District guide · the old town on the Rock
Monaco-Ville (the Rock): Our Favourites
Monaco-Ville in one page: the Prince’s Palace and the changing of the guard, the cathedral, the Saint-Martin Gardens, the Oceanographic Museum and hot chocolate by the palace.
What's onThis week in Monaco
Show 7 places on a map
What to see and do
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The Grimaldis’ palace on the Rock
Prince’s Palace of Monaco
The palace on the Rock, with State Apartments open from spring to mid-October and the changing of the guard every day at 11:55.
Place du Palais, 98000 MonacoExplore View on map
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Resting place of Princess Grace
Monaco Cathedral
The white-stone cathedral of 1875 in Monaco-Ville, where Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III are buried.
Monaco-Ville, 98000 MonacoExplore View on map
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Monaco’s oldest public gardens
Jardins Saint-Martin
Monaco’s oldest public gardens, created in 1816 on the cliffs between the cathedral and the Oceanographic Museum.
Avenue Saint-Martin, 98000 MonacoExplore View on map
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Sharks, reefs and a rooftop terrace
Oceanographic Museum of Monaco
Prince Albert I’s museum of the sea, opened in 1910 on the cliff, with aquariums, a shark lagoon and a rooftop terrace.
Avenue Saint-Martin, 98000 MonacoExplore View on map
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Every day at 11:55
Place du Palais & the changing of the guard
The square in front of the Prince’s Palace, with views over both ports and the changing of the guard at 11:55.
Place du Palais, 98000 MonacoExplore View on map
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Fontvieille from above
Fontvieille harbour view from the Rock
The view from the Rock over Fontvieille’s marina, the Stade Louis II and the coast towards Cap-d’Ail.
Monaco-Ville, 98000 MonacoExplore View on map
Where to eat
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Hot chocolate by the palace
Chocolaterie de Monaco
A chocolate maker founded in 1920 and a supplier to the Prince’s Palace, with a tea room in the old town.
Place de la Visitation, 98000 MonacoExplore View on map
Questions and answers
What time is the changing of the guard?
Every day at 11:55 on Place du Palais.
When are the State Apartments open?
From spring to mid-October. In 2026 they opened on 30 March and closed on 15 October.
Share your Monaco-Ville tips
Been there? Share your experience and tips with other visitors.
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