Places to discover

Best places to visit in Madagascar

Going to Madagascar is an experience in itself. The "great island" is a vast territory and to choose an itinerary is sometimes very difficult. Where to go? Which stopover places to choose?

Don't worry, we're here to help. An entire team of travellers, passionate about Madagascar and members of the Evaneos Travel community, have come together to share their advice and reviews with you on the places to visit during your trip to Madagascar. In short, you'll have all the information you need to organise the perfect trip.

Antananarivo, the capital and its twelve hills, boasts multiple attractions. Spend a few days there and discover its surroundings and the numerous trekking possibilities, on foot or by bike. Île Sainte Marie is a favourite spot: coconut trees, white sand, and the pleasures of nautical delights, not to mention whales when it's the right season. Diego Suarez, on the northern tip, and all its surroundings are beautiful. The "Tsingy Rouge" (red stone formations), Amber Mountain and the natural parks are must-sees. The villages of fishermen, Ramena and its vast beaches will enchant you. Nosy Be shouldn't be overlooked either, with its richly diverse and colourful sea-beds.

Towards the south, an unmissable route is to follow the RN7 highway to Tuléar. At Fianarantsoa, take the train to Manakara. An unforgettable and colourful journey awaits you, during which you'll cross incredibly stunning landscapes, so keep your cameras ready. In the extreme south-east, Fort Dauphin will give you the feeling that you're on another planet. Madagascar is a land of contrasts, between the red of its earth and the green of its crops and forests. There's a neverending list of activities on offer, from water sports to hikes in numerous natural parks like Isalo, or Ranomafana... Above all, don't hesitate to invest in a local guide, who'll share his knowledge of the area with you.

Welcome to the Madagascan capital, which is also referred to as "City of the Thousand". Two different explanations about the origins of this alternative name exist. One is that it was given to the city due to the sacred hills that surround it. The second explanation is that it refers to a legend of a battle once waged here by King An. It is almost inevitable that you will visit Antananarivo at some point during your trip to Madagascar.
Antsirabe gets its name from "Any sira be", which means "the place with much salt". It rises to an altitude of nearly 5000 feet, and its hills are surrounded by thermal springs rich in mineral salts, perfect for a relaxing time during your trip.
Why not stop for a little swim? Because there are crocodiles living in the Tsiribihina River. A trip down the river in a motor barge or canoe is one of the best ways to discover the Malagasy west.
A fabulous national park that is not to be missed!
Welcome to a world of minerals, along the banks of the Manambalo. Near to the little town of Bekopaka there is another world. That of the magnificent Bemaraha plateau, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
This town of 70,000 inhabitants is the capital of Menabe region, whose name means red earth. Menabe is the home of the baobab, the island's emblem and something you absolutely must see during your trip to Madagascar.
Some say that Ifaty is one of the most beautiful diving spots in the world. You be the judge! The Ranobe Lagoon on the edge of the Mozambique Channel and its miles of coral reefs are a paradise for the area's Vezo fishermen, as well as for those who love underwater diving.
Welcome below the Tropic of Capricorn. Toliara has about 200,000 people. Nicknamed the "white city", it's the capital of southern Madagascar.
Ranohira is the homeland of the Bara people, in the Ihorombe region, in the heart of the savannah and the great plains. This little city with 6,000 inhabitants has little value other than being the gateway to the immense Isalo Natural Reserve.
More than 800 square kilometres of breathtaking scenery! Isalo National Park is a mountainous mass of Jurassic sandstone that spreads over a hundred kilometres at an altitude of between 800 and 1,200 metres above sea level.
In southeastern Madagascar, the city of Fianarantsoa was built in the 19th century, when Queen Ranavalona wanted to build a city between the capital and the South. Literally the "city of good education" , its name is suggestive: it's an important religious centre. It is also known for the training of its intellectuals.
Ranomafana, a small town with a population of around 12,000, is part of the heritage of the Tanala: the people of the forest. It stands at a point where the landscape abruptly and dramatically changes as the Central Highlands give way to the coastal areas of the eastern part of the country.
Diego Suarez was renamed Antsiranana at independence. It is the third harbour of the island and the biggest city in northern Madagascar . Antomboko, meaning with holes, pierced, is its original name. A name that is suggestive of Diego Bay which, with its length of 97 miles, is one of the largest in the world .
Amber Mountain is a place of animal superlatives. This natural reserve, which extends over an area of 90 square miles, has an incredible wealth of plants and wildlife to offer, as is so often the case with island habitats.
Situated at the extreme north of the island, you will be captivated by the quietness of this village of 4000 fishermen souls. Water sports fans, Ramena is for you : windsurfing, kitesurfing, on Diego Bay for beginners and for the more seasoned, Sakalava Bay awaits you!
Ankarana means "the place where there are pointed rocks". The National Park, which is situated in the north of the Island, has an underground network of 120 km: the biggest in Africa.
Ankify is a peninsula in the north-west of Madgascar, in Diana region. It's still less touristy than its neighbouring islands: Nosy Be and Nosy Komba, even though it has some places that are just as beautiful.
Fragrances of ylang ylang, sugarcane and spices... This is where Nosy Be, the scented island, gets its name. Located in the Mozambique Channel, northwest of Madagascar, Nosy Be reveals the Malagasy charms of island life... Idyllic beaches, volcanic lakes and gorgeous sunsets will be your daily life!
Joffreville is apeaceful little town near Diégo-Suarez.. 
Located in the Haute Matsiatra region, Ambalavao is nestled in a valley at the foot of the Andringitra Massif which reaches 2,658 metres at its highest point, the second highest in the country. Three rocky hillocks, called the Portes du Sudrise up a few kilometres from the town.