Monaco. Principality of Monaco, French Riviera - travel guide Monaco travel guide
The territory of Monaco is so small that in one day you can see all the main attractions and even have time to fall in love with this strange piece of land sandwiched between French villages.
People have settled in a sheltered bay on the sunny coast since time immemorial. However, the history of the Principality of Monaco is connected with the reign of the Grimaldi dynasty. It all started in the 13th century, when the resourceful ancestor of the current prince, disguised as a monk, tricked his way into a Genoese fortress that was considered impregnable.
Since then, the power in the country has not changed - only members of this family remain on the throne. If one day the branch of the Grimaldi family is interrupted, the territory of the principality will go to France. Therefore, it is not surprising that many world celebrities who have settled in this tax paradise are looking forward to Prince Albert’s young wife, former swimming champion Charlene Wittstock, giving birth to an heir.
But let’s not waste any more time on gossip about the princely family, but let’s begin our mini-trip. A train departing from Nice, passing a small village on the Mediterranean coast, dives into a tunnel and finds itself at a giant station flooded with golden light.
Having left the station building, you realize that in a couple of minutes you have been transported from the rural outback to the center of a city built up with skyscrapers.
First of all, you should go to the royal palace standing on a high hill. The reigning dynasty kindly allows guests into part of their chambers and even provides audio guides in different languages. But you can’t take pictures inside, so you’ll have to go and look at the luxurious suite of rooms, which remembers several generations of the Grimaldi family.
Try to finish the tour before 11.55 am - at this time, every day, year after year, the changing of the guard ceremony takes place in front of the palace.
The next item on the program is the Oceanographic Museum. From the palace you can walk to it along a small street with probably a hundred souvenir shops. At the entrance we are greeted by a strange sculpture.
On several floors of the museum there is a gigantic collection of stuffed animals and skeletons of sea creatures. For several decades, since 1951, the meeting was headed by Jacques-Yves Cousteau. After his expeditions, new exhibits always appeared in the halls. Most people are usually interested in an aquarium located in the basement with living inhabitants of the depths.
Don't forget to go up to the roof: there you will find an inexpensive restaurant, a children's playground and, most importantly, a unique view of most of the principality.
We go down to the foot of the hill and find ourselves at the port. The most luxurious yachts in the world stop in this spacious bay. Taking a closer look, you can see huge swimming pools and Jacuzzis on their decks, and in the holds opened by the vain owners there is a whole fleet of a dozen luxury cars.
The port is a sacred place for any Formula 1 fan: the race track in Monaco runs through the streets of the city, and therefore, during free time from competitions, the most ordinary cars cross the starting line.
Bypassing the port you will arrive in Monte Carlo. Yes, this is not the name of a country, and not the name of a city, as some people think, but just the name of one area, known primarily for the oldest casino in Europe. Even if you are not interested in gambling, be sure to go inside and admire the luxurious interiors.
By the way, if you cross this wonderful green park located opposite the casino, you will find yourself at the Monaco tourism office (if you don’t know, it’s a little difficult to find it the first time). There you can buy tickets for a sightseeing bus, and generally get a lot of useful information.
Not everyone in Monaco drives a Lamborghini or a Maserati; there is also regular city transport in this city-state. But if you only have one day, you don’t want to waste time and figure out routes. For tourists, a hop-on hop-off excursion bus, making 12 stops in the most interesting places of the principality, is an ideal option.
For lovers of the East, it is better not to linger long in this park, but to walk a little forward so that in about 10 minutes you will find yourself in the Japanese Garden.
In the city center among the skyscrapers, the last thing you would expect is to see a small piece of Japan.
Just a few hours - and you already have a great sense of direction and seem to have seen everything in this country? This is not entirely true! Ahead of you is a “deep dive”: a scrupulous study of the best gastronomic restaurants, testing nightclubs, shopping, relaxing on the beach. Looks like it might be worth getting a room at one of the local hotels and staying for a week or two!
