In an emergency
- Emergency112
- Police17 or +377 93 15 30 15
- Ambulance18 or 112fire and rescue service
Monaco's fire and rescue service answers emergencies on 18 or 112. Princess Grace Hospital A&E: +377 97 98 97 69. Out-of-hours doctor: 116 117 (19:00-7:00). Sea rescue: 196. Lost property: +377 93 15 30 18.
Fair prices
What locals pay. If you are asked for much more, you are probably being overcharged.
| City bus single ticket bought on boardEUR 1.50 if you pay by contactless card or the Monapass app; both include a free 30-minute transfer. | 2.00 EUR |
|---|---|
| City bus 24-hour pass (Monapass app) / contactless daily capTap a contactless card on every ride and fares stop at EUR 5.50 a day. | 5.50 EUR |
| Bakery breakfast (coffee and pastry)Resident guide figure for Riviera-style bakeries such as Cova or Mullot. | 6.50-9 EUR |
| Sandwich or panini to take awayCheapest proper lunch outside the market. | 5-10 EUR |
| Meal at the Condamine market stallsSocca, pasta or a plate at the market chalets; far cheaper than the port terraces. | 7-25 EUR |
| Simple brasserie main courseResident guide range; at Casino Square expect more. | 12-20 EUR |
| Restaurant lunch formula (formule midi)Weekday set lunches in 2025: La Note Bleue EUR 25, Maya Bay EUR 29/35, Quai des Artistes EUR 32, Lobby Lounge EUR 39. Dinner at the same places costs much more. | 22-39 EUR |
| Pizza at a neighbourhood pizzeriaPizzeria Monegasque range; Casino-area Italian places run EUR 20-40. | 15-20 EUR |
| Salade nicoise at Tip TopLate-night institution below Casino Square. | 12 EUR |
| Casino de Monte-Carlo entry (from 14:00)Includes a EUR 10 voucher for slots, the bar or Salon Rose; no other entry fee applies. | 19 EUR |
Tickets
Official prices and the only places to buy. Anyone else selling on the street is a reseller.
- Prince's Palace of Monaco
Adult EUR 13, student EUR 11, child 6-17 EUR 8, under 6 free
Buy at: https://www.visitepalaisdemonaco.com/en/ or the palace ticket office (9:45-17:00; to 18:00 Jul-Aug)
Tours sold as 'palace visits' in the off-season only show the outside: the apartments are open 30 Mar-15 Oct 2026 only.
- Oceanographic Museum
Adult EUR 22.50, child/student EUR 14 (2024 rate; 2026 not verified). Combined with Palace or Car Collection EUR 28 adult / EUR 16.50 child
Buy at: https://tickets-oceano.tickeasy.com (official ticketing) or on site
Resale platforms add fees to the same ticket; the combined tickets are cheapest from the museum itself.
- Casino de Monte-Carlo
EUR 19 from 14:00 including a EUR 10 voucher; morning visits 10:00-13:00 with optional audio tour
Buy at: At the casino door or montecarlosbm.com
No outside 'skip-the-line' ticket is needed to enter the atrium, which is free.
- Car Collection of H.S.H. the Prince of Monaco
Adult EUR 15, student EUR 13, child 6-17 EUR 10, under 6 free
Buy at: On site, 54 Route de la Piscine
Buy on site or as the official combined ticket with the Oceanographic Museum.
- Jardin Exotique and Observatory Cave
Adult EUR 12, child 4-17/student EUR 6, 65+ EUR 9; combined with cave or botanical centre EUR 15-18
Buy at: On site or https://www.jardin-exotique.mc/en
Reopened only on 29 March 2026; ignore older guides that say it is closed or quote pre-2020 prices.
- Nouveau Musee National de Monaco - Villa Paloma
EUR 6; free on Sundays, for under-26s and students
Buy at: On site, 56 Boulevard du Jardin Exotique
Villa Sauber is closed for renovation; only Villa Paloma is open.
- Monaco Cathedral (Saint Nicholas)
Free
Buy at: No ticket
Nobody sells tickets to the cathedral.
- Prince's Palace of Monaco
Free
Buy at: No ticket: Place du Palais daily at 11:55
No reserved viewing exists; just arrive early.
