide.
Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
Founded by Prince Albert I in 1910 and directed by Jacques Cousteau from 1957 to 1988, this cliffside museum houses one of Europe’s finest aquariums. The 6-metre-deep shark lagoon holds 450,000 litres of Mediterranean seawater, and the tropical aquarium section features living coral reefs. Tickets cost 19 EUR for adults, 12 EUR for children 4 to 17, and 15 EUR for students. Open daily from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM (until 8:00 PM in July and August). Located on Avenue Saint-Martin in Monaco-Ville, a 10-minute walk from the train station. Our travel tips guide covers getting around Monaco by public transport.
Monaco Cathedral
This Roman-Byzantine cathedral, built in 1875 from white stone from La Turbie, is where Prince Rainier III married Grace Kelly in 1956 and where both are now buried. Free entry. Open daily from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM (closed during Sunday Mass at 10:30 AM). The cathedral is on Rue Colonel Bellando de Castro in Monaco-Ville, directly across from the Palace of Justice.
Things to Do in Monaco: Outdoor Activities and Nature
Jardin Exotique de Monaco
Perched on a cliffside above Fontvieille, the Exotic Garden houses one of the world’s largest collections of cacti and succulents, with over 1,000 species from arid regions worldwide. The garden also contains the Observatory Cave, a limestone grotto with stalactites and stalagmites 60 metres below ground. Entry costs 7.20 EUR for adults. Open daily with seasonal hours (9:00 AM to 7:00 PM in summer, shorter in winter). The Jardin Exotique was closed for major renovations from 2022 and has partially reopened; check the official website for current access status.
Larvotto Beach
Monaco’s only public beach is a man-made strip of fine gravel and imported sand in the Larvotto district. It is free to access and has calm, clear water protected by breakwaters. Public showers and toilets are available, and there are several beach clubs (La Note Bleue, Miami Plage) if you want loungers and waiter service. The beach faces east so it gets morning sun. Best visited May through September when sea temperatures hit 20 to 24°C (68 to 75°F). Bus line 6 stops at Larvotto. Check our weather by month guide for sea temperature tables and the best swimming months.
Japanese Garden
A meticulously maintained 0.7-hectare Japanese garden designed by landscape architect Yasuo Beppu in 1994, located on Avenue Princesse Grace near the Grimaldi Forum. The garden incorporates all the traditional elements: a pond with koi carp, a waterfall, stone lanterns, a tea house, and carefully pruned pines. Free entry. Open daily from 9:00 AM to sunset. A peaceful escape from the glitz of Monte Carlo, and only a 5-minute walk from the Larvotto beach. For hotels near this area, see our where to stay guide for the Larvotto district.
