Founded in 1910 by Prince Albert I (a sea explorer and scientist), this museum and aquarium are must-sees in Monaco. The prince went on dozens of expeditions, the fruits of which are on display here: for example, the skeleton of a whale featured in the museum's zoology room. And the aquarium – widely considered one of the best in Europe and a favorite for local families – contains more than 90 tanks with 6,000 creatures, including a shark lagoon. From the aquarium, you can access the open-air Sea Turtle Odyssey.

Most travelers highly enjoyed their visit here. Many said it's a great place to bring kids, as the exhibits are engaging and there are plenty of exotic animals and fish to see.

This Monaco-Ville cathedral is a popular attraction because it contains the grave of Grace Kelly, the actress-turned-princess of Monaco. Its history dates a bit further back than her 1956 wedding to Prince Rainier III: The site once held a 13th-century church, but the current cathedral hails from the late 19th century. It is also where Prince Albert married Charlene Wittstock, and where religious ceremonies for the princely family are held year-round. Inside, you can admire its regal features, which include a white marble altar and an exquisite grand organ. The world-renowned Monaco Boys Choir often sings here at Sunday Mass at 10:30, which is open to the public. Recent travelers said they were impressed by the beauty of this religious site and highly recommend touring inside.

The cathedral is open daily for tours from 8:15 a.m. to 6 p.m. – except during Mass services – free of charge. Keep in mind that this is a place of worship, so you will need to dress respectively: no shorts (Bermuda length is okay) nor skirts and cover your shoulders. For more information, visit the Monaco tourism board website.

This grand Prince's Palace in Monaco-Ville, up on the rock, has sheltered the Grimaldi family since the 13th century, including Prince Rainier III and his Oscar-winning actress wife, Grace Kelly (of the 20th century). Today, Rainier's heir, Prince Albert II, calls the Palais du Prince home. Every day at 11:55 a.m., there is a changing of the palace guard, called the Carabinieri Corps, who have been protecting the palace since 1817. Many visitors recommend at least stopping by to see the exterior of the palace on your Monaco vacation, even if you're not up for a tour of the state rooms. Travelers also say the views from the nearby terraces are impressive. Some said the changing of the guard is nothing special.

The state apartments are typically open from April through mid-October; you can tour the rooms for 10 euros (about $11) for adults and 5 euros (around $5.50) for children 6 to 17. Audio guides for the palace interiors are available to download on your mobile device for free.

No matter where you are in Monaco, you can look up and feel protected by "the Rock," (Old Town's nickname) framed in part by the Prince's Palace and Oceanographic Museum, and once home to Princess Grace. Explore the tiny backstreets of this neighborhood and you can imagine the fashionable princess, with her tied scarf, walking her three young children from the Palace to the local school, saying hello to the villa residents.

The grocery stores, florist, cobbler and stationery shop were long ago replaced with mostly souvenir shops and restaurants. Though the chocolate shop has hung in there for a hundred years, don't expect a traditional farmers market like you would find in many French old towns. (You'll want to stop by Condamine Market for that). At one-tenth of the country's entire size, Monaco-Ville is the country's political center, from the government's National Council building to the mairie, the mayor's town hall. However, locals rarely spend time up here, which is a shame because the coastal views and tranquility are a gift – as long as you are not visiting when a cruise ship is in port.

Prince Rainier III funded and gifted his personal collection of 100 cars in 1993 to create a museum-like space in the Terrasses de Fontvieille. Prince Albert carried on his father’s car enthusiasm, and in 2022 the location moved to Port Hercule, right off the Monaco Grand Prix circuit.

If you go gaga for autos you'll absolutely love the array on display in this two-level ultra-modern space where black and white films of Prince Rainier and Princess Grace play behind some of the cars, like the Rolls Royce that Grace rode in on her wedding. The first Monegasque to drive for Ferrari, Charles Leclerc, donated his Formula One SF90 which he raced in for the 2019 season. Visitors were impressed with the selection of vehicles on display – from racing cars to antiques – and said even those who aren't big car geeks will appreciate the collection.

Monaco's main beach, Larvotto, is a free-to-the-public shore located less than a mile downhill from Monte Carlo along Avenue Princesse Grace, one of the world's most expensive streets. The beach complex was renovated in 2021 with comfortable luxury in mind. 

