Are you a culture buff? You’ll find a wealth of museums in the principality. From the must-see Oceanographic Museum to the more intimate New National Museum of Monaco, there’s something for everyone! We’ve also included some must-see sights in this article: the Prince’s Palace and the Casino. Whether you’re with your family, alone, as a couple or with friends, we’re sure one of these tours will appeal to you!
Here’s our selection of Monaco’s best museums, with helpful tips in pictures!
BEFORE OUR TIPS + PHOTOS
HERE ARE OUR FAVORITES ON THE Côte d’Azur East
Our favorite car rental platform: DiscoverCars
Our must-see tours:
Villa Ephrusi between Nice and Monaco
Magnificent village of Èze and Monaco from Nice or Cannes
Our unforgettable outdoor activities:
Calanques de l’Esterel by boat from Cannes
Snorkeling in Antibes
Helicopter flight from Cannes
Our favorite places to stay:
Nice: top-rated hotels e.g. Anantara Palace
Antibes: top-rated hotels e.g. Hôtel la Villa Port d’Antibes
Cannes: top-rated hotels e.g. Five Seas Hotel
Monaco: top-rated hotels e.g. Hôtel Hermitage
Menton: top rated hotels e.g. Hôtel de Londres
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Monaco’s best museums: tips + map
In Monaco, you’ll find magnificent monuments like the Prince’s Palace, must-see museums like the Oceanographic Museum, and more unusual institutions like the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology.
But there’s much more to do in and around the city: see our guide.
If you only need to do 3, we recommend it:
- The Princely Palace: the magnificent residence of the princely family, we were captivated by the building’s elegant architecture.
- The Casino: this visit won us over! We were dazzled by the building’s sumptuous interior, designed by the famous architect Charles Garnier, who also designed the Paris Opera House.
- The Musée Océanographique: Monaco’s most popular tourist attraction, this museum, inaugurated in 1910, is known not only for its aquarium, but also for having been directed by Commandant Cousteau, the most famous of French oceanographic explorers.
There’s no museum pass in Monaco, but if you’re planning a vacation on the whole of the Côte d’Azur, we recommend the Pass Côte d’Azur France. It includes the Oceanographic Museum, the Grimaldi Forum exhibitions, and the Museum of Stamps and Coins. You can also enjoy activities in Nice, Antibes, Cannes and Menton. To find out more, visit the official website here.
Here’s a map to help you find Monaco’s best museums:
1. Oceanographic Museum
Why visit it? Our review
Monaco’s emblematic Oceanographic Museum, 85m high and built into the side of the Rock, is an impressive sight. We took the time to admire its architectural ornaments, which, both inside and out, evoke the marine world. Created on the initiative of Prince Albert I, who led 28 scientific campaigns on the study of the sea, it was directed by the famous Captain Cousteau from 1957 to 1988.
Since its inauguration in 1910, it has housed a rich collection of archives, measuring instruments and models. It houses the world’s largest cabinet of marine curiosities, with over 1,000 objects. The museum is also popular for its aquarium, focusing on tropical and Mediterranean species.
Our 3 favorite moments
- The Mediterranean section of the aquarium: we were able to appreciate the diversity of marine species in the region and observe some impressive ones, such as a large moray eel!
- The physical oceanography room: this is one of the main rooms in the historical museum. We really appreciated the scenography, which highlights the major stages in the museum’s construction and development.
- Temporary exhibitions in the Applied Oceanography room: we were able to discover an immersive experience. It plunged visitors into the Far North and the oceans to convey a message of warning about global warming.
Useful tips
- The museum is located on the Rock, next to the cathedral.
- To get there by public transport, take bus lines 1 and 2 to the “Monaco Ville Le Rocher” stop. To plan your route, visit the official transport network website here.
- Visit duration: 2 to 3 hours.
- This visit is ideal for children, who will be enchanted by the aquarium!
- Full adult price: €19.
- Opening hours: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (October to March), 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. (April to June and September), 9.30 a.m. to 8 p.m. (July and August).
- Link to the official museum website here.
- Book your ticket now.
Our dedicated article will be available soon.
WHERE TO STAY IN Monaco
Option 1: In Monte Carlo
Discover luxury palaces in Monaco’s most sought-after district:
- Hotel de Paris – see prices, pictures and availability
- Hermitage Hotel – see prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Métropole – see prices, photos and availability
Option 2: Larvotto
Close to Larvotto beach, you’ll find some splendid resort hotels.
We recommend..:
- Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort – view prices, pictures and availability
- Le Méridien Beach Plaza – view prices, pictures and availability
Option 3: At Port-Hercule
Boutique hotels, with superb views of the port and the Rock.
