Monte-Carlo Harbor is known for its calm blue waters and the frequent arrival of yachts from around the world. Surrounded by hills and waterfront buildings, it reflects Monaco’s long connection with the sea. Although modern in appearance, the harbour has a long history of serving sailors and traders. In the 20th century, it was expanded to accommodate contemporary vessels, making it both a practical port and a representation of Monaco’s maritime character.

Officially named Port Hercules, the harbour’s title dates back to ancient Greek sailors, who believed the mythological hero Hercules protected this coastline. They referred to the area as Port Hercules, linking it to a sanctuary believed to stand nearby. While locals and official signs still use this historic name, many visitors call it Monte-Carlo Harbor, since it sits within the famous district and is closely connected to Monte-Carlo’s coastal life.

The harbour is famous for its views, especially from higher terraces overlooking the water. It’s also part of the Monaco Grand Prix circuit, where Formula One cars race past the docks every May. During major yacht shows and international sporting events, the harbour becomes an exclusive floating neighbourhood where some vessels even include helipads, swimming pools, and private cinemas.

Today, the harbour can accommodate some of the largest yachts in the world. Visitors can walk along the promenade, stop at cafés and restaurants by the water, or simply enjoy the peaceful movement of the boats. Food stalls along the quay offer burgers, hot dogs, paninis, crêpes, and churros. The area also features pleasant walking paths and gardens, with scenic views of both the sea and the surrounding cityscape.

The Japanese Garden of Monaco is an oasis of tranquillity amid the atmosphere of Monte-Carlo. Designed by Japanese landscape architect Yasuo Beppu at the request of Prince Rainier III, the garden opened in 1994 as a way to honour Princess Grace’s long-held wish to bring a peaceful, natural refuge to the principality.

In keeping with Japanese garden tradition, the layout is asymmetrical and designed to feel quasi-natural, drawing the eye along winding paths and over varied terrain. The vegetation includes plant species from numerous regions — the Mediterranean, Asia, South America, Australia, and Africa — creating a harmonious landscape rooted in international diversity. At its heart lies an artificial lake of around 1,100 square metres, providing calming reflections and a sense of serenity. Among its quiet corners, visitors sometimes notice a discreet plaque honouring Princess Grace.

One of the garden’s most intriguing features is its unexpected setting: it is built on the roof of a parking structure, cleverly disguised beneath lush greenery and traditional design elements. All architectural features — including gates, lanterns, tiles, and fences — were crafted in Japan and transported to Monaco, ensuring authenticity in every detail.

Look closely at the lake — it is home to colourful koi carp, which are believed in Japanese culture to symbolise strength, resilience, and good fortune. Another interesting detail: the waterfall is designed to create a soft, constant sound to “mask” the noise of the city. Offering shade, water features, and quiet corners for reflection, the Japanese Garden provides a peaceful contrast to the surrounding stone, steel, and glass of Monte-Carlo.

Casino Square is the lively focal point of Monte-Carlo and one of the most photographed plazas in the world. Surrounded by graceful Belle Époque architecture, luxury boutiques, and carefully maintained gardens, it embodies the glamour that lifted Monaco from a small principality to a destination synonymous with prestige and sophistication.

The square takes its name from the legendary Monte Carlo Casino, established in the mid-19th century to attract Europe’s elite and revive Monaco’s fortunes. Its ornate façade, complete with sculptural detail and grand arches, creates an impressive backdrop for visitors arriving to test their luck or simply admire one of the world’s most famous casinos.

Until the early 20th century, Monégasque citizens were forbidden to gamble in the very casino that made their country famous — a rule introduced to ensure that the gaming profits came entirely from wealthy foreign visitors. The tradition remains: locals can work in the casino but are not allowed to play.

Bordering the plaza, the Hotel of Paris and the Paris Café enhance the sense of refined enjoyment. The daily parade of luxury cars, polished terraces, and stylish passersby gives the square a distinct cinematic feel, that many Hollywood films and TV series have showcased this very setting. At its centre, a circular fountain paired with the Sky Mirror sculpture creates a favourite photo spot.

Just beyond the open space, the Boulingrins Gardens offer shaded pathways and greenery. Steps away, the One Monte-Carlo district delivers high-end shopping with exclusive fashion and jewellery boutiques. Even without entering the casino, sitting at a café and watching the lively surroundings can be one of the most enjoyable ways to experience Monte-Carlo’s unique atmosphere.

The Monte Carlo Casino is perhaps the world's most famous gambling venue, owned and operated by the Société des bains de mer de Monaco. At some point, in the 1950s, it was controlled by Aristotle Onassis.

The idea to open a gambling business in Monaco came from Princess Caroline in the late 1840s. She saw this as a chance for the Principality to avoid bankruptcy after the loss of tax proceeds from the breakaway towns of Menton and Roquebrune.

In the 1850s, Monaco was not much of a fancy place. It didn't have sufficient road link to the neighboring Nice and the rest of Europe, no suitable accommodation or any other amenities for visitors. The casino changed several managers before it started to gain profit, in 1859.

