Things to Do in Monte Carlo

Step into a world of high-stakes glamour, with a royal twist. From the Monte Carlo Casino to the Prince’s Palace, see why Monte Carlo is the playground for the rich and famous.

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Monte Carlo Harbor

Check out these magnificent yachts docked in Monte Carlo Harbor, the rich-and-famous playground that served as a location for the James Bond movie GoldenEye. Take in the impressive sights of rococo buildings and mountains on the Bateau Bus (water taxi) or hop aboard a yacht cruise.

Oceanographic Museum

Rising from the cliff-side rocks, the Oceanographic Museum is home to a treasure trove of sea life: seahorses, sharks, cuttlefish, sea cucumbers and more. The building itself is a monumental work of art: It took 11 years to build, using 100,000 tons of stone from southeastern France. The museum marked its 100th anniversary in 2010.

Prince’s Palace of Monaco

Take a tour of the Prince’s Palace. For the past 700 years, these stately grounds have been home to the Grimaldi dynasty -- most notably, the late Prince Rainier III and the glamorous movie star-turned-princess, Grace Kelly. The palace’s state rooms are open to the public during the summer.

Hotel de Paris

Relax in the heart of Monaco at the Hotel de Paris. This luxury resort hotel opened in 1863; today it’s regularly listed on the annual Conde Nast Traveler Gold List. Strike gold with exceptional dining (3 restaurant choices, showcasing Mediterranean gourmet dishes), along with airy, spacious rooms like this.

Opera de Monte Carlo

Take in a performance at the Opera de Monte Carlo. The opera house opened in 1879, commissioned by the Grimaldi family to showcase Monte Carlo as more than a Riviera playground. Today the opera house presents classical musical performances, ballet and philharmonic acts -- all from the small-yet-luxurious comfort of this 524-seat auditorium.

Palace Changing of the Guards

Round the clock, these officers stand guard outside of the Prince’s Palace of Monaco. See the stately Changing of the Guard each day at 11:55 a.m. The guards themselves are composed of an infantry division with 119 officers and sentry. Their motto: “Honor, loyalty, devotion.”

Larvotto Beach

Soak up the sun on Larvotto Beach. Set against a backdrop of luxury apartment buildings, this glamorous beach is home to high-end restaurants showcasing seasonal local seafood (grilled sardines, mussels and more), as well as jet-ski and sea-kayak rentals to cool off in the refreshing Mediterranean waters.

Le Metropole Shopping Center

You can’t leave Monaco without doing some shopping, so head to the Metropole! This shopping gallery spans 3 floors, with 80 boutiques (and names like Kenzo and Swarovski) that define exclusive. Lest all this proves too pricey for your credit card, there’s always plenty of window-shopping to enjoy, accompanied by glittering period chandeliers.

Monte Carlo Casino

"Bond, James Bond." It's here, at the Monte Carlo Casino, that our favorite British spy uttered those words. Step into this world of cool, decadent entertainment, and try your hand at blackjack, stud poker and Trente et Quarante, a 17th-century gambling card game that hails from France … you might just win.

Monaco Grand Prix

Take a supercar test-drive at the Monaco Grand Prix. Held each year on the Circuit de Monaco, the race has attracted a bevy of Hollywood A-listers through the years, including film producer George Lucas and actor Leonardo di Caprio. The first run began in 1929; today the annual race makes up the Triple Crown of the racing world.

Helicopter Tour of Monte Carlo

Feel like James Bond and see Monaco by helicopter! Take in incredible aerial views of Monte Carlo’s most jaw-dropping attractions -- the Prince’s Palace, the Monte Carlo Casino and the Monaco Grand Prix racetrack -- along with the sheer beauty of this stretch of French Riviera coastline.

Prince of Monaco’s Vintage Car Collection

A prince needs his cars. See nearly 100 classic cars of all makes and models that make up this high-priced collection. How pricey? When the Prince of Monaco auctioned off 38 cars from his massive collection, the asking price for one of the oldest was about $43,000. See the luxury car collection yourself at the Terraces de Fontvieille, a museum and multipurpose hall.

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Things to Do in Monte Carlo

Related To:

Shop This Look

Monte Carlo Harbor

Oceanographic Museum

Prince’s Palace of Monaco

Hotel de Paris

Opera de Monte Carlo

Palace Changing of the Guards

Larvotto Beach

Le Metropole Shopping Center

Monte Carlo Casino

Monaco Grand Prix

Helicopter Tour of Monte Carlo

Prince of Monaco’s Vintage Car Collection