TOURISTS' ANSWERS:
The main attraction of Monaco is its own geographical location. Monaco in popular guidebooks was called the palace on the rocks. And this title is fully justified. The best architects of the world at different stages of the country's development, appreciating the extraordinary natural beauty of this place, were able to fit their creations into the overall aesthetic appearance of the rocks and the sea, without disturbing its pristine harmony. When vacationing in Monaco, you should first of all visit the Cathedral, which is almost a natural addition to the Monaco breakwater. The cathedral seems to float, towering above the city and can be compared in appearance to a ship going out to sea. The cathedral was built between 1875 and 1884 according to the design of the world-famous architect Charles Lenormand.
Continuing to explore the great buildings of Monaco, you can see even more ancient, compared to the cathedral, the churches of St. Charles and the Holy Martyr (Sainte Devote), built in the era when Prince Charles III fought for the religious independence of Monaco. Until this time, the principality formed part of the ecclesiastical parish of Nice.
In terms of its climate and geographical location, the Principality of Monaco, perhaps, occupies one of the most advantageous places on the Mediterranean coast. And this fully contributed to the fact that Monaco today is a country with magnificent exotic vegetation. Almost all types of plants adapt to its mild climate, from African flora to Arizona cacti. The people of Monaco, connoisseurs of all things exquisite, have been able to combine the demands of urban growth with the ecological richness of their land. And you, as a tourist, will see these metamorphoses with the naked eye. It is thanks to efforts to maintain the ecological balance of the territory that Monaco today is a very attractive destination for luxury tourism and recreation. This is one of the most beautiful paradoxes of Monaco: the ability to cherish its history without growing old is combined with concern for the preservation of nature, while not forgetting the main goal - to be a modern and promising country, an example of Western civilization.
The next point on your route is the calling card of Monaco - an exotic garden, which numerous tourists visiting the principality call one of the natural wonders of Europe. It is located on a rock that rises above the sea and the city at an altitude of more than a hundred meters. You will have a magnificent panoramic view of the entire city and its coastline. You just need to go to one of the many viewing platforms in the garden. Prince Albert I created a small garden to acclimatize plants in the vicinity of the Oceanographic Museum. Thanks to the mild climate of this place, numerous exotic plant species were able to acclimatize here. However, in 1913 this garden was moved to a new location, on a rocky hill. This zone, perfectly protected from the northern winds and the western mistral, over time was gradually replenished with unusual exotic plants that cover its slopes today. This heavenly place, which, by the way, is located at the latitude of New York and Vladivostok, was opened to the public in 1933, during the reign of the great naturalist, Prince Louis II. Today in the garden you can see many of the most bizarre plant forms that exist here thanks to the proximity of the Mediterranean Sea.
This exotic garden is a real museum of flora. Thanks to its extraordinary microclimate, plants acquire the sizes they reach in their homeland, and visitors to this amazing corner of nature (about half a million people a year) are amazed by the sight of Mexican cacti or African euphorbias, exceeding ten meters in height.
There is also a specialized scientific department, and the exotic garden often represents the Principality of Monaco at international flower exhibitions. This, in turn, serves as further confirmation of the exclusivity of the principality as one of the most attractive places in the world.
There is a fee to visit the garden. The cost of an adult ticket is 6.9 euros. Children under 6 years old enter the garden free of charge. Children under 18 years of age and students (only upon presentation of an international student card) pay 3.6 euros. Pensioners (over 65 years old) – 5.3 euros. Opening hours of the exotic garden: from May 15 to September 15 - from 9 to 19, and from September 16 to May 14 - from 9 to 18. You can get here by bus No. 1 or No. 2 to the Place de la Visitation stop.
The next interesting object to visit in Monaco is the Museum of Anthropology. It was founded by Prince Albert I in 1902 to house the magnificent collection of fossils and prehistoric skeletons found in the Balsi Rossi Caves, known today as the Grimaldi Caves, near the Italian border. Excavations and exploration of the caves were carried out for six years. As a result, numerous valuable finds were discovered that added fragments to the picture of the prehistoric past: animals that had disappeared from our fauna and two types of fossilized human remains.
