Things to do in Monaco

Perched on the Rock of Monaco, and surrounded on three sides by the Mediterranean, the old town (vieille ville) is mind-blowingly located. With cute cafés and restaurants interspersed with historic attractions (among them St Nicholas Cathedral, burial place of Princess Grace and Prince Rainier), taking in the old town’s charm is one of the best things to do in Monaco.

The old town treasure of Palais Princier is well worth devoting a few hours to. Home to Monaco’s ruling family, the Grimaldis, the state apartments’ tour takes you round the 17th-century interior courtyard with its marble staircase, and the Galerie d’Hercule. There are several rooms containing priceless antiques, paintings by Van Loo, Brueghel and Titian, a gallery of mirrors, and the fittingly grand bed in which the Duke of York died in 1767.

With its marble flooring and colossal chandeliers, shopping at Métropole couldn’t be more different from being jostled down Oxford Street on a rainy Saturday afternoon. If the décor is luxurious, so are the brands. But even if you’re not planning to blow your life savings on a designer watch, this is a great place to grab a drink when the summer heat gets too much.

From its Belle Époque building, to its dazzling Bohemian crystal chandeliers, Casino de Monte-Carlo screams sophistication and attention to detail. To try your hand at one of the dozens of games - from French Roulette, to Black Jack, to good old-fashioned slot machines - you’ll need to dress to impress, plus plenty of cash and your passport. And if you don’t fancy your chances on the hand-crafted gaming tables, you could always take a guided tour (daily, 9am–noon).

Music-lovers wondering what to do in Monaco should check out the opulent Opéra de Monte-Carlo. Built by the guy who created the Paris Opéra Garnier, just stepping into its fresco-filled foyer will take your breath away. Even if you don’t know your Monteverdi from your Rossini, this place is worth a visit. It regularly plays host to international stars, with artists as diverse as Patti Smith, Pete Doherty, Prince and Lionel Richie having previously graced the glittering Salle Garnier stage.

The Café de Paris brassiere is a popular rendezvous for locals and tourists alike, with a huge terrace and beautiful Belle Époque interior. By day it serves traditional French fare - grilled veal, steak, pommes frites - to a constant flow of customers. By night, it’s every bit as busy, and a great place to come for cocktails. Like just about everything in Monaco, it ain’t cheap, but it’s pretty as a picture, perfect for people-watching and one of the classic things to do in Monaco.

Split over two gorgeous villas (Villa Paloma and Villa Sauber) with terraced gardens, the Nouveau Musée National de Monaco showcases local culture through its paintings, sculptures and costumes (don’t miss the collection of creepy mechanical automatons and dolls). Another must-see museum is the nearby Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology – well worth a visit to marvel at the massive mammoth skeleton, if nothing else. For Monaco holidays with added culture, these should be top of your list.

Once a trading harbour used by ancient Greeks and Romans, today Hercule Port’s deep natural bay is a haven for super yachts. Overlooked by the Rock of Monaco, backed by restaurants and bars, and home to the Grand Prix, it’s the perfect place to take an early evening stroll and find a spot for a drink (celeb-spotting pretty much guaranteed).