Guide

24 hours in Monaco

Our concierge guide
A pencil drawing of a large building.

The glittering principality of Monaco lies between Nice and Liguria on the Italian border. While Monaco plays host to glamorous events, from the Yacht Show to the Grand Prix, and boasts a fleet of high-end casinos and restaurants, there is more to be discovered in this luxurious destination than meets the eye.

Morning

La Condamine

Oranges with a label that says '3 kg'.

Monaco’s daily food market, La Condamine, has been selling local delicacies for over 140 years. The market has a distinctly Provençal feel to it, with the heady scent of fruits, vegetables and flowers filling the air. Residents flock here for lunch too, indulging in typical Monegasque fare, including socca, a flatbread made from chickpeas, and Barbajuan, a savoury pastry often filled with ricotta and chard.

The Changing of the Guard

A man dressed in white next to some green cannons.

Each day at 11.55am a changing of the palace guards takes place before the royal entrance on Palace Square, an age old ceremony performed in striking white or black seasonal uniforms.

Musée Océanographique de Monaco

A building on a rock on the sea coast.

Immerse yourself in the beauty and science of aquatic life at the Musée Océanographique. Built by Prince Albert I in 1910, the museum and aquarium is dramatically carved into the cliff face and invites you to discover over 450 tropical species of fish and marine life. The views of Monaco and the Mediterranean from the sweeping terrace are also spectacular.

Afternoon

Villa Paloma

A path with trees around it leading to a white building.

Part of The Nouveau Musée National de Monaco, Villa Paloma was previously one of Monaco’s most striking aristocratic residences. Alongside Belle Époque masterpiece Villa Sauber, Villa Paloma houses contemporary works of art from celebrated international artists such as Andy Warhol, Bruno Munari and Wolfgang Tillmans. The classically terraced, meandering garden is peaceful and inviting, but venture to the Jardin Exotique de Monaco next door for a more extensive slice of Eden.

The Rock of Monaco

Panoramic view of houses next to the coast.

A rocky promontory sitting high above the old town, The Rock of Monaco offers breathtaking views across the city and the Mediterranean. The Prince’s Palace of Monaco – a 12th century residence of the royal family still occupied today – sits proudly atop the headland and is open for discovery in the form of a museum, open-air summer concerts and a legion of classic cars to marvel at. While in the vicinity, wander down to Notre-Dame-Immaculée Cathedral where Hollywood actress Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier III of Monaco were both married.