Search
Antananarivo

Tourist Attractions in Antananarivo

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Antananarivo. Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps.

7 Attractions
★4.3 Average rating
5 Categories

About Antananarivo

Set high in Madagascar’s central highlands, Antananarivo blends regal history with a lively, mountain-nestled atmosphere. The capital’s labyrinth of hillside streets reveals two faces: the elegant, tiled façades of the Upper Town and the bustling markets and daily rhythm below. Must-sees include the Rova complex and the Ambohimanga royal precinct nearby, the Queen's Palace, and the National Museum of Madagascar, which anchors a rich folk-art scene. Stroll past Analakely and along the Avenue of Independence, savor Malagasy cuisine, and stroll around Lake Anosy or the lemur-rich Tsimbazaza Zoo. A unique gateway to Madagascar’s culture and biodiversity.

Top-7 Tourist Attractions in Antananarivo

Isalo National Park — National park, rated 4.6/5 1
National park Park

Isalo National Park

4.6 ★★★★★ 484 reviews

Isalo National Park, a dramatic sandstone massif in southwestern Madagascar near Ranohira, offers sculpted canyons, emerald oases and sweeping viewpoints rather than the capital’s crowds. Trekking through wind-carved gorges reveals natural pools, hidden caves, and terraced grasslands, while the Piscine Naturelle and the Point de Vue reward with turquoise reflections and panoramic horizons. The park is home to ring-tailed lemurs and Verreaux’s sifakas, plus a rich array of endemic flora. Plan a multi-day hike, enjoy village hospitality of the Bara people, and visit in the dry season for safer, clearer hiking.

Sakamalio, Madagascar
Good for kids Dogs allowed
Open on map Website ↗
Lemurs'Park — Park, rated 4.5/5 2
Park

Lemurs'Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 494 reviews

Lemurs' Park near Antananarivo is a compact, privately operated reserve that brings Madagascar’s beloved lemurs within easy reach of visitors. Strolling shaded paths, you’ll encounter several species in naturalistic enclosures, from ring-tailed and sifaka to brown lemurs, often up close under guide supervision. The park combines conservation and education, with informative talks and gentle interactions that respect animal welfare. Expect lush tropical gardens, insightful exhibits, and photo-worthy moments as you learn about lemur behavior, threats, and ongoing reforestation efforts while supporting a dedicated local project.

1, Madagascar
Opening hours · Today: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM Closed now
  • Monday8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Tuesday8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Wednesday8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Thursday8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Friday8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Saturday8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Sunday8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Good for kids
Open on map Website ↗
Andasibe-Mantadia National Park — National park, rated 4.5/5 3
National park Park

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park

4.5 ★★★★★ 267 reviews

Andasibe-Mantadia National Park is Madagascar's premier rainforest sanctuary, about 140 kilometers east of Antananarivo. Spanning two parks, Analamazaotra and Mantadia, it protects a remarkable array of wildlife—from the iconic indri lemur to numerous other lemurs, birds, and chameleons. Visitors can expect lush, moss-draped forests and well-marked trails suitable for all levels, plus accessible night walks to glimpse elusive nocturnal species. Trained guides enhance wildlife sightings, while nearby villages offer crafts and simple lodges, delivering a rich, hands-on Malagasy encounter. It's a year-round destination with varying wildlife sightings.

5F85+2F5, Falierana, Madagascar
Opening hours · Today: 6:00 AM – 4:00 PM Closed now
  • Monday6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Tuesday6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Wednesday6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Thursday6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Friday6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Saturday6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Sunday6:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Good for kids Dogs allowed
Open on map Website ↗
Queen's Palace — Museum, rated 4.1/5 4
Museum

Queen's Palace

4.1 ★★★★★ 632 reviews

Queen's Palace in Antananarivo is a museum housed in the historic royal complex atop the city’s high hills. Once the ceremonial home of Madagascar’s queens and kings, the palace preserves elegant rooms, royal regalia, and period furnishings that transport visitors to a bygone Malagasy court. Expect guided tours, informative displays about the royal lineage, and panoramic views over Antananarivo’s red-tiled roofs. The site blends architecture, history, and culture, making it a meaningful stop for families and history buffs alike as you trace the island’s royal heritage.

101, Queen's Palace, Lalana Ramboatiana, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM Closed now
  • Monday9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • TuesdayClosed
  • Wednesday9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Thursday9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Friday9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
  • Sunday9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Good for kids
Restroom
Open on map
Ambohimanga — Historic site, rated 4.3/5 5
Historic site Historical LandmarkCastleHistorical Place

Ambohimanga

4.3 ★★★★★ 291 reviews

Ambohimanga, a UNESCO-listed royal hill just outside Antananarivo, is a sacred fortress and former capital of the Merina kingdom. Perched on a hill, its mounded enclosures, royal dwelling, sacred enclosure, and historic tombs tell the story of Malagasy monarchy and spiritual life. It is one of Madagascar’s most important cultural landscapes, combining royal heritage with prayers, ancestral rites, and traditional architecture. Visitors wander along wooden stairways, savor panoramic views over the valley, and gain insight into Malagasy customs, legends, and resilience—an essential, respectful day trip for history lovers and culture seekers.

Ambohimanga Rova, Rova, Antananarivo 103, Madagascar
Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed now
  • MondayClosed
  • Tuesday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Sunday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Good for kids
Open on map
Réserve Peyrieras Madagascar Exotic — Park, rated 4.3/5 6
Park Zoo

Réserve Peyrieras Madagascar Exotic

4.3 ★★★★★ 273 reviews

Set on a hillside near Antananarivo, Réserve Peyrieras Madagascar Exotic is a compact wildlife park devoted to Madagascar’s reptiles, amphibians, butterflies and insects. Visitors wander shaded trails past glassed enclosures where chameleons, geckos and poison dart frogs soak up the sun, and can watch feeding demonstrations up close. The site also hosts a butterfly house and medicinal plants gardens, with expert guides offering easy insights into Madagascar’s extraordinary biodiversity. It’s a convenient, family-friendly stop for photographers and nature lovers seeking an intimate, behind-the-scenes look at endemic species.

Marozevo, RN2, Madagascar
Opening hours · Today: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed now
  • Monday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Sunday7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Good for kids
Open on map
Tsimbazaza Zoo & Botanical Gardens — Zoo, rated 3.6/5 7
Zoo Botanical Garden

Tsimbazaza Zoo & Botanical Gardens

3.6 ★★★★★ 574 reviews

Tsimbazaza Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Antananarivo offers a compact, well-curated introduction to Madagascar’s unique wildlife and flora. Housed in a leafy estate near the city center, it brings together lemurs, chameleons, frogs, and an assortment of endemic birds alongside a traditional botanical garden that highlights island flora. Visitors can expect informative enclosures, shaded pathways, and occasional guided tours that shed light on conservation efforts. It’s a convenient, family-friendly stop for first-time visitors to Madagascar who want a sense of the country’s biodiversity in one place.

3G9H+V46, Antananarivo, Madagascar
Opening hours · Today: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM Closed now
  • Monday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Tuesday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Wednesday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Thursday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Friday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Saturday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
  • Sunday9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Good for kids
Entrance Parking
Open on map Website ↗