- Museum of Stamps and Coins
Small fee (2026 amount not verified)
Buy at: On site, 11 Terrasses de Fontvieille
None known.
Traps
- Watch outDressed wrong, turned away at the casino
The gaming rooms refuse shorts, bermudas, ripped jeans, sportswear, running shoes, flip-flops or sandals for men, beachwear and sleeveless tops; after 19:00 even T-shirts and short-sleeved shirts are frowned on. Bring a passport or ID card: driving licences are not accepted.
Source: montecarlosbm.com, monaco-tribune.com - Watch outCasino Square terraces cost what the view costs
The Cafe de Paris terrace is the most photographed table in Monaco, and its Tripadvisor score (3.7 from about 4,900 reviews) is lower than its Google one. Have a coffee if you want the scene, but eat at the Condamine market or a lunch formula instead.
Source: wanderlog.com, jarniascyril.com - Watch outBuy palace and museum tickets from the official sites
The Palace sells its own tickets (EUR 13 adult) and the Oceanographic Museum has official combined tickets with the Palace or the Car Collection. Resale platforms charge extra for the same ticket.
Source: visitepalaisdemonaco.com, monaco-tribune.com - Watch outPalace tours sold out of season
The State Apartments are only open 30 March to 15 October 2026 (and closed 1-4 October). A 'palace tour' in winter means seeing the square and the guard change, which are free.
Source: visitepalaisdemonaco.com, news.mc - Watch out'Grand Prix ticket' shops on the map
Private ticket resellers appear on Google Maps around Monaco with names like 'Monaco Grand Prix Ticket'. Compare with the organiser's official sales before paying resale prices, and never pay by bank transfer to a stranger.
Source: wanderlog.com - Watch outPaying for sand when the beach is free
Larvotto's public beach is free; you only pay at the private beach clubs with sunbeds. Check which section you are sitting in before a waiter arrives.
Source: wanderlog.com - Watch outOld guides send you to a closed market hall
The Condamine market hall shut on 15 January 2026 for about 13 months of works. The food stalls now trade from chalets on Place d'Armes next to it, and in late May-June they moved again around the Grand Prix fan zone.
Source: monaco-hebdo.com, mairie.mc - Watch outClub bills
Drinks at Jimmy'z, Twiga, Sass' Cafe and the hotel bars are priced for the yacht crowd. Residents start at the Brasserie de Monaco's 18:00-20:00 happy hour and end with pizza at Tip Top.
Source: brasseriedemonaco.com, monacoeditorial.com, wanderlog.com - TipBuying the bus ticket on board costs more
A ticket from the driver is EUR 2; the same ride is EUR 1.50 with a contactless bank card or the Monapass app, and contactless is capped at EUR 5.50 a day.
Source: cam.mc
Money
- TipEat your big meal at lunch
Set lunches (formule midi) cost EUR 22-39 at places that charge far more at dinner, such as La Note Bleue (EUR 25), Maya Bay (EUR 29/35) or Quai des Artistes (EUR 32).
Source: monaco-tribune.com, mdameninieblog.wordpress.com - TipCarry some cash for the market
Chez Roger, the socca counter at the Condamine market, takes cash only.
Source: tripadvisor.com - TipThe casino fee comes back as a voucher
The EUR 19 afternoon entry includes a EUR 10 voucher for the slots, bar or Salon Rose restaurant, so the real cost of a look inside is EUR 9.
Source: montecarlosbm.com - TipTap your card on the bus
Contactless bank cards work on CAM buses at EUR 1.50 per ride with a EUR 5.50 daily cap, so you never need a paper ticket.
Source: cam.mc - TipCheaper eating neighbourhoods
The affordable areas are La Condamine, Rue Grimaldi and the streets around Port Hercule, plus Fontvieille; Casino Square is the most expensive.
Source: jarniascyril.com, mdameninieblog.wordpress.com - TipEUR 1 to eat at the rowing club
The Societe Nautique restaurant on the port is open to non-members for a EUR 1 membership fee per person per meal.
Source: lobservateurdemonaco.com
Transport
- TipSix city bus lines plus night buses
CAM runs lines 1-6 across Monaco plus night lines N1 and N2. Line 1 links Monaco-Ville with Place d'Armes, Casino and Saint-Roman; line 2 runs from Monaco-Ville to the Jardin Exotique via the Villa Paloma stop. Day buses stop around 21:30.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, cam.mc, cam.mc - TipNight bus N1
N1 runs from 21:00 to about 00:30 (to about 02:40 on Friday and Saturday) from Fontvieille through the port, Larvotto and the Sporting to La Rousse.
