Overview
Take a trip to Antananarivo on your Madagascar Vacation
When travelling on a Madagascar vacation, situated inland, about 145 km (90 mi) from Madagascar’s east coast Antananarivo, the country’s capital and its largest city. Unlike many other capitals found in southern Africa, Antananarivo was already considered a major city before colonialism reached Madagascar.
Antananarivo was founded in the early 1600s and earned the name “The City of the Thousand” from the number of soldiers that were assigned to guard it. The city was captured by the French in 1895 bringing it into France’s Madagascar protectorate. When Madagascar achieved independence in 1960, Antananarivo remained the capital city and began to grow at a rapid pace.
Today, Antananarivo serves as Madagascar’s administrative, communications and economic centre and is divided into three different levels that are linked by stairways. First, there is the Downtown area that features the Avenue de l’Indéndence, a broad shopping centre with a market at the upper end. Next is the “Plateau du Colbert” located in the middle of the cliffs, and finally, the old city in the upper town where palaces, cathedrals and many ancient noble families are found on a Madagascar vacation.
Antananarivo is a unique city offering equally unique architecture. It is not uncommon to see a blend of wooden houses and modern office buildings as well as structures built in a traditional French colonial style. The best way to experience this capital city is on foot allowing for opportunities to visit markets and to see the sights when travelling to Madagascar.
Antananarivo is a unique city offering equally unique architecture. It is not uncommon to see a blend of wooden houses and modern office buildings as well as structures built in a traditional French colonial style. The best way to experience this capital city is on foot allowing for opportunities to visit markets and to see the sights when travelling to Madagascar.
At a Glance
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4 Trips Found
Classic Madagascar: Rainforests & Rivers
AntananarivoExplore Madagascar’s lush eastern rainforests and striking southern spiny landscapes on a private-guided journey seeking lemurs, wildlife, and rich local culture.
10 days
From US$7,691/p.p.
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1000 Views of Madagascar
AntananarivoSmall group Madagascar journey through rainforests, canyons and coastal shores, spotting lemurs and chameleons while meeting local traditions along the way.
14 days
From US$5,212/p.p.
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Explore Madagascar, Mandrare & Masoala
AntananarivoEncounter Madagascar at its most magical on this private-guided journey of wildlife, riverside calm and rainforest wonder, woven with vibrant local culture.
12 days
From US$17,483/p.p.
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Madagascar Adventure: Forests, Wildlife & Coasts
AntananarivoExplore Madagascar’s wild northwest and lush east on this private-guided trip through tsingy forests, rainforests, and remote coasts teeming with rare wildlife.
12 days
From US$15,537/p.p.
Request a Quote
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perfect trip idea?
Request a custom quote.
Turn your travel dreams into reality with Goway. Our customized vacations take travellers to all corners of the world.
Classic Madagascar: Rainforests & Rivers
AntananarivoExplore Madagascar’s lush eastern rainforests and striking southern spiny landscapes on a private-guided journey seeking lemurs, wildlife, and rich local culture.
10 days
From US$7,691/p.p.
Request a Quote
1000 Views of Madagascar
AntananarivoSmall group Madagascar journey through rainforests, canyons and coastal shores, spotting lemurs and chameleons while meeting local traditions along the way.
14 days
From US$5,212/p.p.
Request a Quote
Explore Madagascar, Mandrare & Masoala
AntananarivoEncounter Madagascar at its most magical on this private-guided journey of wildlife, riverside calm and rainforest wonder, woven with vibrant local culture.
12 days
From US$17,483/p.p.
Request a Quote
Madagascar Adventure: Forests, Wildlife & Coasts
AntananarivoExplore Madagascar’s wild northwest and lush east on this private-guided trip through tsingy forests, rainforests, and remote coasts teeming with rare wildlife.
12 days
From US$15,537/p.p.
Request a Quote
Don't see the
perfect trip idea?
Request a custom quote.
Turn your travel dreams into reality with Goway. Our customized vacations take travellers to all corners of the world.
What do the experts say?
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antananarivo vacation packages
View of the Presidential Palace makes for a gre...
Panoramic view of Antananarivo
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AntananarivoPartly Cloudy
32°C / 89°F
25mm / 1.0"
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