Among the exhibits of this museum, the value of which is difficult to overestimate, one can note the Negroid skeletons found in the same Grimaldi cave. On this basis, it can be assumed that during the Paleolithic era, African tribes and Cro-Magnon man, who comes closest to modern man, lived in Europe. All skeletons are in excellent condition. They were found among other prehistoric objects, surrounded by numerous carved utensils. The material found in the Grimaldi Cave was later supplemented by objects discovered during excavations in Quaternary layers in the gardens of San Martin, as well as those found in a deep grotto in the gardens of the Observatory of Monaco. All these unique exhibits will appear to your eyes at numerous exhibitions of the museum. Entrance ticket – 7 euros. Children under 6 years old visit the museum for free. Children 6-18 years old and students pay 3.7 euros. Opening hours of the archaeological museum: from May 15 to September 15 - from 9 to 19, and from September 16 to May 14 - from 9 to 18. You can get here by bus No. 1 or No. 2 to the Place de la Visitation stop.
Is the answer helpful?
It’s hard to imagine, but the territory of the dwarf principality of Monaco is really divided into several parts that can be explored within one day. There is often confusion between the names and the objects located in each of them. After all, even in tourist travel programs or guidebooks you can find inaccuracies. Probably, only by seeing this principality with your own eyes, nestled on high rocks and walking along its streets, can you understand everything. So, if Monte Carlo is an area of fashionable hotels and luxurious entertainment, then Monaco-Ville is the oldest part of the principality, its historical core. After all, it was on this rocky cliff that the first inhabitants of the future richest mini-state once settled, and a little later - after the seizure of the throne of Monaco by the Grimaldi dynasty - they built a luxurious palace in the 13th century. Today Grimaldi Palace and the Palace Square located in front of it attracts thousands of tourists from all over the world. 
Once on the sun-drenched area, you immediately pay attention to the guard of honor, which serves at the gates of the Palace, you examine the ancient houses surrounding the square, and only then listen to the speech of the guide telling about the amazing history of the princely family. By the way, despite the fact that the Palace of Grimaldi is the current residence of the princely family, it is also a museum that opens its doors to visitors in the summer and displays some of the rooms that amaze the imagination with sophistication and unyielding style, and a unique library, the collections of which contain several thousand rare old editions. If you are lucky, the Prince himself will be somewhere nearby at this time (the fact that he is in the palace is indicated by the flag raised above the building). Arriving at Palace Square at 11.55, you can watch the changing of the palace guard of honor, which in itself sounds very attractive. By the way, the security staff is very friendly. And when some executive car enters the territory, unwary tourists are only politely asked to move a meter to the side to allow the car to pass. Just like that... Personally, this surprised me very much. I would never have thought that the powers that be could drive past me so easily, and I wouldn’t even notice.
If you don’t have the time or desire to visit the princely palace itself, you can turn your attention to the panoramic platforms located on both sides of it. They offer simply stunning views of the city and surrounding area. And by throwing a euro coin into a special machine like a spyglass, you can even bring objects of interest closer to you. And despite the fact that this is just a panoramic platform, it is definitely worth setting aside time to visit it, because you are unlikely to find such a stunning view of the city-sea-rocks anywhere else. 
Narrow streets diverge from the square leading to St. Nicholas Cathedral. It was built in the 19th century and is currently the main cathedral of the city, which houses the remains of members of the princely family within its walls. When you go inside, pay attention to its internal severity, combined with a certain luxury and solemnity. In the cathedral, you can not only sit in the shadow of the ancient walls, thinking about something of your own, but also walk along the side walls, looking at the faces of saints or princely tombs.
From St. Nicholas Cathedral the path will lead you straight to Oceanographic Museum. This is another iconic place of Monaco-Ville, attracting many tourists. The fact is that for some time its director was the legendary underwater explorer Jacques If Cousteau, so it is not surprising that the entire museum is imbued with the spirit of this man’s achievements. In numerous aquariums you can see interesting and even unusual, I would say, inhabitants of the underwater kingdom and learn something new about their life. And at the exit from the building you should definitely see the charming yellow bathyscaphe, which attracts the attention of not only children, but also adults.