Smoking and vaping are prohibited on the beach, and local appreciate the protective jellyfish nets installed here. Travelers recommend this sand beach for visitors of all ages and mobility levels since the water is shallow, calm and there is wheelchair access. The beach and its facilities (toilets, fresh water showers, lockers) are clean. However, families should keep in mind that – like in France – some beachgoers sun topless here. Also know that this beach has pebbles rather than sand, so you'll want some sturdy shoes.

At the bottom of the winding road that leads up to Monaco's Old Town and the Prince's Palace, you’ll find Place d’'rmes, a très busy roundabout with round the clock police surveillance. There is a physical police station – and handy public toilets. This square in the heart of the Condamine district, the Place du Marché, captures the color of Monegasque life with its charming arcades, café-restaurants (there is a vegan option) and morning fruit and vegetable market. Created in 1880, the Condamine Market offers a handful of outdoor merchants, drawing locals and visitors to pick up the freshest seasonal produce (at a high price) and flowers with a stop for coffee and people-watching.

Inside La Halle Gourmande, the decade-old indoor food hall with some 20 stalls offers local delicacies like the Monegasque national dish, the deep-fried spinach- and ricotta-filled barbagiuans, or socca, a pancake made using chickpea flour, alongside fresh pasta and the catch of the day. At night the area transforms into a hotspot for families, friends and pizza, if you can snag a table. When little ones need to play, you'll find a small playground and open space for kids to run around. Plus, Santo Gelato, the best Italian-style ice cream in Monaco, is open daily. This square also happens to be where the mayor lights up the Christmas tree to kick off the season in Monaco. Travelers have commented that the market offers a great variety of food options while others say it is one of the few places in Monaco to get an inexpensive meal.

Perhaps the attraction that best exemplifies Monaco's DNA is its casino. Kitty-corner to the Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo and in the heart of Monte Carlo, the building's beaux-arts design was overseen by Charles Garnier, architect of the Paris opera. Unsurprisingly, this grand casino also facilitates the country's opera. If this complex looks familiar, it's because you may have seen it before in the James Bond films, "Never Say Never Again" and "Goldeneye." It was also the inspiration for the casino in Ian Fleming's first Bond book, "Casino Royale."

Recent visitors said the casino is a must-see when you're in Monaco, citing its grand decor, variety of gaming options and plentiful people-watching as prime reasons you'll enjoy your visit. Some travelers did note the casino was on the small side, compared to the sprawling casinos of Las Vegas.

The Exotic Garden is currently closed due to renovation. It is expected to reopen in 2024.

Plant lovers and horticulturists unite: The Exotic Garden, which lies along cliffs of the Principality, is "fantastic," according to visitors. This garden has been open for more than 75 years and has cultivated an extensive collection of rare plants and cacti. You'll see more than 1,000 plant species – and even a deep underground cave – but in order to tour its stalagmites and stalactites, you'll need to follow a guide.

The principality has just one New National Museum of Monaco but it is divided into two venues: Villa Paloma, north of the Exotic Jardin, and Villa Sauber close to Larvotto Beach. Each location features a contemporary visual arts collection and houses two temporary exhibits a year. Past artists include George Condo, Tom Wesselmann, Helmut Newton and Shimbaku. While the two properties may be on the smallish side when you think of a national art museum, the buildings themselves are a fascinating slice of local history. Take Villa Sauber: it is one of the last examples of the country’s belle epoque architecture and previously belonged to the Blanc family, who were instrumental in developing the Monte Carlo Casino, the Hotel de Paris and Monte Carlo Opera. At the turn of the 20th century, the English painter and Londoner Robert Sauber purchased the villa from the Blancs, sold it before the First World War and then bought it back in 1925, unimaginable at the time. Ownership of Villa Sauber and its garden eventually ended up with Monaco's Société Immobilière Domaniale (in other words, in the state’s hands) in 1969. It would many years later, in 1995, that ownership of the three-floor Villa Paloma would be transferred into the hands of the Monegasque state and it was inaugurated in 2010 as the second building of the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco.

Museumgoers say a visit here is without a doubt interesting and charming, and children enjoy it also. Travelers also say it is more of an exhibition center with high quality galleries than a traditional museum.

