Antananarivo

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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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.

Places to visit

Ambohitsorohitra Palace - Presidential Palace
Andafiavaratra Palace - Prime Minister's Palace
Manjakamiadana Rova - Queens Palace
Soarano Train Station
Independence Avenue
Tsimbazaza - zoo and botanical garden
Andafiavaratra Museum of Art and Archaeology
Isoraka Museum of Art and Archaeology
Lake Anosy
Ambohijatovo Park
Akany Avoko Faravohitra - home for girls and young Malagasy females

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.

Domaine du Lac - a small park behind the lake on the other side of Ivato International Airport

Lemurs Park - lemurs reserve and botanical garden, 22km from Antananarivo

Markets

Flower Market
Analakely Market (former Zoma Market) - fruits, vegetables, clothes and tools
Mahamasina Market - typical Malagasy street market
Andravoahangy Market - wood carfings, jewelry and raffia crafts.
Digue Market- handcrafts market.
Book Market - second hand books and magazines
Soarano Market - sells everything...

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

Souvenirs and shopping

Digue Market
Lisy Art Gallery
Happy Creations
CENT pour CENT - baskets and placemats en route Ivato (mainly wholesale)
Malagasy tin souvenirs
Caramiel - handmade houseware products
Les Jocondes Galerie - wood sculpture workshop, art gallery, exhibition space, cultural center
Mama Benz - crafts, accessories, interiors, furniture boutique
Bois Art - sale of timber, furniture, handcrafted products en route Ivato
Mad'Création - traditionally handmade embroidery

Chocolaterie Robert - cocoa producer and chocolate
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

Overland transport

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

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

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.

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

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

Madagascar airlines

Air Madagascar - the national airline with international and domestic flights

Madagasikara Airways - a domestic airline since 2015.

Private Charter Flights - various small private aircraft operators.

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

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

Fara's Guest House
Tel: +261 (0)33 14 294 83

Hotel Isoraka
Tel: +261 (0)20 22 355 81
Email: saka@malagasy.com

Hotel Colbert
Tel: +261 (0)20 22 202 02
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
Tel: +261 (0)20 22 26060
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

La Medina
52 Avenue du Général Ramanantsoa
Tel: +261 (0)34 0413433 (mobile)
Website: www.lamedinatana.com

La Résidence du Rova
Place Ratsimandrava
Tel: +261 (0)20 22 341 46 or +261 (0)32 07 245 03 (mobile)

Le Louvre Hotel & Spa
Tel: +261 (0)20 2239000
Website: www.hotel-du-louvre.com

Lemur Hostel

Relais des Pistards
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 Ibis

Hotel Maison des Cotonniers
Ambatonakanga
Tel: +261 (0)20 2220954

Restaurants and bars

Malagasy

Vary Gasy - 100% Malagasy
Fish and Chips Restaurant - located between Ivato International Airport and Antananarivo
Paprika
Le Pony - en route Ambohimanga
Chez Vanina - Malagasy-Chinese
Cookit - small lunch restaurant with a wide range of Malagasy and Malagasy-Chinese dishes.

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

L'Arrivage
Le Phare - Bretange-style crêperie
Fée Maison - Bretange-style crêperie
Pourquoi Pas ! - French/Europan/Malagasy popular with the expats community

German

Alt München - the only German restaurant in Antananarivo, located en route Ambohimanga

Vietnamese

Tana Saigon

Upscale

Le Rossini - a world-class restaurant serving French cuisine prepared with fresh Malagasy ingredients
La Varangue - very upscale restaurant close to the Presidential Palace

Others

InfiniThé - tea salon and restaurant
Foie Gras de Tana - duck liver speciality restaurant
Le Fleuve Rouge
Dzama Cocktail Cafe
Le Grand Orient
is’Art Galerie - art gallery, restaurant and bar with live music performances Friday evening
Fara West - music venue with live performances Saturday evenings

Coffee shops

Cookie Shop
Honey (ice cream bar)

Food shopping

Street food

Mofo gasy

Health & Spa & Sport

La Medina Day Spa & Restaurant
Arom & Sens
Sports Club Ampefiloha - bodybuilding, aerobic, fitness

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 services

Dot.mg domain registration and hosting services

Money exchange

NCH
SCM

Medical services

Banks

Various

HFF is a travel agency, tour operator and flight booking service at The Carlton
Events in Antananarivo (on allevents.in)
Paositra Malagasy - postal offices
Tana Water Front
INSTAT
FTM - Foiben-Taosarintanin'i Madagasikara (Geographical and Hydrographic Institute of Madagascar)
US Embassy
Tourist visa on arrival
Air France head office location in Antananarivo.
DHL
Pack Yellow
Malagasy government ministries on africanbib.biz
lily.mg online marketplace.
Ivato Conference Center
Ady Gasy
Tana Baobab

