Find places in Comoros

Must-Haves

• Old Friday Mosque (Ancienne Mosquée du Vendredi) (Moroni harbour)
  The whitewashed waterfront mosque is the most famous image of the Comoros, best at sunset.
• CNDRS National Museum (Moroni centre)
  The national museum covers volcanoes, marine life, history and a preserved coelacanth.

Off the Beaten Path

• Itsandra old town and fort ruins (Itsandra)
  A former sultanate seat with crumbling walls and views over the bay.
• Iconi (Ikoni) old town (Iconi, south of Moroni)
  One of the oldest towns on the island, with ruined palace walls and a cliff steeped in legend.

Fun for Everyone

• Place de l'Indépendance (Moroni centre)
  A central square to people watch and get your bearings in the capital.

Must-Haves

• Moroni Medina (Old town)
  A maze of coral stone lanes, carved doors and small mosques behind the harbour.

Great for Date Night

• Moroni Corniche at sunset (Seafront)
  Watch fishermen land their outrigger canoes as the sun drops behind the Old Friday Mosque.

Fun for Everyone

• Shared taxi ride along the west coast (Moroni to Iconi)
  The cheapest way to see villages and lava coast like a local.

Must-Haves

• Volo Volo Market (Volo Volo)
  The capital's busiest market for spices, vanilla, fruit, fish and everyday life.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Spice and vanilla stalls at Volo Volo (Volo Volo)
  Buy cloves, vanilla pods and ylang-ylang oil straight from the islands' producers.

Fun for Everyone

• Itsandra Beach (Itsandra)
  The closest sandy beach to the capital, ideal for a swim after a morning in town.
• Bouni Beach (Hamahamet coast)
  A quiet sandy bay on the northeast coast with clear water.

Off the Beaten Path

• Iconi crater lake and cliffs (Iconi)
  A volcanic crater by the sea where, legend says, women leapt to escape slave raiders.
• Singani lava flow (Singani, south of Moroni)
  Walk across the black lava that swept through the village in a recent eruption.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Market food stands at Volo Volo (Volo Volo)
  Try grilled fish, mkatra foutra coconut bread and samosas where locals eat.
• Grilled fish on the corniche (Seafront)
  Evening brochettes and grilled fish are the most authentic way to eat in Moroni.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Bangwe evening squares in the medina (Old town)
  Stone benches where elders talk over tea or coffee in the evening, a window into local life.
• Coffee and mkatra foutra breakfast stalls (Moroni medina)
  Morning coconut bread and sweet tea at simple stalls.

Fun for Everyone

• Fresh juice stands in central Moroni (Moroni centre)
  Fresh mango, passion fruit and tamarind juices to beat the heat.

Must-Haves

• Retaj Moroni (Moroni seafront)
  The capital's most comfortable hotel, with sea views and a pool.

Must-Haves

• Grand Mariage season (All of Grande Comore)
  July and August weddings fill streets with music, dancing and gold-draped celebrations.

Fun for Everyone

• Independence Day (6 July) (Moroni)
  Parades and celebrations mark the anniversary of independence in 1975.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Eid celebrations (Moroni)
  The end of Ramadan brings new clothes, family visits and festive food across the city.

Off the Beaten Path

• Mawlid celebrations (Grande Comore)
  Celebrations of the Prophet's birthday with chanting and gatherings.

Must-Haves

• Maloudja Beach (Near Mitsamiouli)
  Soft white sand and turquoise water against black lava, the classic Comoros beach.
• Galawa Beach (Near Mitsamiouli)
  A sheltered bay of white sand and calm water, one of the island's best swims.
• Lac Salé (Bangoi-Kouni)
  A salty green lake in an old volcanic crater beside the sea.

Fun for Everyone

• Trou du Prophète (North coast)
  A sheltered cove with a local legend, great for snorkelling and picnics.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Mitsamiouli town beach (Mitsamiouli)
  A lively local beach where families gather and fishermen bring in the catch.

Off the Beaten Path

• Ntsaoueni old mosque (Ntsaoueni)
  One of the oldest Islamic sites on Grande Comore, in a historic coastal town.
• Mitsamiouli old town (Mitsamiouli)
  A historic coastal town with old mosques and bangwe squares.

Fun for Everyone

• Hahaya village (Near the airport)
  A village by the airport, handy for a last stroll before your flight.

Fun for Everyone

• Snorkelling off the north coast reefs (Mitsamiouli)
  Reef fish and sometimes turtles in clear water close to shore.
• Swimming and picnicking at Galawa (Near Mitsamiouli)
  Calm water and shade make it an easy family day.

Great for Date Night

• Sunset at Maloudja (Near Mitsamiouli)
  The sun sinks over the Mozambique Channel behind the lava headlands.

Off the Beaten Path

• Whale watching from the north coast (Mitsamiouli)
  From July to October humpbacks can be spotted from shore and by boat.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Mitsamiouli market (Mitsamiouli)
  A small local market for fruit, fish and snacks on the way to the beach.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Grilled fish at Mitsamiouli beach (Mitsamiouli)
  Fresh fish grilled by the sand, the simplest and best beach lunch.

Fun for Everyone

• Sunday beach day at Chomoni (Chomoni)
  Families picnic, play football and swim, a joyful slice of local life.

