What to do in Antananarivo: some ideas of activities and visits to the bouillonnant capital of Madagascar!
After about ten hours of flight from Europe, a well-deserved rest is required upon your arrival Madagascar . The next day, turn Antananarivo. First of all, start visiting the Rova de Manjakamadana (former Queen’s Palace) and its surroundings. From above, walk to the different neighborhoods in the heights: Faravohitra with its beautiful buildings and old churches of the 19th century, Ambatonakanga and its luxury shops or Antaninarenina, in which the headquarters of the local banks and the Colbert Hotel, the most popular accommodation site of the Capitale and Ambohitsorohitra, the former QG of the settlers now become the palace of the State.
The Rova and its superb views
Photo credit: Wikimedia – Hery Zo Rakotondramanana
The Queen’s Palace is also a strategic point where we can trace the possible routes to be made in the plains and marshes of Antananarivo transformed into residential areas and business districts.
In front of you the vast stadium of Mahamasina, Lake Anosy, Ampefiloha, the districts of 67 Ha, the dike roads and Ambohimanarina. On your left, successively align themselves with the boroughs along the RN1, including Anosibe, Ampitatafika, Fenoarivo and Ambatomirahavavy. On the right, Ambanidia, Mandroseza, Ambohipo and D’Ankatso University or Ankorondrano with its beautiful glass buildings and Masay Lake are spreading. Behind you are the village of Alasora and Tanjombato.
In the vicinity, there is a loss of sight of immense rice fields as well as the 12 sacred hills, including Ambohimanga, Andohidratrimo, Antsahadinta or Ambohidrapeto.
Walking in perspective
Photo credit: Wikimedia - Bernard Gagnon
Walking enthusiasts can borrow the miles and alleys of Antananarivo to learn more about the place. Hundreds of stairs also make it possible to move from one area up to another located below. The most famous are the stairs of Antaninarenina and Ambondrona that give each other. They just knew about the renovation work recently. Thanks to them, we can go from Faravohitra to Ambohitsorohitra in a few minutes.
And the minibuses
Photo credit: Wikimedia – Heinonlein
To avoid losing yourself in alleys, take a taxi-be (minibus). Within Antananarivo there are about 30 urban transport cooperatives. In most cases, Analakely the nucleus of the city, appears in the routes of most of them. These minibuses will take you in all possible and imaginable directions within the capital of Madagascar.
The suburban lines lead to peripheral areas located more than 10 km or more from Tanà. Thanks to these public transport, you will be able to visit various extraordinary sites in one or two days.
After this brief visit to the capital of Madagascar, the discovery of other regions is essential.
Main photo credit: Wikimedia - Alex Dunkel
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