Media

Music and media in Madagascar musicinafrica.net article.
Madagascar Internet Service Providers

Photos

View all Antananarivo photos

Additional information

Google Newsfeed

Madagascar : Paris's heritage ambassador off to Antananarivo - Africa Intelligence: 20-Nov-2024 06:02
Antananarivo celebrates arrival of inaugural Emirates flight - Regional Gateway: 05-Sep-2024 07:00
Madagascar IMF delays $103m loan to Antananarivo for failing to make petrol price adjustments - Africa Intelligence: 19-Nov-2024 06:04
Accelerating urban change thanks to a participative approach - Gret: 07-Nov-2024 16:54
Prevalence of pulmonary tuberculosis and HIV infections and risk factors associated to tuberculosis in detained persons in Antananarivo, Madagascar - Nature.com: 15-Apr-2024 07:00
Emirates launches inaugural flights to Antananarivo, expanding Indian Ocean network - Aviation24.be: 04-Sep-2024 07:00
Crash course in politics aims to get more women running for office in Madagascar - RFI English: 02-Nov-2024 07:00
Elder Christofferson invites Madagascar Saints to bear testimony of Jesus Christ to all who will listen - Church News: 21-May-2024 07:00
Emirates launches B777 flights to Antananarivo, Madagascar via the Seychelles - AeroTime: 05-Sep-2024 07:00
Emirates touches down for the first time in Antananarivo, Madagascar - TravelDailyNews International: 09-Sep-2024 05:48
OHADA's Permanent Secretary on a Diplomatic Tour in Antananarivo, Madagascar - OHADA.com: 02-Apr-2024 07:00
Madagascar's capital launches cable cars to ease traffic jam - Africanews English: 13-Aug-2024 07:00
Emirates Boosts Tourism Sector Launches New Flight Services To Antananarivo, Madagascar - Travel And Tour World: 05-Sep-2024 07:00
Emirates Launches First Ever Flights to Antananarivo, Madagascar - AviationSource News: 06-Sep-2024 07:00
VIDEO / Emirates touches down in Antananarivo for the first time - Aeronews Global: 09-Jun-2024 07:00
Cable cars in Antananarivo start trial run - Xinhua: 22-Jun-2024 07:00
U.S. Navy leaders visit Madagascar for Women, Peace and Security, bilateral engagements - US Naval Forces Europe: 12-Feb-2024 08:00
Emirates Inaugural Antananarivo Flight Opens New Chapter in UAE-Madagascar Relation - Travel And Tour World: 04-Sep-2024 07:00
Madagascar: Authorities impose curfew in Antananarivo on eve of presidential election - Africanews English: 13-Aug-2024 07:00
Madagascar : Outsider Razafinjoelina faces stiff fight in Antananarivo mayoralty race - Africa Intelligence: 12-Nov-2024 06:00
First Presidency releases the site for Antananarivo Madagascar Temple - Church News: 11-Dec-2023 08:00
Emaar’s Alabbar eyes major investment in Madagascar - Arabian Gulf Business Insight: 30-Oct-2024 07:00
Emirates launches flights to Madagascar via Seychelles, boosting tourism and trade - Aviation24.be: 08-Jun-2024 07:00
Emirates touches down for the first time in Antananarivo - Breaking Travel News: 08-Sep-2024 07:00
Emirates begins flights to Antananarivo - Business Traveller: 05-Sep-2024 07:00
First flight of Emirates arrives in Antananarivo - Travel Radar: 08-Oct-2024 07:00
Emirates to launch Madagascar flights - Business Traveller: 09-Jun-2024 07:00
Emirates Flies to Antananarivo, Madagascar - eTurboNews | eTN: 04-Sep-2024 07:00
Madagascar inaugurates the Tananarivo cable car: an ecological and urban leap forward - AFRIK 21: 24-Jun-2024 07:00
Madagascar Rajoelina to select firm to manage Antananarivo's new cable car - Africa Intelligence: 17-Jun-2024 07:00
Madagascans profit from relaxed restriction to quit 'infected' Antananarivo - Africanews English: 13-Aug-2024 07:00
Location of Antananarivo Madagascar Temple Released - Church Newsroom: 12-Dec-2023 08:00