Top 15 places to visit in Monaco

1. Monte Carlo Casino

Despite being only 3 kilometers long, Monaco is a real concentrate of attractions that await you at every turn. The first thing you're likely to see on arrival, and it's a landmark, is the Monte Carlo Casino.

If your goal is not to lose money, but only to familiarize yourself with the interior of the casino - you will easily do it. The lobby and the first gambling hall with slot machines are open to tourists free of charge. If you're determined to try your luck at the gambling table or want to see how others do it, you'll have to pay an extra €10 to enter the main hall.

Address: Place du Casino

Opening hours: 9:30 - 00:00.

2. Monte Carlo Opera House

While you're here, you should know that in the same building as the casino is a luxurious opera house. In his time Wagner, Verdi, Rossini, Caruso performed here, and the opera house was created by the same architect as the Opera Garnier in Paris - Charles Garnier.

If you want to appreciate not only luxurious interiors, but also to see world-famous operas performed live, check the schedule of performances on the theater's website.

3. Cafe de Paris

The best way to watch the hustle and bustle of tourists, as well as Bentley and Lamborghini arrivals and departures, is from the Cafe de Paris on the square in front of the casino. And don't be misled by the exorbitant prices.

Prices here are not low, but not much higher than the average prices in cafes and restaurants on the Côte d'Azur. For example, a cup of coffee will cost €5-8, salad - €18-30, main course - €25-40.

Address: Place du Casino

Opening hours: daily from 8:00 to 02:00.

4. Port Hercules

Yachts of celebrities and millionaires, wide decks, polished to a shine vessels, and lightness of being - all this you will find in the port of Monaco. The port was opened in 1926 and now it can accommodate around 700 ships at a time.

You can book a hotel in Monaco with a discount of up to -65% on the website.

It is definitely worth a look here to get into the atmosphere of luxury and carefree, and also to wander among the yachts, getting lost in guessing who owns this or that vessel. By the way, the yacht of the Prince of Monaco is moored here, so if you find yourself here, try to find it.

The address is 6 Quai Antoine 1er.

5. Monaco Ville Old Town

To get to the old town, you'll have to hike up a hill or take a car or vehicle to get there. Trust me, it's worth it! The old town is situated on a 140-meter high rock above the sea - Cape Saint-Antoine. It was here that the city was founded in 1215.

Today it is the historical center of the city, where about 1000 people live and where the main administrative and historical buildings are located - the Princely Palace (every day at 11:55 you can catch the changing of the guard), the Cathedral of St. Nicholas, the Byzantine Square and the Saint-Martin Gardens. There is also an observation deck, which offers perhaps the most breathtaking view of Monaco!

6. Prince's Palace of Monaco

The Princely Palace is the official residence of the rulers of Monaco and has been owned by the princely family since the 13th century. Just kidding, the Grimaldis are the oldest dynasty ruling in Europe today.

In one wing of the palace there is a museum open to the public, in the other, the Grimaldi's private quarters. In summer, part of the princely domain also becomes open to travelers. On a side note: if the flag on the residence is lowered - the monarch is not in place, which means that the doors of the residence are open to tourists.

7. Cathedral of Our Lady Immaculate

This is the main cathedral of Monaco and the princely tomb. Among its altars, two are particularly notable - those of Princess Grace Kelly, who was killed in a car crash in 1982, and of her husband Rainier III.

Address: 4 Rue Colonel Bellando de Castro

8. Old Monaco Museum

A free museum that will immerse you in the history of Monaco. The museum was established to cherish the national identity and pass on the Monegasque tradition to the next generation.

There's even a Monegasque language course here! Yes, yes, there is such a thing. History buffs and all inquisitive travelers - this is the place to go.

Address: 2 Rue Emile de Loth

Opening hours: daily from 11:00 to 16:00, except weekends.

