Antsirabe

Antsirabe is the third largest city in Madagascar and the capital of the Vakinankaratra region. The mostly Betsileo population of the city is approximately 183,000.

Antsirabe is an agricultural and industrial centre of Madagascar. Industries include brewing, flour, milk processing, oil, textiles and cigarette manufacturing. The city is the headquarters of Tiko and STAR Brewery. Agricultural produce include rice, vegetables and fruits and due to the cool climate, apples, pears, plums and other temperate fruit can be grown in the region.

At an altitude of about 1,500 metres, Antsirabe is the coolest city in Madagascar, with winter temperatures between May and September, usually dropping to zero degrees Celsius.

The city was founded in 1872 by Norwegian missionaries who were attracted by the cool climate and healing properties of the many thermal springs and minerals in the area. The city is often nicknamed the "Vichy Malgache" and the name Antsirabe literally means "the place of much salt".

There is an airfield but it is only in use by private planes. A railway connects with Antananarivo but is only used by freight trains. To reach Antsirabe by car coming from Antananarivo takes 3-4 hours.

Things to do in Antsirabe

• Visit the Saturday market (souvenir shopping)
• Sightseeing by rickshaw (Anstirable is the pousse-pousse capital of Madagasar)
• Visit the STAR Brewery (Tuesday to Thursday)

Antsirabe based tour operators

ORTVA (the regional tourist office)
Tel: +261 (0)32 0718642
Email etravel@wanadoo.mg

Roadhouse Voyages
Tel: +261 (0)44 49226
Email: roadhouse@simicro.mg
Website: www.simicro.mg/roadhouse

Antsirabe hotels

Arotel (45 rooms & 2 apartments)
Rue Ralaimongo
Tel: +261 (0)44 48120
Email: arotel.inn@wanadoo.mg

Hôtel des Thermes (25 rooms, 3 suites, 3 apartments)
Place de l'Indépendance
Tel: +261 (0)44 48761
Email: sht@wanadoo.mg

Le Trianon (6 rooms)
Tel: +261 (0)44 05140
Email: letrianon@wanadoo.mg

Résidence Camélia (10 rooms)
Tel: +261 (0)44 48844
Email: camelia@simicro.mg

Avana Hotel (27 rooms)
Note: 2km outsite city centre, close to north taxi-brousse station.
Tel: +261 (0)44 49299
Email: avana_hotel2000@mel.wanadoo.mg

Imperial Hotel (24 rooms)
Grande Avenue
Tel: +261 (0)44 48333
Email: imperialhotel@wanadoo.mg

Villa Nirina (5 rooms)
Rte. d'Andranobe
Tel: +261 (0)44 48597
Email: zanoa@blueline.mg

Hôtel Hasina (31 rooms)
Tel: +261 (0)44 48556
Email: hotelhasina@yahoo.fr

Prima Guest House (4 rooms)
Rte. d'Antananarivo
Tel: +261 (0)44 49302
Email: rest.manambina@yahoo.fr

Villa Salemako (5 rooms)
Tel: +261 (0)44 49588
Email: N/A

Hôtel Diamant (?? rooms)
110 Route d'Andranobe
Tel: +261 (0)44 48840
Email: diamant@madawel.com

Le Bouzou Shanti (10 rooms)
Mahafaly, Vatofotsy (close to north taxi-brousse station).
Tel: 44 932 44
Email: N/A

Green Park (8 rooms)
Tsarasaotra
Tel: +261 (0)44 05190
Email: N/A

Hôtel Soafytel (15 rooms)
Avenue Ralaimongo
Tel: +261 (0)44 48055
Email: N/A

Hôtel Niavo (10 rooms)
Rue Rakotondrainibe Daniel
Tel: +261 (0)44 484 67
Email: N/A

La Joie (6 rooms)
Rue Duplex, Antsenankely
Tel: +261 (0)44 96247
Email: N/A

Akory Aby (5 rooms)
Miaramasoandro
Tel: +261 (0)33 1284510
Email akaro@yahoo.fr

Villa d'Eau (10 rooms)
Rue Ralaimongo
Tel: +261 (0)44 49970
Email: villedeau@simicro.mg

Au Geranium (8 rooms)
Route du Vélodrome
Tel: +261 (0)44 49731
Email: N/A

Hôtel Volavita (20 rooms)
Route d'Antananarivo
Tel: +261 (0)44 48864
Email: volavita@blueline.mg

Maharitafo (5 rooms)
Rue Rakondraibe Daniel
Tel: +261 (0)44 05215
Email: N/A

Pension de Famille Nitricia (8 rooms)
Miaramasoandro
Tel: +261 (0)44 43902
Email: N/A

Nouveau Synchro Pub (?? rooms)
Rue Pastuer Antsenakely
Tel: +261 (0)44 96224

Nouveau Baobab (8 rooms)
Rue Jean Ralaimongo
Tel: +261 (0)44 48393
Email: N/A

Manoro Hotel (10 rooms)
Ambavahadimangatsiaka
Tel: +261 (0)44 94415
Email: edm@wanadoo.mg

Cercle Mess Mixte (29 rooms)
Av Maréchal Foch
Tel: +261 (0)44 48366
Email: N/A

Hôtel Le Retrait (13 rooms)
Tre d'Andranomadio
Tel: +261 (0)44 05029
Email: N/A

Attractions surrounding Antsirabe

• Lake Andraikiba (7km from Antsirabe)
• Tritriva (17km from Antsirabe)
• Spa Betafo (22km Antsirabe)
• Mount Ibity (2,255 metres, 30km south of Antsirabe)