Antananarivo

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Antananarivo, Tananarive or simply Tana is the capital of Madagascar. Most foreign visitors to the country will pass through the city as almost all international flights to the country connect with its nearby Ivato International Airport. This page includes information on various city attractions, hotels and restaurants etc.

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If you are accessing this site within Madagascar, this page is open for editing. Feel free to add any local advise here.

Antananarivo, the ancient royal city

Text from Passport for Madagascar - 81st edition, March/April 2014

Antananarivo, an ancient royal city in the sixteenth century is the synthesis of a series of construction technologies making it a modern city from the reign of Radama I (1810 - 1828). The latter, initially the King of Imerina, was recognised as the king of Madagascar by the British government, a major world power of the time, following the signature of a friendship and cooperation treaty which provided for the abolition of the slave trade in 1817 and 1820.

This was the beginning of the opening of the Big Island to European influence in many domains, including construction. At that time the houses were built according to an architecturally unique pattern: wooden walls, thatched or shingled roofs, a single room, one door, one window, but as the cost of wood kept rising because of the decline in forest areas, only the wealthy could afford to build. For the royal buildings, common wood was not used but species especially known for their resistance to weather and especially for their imputrescibility were selected. It was Radama I who wanted to break with the traditional model. It was from this period that the idea emerged of providing an upstairs and a veranda.

Over the years, the scarcity of wood was felt, making it unaffordable for everyone. It was Queen Ranavalona II, witness to many house fires and even of entire villages, calamities over which men were powerless, who broke tradition by allowing the use of new materials such as stone and brick whose manufacture had been initiated and popularised by the English missionary James Cameron. It was an English missionary who would design and build the prototype of a "modern" house at the end of the nineteenth century, i.e. walls of burnt brick, tiled roof, veranda, an upper floor, with four or six spacious rooms, multiple windows, which was a revolution in the field of housing.

Antananarivo adopted this type fo house as seen so far, and even if the corrugated iron has gradually replaced tiles, these Tananarivian constructions continue to look good.

Antananarivo and its staircases

Text from Passport for Madagascar - 83rd edition, July/August 2014

Built on a hill, 1,200 metres above sea level, the city of Antananarivo features multiple staircases certain of them narrow and steep, linking different neighbourhoods and other, wider ones descending from Antaninarenina and the opposite Ambondrona staircase to reach the Zoma place (or what remains of it).

Two tunnels were also constructed to avoid long detours for the population: the Garbit tunnel, dug between 1914 and 1924 and the Cayla tunnel, dug between 1932 and 1935 allowing access to the eastern neighbourhoods of the city.

The Ambondrona staircase and Antaninarenina staircase are essential routes to reach the Zoma. From Antaninarenina it takes exactly 168 steps before reaching the place.

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Places to visit

Day excursions

  • Ambohimanga - a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the original kings and queens that once united Madagascar lived, about 24km northeast of the capital. A great view of Antananarivo on clear days.
  • Green Club Vontovorona - one of three Green Club health spas in Madagascar which offers a quick getaway from the capital.
  • Lemurs Park - lemurs reserve and botanical garden, 22km from Antananarivo

Markets

View from Carlton
View of Queen's Palace
Staircase to Analakely Market
Market street

Souvenirs and shopping

  • Chocolaterie Robert - cocoa producer and chocolate
  • Chocolaterie Colbert - small chocolaterie part of Hotel Colbert
  • Pâtisserie Colbert - bakery selling bread, baguettes, fresh croissants, pastries, ice cream and sweets including fine chocolate from the Chocolaterie Colbert
  • Gilbert Rakotomanana - bespoke tailor
  • Mi-Haja - fashion and accessories for men and women
  • La City shopping mall with many boutiques and restaurants. Air Madagascar's office that is open on Sundays is located here.
  • CS Events - outdoors equipment
  • TED - GPS equipment, computers and security cameras
  • Supreme Center - large shopping centre with computers and other technical equipment
  • Bioneo Madagascar - various natural products; vanilla, cacao, cinnamon, essential oils etc.
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Overland transport

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Eric RASOLOHERY is a taxi driver in Antananarivo sporting a vintage 1958 2CV in immaculate condition.

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Taxi Driver Richard is a reliable and reasonably priced English speaking taxi driver in the capital.

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Tina's Tana Taxi is one of only two or three female taxi drivers in Antananarivo who with a big smile and a good sense of humour will likely find you the quickest as well as the most entertaining route to your destination.

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Madarail is the national intercity rail service which operate freight and passenger trains.

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Mountain bike rental (part of La Ferme d'Ivato).

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Cotisse Transport is a scheduled taxi service offering transport between Antananarivo and Toamasina, Mahajanga, Morondava, Fianaratsoa and Diégo-Suarez.
  • Besadi+ is a bus service between Antananarivo and Ambanja, Antsohihy and Nosy Be.

Madagascar airlines

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Air Madagascar - the national airline with international and domestic flights

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Madagasikara Airways - a domestic airline since 2015.