In addition, it is absolutely impossible to overlook the charming and delightful Saint Martin Gardens, spread out on rocky terraces above the sea. They are very easy to find, because they are located right between St. Nicholas Cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum. And I’ll say right away that you should definitely visit them, even if you are not a fan of garden art. After all, there is something to be delighted with. This is not only beautifully selected trees, shrubs and flowers exuding a light aroma, but also unusual sculptural compositions, the opportunity to sit on a bench among unearthly beauty, and most importantly - an unsurpassed view of the sea, opening before your eyes like a blue sail. The spectacle is really so captivating that you simply don’t want to leave the park. 
Thus, Monaco-Ville is a real pearl of the Principality of Monaco and enchants from the first minute of acquaintance with it.
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Few ordinary people go on holiday to Monaco specially. Firstly, it is very, very expensive, and secondly, holidays there are very specific due to the landscape of the city, due to which there is a significant difference in altitude. Most often, a visit to Monaco occurs during a holiday on the Cote d'Azur in France or in Liguria in Italy.
Of course, one day is enough for a quick acquaintance with the principality, but in order to visit all its attractions and famous places, you still need 2-3 days.
Monaco has a coastline of only 4 km and its area is about 2 sq. km. Due to the lack of territory, the city rises up, and it seems that the distance between the huge houses is only a couple of meters. They are located so close to each other. But still, the city has done a lot for the convenience of residents and tourists. A large number of parking lots have been built here, some of them even provide one free hour of parking. For ease of movement, the city is equipped with free escalators and elevators. Climbing to the observation decks of the city is a favorite activity of tourists.
What is there to see in this most populous country in Europe, besides the stunning views of the harbor where the most expensive yachts in the world are moored? Is there anything here other than expensive cars, tall houses and a famous casino?
Monaco-Ville
Of course yes. For example, Monaco-Ville. This is the oldest district of the city, located on a high cliff overlooking the sea. The most attractive place for tourists in this part of the city is the huge Oceanographic Museum. A ticket for an adult costs 14 euros, for a teenager – 10 euros, for a child – 7 euros. From October to March the museum is open from 10:00 to 18:00, from April to June and September from 10:00 to 19:00, in July and August from 9:30 to 20:00. The museum is interesting not only for its exhibits, but also for its architecture. The building seems to grow out of a steep cliff and has two facades, one of which looks at the city, and the other at the sea. The museum has a huge exhibition of objects and instruments telling about underwater expeditions, a large collection of shells, as well as various works of art related to marine themes.
The museum’s aquarium, which is home to more than 4,000 fish and marine animals, is also of great interest. The uniqueness and usefulness of the museum is also evidenced by the fact that from 1958 to 1988 its director was Jacques-Yves Cousteau.
There is a large parking lot under the museum. If you travel by public transport, you can get to the museum by bus No. 1 or 2 to the final stop.
Opposite the museum is located Chapel of the Advent. Now it is a museum that houses beautiful paintings on religious themes by Rubens and other Renaissance artists.
Near the museum there are St Martin's Gardens, along the paths of which you can walk to Cathedral of St. Nicholas, built in 1875 on the site of a 13th-century church. The cathedral houses the tomb of the princes of Monaco.
In the same part of the city is located Wax Museum of the Rulers of Monaco, in which you will see wax figures depicting representatives of the princely dynasty of different eras, dressed in appropriate clothes. The museum can be visited daily from 11:00 to 17:00 in winter and from 10:00 to 18:00 in summer.
And, of course, the main attraction of this part of the city is the Palace of the Princes. Every day there is a changing of the guard on Palace Square, which thousands of tourists come to see. Part of the palace is open to the public (ticket price 6 euros). On the lower floors of the palace are the Napoleon Museum and the Archives of the Princes' Palace.
The cliff on which Monaco-Ville is located offers stunning views of the harbor and city.
If you go down from Monaco-Ville, you will find yourself on the Quai Albert I, which is part of the Formula 1 racing circuit.