This municipal park next to Grimaldi Forum, Monaco's convention center, will celebrate its 30 years of existence in 2024. It was conceptualized by landscape architect Yasuo Beppu, who was at the time hot off winning the 1990 Grand Prix at the Osaka Flower Exhibition. Remarkably, Yasuo has made the journey from Japan to Monaco every year since 1994 to ensure the plants get the care they need. While it is a traditional Japanese garden with all the fixings – bamboo imported from Japan, a pond with koi carp, bridges over islands, a waterfall and Awaji Island stone lanterns – there is a nod to Mediterranean vegetation with pine, olive and pomegranate trees. At the moment, the Zen garden is coming up short on tranquility, as it is situated close to the construction site of the luxury waterfront development, Mareterra, due to be delivered in 2025. Recent visitors have admitted that while it can be noisy you can still find refuge. Others say it is something very different to see in Monaco, where you can take beautiful photos.

You can stroll through the garden for free anytime between 9 am and 5:45 or 6.45 pm, depending on the season. Take the No. 1, 5 or 6 bus to the Portier stop.

U.S. News Insider Tip: There is the Princess Grace of Monaco Memorial in Villefranche, France. It is not where her car went off the road, but a lookout point with an engraved stone commemorates her death at 71 Boulevard Princesse Grâce de Monaco, about 10 miles from the rose garden. – Nancy Heslin

The fragrance of thousands of rose blossoms fill Princess Grace Rose Garden with their sweet scents. Located in the southwestern corner of Monaco, this garden was built in memory of the princess after her tragic death and is a welcome space to find respite from the noisy traffic of Monte Carlo. The rose garden, with a bronze statue of Princess Grace by Kees Verkade, is its own distinct area within Fontvieille Park. So, while in the area, take time to explore the park's palm and olive trees, and especially the contemporary sculptures dotted throughout. Travelers say the park is a peaceful oasis situated amid the glitz and glamour of Monaco. Many add that while the garden is small, it's well-maintained and filled with a variety of colorful flowers.

You could walk from Monaco into France and be none the wiser that you have crossed a border. The Fontvieille district on Monaco's west side seamlessly blends into neighboring Cap d'Ail. The Cap d'Ail coastal path connects Pointe des Douaniers, Cap Rognoso and Cap Mala and takes about 2.5 hours to walk the 3-mile out-and-back trail. The historical path features volcanic rock, quarry stone dating back to the early Middle Ages and early 20th century villas. Start at the public Marquet beach in the east – at noon you'll see lots of workers from Monaco eating lunch here or going for a dip – and head to the white sand and pebbled Plage Mala beach in the west. When you get to Cap Mala, follow as the path narrows into a steep area giving access Plage Mala beach, directly above the cliffs of Les Pissarelles. Recent visitors noted Plage Mala is a piece of paradise and has a view is to die for but when it comes to the best time to head to small beach, travelers are divided: some say get there early before the two private beach restaurants open while others advise later in the day is less crowded.

Mala Beach is open year-round and has a public space and two private beaches where you can rent loungers during spring and summer. The Cap d’Ail coastal path is free and open year-round except when there are unfavorable weather conditions, like a strong swell and waves; some access points may be closed as a result.

Considering Monaco is home to the most prestigious Formula One race on the planet and 11 F1 drivers, a dedicated walking tour for the Monaco Grand Prix is a no brainer. The circuit may be just over 2 miles but it packs elevation, from the tour's start point in Port Hercules at 46 meters above sea level up to 89.5 meters at Place du Casino and over to the famous Fairmont hairpin curve (where "Star Wars" filmmaker and F1 fan George Lucas has reportedly spent upwards of $20,000 a night to watch the race from one of the Fairmont's suites that overlook the hairpin turn). This tour is as good as gets if you want history and anecdotes from a Monaco insider.

Tourgoers consistently gush that this is a fantastic way to get insight into what F1 drivers endure at the world's most iconic Grand Prix and recommend it over simply walking the course on your own. Other visitors commented that for partners of F1 fans, you'll get to see the sights of Monaco and guide Tommaso Battaglia is passionate, knowledgeable and has a sense of humor.