Mauritius · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Mauritius
These are the beaches, markets, mountains, museums, food stops and stays that make a Mauritius trip, spread from Port Louis to the north, west, south and east coasts. Places marked unconfirmed may have changed or closed, so check before you go.
Places to Visit in Port Louis
Shopping and Markets
- Port Louis Central Market (City centre)
The covered bazaar for tropical fruit, spices, herbal teas, crafts and the best dholl puri queues in town. - Caudan Craft Market (Caudan Waterfront)
Local crafts, model ships, textiles and souvenirs under one roof. - Bagatelle Mall (Moka)
The island's big modern mall, handy for supplies, cinema and rainy days.
Things to Do
- Le Caudan Waterfront (Waterfront)
Shops, cafés, a cinema and harbour views make this the easy, relaxed side of the capital. - Fort Adelaide (La Citadelle) (Petite Montagne)
A 19th century British fort with the best panoramic view over the city and harbour. - Chinatown (Royal Road)
Old shopfronts, temples and dumpling stalls in one of the city's most characterful quarters. - Marie Reine de la Paix (Monseigneur Leen Avenue)
A hillside shrine with gardens and a sweeping view over Port Louis, beloved at sunset. - Eureka House (Moka)
A creole manor house with old furniture, gardens and a waterfall walk in the hills. - Trou aux Cerfs crater (Curepipe)
A dormant volcano crater ringed by a road with views to the mountains and sea.
Arts and Culture
- Aapravasi Ghat (Trou Fanfaron)
The UNESCO-listed immigration depot where indentured labourers from India first landed, told with real care. - Blue Penny Museum (Caudan Waterfront)
Home of the rare Mauritius Post Office stamps and a well-told history of the island. - Natural History Museum (Mauritius Institute) (Company Garden)
The place to meet the dodo, with a famous reconstructed skeleton and island wildlife. - Jummah Mosque (Royal Road)
A graceful 19th century mosque with carved teak doors at the edge of Chinatown. - Saint Louis Cathedral (Place Saint Louis)
The city's main cathedral on a quiet square near the old administrative quarter. - Mauritius Postal Museum (Port Louis Waterfront)
A small museum of stamps and post history in a restored old stone building. - Curepipe Botanical Garden (Curepipe)
A cool, misty garden home to a rare palm found almost nowhere else on earth.
Nature and Outdoors
- Jardin de la Compagnie (City centre)
A shady old garden of banyan trees and statues, perfect for a break between sights. - Le Pouce Mountain hike (Moka Range)
A short, steep climb to the thumb-shaped peak with views across the island.
Events
- Champ de Mars Racecourse (Champ de Mars)
One of the oldest racecourses in the southern hemisphere, with Saturday race days in season. - Chinese Spring Festival in Chinatown (Chinatown)
Lion dances, firecrackers and food fill Chinatown for the lunar new year. - Père Laval pilgrimage (Sainte Croix)
Thousands walk overnight to the shrine of Father Laval each September, of all faiths.
Bars and Nightlife
- Lambic (Saint Georges Street)
A beer and food bar in an old colonial house, popular for after-work drinks.
Restaurants
- Port Louis street food stalls (Royal Road and Central Market)
Dholl puri, gateaux piments and farata from stalls are the classic, budget local lunch.
Stays
- Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel (Caudan Waterfront)
A smart harbourside hotel within walking distance of the markets and museums. - Le Suffren Hotel and Marina (Caudan Waterfront)
A contemporary marina hotel with a ferry shuttle across to the waterfront.
Cafés
- Quatre Bornes Market (Quatre Bornes)
A huge, colourful market for fabrics, clothes and produce on market days.
Places to Visit in Grand Baie
Nature and Outdoors
- Pereybère Beach (Pereybère)
A small, sheltered public beach with clear water and snorkelling close to shore. - Mont Choisy Beach (Mont Choisy)
A long curve of white sand and casuarina shade, busy with families on Sundays. - Trou aux Biches Beach (Trou aux Biches)
Calm, shallow water and soft sand make it one of the island's best swimming beaches. - SSR Botanical Garden Pamplemousses (Pamplemousses)
The giant water lilies, palms and spice trees of the oldest botanical garden in the region. - Île d'Ambre (North east lagoon)
Kayak or boat through mangroves to a quiet islet off the northeast coast. - Cap Malheureux public beach (Cap Malheureux)
A quiet fishing village shore for sunsets over the northern islets.
