Oceanographic Museum of Monaco: tickets, opening times and access
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 — and note that tickets are cheaper online than at the till.
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 — and note that tickets are cheaper online than at the till.
What you will see
Founded by Prince Albert I in 1889 and opened in 1910, the museum occupies a six-thousand-square-metre building built into the cliff. The permanent visit includes:
- The Méditerranée 2050 exhibition, on protecting the Mediterranean basin;
- The tropical aquarium and the Great Shark Lagoon;
- The Odyssey of Sea Turtles, partly outdoors against 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, Turtle Island and a playground.
Worth knowing: the museum is completely renewing its Méditerranée Aquarium space. The other areas — Méditerranée 2050 exhibition, tropical aquarium, Great Shark Lagoon, turtle odyssey, rooftop terrace — stay open. Indicative information, check the museum's official website.
If the day carries on on the French side, two staples round off the outing: Parc Phoenix in Nice, with its tropical greenhouse, and our things to do in Nice roundup for back-to-back visits.
2026 opening hours
The museum is open every day except 25 December and the Formula 1 Grand Prix weekend:
- January - March: 10am - 6pm;
- April - June: 10am - 7pm;
- July - August: 9.30am - 8pm;
- September: 10am - 7pm;
- October - December: 10am - 6pm.
Last entry and till closure 30 minutes before the museum closes.
2026 prices and tickets
Online tickets are cheaper than at the till:
- Adult (18+): €20.50 online · €22.50 at the till;
- Student (valid card): €13 online · €14 at the till;
- Child (4-17 inclusive): €13 online · €14 at the till;
- Under 4: free;
- Disabled visitor (CMI card): €10 online · €11 at the till; free if the card states "needs assistance".
Combined tickets: Museum + Prince's Palace from €31, Museum + Car Collection from €33, Museum + Exotic Garden from €33 (till only, from April 2026). Tip: showing a Zou! transport ticket to Monte-Carlo dated the same day gets you €2 off per ticket at the till — online tickets do not qualify.
How long the visit takes
The museum recommends around two hours for a full visit, last entry 30 minutes before closing. The ticket covers the aquariums, the turtle odyssey and the terrace. If you are with children, the top-floor playground is the right place to take a break.
Getting there from Nice
- Train: TER from Nice-Ville to Monaco-Monte-Carlo in 23 minutes, then bus 1 or 2 towards "the Rock", to the Place de la Visitation terminus. See reaching Nice by train;
- Bus from Nice: line 100 serves Monaco;
- On foot from the station: climb up through the old town — it is steep, so allow time;
- Boat: there is no regular Nice-Monaco ferry (a shuttle service is still under discussion), only seasonal excursions: boat trips from Nice.
Our guide to Monaco and Monte-Carlo from Nice builds the full day around it.
Frequently asked questions
How much is the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco?
€20.50 for an adult online (€22.50 at the till), €13 for ages 4-17 and students, free under 4.
What are the opening hours?
Every day: 10am-6pm from October to March, 10am-7pm from April to June and in September, 9.30am-8pm in July and August. Closed 25 December and on Grand Prix weekend.
How long should I allow for the visit?
Around two hours, last entry 30 minutes before closing. The ticket includes the aquariums, the turtle odyssey and the terrace.
How do I get there from Nice without a car?
TER to Monaco-Monte-Carlo (23 minutes) then bus 1 or 2 towards "the Rock", or bus 100 from Nice. See Monaco from Nice.
