Free Guide of Antananarivo City
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Capital of Madagascar and a city of 2,000,000 located in the High Plateau, "Tana" is a harmonious tumble of earth-red brick houses from grandiose to miserable, lush gardens and garbage dumps, flowers and bustling market places, ante-deluvian automobiles, grid-lock traffic jams, elegant business people and street urchins: love it or hate it but it won't leave you indifferent.
Access:
By air - Ivato International airport
By road - from all major cities: Tamatave, Majunga, Morondava, Antsirabe and beyond
Lodging / Hotels:
Hotel Colbert, Tel: 22 202 02: "the place to stay while in Tana." The Colbert has charm, impeccable service and La Taverne, the best restaurant in Madagascar.
Tana Plaza, Tel: 22 218 65: new, comforable but small rooms, good value
Hotel de France, Tel: 22 213 04: entirely refurbished, excellent restaurant
Hilton Madagascar, Tel: 22 260 60: a Hilton with hamburgers and all
Hotel Ibis, Tel: 22 390 00: new, great location, reasonable prices
Hotel Radama, Tel: 22 319 27: a favorite of visiting businessmen
Hotel Mercure Palissandre, Tel: 22 203 00: excellent establishment, great view, unfortunately the location is not entirely desirable
Hotel Sakamanga, Tel 22 358 09: moderate, well located, good restaurant, always booked up, a favorite with French visitors
Lodging / Bed & Breakfast:
Residence Lapasoa, Tel: 22 611 40: comfortable, well located, reasonably priced
Le Relais des Pistards, Tel: 22 291 34: near Tsimbazaza, warm hospitality, great value
Activities:
Tsimbazaza Zoo and Cultural Museum
Croc Farm
Queen's Summer Palace of Ambohimanga
Artisans Market of Androvoahangy
Our opinion: Although many international flights directly connect to domestic destinations, a stop in "Tana" is recommended upon arrival. Not only is it a good idea because of jet-lag (8 hours difference from New York, 11 hours from L.A.), and to adjust to the altitude of the High Plateaux, but mainly as an introduction to the country one is about to discover. Its diverse ethnic groups, rich cultural heritage, colonial past, and dynamic new city administration all blend in the capital, where its attractive, youthful population reflect the hope of a better future for Madagascar. (It should be noted that multiple stops in Antananarivo are the norm on any given itinerary due to the lack of good domestic connections.) Definitely spend a couple of days in Antananarivo… the food and music are great!