- Hotel Miramar – prices, pictures and availability
- Port Palace – see prices, photos and availability
2. Prince’s Palace
Why visit it? Our review
The princely family resides and governs in the Palais Princier. However, one part of the building can be visited: the Grands Appartements. It features a splendid main courtyard, numerous 16th-century frescoes, and even the Throne Room! The exterior is equally impressive, with its medieval dwelling built in the 13th century, and the elegance of the rest of the facade (16th-17th century).
Life at the Palace is punctuated every day by the changing of the guard, which we were able to observe. At 11:55 a.m., the Prince’s Carabinieri, a military corps created in 1817, take turns ensuring the safety of the Palace and the princely family. Lined up in a row, they cross the Place du Palais, handling their weapons to the sound of drums.
Our 3 favorite moments
- 16th-century frescoes: we were amazed by the frescoes in the outside corridor adjoining the Grands Appartements. Recently restored, they feature strong, contrasting colors. We felt like we were in Italy!
- The throne room: undoubtedly the most emblematic room of the visit. Visitors flock here to see the Empire-style throne still in use by the current prince. We were particularly taken with the furnishings, including the Renaissance fireplace and a superb marble desk.
- The royal bedroom: the second most sumptuous room after the throne room, it features a richly decorated bed, beautiful furniture including a chest of drawers decorated with Japanese landscapes, a painted ceiling and lots of gilding!
Useful tips
- The Palais Princier is located at the entrance to the Rocher district.
- To get there by public transport, take bus lines 1 and 2 to the “Monaco Ville Le Rocher” stop. To plan your route, visit the official transport network website here.
- Length of visit: 1 to 2 hours.
- A visit booklet for children is available on the palace website. What’s more, the course is fairly short, so they can enjoy the beauty of the pieces without getting too tired.
- Full adult price: €10
- Opening hours: open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. in July and August, only in season (annual closure from mid-October to end of March).
- Link to the official palace website here.
See our forthcoming article on the Palais Princier.
3. Monaco Casino
Why visit it? Our review
A luxurious landmark in the Monte-Carlo district, this casino has been immortalized in numerous films, including the James Bond saga. This mythical institution is not only an entertainment venue frequented by celebrities, but also a remarkable monument. Designed in the Belle Époque style in 1879 by Charles Garnier, who also built the Opéra Garnier in Paris. Accessible every morning for sightseeing, we highly recommend a visit. Thanks to an audio guide, you can discover the dazzling interior of this building. Various game rooms, private lounges and restaurants are sure to impress, including the splendid Europe Room with its 8 monumental chandeliers!
Our 3 favorite moments
- The atrium: with its XXL gaming chips, this entrance area immediately sets the tone for the visit!
- The Europe Room: in our opinion, this is the most impressive room on the tour. In addition to its magnificent chandeliers, we were amazed by its glass ceiling, its array of decorative elements, its bars, restaurants and numerous gaming tables!
- The Salle Touzet Nord: we were captivated by its Art Nouveau glass ceiling, inaugurated in 1889.
Useful tips
- The casino is located in the heart of the Monte Carlo district.
- To get there by public transport, take bus lines 1, 5 and 6 to the “Place du Casino” stop. To plan your route, visit the official transport network website here.
- Length of visit: 1 to 2 hours.
- The casino tour is not suitable for children.
- Full adult price: €18
- Opening hours: open daily from 10am to 1pm.
- Link to the official casino website here.
Our article on our visit to the Casino will be available soon!
OUR TPS FOR RENTING YOUR CAR IN Provence
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is powerful enough (the roads are steep) but compact (some passages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
4. New Villa Paloma National Museum
Why visit it? Our review
The National Museum of Monaco was created in 1972. It was initially housed in the Villa Sauber. In 2010, a second exhibition space was added to the museum: the Villa Paloma. This early 20th-century villa in the Principality’s heights offered us superb panoramic views. The collection includes 10,000 works of contemporary art, but these can only be seen in temporary exhibitions. For our part, we enjoyed a very interesting exhibition on the American painter George Condo. Born in 1957, this artist creates strange, humanoid figures. Thanks to the museum’s audiovisual room, we were able to unravel the mysteries of his paintings!
Our 3 favorite moments
- The garden: built in successive balconies, this “antique-style” garden was designed by Octave Godard. He is known for his contribution to the invention of the Mediterranean garden in the early 20th century, characterized by regular forms and the use of local plants.
- The audiovisual room: thanks to this room, we were able to take a break from our visits and learn more about the artists on display. After our viewing, his artistic approach seemed crystal clear!
- La Table des Matières” reading room: we found the concept of this space interesting. Curators, mediators and gardeners provide content for the museum’s public: wall texts, videos, plants, a selection of books… you’ll have no trouble satisfying your curiosity!
