Thinkstock

Fianarantsoa Vacations

1 review

In southeastern Madagascar, the city of Fianarantsoa was built in the 19th century, when Queen Ranavalona wanted to build a city between the capital and the South. Literally the "city of good education" , its name is suggestive: it's an important religious centre. It is also known for the training of its intellectuals.

Visit Fianarantsoa

Art & Culture
Nature, Adventure & Sport

Fianarantsoa: How to get there?

About 160 miles from Antananarivo by car or bus

Fianarantsoa: When to go?

Between April and October (dry season); hurricane danger from late December through mid-April

Learn more about your destination

Fianarantsoa: What to see in the surroundings?

What our travelers think about their stay

Julie Sabatier

Seasoned Traveller

In southeastern Madagascar, the city of Fianarantsoa was built in the 19th century, when Queen Ranavalona wanted to build a city between the capital and the South. Literally the "city of good education" , its name is suggestive: it's an important religious centre. It is also known for the training of its intellectuals.

My suggestion

The city has one of the last four Michelines (a rare, rubber-tyred train) in the world. Continue your journey by taking the train line connecting the city to the coast. It is fabulous, moving along the forests nestled in the mountains.

Madagascar: our articles for your vacation

The tea plantation in Sahambavy

Discover the world of tea in the enchanting setting of the Sahambavy plantation, the only processing and exporting factory on the whole island. A historic and technical visit that will reveal all the secrets of this famously complex aroma or the more gentle fragrance of vanilla tea!

The train to Manakara wouldn't arrive at its destination.

The train attracts all generations of people who line the roadsides waving enthusiastically. The green locomotive gives off a writhing machine-like sound. Every yard travelled seems to be an accomplishment in logic: this train carcass, which was Swiss before being bought and nationalised by Madagascar, has a second life while stepping out into the rain forests of the east coast.

The city of Diego-Suarez and its bay

Here, you will be in the far north of the country. Diego-Suarez is an old trading post at the crossroads of the Mozambique Channel and the Indian Ocean. This former colonial city opens onto one of the biggest bays in the world. By day, it is relaxed and sleepy, but it's a party city at night.

Morondova, doorway to the region of Menabe

Morondova is the departure point for most of the excursions in the region. Although it doesn't have anything really interesting to see in it, it is a very charming sleepy town. On the recently refurbished beach you can enjoy the warm waters of the Mozambique channel.

See all the articles

Evaneos

Local expertise, backed by guarantees