Monaco, despite its modest size, is brimming with sparkle and glamour. Monte-Carlo is the most opulent district, located north of Port Hercule and facing the bay in a breathtakingly scenic environment. The terrace of Place du Casino offers amazing views of the sea. The Carré d'Or (Square of Gold) district surrounding the Place du Casino is named after the streets dotted with high-end designer businesses and luxury jewelry boutiques.

Monaco's wealthiest area, Monte-Carlo, attracts the rich and famous. This neighborhood is full of Ferraris and "beautiful people". Monte-Carlo is an amazing destination to go people-watching or to enjoy good meals for tourists. In addition, Monte-Carlo is packed with Michelin-starred restaurants and trendy gourmet eateries. Two magnificent boulevards, the Boulevard Princesse Charlotte in the west and the Boulevard des Moulins in the southwest, go through Monte-Carlo. There are numerous attractive shopping avenues, including the Avenue de la Costa, which is lined with high-end retailers.

• Location: Monte-Carlo, Monaco
• Best time to visit Monte-Carlo: July

The Palais du Prince, perched high above the sea on the scenic peninsula of Le Rocher, is home to the world's oldest monarchy. After capturing the area from the Republic of Genoa in 1297, the Genoese noble line of Grimaldi founded Monaco. The location, which was originally erected as a Genoese fortification in the 13th century, offers panoramic views and served as a defensive position during the Middle Ages. Through the decades, the stronghold was restored and converted into a beautiful Louis-XIV-style mansion.

The Palais du Prince is a private home with public access at certain times of the year. The State Apartments are home to the Hercule Gallery, which features murals from the 16th and 17th centuries; the gilded "Blue Room", which is used for important state functions, the wood-paneled Mazarin Room, and the Empire-style Throne Room, which hosts official ceremonies and banquets. The 17th-century Palatine Chapel, as well as the Main Courtyard, with its enormous 17th-century Carrara marble double stairway, are worth seeing. The Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra presents classical music concerts in the main courtyard on Sundays and Thursdays in July and August.

• Location: Place du Palais, Monaco
• Time to visit Palais du Prince: from April to mid-October, every day between 10:00 am and 5:30 pm, except in July and August when it is open from 10:00 am to 6:30 pm

The Musée Oceanographique is situated on Le Rocher, over 90 meters above sea level, on a beautiful site. The museum and aquariums are built on gigantic foundations that took 11 years to construct in this stunning environment. This is one of the world's oldest aquariums, having been built in 1910 by Prince Albert I, H.S.H. Prince Albert II's great grandfather. The Oceanographic Museum features world-renowned exhibits on marine science and oceanography that are constantly evolving. The museum's outstanding scientific collections include artifacts from Prince Albert I's explorations and Jacques-Yves Cousteau's findings.

The aquariums of the Musée Oceanographique are a highlight, with unique fish and aquatic life in beautiful shapes and hues. The Tropical Aquarium, Shark Lagoon, and Mediterranean Aquarium are the three aquariums. There are about 100 aquarium pools, each with a genuine natural setting like coral reefs. The location, which offers spectacular, panoramic views of the shoreline, is the main draw of dining here.

• Location: Avenue Saint-Martin, Monaco
• Time to visit the Musée Oceanographique: open every day except Christmas Day (25th December) and the Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend

Wandering through the Jardin Exotique is one of the most enjoyable things to do in Monaco. The Jardin Exotique de Monaco (French for "exotic garden of Monaco") is a botanical park in Monaco that is situated on a cliffside. The Exotic Garden is a lush spot with an extraordinary diversity of vegetation and stunning views of the sea, perched on a steep cliff overlooking the Mediterranean.

The gardens are well maintained and run the length of the rugged mountainside. Exotic plants from the Southwest United States, Mexico, South America, and Africa are able to thrive here due to the pleasant weather and consistent sunshine. In this excellent climate, a large variety of succulents, including huge cactuses, thrive. The Exotic Garden also boasts a stalactite and stalagmite-filled Observatory Cave. Prehistoric humans once lived in the area surrounding the cave. Beginning at 10 a.m. and ending an hour before closing, guided tours of the cave are provided every hour.

• Location: 62 Boulevard du Jardin Exotique, Monaco
• Best time to visit Jardin Exotique: Springtime

Cathédrale de Monaco is the next name on the list of the best places in Monaco. The magnificent exterior of this neo-Byzantine cathedral is made of white stones from neighboring La Turbie. The Princes of Monaco are buried in the cathedral, which also houses the tombs of prior monarchs, Prince Rainier and Princess Grace. The sanctuary has an altarpiece by the Niçois painter Louis Bréa dating from 1500, despite the fact that the cathedral is relatively new (constructed between 1875 and 1884). The Episcopal throne, fashioned from Carrara marble, is another notable work of art.

Cathédrale de Monaco boasts a magnificent grand organ that is used for religious services and sacred music events. From September through June, Mass is held every Sunday at 10:00 am, with music provided by the "Les Petits Chanteurs de Monaco" and "La Maîtrise de la Cathédrale" choirs. Except for religious services, the cathedral is open to the public (free entrance). Visitors must dress appropriately. Individuals who wear sleeveless tops, shoulder-baring tops, miniskirts, or shorts will not be admitted to visit.

