Districts · Antananarivo
Antananarivo by district
Almost everything a short visit needs sits within about 3 km: the Rova and Haute-Ville on the hilltop, Analakely and Antaninarenina in the flatter lower town below, and Isoraka and Anosy just to the south-west. Ambohimanga and the lemur parks are day trips, not neighbourhoods.Almost everything a short visit needs sits within about 1.9 mi: the Rova and Haute-Ville on the hilltop, Analakely and Antaninarenina in the flatter lower town below, and Isoraka and Anosy just to the south-west. Ambohimanga and the lemur parks are day trips, not neighbourhoods.
About these names
- Haute-Ville: Andohalo and the RovaseeSuits: A morning of royal and church historySteep steps and cobbles; no suitcases on foot, car to the door.3 sights · 1 eatsDistrict guide →
- AnalakelyseeeatSuits: Markets and street foodCrowded, flat, watch your bag; the commercial heart of the lower town.2 sights · 2 eatsDistrict guide →
- IsorakasleepeatSuits: A base for a first visitColonial-era streets, small hotels and restaurants; quiet by day, take a taxi after dark.3 sights · 4 eats · 1 sleep areaDistrict guide →
- Anosy (the lake)seeSuits: A short morning or sunset walkJacaranda trees bloom around the lake in October; avoid after dark.3 sights · 4 eatsDistrict guide →
- AntaninareninaseeeatSuits: Colonial-era square and arcades between Haute-Ville and AnalakelyBanks, a few cafés, the funicular-less link between the hill and the lower town.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- TsimbazazaseeSuits: The zoo and botanical parkA single destination, not a neighbourhood to linger in otherwise.1 sightsDistrict guide →
- Ankorondrano and Ivandryskip as a baseSuits: Business travellers and longer staysNewer offices, malls and international hotels north of the centre; a taxi ride from the sights.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
- Ambohimanga (24 km north)seeSuits: A half-day out for royal-hill historyUNESCO-listed sacred hill and royal village; see Day trips.Short entry only: too little in this guide for a full page yet.
Hover, tap or tab to an area to see what it is like. Pins are sleep areas; arrows at the edge point to the airport.
Off the map: Ivato International Airport (TNR) (45–90 min by the usual route).
Not drawn yet (no coordinates in this guide): Antaninarenina, Ankorondrano and Ivandry, Ambohimanga (24 km north). See the table above.
Where’s what, as a list:
- Haute-Ville: Andohalo and the Rova: Steep steps and cobbles; no suitcases on foot, car to the door. Suits: A morning of royal and church history.
- Analakely: Crowded, flat, watch your bag; the commercial heart of the lower town. Suits: Markets and street food.
- Isoraka: Colonial-era streets, small hotels and restaurants; quiet by day, take a taxi after dark. Suits: A base for a first visit. Price band $$.
- Anosy (the lake): Jacaranda trees bloom around the lake in October; avoid after dark. Suits: A short morning or sunset walk.
- Antaninarenina: Banks, a few cafés, the funicular-less link between the hill and the lower town. Suits: Colonial-era square and arcades between Haute-Ville and Analakely.
- Tsimbazaza: A single destination, not a neighbourhood to linger in otherwise. Suits: The zoo and botanical park.
- Ankorondrano and Ivandry: Newer offices, malls and international hotels north of the centre; a taxi ride from the sights. Suits: Business travellers and longer stays.
- Ambohimanga (24 km north): UNESCO-listed sacred hill and royal village; see Day trips. Suits: A half-day out for royal-hill history.
- Sleep area Analakely: suits Families, price band $.
- Sleep area Isoraka: suits A base for a first visit, price band $$.
- Ivato International Airport (TNR), 45–90 min by the usual route.