Madagascar Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Madagascar, MG, Africa)



Antananarivo aerial viewMadagascar is becoming more and more popular as a holiday destination. Whilst many holiday makers coming to this tropical island simply want to relax in the sun, others are keen to find out more about Madagascar's rich history, visiting tourist attractions and experiencing cultural traditions.

In particular, the capital city of Antananarivo has a good selection of attractions, including ancient historical sites and local markets. Tourists often like to enjoy a walking tour of Antananarivo, taking time to properly sightsee and explore the best that the city has to offer, including the Queen's Palace, or 'Rova' as it is best known to the locals. Others simply head to the Madagascar beaches to relax on the soft sand and soak up the African sun.


Antananarivo Walking Tours photo

Antananarivo Walking Tours

Address: Antananarivo, Madagascar, MG, Africa
A self-guided walking tour of Antananarivo is a great way to familiarise yourself with the layout of the city and what is on offer for sightseeing tourists. The Rova is the best place to start your tour, with a pleasant pathway leading you around this palace. From here, head downhill, passing by the remains of the Palais de Justice, before reaching the Musee Andafiavaratra. Next is the Andohalo Cathedral and then Jean Laborde's House, with the nearby Rue Ratsimilaho leading to the Place de l'Independance and its colourful gardens. Then, take a walk down the Rue Rainilaiarivony, admire the architecture of the President's Palace, and continue along the Avenida Ramanantsoa to the beautiful lake, Lac Anosy. Finally is the neighbouring Flower Market, and then across the causeway, the Monument aux Morts.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Queen's Palace / Manjakamiadana (Rova / Palais de la Reine) picture

Queen's Palace / Manjakamiadana (Rova / Palais de la Reine)

Address: Lalana Ramboatiana / Rue Ramboatiana, Antananarivo, Madagascar, MG, Africa
The Queen's Palace is part of a large royal complex built for Queen Ranavalona in the 17th century. The palace itself, known as the Manjakamiadana, is the largest of the buildings on the site. Sadly, little evidence of the palace's former splendour is visible today. A fire broke out in 1995, destroying all of the wooden structures on the site and leaving only an empty shell of the Queen's Palace, as well as the lower parts of the stone tombs, a stone gateway and church. Reconstruction work continues at a slow pace. The stone frontage of the Manjakamiadana has subsequently been restored to its former glory, with the interior being used to house those royal artefacts saved from the flames. Worth noting, the neighbouring districts of Andohalo and Avaradrova warrant an afternoon's exploration.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

President's Palace / Ambohitsorohitra Palace (Président Palais)

Address: Arabe Frantsa, Antananarivo, Madagascar, MG, Africa
Located just to the south of the Place de l'Independence and off the Lalana Rainilaiarivony, the President's Palace is one of the grandest and most important buildings in Antananarivo, boasting distinctive rococo-style architecture. In recent years, the palace has seen much military action and protests when the President Marc Ravalomanana was involved in the Malagasy political crisis of 2009, after a failed coup. The palace itself dates from 1890, when it became the home of French General Bompard, while in the sixties the French Embassy moved in.
Open hours: daily - view from exterior only
Admission: free

Picture of the Antananarivo Markets (Marchés)

Antananarivo Markets (Marchés)

Address: Antananarivo, Madagascar, MG, Africa
Located near Antananarivo's airport, the Craft Market (Marché Artisanale de La Digue) is one of the best places in the city to browse locally made handicrafts, including baskets, leatherwork and embroidery, and is a great spot to pickup some quality Madagascan souvenirs. The main market in Antananarivo is to be found at the Analakely pavilions and is more of a general affair, while on the western side of the railway station is the similar, although much smaller, Marché Communal de Petit Vitesse. Based along the south-easterly shoreline of Lac Anosy is the popular Flower Market, and in the suburb of Andravoahangy is yet another local market.
Open hours: daily
Admission: free

Image showing the Antananarivo Mahamasina Municipal Stadium (Stade Municipal de Mahamasina)

Antananarivo Mahamasina Municipal Stadium (Stade Municipal de Mahamasina)

Address: Lalana Ramanankirahina / Arabe Mahatma Ghandi / Lalana Andriba / Lalana Rajoelina, Antananarivo, Madagascar, MG, Africa
Located in Antananarivo and next to the Palais des Sports Mahamasina, the Stade Municipal de Mahamasina is a sizeable sports stadium mainly used for staging soccer matches and rugby games. This stadium is capable of accommodating some 40,000 spectators, although only has 22,000 seats, meaning that the biggest events can be extremely crowded. In the past, official Indian Ocean Games football matches have been staged here.
Open hours: hours vary according to event
Admission: charge