One of the symbols of the city is casino, one of the most famous in the world. Possessing luxurious architecture and Baroque-style interiors, it attracts not only players, but also ordinary tourists seeking to feel the atmosphere of Monaco. Since there is no strict dress code during the daytime, anyone can come here not only for good luck, but also simply out of curiosity. Entrance to the casino costs 10 euros.
Opposite the casino is located Opera theatre, known both for its productions and stunning interiors.
Located a little away from the Casino National Museum of Antique Automata and Dolls. It contains a rich collection of wind-up toys, dolls and doll furniture. The museum is open daily, except holidays from 10:00 to 18:30
Parks
In the same part of the city there is also a small Japanese garden, open from 9:00. This is a very pleasant place to walk among stones, ponds, waterfalls and stunning plants.
In the city, despite the limited territory, there are several parks. A very beautiful place is Fontvielle Park, part of which is the Princess Grace Rose Garden. Another garden, located on the outskirts of the city, has an outstanding collection of exotic plants, mainly cacti.
The city also has a small zoo, a maritime museum, and a museum of vintage cars collected by Prince Rainier III.
Walk around the city
Every tourist who comes to Monaco must take a walk along the promenade next to the harbor to admire the most luxurious yachts and expensive cars passing by, and feel a little involved in this celebration of life.
It is best to start a walk around the city from Monaco-Ville, then go down to the harbor and walk along it to the area called Monte Carlo, where the famous casino is located. It is noteworthy that almost any attraction in the city can be easily reached by bus.
A trip to this dwarf principality turns out to be eventful. After it, it usually takes several days to calm down from the enthusiastic impressions. Each of Monaco's attractions is very memorable, and it is often difficult to determine for yourself what you liked the most. Usually you have a pleasant impression of the city, as a very beautiful, unusual and interesting place.
The main attractions of the Principality of Monaco are concentrated in the historical center of the principality in the Monaco-Ville (Old Town) area: the Prince's Palace, the Cathedral of Monaco, the Oceanographic Museum. You can spend the whole day here and still feel like you didn’t have enough time to enjoy the beauty of these attractions.
To have time to explore interesting places in all areas, read a brief description of the sights of Monaco, study the map with the sights of the Principality of Monaco. If you plan to spend very little time in the principality, look at photos of Monaco sights, choose the most interesting ones for you and go get to know this beautiful country!
Princely Palace
In the medieval district of Monaco-Ville is the residence of the ruling Grimaldi dynasty - the Prince's Palace.
On the palace square, visitors are greeted by the figure of a monk - a monument to the first of the Grimaldi family, and the majestic staircase in the main courtyard, witness to all the most important ceremonies of the principality, invites them to enter the Princely Palace. The palace square offers a picturesque view of the principality.
It is best to arrive at the palace square at 11:55. It is at this time that every day the guard of honor of the Carabinieri of the Prince of Monaco's Guard changes, and tourists gather here to see this fascinating solemn spectacle.
The Prince's Palace is a mixture of architectural styles, as over many centuries the reigning princes changed and improved the appearance of the palace at their own request.
Frescoes depicting various mythological scenes decorate the walls of the gallery of the Prince's Palace (Gallery of Hercules, or Italian Gallery). The history of the principality is presented in the frescoes on the left side of the chapel, and on the facade you can see the image of Saint Virgin, the patroness of the Principality of Monaco.
The interior of the Princely Palace is also open to curious tourists, but photography is prohibited here.
The cathedral in Monaco was built in 1875 on the site of a 13th-century church that was destroyed during the French Revolution. The cathedral is located on a hill, as if it monitors everything that happens in the Principality of Monaco.
Step inside the cathedral to pay tribute to the buried princes of Monaco and admire the masterpieces of the artist Louis Breat that decorate the walls of the cathedral.
If you come to Monaco during the summer, you may be lucky enough to attend the International Organ Festival, which is held at the Monaco Cathedral.
The enchanting sounds of the organ can be heard every Sunday, on church holidays and on Monegasque National Day (November 19).