In 1863 it was taken over by François Blanc who had used his entrepreneurial skills to raise a required capital for a massive development of the area, launched in 1858. Among those who first invested in the project were Bishop of Monaco and the future Pope Leo XIII. The new casino complex, designed in a distinct Beaux Arts style by architect Charles Garnier, author of the Paris Opéra building, was finished in 1863. The area, previously known as Les Spelugues (The Caves), was renamed to Monte Carlo in honor of Prince Charles, the then ruler of Monaco. In 1879, an opera and ballet theatre, known as the Salle Garnier, was added to the complex.

For many years, the Monte Carlo Casino remained the key source of income for Monaco's economy, yet its own citizens have always been banned from gambling. It is for this reason that all visitors to the casino must present their IDs to ensure that no locals get inside.

A lot of fictional, as well as factual, peculiar events have been associated with the Monte Carlo Casino over the years. Among them the James Bond movies, partially set in and filmed on the location, and the Monaco Grand Prix (the Circuit de Monaco) Formula-1 race, passing by the casino building each year.

Monte Carlo Avenue is known internationally for luxury shopping, polished façades, and an atmosphere of effortless glamour. The avenue showcases the elegant lifestyle that Monte-Carlo is famous for. Its development in the late 19th and early 20th centuries went hand in hand with the rise of the Monte Carlo Casino, creating a fashionable thoroughfare.

Today, the boulevard continues to represent sophistication, lined with high-end fashion houses, fine jewellery boutiques, and designer showrooms where the latest global trends are unveiled. Visitors can explore world-renowned brands such as Louis Vuitton, Chanel, Cartier, Hermès, and Gucci, along with speciality shops like Lalique.

Beyond its exclusive shopping appeal, Monte Carlo Avenue offers easy access to cultural and leisure highlights. It slopes gently toward the sea, where fresh breezes and harbour views reward those who continue toward the waterfront. Stylish cafés and restaurants line the avenue, tempting visitors to enjoy refined Riviera cuisine, exquisite pastries, or a coffee on a sunlit terrace.

Motorsport fans know this street not only for fashion but also for Formula One excitement. Each May, Monte Carlo Avenue becomes part of the legendary Monaco Circuit, hosting the Monaco Grand Prix. Barriers rise, grandstands appear, and the wide boulevard transforms into a high-speed racetrack.

The official residence of the Sovereign Prince of Monaco, the Prince’s Palace was originally built in 1191 as a Genoese fortress. Throughout its long and sometimes turbulent history, it has been bombarded and besieged by foreign powers. The Grimaldi family first captured the fortress in 1297, and it has remained their seat ever since — first as feudal lords and, from the 17th century onward, as sovereign princes. Their authority, however, often depended on delicate alliances with larger neighbouring states.

While many European rulers constructed lavish Renaissance and Baroque palaces, Monaco’s princes were required to maintain strong fortifications for protection. This unusual circumstance resulted in a palace that combines fortified medieval elements with later decorative additions, making it one of the more distinctive royal residences in Europe. When the defensive structures were finally eased in the late 18th century, the palace was seized during the French Revolution, looted, and left in a state of decline while the Grimaldi family lived in exile for more than twenty years.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, both the palace and its rulers became associated with the emerging glamour of Monte-Carlo and the French Riviera. That aura only grew in 1956, when American film star Grace Kelly married Prince Rainier III and became Princess Grace, bringing worldwide attention and cinematic charm to the palace.

Today, the Prince’s Palace remains the official home of the reigning monarch and is open to the public during the summer months. Visitors can explore several state rooms — richly decorated with fine tapestries, frescoes, and period furnishings — and enjoy views over the harbour and city.

Tip:
Combined tickets are available that include the Prince’s Car Collection or the Oceanographic Museum. In July and August, the palace courtyard hosts open-air concerts.

The Oceanographic Museum opened in 1910 and is one of the oldest marine science museums in the world. Commissioned by Prince Albert I, a pioneer of oceanography, the building features Baroque Revival architecture and sits prominently on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean. The museum’s foundations extend over 80 metres straight down the cliff, making it appear almost anchored into the rock.

A frieze on the façade includes the names of twenty research vessels linked to the prince’s expeditions. For over 30 years, the museum was directed by famed explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, who helped expand its research reputation and modernise its aquariums.

Inside, exhibitions highlight a wide range of marine life, including starfish, cuttlefish, crabs, sea urchins, corals, and tropical fish. Display cases also feature items made from shells, pearls, and other ocean materials. Visitors can view historical nautical instruments, ship models, and even sea creature skeletons, offering insight into centuries of marine exploration.

One popular section is a reconstruction of the first research laboratory installed on one of Prince Albert’s oceanographic yachts. The museum also hosts temporary and permanent art installations, with past works by artists such as Damien Hirst and Philippe Pasqua, reflecting the connection between art and marine science.

A major highlight is the large aquarium, home to more than 4,000 fish species and displays representing Mediterranean and tropical ecosystems. The Shark Lagoon and coral reef tanks are especially popular with visitors of all ages. The rooftop terrace offers panoramic views of Monaco and the sea, along with outdoor exhibits such as turtle habitats during seasonal programs.