MC
Monaco-Ville (Le Rocher)
The old town, palace and Rock of Monaco
The old town, palace and Rock of Monaco
The official residence of the ruling Grimaldi family, on its clifftop square — watch the changing of the guard, and tour the State Apartments in summer.
💡 The changing of the guard is daily at 11:55am — arrive a little early.
The Romanesque-Byzantine cathedral where Monaco’s princes — and Princess Grace Kelly — are entombed. A serene, much-visited landmark of the old town.
💡 Dress respectfully; it is an active place of worship and a royal resting place.
A magnificent museum and aquarium clinging to the cliff face, founded by Prince Albert I — home to sharks, a huge reef tank and grand marine halls.
💡 Allow a couple of hours; the rooftop terrace has superb sea views.
The fortified rock itself, with medieval lanes, quiet squares and ramparts offering sweeping views over Port Hercule and the Mediterranean.
💡 Wander the back lanes early to enjoy the old town before the crowds.
A largely traffic-free maze of pastel houses, tiny squares, souvenir shops and small restaurants — the atmospheric heart of historic Monaco.
💡 The little restaurants here are pleasant for a relaxed lunch off the tourist trail.
Monaco-Ville’s old-town lanes are dotted with small restaurants and cafes serving Monégasque and Provençal cooking — a more relaxed, if still touristy, scene than the glitz below. Look for local specialities like barbagiuan (fried chard-and-cheese pastries), stocafi (Monégasque stockfish stew), socca and fresh seafood, best enjoyed on a shaded square. Prices are high, as everywhere in Monaco, but a simple plat du jour or a crepe and coffee between sights is perfectly affordable. For better value and choice, the Condamine market down by the port is a short walk (and lift-ride) away.
Monaco-Ville sits atop the Rock, reached on foot up ramps and steps from the port, by the free public lifts, or by bus (lines stop near the palace). The old town itself is compact, pedestrian and easily explored on foot — no cars are allowed in most of it. A fun way up is the tourist train that trundles from the port. As with all of Monaco, the train station links to Nice in about 25 minutes, and there is no airport — arrive via Nice (30 minutes) by train, bus or helicopter. Wear comfortable shoes for the steps and cobbles.
Up to Le Rocher for the changing of the guard at 11:55, then Saint Nicholas Cathedral and the ramparts.
The great cliff-side aquarium and its rooftop views, then a wander of the old-town lanes.
Descend by lift to Port Hercule and Monte Carlo to see all of Monaco in a full day.
The changing of the guard at the palace is daily at 11:55am — a free, popular spectacle.
The Oceanographic Museum is world-class and family-friendly — a highlight of the Rock.
The old town is all steps, ramps and cobbles — the free public lifts help with the climb.
The lanes, ramparts, views and guard change cost nothing — only the palace and museum charge entry.
Quick answers to the questions travellers most often ask about Monaco’s old town.
Monaco-Ville, or Le Rocher (‘the Rock’), is Monaco’s old town — a fortified promontory holding the Prince’s Palace, Saint Nicholas Cathedral, the Oceanographic Museum and a maze of medieval, largely car-free lanes. It is the historic heart of the principality.
Yes — you can watch the free daily changing of the guard on the palace square (11:55am), and tour the State Apartments when they are open to visitors, typically in summer. Check current opening times before you go.
Very much — founded by Prince Albert I, it is one of the world’s great aquariums and marine museums, dramatically set on the cliff, with sharks, a large reef tank and a rooftop terrace with superb views. Allow a couple of hours.
On foot up ramps and steps from the port, via the free public lifts, by bus, or on the tourist train from Port Hercule. The old town itself is compact and pedestrian, so explore it on foot once you are up on the Rock.
The glittering casino quarter of Monte Carlo, the superyacht harbour of Port Hercule and the historic old town on the Rock — the three faces of Monaco.