Travel guide for Antananarivo, Madagascar — practical tips, places to visit, and planning help.
Antananarivo is a stop in Madagascar, not a country-in-a-weekend. Plan about 2 days. If time is short, prioritise Prime Minister's Palace, Lemurs' Park, Botanical and Zoological Garden of Tsimbazaza instead of racing the whole list. Mid-range ground costs are about 30–85 USD per person per day, excluding international flights. Best time: The dry season for the most comfortable travel. Rankings, stay length and cost bands on this page come from Global Itinerary’s trip-planning models.
Best time
The dry season for the most comfortable travel
Weather
Largely warm year-round with distinct wet and dry seasons
Prime Minister's Palace
Lemurs' Park
Botanical and Zoological Garden of Tsimbazaza
Cathedrale catholique d Andohalo
Museum of Art and Archaeology
Lemurs' Park
Botanical and Zoological Garden of Tsimbazaza
Cathedrale catholique d Andohalo
Mostly free or pay-what-you-like — always double-check opening times and any seasonal fees before you go.
Day 1
Day 2
Budget
USD 15–35
per person / day
Mid-range
USD 30–85
per person / day
Luxury
USD 100–160+
per person / day
Typical on-the-ground spend in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury. Figures exclude international flights.
Typical mid-range for Antananarivo
Estimated total (USD)
$1,760
≈ $880 per person · $251 per day group total
Ground costs ≈ $55/person/day (lodging + food + transport + activities)
Defaults match Antananarivo mid-range ground costs (budget 15–35 · mid 30–85 · luxury 100–160+ USD/day). Edit freely — flights vary by origin.
Local favourites
La Table de Mariette
This is a good choice for high quality Malagasy food. More expensive than many other restaurants.
Ile Bourbon
La Brasserie at the France Hotel
Very good and inexpensive. Try the calamari. Also vegetarian (non vegan) dishes, a very cheesy veg lasagne for 13,000 Ar.
Grill De Rova
Small menu. Great Zebu!
KudeTa
A slick setting for excellent French-influenced Malagasy food.
Jasmin
Lovely veg meal with tofu. Perhaps a bit pricey.
Tourist favourites & top-rated
Hotel Moonlight
Single and double rooms with a TV, Wi-Fi, free coffee. Some rooms have bathrooms outside the room. Two communal terraces.
Hotel Niaouly
22 single/double rooms. with own bathroom free Wi-Fi. some rooms have a balcony overlooking the Ambohijatovo garden. on the ground floor you
Hotel Chez Francis
12 single/double rooms with own bathroom. has free Wi-Fi.
El Mundo Hotel
A clean double room with own hot water bathroom. Friendly owners. Free Wi-Fi.
Aina Hotel
A clean nice size double room with own hot water bathroom. Cable TV. Fast Wi-Fi. Can pay with a mastercard. 10% discount if you stay five ni
Photos: Sascha Grabow www.saschagrabow.com, Salym Fayad, Lemurbaby, Z thomas, Domoina RATSARA — via Wikimedia Commons
Top picks in Antananarivo include Prime Minister's Palace, Lemurs' Park, Botanical and Zoological Garden of Tsimbazaza, Cathedrale catholique d Andohalo. See the full list and itinerary on this Antananarivo travel guide.
The dry season for the most comfortable travel.
Plan at least 2 days in Antananarivo for the highlights on our suggested itinerary; add more time for day trips.
Popular stays in Antananarivo include Hotel Moonlight, Hotel Niaouly, Hotel Chez Francis. Book central areas if you want to walk to major sights.
On the ground in Antananarivo (excluding international flights), budget travellers often spend about 15–35 per person per day, mid-range about 30–85, and luxury about 100–160+ (USD). Typical on-the-ground spend in Antananarivo, Madagascar. Hostel/guesthouse + local meals ≈ budget; comfortable hotels + mix of dining ≈ mid-range; luxury hotels and fine dining ≈ luxury.