Ranomafana Hot Springs

Address: Ranomafana, Madagascar, MG, Africa
The namesake thermal baths of Ranomafana are a very good reason to pay this centrally located town a visit. Reached by a bridge and sited near the former Hotel Station Thermale, these baths are rather rustic in style, although the spectacular setting more than makes up for the basic facilities. It is reputed that this natural mineral water comes with a host of medicinal qualities, helping everything from asthma to rheumatism. Nearby is a sparkling swimming pool, should you fancy floating around and admiring the surrounding hillside scenery.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge

Fianarantsoa Vineyards image

Fianarantsoa Vineyards

Address: Fianarantsoa, Madagascar, MG, Africa
The town of Fianarantsoa lies on the southern side of the country, where it ranks as the capital of the Haute Matsiatra region. Visitors regularly flock to Fianarantsoa to tour its plentiful vineyards, the oldest of which date back to the seventies, when wine-making began gaining a name for itself in this part of Madagascar. One of the more accessible and popular vineyards here is the Lazan'i Betsileo, which lies roughly 15 km / 9 miles to the north, while the process of making wine can be seen at the outlying Maromby Trappist Monastery, where the wine tasting is almost obligatory.
Open hours: daily - hours vary
Admission: charge

Sahambavy Tea Estate

Address: Ampaidranovato, Madagascar, MG, Africa
Located on the outskirts of the village of Ampaidranovato and about 20 minutes to the east of nearby Fianarantsoa, the Sahambavy Tea Estate is a major grower and exporter of quality tea. Visitors will be able to take a guided tour of the factory, where the picked tea leaves are processed and packed. And of course, the tour finishes up with a nice cup of homegrown tea!
Open hours: daily - hours vary
Admission: charge

Tsimbazaza Zoo and Botanical Garden picture

Tsimbazaza Zoo and Botanical Garden

Address: Antananarivo, Madagascar, MG, Africa
Tel: +261 24 51778
Just a short distance from Antananarivo city centre, this combined botanical garden and zoo draws locals and visitors alike. The zoo has mostly indigenous wildlife on display, including lemurs, fossas and nocturnal aye-ayes, although there are a few species from further afield. The botanical garden is home to a good selection of native plants as well as a palm garden, being popular with bird watchers, for whom the star attraction has to be the surprisingly large number of resident egrets.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Ivoloina Zoological Park photo of lemurs

Ivoloina Zoological Park

Address: Toamasina, Madagascar, MG, Africa
Tel: +261 26 5393168
It is worth making the short drive from the town of Toamasina to visit this fascinating zoo, which was set up to protect endangered wildlife and benefit the people living in the area. The zoo covers an area of some 282 hectares / 697 acres. Within its boundaries, it is possible to spot numerous species of animals, including lemurs, aye-ayes, tortoises, tomato frogs and panther chameleons. As well as the animal zoo, Ivoloina's attractions include nature trails, dugout canoe tours, beautiful gardens and places to picnic. Monthly guided walks are also on offer on the first Saturday of each month.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Antananarivo Crocodile Farm photograph

Antananarivo Crocodile Farm / Croc Farm

Address: Antananarivo, Madagascar, MG, Africa
Tel: +261 22 03071
A lake full of hundreds of crocodiles is a thrilling sight if you've only been used to seeing a few of these amazing creatures at a time in the close quarters of a zoo. If you want to see plenty of movement, then the best time to visit is feeding time, which usually occurs around midday. Also worth a look is the farm's small reptile and lemur collection. Whilst the farm is relatively off the beaten track, it is worth making the time to visit if you are particularly fascinated by crocodiles and are interested in finding out more about the legends that surround them. The farm also has a restaurant and gift shop. Sadly, Madagascar's crocodile population remains under threat.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge

Royal Palace of Tsinjoarivo

Address: Tsinjoarivo, Madagascar, MG, Africa
Situated approximately 90 km / 56 miles from Antananarivo, the Royal Palace of Tsinjoarivo made it to the World Heritage Tentative List in 1997. Tsinjoarivo's rova (royal compound) dates back to the 19th century, when Queen Ranavalona decided to build a palace here. Perched on a hill, the Tsinjoarivo Palace looks out over some beautiful countryside, including an especially impressive waterfall.
Open hours: daily
Admission: charge