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Private Charter Flights - various small private aircraft operators.

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Tsaradia - a domestic airline launched in 2018.

Taxi-brousse stations in Antananarivo

  • the eastern station in Ampasampito
  • the northern station in Ambodivona
  • the southern in Lalana Pastora Rahajason
  • the western station a couple of hundred metres west of the southern station

Accommodation

Tana Hotel
Tel: +261 (0)20 22 313 20/26
Email: tanahotel@moov.mg
Website: www.tana-hotel-madagascar.com

Tana Jacaranda
Tel: +261 (0)20 22 562 39 or +261 (0)34 22 562 39 (mobile)
Skype: noro_rh
Email: tana-jacaranda@tana-jacaranda.com
Website: www.tana-jacaranda.com

Villa Besoa
32 rue de Russie, Isoraka
Tel: +261 (0)20 22 21063
Website: www.besoa-appart.com

Le Pavillon de l'Emyrne
12 rue Rakotonirina Stanislas, Isoraka
Tel: +261 (0)20 22 259 45 / +261 (0)20 22 259 46
Email: reservation@pavillondelemyrne.com
Website: www.pavillondelemyrne.com

Tsanga Tsanga Hotel
2, rue Reallon, Tsaralalana
Tel: +261 (0)20 22 254 80
Email: info@tsangatsangahotel.com
Website: www.tsangatsangahotel.com

Hotel & Restaurant Le Vanillier
Andohatapenaka
Tel: +261 (0)4 19 415 38
Email: vanillierhot@yahoo.com

Maison Vue Royale
Lalana Printsey Kamamy
Tel: +261 (0)43 20 388 38
Email: maisonvueroyale@gmail.com

Madagascar Underground
18 Lalana Rainitovo, Madagascar
Tel: +261 34 29 909 07
Email: madagascarunderground@gmail.com
Website: www.madagascarunderground.com

Lemur Hostel
LOT VG 26 Ter Antsahabe Rue Andrianaivoravelona
Tel: +261 (0)32 66 091 20
Website: www.lemurhostel.com

Fara's Guest House
Lalàna POINIMERINA Lot VU 297
Tel: +261 (0)33 14 294 83
Email: faraguesthouse.infos@gmail.com

Hotel Isoraka
11, Avenue Gal Ramanantsoa
Tel: +261 (0)20 22 355 81
Email: saka@malagasy.com

Hotel Colbert
29 Rue Prince Ratsimamanga
Tel: +261 (0)20 22 202 02
Email: colbert@moov.mg
Website: www.hotel-restaurant-colbert.com

Hôtel La Résidence
Tel: +261 (0)34 01 807 70
Website: http://www.hotel-restaurant-laresidence.com

Hotel Carlton
Rue Pierre Stibbe Anosy
Tel: +261 (0)20 22 26060
Email: contact@carlton.mg
Website: www.carlton-madagascar.com

Hotel de France
34 Avenue de l'Indépendance
Tel: +261 (0)20 22 213 04

Maison Lovasoa
Lot VE28 Bis Rue Razanakombana
Tel: +261 (0)34 9352065
Email: maisonlovasoa@gmail.com
Website: www.maisonlovasoa.com

La Medina
52 Avenue du Général Ramanantsoa
Tel: +261 (0)34 0413433
Email: lamedina@yahoo.fr Website: www.lamedinatana.com

La Résidence du Rova
Place Ratsimandrava
Tel: +261 (0)20 22 341 46 or +261 (0)32 07 245 03
Email: residence.rova@moov.mg
Website: www.residence-antananarivo.com

Secret Garden
VT3 Avaradrova
Tel: +261 (0)34 02 219 04 or +261 (0)34 16 858 37
Email: contact@secretgarden-mada.com
Website: www.secretgarden-mada.com

Le Louvre Hotel & Spa
Tel: +261 (0)20 22 390 00
Website: www.hotel-du-louvre.com

Relais des Pistards
Lot III 45 ter Tsimbazaza
Tel: +261 (0)32 29 471 65 / +261 (0)32 29 471 65

Le Combava
Ambodihady Ambohimanarina (between Antananarivo and Ivato International Airport
BP 8271- 101 Antananarivo
Tel: +261 (0)20 23 584 94 / +261 (0)20 26 328 47 / +261 (0)20 23 252 49
Email: contact@hotel-combava.com

Villa Isoraka
Lot IB 78 Isoraka
Tel: +261 (0)20 24 22052 or +261 (0)32 05 712 69
Email: demay.christoph@yahoo.fr

Hotel Saint Ange
Soarano Tana 101
Tel: +261 (0)33 13 66569 / +261 (0)34 4883700
Email: st.ange@hotmail.fr
Website: www.st-ange.fr

Hotel Secret de Tana
Alarobia Ivandry
Tel: +261 (0)33 1117453

Hotel Maison des Cotonniers
Rue Ratsimilaho lot vb 18
Tel: +261 (0)20 2220954
Email: maisondescotonniers@andilanahotels.com
Website: www.grandhotelurbanmadagascar.com/maison-des-cotonniers

