Casino Monte Carlo

Casino de Monte-Carlo: A Complete Guide to Monaco’s Most Famous Landmark

The Casino de Monte-Carlo is one of the most recognizable buildings in the world. Sitting at the heart of Monaco on the Place du Casino, its Belle Epoque facade, ornate towers, and manicured gardens draw visitors from every corner of the globe. Designed by architect Charles Garnier, the same man behind the Paris Opera House, it opened in 1863 and has been the centerpiece of Monaco’s identity ever since.

Admission to the casino’s European gaming rooms requires a passport and there is an entrance fee for visitors who are not staying in Monaco. The slot machine halls are free to enter. Visitors under 18 are not permitted inside. Photography inside the gaming rooms is not allowed, so leave the camera gear at the hotel and take your photographs of the exterior from the esplanade instead.

The Casino de Monte-Carlo Up Close

The main building is worth exploring beyond the gaming floors. The atrium is lined with marble columns and stained glass, and guided tours are available in the morning before gaming begins. The Salle Europe, with its painted ceiling and private gaming tables, is the oldest room in the complex and gives a strong sense of the casino’s nineteenth-century origins.

The surrounding Place du Casino is equally impressive. The formal gardens in front of the building are open to the public and provide a relaxed setting to sit and take in the view of the building and, beyond it, the Mediterranean. The square itself is lined with luxury car showrooms and is frequently used as a backdrop for auto shows and promotional events.

What to See Nearby

  • The Grand Prix Circuit: The streets of Monaco double as the Formula One circuit each May. Even outside race season, walking or driving the circuit route gives a tangible sense of just how narrow and demanding the track is. The famous hairpin at Fairmont, the tunnel section, and the chicane at the Swimming Pool complex are all accessible on foot.
  • The Oceanographic Museum: Founded by Prince Albert I in 1906 and built into the face of the Rock of Monaco, this museum houses one of Europe’s most respected marine science collections. The aquarium in the basement is a highlight, featuring sharks, rays, and an extensive coral reef tank.
  • The Prince’s Palace: Located on the Rock of Monaco above the old port, the palace has been the residence of the Grimaldi family since the thirteenth century. The Changing of the Guard takes place daily at 11:55am and is worth timing your visit around. Parts of the State Apartments are open to the public in summer.
  • Jardin Exotique: Perched on a cliff to the west of the palace, this botanical garden contains one of the largest collections of cacti and succulents in Europe. The views over Monaco and the coastline from the upper paths are among the best in the principality.
  • The Port Hercule: Monaco’s main harbour is home to some of the largest and most expensive private yachts in the world. A walk along the quay is a good introduction to the scale of wealth concentrated here, and the water taxis offer a useful way to cross from one side of the port to the other.

Where to Eat

  • Le Grill: Located on the eighth floor of the Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo, this restaurant offers panoramic views of the Mediterranean alongside a menu focused on grilled meats and seasonal French ingredients. The retractable roof makes it an exceptional choice on clear evenings.
  • Joël Robuchon Monaco: This Michelin-starred restaurant at the Hotel Metropole serves refined French cuisine in a formal setting. The tasting menu is lengthy and the wine list extensive. Reservations should be made well in advance, especially from April through September.
  • Café de Paris: Situated directly across from the casino on the Place du Casino, this brasserie has been operating since 1882. The menu covers a broad range of French classics and the terrace is one of the best spots in Monaco for watching the flow of traffic and pedestrians on the square.
  • Beefbar: A well-regarded steakhouse in the Fontvieille district, known for its high-quality cuts sourced from several different countries and a more relaxed atmosphere than many of the casino-adjacent restaurants.
  • La Rascasse: At the foot of the Grand Prix circuit near the swimming pool complex, this bar and restaurant is a local institution. The food is straightforward and the atmosphere lively, particularly on warm evenings when the terrace fills up.

Where to Stay

  • Hotel de Paris Monte-Carlo: Open since 1866 and located directly on the Place du Casino, this is the most prominent hotel in Monaco. The building underwent a major renovation completed in 2019. Even those not staying here often visit the bar or the lobby for a sense of the hotel’s grandeur.
  • Fairmont Monte Carlo: Sitting at the corner of the Grand Prix circuit at the famous hairpin, this hotel offers well-appointed rooms and a large outdoor pool terrace. It is within easy walking distance of the casino and the port.
  • Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel and Resort: Located to the east toward Cap d’Ail, this resort property has a lagoon-style pool, direct sea access, and a more holiday-oriented atmosphere compared to the hotels closer to the casino. The onsite restaurants and bars make it practical for longer stays.
  • Hotel Hermitage Monte-Carlo: Adjacent to the casino gardens, this hotel has a distinct Belle Epoque character with a conservatory dining room that is one of the more unusual architectural spaces in Monaco. Rooms are large by Monegasque standards.

Activities

  • Gambling: The Casino de Monte-Carlo offers roulette, blackjack, poker, and baccarat in its European gaming rooms alongside a large hall of slot machines. The private Salles Privées require a separate ticket and are open to players looking for higher-stakes tables and a quieter environment.
  • Yacht charters: Day charters from Port Hercule operate throughout the summer and provide access to the coastline between Cap Ferrat and Cap d’Ail, including sea caves and swimming spots that are difficult to reach from land.
  • Cooking classes: Several culinary schools and private chefs in the wider Monaco and Nice area offer half-day and full-day sessions focused on Provencal and French Mediterranean cuisine. These can be booked through most concierge desks.
  • Tennis at the Monte-Carlo Country Club: Home to the Monte-Carlo Masters, one of the ATP Masters 1000 events held each April, the Country Club sits on a promontory between Monaco and Roquebrune-Cap-Martin. Non-members can use the courts outside of tournament periods.
  • Helicopter transfers: Monacair operates scheduled helicopter transfers between Nice Cote d’Azur Airport and Monaco Heliport in around seven minutes. It is the fastest way to arrive from the airport and the flight over the coastline is worthwhile on its own terms.

Practical Tips

  • Dress code: The casino’s gaming rooms enforce a smart dress code. For men, a jacket is required in the Salles Privées and strongly recommended in the European rooms. Jeans, trainers, and casual wear are not acceptable in the main gaming areas.
  • Currency: Monaco uses the euro. Credit and debit cards are accepted almost universally, though having some cash is useful at smaller cafes and market stalls.
  • Getting around: Monaco covers around two square kilometres, so most attractions are walkable. The public bus network is inexpensive and reliable. Taxis are available but short distances can be costly. Free public lifts and escalators connect the different levels of the principality.
  • Getting there: The nearest airport is Nice Cote d’Azur Airport (NCE), approximately 22 kilometres to the west. Train services from Nice city centre to Monaco-Monte-Carlo station take around 20 to 30 minutes and run frequently throughout the day. By road, Monaco is around 15 kilometres from the Italian border and roughly 200 kilometres from Marseille.
  • Best time to visit: Spring and early autumn offer the most comfortable temperatures and fewer crowds than July and August. The Grand Prix in May brings significant crowds and very high accommodation prices across the entire region. The Monte-Carlo Masters tennis tournament in April is another busy period worth planning around.
  • Language: French is the official language of Monaco. English and Italian are widely understood in hotels, restaurants, and at the casino. Basic French phrases are appreciated but not essential.
  • Safety: Monaco has one of the lowest crime rates in the world and is heavily policed. Standard precautions apply, particularly in crowded areas during the tourist season, but visitors can move around with confidence at all hours.