Antananarivo

Antananarivo, better known as Tana, with its 1.5 million inhabitants is Madagascar’s busy capital city. It is located in the high lands and was founded by a Madagascan King in 1610. He left behind 1000 men to protect the new acquired land. This is where the name Antananarivo comes from (city of the thousand). 

Antananarivo is a very modern but still traditional city where many different cultures meet. An attraction is Zoma (Friday market) that regularly led to a traffic chaos. In the 90’s the market was split to other parts of the city as well to calm the city centre. Make a historical city tour that takes you to one of the hills. From there you will enjoy an incredible view over the former royal palace but also over the rice terraces underneath the city.

In the surrounded area of Antananarivo, the heartland of the tribe Merina, there are the 12 holy hills of the kingdom of Merina within a radius of up to 60 km around Antananarivo. Number 12 as a magical number has got a symbolic character. Especially those hills are holy that used to be residences of significant kings of Merina and are their graveyards today. Visitors who prefer a pristine and quiet area, Tsarasaotra Bird Park is recommended. This park is a green and calm oasis amidst the hustle and bustle of the city. Countless wild waterfowls have their home within the park.

Explore Antananarivo in one of the exclusive accommodations.