Monaco
Europe · Monaco · MC
Monaco is the tiny city-state on the French riviera, the second-smallest country of the world and the glittering principality of the Mediterranean coast that packs the palaces, the casino, the grand prix and the great museums into two square kilometres of the stylish shoreline. The country, ruled by the hereditary princes of the Grimaldi family and perched on the steep rocks above the sea, holds the old quarter of the Rocher with the princely palace and the cathedral, the famous square of the Monte Carlo with the belle epoque casino and the grand hotels, and the great harbour of the yachts and the motor yachts of the wealthy of the world. The museum of the oceanography, the gardens of the exotic collection and the beaches and the parks of the coast complete the attractions of the state, and the constant pageant of the glamour, the sport and the art gives the principality its unique, concentrated character.
Overview
Monaco is a country in Europe. Its capital is Monaco and the international dialling code is +377. Languages commonly used in everyday life here include French. Local currency is the Euro (EUR). We also list 1 city in Monaco: Monaco.
The Casino of the Monte Carlo and the Square of the Gambling
The casino of the Monte Carlo, the world-famous temple of the gambling that the princes of the state raised on the plateau above the sea, is the emblem of the principality, a castle of the belle epoque with its copper domes, its marble halls and its gilded salons. The square of the casino, with the hotel of the Paris, the grand cafe and the gardens of the terrace overlooking the harbour and the sea, is the polished ceremonial centre of the Monte Carlo that the visitors come to see, and the opera house and the ballet of the casino attach the arts to the gambling of the establishment. The crowds of the square, the supercars at the entrance and the dress codes of the salons give the whole place its eternal, theatrical elegance.
The Grand Prix and the Circuit of the Streets
The grand prix of the principality, the most famous motor race of the world that runs through the streets of the Monte Carlo every year of the spring, turns the narrow harbour circuit of the state into the ultimate challenge of the formula one calendar. The circuit of the race, with its famous hairpin, its tunnel and its kilometres of the barriers and the grandstands that line the streets of the town, brings the drivers, the teams and the spectators of the whole world to the small principality for the weekend of the season. The atmosphere of the race, the parties, the yachts and the celebrities of the harbour and the constant roar of the engines through the streets, gives the visitor the concentrated glamour of the motor sport of Monaco.
The Palace of the Prince and the Rock of the Old Town
The old town of the principality, spread along the high promontory of the Rocher that juts into the sea, holds the palace of the princes, the cathedral and the narrow alleys of the historic quarter of the state. The palace, the fortified residence of the Grimaldi dynasty that surveys the harbour from its ramparts, gives the guided tours of its apartments when the family is away and the ceremony of the changing of the guard at the gate of its courtyard at midday. The cathedral of the state, the romanesque-revival church where the princes of the past are buried, and the streets of the old town with their shops, their restaurants and their ocean views complete the picture of the ancient heart of the modern glitter of the country.
The Museum of the Oceanography and the Gardens of the Coast
The museum of the oceanography of the state, the grand institute that the prince, the great oceanographer of the dynasty, founded on the cliff of the Rocher, is one of the great marine museums of the world and the home of the aquariums and the scientific heritage of the sea. The museum, with its enormous building on the rock, its tanks of the exotic fish and its skeleton of the great whales and the exhibitions of the deep, holds the legacy of its own founder, the pioneer who gave the world the modern study of the ocean. The exotic garden of the state on its cliff, with the cacti of the collection and the cave of the natural grotto, and the beaches and the public gardens of the Larvotto complete the green attractions of the coastal principality.
The Harbour of the Yachts and the Promenade of the Sea
The great harbour of the state, the port of the Hercules and the newer harbours of the west that line the coast of the principality, hold some of the most spectacular fleets of the yachts in the world, the gleaming and gliding giants of the wealthy that winter and summer in the marinas of the country. The promenades of the sea, the avenues that run along the water with the view of the cliffs, the yachts and the horizon, give the visitor the easy, expensive atmosphere of the coast, and the beaches of the Larvotto and the swimming areas of the shore hold the sunbathers of the afternoon. The portside bars, the restaurants and the shops of the harbour complete the picture of the maritime, luxurious life of the principality.
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- Capital
- Monaco
- Currency
- Euro (EUR)
- Languages
- French
- Calling code
- +377
- Internet TLD
- mc
Entry requirements
Check who can enter →See which passports travel visa-free or need a visa to enter Monaco.
Cities (1)
All cities →Frequently asked questions
What is the capital of Monaco?
Monaco is the capital of Monaco, and the country sits in Europe.
What currency is used in Monaco?
You pay with Euro (EUR) in Monaco. Exchange rates move day to day, so check the current rate before you change money or use your card abroad.
Which languages do people speak in Monaco?
The languages we list for Monaco are French. A couple of greetings in the local language go a long way when you travel, even in cities where another language is widely used.
What is the international dialling code for Monaco?
The dialling code for Monaco is +377 — keep the plus sign when you save the number.
Which cities in Monaco do you cover?
Our guide lists 1 city for Monaco: Monaco (capital).