The Palace Guards
The Palace Guards
4
Tours & experiences
Explore different ways to experience this place.
Full view
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Top ways to experience The Palace Guards and nearby attractions
The area
Address
Reach out directly
Best nearby
We rank these restaurants and attractions by balancing reviews from our members with how close they are to this location.
Restaurants
405 within 3 miles
Attractions
231 within 6 miles
Contribute
Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
We perform checks on reviews.
Tripadvisor’s approach to reviews
Before posting, each Tripadvisor review goes through an automated tracking system, which collects information, answering the following questions: how, what, where and when. If the system detects something that potentially contradicts our community guidelines, the review is not published.
When the system detects a problem, a review may be automatically rejected, sent to the reviewer for validation, or manually reviewed by our team of content specialists, who work 24/7 to maintain the quality of the reviews on our site.
Our team checks each review posted on the site disputed by our community as not meeting our community guidelines.
Learn more about our review moderation.
4.0
328 reviews
Excellent
103
Very good
130
Average
84
Poor
6
Terrible
5
BackinBracknell
Bracknell, UK1,582 contributions
Sept 2024 • Couples
If you can it's worth timing your visit to the Prince's Palace so you can catch the Changing of the Guard. It's a nice thing to see to add to the Monaco experience, but not essential. They were dressed in all white, although apparently they wear black uniforms in winter.
Written 1 October 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
pinir67
Hod Hasharon, Israel570 contributions
Sept 2022 • Family
Changing of the guards ceremony is being held daily at 11:50am and lasts for 10 minutes. This ancient ceremony is being held the same way for few hundred of years so if only for the tredition it is worth watching.
Try and come 10-15 minutes earlier to take a spote at the ropes for best photo opportunities.
Try and come 10-15 minutes earlier to take a spote at the ropes for best photo opportunities.
Written 30 September 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lindadownunder
Perth, Australia2,949 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
My husband and I were lucky enough to see the changing of the palace Guards when we went to visit the palace.
We also were able to witness Prince Albert leaving the palace.
We also were able to witness Prince Albert leaving the palace.
Written 5 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dustin C
New York City, NY240 contributions
Sept 2017 • Couples
I would suggest starting by getting there around 1130h and heading over to the ticket office to purchase your ticket for the Palace tour. There is a 30 minute or so audio guide that you get when yo check in. If you are looking at the palace front turn to your left and head over to the ticket and souvenir office. I purchased the combined Palace and Oceanography Museum ticket for 19 EUR. You can go whenever you want but the ticket must be used the same day.
If you are interested at 1155 there is the changing of the guard in from of the palace. I enjoy these traditions and the guards booties are nice to look at in their tight white pants. I suggest standing to the left of the palace kind of close to the entrance for the tour. This way right after the guard switch to over you can enter the palace before everyone else. You kind of get ahead of the pack this way. The changing of the guard lasts 5-10 minutes and some saluting and trumpet and drum playing.
The palace had some of the most attentive security screening I have been to. You are admitted one person at a time. You bag is thoroughly inspected and you walk through a metal detector. The metal detector is the norm but the focus which they look through your bag was a bit surprising. The situation is also very controlled. The guards for the palace do the searching. After that you walk up to a window and pick your language for your audio guide. There are many signs up stating no photography allowed in the palace but you are also told this by the guards and person handing you the audio guide.
The audio guide is a bit like a small old nokia phone that you can plug your own headphones into or hold up to your ear and listen. You simply go in the order it directs you and press the green button when you are ready for the next section to begin. You can go at your own pace but I would say it takes about 30-45 minutes to do the tour.
They are very strict with the photo policy. I am always conscious to respect places wishes. I did see a palace employee stop some people who were taking pictures then they physically took the phone form the tourist and deleted the photos they had taken from the phone. I never understand why people can't follow direction but I will also say I have never witnessed such enforcement.
You go through about 10 rooms or so and an open air interior courtyard. A lot of the palace is covered up because they are actively restoring it. This was a bit disappointing but obviously a necessity. I asked about when they expected it to be over and they explained there was no timeline. While doing some of the restorations they have found additional frescos they were unaware of so it will take even longer.
I would say I was most impressed by the thrown room When I visited it was not undergoing any renovations and it was captivating to be in the room thrown and all. There is a large painting of Grace and her family.
It is definitely worth the time and really felt like the heart of the city i was visiting. After you finish the tour walk around the old town, eat, and then enjoy the aquarium.
If you are interested at 1155 there is the changing of the guard in from of the palace. I enjoy these traditions and the guards booties are nice to look at in their tight white pants. I suggest standing to the left of the palace kind of close to the entrance for the tour. This way right after the guard switch to over you can enter the palace before everyone else. You kind of get ahead of the pack this way. The changing of the guard lasts 5-10 minutes and some saluting and trumpet and drum playing.
The palace had some of the most attentive security screening I have been to. You are admitted one person at a time. You bag is thoroughly inspected and you walk through a metal detector. The metal detector is the norm but the focus which they look through your bag was a bit surprising. The situation is also very controlled. The guards for the palace do the searching. After that you walk up to a window and pick your language for your audio guide. There are many signs up stating no photography allowed in the palace but you are also told this by the guards and person handing you the audio guide.