For more than a hundred years, Monaco has been operating, which also includes the Institute of Oceanography of Paris. The initiator of the founding of the museum was Prince Albert I, who was fond of sailing (a monument was erected to him in Monaco - a prince with a steering wheel in his hands).
When you come to the museum, also pay attention to the building itself. Prince Albert I wanted the museum's architecture to reflect its purpose, as it is a palace dedicated to art and science.
The Oceanographic Museum is built on a rock and seems as if it emerged from the depths of the seas. The museum is truly so majestic that it becomes clear why it is also called the Temple of the Sea.
Head down to the lower level of the museum, where models of sea and ocean life are kept. The 90 aquariums located here also house many species of fish and coral, and the rock-cut aquariums are home to sea urchins, crabs, octopuses and other representatives of the underwater kingdom.
Be sure to visit the Shark Lagoon, which is home to more than 2,000 species of exotic fish and, of course, sharks. To change your mind about the feared predators of the deep sea, take the risk of petting sharks.
Even if after such an experiment you fail to learn to love sharks, you will no longer be able to be indifferent to the seas and oceans.
Perhaps Monaco is the only country in the world whose attractions include a casino.
This building in Monte Carlo has become a symbol of Monaco. Since 1865, when the casino was opened, millionaires from all over the world have come here to try their luck.
You can just come to the casino and “cheer” on the active players. By the way, in contrast to the well-known rule that a casino should have neither clocks nor windows, the Monte Carlo casino has both, and profits from the casino are an important part of the principality's income.
If you win a million or two in the casino, do not rush to buy a house in the principality and become a citizen of Monaco, because only foreigners are allowed to gamble in Monte Carlo.
If you are still afraid to cross the threshold of gambling establishments, admire the architectural masterpiece of Charles Garnier from afar, take a walk in the square near the Monte Carlo casino and walk along the beautiful terraces.
Want to enrich your stay in Monaco with a cultural event? Go to the Monte Carlo Opera. The hall has a capacity of 500 seats, but you need to worry about tickets in advance.
Architect Charles Garnier designed a copy of the Grand Opera in Paris in Monte Carlo in the 19th century. The entrance to the opera hall through the casino is one of the differences from opera halls in the world.
Another feature of the Monte Carlo Opera is the presence of windows in the hall. Before the performance starts, you can admire the beautiful view of the sea.
). But this does not mean that you should not come here. Monaco is a principality ruled by the Grimaldi dynasty since the 13th century. Nowadays, the state is best known for its casinos, Formula 1 racing and romantic fairy tales, such as the one in which a beauty (American actress Grace Kelly) marries a prince (Prince Rainer). Monaco is a stylish and glamorous country, giving tourists the opportunity to look into the world of luxury and celebrity, and at the same time ooh and ahh, look at the luxurious yachts off the coast.
Travelers who find a holiday in Monaco too expensive can see the country's attractions by visiting for the day from more budget-friendly destinations, such as Menton in Italy or San Remo in Italy.
10 Fontvieille
Fontvieille is a place for the rich and famous, as only the truly wealthy can spend several thousand dollars a day on a berth for their boat or yacht. The yacht berth can simultaneously accommodate up to 275 small vessels of various sizes. The port area has all the amenities that sailors could need. Some 50 years ago, the port of the town of Fontvieille was just a strip of sand in the shadow of the coastal cliffs. Right next to the pier is the “heart” of the village, many of whose streets and houses are located almost at the water’s edge. Beautiful views of the picturesque harbor can be seen from the top of the Rock of Monaco.
9 St. Nicholas Cathedral
Each Catholic country has its own national cathedral. In Monaco it takes its name from the first Catholic church of the principality, built on this site in the 13th century and destroyed in the 19th century. The cathedral is the burial place of members of the ruling Grimaldi dynasty, including Grace Kelly and Rainer III. Visitors most often note the beauty and tranquil atmosphere of this Romanesque church with white marble facades.
