Inspiration and experiences for exploring the Principality with your family
For walks in the gardens
The Principality has an abundance of parks and gardens in which to relax with the family... 20% of its territory is covered in green!
From Larvotto to Fontvieille, from Monaco-Ville to the Jardin Exotique, there's always a green spot where you can enjoy a visit to the Principality, surrounded by a natural environment planted with trees.
Start with the Japanese Garden. Created in 1994 at the request of Prince Rainier III and located in the Larvotto district, this garden is imbued with a special atmosphere that invites total relaxation. This is the place to be for a moment of tranquillity in the land of the rising sun... right in the heart of the Principality.
Walking through the Gardens around the Casino, children will have plenty to look up to and open their eyes wide at the tall trees of the Jardins de la Petite Afrique, so named because of the tropical species it shelters.
Fancy a stroll through hanging gardens overlooking the Mediterranean? Then head for the Jardins Saint-Martin, in Monaco-Ville, where blue instinctively blends with green to the delight of the whole family. Originally typically Mediterranean, this green setting has since been complemented by exotic species acclimatised to the site, offering strollers as many tree-lined surprises as exceptional views of the Grande Bleue.
Below the Rocher is the Jardin Animalier Rainier-III, named in honour of the animal-loving Sovereign. Set on a cliffside overlooking the port of Fontvieille, the garden is home to almost 250 animals, and is unique in that it takes in animals that have been donated, abandoned or recovered through customs seizures or exchanges with other parks. A perfect place for all the family!
To continue the stroll, the landscaped park of Fontvieille, which surrounds the big top hosting the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival, offers the district a large green space much appreciated by families and locals alike, enhanced by the Princess Grace Rose Garden and its countless varieties of roses. And don't be surprised if you come across other families, this time with feathers: here, ducks and geese are at home in the wild!
In the heart of the Jardin Exotique district overlooking the Principality, nestles the Parc Princesse Antoinette. Surrounded by olive trees, the children's playground offers families activities for toddlers and young children up to the age of 9. The park includes a mini-golf course and a mini-farm that attracts the curiosity of the youngest visitors. Ewes, ducks, chickens, rabbits... animals that receive the utmost attention from the park's gardeners!
Last but not least, the Exotic Garden's Botanical Centre welcomes the curious in its greenhouses, which house the world's largest collections of cacti and succulents - over 10,000 in all!
Visits that combine curiosity and culture
In Monaco, we celebrate the culture of excellence, for young and old alike! With cultural entities of international quality, first-rate events and a wide range of activities, there's always something to see and do!
Fancy a canvas under the stars? Open from mid-June to mid-September, the Open Air Cinéma, located in Monaco-Ville below the Musée Océanographique, welcomes film buffs, friends and families in the best possible conditions in a unique setting, under the stars, overlooking the Mediterranean.
There's only one step from the 7th art to music! The Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, which deploys its expertise on stage throughout the year, is also offering dates for children aged 4 and over, with its "young audience" packages. This is the perfect way to awaken the musical ear of even the youngest listeners, whether at a family concert, a film screening or a musical tale.
On both the courtyard and garden sides, the Théâtre Princesse Grâce has something for everyone, with a programme that includes many plays suitable for young audiences and families. Carefully selected shows to delight everyone!
The Principality also has another open-air theatre in Monaco-Ville, facing the Grande Bleue. Fort Antoine, a fortress built at the beginning of the 18th century, is transformed into a theatrical setting every summer to host all kinds of performances. A multi-disciplinary programme under the stars, where the whole family can enjoy a unique and convivial experience.
As well as its top-notch institutions, Monaco also boasts museums and monuments of exceptional richness and variety, some of them world-famous.
Facing the Mediterranean, the Oceanographic Museum, inaugurated in 1910, offers visitors the chance to discover thousands of species of tropical and Mediterranean fish. Here, you'll be as fascinated as you are educated, with fun activities, turtle rehabilitation tanks facing the sea, and informative temporary and permanent exhibitions.
On the exhibition side, the Musée Océanographique offers a permanent opportunity to take a trip aboard a reconstructed Prince Rainier III ship with "The Prince and the Mediterranean". The Monaco-Ville establishment has children in mind, with fun activities organised at weekends and during the school holidays, such as ImmerSEAve 360°, which takes visitors on a virtual dive into the Mediterranean. Parents and children are equipped with a virtual reality helmet and set off to discover a Protected Marine Area. Another activity that lets children learn while having fun: the animals of the seaside. This fascinating workshop reveals the secrets of the flora and fauna of the Mediterranean coastline, thanks in particular to a touch tank.
