Business card of Monaco. Principality of Monaco, French Riviera - guide. Prince Rainier III Antique Car Museum
“It’s better to go to Monaco not during the hot summer season, but a little earlier or a little later, for example in May or September,” says Valery Kukharchuk, a lover of European resorts. — At this time there is not a large influx of tourists, and prices are much lower. You don't have to live in Monte Carlo. There are many interesting places in the Principality where you will spend less money but have a great rest. Hotels in Monaco are very expensive, so it is better to live outside the country - in Italy, for example. We always stay in the Italian border port town of Ventimiglia and live at a campsite right in a tent. For two people the pleasure costs 26 euros per night. However, it is not at all necessary to spend the night in such camping conditions; there are hotels for every budget. We also take a daily packed lunch with us, and we get to the principality by train, which takes half an hour, and a ticket to Mona costs only 4 euros. By the way, trains to Monaco run very often, every 30 minutes.
Walking around Monaco
What to see in Monaco in one day? If you have already visited Monaco-Ville and went on an excursion to the casino, be sure to relax on the beach, take a swim and enjoy the beauty of the Cote d'Azur. The sea in Monaco is very salty, and if water accidentally gets into your mouth, your throat will become sore. They say it's not very pleasant. From the beach you can admire expensive yachts, ancient modernized sailboats and elegant sports boats. After all, Monaco is a romantic city!
Visit the Exotic Garden - it is located at the last stop of all buses. There are more than 1,000 species of cacti that bloom constantly here, many of which are over a hundred years old. The park has picturesque bridges, stairs, terraces and a beautiful cave 90 meters deep. From the observation deck of the garden you can see the modern district of Fontvieille, built on an artificial embankment. The area has a children's playground and a rose garden planted by Princess Grace. The museum of the history of princes with wax figures of all the rulers of the principality is interesting to visit.
It’s nice to just walk around Monaco, marveling at the narrow, well-kept streets, the variety of architectural styles, and the beauty of nature. Monaco seems to be permeated with light. It is light, cheerful and spacious. It is very clean and safe, there are no thieves or other lawbreakers, which is, of course, impressive.
Where to eat in Monaco
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The most interesting and main attractions of Monaco: photos and descriptions, location. What to see in the Principality of Monaco in 1 day.
The oldest part of Monaco is Monaco-Ville. In this place is located the main cathedral of the principality (also one of the most important attractions of the Principality of Monaco) - the Cathedral, built of white stone in 1875, the architecture of which is made in the neo-Romanesque style. In the interior of the cathedral you can enjoy authentic masterpieces of painting by Louis Brea. The cathedral is also the venue for festive and ritual events of the ruling family.
The princely palace, which was built on the site of a Genoese fortress dating back to 1215, is located on the top of a cliff. This palace is the residence of the ruling dynasty - the Grimaldi. Adjacent to the palace is a magnificent square where the changing of the guard of honor takes place. Next door is an open-air theater (in the Fort Antoine fortress).
We are moving to City Hall Square. The chapel of “Divine Mercy” (1865) is located on it. Inside the chapel there is a wooden statue of Christ.
Another popular place among tourists is the Gardens of St. Martin, which will be pleasant to stroll at any time of the year.
Museum lovers also have a place to go. The most interesting museums include the Museum of Old Monaco, the Wax Museum, the Historical Archive of the Prince's Palace, and the Oceanographic Museum located on the Mediterranean coast.
Monte Carlo
Few people in the world do not know about this magnificent city, the European capital of the gambling business, where the luxury of the casino dazzles those many who come to this city to test their fortune. This city is home to the oldest casino in Europe - the Casino Monte Carlo. The current building was built in 1910. The atrium of the building is lined with white marble and decorated with 28 onyx columns. The internal layout of the casino is a gallery of halls, decorated in various styles - the American Games hall, the European hall, the White hall, the Renaissance-style hall, the Salon of Graces and two VIP halls. The casino also has an Opera House (Granier Hall) and a Cabaret.
When visiting Monte Carlo, pay attention to the Church of St. Charles (1883), richly decorated with stained glass windows.
One of the most beautiful natural oases is the Japanese Garden, whose area exceeds 7,000 square meters. Be sure to visit it, because staying in this place will take you to Japan with all its features. Something else .
The port of Monaco is located here. The main attraction of the area is the Church of St. Devota (patron of the principality), which was built back in the 11th century. If you find yourself here on January 26, you will witness the annual ceremony - the burning of a model of the ship that sank off the coast of Malta and on which Devota was on board.
