Colourful lanes
The old town.
Rüdiger Stehn from Kiel, Deutschland — CC BY-SA 2.0 · Niels Mickers — CC BY 3.0 nl · Erik Cooper from Chicago, United Stats — CC BY 2.0 · Erik Cooper from Chicago, United Stats — CC BY 2.0
Monaco's old town, set on a towering rocky headland jutting into the sea some sixty metres up, with narrow spotless lanes and houses painted yellow and pink, the historic heart of the principality and its seat of government since the Middle Ages. The old town holds the Prince's Palace and the broad square before it, and the white cathedral built in the late nineteenth century of white stone, where Prince Rainier III and Princess Grace, the famous American actress Grace Kelly, are buried, which draws many visitors. On the edges of the Rock are the Saint-Martin Gardens, terraced above the sea with shaded paths, and the Oceanographic Museum on the cliff edge. The ramparts give wide views of the harbour, the towers of Monte Carlo and the French coast. Wandering the old town is free, reached from the harbour by stairs and sloping paths, by the free public lifts or by bus. The lanes fill with visitors at midday, so early morning or evening is loveliest.
The old town.
White stone.
Above the sea.
Old town on the rocky headland, Monaco
Prince's PalaceThe seat of the ruling Grimaldi family since the late thirteenth century, when F3 minutes walk4.5
Oceanographic MuseumA stately palace of the sea built into the cliff of the Rock directly above the 3 minutes walk4.4
Port HerculeMonaco's main harbour, a deep basin between the old Rock and Monte Carlo, lined 6 minutes walk4.9
Exotic Garden and Observatory CaveA garden hanging on a towering rock face above the Fontvieille district, opened 9 minutes walk4.5
Place du Casino and the Opera HouseMonaco's most famous square and its glamorous showcase, in the heart of Monte Ca14 minutes walkBy stairs and paths from the harbour, by the free public lifts, or by bus.