Oceanographic Museum of Monaco: tickets, opening times and access

Updated on 24 September 2026

Perched on the cliff of the Rock, 85 metres above the sea, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco brings together aquariums, major exhibitions and a rooftop terrace. Allow about two hours for the visit, and a ticket that costs less online than at the box office.

What you will see

Founded by Prince Albert I^er in 1889 and inaugurated in 1910, the museum occupies a 6,000 square metre building built into the cliff side. The permanent visit includes:

• The Mediterranean 2050 exhibition, on the preservation of the Mediterranean basin;
• The tropical aquarium and the great shark lagoon;
• The Odyssey of the Sea Turtles, a partly open-air space backing onto the Saint-Martin Gardens;
• The rooftop terrace: the highest point of the museum and of the Rock, 85 metres above the sea, with the La Terrasse restaurant, the Turtle Island and a play area.

Please note: the museum is undertaking a complete renewal of its Aquarium Méditerranée space. The other areas, the Mediterranean 2050 exhibition, the tropical aquarium, the great lagoon, the Odyssey of the Sea Turtles and the rooftop terrace, remain open. Indicative information, to be checked on the official museum website.

If your day continues on the French side, two must-sees complete the outing: the Phoenix Park in Nice, with its tropical greenhouse, and the what to do in Nice overview to chain visits together.

Opening hours 2026

The museum is open every day, except 25 December and the weekend of the Formula 1 Grand Prix:

• January - March: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.;
• April - June: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.;
• July - August: 9:30 a.m. - 8 p.m.;
• September: 10 a.m. - 7 p.m.;
• October - December: 10 a.m. - 6 p.m.

Last admission and box office closing 30 minutes before the museum closes.

Prices and tickets 2026

The online ticket is cheaper than at the box office:

• Adult (18 and over): €20.50 online · €22.50 at the box office;
• Student (valid card): €13 online · €14 at the box office;
• Child (4 to 17 inclusive): €13 online · €14 at the box office;
• Under 4: free;
• Person with a disability (CMI card): €10 online · €11 at the box office; free if the card mentions "needs assistance".

Combined tickets: Museum + Princely Palace from €31, Museum + Car Collection from €33, Museum + Exotic Garden from €33 (available only at the box office, from April 2026). Tip: on presentation of a Zou! transport ticket to Monte-Carlo dated the same day, the box office grants a €2 reduction per ticket, which is also offered on online tickets.

Duration of the visit

The museum recommends about two hours for a full visit, last admission 30 minutes before closing. The ticket includes the aquariums, the Odyssey of the Sea Turtles and the terrace. If you come with children, the play area on the top floor is the right place to catch your breath.

Getting there from Nice

• Train: TER from Nice-Ville to Monaco-Monte-Carlo in 23 minutes, then bus 1 or 2 towards the "Rocher", to the terminus at Place de la Visitation. See getting to Nice by train;
• Bus from Nice: line 100 serves Monaco;
• On foot from the station: climb up via the Rock, it is steep, allow some time;
• By boat: there is no regular sea link between Nice and Monaco (a shuttle project is still under discussion), only seasonal excursions: boat excursions from Nice.

The full schedule for a day on site is in our guide to Monaco and Monte-Carlo from Nice.

Frequently asked questions