What to Do in Monaco: Free Things and More!
If you are visiting Monaco, whether on a day trip or staying a night or two, here is a list of what to do in Monaco! The good thing about Monaco is that it is gorgeous, and a lot of what to do is free sightseeing! But, there also cool things to do associated with Formula One, Monte-Carlo Casino and more!
I’ve grouped the things to do in Monaco based upon the 4 districts in Monaco, to make it easier to plan your itinerary! I’ve also listed free sightseeing things to see and fun activities to do in each district 😃
P.S. This is an EXTENSIVE list, so you may want to save for later!
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Summary of What to do in Monaco (with a Map)
Monaco is beautiful and has such a unique geography! From the Rock of Monaco on the west, incredible blue waters by the harbor, the jutted hills standing behind it and the beaches on the east, it has a little bit of everything.
Monaco has 4 different areas that you will want to see (some you will spend more time in than others): Fontvieille, Monaco City, Monte Carlo area and the La Condamine areas.
- Monte-Caro and La Condamine are often divided into 4 neighborhood/districts within these areas, but for the sake of simplicity, I am just going with the 4 districts of Monaco.
Here are some things you can’t miss (many that are free!,) fun things to do, museum options and more! The map below has everything organized by color representing each district of Monaco.
What to do in Monaco: Monaco City
Monaco City, often referred to as Monaco Ville, is the historic center of Monaco. Here you will find some of the older buildings of Monaco, the Prince’s Palace, epic views of both harbors in Monaco and more!
Places to See
You can spend a lot of time just roaming the streets of Monaco City! One of my favorite things about Monaco City is that you can walk and explore a lot for FREE!
Prince’s Palace of Monaco (Palais Princier de Monaco)
One of the first places you will come to once you climb the steps to Monaco City is the Prince’s Palace of Monaco. This palace was actually built as a fortress before becoming a palace, so it doesn’t have the typical look of many of the palaces in Europe.
The Prince’s Palace is now home to the current prince of Monaco, Prince Albert II.
If you like to watch changing of the guards, these happen daily at around 11:55 am.
Palace terrace (Terrasse du Palais)
After taking in the views of the Prince’s Palace, head to the Palace Terrace where you can get a great view of Port Hercule from above!
This viewpoint is located directly to the right of the palace, just outside the gates you go through as you climb the stairs up to the Prince’s Palace. I.E It is hard to miss! However, be ready though, because this viewpoint gets BUSY due to its proximity to the palace.
Monaco Cathedral (Cathédrale de Monaco
The Monaco Cathedral (known as the Cathedral of our Immaculate Lady, and formerly known as the Cathedral of Saint Nicolas) is a BEAUTIFUL cathedral and worth seeing while in Monaco City.
The architecture is Roman-Byzantine style made of white stone making it incredibly clean and picturesque.
Palais de Justice (courthouse)
Just beside the Monaco Cathedral is the Palais de Justice; aka the courthouse. Though probably not worth visiting the inside, it does have very unique architecture, with its rounded features and double staircase in the front.
Point de vue Port de Fontieiville
A must-see stop in Monaco City is the Port de Fontieiville viewpoint, especially if you are short on time and can’t make your way to see Port de Fontieiville up close.
Port de Fontieiville is a more quaint harbor in Monaco, holding less boats and having a significantly smaller max-length for yachts. However, the rocky outcroppings really show how clear and BLUE the water is and the architecture behind the harbor makes for a stunning view.
This viewpoint is located on Avenue Saint-Martin, which is the scenic route on the far side of Monaco City.
Jardins Saint-Martin
As you walk along Avenue Saint-Martin you’ll notice a garden that winds along the side of the cliff.
You can opt to climb down the path to enjoy the gardens below or you can enjoy the gardens that continue along Avenue Saint-Martin.
“frame” photo spot.
Want a great photo op? Head to what is called “the frame” (literally called this on Google Maps also).
This is located toward the “tip” of the peninsula and gives a unique view of Monaco and the Hercule harbor below.