9. Oceanographic Museum

Remember the exciting documentaries of Jacques-Yves Cousteau that made us fall in love with the mysterious underwater world? Well, Jacques Cousteau is an honorary citizen of Monaco and was once in charge of the Oceanographic Museum. Here you will see a huge skeleton of a whale, take a closer look at the inhabitants of the sea depths - about 4000 fish live in the aquarium of the museum.

Address: Avenue Saint-Martin

Opening hours: daily from 9:30 to 20:00.

Entrance fee: Adults (from 19 years old) - €11-€16 € depending on the season, Youth (13-18 years old inclusive) / Students (valid student card) - €7-12, Children (4-12 years old inclusive) - €5 - €8. Persons with disabilities - €7.

10. Jardin Exotique (Exotic Garden)

You will see the signs to the garden as soon as you step outside the railway station and after 10-15 minutes you will be wandering in this kingdom of amazing plants. The garden spreads at an altitude of more than 100 meters above sea level and occupies an area of about 1 hectare.

Here you can take a peaceful stroll surrounded by cacti and succulents, and also look into the grotto formed in the lime rock and dive 300 steps down into the thicket of stalactites and stalagmites.

Address: Jardin Exotique de Monaco - 62, Bd du Jardin Exotique

Opening hours: daily except November 19 (Monaco National Day) and December 25. Opening hours: January - from 09.00 to 17.00, February to April - from 09.00 to 18.00, May to September - from 09.00 to 19.00, October - from 09.00 to 18.00, November to December - from 09.00 to 17.00.

Admission costs €7.20 for adults, €3.80 for children (6 to 18 years old) and other visitors entitled to benefits; €5.50 for seniors over 65 years old.

11. Japanese Garden

Rock gardens, bridges, fish ponds - head to this oasis if you're suddenly bored with Asian flavor in the midst of European luxury.

The garden was created in 1994 on the initiative of Prince Rainier III and not just for fun, but in exact accordance with the principles of Zen. Entrance to the garden is free.

Address: 5 Av. Princesse Grace

Opening hours: from 9:00 to 17:45 or 18:45 (depending on the season).

12. Larvotto Beach

The most important thing you need to know is that this is Monaco's only free beach. It was created artificially: the purest sand is regularly brought here.

This is an ideal place for a family vacation with children in Monte Carlo. Not only that the coast is constantly cleaned, the water is cleaned by special filters, and along the beach stretched a special net, protecting vacationers from jellyfish. Thanks to all these advantages, the beach is among the ten best beaches of the Côte d'Azur.

13. La Condamine

La Condamine is the second oldest neighborhood in Monaco after Monaco-Ville and is definitely not to be missed. La Condamine is home to the harbor, the starting point of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit on Boulevard Albert I, the Princess Antoinette Park, business districts, many boutiques and restaurants. The unique Monaco-Monte Carlo train station is also located in this part of the city. In general, you can't walk too much!

14. Fontvieille

Monaco's newest neighborhood, built on water, or rather on a piece of land reclaimed from the sea and drained. Yes, some 50 years ago the waves were still splashing here! Now the neighborhood is remarkable for its technological sophistication. Among the notable places here are the Louis II stadium, a museum of vintage cars, a zoo and the Grimaldi Rocks, favored by climbers.

15. Prince Rainier III Car Museum

Fond of luxury retro cars? Check out the Prince Rainier III Car Museum. Prince Rainier III of Monaco, the same one whose wife was the legendary Grace Kelly, was a passionate motorist and for 30 years collected his own collection of more than a hundred cars.

In the museum you can not only look at the gorgeous collection of cars, but also learn a lot about the history of personal transportation and its functional diversity.

Address: Les Terrasses de Fontvieille

Opening hours: from April 2 to June 30 / from September 1 to October 15 - from 10:00 to 17:30; from July 1 to August 31 - from 10:00 to 18:30; May 25-26 during the Formula 1 the museum is closed.

Ticket price: €8 for adults, €4 for children.