The Casino of Monte Carlo, Monte Carlo, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Casino de Monte-Carlo is the famous gambling house on Place du Casino in Monte Carlo, Monaco. Its ornate building, designed by Charles Garnier, the architect of the Paris Opera, has made it a symbol of the principality's glamour since the 19th century. It also houses an opera hall, so it is as much a showpiece of architecture as a place to gamble.

The story behind it

The casino opened in 1863 under Prince Charles III, who hoped it would repair the principality's finances. It worked. The quarter around it grew so fast that it was named Monte Carlo in his honour a few years later. The building you see today dates from the 1870s, when Charles Garnier gave it its grand Belle Epoque look and added the opera hall, now called the Salle Garnier.

One well-known quirk is that Monaco's own citizens, the Monegasques, have traditionally been barred from the gaming rooms, while visitors and foreigners are welcome. The idea was to keep local people away from the tables while the casino drew its business from abroad.

What to look for

• The decorated facade and towers, with their sculpted details, show Garnier's love of ornament and look best from the square in front.
• The cars parked on Place du Casino are often luxury models, and they add to the show as much as the building does.
• The terraces at the back look out over the Mediterranean and the harbour, and they are a good place to pause.
• The lavish atrium inside, if you decide to enter, shows how much decoration Garnier packed into the interior.

Tips for your visit

• You can admire the exterior and the square for free at any time. Allow 20 to 30 minutes to look around, longer if you want to sit on the terraces.
• Going inside is for adults only, and you will need photo ID. Dress rules and entry conditions change, so check current opening hours and rules before you go.
• The square is busy in the daytime but atmospheric in the evening, when the building is lit up. Early morning is the quietest time for photos.
• The Hôtel de Paris and the Café de Paris stand on the same square, so you can easily combine them in one short stop.

See it on a quest

The casino is one stop on Monaco's Exploration Game, a self-guided walk through Monte Carlo that you play on your phone. You reach the casino on foot as part of a longer route through the area, the app tells you about the place when you arrive, and you solve a puzzle based on what is in front of you. There is no guide and no group to join, so you can start whenever you like. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group.