8 Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
Sea lovers will certainly enjoy this book, dedicated to scientific research of the deep sea. The neo-Baroque building stands on the very shore of the Mediterranean Sea. The museum was founded in 1910. Jacques-Yves Cousteau, the famous French scientist, photographer, inventor, director and explorer of the world's oceans, was director of the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco for three decades. Various representatives of the marine world, such as sharks, turtles and shellfish, as well as ship models and skeletons of sea animals are on display here. The aquarium, located on the basement floor of the museum building, is home to about four thousand fish. The aquarium is divided into sections with a Mediterranean climate and a subtropical one.
7 Larvotto promenade and beach
Larvotto is the most popular and (only) beach in Monaco. It is popular even despite the fact that there are more pebbles here than sand, although sand is imported with enviable regularity. Lovers of leisurely walks can put on comfortable flip-flops and leisurely wander along the Mediterranean coast along the Larvotto embankment. Sometimes the beach is recommended for families with children, since the sea here is calm, but parents should take into account that on Larvotto girls often sunbathe topless. Admission to some areas of the beach is free, but to others you will have to pay to enter. The embankment is just a few minutes' walk from Monte Carlo. Princess Grace Avenue runs along the beach.6 Botanical Garden of Monaco (Jardin Exotique)
The Botanical Garden of Monaco is a must-see for all tourists who have even a little love for wildlife. This cliff-edge garden is home to more than a thousand succulents, vegetation that can withstand arid climates well. The vast majority of succulents are various types of cacti. Some plants are over a hundred years old. At the foot of the cliff there is an underground cave through which guided tours are available. The Botanical Garden of Monaco houses the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology, built on the site where the remains of primitive people were found. The garden is a great place for panoramic shots of Monaco, as it offers magnificent views of the city and bay.
5 Monaco Grand Prix
Tourists who love fast cars and racing will not want to miss the Monaco Grand Prix, a Formula 1 race held at the Monte Carlo circuit in the Principality of Monaco. The Monaco Grand Prix is considered one of the most prestigious automobile races on our planet, and victory in this competition is considered one of the most prestigious victories in the Formula 1 championship. Because the streets in Monte Carlo are quite narrow and the track has many tight turns, the Monaco Grand Prix is the only championship event that does not adhere to the FIA-approved Formula 1 speed of 190 mph (305 km/h). These races became part of the Formula 1 championship in 1955, and before that were held as an independent competition. The first Monaco Grand Prix was held in 1929 in May and since then the competition has been held annually in this month.
4 Monte Carlo Bay
Monte Carlo Bay is another place where the richest and most famous people on our planet moor their expensive yachts. Monte Carlo is a city, administrative territory and commune located just north of La Condamine. The second oldest district of the Principality of Monaco. Here tourists can see the royal yacht belonging to the Prince of Monaco. She usually stands in Hercules Harbor, at the largest pier of the dwarf state, among other yachts and boats. The port, surrounded by picturesque landscapes, can accommodate up to five hundred small ships at a time. Travelers love to relax in a cafe right by the sea, where they can enjoy views of beautiful, luxurious yachts and beautiful landscapes.3 Municipality and city of Monaco-Ville
Monaco-Ville, also known as Le Rocher or simply The Rock, gives visitors to the principality the chance to stroll through the country's oldest district. This ancient town, officially the capital of the dwarf state, is built on a rocky site jutting into the Mediterranean Sea. The history of the town is usually dated back to the 6th century BC, when the ancient Greeks founded their colony on this very spot. In the 13th century, the founders of Monaco, representatives of the Grimaldi dynasty, made the ancient fortress their main residence. Almost all the streets of the miniature capital are pedestrian, and the town itself has not lost its medieval charm over many centuries. There are restaurants, hotels and souvenir shops, as well as some of the principality's most famous attractions, such as the Royal Castle, the Oceanographic Museum, St. Martin's Garden and St. Nicholas Cathedral.
2 Casino Monte Carlo
was built back in the 19th century and was intended primarily to save the ruling Grimaldi family from bankruptcy. At that time, Monaco was a poor state with an undeveloped tourism infrastructure. The plan worked. And today, the Monte Carlo casino attracts gamblers from all over the world, eager to try their luck in roulette, baccarat, dice and slot machines. Even James Bond tried his luck here. When visiting a casino, you should follow the dress code. Paid entrance. Foreigners at the entrance must present either a passport or another identification document, and local residents are not allowed into the casino at all.