Panoramic view of Monaco
If you keep along the path from “the frame” you will come across what is called the “panoramic view of Monaco.”
I know, other viewpoint. However, this one gives you more of an unobstructed view of the harbor, is often less crowded than the one by the Prince’s Palace AND you can get a view of the stonework and outside of the palace jutting out from the cliffside. It is worth a stop!
Things to Do
Want something to do in Monaco City besides walking and sightseeing? Here are a few things you can consider!
The Oceanographic Museum
The Oceanographic Museum is a museum of marine life. Here you will find aquariums, sea life encounters, an escape room, virtual reality and more! This is a great family activity option!
I am also so impressed by the architecture of the museum! It is intimate with the side of the cliff giving it incredibly unique architecture plus amazing views!
Monaco Guided Tour via La Petit Train de Monaco
Want to see the highlights of Monaco with less hill-trekking? Taking a guided tour on the little-train-that could is a great option!
The tour with La Petit Train de Monaco starts just outside the Oceanographic Museum.
Tour Length: 30 minutes
Price: 9 euros (5 euros for kids)
Tour the Prince’s Palace
I mentioned the Prince’s Palace as a site to stop at, but if you have a particular interest in history or palaces, you can opt to visit the inside of the palace as well. Guided tours are available upon request by contacting visites@palais.mc.
- Price to enter the Palace: $10.49
Watch a Live Concert at Fort Antoine Theater (Théâtre du Fort Antoine)
During the summer months you can catch live concerts at the Fort Antoine Theatre! Though once used for military purposes, the theater now hosts live music and plays under the summer stars, usually in the month of July.
The 2025 schedule has not been released, but you can look at the 2024 programs here.
Want to Know a Little More?
Take a Guided Walking Tour of Monaco and its Hidden Gems!
Take a guided tour of Monaco City, Hercule Harbor and Monte Carlo areas with a guide to learn more about the country!
What to do in Monaco: La Condamine Area
The La Condamine area is one of the larger areas of Monaco and it it also one with the highest elevation gain. This area consists of the main harbor of Monaco, Hercule Harbor, plus the towering hills that sit as the backdrop of Monaco.
Places to See
Get ready to see yachts up close and personal and get unique views of Monaco from the towering hills behind the city.
Statue de Juan Manuel Fangio
Stop and see the statue of Juan Manuel Fangio, a world-famous Argentinian Formula 1 racer who set speed records and held 5 World Champion titles!
This statue is located just at the bottom of the path that brings you from Monaco City to the Hercule Harbor. You can’t miss it!
Monaco Hercule Harbor
What to do in Monaco: See the yachts! The Hercule Harbor is THE harbor in Monaco. Though the Port de Fontieiville is beautiful, it is quaint compared to Hercule Harbor.
This is where you will find the yachts and super yachts that Monaco is known for.
Some of the best views of the harbor are from above, but it is crazy to see how large some of the yachts are from up close. So be sure to take a stroll around the harbor!
Monaco Yacht Club
Stop and see the Monaco Yacht Club. Whether you are a yacht clubber or not, it is cool to see the famous yacht club.
You can walk along the harbor in front of the yacht club, but you, obviously, aren’t allowed to enter unless you are a member.
Jetée Lucciana
Continue strolling to Jetée Lucciana where you can get a view of the Sassona Norton Et Purus 1 sculpture.
You can also get a view of the harbor and the hills of Monaco sitting behind the harbor!
Exotic Garden of Monaco
Want to see something that doesn’t revolve around a yacht or a harbor? The exotic Garden of Monaco can be a good option for you.
Since we only spent one day in Monaco, we didn’t make time to come up here and after seeing the INCREDIBLE views of the historic Monaco City, I am sad we missed it!
Price: 7.20 euros (kids: 3.80 euros)
Ravin de Sainte-Dévote
You can visit the Saint Dévote Chapel that sits just behind the Harcule Harbor (on the same level), but you can also climb to the Ravin de Sainte-Dévote.