Source: cam.mc - FunCross the harbour by solar boat
The electro-solar Bateau-Bus crosses Port Hercule and is covered by a standard bus fare.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, cam.mc - TipUse the apps
Monacobus gives real-time buses, Monapass sells tickets (EUR 1.50 single, EUR 10 for 10, EUR 5.50 for 24 h) and Citymapper covers Monaco.
Source: cam.mc, cam.mc - TipRegional pass for day trips
The 'Pass Sud Azur Explore' covers trains, trams and buses across the Alpes-Maritimes and Monaco for 3, 7 or 14 days (about EUR 30-80 depending on age and length), handy if you sleep in Nice.
Source: cam.mc - TipThe station is underground
Monaco-Monte-Carlo station is entirely underground in a 466 m tunnel; most trains are TER regional trains on the Marseille-Ventimiglia coast line, with a few TGVs from Paris.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - TipMonaBike
CAM also runs MonaBike bike-share stations, useful for flat stretches along the port and Larvotto.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
Etiquette
- RuleSmart casual is Monaco's default
Evening dress is expected in the casino gaming rooms, the Hotel de Paris bars and the big clubs; beachwear stays at the beach.
Source: montecarlosbm.com, monaco-tribune.com - FunMonegasques do not gamble here
Monaco citizens are not allowed to play at the casino, a rule that also covers the princely family.
Source: monaco-tribune.com - RuleQuiet at the princely tombs
Princess Grace and Prince Rainier III are buried in the cathedral; visits pause during services.
Source: tourazur.com - RuleChildren and the casino
Minors may enter the casino atrium or eat at the Salon Rose only until 14:00; the gaming rooms are adults only.
Source: montecarlosbm.com - TipBook small places
Old-town restaurants like La Montgolfiere and the rowing-club terrace have few tables; book, especially at weekends.
Source: wanderlog.com, lobservateurdemonaco.com
Food
- TipThe Monegasque five
Barbagiuan (fried chard and ricotta pastry), socca (chickpea pancake), pissaladiere (onion tart), stocafi (dried-cod stew) and pasqualina (chard pie).
Source: jarniascyril.com - TipWhere residents eat lunch
The Condamine market stalls (socca at Chez Roger, pasta at La Maison des Pates, barbagiuan at A Roca) are the cheapest real food in town.
Source: monacoeditorial.com, monaco-hebdo.com - TipFontvieille is the lunch bargain
Fontvieille harbour restaurants run set lunches, e.g. Beefbar at EUR 28-29 and La Saliere at EUR 23-27.
Source: monaco-tribune.com - FunOysters from Monaco
Les Perles de Monte-Carlo farms shellfish in Monaco and serves them at a working-quay counter in Fontvieille.
Source: monacoeditorial.com - TipMonaco-brewed beer
The Brasserie de Monaco brews unfiltered, unpasteurised organic beer on the port.
Source: brasseriedemonaco.com - TipLate-night food
Tip Top below Casino Square serves pizza and burgers into the small hours.
Source: monacoeditorial.com
Safety
- RuleCarry real ID
The casino and some venues check a passport or national ID card; a driving licence is not accepted at the casino.
Source: montecarlosbm.com, monaco-tribune.com - TipPlan the ride home
Day buses stop around 21:30; night bus N1 runs to about 00:30, or 02:40 on Friday and Saturday. After that it is walking or a taxi.
Source: cam.mc, cam.mc - TipShoes for the cave and the slopes
The Observatory Cave tour means many steps at about 18 C; wear proper shoes and bring a light layer.
Source: tourazur.com - Watch outGrand Prix crowds
In Grand Prix weeks roads close, a fan zone takes over Place d'Armes and several attractions shut on race days; allow extra time everywhere.
Source: mairie.mc, palais.mc - TipShallow water for children
Larvotto's public beach has shallow areas suited to families.
Source: wanderlog.com
Free
- TipChanging of the guard
Daily at 11:55 on Place du Palais.