• Location: 4 Rue Colonel Bellando de Castro, Monaco
• Best time to visit Cathédrale de Monaco: open daily from 8:30 am to 6:00 pm or 7:00 pm (except during Mass services) for tours

Les Jardins Saint-Martin, located near the Musée Océanographique and overlooking the calm blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea, would be an excellent accompaniment to a visit to the museum. A statue honoring Prince Albert I, a prominent marine researcher, can be found in the gardens.

The Saint-Martin Gardens go along the coast around the peninsula of Le Rocher, which has a steep slope that faces the sea. These stunning gardens have a diverse collection of exotic plants and vivid blooms that thrive in the Mediterranean sun. Visitors are invited to take a leisurely stroll along little paths that snake around the rocky slopes and green ridges. Stop to take in the sights of the small ponds, fountains, and scenic vistas in Les Jardins Saint-Martin. There are benches strategically positioned to allow you to relax while taking in the beautiful scenery.

• Location: 2 Avenue Saint-Martin, Monaco
• Time to visit Les Jardins Saint-Martin: every day from 9:00 am to 6:00 pm

The Monte-Carlo Opera House is situated on the Place du Casino, an opulent public area in Monaco's most opulent district. This magnificent square is surrounded by palm trees and contains an outstanding fountain as well as a terrace with spectacular views of the coastline. The Opera House is a perfect fit for this beautiful setting. It was designed by Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris Opera House, and completed in 1878. The "Salle Garnier", the Opera House's auditorium, is totally red and gold, with many exquisite bas-reliefs, stunning frescoes, and beautiful sculptures. Sarah Bernhardt launched the Salle Garnier in 1879.

Opera and ballet have thrilled audiences in this city for almost a century, and the Opera House has hosted many world-class opera performers. The Monte-Carlo Opera House showcases a variety of musical recitals, concerts, and ballet events, with a focus on classic operas.

• Location: Place du Casino, Monte-Carlo, Monaco
• Best time to visit Opéra de Monte-Carlo: from October to April (Opera Season ), September (Gala Opening)

The Nouveau Musée National de Monaco is the next name on the list of the best places to visit in Monaco. The Nouveau Musée National de Monaco's vast collection is housed in two villas: Villa Paloma near the Jardin Exotique and Villa Sauber on Avenue Princess Grace. Paintings, pictures, theater costumes, models of stage sets, decorative artifacts, and sculptures are among the museum's extensive collections of 19th and 20th-century artworks.

This progressive museum is also committed to conservation efforts, such as the restoration of an antique doll from 1880 and old theatrical costumes. Nouveau Musée National de Monaco supports learning across creative, cultural, and scientific domains by encouraging communication between artists and academics.

• Location: Nouveau Musée National de Monaco
  • Villa Paloma, 56 Boulevard du Jardin Exotique, Monaco
  • Villa Sauber, 17 Avenue Princesse Grace, Monaco
• Time to visit Nouveau Musée National de Monaco: Open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm during exhibitions (closed on 1st January, 1st May, the four days of the Grand Prix, 19th November and 25th December)

The ninth name on the list of the best places to visit in Monaco is the Princess Grace Rose Garden. On June 18, 1984, Prince Rainier III designed this beautiful garden as a homage to his wife, Princess Grace, and it was inaugurated. The Princess Grace Rose Garden, located in Fontvieille Park, spans over four hectares and includes a small lake bordered by palm trees and an olive grove. There are 6,000 rose bushes in the garden, representing 315 different types.

Each rose includes a unique QR code that may be used to identify it (useful for gardeners). The Grimaldi Royal Family's Princes and Princesses have special roses named for them. The Princess Grace Rose Garden has been designated as an "Ecological Garden" because it is maintained in an environmentally responsible manner. One of the nicest spots to visit in Monaco for a moment of leisure is this calm garden. Visitors will enjoy sitting on park seats and taking a tour around the grounds while viewing the landscape. Visitors can stroll through this attractive area at their leisure thanks to the pleasant footpaths.

• Location: Avenue des Guelfes, Monaco
• Best time to visit Princess Grace Rose Garden: Springtime

This actual Japanese garden in a lovely French Riviera setting is a nice surprise. The Jardin Japonais, built right onto a steep hillside in Monaco's eastern end, resembles a Zen garden with water, stones, bamboo hedges, and Italian trees manicured in the Japanese style. This tranquil garden exudes a unique sense of peace and tranquility. A flowing waterfall, a pond with koi fish and water lilies, and a teahouse imported from Japan are all part of the 7,000-square-meter park. The wonderful atmosphere is enhanced with traditional Japanese lanterns and footbridges.

This magnificent park, Jardin Japonais, encompassing 7000 m2, is a fantastic respite from the hectic roads and streets of Monaco. It is a stylized recreation of nature, complete with a waterfall, tiny mountain, beach, and multiple ponds, all set in a zen-inspired setting. All of the wood for the tea house and covered terrace, as well as the stone lanterns, were assembled in Japan and then shipped to Monaco.

• Location: Avenue Princesse Grace, Monte-Carlo, Monaco
• Time to visit Jardin Japonais: open at 09:00 am and remain open until 6:00 pm from November to March, and 7:00 pm from April to October