This is where you can find the main exit from the Monaco Train station, and this is one of the most unique views of Monaco, as you will get incredible views of the ravine and high cliff sides.
If you look closely (of this poor-quality screenshot), you can see the Saint Dévote Chapel sitting at the bottom of the ravine near the harbor.
Things to Do
The La Condamine area offers several activities to do rather than just sightseeing.
Shop at The Condamine market
Stop at the Condamine markets where you can find fruits, vegetables and flowers but also has a “Food Hall.” You can find fresh produce, outdoor food stalls, restaurants, a grocery store and more here!
This is actually where we grabbed a pretty affordable lunch and sat down by the park to save a little money.
Swim at the The Rainier III Outdoor Swimming Stadium (Stade Nautique Rainier III)
As you stand at the viewpoints in Monaco City, you will likely see the olympic swimming pool down below. This is a full-size olympic pool full of filtered ocean water.
In the photo below, you can just make out the pool in the left of the photo, sitting between the main road and the harbor.
Open from May to October and then becomes a skating rink during the winter months.
Price: 12 euros for adults (discounts for residents, seniors and students)
Take a Formula 1 Guided Walking Tour
If you are a Formula 1 fan, the Formula 1 walking tour is a highly-rated tour that will take you along the road of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit!
Formula 1 Walking Tour
-Time: Either 10:30 am or 2:00 pm depending on the day (you’ll have to adjust your schedule accordingly)
-Length: 2 hours and 15 minutes
-Price: $53 per person
-4.9 star rating of 730 reviews on Viator
Private Cars Collection of HSH Prince of Monaco
If you are a car fan, you can visit the car collection at the HSH Prince of Monaco Car Museum!
The museum is home to between 70-100 cars that range from Formula 1 cars, classic cars, Bugattis and more.
Price: 10 euros for adults (5 euros for kids). Buy tickets here.
Rent a Car and Drive the Streets of Monaco
As we were walking down the road, we noticed small, traditional-looking race cars driving by with what looked like tourists driving them. So, if you would like to drive around and take in the views of Monaco with less walking, rent a car!
The ones we found were sitting just above the Monaco Yacht Club and people were purchasing their rentals onsite.
Or, you can also rent something similar through Fun Drive Monaco
Need an Affordable Hotel in Monaco?
We stayed at Hôtel de France and paid $145 for a night in September 2024. The location was GREAT, the room was clean and it was great for us!
What to do in Monaco: Monte Carlo area
The Monte Carlo area is probably the most famous of Monaco! Known for, obviously, its Monte Carlo Casino. this area is where you will find most of the high-end and luxurious sights and activities that Monaco has to offer.
Places to See
Of course, you can see the luxury without spending a lot! Even if you have no desire to spend loads of money, you can still see the beautiful buildings and cars that the Monte Carlo area is known for.
Monte Carlo Casino
You can’t go to Monaco and not see the Monte Carlo Casino 🙃 The architecture is incredible, and whether you are a gambler or not, the history of the casino is enough of a reason to visit!
Built in 1865 and renovated in 1878, it was originally established to fight bankruptcy. However, it became successful and with multiple renovations and additions, it has become the glamorous face of gambling. Made even more popular by Hollywood when James Bond movies such as “No Time to Die” were filmed here.
Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo
Just beside the Monte Carlo Casino you will see a hotel with matching architecture and luxury, Hôtel de Paris-Monte Carlo. Though you likely won’t be staying here, be sure to appreciate how beautiful it is while you are in the square!
Café de Paris
On the flip-side (literally) you can find the Café de Paris just across from the Hôtel de Paris, sitting on the opposite side of the Monte Carlo Casino.
The cafe underwent a huge renovation and is now more elegant home to several terraces for taking in the views of the Monte Carlo square.
You can appreciate the matching architecture and beauty of the cafe similar to the rest of the square or you can opt to go in and grab a coffee!
Walk the Gardens
Near the square you will find two different gardens, the Jardin du Casino and the Jardins de la Petite Afrique. If you would like to take a break from the cityscape, take some time to enjoy the gardens!