Source: news.mc - TipCathedral and churches
The cathedral with Princess Grace's tomb, Sainte-Devote and Saint-Charles are free.
Source: tourazur.com, wanderlog.com - TipFree art on Sundays
NMNM Villa Paloma is free every Sunday and always free for under-26s.
Source: nmnm.mc - TipGardens
The Japanese Garden, Jardins Saint-Martin and Fort Antoine cost nothing.
Source: wanderlog.com - TipCasino atrium
You can step into the casino atrium without paying or showing ID; the fee applies to the gaming rooms.
Source: monaco-tribune.com - TipPublic beach
Larvotto's public beach is free.
Source: wanderlog.com - TipFirst-Thursday market music
The Mairie organises live-music evenings at the Condamine market on the first Thursday of each month.
Source: monaco-hebdo.com
Fun
- FunPart of the station is in France
Monaco-Monte-Carlo station is partly in Beausoleil, France.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - FunA tennis-only train stop
A seasonal halt just over the border in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin serves the Monte-Carlo Country Club during the April Masters, and the club itself is in France.
Source: en.wikipedia.org, wanderlog.com - Fun'Picnic basket' in Monegasque
U Cavagnetu, the old-town restaurant, means picnic basket in Monegasque; it has been there since 1967.
Source: monacoeditorial.com - FunA cave at 18 degrees
The Observatory Cave under the Jardin Exotique stays around 18 C all year; guided visits go hourly.
Source: tourazur.com - FunSix years closed
The Jardin Exotique reopened on 29 March 2026 after six years of works.
Source: news.mc - FunA prince's garage
Rainier III's collection runs from a 1903 De Dion Bouton to a 2013 Lotus F1 car.
Source: palais.mc - FunA market since 1880
The Condamine market has run on Place d'Armes since 1880, a year after Garnier's opera house opened.
Source: visitmonaco.com, wanderlog.com - FunPasta since 1977
La Maison des Pates has made fresh pasta at the market since 1977.
Source: jarniascyril.com, wanderlog.com - FunA rowing club with a view
The Societe Nautique de Monaco dates from 1888 and lets visitors eat at its terrace for a EUR 1 membership.
Source: lobservateurdemonaco.com - FunBoys' choir at Mass
The Petits Chanteurs de Monaco sing at Sunday Mass in the cathedral from September to June.
Source: tourazur.com - FunHarbour ferry on sunlight
The Bateau-Bus across Port Hercule is electro-solar and costs a bus fare.
Source: en.wikipedia.org
When to go
- Watch outGrand Prix weeks change everything
The Monaco Grand Prix took place in early June in 2026, with a fan zone on Place d'Armes from late May. Grand Prix week closes the Car Collection, NMNM and the Jardin Exotique on race days and moves the market.
Source: mairie.mc, palais.mc, nmnm.mc - TipPalace season
The State Apartments open 30 March to 15 October 2026 only.
Source: visitepalaisdemonaco.com - TipSummer hours
The Oceanographic Museum opens 9:30-20:00 in July-August; the Palace stays open to 19:00.
Source: monaco-tribune.com, visitepalaisdemonaco.com - TipApril tennis
The Monte-Carlo Masters is played at the Monte-Carlo Country Club in April, with a seasonal train halt.
Source: en.wikipedia.org - TipAutumn exhibitions
NMNM Villa Paloma's Victor Brauner show runs until 3 January 2027.
Source: nmnm.mc - TipMarket reopening
The renovated Condamine market hall is due to reopen in early 2027.
Source: monaco-hebdo.com
Words
- TipBarbagiuan
Monaco's national snack: fried pastry of chard and ricotta.
Source: jarniascyril.com - TipSocca
Chickpea-flour pancake cooked in a wood oven, eaten hot and peppered.
Source: jarniascyril.com, monacoeditorial.com - TipStocafi
Dried-cod stew, a Monegasque classic.
Source: jarniascyril.com, monacoeditorial.com - TipFormule midi
Set lunch menu; the best value way to eat in Monaco.
Source: monaco-tribune.com - TipLe Rocher
The Rock: what locals call Monaco-Ville, the old town around the Palace.
Source: wanderlog.com - TipU Cavagnetu
Monegasque for 'picnic basket'.
Source: monacoeditorial.com
Checked September 2026. Every item links to where it came from.