The aquarium
Thousands of creatures.
Berthold Werner — CC BY-SA 3.0 · André ALLIOT — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Stanimir Stoyanov — CC BY-SA 4.0 · Benoît Prieur — CC0
A stately palace of the sea built into the cliff of the Rock directly above the Mediterranean, some eighty-five metres up, opened in 1910 by Prince Albert I, the scientist prince with a passion for the oceans, and one of the oldest museums of marine science in the world. The museum was directed for thirty years by the famous French explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, pioneer of diving and ocean films. Its lower floor holds a large aquarium with thousands of sea creatures, from colourful tropical coral reefs to Mediterranean fish, and a shark lagoon. The upper floors have historic halls with giant whale skeletons, old instruments of ocean exploration and interactive exhibits for children, and on the roof a terrace and café with a panoramic view of the coast from Italy to France. Tickets are about EUR 20.50 to 22.50 per adult depending on the season, per visitor guides, and booking online saves queuing. It suits families and rainy days and is a few minutes' walk from the Prince's Palace.
Thousands of creatures.
Historic halls.
Coast views.
Avenue Saint-Martin, on the edge of the Rock, Monaco
The Rock (Le Rocher)Monaco's old town, set on a towering rocky headland jutting into the sea some si3 minutes walk4.7
Prince's PalaceThe seat of the ruling Grimaldi family since the late thirteenth century, when F5 minutes walk4.5
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 12 minutes walk4.5
Place du Casino and the Opera HouseMonaco's most famous square and its glamorous showcase, in the heart of Monte Ca12 minutes walkThe French explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau, for thirty years from 1957.