Useful tips
- The museum is located in the hills above Monaco, near the Jardin Exotique in the Condamine district.
- To get there by public transport, take bus lines 2 and 3 to the “Villa Paloma” stop. To plan your route, visit the official transport network website here.
- Length of visit: 1h to 1h30 depending on your interest in contemporary art.
- If you’re a family, we recommend you visit the museum as part of a family workshop. For further information, please consult the agenda on the official website here.
- Full adult price: €6 (includes admission to Villa Sauber).
- Opening hours: open daily during exhibitions, from 10am to 6pm and 11am to 7pm in July and August.
- Link to the official museum website here.
For more information, please see our article dedicated to the museum.
5. New Villa Sauber National Museum
Why visit it? Our review
Like the Villa Paloma, the Villa Sauber is part of the New National Museum of Monaco. In fact, it’s the museum’s historic building, inaugurated in 1972. This Belle Époque villa belonged to the Blanc family, who played a significant role in the development of the Société des Bains de Mer. The latter still operates a number of sites in Monaco, including the Casino de Monte-Carlo. During our visit, we enjoyed an exhibition on the decorations that poet and artist Jean Cocteau created in his Villa Santo Sospir, in Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat. As well as enjoying the beautiful setting of the garden and villa, we learned a lot!
Our 3 favorite moments
- The garden and rose garden: we were pleasantly surprised by the museum’s elegant garden, home to several sculptures and a beautiful rose garden.
- The Belle Époque façade: the building, with its elegant Belle Époque style, contrasts with the surrounding modern buildings. We loved its soft colors, which blend perfectly with the Mediterranean sunshine!
- The audiovisual room: as at Villa Paloma, the audiovisual room at Villa Sauber provides a better understanding of the artists exhibited as part of the museum’s programming.
Useful tips
- The museum is located in the Larvotto district, opposite the Grimaldi Forum.
- To get there by public transport, take bus lines 5 and 6 to the “Grimaldi Forum Villa Sauber” stop. To plan your route, visit the official transport network website here.
- Length of visit: allow 30min to 1h depending on your interest in contemporary art.
- If you’re a family, we recommend you visit the museum as part of a family workshop. For further information, please consult the agenda on the official website here.
- Full adult price: €6 (includes admission to Villa Paloma).
- Opening hours: open daily during exhibitions, from 10am to 6pm and 11am to 7pm in July and August.
- Link to the official museum website here.
To find out more, read our dedicated article!
A LITTLE MORE patience
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6. Prince Rainier III Automobile Collection
Why visit it? Our review
This museum is a paradise for car enthusiasts. The Prince Rainier III Collection, which he began in 1950, includes some very luxurious models. On display are vintage cars dating back to the early 20th century, iconic Porsche and Ferrari models, and even the car used by Prince Albert II for his wedding to Charlene of Monaco in 2011! The first floor is occupied by racing models, including the Formula 1s used in the Grand Prix, and cars that left their mark on the Monaco Rally. If you’re passionate about the legendary Grand Prix, we recommend a guided tour on this theme immediately after your visit to the museum!
Our 3 favorite moments
- Horse-drawn carriages: the tour is organized chronologically. So we discovered the very first cars owned by the princely family. These ancient vehicles were already marked by luxury!
- Italian cars in the movies: as enthusiasts of the 7th art, we admired the Ferrari convertibles driven by French film stars of the 1960s (Alain Delon, Jean-Paul Belmondo…) in films shot on the Côte-d’Azur, such as Pierrot le Fou (1965).
- Prince Albert II’s wedding car: compared with the other models on display, this didn’t strike us as the most beautiful, but we did observe this partly-glazed car with interest in its history.
Useful tips
- The museum is located in the Condamine district, more precisely at Port-Hercule.
- To get there by public transport, take bus lines 1, 2, 3 and 6 to the “Stade Nautique” stop. To plan your route, visit the official transport network website here.
- Length of visit: allow 30min to 1h depending on your interest in the automotive field.
- There is no specific tour or mediation tool for children.
- Full adult price: €10
- Opening hours: 10am – 6pm (September to June) / 10am – 7pm (July and August).
- Link to the official museum website here.
Look out for our forthcoming article on the Prince Rainier III Automobile Collection.
7. Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology
Why visit it? Our review
The museum was founded by Prince Albert I in 1902. The goal? Preserve the prehistoric remains found in and around the principality. That’s why it was built by Monegasque architect Louis Bréa in the grounds of the Jardin Exotique. Indeed, this garden contains a grotto in which numerous bones have been found. Although small, the museum traces the major developments in the history of mankind. We’ve learned that over a million years ago, the Côte d’Azur was already a favored habitat for our prehistoric ancestors. We were also able to discover a temporary exhibition.
