Antananarivo Free Walking Tour With Local Guide (perfect for street photography)

Welcome to Antanananarivo, the capital of Madagascar, known as Tana among the locals.  Once the most beautiful city in colonial France, the city is perched high in the island's central highlands at around 1,280 meters above sea level. This vibrant, colorful city of over four million people blends French colonial architecture with traditional Malagasy influences, featuring colorful markets, historic palaces like the Rova of Antananarivo, and a lively cultural scene. Surrounded by rice paddies and rolling hills, it's a gateway to Madagascar's unique wildlife and natural wonders, offering a mix of urban energy and island charm.

Our daily free walking tour runs every Tuesday to Friday and on Sundays, except in case of rain or really bad weather. There are currently no walking tours on Mondays and Saturdays. The meeting point is at the entrance of Hotel The Louvre at the Jardin de Antaninarenina.

We commence our tour at the Jardin de Antaninarenina, a small beautiful green oasis in the city center and then go down the famous stairs of Antananarivo down to the beating heart of the city: Analalakely with its busy market where you can find fresh fruits and vegetables, zebu meat from the highlands, fish from the coast and spices from all over the island. There are also numerous stalls selling secondhand clothes and shoes, as well as a wide selection of tools for the house, beauty accessories and much more. Our guide will guide you through the colorful maze and will then show you Liberty Square and the central train station of Antananarivo.

We’ll then go up the hill, a steep but beautiful walk, with mesmerizing views over the city spread over the hills as well as the Barea Football Stadium. We will be treated to lots of beautiful orange-brick houses from the royal era with plenty of photo opportunities along the way, until we finally reach our end destination: the Queen’s Palace (Manjakamiadana Rova), from where you’ll have even more fantastic views over the city.

During your walk your local guide will tell you everything you’d like to know about Antanananarivo and its daily life and he will also assist you with your street photography, showing you the best spots and ensuring safety.

Note: Make sure to bring a bottle of water with you and protect yourself against the sun, the second leg of the walk is quite steep. Protect yourself from pickpockets as well and don’t bring unnecessary flashy items. Use common sense just like in other big cities. We are not responsible for any damaged, lost or stolen goods as well as for any accidents that might occur during the walk.