In the photo below, you can see how close the gardens sit to the Monte Carlo square!
The Champions Promenade
Are you a football fan? Did you know there is a Champions Promenade that is home to footprints (similar to the Hollywood handprints) of some of the worlds best footballers?
To learn more about the Champions Promenade, you can visit The Golden Foot!
Formula 1 Fairmont hairpin turn
One of the most famous turns in the Monaco Formula 1 circuit is the Fairmont hairpin turn found in the Monte Carlo area.
If you walk from the gardens in the Monte Carlo area toward the east side of Monaco you will likely pass by the hairpin turn!
Princess Grace Japanese Garden
One of the biggest and, honestly, prettiest, gardens in Monaco is the Princess Grace Japanese Garden. Though it was under construction when we visited, we could still see how much beauty it holds!
If you walk from the Fairmont Hairpin turn and plan to visit the beaches on the east side, be sure to take the path through the Prince Grace Japanese Garden!
What to do in Monaco? Go Beaching!
The best beaches in Monaco are found in the Monte Carlo area, on the far east side of Monaco.
The main public beach is Larvotto Beach (Plade de Larvotto). Here you can also find lots of restaurants and bars to enjoy a beachside meal and cocktail!
You may notice Le Méridien Beach on the map, but this is a private beach associated with the Le Méridien Beach Plaza hotel.
Things to Do
This side of Monaco is known for its SHOPPING! But there are other things to do as well!
New National Museum of Monaco – Villa Sauber
Monaco actually has two New National Museum of Monacos: Villa Sauber and Villa Paloma. They are both dedicated to exhibiting contemporary art. The Villa Paloma museum is located in the La Condamine area near the Exotic Gardens of Monaco.
- Hours: 10 am to 7pm June 1- September 30 and then closes at 6pm during off-season
- Price: 6 euros (gets you into both museums)
Visit or Watch a Show at the Opéra de Monte-Carlo
Opera fan? Monaco has a beautiful opera house that was built during an addition to the Monte Carlo Casino. The opera shows are frequent and range from 50 to 180 euros per ticket, depending on which show and seats you choose.
Visit the official opera website for upcoming shows and to purchase tickets.
Shop ‘Til You Drop!
If you are a shopper, you are in luck. Especially if you enjoy high-end shopping. The Monte Carlo area is where you need to be for all of your shopping!
Here you can find luxury brands such as Louis Vutton, Fendi, etc but you can also find places such as Zara in this area.
And, you can also find a shopping mall, Metropole Shopping Monte-Carlo, a three-story shopping center with a mix of boutiques, cafes and high end shopping.
Grimaldi Forum
Grimaldi Forum is a modern even center located on the east side of Monaco. On a typical day it may not be worth visiting. However, it is home to several different events throughout the year including concerts, art exhibitions, comedy shows and more.
- For a list of upcoming events, click here!
What to do in Monaco: Fontvieille Area
The Fontvieille area is located on the far west side of Monaco, home to many of the places for entertainment plus a beautiful harbor. Here is what to see and do in Fontvieille.
In our one day in Monaco, we had to pick and choose what parts to see, and we opted to leave this one out. So, in full transparency, the photos and things are courtesy of their websites.
We DID see this area from above, at the Port de Fontvieille viewpoint in Monaco City, though, and it looks like a beautiful area!
I have done the research on what to do and see in this area so that we could narrow down what we wanted to do in one day, so here is what to do and see in Fontvieille area!
Places to See
If you make your way to the far west area of Fontvieille, here are things to stop and see on your walk! The walk from the “center” of Monaco near the Monaco Market to the far side of the Fontvieille area is about a 15-20 minute walk.
Port de Fontvieille
The highlight of this area is Port de Fontvieille. It is smaller than the Hercule Harbor, but it is stunning! Surrounded by rocks that showcase the clearness and blueness of the water and the beautiful architecture of the buildings behind, it is one of the most photogenic spots in Monaco!