If you have time, visit the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology.
Fontvieille
An area that was created by human hands by draining part of the sea area. Here are located the Commercial Center with the Museum of Antique Cars of Prince Rainier III, the Rose Garden of Princess Grace (wife of Rainier III), the Landscape Park, the Maritime Museum and the Prince Louis II Stadium.
Telling you about sights of Monaco We could not convey to you the whole majestic atmosphere of this beautiful country, because no one except you yourself can feel it.
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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.
The Principality of Monaco is a miniature state located in the south of Europe. Monaco is usually associated with France and there are many reasons for this. To be honest, I used to think, until I visited Monaco myself, that this was an administrative region of France (see).
Monaco is one of the smallest and most densely populated countries in the world. What is Monaco famous for? What comes to mind first? Well, it seems like many famous athletes live and train in Monaco. In addition, rich people live there, the famous Monte Carlo casino is located there, and the Monaco Grand Prix stage of the Formula 1 championship is held in Monaco.
The indigenous population of Monaco are Monegasques. The population of the dwarf state is approximately 40,000 people. And this is on an area of 2 square kilometers!
By the way, precisely because Monaco is such a small state, I was able to visit almost everything in this city-state that the average tourist sees. So let's take a look at the sights of Monaco in order.
Before entering Monaco you climb a mountain. Narrow two-lane winding road. High, breathtaking. Well, from this place you have a view of Monaco
Very dense buildings
Well, and, in fact, the entrance to the city-state itself
City streets
Several shuttle buses run around the city. They have a total of 5 bus routes. There is also one night route (www.cam.mc).
The first attraction of Monaco is the Oceanographic Museum. Buses No. 1, 2 go to it; stop: Place de la Visitation
I wasn’t there inside, I just didn’t have enough time. In the museum you can see samples of marine flora, stuffed animals and skeletons of marine life. In general, everything is like that. Well, Jacques-Yves Cousteau also worked at the museum as director. In general, there is nothing more to say about the museum.
Botanical Garden of Monaco (Le Jardin Exotique)
I have seen different names for this garden. For example, the Gardens of St. Martin, the Exotic Garden of Monaco, etc.
I didn't see anything special there. It is located near the Oceanographic Museum. There are many exotic plants growing here, and there are pockets of space that offer excellent views of Monaco. There are especially many cacti of the most extravagant shapes here; they are at almost every turn. Some have reached gigantic sizes, some are tiny, like a matchbox. You can stroll through the streets of this garden completely free of charge.
Prince's Palace of Monaco
This is the official residence of the rulers of Monaco. The palace was originally created as a fortress, after which it was rebuilt several times. There is an open square in front of the palace. On the nearby streets there are many shops, boutiques, shops. There are cafes and restaurants everywhere, a sea of tourists everywhere.
Nearby there is an observation deck where Monaco is in full view. There are also incredibly many people here. This is the view from this site
Apparently just tourists, or maybe locals, I don’t know
Menu from a local restaurant. All prices are in euros
small bay
This is a little different from the bay that you see in Formula 1. This is another one. We were walking up the rock and it just caught my attention. This is impossible not to appreciate. Wealth, luxury. Instead of a Ferrari, there is a yacht moored under the windows of your house.
By the way, looking at it is not only beautiful, but also slightly dangerous. Decent height
Just some things
Observation deck near the museum. This is where I took the first photos of the museum
Luxurious expensive cars are found on the roads of Monaco
And there is such a transport. This is a tourist train. It departs from the Oceanographic Museum and passes near the main attractions of Monaco. As far as I know, there is a Russian audio guide there
Monte Carlo Casino
One of the most publicized attractions in Monaco. They say that there were cases when people spent entire fortunes in an evening, after which they threw themselves down the cliff and crashed.
That's basically all I saw in one day in Monaco. I also wandered around the streets and looked into the shops. Another interesting thing. Owning a home in Monaco is very expensive and prestigious. But you can only have housing when you live in it. Therefore, local rich people specifically hire people who imitate life in their apartments during the absence of the owner. They come in the evening, turn on the lights, wash, and cook something. Well, something like this. In general, these are the imitators
Renting housing in Monaco is expensive; on Airbnb the price averages $40-80 per night. Although there are also cheaper options. By the way, you can get a bonus from me for your first stay through the Airbnb website for about $20. To do this you need to register using this link. The bonus will be automatically credited to your account.
That's all for me.
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!
