This is Monte Carlo

Plan

One day in Monaco

A day that works in autumn and winter, built around opening hours we have checked. Swap pieces in and out as you like.

Facts checked on 24 October 2026

Evening over Monaco. Photo: keith ellwood, CC BY 4.0

  1. Arrive

    Morning: the Rock

    From the station, take the Fontvieille / Le Rocher exit, which has a lift, and head up to Monaco-Ville.

    Lift at this exit

  2. 10:00Opens

    1Oceanographic Museum

    From October to December it opens 10:00 to 18:00, with last entry 30 minutes before closing. Adult entry is €20.50 and children aged 4 to 17 pay €13, according to the museum. It is open every day except 25 December and the Grand Prix weekend.

  3. 11:55Daily

    2The changing of the guard

    On the Place du Palais. It happens every day and lasts about seven minutes, says the regional tourist board. Arrive a little early for a view from the square.

    The Palace State Apartments are closed for the winter: the 2026 season ran from 30 March to 15 October, and the Palace says they reopen in spring 2027.

  4. LunchUntil 15:30

    Lunch: the market at La Condamine

    Walk down to the Marché de la Condamine on the Place d’Armes. Its traders open every day 07:00 to 15:30, and fruit, vegetable and flower sellers 07:00 to 12:00, says the Mairie. The covered hall is closed for rebuilding for 13 months from 15 January 2026, so the stalls are out on the square. Look for barbagiuan, the fried pastry usually filled with Swiss chard and ricotta.

  5. AfternoonCloses 17:00

    Afternoon: gardens or art

    Jardin Exotique. The cliffside garden of succulents reopened on 30 March 2026 after six years of works. In November, December and January it opens 09:00 to 17:00. Garden entry is €12 for adults and €6 for children aged 4 to 17 and students; a ticket with the guided Observatory Cave visit is €15. Bus line 2 runs from Monaco-Ville to the Jardin Exotique.

    Bus line 2

    Or Villa Paloma, a few minutes away at 56 boulevard du Jardin Exotique, for the Victor Brauner exhibition until 3 January 2027. Open 10:00 to 18:00, €6, free on Sundays and for under-26s.

    Both are closed on 19 November, National Day.

  6. LateAfternoon

    Late afternoon: the sea

    Take bus line 5 or 6 to Larvotto for the seafront promenade, and stop at the free Japanese Garden on avenue Princesse Grace on the way. Opening hours vary with the season and sources disagree, so check locally.

    Bus line 5 or 6Free garden

  7. EveningIn November

    In November, an evening at the Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival at the Salle Garnier would round off the day.

Palace guards in dark uniforms and white helmets marching past a crowd of onlookers under umbrella pines
01 The changing of the guard on the Place du Palais. Photo: Tangopaso, Public domain
The arcaded market hall on the Place d’Armes in morning sun, with plane trees and red paving
02 The market hall on the Place d’Armes, La Condamine. Photo: Benoît Prieur, CC0

Sources

Each fact on this page comes from one of these. If you spot something that has changed, please tell us.

  1. Practical information, Musée océanographique de Monaco. Last checked 24 October 2026.
  2. Le Palais Princier, un incontournable de Monaco, Côte d’Azur France (regional tourist board). Last checked 24 October 2026.
  3. Visite des Grands Appartements, Palais Princier de Monaco. Last checked 24 October 2026.
  4. Le Marché de la Condamine, Mairie de Monaco. Last checked 24 October 2026.
  5. Barbajuan, Wikipedia. Last checked 24 October 2026.
  6. Le Jardin Exotique de Monaco, Mairie de Monaco. Last checked 24 October 2026.
  7. Préparer ma visite: horaires et tarifs, Jardin Exotique de Monaco. Last checked 24 October 2026.
  8. Exhibitions, Nouveau Musée National de Monaco. Last checked 24 October 2026.
  9. Hours and admissions, Nouveau Musée National de Monaco. Last checked 24 October 2026.
  10. Lines and timetables, Compagnie des Autobus de Monaco (CAM). Last checked 24 October 2026.
  11. Jardin Japonais, Côte d’Azur France (regional tourist board). Last checked 24 October 2026.
  12. Getting to Monaco by train, Visit Monaco. Last checked 24 October 2026.
  13. Monte-Carlo Jazz Festival 2026 press release (3 September 2026), Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer. Last checked 24 October 2026.