1 Castle of the Princely Family of Monaco (Prince's Palace)
- the official residence of the rulers of Monaco, representatives of the Grimaldi dynasty. Currently, the head of the dwarf state is Prince Albert II, the son of Grace Kelly and Prince Rainer. The fairy-tale palace was once a 12th-century fortress, but over the centuries it was constantly added to and rebuilt until it acquired its current romantic appearance. The bulk of the improvements occurred during the reign of Prince Rainer, the father of the reigning monarch. The palace is open to the public every year from June to October. Once inside, be sure to notice the courtyard's covering, which consists of three million pebbles forming a geometric pattern. It is also worth admiring the ancient Genoese frescoes. Every day, at exactly 11:55, in front of the main façade of the Grimaldi Palace, visitors can witness the changing of the guard with the participation of the Carabinieri.
Its area is only 2 square kilometers, you can completely walk around it in a day. Despite its size, the principality is very wealthy and develops various sectors of the economy. The main ones are tourism and construction. For example, they make money by selling apartments. The price per square meter of luxury housing in Monaco is $58 thousand, and according to this indicator, the principality is in first place in the world.
Monaco is also known as a tax haven and home to wealthy expats. It is very profitable to move here, since there are no taxes on personal income in the country! True, a one-room studio costs from a million euros, and without real estate it is difficult to become a resident.
Thanks to its very picturesque location, Monaco is well known among tourists. There are excellent viewing platforms on both sides of the French mountains, which are not so easy to find, so we’ll tell you. The first is located on the road from Italy near the Vista Palace hotel (). It offers a canonical view, although we don’t know how to get here without a car. If you have time, you can walk there; the casino is only 5 kilometers away.
You need to take pictures in the morning (the previous photo was taken at 15:00), when the sun will not interfere. True, there may be fog in the morning, and then you will see such a landscape :)
The second site is more interesting. It is little known and more picturesque. Located near the village of La Turbie (). If you are driving by GPS, then enter the restaurant Les Santons 700 Route de la Tête de Chien 06320 La Turbie, France. Bus number 116 runs here from Nice. From Monaco you can take bus number 100X (timetable) from the Fontville area or bus number 11 (timetable) from the casino.
Walking around Monaco is very easy. You walk along the sea and thus visit all the remarkable places. It’s worth starting with the old town (Monaco-Ville), where the prince’s palace is located, which has been the residence for 700 years, an aquarium and an observation deck overlooking the harbor. At 11:55 there is a changing of the guard near the palace.
A tourist train departs from the Oceanographic Museum and you can ride it around Monaco. A tourist bus departs from the port with audio guides in different languages. But in general it is better to walk, the distances are short.
The harbor of Monaco hosts an annual international yacht show, the largest in Europe. At the time of our visit, the largest yacht was Lady Moura with a length of 105 meters.
The famous casino is located in the Monte Carlo area. It is well known not only to adults from the James Bond films, but also to children from the cartoon "Madagascar 3". Since 2013, excursions have been offered at the casino in the morning (10 euros). There is a beautiful park around. Considering the tiny territory of the country, there are practically no parks here. Another, better one can be found on the shore near the stadium, behind the old city.
From the casino you can walk along the Avenue of Football Stars to the city beach (Larvotto Beach).
The beach is very clean, the water is clear. It is worth saying that this is the best city beach we have ever seen.
In addition to luxury yachts, supercars are popular in Monaco. They were everywhere, even in the parking lot, Porsches surrounded us on all sides. Those who are richer come and rent such cars on the spot. In general, Monaco seemed to be the most “luxurious” European city we had ever seen. Therefore, it is not surprising to know that several years ago a Russian oligarch ordered snow and penguins in 30-degree heat, which were finally delivered :)
Monaco is located on a mountainside, so many free elevators have been built to get around the city, they are indicated on the map below. Otherwise you'll have to walk up these stairs :)
More photos of Monaco
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