Great summer activities for families in Monaco

Set a course for Port Hercule!

This iconic location in the very centre of the Principality is instantly recognisable as the home of the Formula 1 Grand Prix starting grid, and Port Hercule has plenty of surprises waiting to be discovered during the summer.
As you approach, you’ll notice (well, your kids will definitely have spotted them at any rate) a host of funfair rides and attractions all along Quai Albert Ier, including a go-kart circuit, trampolines, a basketball court, hook-a-duck, and a merry-go-round. For older members of the family, and for the first time, there is a summer village organised by the history association Les Sites Historiques de Monaco, giving you the opportunity to meet local craftspeople and traders and see their specialities (daily from 6 pm to 11 pm).

Need to pause and cool off? The Stade Nautique Rainier III, better known to locals as the “Port Swimming Pool”, will be your very own oasis! Its heated seawater pool, excellent facilities and view of the yachts will delight the whole family.

If it’s a party atmosphere you’re looking for, there’s plenty going on in the area on 5 August with a firework display from the Rainier III embankment a 10 pm, followed by a cabaret show from 10.30 pm to midnight.

Head over to La Condamine

The traditional local district with its market stalls, red paving stones and ochre roofs so typical of the region, will be the venue for various activities and events this summer.
There will be a superhero-themed kids’ evening on La Condamine market square from 6 to 7 pm on 16 August, the perfect opportunity for parents to grab a table among the locals and relax with some well-deserved pre-dinner drinks.

But that’s not all! There will also be concerts on Square Gastaud on 9th (country music) and 23rd (zouk) August from 7.30 pm to 10 pm, in a relaxed atmosphere on the shaded concourse.
Finally, the Louis Notari Library is holding two new “Manga Bla Bla” events where comic fans can discover and discuss their favourite mangas (there are four meetings planned during the summer).

If you’re more a fan of the silver screen, look out for showings of the latest releases and classic films with the “Cinés d’été” summer cinema events, every Thursday from 2 pm (free admission).

For budding explorers!

Those of a more curious disposition won’t be disappointed either. Climb the Rock and discover what they call the “Temple of the Sea”, the Oceanographic Museum of Monaco. You’ll be enchanted by this amazing museum with its imposing architecture, carved into the very rock itself, and brimming with treasures.
There’s something for all ages, including an immersive (and refreshingly cool) “Polar Mission” exhibition, aquariums housing thousands of species, the Sea Turtles’ Odyssey with its outdoor tank, an escape game inspired by the the marine world and the adventures of Prince Albert I, and an interactive “Seaside Animals” workshop, for an unforgettable experience.
Finally, running until early September, the museum’s “Club Océano” invites youngsters to learn all about the sea.
For more information about activities at the Oceanographic Museum, click HERE

On the top floor of the museum is a hidden secret - a play area with an incredible 360° view.

If the sea air is not your thing, why not unearth your inner archaeologist and discover the children’s workshops organised by the Monaco Museum of Prehistoric Anthropology on 7, 9, and 16 August.
Activities include prehistoric painting on pebbles, archaeological digs, and prehistoric engraving.
For families keen to go even further, there is an escape game, treasure hunt, pottery workshop, and even an introduction to archery.
To find out more about what's in store, click HERE.


The classics that never get old

 - The traditional Changing of the Palace Guard every day at 11.55 am.

- The dotto train that runs in a loop, starting and finishing outside the Oceanographic Museum.

- Children’s play areas all over the Principality (with hidden bonuses that are always popular with youngsters: ducks and carp in the landscaped park in Fontvieille, a miniature farm in Princess Antoinette park, and carp in the Japanese Garden).

- The Rainier III Zoological Gardens, home to more than 300 animals.

- The mini-golf in Princess Antoinette park, with views of the Rock and the Mediterranean.