Musée océanographique de Monaco

Stunning place in Monaco. The building is just phenomenal on the edge of the rocks and inside is beautiful! A lot of variety of fishes and really interesting halls for ships. Unfortunately one of the halls with big skeletons was being renovated and didn’t manage to see it. Highly recommend!

The Musée océanographique de Monaco is a beautiful place to visit, both inside and out. The building itself is stunning, with grand architecture that feels almost as impressive as the exhibits inside. My favorite part was the room with the boat—it’s such a cool and immersive feature. The museum also has a lovely garden area with a touching tribute to Princess Grace of Monaco, including a charming statue you can visit for free just outside. While the museum is on the smaller side and doesn’t take long to explore, it’s still worth a stop, especially for those who appreciate art, marine life, and elegant design. Keep in mind that the visit can be quite short unless you opt for the additional paid activities. Overall, a very pleasant and picturesque experience in Monaco.

I highly recommend visiting the Monaco Oceanographic Museum. The building has five levels in total (including the ground floor and terrace), but the two highlights are Floor -2 and Floor +1. Floor -2 (Aquariums): This is where you’ll find the aquariums, the main attraction for both adults and children. It’s a must-see. Floor +1 (Exhibits): This floor houses fascinating exhibits about oceanography, exploration, and history. Adults will find them engaging, though children may lose interest quickly. For families, a good strategy is to let the kids enjoy the aquariums first while you take time to explore the museum-style exhibits upstairs without rushing. A visit takes a minimum of 2 hours, with 3 hours being ideal. Anything longer might feel overwhelming, so if you want to dive deeper into all the details and information panels, it’s worth considering a second visit. Other floors are less essential: Floor -1: Mostly empty. Ground floor (0): Entrance, gift shop, and a stunning conference hall that looks more like a palace. Terrace (+2): Offers beautiful views but not a major highlight compared to the main exhibits. Overall, the museum is an enriching experience, especially if you focus on the two key levels.

The Musée océanographique de Monaco is a great place to explore marine life. You’ll see a wide variety of fish, from tiny colourful ones to much larger species. The aquariums are beautiful to watch, and it’s easy to lose track of time just observing the underwater world. You can comfortably spend a few hours here enjoying the rich and fascinating marine life.

We visited the museums on a weekend and there was surprisingly no line. We bought the tickets and entered in less than 5 minutes. We entered an hour and a half before closing and we managed to see everything we wanted to, but i would recommend taking 2 hours to see and read everything calmly. The staff was very kind and helpful and the exhibition was truly one of a kind. Would definitely visit again.

Visiting the Musée océanographique de Monaco is a truly immersive experience for anyone fascinated by the ocean. Perched dramatically on a cliff overlooking the Mediterranean, the museum combines stunning architecture with world-class marine collections. Inside, the aquariums are the star attraction, offering an up-close view of colorful tropical fish, sharks, and coral ecosystems that feel both intimate and expansive. Historical exhibits showcase marine exploration, oceanography, and the pioneering work of Prince Albert I, giving context to the science and history behind the displays. The combination of education and spectacle makes the museum equally engaging for adults and children.

Is this place awesome? Yes. Is it worth the entry price? Maybe. Would I go again? No. Let me clarify. If you've got kids, it's DEFINITELY worth it. Otherwise there's other things to do / see that are more amazing. What it's got is a nice restaurant terrace with a kids playground. And an awesome function room that we spend some time just sitting. Otherwise it's just good, but not great.

A must do visit in Monaco, with or without children. The building itself was very impressive. However the displays were amazing. The exhibition was incredibly well done and very entertaining. The view from the rooftop with its restaurant and cafe was amazing.