Are you planning a trip to Madagascar and you have a few days to spend in Antananarivo? Follow this guide to discover some activities to do in Antananarivo during your stay in Madagascar.
1- City tour
Aside from being the capital of Madagascar and the starting point for a tour in Madagascar, Antananarivo is full of historical sites to visit. Most of these historic sites are located in the city center and can be visited during a city tour accompanied by a local guide. From Soarano Station, the very first station on the island, to the emblematic Queen’s Palace, passing through the churches and cathedrals of the Upper Town, immerse yourself in the history of the Big Island during a city tour on foot or by car.
2- Market visit
If you are a fan of open-air markets, you will be delighted to visit some during your stay in Antananarivo. In fact, each area of the city has a daily market where you can easily find everything. From fruits and vegetables to spices, clothing items and artisanal products, find a little bit of everything in those open-air markets, some colorful and lively places to discover in Antananarivo and during your tour in Madagascar.
3- Getaway to Ambohimanga
The royal hill of Ambohimanga claims to be the cradle of Malagasy royalty. Home to the former great king Andrianampoinimerina as well as to some resort buildings of the country’s former queens, Ambohimanga is the must-to-see site for discovering the history of Malagasy royalty. Mecca of the animist religion and the cult of ancestors, the royal hill of Ambohimanga is also listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a must for understanding the history of the country before your tour in Madagascar.
4- A trip to Lemurs’ Park
Before your trip to Madagascar, you can get a glimpse of the island’s lemurs at the famous Lemurs’ Park. This private park located 20km from the city center is home to 7 species of lemurs living freely inside of it, including the emblematic Maki (Lemur Catta), the brown lemur (Eulemur Fulvus) or the dancing Sifaka (Propithecus). A walk of about an hour is enough to discover all the lemurs in the park, all while strolling through the emblems of Malagasy flora.
5-“Gasy”-tronomic discovery
Take advantage of your visit to Antananarivo to discover some of the country’s street food. Ranging from the Koba, the famous Malagasy cake, to various donuts, discover all the delicacies of the streets of Tana in the company of a passionate local guide who will show you these wonders in a day or half a day. Book a “gasy”-tronomic walk (“gasy” as a diminutive of “malagasy”), an essential gourmet activity during your visit to Antananarivo and which you can keep on going during your tour in Madagascar.