The audio guide is a bit like a small old nokia phone that you can plug your own headphones into or hold up to your ear and listen. You simply go in the order it directs you and press the green button when you are ready for the next section to begin. You can go at your own pace but I would say it takes about 30-45 minutes to do the tour.
They are very strict with the photo policy. I am always conscious to respect places wishes. I did see a palace employee stop some people who were taking pictures then they physically took the phone form the tourist and deleted the photos they had taken from the phone. I never understand why people can't follow direction but I will also say I have never witnessed such enforcement.
You go through about 10 rooms or so and an open air interior courtyard. A lot of the palace is covered up because they are actively restoring it. This was a bit disappointing but obviously a necessity. I asked about when they expected it to be over and they explained there was no timeline. While doing some of the restorations they have found additional frescos they were unaware of so it will take even longer.
I would say I was most impressed by the thrown room When I visited it was not undergoing any renovations and it was captivating to be in the room thrown and all. There is a large painting of Grace and her family.
It is definitely worth the time and really felt like the heart of the city i was visiting. After you finish the tour walk around the old town, eat, and then enjoy the aquarium.
Written 25 October 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LCPL
Quebec, Canada54 contributions
Jul 2019
The day I was at the Palace, our tour guide said the guards would be changing at 1 pm and again at 2 pm. I can't remember now which one we caught, but I was surprised that there were only three guards that came and went and the rest of the time there was only 1 or 2 guards outside the palace. Typically, other Changing of the Guards ceremonies I have seen (England, Sweden) they have a large group of guards and quite an elaborate routine, which is quite entertaining. I was quite disappointed. Perhaps they only do something larger at noon???
Written 21 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bahrain reviews
Manama, Bahrain3,260 contributions
Jun 2015 • Couples
-Verdict 4/5
-Duration: 15 mins; starts at 11:50am
-Fees: N/A
- Info: The Palace Guards is a 10-15 minute event, involving the guards marching, stomping, and handling their guns.
-My experience: Always keep into consideration the size of Monaco to set the right expectation for any sights or attractions like this. It will be unfair or realistic to compare with the other much larger cities in France or Europe. The event is thus smaller scale, but is nice to see if you happen to be around to visit the palace which is a recommended thing.
-Duration: 15 mins; starts at 11:50am
-Fees: N/A
- Info: The Palace Guards is a 10-15 minute event, involving the guards marching, stomping, and handling their guns.
-My experience: Always keep into consideration the size of Monaco to set the right expectation for any sights or attractions like this. It will be unfair or realistic to compare with the other much larger cities in France or Europe. The event is thus smaller scale, but is nice to see if you happen to be around to visit the palace which is a recommended thing.
Written 12 May 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gillv63
Paradise Point, Australia578 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
At 11:55am everyday you can see the changing of the guards outside the princes palace. Hop on a bus and get off at the end of the line. Lovely short walk through the surrounding streets to the open square in front of the palace. The change over takes about 10 minutes and the crowds in winter are negligible. Soldiers in smart uniforms - reminiscent of toy soldiers - but they are very serious. The views from the edge of the square are lovely too.
Written 4 January 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Vicki
London, UK672 contributions
Oct 2014 • Family
Well co-ordinated and wonderful display with a band that entertained the crowds during the Changing of the Guards at the Palace. Liked their uniforms as well. Not to be missed!
Written 7 December 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Norb W
Tucson, AZ255 contributions
Oct 2014 • Friends
We had been to Monaco once before and missed the changing of the guard by 30 minutes. So this time, the guide assured us we would be there in time and would tell us where to stand for a perfect view. We arrived at about 11:15 AM. Our guide advised our group to be at the palace before 11:55 AM, no after or we would miss the whole event. He took us to the spot for view which was right in front of the palace. We were able to get right up to the chain in front of the palace at 11:30 AM, where the activity occurs. We planted our selves in front for 25 minutes and it was worth the wait. You wouldn't believe the number of people that arrived for the event.
Exactly at 11:55, the changing ceremony began. A drum and bugle corps march up to the palace with the incoming guards behind. They line up, then the on duty guard comes out and faces the incoming group. With a series of commands and drill team movements, the new guard takes his post and the old guard leaves behind the drum and bugle corps.
Remember for the best view, go up the the center part of the palace against the chain early and get your spot, The changing ceremony is 11:55 AM sharp, not before.
You can do all your shopping after the ceremony as well as have lunch, and explore the surrounding especially the garden area.
Exactly at 11:55, the changing ceremony began. A drum and bugle corps march up to the palace with the incoming guards behind. They line up, then the on duty guard comes out and faces the incoming group. With a series of commands and drill team movements, the new guard takes his post and the old guard leaves behind the drum and bugle corps.
Remember for the best view, go up the the center part of the palace against the chain early and get your spot, The changing ceremony is 11:55 AM sharp, not before.
You can do all your shopping after the ceremony as well as have lunch, and explore the surrounding especially the garden area.
Written 17 November 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Richard G
Exeter, UK501 contributions
Dec 2013 • Couples
I wouldn't advise making a special effort to see the Changing of the Guard, but if you're around it's worth seeing if only to remind yourself how much better we Brits do these things! You really need to be in position by 11.45 to get a good view.
Written 29 December 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
No questions have been asked about this experience
Revenue impacts the experiences featured on this page, learn more.
Is this your Tripadvisor listing?
Own or manage this property? Claim your listing for free to respond to reviews, update your profile and much more.
Claim your listing