The refined art de vivre Monegasque has a lot to offer. Traveling to Monte Carlo or being a Monegasque resident you can enjoy high-class entertainment in Monaco. ( Except for gambling: Monegasques are not allowed to gamble!) You don't have to be very rich to enjoy your stay as there is a very wide range of offers for leisure activities as well as impeccable services all over the place.

What you should know when traveling to Monaco

• Necessary papers for entering Monaco: For a stay that does not surpass 3 months, you need the document required for entering France — passport, identity document or travel document.
• The official currency of Monaco is the Euro (€).
• Traveler's Cheques are rarely accepted. You can exchange them at banks or exchange offices.
• There is a dress code in Monaco: swimsuits are for beaches and bathing area only. In the casino or for receptions wear a tie and a jacket.
• Shopping:
  • Shopping areas: main — near the Place du Casino; good prices — on the Boulevard des Moulins
  • Shopping hours: 9AM — 12PM and 2PM — 7PM
  • VAT refund: is made when the unitary price including tax is at least €175. You shall be given an “export sales invoice”(Bordereau de Vente). Go to shops with duty free stickers.
• Transportation in Monaco:
  • Walking: there are many elevators that makes it easier to travel from one place to another.
  • By bus: there are 6 lines; departures every 11 minutes; timetable: Monday — Friday from 7AM to 9PM. Cards for 4 to 8 journeys are the cheapest.
  • Car rental: a diversity of car models offered, from limousines to sports cars, with or without driver.
• Neighbors: La Turbie (2km), Cap d'Ail (3km), Roquebrune Cap Martin (5km)

Monaco tourism attractions

• The princely palace — where Prince Rainier lives. At 11:55AM you can see the changing of the guard.
• The Monaco Cathedral — where Princess Grace is buried.
• The old city.
• The Oceanographic Museum — has an impressive Aquarium.
• Monaco, the old town.
• The National Museum and the Musee des souvenirs Napoléoniens et collections des archives historiques du Palais.
• Museum of Prehistoric anthropology.
• The Japanese Garden — reconstructs a typically Japanese atmosphere by specific arrangements, tree species and fish.
• The Casino — a special architecture, worth seeing, red and gold, marble opulence, stained glass, paintings and sculptures.

What to do

Various attractive pastimes can be enjoyed in Monaco: from all kind of water sports and boating to hiking and mountain biking. There are all conditions for golf, tennis, squash, archery, motorcycling, parasailing etc.

From ballet to opera — the gorgeous Salle Garnier.

In summertime — concerts at the Prince's Palace.

Nightlife: discotheques, classy restaurants and casinos.

Accommodation

There are 17 hotels and the possibility of seasonal furnished rentals.

Events

Throughout the year Monaco is residence of major events in the world of art and sports:

• Great artists' performances of music, ballet, opera and drama.
• Renowned sporting events: Monte Carlo Automobile Rally, the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the international tennis championships.
• Major exhibitions, grand balls.