Hotel Ibis

Restaurants and bars

Malagasy

Malagasy / Chinese

  • Au Bon Accueil - simple Malagasy-Chinese restaurant with a great panoramic view over Tana
  • Chantaco - Malagasy with a Chinese influence

Indian

  • Little India - traditional north and south Indian cuisine (reopened with new management and a genuine Indian menu and kitchen in 2015)
  • Shalimar - Indian/Pakistani cuisine
  • Terrace Exotic - authentic Indian restaurant

French

German

Vietnamese

Upscale

Others

Coffee shops

Food shopping

Street food

Health & Spa & Sport

Jewellers and gemstones

Tour operators

Phone networks

There are three major phone operators in Madagascar offering prepaid cards, all of which have have good connections in cities but with varying quality throughout the countryside:

IT and printing services

Money exchange

Medical services

Banks

Various

Media

Photos

Additional information

Google Newsfeed

Site announced for Antananarivo Madagascar Temple – Church News - Church News
11-Dec-2023 08:00
Antananarivo, Madagascar: The American School of Antananarivo: 2024 Special Needs Profile - United States ... - Department of State
23-Feb-2024 08:00
Location of Antananarivo Madagascar Temple Released - Church Newsroom
12-Dec-2023 08:00
Madagascar's incumbent President Rajoelina takes early lead in vote marked by boycott, low turnout - The Associated Press
17-Nov-2023 08:00
Mainstreaming Migration into Sustainable and Inclusive Urban Development in Antananarivo, Madagascar - International Organization for Migration (IOM)
06-Dec-2023 16:40
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Demonstrations Planned Throughout Antananarivo Tomorrow (November 3, 2023) - US Embassy in Madagascar
03-Nov-2023 07:00
Madagascar: Authorities impose curfew in Antananarivo on eve of presidential election - Africanews English
15-Nov-2023 08:00
Madagascar country profile - BBC.com
01-Dec-2023 08:00
Constantin Grund from Antananarivo – Authors profile, articles and posts - IPS Journal
15-Nov-2023 08:00
Is Antananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, Africa's newest art hub? - Art Newspaper
04-May-2023 07:00
Madagascar's Rajoelina re-elected president in poll boycotted by opposition - FRANCE 24 English
25-Nov-2023 08:00
Madagascar imposes curfew in Antananarivo ahead of presidential elections - WION
15-Nov-2023 08:00
Presidential election kicks off in Madagascar - Xinhua
16-Nov-2023 08:00
‘A way to open up to the world’: gallery galvanises Madagascar’s art scene - The Guardian
01-Feb-2024 08:00
Madagascar: in Antananarivo, poverty is a source of malnutrition - Action contre la Faim
20-Jul-2023 07:00
Morocco Lower House Speaker received in Antananarivo by Madagascar President - Yabiladi in English
17-Dec-2023 08:00
Madagascar president on course for reelection as supporters claim they were promised money to vote - The Associated Press
23-Nov-2023 08:00
Madagascar's main opposition candidate files a lawsuit claiming fraud in the presidential election - The Associated Press
27-Nov-2023 08:00
Madagascar postpones presidential election for a week after candidates are hurt in protests - The Associated Press
12-Oct-2023 07:00
Crush of people at opening ceremony of the Indian Ocean Island Games in Madagascar kills at least 12 - The Associated Press
26-Aug-2023 07:00
Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Violence at Demonstrations in Antananarivo (October 5, 2023) - US Embassy in Madagascar
05-Oct-2023 07:00
Human Security Project for the Prevention of Violence and Vulnerability Reduction for the Most Vulnerable Inhabitants ... - Welcome to the United Nations
10-Aug-2023 07:00
Minority Karanas in Madagascar lead clandestine lives with no citizenship - EL PAÍS USA
08-Aug-2023 07:00
Madagascar president launches re-election bid amid accusations of 'institutional coup' - FRANCE 24 English
10-Oct-2023 07:00
Market spotlight on French-speaking region: from Strasbourg to Antananarivo - Konecta
04-Aug-2023 09:37
Madagascar: at least 13 killed in stadium stampede - Africanews English
26-Aug-2023 07:00
Several dead in Madagascar stadium crush at opening of Indian Ocean Island Games - FRANCE 24 English
26-Aug-2023 07:00
Heat waves to intensify in Madagascar, one of Earth's richest biodiversity hotspots: WWA study - Down To Earth Magazine
18-Dec-2023 08:00
Madagascar president on course for reelection as supporters claim they were promised money to vote - The Times of India
23-Nov-2023 08:00
63rd anniversary of Madagascar's independence celebrated in Antananarivo - Global Times
27-Jun-2023 07:00
Madagascar : South African billionaire Johann Rupert's foundation arrives in Antananarivo - 25/01/2024 - Africa Intelligence
25-Jan-2024 08:00
Archbishop of Antananarivo in Madagascar Retires, Pope Francis Appoints Successor - ACI Africa
05-Jun-2023 07:00