Oceanographic Museum

Arriving at Monte Carlo’s Oceanographic Museum, the first thing you’ll notice is its impressive location. Set on the side of a cliff, the century-old building is an attraction in its own right, so make sure you bring a camera and take plenty of pictures before going inside. To avoid the queues, go to the museum in the morning. Start by walking along the ancient path to the Rock of Monaco to enjoy the breathtaking views before moving on to the museum. If you prefer, there’s a bus that will take you up the hill. When you first go inside the museum, spend some time wandering through the educational marine life exhibits before heading downstairs to the aquarium. Here you’ll watch sea life in more than 90 pools, including fish found in the local Mediterranean waters as well as tropical fish, eels and turtles. When you’ve finished your tour of the tanks, you can get hands-on by touching a starfish, feeling sea urchin spines or even stroking a baby shark. At Shark’s Lagoon you’ll see a beautiful habitat full of colourful coral, while the rooftop Turtle Island is a great place to take in the amazing views across Monaco and out to sea. If you’d like to go on a tour, your guide will give you the freedom to explore while they reveal facts about the museum and its marine life. From time to time, the Oceanographic Museum also hosts exhibitions by big name artists like Damien Hirst, Mark Dion and Huang Yong Ping. After your visit, take the 15 minute walk to the Prince’s Palace.