Monaco is a small sovereign city-state located in Western Europe. The territory lies on the northern coast of the Mediterranean Sea and is completely enclosed by France. Monaco is often regarded as a tax haven, and many of its inhabitants are wealthy and from foreign countries, making up a majority of 84%.

Monaco is a Constitutional Monarchy and Principality with Prince Albert II as head of state. The Grimaldi family has ruled over Monaco since 1297 and the state's sovereignty was officially recognized by the Franco-Monegasque Treaty of 1861. Despite being independent, Monaco’s defense is still the responsibility of France. Monaco is the world’s most densely populated sovereign country, and the world's smallest French-speaking country.

Monaco first gained its name from the nearby Phocaean Greek colony, in the sixth century, which referred to the Ligurians as Monoikos, from the Greek Μόνοικος "single house", from μόνος "alone, single" + οίκος "house", which bears the sense of a people either settled in a "single habitation" or of "living apart" from others. According to an ancient myth, Hercules passed through the Monaco area and turned away the previous gods. As a result a temple was constructed there by a man, the temple of Hercules Monoikos. Because the only temple of this area was the "House" of Hercules, the city was called Monoikos.

If its open spaces you are seeking, go elsewhere (apart from a few ornate parks there is little to enjoy); likewise, if your wallet is light, stay away, unless you want to try your luck at filling it in Monaco's landmark Rococo Casino. However, if you want see and be seen, and rub cloaks with royalty, then Monaco is the place to be.

Official Language: French

Demonyn: Monagasque

Currency: Euro (EUR)

Time Zone: CET (UTC +1)

Summer (DST): CEST (UTC +2)

Internet TLD: .mc

Calling Code: +377

VISA FORMALITIES

Any foreign national who wishes to enter Monaco for a period not exceeding three months must have the document required for entry into France. Passengers must also hold return or onward tickets, sufficient funds and the necessary documents for return or onward journey.

Americans: US nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to three months; a valid passport is required.

UK nationals: British nationals must have a valid passport. No visa is required for passports of endorsed British National (Overseas), British Overseas Territories Citizen, British Overseas Citizen, British Protected person, or holders who are entitled to readmission into the UK or holders who have nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to three months; a valid passport is required the right of abode in the UK. In all other cases, a visa is required.

Australians: Australian nationals do not require a visa for stays of up to three months; a valid passport is required.

South Africans: South African nationals require a visa (a Schengen visa is valid if endorsed 'also valid for French territories'); a valid passport is required.

Irish nationals: Irish Nationals do not require a visa, but a valid passport is required.

New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals do not require a visa for stays up to three months; a valid passport is required.

The Monte Carlo Casino is one of the most famous tourist attractions of Monaco. The casino complex is a gambling facility which also includes the Grand Théâtre de Monte Carlo, an opera and ballet house, and the headquarters of the Ballets de Monte Carlo. It is situated in the Monte Carlo quarter, although the citizens of Monaco are forbidden to enter the gaming rooms. It hosts the annual European Poker Tour Grand Final, the most prestigious poker tournament in Europe.

The Stade Louis II is a stadium located in the Fontvieille district of Monaco. It serves as a venue for both football, being the home of AS Monaco as well as the location of the annual UEFA Super Cup match, and athletics, where it plays host to the IAAF World Athletics Final (though certain events, such as the hammer, have to be held elsewhere, due to the stadium's relatively small capacity). The vast majority of the stadium's facilities are located underground, with a large car park directly under the pitch (something that has caused some degree of criticism from managers of AS Monaco's opponents in the past over the state of the pitch).

The Stadium is named after Louis II, Prince of Monaco, who was the Sovereign Prince of Monaco when the original stadium was built. It features prominently in the early versions of Pro Evolution Soccer.

Opened by its founder Prince Albert I in 1910, Monaco's Oceanographic Museum & Aquarium is an architectural masterpiece in its own right. Located at the waterfront, the museum is spread over two floors and comprises a wide collection of fauna gathered by the Prince, sea creatures, models of the Prince's laboratory ships and exhibits from his career as a navigator. The aquarium, located in the basement, is home to more than 4000 species of fish and includes the recent addition of a Shark Lagoon.

Opening Hours:

Oct-Mar: 10am-6pm
Apr-Jun & Sep: 9.30am-7pm
Jul & Aug: 9.30am-7.30pm

Place du Palais

Lined with batteries of cannons cast during the reign of Louis XIV, the Place du Palais offers a unique panoramic view overlooking the Port and Monte-Carlo, stretching as far as Bordighera in Italy (to the north-east), Fontvieille and Cap-d’Ail (to the south-west). Every day at 11:55AM sharp, in front of the Palace’s main entrance, visitors can enjoy the spectacular changing of the guard ceremony performed by the “Carabiniers” in full dress uniform (black in winter, white in summer), a ceremony that has remained unchanged for more than a century. Not only are the Prince’s “Carabiniers” responsible for the Sovereign’s security 24 hours a day but they also provide Him with a Guard of Honor and escort Him on special occasions.

