The Oceanographic Museum

The Oceanographic Museum of Monaco is one of the principality's most impressive and beloved institutions, a magnificent monument to the sea. Founded in 1910 by Prince Albert I, a passionate oceanographer and explorer, it occupies an imposing Belle Époque palace built dramatically into the face of a sheer cliff, rising some 85 metres straight above the Mediterranean. Inside, it combines a superb aquarium, its tanks alive with sharks, colourful reef fish, turtles and a mesmerising touch pool, with grand halls of maritime exhibits, whale skeletons and the history of ocean science. Its rooftop terrace offers spectacular panoramic views over the sea and coast.

What you actually see

• The aquarium - the tanks of sharks, reef fish and turtles.
• The touch pool - the interactive marine encounters.
• The grand halls - the maritime exhibits and whale skeletons.
• The rooftop terrace - the panoramic sea and coast views.

When to go

Year-round; the museum is an all-weather attraction, comfortable in any season and a fine option on a hot or rainy day, and its rooftop views are best on a clear day. It can get busy in the summer high season and during holidays, so an earlier visit is calmer. It sits conveniently on the Rock beside the old town.

Honest expectations

The museum is a paid attraction and, like everything in Monaco, not cheap, and it can get crowded in high season, while the aquarium, though excellent, is one of several fine attractions competing for a visitor's time and budget. As a magnificent, historic institution combining a superb aquarium with grand maritime exhibits, a dramatic cliff-top setting and spectacular rooftop views, though, the Oceanographic Museum is a genuine highlight and one of the best things to do in the principality.

Nearby

The Prince's Palace, the old town and the exotic gardens are close by.