Monte Carlo Cruise Port

The Principality of Monaco is a sparkling gem nestled between France and the Mediterranean, famous for the Monte Carlo Casino, Grand Prix Formula One Race, Princesses and glamorous lifestyles. Enjoy luxurious shopping, visit the 700 year old Grimaldi Palace on 'The Rock', relax in the Princess Grace Rose Garden and Exotic Gardens, and discover what lies beneath at the Oceanographic Museum, once headed by Jacques Costeau.

How to Get to Monaco
Cross the Monaco Harbour in ten minutes by solar electric boat bus! The bateau bus (bus boat) crosses the port from the cruise ship Terminal to Quai Kennedy - Digue Sud, daily 8am to 8pm, tickets can be bought on board. Rates are the same as regular buses, a free change can be taken within 30 minutes of validating your ticket, tourist day passes are available and children under seven travel free - a great way to connect Monaco-Ville and Monte Carlo Casino.

Handy public elevators help traverse the hills easily, with moving walkways located between the harbour and Avenue de la Costa, Place des Moulins and the beaches, and Terraces of the Casino; Congress Centre Auditorium and the Boulevard Louis II.

You can walk into the city but the steep hills make a short bus or taxi ride an appealing option. Bus stops are found every few blocks along the main streets, and buses go to all the major sights; just look at the front of the bus to see the destination. Ask for a map at the Tourist Bureau.

There are taxi ranks in the port on Avenue Président J.F. Kennedy and Nouvelle Digue, while a minibus taxi service for groups (8-13 places) is also available at Nouvelle Digue.

One day in Monaco
Culture
Watch the colourful changing of the guards at the Princely Palace (11:55am daily) then head inside to explore the cultural treasures of the lavish State Apartments, and nearby Monaco Cathedral, Chapel of Mercy and Palace of Justice. The Oceanographic Museum (Musée Océanographique) features an amazing aquarium, marvel at the underground stalagmites and stalactites in the Observatory Prehistoric Cave, or visit ancient tombs in the Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology.

Gardens
Enjoy gorgeous native flowers and plants in St Martin's Gardens, succulents and cacti in the Exotic Gardens, and the serenity of Princess Grace Rose Garden. A pantheon of exotic birds and animals awaits in the Zoological Gardens, while the Sculpture Path is well worth the trip to Fontvieille Park.

Shopping
Find luxury shopping for haute couture, perfume and jewellery on Place du Casino, Avenue Monte-Carlo and Carre d’Or boutiques and high fashion and interior design on Boulevard des Moulins, Boulevard d’Italie or along the Avenue Princess Grace. Monaco is largely Roman Catholic and swimsuits, bare chests and feet are restricted to beaches and swimming areas; appropriate dress is needed to visit religious buildings, and a jacket and tie are required at the Casino.

Nightlife
You'll want to dress in your best for a night out. Start at the magnificent Opera de Monaco (designed by Charles Garnier), take lady luck for a spin at the Belle Epoque Casino de Monte-Carlo, while the Ballet Company, Philharmonic Orchestra and Princess Grace Theatre all provide glamorous entertainment and high quality performances. Simply enjoy the atmosphere of stylish clubs and nightclubs along Avenue Princess Grace, or relax with a beer at an English style pub on the other side of The Rock at Quai Jean-Charle Rey.

Port Information
The only deep water port in Monaco, Port Hercules (Port d'Hercule) is a natural bay at the foot of the ancestral rock of the princes of Monaco. A trading port in use since ancient times by the Greeks and Romans, the modern port was built in 1926, with upgraded facilities in the 1970s. In 1995, the harbour was used as a location in the James Bond film Golden Eye, with Pierce Brosnan as Bond.  The distinctive new yacht club designed by Sir Norman Foster is intended to celebrate Monaco's coastline and nautical heritage with a series of deck-styled viewing balconies to watch yacht races and the Formula 1 Grand Prix circuit. The official language of Monaco is French, but English is also spoken, currency is the Euro.

Luxury Cruise Liners docking at Hercules Port: Star Princess, Windsurf (Windstar), Seven Seas Mariner, SS Voyager, Costa Marina, Noordam, Seabourne Legend & Seabourne Quest, Carnival Magic, Crystal Serenity, Silver Spirit & Silver Wind (Silversea), Mein Schiff (TUI Cruise Line), Nautica (Oceania Cruises), Azamara (Journey & Quest), Oceana, Nieuw Amsterdam (Holland America Line), Ventura (P&O), Dawn Princess, Grand Princess, Ruby Princess and the Queen Elizabeth (Cunard), and Luxury Clippers: Star Clipper & Star Flyer, Stad Amsterdam (3-masted full-rigged ship), Le Ponant (3 masted sailing ship), Sea Cloud and yachts: Sea Dream I & II.