In a different field, but just as exciting for children, the Musée d'Anthropologie Préhistorique (Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology) retraces the major stages in the evolution of mankind, while providing a fun way to learn. Accustomed to receiving schoolchildren, the content is tailored to their needs, and the curators are passionate about their work. And until 1 December 2025, the Museum is presenting "The butterfly effect, the pre-history of animals": an exhibition that explores the links between animal species and brings together some very important archaeological collections. Designed to arouse the curiosity of everyone, the exhibition features workshops for children, talks and guided tours, as well as projection areas.
The Car Collection of H.S.H. the Prince of Monaco, located in Port Hercule, is another way of retracing history. This museum, which grew out of the collection of Prince Rainier III, a car enthusiast, now includes around a hundred vehicles. It's a treasure trove unveiled to the public and a fantastic journey back in time, where children can marvel at the 1903 De Dion-Buton and the Ferrari driven by Charles Leclerc!
The Changing of the Guard in front of the Princely Palace is a classic that never fails to amaze visitors, especially families! It's one of the Principality's must-sees, and a privileged encounter with the Principality's centuries-old history, every day at 11.55am.
The Grand Apartments of the Princely Palace can be visited from March to October. A journey through time that will delight families, where you can admire its well-preserved treasures: restored Italian Renaissance frescoes covering an area of 600 m².
The Casino de Monte-Carlo remains a benchmark for gaming and entertainment in Europe and the rest of the world. But with its James Bond atmosphere and Belle Epoque architecture, it would be a shame to miss out on a family visit to the establishment, without the stakes of gambling and the lure of winning. The legendary establishment can be visited in the morning, regardless of age or dress code, and you can marvel at the gaming rooms, the Atrium or the Café de la Rotonde.
For sports and leisure activities
There's no shortage of family sports activities in Monaco! From Fontvieille to Larvotto, via Monaco-Ville, there are plenty of inspirations...
Monaco-Ville is home to the Jardins Saint-Martin, the Princely Palace, the Oceanographic Museum... and the skate park! Just a stone's throw from the Open Air Cinema, children can play daredevil in front of the Grande Bleue in this area reserved for scooters, rollerblades and skates from the age of 8.
For a more gentle activity, head to the Princesse Antoinette park! Families can enjoy a game of mini-golf or a game of basketball on the multi-sports court. In both cases, the olive trees and the Mediterranean will provide the perfect backdrop for a fun-filled sports session.
For young puzzle fans, the Principality also has a wide variety of escape games. At the Oceanographic Museum, for example, you can take a trip back in time aboard the Princess Alice II, Prince Albert I's famous laboratory ship. Halfway between a fun trail and an escape game, the Captain' Game outdoor game lets you explore the Fontvieille district by answering questions about the environment. An original 2.5 km circuit, 10 markers to find and as many answers to punch!
Sport in Monaco is part of the Principality's DNA, and the Stade Louis-II plays an essential role. Built right on the sea in the Fontvieille district, it plays host to the home matches of AS Monaco Football Club, but that's not all! You can visit this gigantic 30,000 m² complex, unique in its design and architecture. So that children can follow in the footsteps of Thierry Henry, Radamel Falcao and Kylian Mbappé. Speaking of the Louis-II, this stadium is also home to the matches of AS Monaco Basket Club. For several years now, the Roca Team has topped the French league and is a regular in the European Euroleague. A family atmosphere to be experienced under the turf trodden by the footballers' boots, in a white-hot Gaston-Médecin hall all year round!
For children who want to feel like fish in the water in Monaco, head for the Académie Monégasque de la mer. It offers week-long courses from1 July to 6 September 2024. The programme of activities includes an introduction to scuba diving, palm-walking, snorkelling, water rescue and raising awareness of the need to protect the ocean's flora and fauna.
You can also swim in the Mediterranean while staying on the shore and enjoying the beach games at the Larvotto beach complex. With its shaded promenade and beach, it's the perfect place to take a refreshing dip under a blue sky. And families will be spoilt for choice when it comes to dining with their feet in the water on one of the private beaches at Le Neptune, La Note Bleue or Le Miami, or tasting delicious Italian specialities with their feet in the sand at Giacomo from the famous Big Mamma restaurant chain. On the shady promenade, Sexy Tacos unveils its menu prepared with the greatest respect for traditional Mexican recipes, and Bistro Coe offers refined cuisine in a modern, well-kept setting.
