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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Contents
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 | ||
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
- Chocolaterie Colbert - small chocolaterie part of Hotel 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
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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).
- Besadi+ is a bus service between Antananarivo and Ambanja, Antsohihy and Nosy Be.
Madagascar airlines
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
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: 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
Restaurants and bars
Malagasy
- Vary Gasy - 100% Malagasy
- Fish and Chips Restaurant - located between Ivato International Airport and Antananarivo
- Paprika
- Le Poney - 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
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
- Restaurant Ranjatiana - restaurant next to Cotisse Transport
Coffee shops
- Cookie Shop
- Honey (ice cream bar)
Food shopping
Street food
- Mofo gasy
- Tana Baobab - chilled baobab juice and baobab fruits
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
Medical services
Banks
- BOA - Bank of Africa
- BMOI - Banque Malgache De L'Ocean Indien
Various
- HFF (Henri Fraise Fils Travel Service) 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 - enclosed commercial and residential
- INSTAT - Institut national de la statistique (National Institute of Statistics)
- 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
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
- News - U.S. Special Operations Forces Africa conduct joint exchange with Madagascar Partners - DVIDS
- 24-Oct-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
- 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
- Model makers in Madagascar are bringing history's long-lost ships back to life - The Santa Rosa Press Democrat
- 28-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
- 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
- Jacaranda Tree in Madagascar 2025 - Rove.me
- 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
- Church in Madagascar feeds hungry | UMNews.org - UM News
- 15-Jan-2024 08:00
- Madagascar demolish Mauritius 86-42 - FIBA
- 30-Oct-2024 19:33
- Madagascar inaugurates the Tananarivo cable car: an ecological and urban leap forward - AFRIK 21
- 24-Jun-2024 07:00