Mauritius offers pure luxury. Long paradisiacal sandy beaches, spectacular nature, luxury hotels and incredibly fascinating cultural sites. The lively cities provide a firework of the senses and relaxation is provided by the soft sand under your feet. The small island state offers tourists a real dream holiday. But what exactly are the most popular destinations on the Indian Ocean island?
Port Louis: The capital
The first highlight that tourists encounter in the city is the Marchée Central. This so-called central market of the Moorish city makes tourists’ hearts beat faster. In addition to the most diverse oriental smells, exotic spices, fruit and vegetables offer a magnificent sea of colours. The traders also sell typical clothing as well as jewellery and Moorish souvenirs for loved ones at home. Here you can experience the lively city life and enjoy this unique atmosphere. Many unusual stalls and offers amaze visitors. In addition, Port Louis is not only a cultural but also a spiritual center in the country due to its numerous places of worship. Another highlight is the citadel Fort Adelaide, which sits on a hill and allows a view over the entire city. A panoramic view in a class of its own. An attraction for equestrian sports lovers is the second oldest racecourse in the world, namely the Champ de Mars. Exciting races take place there almost every weekend in the high season. The capital of Mauritius is always worth a visit.
Belle Mare: Fantastic swimming on the east coast
On Belle Mare beach, a very original landscape awaits visitors. On a length of almost 5 kilometers you can enjoy a unique tranquility. Despite the popularity of locals and tourists, the dream beach is never overcrowded. The east coast is definitely one of the island’s insider tips and invites you to really relax your body and soul. Mysterious bays are not only fascinating, but also beautiful places to retreat completely.
Chamarel: The seven-coloured natural phenomenon
One of the biggest attractions for visitors is in the small village of Chamarel. There you can marvel at the seven-coloured, hilly earth, which shines in a wide variety of colours. This natural spectacle is created by a natural transformation of lava into clay minerals, creating nuances such as ochre, yellow, green, red and violet. The best view of the spectacular ground is from the observation deck in the early or late hours of the day, when the sun shines on the natural phenomenon and brings out the colors even more.
Curepipe: The second largest city in Mauritius
The second largest city Curepipe is also the highest city on the island, as it is located at almost 550 meters above sea level. The historic city center stands out especially with its ancient buildings. The old town hall from 1902 and also the Catholic church enchant visitors and take them back to times long past. A city that invites you to dream. Also worth seeing is the volcano aux Cerfs, which is located in the middle of Curepipe. If you feel like it, you can walk up to the crater rim and then have a fabulous view over the island. We descend along a beaten path. An experience that you don’t have every day!
A tropical variety in the Pamplemousses botanical garden
With its fascinating variety of plants, the garden in Mauritius is one of the most beautiful on earth. On a 25-hectare area, spice plants, palm species, plants from the Amazon region and ponds with lotus flowers can be admired. A first-class highlight is the Talipot palm, which only blooms every 60 years. Already at the entrance to the garden, visitors are greeted by a wrought-iron gate. This dates back to the 19th century and was a gift from Francois Liénard de la Mivoie at the time.
Ile aux Cerfs: The small neighboring island
If you want to make a detour to another island, you can take a boat to the tiny Deer Island next to Mauritius. Ile aux Cerfs is another swimming paradise with fascinating beaches, blue lagoons and the same crystal clear waters. In addition to the tourists, the locals also feel very comfortable here. Water sports enthusiasts also get their money’s worth on Hirschinsel in good wind and weather conditions.
Le Morne Brabant: UNESCO World Heritage Site
In the southwest of the island, the mountain Le Morne Brabant is waiting to be climbed. The stony path up to the summit is not without its challenges and requires stamina. Once at the top, you will be rewarded by a fabulous panoramic view. If you arrive at the summit in the early hours of the morning, with a little luck and the right timing, you can experience a sunrise that you won’t forget in a hurry. The mountain is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and is therefore largely privately owned. For this reason, the mountain can only be climbed with a guide.
Grand Baie: Lively hustle and bustle, action & entertainment
If you have had enough relaxation and want to experience a little more hustle and bustle after restful rest, you can enjoy pure Moorish entertainment in the northwest of the island. In bars and restaurants, especially in the evenings, you can find a good atmosphere and delicious food. Appropriate music and singing by locals take tourists into the culture of Mauritius. This place is full of history and also offers two Hindu temples for the spiritual, Shiv Kalyan, Vath Mandir and Tamil Surya Udaya Samgam. There you can pause for a moment or if you want to meditate.
Rhumerie de Chamarel: The world-famous Rhum Agricole
A tasting of the liquid gold in the rum factory of Mauritius is not to be missed. At the Rhumerie de Chamarel, you can learn from start to finish how the rum is made and taste the quality of the popular rum for yourself. Exciting guided tours in different languages invite you to fully engage with this topic and explore the versatility of production.
The crater lake Grand Bassin: Hindu pilgrimage site and Maha Shivaratri Festival
The Grand Bassin is located directly in a volcanic crater and is the most important pilgrimage site for Hindus outside of India. Numerous temples and statues adorn the landscape. A Shiva statue in the middle of the lake and a huge statue of Durga can be admired. Basically, it is very quiet there most of the year and usually only a few pilgrims can be found. However, in the period from the end of February to March, the holy place is transformed into a colorful festival ground and the so-called Maha Shivaratri Festival of the Hindus takes place. A unique picture that then emerges. A spectacle not to be missed.