Let's stay in, or rather on, the Mediterranean with Sustainable Whale Watching Monaco. Families will be able to fulfil one of their children's dreams by discovering large marine mammals in the heart of their natural habitat! Thanks to the benefits of the Pelagos sanctuary, whales, dolphins, fin whales and sperm whales reveal their imposing silhouettes to wide-eyed visitors. It's an unexpected experience in Monegasque waters, to say the least, and an opportunity to discover the incredible natural wealth off the Principality's coast.
Pool lovers will prefer the Stade Nautique Rainier-III ! The harbour swimming pool welcomes families right in the middle of the Principality, at the foot of the Rock, between the Formula 1 circuit and the marina's prestigious yachts moored alongside the quay. Its heated seawater and facilities for young visitors are sure to please everyone!
Finally, while the Principality is ideally located on the borders of France and Italy, it is also perfectly nestled between the Mediterranean and the Alps, and it is possible to reach the leading ski resorts in just 1h30 by car. Valberg, Isola 2000, Auron and La Colmiane are just some of the family-friendly resorts where you can enjoy a breath of fresh air at an altitude of 2,000 metres, with the Grande Bleue in your sights!
Visits that combine transport and wonder
With an area of 2.08 km², the Principality is easy to explore on foot, but it's always a pleasure to visit using a variety of transport options.
Monaco has its own little tourist train. A perfect way for families to embark on a trip to the Principality, departing from Monaco-Ville, in front of the Oceanographic Museum. Discover Monaco's most beautiful sites on a unique 30/40-minute mini-train tour.
With its "hop on - hop off" system, enabling passengers to get on and off the bus freely, Monaco Le Grand Tour allows families to visit the Principality in complete tranquillity, and to take in several parts of the territory thanks to 12 stops spread from the Fontvieille district to the Larvotto beaches. The whole journey takes around 1 hour without getting off the double-decker vehicle.
Monaco can also be explored from the air... Why not take a helicopter flight with your family? The Principality reveals its most beautiful silhouette between the Alps and the Mediterranean on a panoramic flight with the companies Blade and Héli Air Monaco. Take to the skies over the Riviera, from Italy to the Bay of Angels: the most exclusive viewpoints will make the experience truly unforgettable and will dazzle the eyes of the children!
Unforgettable courses and workshops
With so many players from the worlds of culture, sport and art, there are plenty of initiatives designed to get children involved and interested in all kinds of disciplines!
The NMNM - Monaco's New National Museum - offers fun activities for families every weekend during temporary exhibitions at the Villa Sauber and the Villa Paloma. On the programme for children aged 7 to 12: exciting workshops and treasure hunts through the gardens of the two villas. During the school holidays, the NMNM adapts its activities and offers workshops for young audiences in connection with the current exhibitions: a fun way to introduce children to art!
One of the Oceanographic Museum's missions is to educate in a fun way. With Club Oceano, the age-old establishment offers 6-8 year-olds and 9-12 year-olds the chance to discover the marine world and its biodiversity through educational activities. At the heart of the Oceanographic Museum's magical setting, children will be invited to prepare food for the animals, go behind the scenes of the aquariums and discover the magic of coral reefs... real budding aquarists!
Children with artistic souls have the chance to tread the prestigious star-studded runway of the Monte-Carlo International Circus Festival big top! Week-long aerial courses where 4-16 year-olds can try their hand at flying pole, trapeze, aerial fabric or hoop!
Another discipline that often makes children's hearts beat faster: anthropology. The Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology is proactive, and often offers a whole host of activities in addition to family visits: escape games, treasure hunts, pottery workshops, archery initiation... Games and workshops for young and old to keep little explorers entertained!
Theatrical monsters need not worry: with its improvisation courses, the Théâtre des Muses is sure to have the next great actress or actor burning up the stage! Located in the Moneghetti district, this small-scale theatre not only has a programme designed for children, but also offers young people the chance to explore the world of theatre and improvisation. Themed courses are organised during the school holidays. A great way to develop creativity and self-confidence on stage.
Another interesting initiative for families: Happy Chou Monaco offers creative workshops for children and their parents. These workshops are very varied and can include creative activities (painting, drawing, modelling...), cookery classes or gardening workshops. It's a great opportunity to share creative moments as a family, and make precious memories!
Monaco is the setting for some unique educational and fun adventures for children, including The Bubble Bus. A quality educational club, The Bubble Bus Monaco offers programmes tailored to babies, toddlers and young children. This unique concept offers children aged 6 months to 12 years a space where curiosity and fun go hand in hand, whether for fun science experiments, craft sessions or early-learning activities.