Our 3 favorite moments
- The mammoth skeleton: we were impressed by this well-preserved skeleton. Unearthed from the Arctic Circle in the 1990s, it measures 2.8m in height and its tusks reach almost 2.5m!
- Stele n°38 from the Tsatsyn Ereg site in Mongolia: highlighted in the center of the room, we were able to observe the details of this engraved stele. They represent the journey of the deceased to heaven.
- Paleolithic burials: Prince Albert I commissioned 3 excavations between 1895 and 1902 in Ventimiglia, Italy. We were able to observe the findings of this research, including a Cro-Magnon skeleton, famous for its great size (1.90m), rather unusual for prehistoric times!
Useful tips
- The museum is located in the hills above Monaco, near the Jardin Exotique in the Condamine district.
- To get there by public transport, take bus lines 2 and 3 to the “Villa Paloma” stop. To plan your route, visit the official transport network website here.
- Length of visit: allow 20 to 45 minutes.
- This short tour includes fun features for children.
- Full adult fare: €1
- Opening hours: open daily from 9am to 6pm.
- Link to the official museum website here.
Our article on the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology will be available soon!
8. Museum of Stamps and Coins
Why visit it? Our review
Created in 1995 by Prince Rainier III to house his philatelic and numismatic collections, the museum was opened to the public a year later. This enabled us to unveil the coins of the Sovereign Princes of Monaco, and the monetary finds made on the Principality’s territory in the 19th century. Philately (the art of collecting and studying stamps) is highlighted by the first Monegasque stamps. They were created in 1885 by Prince Charles III. Today, these collections are among the finest and most renowned in the world. The museum regularly hosts major international specialist exhibitions. To find out more, visit the museum’s official website here.
Our 3 favorite moments
- The rare stamps room: as the name suggests, this is where you’ll discover rare stamps, or rare coins on the occasion of major exhibitions.
- Manufacturing tools: we love machines because they show us manufacturing processes that we know absolutely nothing about! You’ll discover a large printing press for stamps, and a monetary balance (used to strike coins by pressure).
- The building’s ornamental motifs: this may sound strange, but we were seduced by the museum’s architecture. The decorative elements on the outside echo the collections, but above all they remind us of Aztec motifs. Don’t you think?
Useful tips
- The museum is located in the Fontvieille district, next to the Jardin Animalier.
- To get there by public transport, take bus lines 3, 4 and 6 to the “Fontvieille Centre Commercial” stop. To plan your route, visit the official transport network website here.
- Length of visit: allow 30min to 1h.
- The museum is not particularly suitable for children.
- Full adult price: €3
- Opening hours: open daily from 9:30 am to 5:30 pm (9:30 am to 6 pm in July and August).
- Link to the official museum website here.
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The Grimaldi Forum and other museums in Monaco
- Grimaldi Forum: located in the Larvotto district, the Grimaldi Forum is a concert and events venue. It regularly hosts major exhibitions. Click here to view the program.
- Musée du Vieux Monaco: this private institution aims to preserve Monegasque traditions, heritage and language (open only on Wednesdays and Fridays from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. from June to September).
- Princess Grace Irish Library: on the Rock, this library bears witness to Princess Grace’s attachment to her Irish origins. The entire collection is Irish and can be viewed on free tours. Click here for more information.
- Monaco Audiovisual Institute: films that have marked the history of cinema are regularly screened. The institute’s collections are mainly made up of audiovisual archives relating to the principality, available for consultation on request. The exhibitions are freely accessible. Click here to find out more.
- Francis Bacon MB Art Foundation: unfortunately, we weren’t able to visit this foundation, which is only accessible by reservation and guided tour. It does, however, house major works by Francis Bacon. For more information, visit the official website here.
Other museums around Monaco
Monaco’s neighboring cities, Nice and Menton, also boast numerous museums. Here are our favorites:
- Villa Ephrussi: 25 minutes from Monaco, this Belle Époque villa, a symbol of Riviera luxury, will impress you! Read our dedicated article here. Book your admission ticket with audioguide today.
- Musée national du Sport et le Stade Allianz Riviera de Nice: 30 minutes from Monaco, visit this unique museum dedicated to all sporting disciplines! Read our dedicated article here to find out more. Book your visit now!
- Musée Jean Cocteau de Menton: 30 minutes from Monaco, this is the first museum dedicated to this 20th-century French poet and artist. Read our dedicated article here to find out more!
- Musée d’Art Moderne et d’Art Contemporain (MAMAC) in Nice: just 30 minutes from Monaco, this institution is a must if you love contemporary art! See our dedicated article here for more information.
You can find out more about our favorite museums in Nice in our dedicated article.