The photos below are actually mine and were taken from the Port de Fontvieille viewpoint in Monaco City, so you can see how pretty the area is!
Capitainerie
Near the port, you will notice a small, castle-looking fort known as the Capitainerie. In French, this translates to “harbor masters office.”
Below you can see the little fort standing next to the port waters (photo taken from the viewpoint in Monaco City as well).
Princess Grace Rose Garden (Roseraie Princesse Grace)
A beautiful place to take a stroll through is the Princess Grace Rose Garden, a rose garden built by Prince Rainier III, as a memorial to his late wife Princess Grace. The rose garden has a Mediterranean vibe, with old olive trees, palm trees, and, obviously, roses.
Cost: Free to enter
Église Saint-Nicolas de Fontieiville
The Eglise Saint-Nicolas is a beautiful church located in the center of the Fontvieille area. The church is a beautiful peach color, but the most impressive part is the colorful, tile topping of the bell tower!
Hours: 9am to 7pm
Cost: Free to enter
Digue de Fontvieille
In the photo below, you can see the beginning of the Digue de Fontieiville, which is the levee that protects the harbor from the ocean. Here, I am sure you can get some great photos of the Port de Fontieiville as well as Monaco City from below!
Things to Do
The good thing about Fontvieille is you can find a lot of entertainment here! Whether you are a sports fan or theatre fan, you can find a little of both here! Or, are you a boat fan? Spend some time out on the water!
Watch a Sporting Event
Louis II Stadium is located in Fontieiville and home to Monaco’s football club, AS Monaco, as well as Monaco’s basketball team!
If you are in Monaco during the time of a football match, this could be such a fun addition to your Monaco itinerary!
- Read more on Monaco’s football team, get the schedule and book tickets here!
Chapiteau de L’ESpace Fontieiville
Located by the Princess Grace Rose Garden you will see a white tent; this is the The Big Top of the Espace Fontvieille venue. Here you will find ALL kinds of events including galas, trade fairs, exhibitions, concerts, sports evenst, and probably most exciting, an epic circus!
Click here for the event calendar and see what fun event you can attend while in Monaco!
Charter a Boat
What to do in Monaco? Get out on the water! Port de Fontieiville is a good spot to hire a charter!
- Alice Boats is located in Fontieiville and has great reviews on Google (not affiliated with this company). You can opt for half-day tours, full day or a sunset tour on various sized boats.
Or you can go to GetmyBoat.com and it will have a list of different boats that you can rent for the day. Many of the charters leave from Cap-d’Ail, which is a port JUST on the other side of the Monaco/France border by Port de Fontieiville.
How Much Time Do you Need in Monaco?
If you are wanting to see everything that Monaco has to offer, you are going to need at least 2-3 days.
However, if you plan to just take a day trip to Monaco from Nice (which I have an epic guide for!), don’t be discouraged. You can see and do A LOT Monaco in one day!
- You will just have to prioritize what you think you would love to see and know that you can’t do it ALL.
Guided Tour to Monaco
If you aren’t up for training to Monaco and navigating the country on your own, there are lots of guided tours of Monaco that leave from Nice!
Monaco, Monte Carlo and Eze Guided Tour:
Many of the guided tours from Nice to Monaco are going to include another town, usually Eze. Eze is a BEAUTIFUL, small village that sits ABOVE the French Riviera. Here you will get a small-town French vibe as well as a view of the French Riviera from above!
The Best of the French Riviera Guided Tour:
Your other guided tour option from Nice will be a full day French Riviera tour. These will go to Monaco, but they also go to several different places including Eze, Antibes, Cannes, and Saint-Paul de Vence.
Obviously, if you choose to do this guided tour, your time in Monaco will be cut short (about 2 to 2.5 hours).
What to Do in Monaco Final Thoughts
If you have made it this far, you can see there is a LOT to do and see in Monaco! But, also keep in mind that Monaco is quite small and if you are efficient, you can see a lot of what it has to offer in a short trip.
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