In which city house in Madagascar?

Are you going to Madagascar? You're lucky! Discover what city to go to stay in Madagascar!

The fifth largest island in the world after Australia, Greenland, New Guinea and Borneo, Madagascar covers an area of 577,000 km2, almost 10% more than that of Metropolitan France, for a total population estimated at 24,430,325. Located in the Indian Ocean in the east of Mozambique, the island of Madagascar attracts more and more tourists, and for cause: Madagascar is a historical mosaic of different cultures and ethnicities from all over the world and is known to house a very rich biodiversity. Everywhere on the island, the offer of accommodation is varied and staying in Madagascar is not expensive, except in times of great affluence.

It is important to know where to sleep in Madagascar before leaving. Accommodation on the island range from traditional accommodation in falafa boxes to luxury hotels. Between Antananarivo (or Tananarive), Nosy Be, Toamasina, Tuléar, Mujunga or Antisiranana, here is a tour of the island where to stay in Madagascar.

Tananarive

Antananarivo , the capital of the country, is a city of 2 million inhabitants. It is called the "mile village", located in the center of the country. Its tropical climate is moderated by altitude (1,276 metres) in fact a city where temperature rarely exceeds 30°C. The Analakely district and the Avenue de l’Independence, the great avenue linking the Ambohijatovo roundabout to the former Soarano train station is a very popular place, where we find the largest market in the city, with countless shops.

The business district will be preferred for those wishing to stay in modern areas: Ankorondrano, north of the city centre. Bars and restaurants, shopping malls focus on finding all the amenities you need on travel or expatriation. In the upper town, find the old neighborhoods of Faravohitra and Andohalo, Lake Anosy for a nice view of the city.

Tuléar

Tuléar, or Toliara, south-west of Madagascar, is an ancient harbour city that made the region a main economic hub of the country. Today in decline, Tuléar remains the fifth city of Madagascar with 200,000 inhabitants and is an important tourist centre. Philibert-Tsiranana Boulevard is the city’s main shopping artery, where local craftsmen can find their booths: the ideal to find cheap local products, including seafood. Accommodation in Tuléar allows a good starting point to explore the surroundings, Anakao, Ifaty, Itampolo, the south road or Reniala Park and its famous baobab forests. If you choose to sleep in Tuléar, don’t miss the Botanical Garden, southeast of the city: the Antsokay tree.

Toamasina

Toamasina – or Tamatave – is the second largest city in Madagascar after Antananarivo, located on the east coast of the island. Its urban area is estimated at 300,813 inhabitants, with a humid sub-equatorial climate. Toamasina is home to an important oil refinery with no major interest: so we will avoid swimming nearby, especially since the Indian Ocean in this place is full of sharks... However, if you choose to stay in Toamasina, you can climb to Foulpointe, 60 kilometers north to admire the beach protected by a coral reef: one of the most popular tourist destinations and seaside towns in Madagascar. Furnished bungalows allow to sleep in Foulpointe at affordable prices throughout the year.

Antsirabé

Antsirabé , in the center of Tananarive, is the third city of the country with 307 102 inhabitants (2017). The city is located in the Malagasy highlands, the country's wheat attic. The city provides most of the island’s fresh products. Antsirabé is also known to house spas attracting many tourists. Not far the Andraikiba and Tritriva lakes offer beautiful escapades and unique views in Madagascar. Careful, roads in very poor condition make them difficult to access.

Majunga

Second port city of Madagascar after Toamasina, Majunga is a port city of the northwest coast of Madagascar, 550 kilometers northwest of the capital. The urban area houses 244,279 inhabitants. Majunga is nicknamed “the city of flowers”, at the mouth of Betsiboka. It is one of the major tourist destinations in Madagascar, with around four large beaches, Ankararafantsika National Park and Magatsa Lake as the must-see of the region. In the city of Majunga, the Marolaka market will fill your pockets and you will find everything you need to live and sleep in Majunga (bars, restaurants, shops, hotels).

Tôlagnaro

Located in the extreme southeast of the country, Tôlagnaro is still one of the major tourist destinations in Madagascar. The city has many natural resources, is open to the world and its tourism activity is growing. Staying in Tôlagnaro will allow you to visit Andohahela National Park, a park of 76,020 hectares where you can admire lemurians, birds, many species of reptiles and amphibians and spectacular waterfalls. Although tourists, the city of Tôlagnaro is difficult to reach by road. However, the city centre has several addresses where to stay in Tôlagnaro.