Rova of Antananarivo
Hilltop royal compound that once housed the Merina monarchs, overlooking the capital. It was badly damaged by fire in 1995 and has been under restoration, and the terraces give wide city views.
Antananarivo
Arriving visitors land in this hilly capital, which has royal palace sites and colourful markets; the UNESCO-listed Royal Hill of Ambohimanga is nearby.
Attractive locations
Lake Anosy
Lake in the lower part of the city, with a memorial on an island reached by a causeway. Walks around the shore and trees along the edge give a calm break from the busy streets.
Andafiavaratra Palace
Nineteenth-century palace that once housed a powerful prime minister, now a museum. Rooms hold royal-era furniture, portraits and objects, offering a look at the Merina court before French rule.
Tsimbazaza Botanical and Zoological Garden
Combined zoo and botanical garden in the capital, with lemurs, reptiles and native plants. A museum on site displays skeletons including the extinct giant elephant bird.
Lemurs' Park
Private reserve west of the capital where several lemur species roam freely among trees and gardens. Guided walks allow close views, and it makes an easy half-day trip from the city.
Royal Hill of Ambohimanga
A fortified royal hill north of the capital, long a sacred place and the burial site of Merina kings. Visitors can see the royal compound, wooden houses, stone gateways and views across the highlands.
Airports
Ivato International Airport TNR
It is about 13 km in a straight line from Antananarivo.
Scams and safe taxis
Taxi and scam advice for this country is on the Madagascar page
Weather by month
Each month shows its average temperature in °C and its mm of rain per month.
- Jan19.2 °C475 mm
- Feb19.1 °C379 mm
- Mar18.7 °C304 mm
- Apr17.4 °C159 mm
- May15.5 °C86 mm
- Jun13.2 °C84 mm
- Jul12.4 °C85 mm
- Aug13.1 °C58 mm
- Sep14.8 °C47 mm
- Oct17.2 °C96 mm
- Nov18.7 °C222 mm
- Dec19.4 °C388 mm
Driest months: Jun, Aug, Sep. Wettest months: Jan, Feb, Dec.
Costs
Prices here are about 31% of US prices (World Bank, 2025). This compares a country's overall prices, not the cost of a trip.
Festivals and events
culture
Independence Day (26 June)
Fireworks and parades mark the day.
Who can help
Emergency
Reported numbers: police 117, ambulance 124, fire 118 - confirm with your hotel or guide.
local government
Office National du Tourisme de Madagascar (ONTM)
Helps with: Madagascar's national tourism office. Contact it for tourist information and any request about travel in the country. Its website also lists regional tourism offices.
Who qualifies: Anyone travelling in Madagascar or planning a trip there.
Email: [email protected]
Address: Lot IBG 29C Antsahavola, B.P. 1780, Antananarivo
ngo
Croix-Rouge Malagasy (Malagasy Red Cross)
Helps with: Madagascar's national Red Cross society. It runs first aid training, disaster preparedness and response, and health and hygiene programmes in all 22 regions, with about 9,500 active volunteers.
Who qualifies: People in Madagascar who need its first aid, disaster relief or health services.
Phone: 020 22 221 11
Email: [email protected]
Address: 1 Rue Patrice Lumumba, Tsaralalana, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
un agency
International Organization for Migration (IOM) Madagascar
Helps with: The UN migration agency. In Madagascar it supports emergency shelter and displacement response, border management, and the return and reintegration of Malagasy nationals.
Who qualifies: Migrants, displaced people and returnees. It is not a help service for ordinary tourists.
Phone: +261 20 23 308 09
Email: [email protected]
Address: Porte 108, 1er etage, Immeuble SONAPAR, Zone Galaxy Andraharo, Antananarivo 101
local government
Bureau National de Gestion des Risques et des Catastrophes (BNGRC)
Helps with: Madagascar's national office for risk and disaster management. Its website reports on cyclone and emergency preparedness and on ongoing emergencies.
Who qualifies: Anyone in Madagascar affected by a disaster or looking for official disaster information.
Phone: +261 34 05 480 68
Address: Avaratra Antanimora, Route Mausolee, Antananarivo 101, Madagascar
local government
Police and ambulance emergency number 17 (landline)
Helps with: Reaches the police and the ambulance service in Madagascar from a landline. UK government travel advice says to dial 117 from a mobile phone.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 17
local government
Fire emergency number 18 (landline)
Helps with: Reaches the fire service in Madagascar from a landline. UK government travel advice says to dial 118 from a mobile phone.
Who qualifies: Anyone in the country, including visitors, can call this number.
Phone: 18