Fun for Everyone

• Coconut sellers on the north coast (Mitsamiouli)
  Fresh green coconuts opened for you on the roadside.

Must-Haves

• Karthala summit caldera (Grande Comore)
  One of the world's largest active volcanic craters, a vast moonscape of lava and ash.

Off the Beaten Path

• Boboni route to Karthala (Boboni)
  A longer northern approach with forest and excellent birdlife.
• Karthala cloud forest (Upper slopes)
  Mossy forest with giant heathers and birds found nowhere else.

Great for Date Night

• Sunrise from the crater rim (Summit)
  Camp overnight and watch dawn light fill the caldera.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Lower slope farms and villages (M'vouni)
  Banana, cassava and fruit farms show how island families live off the volcano.

Must-Haves

• M'vouni trail to Karthala (M'vouni, above Moroni)
  The main route up the volcano through farms and cloud forest.

Off the Beaten Path

• Birdwatching for the Karthala scops owl (Upper slopes)
  A rare endemic owl that draws birders from around the world.

Fun for Everyone

• Half-day walk to the forest edge (M'vouni)
  A shorter option for those who want a taste of the mountain without the summit.

Fun for Everyone

• Karthala Volcano Observatory (Moroni)
  The observatory monitors the volcano and is the place to ask about current activity.

Off the Beaten Path

• Dry season hiking window (Mount Karthala)
  May to October brings the clearest skies for the climb.

Must-Haves

• Mutsamudu Citadel (Above the medina)
  The sultans' fortress looks over the rooftops and harbour.
• Domoni old town (East coast, Anjouan)
  One of the oldest towns in the Comoros, with fine stone houses and tombs.

Off the Beaten Path

• Bambao Palace (Bambao Mtsanga)
  The old sultan's palace, a reminder of Anjouan's royal past.
• Sima old town (West Anjouan)
  A quiet historic town with one of the oldest mosques in the Comoros.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Mutsamudu harbour (Mutsamudu)
  Watch boats load and unload in the island's lively port.

Must-Haves

• Mutsamudu Medina (Old town)
  Narrow alleys, carved doors and coral stone houses in one of the best old towns in the islands.
• Ylang-ylang distillery visit (Bambao area)
  See flowers turned into perfume oil in traditional stills.

Great for Date Night

• Sunset from the citadel (Mutsamudu)
  Golden light over the old town and harbour.

Must-Haves

• Lake Dzialandzé (Anjouan highlands)
  A crater lake in the forest where Livingstone's fruit bats roost.

Fun for Everyone

• Dziancoundré Waterfall (Southeast Anjouan)
  A tall waterfall dropping towards the sea, best after rain.
• Moya Beach (Southwest Anjouan)
  One of the best sandy beaches for swimming on the island.

Off the Beaten Path

• Mount Ntingui (Central Anjouan)
  The island's highest peak, a steep guided hike with huge views.
• Pomoni bay (South Anjouan)
  A remote bay with fishing boats and steep green hills.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Mutsamudu market (Mutsamudu)
  A busy market for fruit, spices and everyday island goods.

Off the Beaten Path

• Clove and vanilla drying along the roads (Anjouan villages)
  Fragrant spices drying on mats outside village homes.

Must-Haves

• Ylang-ylang essential oil (Anjouan)
  The islands' signature perfume oil, bought near where it is made.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Mutsamudu waterfront food stalls (Mutsamudu)
  Grilled fish, cassava and samosas by the port in the evening.

Fun for Everyone

• Anjouan wedding season (All of Anjouan)
  Summer weddings bring drumming, dancing and processions.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Tea stalls by Mutsamudu port (Mutsamudu)
  Sweet spiced tea and snacks watching the harbour.

Must-Haves

• Mohéli National Park (South coast)
  A marine park of reefs, seagrass and turtle beaches, at the heart of a biosphere reserve.
• Itsamia turtle beach (Itsamia)
  Watch green turtles nest at night with community guides.
• Nioumachoua islets (Nioumachoua)
  White sand islets with snorkelling and picnics by boat.

Great for Date Night

• Ouénéfou islet (Off Nioumachoua)
  A tiny island with a perfect beach for a day away from everything.

Off the Beaten Path

• Lake Boundouni (Northern hills)
  A peaceful crater lake ringed by forest and birds.

Must-Haves

• Whale watching from Nioumachoua (Nioumachoua)
  Humpback whales pass close to shore from about July to October.

Off the Beaten Path

• Forest walk from Ouallah (Ouallah)
  Guided walks into the hills for bats, lemurs and views.
• Boat trip around the park islets (Nioumachoua)
  A day of beaches, snorkelling and seabirds.

Fun for Everyone

• Spinner dolphin trips (South coast)
  Boat trips often meet playful dolphins in the park's waters.

Low Cost and Authentic

• Fomboni market (Fomboni)
  The island's small market for fruit, fish and supplies.
• Djoiezi village (Near Fomboni)
  A traditional village near the capital with an old mosque.

Fun for Everyone

• Fomboni harbour (Fomboni)
  The island's port, where boats arrive from the other islands.

Fun for Everyone

• Turtle hatching season (Itsamia)
  Watch hatchlings race for the sea on lucky nights.