Exotic Garden

There are many gardens in Monaco and the Exotic Gardens is one of them. This wonderful tourist attraction is regarded as a “magic garden”. As you stand inside the garden you will feel that you are in the laps of nature. So a visit to the Exotic Gardens of Monaco is a must for the nature-lovers. Tourists visiting the garden can have a glimpse of some several thousand “succulent” plant varieties. These are rare plants and are collected from different parts of the world. The location of the garden is also very scenic as it is daringly landscaped on the rock-face. Again due to the favorable climate of Monaco all the plants in the garden flourish superbly. These really testify to Monaco’s microclimate and are admired by visitors from all over the world.

Princess Grace Rose Garden

Princess Grace Rose Garden is a rose garden located in Fontvieille of Monaco. is a rose garden located in Fontvieille of Monaco. It offers incredible views of nature as it is so strategically located in the Fontvieille harbor of Monaco. The Princess Grace Rose Garden was opened to the visitors from all over the world in the year 1984. Princess Grace Rose Garden was inaugurated on 18th June 1984 by the Sovereign Prince and His royal family. It has a collection of about four thousand rose plants. Among the whole collection of this park in Monaco, about one fifty varieties of rose species are the great works of the greatest rose specialists of the world. Here in Fontvieille Park the admission is free of cost for visitors from around the world.

Wax Museum of the Princes of Monaco

Situated on the Rue Basse, one of the most picturesque streets on the old town, this museum depicts historical episodes in the Grimaldi dynasty from the late XIII century to the present day. The wax figures are life-size, and many of them wear authentic period costumes.

General Information

• Open daily

• From October to February: 11:00AM to 5:00PM

• From March to September: 10:00AM to 6:00PM

• Rate (per person): 3.80€

• Children from 8 to 14 years old: 2€

• Duration of visit: 20 to 30 minutes

Church of Mercy

Located on the Place de la Mairie (in the Old Town) and built in 1639, this chapel was the seat of the Brotherhood of Black Penitents, whose first prior was Prince Honoré II. Its treasures of religious art include a Christ carved out of wood by the Monégasque François-Joseph Bosio, official sculptor to the Emperor Napoleon I. Above the entrance to the chapel is a magnificent nineteenth-century ceramic scene.

Muséum of Chapel of the Visitation

This museum, housed in a baroque style chapel dating from the VII century, is home to part of the remarkable collection of sacred works of art belonging to Mrs. Piasecka Johnson, with masterpieces from Rubens, Zurbaran, Ribera and masters of the Italian Baroque period.

General Information

• Open daily (except Mondays): from 10:00AM to 4:00PM

• Rate (per person): 3.00€

• Children from 6 to 14 years old, students and adults over 65 years: 1.50€

• Duration of visit: 30 minutes

“Azur Express” Tourist Train

These little trains in the national Monegasque colors make daily journeys with commentary in English, Italian, German and French. During the trip you will discover the Monaco Port, Monte-Carlo and its Palaces, the famous Casino and its gardens, before returning to the Old Town with its City Hall and finally the magnificent Prince’s Palace.

General Information

• Duration of ride: 30 minutes

• Runs every day except in January and from November 15 to December 26.

• In Summer: 10:00AM to 5:00PM

• In Winter: 10:30AM to 6:00PM (according to the weather conditions)

• Rate (per person): 6€

• Children under age 5: free

Aquavision: Boat Trips with Under water Vision

Discover Monaco from the sea during this 55-minute boat trip that includes a stop to observe the seabed. “Aquavision” is a catamaran-type boat equipped with two windows in the hull for underwater vision, thus allowing the passengers to explore the natural seabed of the coast in an unusual way. The boat can take up to 120 people per journey.

General Information

• Several departures from June thru September

• Rate (per person): 11€

• Children from 3 to 18 years old and students: 8€

• Commentary in English, French, Italian, and German

• Duration of visit: 55 minutes

CLIMATE

The best time to visit Monaco is May-October, although August can be hot and humid. Winters are moderate, but it's really too cold for swimming or lying on the beach.

There's a world of difference between visiting Monaco during high season (late spring, summer, early fall) and low. If you're interested in the sights or spas -- as opposed to lying on the beach -- go during low season. There are no crowds, hotel rates can be as much as a third less in some properties, and it's easy to get reservations in good restaurants. The only downside is that a few of the attractions may be closed, and the ones that are open have shorter hours, so you can't see as much in a day (but you can afford to stay more days).