Strolling through Monaco’s famous Rocher district? Step away from the tourist hustle and bustle to visit one of our favorites: the Saint-Martin Gardens. Ideally situated between the cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum, these gardens, the first to open in Monaco in 1816, have a lot to offer: superb panoramas, lush vegetation, remarkable sculptures…don’t wait any longer to discover them!
Here are some useful tips for planning your visit to the Saint-Martin Gardens in the Principality of Monaco.
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Is a visit to the Saint-Martin Gardens worthwhile?
The Saint-Martins gardens are well worth a visit. In fact, we listed them first in our list of Monaco’s most beautiful gardens. We were delighted to walk around it! As well as featuring a wide variety of flowers and plants, both Mediterranean and exotic, these gardens are home to numerous sculptures by renowned artists (Giorgio de Chirico, Edouard-Marcel Sandoz…). You’ll also find watering holes and pleasant places to rest, like the covered walkway below. If you’re in good physical condition, don’t hesitate to take the paths leading down the cliffs – the views are superb!
In our opinion, this is one of the best activities in Monaco!
What you can see
A leisure pool
As soon as we entered the gardens, we noticed this superb pond. We were amazed by its lush vegetation. We were immediately immersed in a serene environment, lulled by the sound of trickling fountains. In the center, the fountain adorned with a sculpture set the tone for the visit: these gardens are all about art!
Remarkable sculptures
As art lovers, we particularly enjoyed the gardens, which are dotted with sculptures. We were impressed by Giorgio de Chirico’s Ettore e Andromaca (1986), but our favorite is the one above by Dutchman Kees Verkade. Indeed, unlike the Italian surrealist’s work, this one is set in a particularly flowery environment, highlighting the sculpture’s theme: love. We were touched by this embracing couple. In a completely different genre, you’ll also see a sculpture of Prince Albert I, depicted as a “prince navigator” turned towards the sea.
An avenue of cacti
Originally, the Saint-Martin Gardens featured only Mediterranean plants. They were later enriched with exotic species, including numerous cacti. They have been grouped together in a very pleasant walkway.
Magnificent views over the Port de Fontvieille
The location of the Saint-Martin gardens offers superb panoramic views of the Mediterranean, and in particular of the Port of Fontvieille. To make the most of the scenery, we advise you to keep your eyes open, take your time, and venture out if you can along the paths winding along the cliffs.
Caves
Near the promontory where the sculpture of Prince Albert I as a navigator stands, there are numerous paths leading down the cliffside. Take them if you want to discover the Saint-Martin caves. The descent is easy as there are steps, but the ascent can be tiring as the slope is steep. The caves, nestled deep in the cliffs, are small but home to many bats!
A birdwatching trail
The lower areas of the gardens feature numerous information panels on local bird species. For example, we learned a lot about the Mediterranean crested cormorant! Unfortunately, we were unable to observe any.
Remarkable trees
Just before leaving the gardens, this magnificent and impressive fig tree in Moreton Bay caught our eye. It reminded us of the one we had admired a few days earlier at the Villa Sauber in Monaco’s New National Museum. We love this elegant tree with its light bark and exotic look. This tree is marked as part of the “Heritage Tree Trail”, which crosses not only the garden but the whole principality! To find out more, visit the tourist office website here.
Saint-Martin Gardens in Monaco: how to get there
Where are the Saint-Martin Gardens?
- The gardens are located in the Rocher district of the Principality of Monaco. They are located between the famous Oceanographic Museum and the Cathedral.
- It’s less than ten minutes’ walk from the Palais Princier.
Here’s a map of Monaco’s best gardens to help you find your way around:
Access by car and parking
The nearest parking lot (10-minute walk) is the Chemin des Pêcheurs parking lot. It charges for parking of 1 hour or more, and is open 24 hours a day.
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.
Public transport access
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 public transport website here.
Visiting difficulties
The gardens have PRM access. They are located opposite the cathedral and in front of the Oceanographic Museum. There are, however, some steep slopes. If you have difficulty walking, don’t venture onto the side paths leading down the cliff. Toilets are available on site.
Visit the Saint-Martin Gardens: useful tips
Schedules and prices
The gardens are open to the public every day:
- 9am to 6:45pm (April 1 to October 31).
- 9am to 5:45pm (November 1 to March 31).
See the latest news on the official website here.
How long
Allow 30min to 1h for the visit, depending on whether or not you wish to take breaks and descend the cliff.
Best moment
We recommend a visit in the morning. Indeed, the gardens can be very busy due to their location next to major tourist sites(cathedral, Oceanographic Museum…). If you’re looking for peace and quiet, we recommend descending to the bottom of the gardens, where you’ll find benches and few people venture out!
Direction of visit
There’s no imposed meaning. However, you will find a signpost with a biodiversity discovery trail. For our part, we preferred to let our intuition guide us. We began by discovering the great basin, then the cactus alley, before approaching the Oceanographic Museum. We then climbed down the cliff to look at the caves, then climbed back up. We went to the Oceanographic Museum and took the opportunity to visit it!
Eating out
Les Jardins Saint-Martin is located in the heart of Monaco, in the tourist district of Le Rocher. You’ll find plenty of restaurants here, but we particularly recommend Le Petit Bar. To find out more, we invite you to read our article on Monaco’s best restaurants.
Picnics are not permitted on site.
Hotels
The Rocher district, where Jardins Saint-Martin is located, has no hotels. We advise you to opt for accommodation in the neighboring Condamine district, and more specifically at Port-Hercule. Here are our recommendations for your stay in Monaco:
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
