Things to do in Monaco

On more than one occasion, as I explore the streets of Monaco, I worry that I don’t look smart enough. I ask the guide whether I should’ve dressed up, seeing as so many people are wearing suits and formal clothing, even in the middle of the day. She laughs and reminds me that many of them are just going to the office, and this is just like any other big city where workers would be wearing suits on a weekday.

Amongst all the things to do in Monaco, it’s sometimes easy to forget that it’s like any other country in many respects. Yes, there are little quirks that are unique to somewhere as small and wealthy as Monaco, but it still has public transport, supermarkets, offices, and homes.

As a visitor, I think the key to exploring Monaco is to see the things that make it special – the glamour and the opulence. But also to go a little deeper to discover its heritage and local life. You’ll find the best things to do in Monaco are a mix of all of these.

What is Monaco?

It’s the wealth of Monaco that first strikes you when you arrive here. Or, to be more accurate, the wealth of the people who come here.

There’s no doubt the country is the playground of the rich and famous, with super yachts moored throughout the harbour and Lamborghinis rolling past you on the street. At Monaco’s best restaurants, tables of white linen look out across the water and the stunning coastal views.

One of the reasons the rich and famous like Monaco is that it’s safe and clean, with the country’s size making it easy for authorities to keep it that way. Monaco is the world’s second smallest country (after Vatican City) and would fit into about half of New York’s Central Park.

It’s governed as a constitutional monarchy, which means there is a royal head of state – currently Prince Albert II – but a government that makes all the decisions. However, in reality, the monarchs have a huge amount of power and, as you visit some of Monaco’s attractions, you’ll see their influence at many sights.

Many people will visit Monaco as a day trip from Nice or other towns along the French Riviera but it deserves much more than that. There are enough things to do in Monaco for at least a couple of days – even longer if you want to spend time making the most of its excellent dining and bar scene.

As you’ll see with this list of suggestions of what to do in Monaco, there’s much more than just the obvious.

Glamour

Let’s start with one of the things that Monaco is best known for, though: its glitz and glamour. There’s a reason the principality keeps popping up in James Bond films and is a magnet for the world’s wealthy every summer – and that’s because it is luxury to the extreme. Sophisticated luxury, that is.

Monte Carlo Casino

At the centre of Monaco’s opulent district of Monte Carlo is the casino, opened in the 1865 to help attract tourists to the small principality (and make some money – believe it or not, Monaco was struggling financially back then).

Even from the outside, the Monte Carlo Casino is stunning, with its Beaux-Arts facade looking onto a circular driveway where you’ll usually find very expensive cars parked. Inside, each of the rooms is decorated with its own motifs, such as the large Salle Médecin, for example, which has four paintings showing different times of the day.

Although there are some private gaming rooms for the most important guests, anyone can play at the Monte Carlo Casino (except locals!). It costs €17 to go inside (with €10 able to be used as credit) but you can go into the foyer for free. There are guided tours in the morning.

Opera de Monte Carlo

Monaco’s opera theatre, known as the Opera de Monte Carlo, is attached to the same building as the casino, but it’s an attraction in its own right.

The beautiful theatre was opened in the 1870s as Monaco continued to create attractions to bring visitors to the country. It was designed by Charles Garnier, who also did the opera house in Paris, and is covered in ornate decorations on every wall, with large windows on one side looking out towards the water.

There are regular performances at the Opera de Monte Carlo, including more than just operas, and it would certainly be worth seeing one if you have time. Or the morning tours of the casino should also take you here.

Café de Paris

Monaco is full of restaurants and cafés, but none are as famous as Café de Paris. Opposite the casino, it was founded at the same time as Monte Carlo in 1868 (and was originally called Café Divan).

It’s had a few renovations over the years and now looks like an old Parisian bistro. Inside, the stained-glass windows bring in plenty of natural light, but many guests prefer the outdoor terrace, which is great for people watching.

Monaco Yacht Club

Before you get your hopes up, let me remind you that the prestigious Monaco Yacht Club is a private club and only members and their guests can go inside. But, I still think it’s worth heading to its location because this is the best location to do some super yacht spotting!

The modern club building is impressive and you’ll find it at the northeastern end of Hercule Port, just down from the hill with the casino. From here, you can walk along the edge of the port to see the yachts moored just metres away.

The port itself is the deepest in Monaco and has been used since ancient times. Now it can hold about 700 vessels and you’ll find some enormous ones here, particularly during big events like the Grand Prix.

Fast cars

It didn’t take long for me to see the first Lamborghini cruising along the streets of Monaco and, after a while, I realised that was pretty normal here. Quite a few people have very expensive cars and they like to show them off.

But when it comes to fast cars, the most important event is the annual Monaco Grand Prix, first held in 1929. If you can get here for that, it’s quite a spectacle! But there are other races during the same time of year, such as the Formula E ePrix and the Monaco Historic Grand Prix.

If you’ve brought your car, you can drive along the Grand Prix track, which is just normal roads the rest of the year – although Monaco leaves the markings which creates a bit of exhilaration for normal drivers.

Or you can do a special driving experience with the car of your dreams – along the Monaco Grand Prix track and then some of the most scenic roads of the French Riviera. See the details of the Ferrari driving experience here, or the Lamborghini experience here.

Old Town

We may know Monaco these days for its luxurious side, but before it began chasing the wealthy at the end of the 19th century, it was still a prestigious European principality – and had been for hundreds of years. The most important buildings from the early history until today are in the Old Town.

Officially the Old Town is called Monaco City and is situated on top of a 70-metre-high hill surrounded by water in three directions. Some of the most important things to see in Monaco up here, so I suggest giving yourself about half a day for a visit.

Prince’s Palace

There are less than a thousand residents in the Old Town (Monaco City) but this tiny number includes the most important resident of all – Prince Albert II.

The monarch and his family live in the Prince’s Palace, which is perched at one end of the elevated headland, with views out to the southwest. It dominates the Old Town and all road eventually lead here.

The Prince’s Palace was originally built as a fortress in the 13th century and its location gives you a sense of how it was protected from attackers. But it’s been renovated over the years into a luxurious residence.

In the warmer months of the year, the palace opens the State Apartments for visitors, so you can head in and get a sense of the monarchy’s grandeur.

Monaco Cathedral

The next most important building up here in the Old Town is Monaco Cathedral, an imposing church that was consecrated in 1911 after being built in the site of the country’s first church from 1252.

Although most people just call it Monaco Cathedral, its official name is the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, but sometimes people call it Saint Nicholas Cathedral, which was the name of the original demolished church.

As well as the impressive architecture and artwork inside the cathedral, the most visited part of the building are the tombs of the ruling Grimaldi family behind the altar. It’s here you’ll find Princess Grace (Kelly) buried.

Oceanographic Museum

One of the best things to do in Monaco, the Oceanographic Museum, is more than just an aquarium. It’s an institution that has played a critical part on the study and protection of the oceans for more than a hundred years.

It was founded in 1906 by the then-monarch, Albert I, who was a keen oceanographer (and shows the power you have as the ruler of a small and wealthy nation). It was more than just a hobby, though, and the progressive approach to the study of the sea was ahead of its time.

When you visit the Oceanographic Museum, you’ll find the aquarium on the lower floor, with corridors of tanks full of rare and unusual marine life. The focus is on the Mediterranean, but there are species from across the world represented here as well. Upstairs, in the grand rooms full of heritage, are exhibitions about the history of oceanography – and Monaco’s role in it.

Time Travel Turtle was a guest of Visit Monaco but the opinions, over-written descriptions and bad jokes are his own.