Antananarivo

In the east of Madagascar stands Antananarivo, the capital of the country, whose appeal is rooted in its striking blend of Eastern, Western and African influences evident in its architecture and culture. The city stands proudly on a ridge and is one of contrasts with cobbled streets and historical buildings sharing space with rice paddies and verdant hills. A lively and bustling city, Antananarivo will ensure that every day is filled with unusual spectacles.

The crowning glory of the city, the Rova of Antananarivo literally crowns the capital as it stands upon the highest hill. The interior of this stone palace complex was burnt in a fire, but its exterior is still a site to see. A stroll through the Andohalo neighbourhood will yield a variety of delights as visitors walk between streets lined with flowerbeds towards a large square housing the country’s largest Catholic Church and oldest school.

A high elevation ensures that the city enjoys a moderate climate despite its position in the tropics. As the capital city and home to the Ivato International Airport, Antananarivo is also the gateway to Madagascar, a taste of which can be experienced at the lush Tsimbazaza Zoological Park amid the hills of the south-west corner of the city.