This is Monte Carlo

See and do

What is worth your time

The sights we would send a friend to, with the hours and prices the venues themselves publish. Prices change, so check the official page before you go.

Facts checked on 24 October 2026

The Casino de Monte-Carlo at night. Photo: Martin Furtschegger, CC BY 3.0

Map of the sights on this page Numbered pins: 1 Oceanographic Museum and 2 the Palace, both on the Rock; 3 Jardin Exotique and 4 Villa Paloma on the heights to the west; A the Cathedral on the Rock; B the Japanese Garden near Larvotto; C Port Hercule.
Drawn from OpenStreetMap data (© OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL) and simplified: positions are approximate, so use a navigation app for directions. The ringed cross marks Monaco-Monte-Carlo station, which is underground.
  1. 1Oceanographic Museum
  2. 2The Palace and the guard
  3. 3Jardin Exotique
  4. 4Villa Paloma
  5. AThe Cathedral
  6. BThe Japanese Garden
  7. CPort Hercule
The Oceanographic Museum built into the cliff face of the Rock, seen from the water, with the mountains behind
The Oceanographic Museum on its cliff, from the sea. Photo: Olivier Dugornay (Ifremer), CC BY 4.0

Monaco-Ville

Oceanographic Museum

The big museum of the sea on the cliff edge of the Rock. Inside, only level -1 is reached by stairs; the other floors have lifts, and wheelchairs can be borrowed on request, subject to availability. Visitors with disabilities pay €10, as does a companion.

Know before you go

  • HoursOctober to December 10:00 to 18:00. January to March 10:00 to 18:00. April to June and September 10:00 to 19:00. July and August 09:30 to 20:00
  • Last entry30 minutes before closing
  • Closed25 December and the Grand Prix weekend
  • PriceAdults €20.50, ages 4 to 17 €13, under 4 free
  • Official sitemusee.oceano.org
The pale facade and crenellated tower of the Prince’s Palace across a wide square, under low cloud
The Prince’s Palace on the Place du Palais. Photo: Jorge Franganillo, CC BY 4.0

Monaco-Ville

The Palace and the changing of the guard

The changing of the guard takes place every day at 11:55 on the Place du Palais and lasts about seven minutes. It is one of the few fixed times in a Monaco day, so plan around it.

The State Apartments (Grands Appartements) are open only in season. The 2026 season ran from 30 March to 15 October, and the Palace says visits reopen in spring 2027. Exact 2027 dates are to be confirmed.

Know before you go

  • GuardDaily, 11:55, Place du Palais
  • ApartmentsClosed until spring 2027
  • 2026 pricesAdults €13, students €11, ages 6 to 17 €8, under 6 free
  • Official sitevisitepalaisdemonaco.com
Red aloe flowers and cacti in the foreground, with the apartment blocks of Fontvieille and the sea below
Aloes in flower at the Jardin Exotique, April. Photo: Tangopaso, Public domain

Jardin Exotique

Jardin Exotique

A garden of succulents built into the cliff, first opened in 1933 and reopened on 30 March 2026 after works, with wide views along the coast. One ticket can also cover the Observatory Cave, visited with a guide, and the botanical centre. The upper level is accessible by wheelchair, and visitors with a disability card get in free to the upper part of the garden.

Know before you go

  • HoursNovember to January 09:00 to 17:00. February to April and October 09:00 to 18:00. May to September 09:00 to 19:00
  • ClosedGrand Prix weekend, 19 November, 25 December
  • Cave toursHourly from 10:00, 40 to 45 minutes
  • 2026 pricesGarden €12, with cave or botanical centre €15, all three €18. Ages 4 to 17 and students €6, €8, €10
  • Official sitejardin-exotique.mc

Jardin Exotique

Villa Paloma, Nouveau Musée National de Monaco

The Nouveau Musée National de Monaco shows its exhibitions in two villas. Villa Sauber, on avenue Princesse Grace, is closed for renovation and extension. Villa Paloma is open for Victor Brauner, the Magical Adventure until 3 January 2027. The museum only opens when an exhibition is on.

Know before you go

  • Hours10:00 to 18:00, July and August 11:00 to 19:00
  • Closed1 January, 1 May, the four Grand Prix days, 19 November, 25 December
  • Price€6. Free on Sundays, for under-26s and students, and for disabled visitors
  • Official sitenmnm.mc

Also worth a look

A

The Cathedral

Notre-Dame-Immaculée, at 4 rue Colonel Bellando de Castro on the Rock. Visiting hours are to be confirmed.

B

The Japanese Garden

A free garden on avenue Princesse Grace, on the way to Larvotto. Published opening hours disagree, so check at the gate.

C

Port Hercule

The harbour below the Rock. In autumn it hosts the funfair, and in September the Monaco Yacht Show.

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 Jardin Exotique de Monaco, Mairie de Monaco. Last checked 24 October 2026.
  5. Préparer ma visite: horaires et tarifs, Jardin Exotique de Monaco. Last checked 24 October 2026.
  6. Hours and admissions, Nouveau Musée National de Monaco. Last checked 24 October 2026.
  7. Exhibitions, Nouveau Musée National de Monaco. Last checked 24 October 2026.
  8. Cathédrale Notre-Dame-Immaculée de Monaco, Visit Monaco. Last checked 24 October 2026.
  9. Jardin Japonais, Côte d’Azur France (regional tourist board). Last checked 24 October 2026.
  10. Programme fin d’année 2026, Mairie de Monaco. Last checked 24 October 2026.
  11. Monaco Yacht Show, Monaco Yacht Show. Last checked 24 October 2026.