Arts and Culture
- Notre Dame Auxiliatrice (Cap Malheureux)
The little red-roofed church facing Coin de Mire is the north's classic photo stop. - L'Aventure du Sucre (Pamplemousses)
A lively museum in an old sugar mill telling the island's sugar story, with tastings. - Château de Labourdonnais (Mapou)
A restored colonial mansion with orchards, gardens and rum tastings. - Maheswarnath Mandir (Triolet)
The largest Hindu temple complex on the island, colourful and welcoming to respectful visitors.
Things to Do
- Catamaran trip to the northern islets (Grand Baie lagoon)
A day sail to Coin de Mire, Île Plate and Île Gabriel for snorkelling and a barbecue lunch. - Blue Safari Submarine (Trou aux Biches)
A real submarine dive to see reefs and a wreck without getting wet. - Diving at Grand Baie (Grand Baie)
The north has gentle dive sites for beginners and wrecks for the experienced.
Shopping and Markets
- La Croisette (Grand Baie)
The north's main shopping mall, with restaurants and a cinema. - Grand Baie Bazaar (Grand Baie)
A small market for pareos, crafts and souvenirs; bargaining is expected.
Bars and Nightlife
- Banana Beach Club (Royal Road, Grand Baie)
The north's long-running bar for live music and a lively evening crowd.
Cafés
- Pereybère roadside snack vans (Pereybère)
Fried noodles, dholl puri and fresh coconut by the beach, the local way.
Stays
- Royal Palm Beachcomber (Grand Baie)
One of the island's grand classic beach hotels, at the edge of the bay. - LUX* Grand Baie (Grand Baie)
A newer, design-led resort with rooftop bar and lagoon views. - Zilwa Attitude (Calodyne)
A relaxed, family-friendly resort with a strong focus on local culture and food. - 20 Degrés Sud (Pointe aux Canonniers)
An intimate boutique hotel with a small beach and personal service.
Events
- Divali in the north (Triolet and Goodlands)
Homes and temples glow with oil lamps and sweets are shared with neighbours.
Places to Visit in Le Morne
Nature and Outdoors
- Le Morne Brabant hike (Le Morne)
The climb up the UNESCO-listed mountain gives one of the finest views in the Indian Ocean. - Le Morne public beach (Le Morne)
A long white beach under the mountain with calm turquoise water. - Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth (Chamarel)
Rolling dunes of red, purple and ochre earth in a nature park with tortoises. - Chamarel Waterfall (Chamarel)
The island's tallest single-drop waterfall plunging into a green gorge. - Ebony Forest Chamarel (Chamarel)
A forest restoration project with walks, viewpoints and rare native plants. - Maconde viewpoint (Baie du Cap)
A rocky outcrop on the wild south coast road with crashing surf below. - Île aux Bénitiers (Le Morne lagoon)
A small islet with a picnic beach, often paired with the Crystal Rock stop. - Flic en Flac Beach (Flic en Flac)
A long west coast beach with food vans, sunsets and a busy local scene. - La Prairie Beach (La Prairie)
A quiet beach with picnic spots and views back to Le Morne.
Arts and Culture
- International Slave Route Monument (Le Morne)
A moving memorial to enslaved people who sought refuge on the mountain. - Rhumerie de Chamarel (Chamarel)
A distillery tour and tasting of agricultural rum, with a restaurant in the hills. - Le Morne Cultural Landscape (Le Morne)
The UNESCO site as a whole, a symbol of resistance to slavery.
Things to Do
- Kitesurfing at Le Morne (Le Morne lagoon)
One of the world's famous kite spots, with schools for beginners on the inner lagoon. - Dolphin watching at Tamarin Bay (Tamarin)
Early boat trips to see spinner dolphins; choose an operator that respects the rules. - Casela Nature Parks (Cascavelle)
Animals, zip lines and safari drives for a full family day out. - Tamarin salt pans (Tamarin)
Traditional salt flats still worked by hand, striking in the late afternoon light.
Stays
- Dinarobin Beachcomber (Le Morne)
A spacious all-suite resort on the Le Morne peninsula. - Paradis Beachcomber (Le Morne)
A classic resort with golf and its own stretch of lagoon. - LUX* Le Morne (Le Morne)
An adults-leaning resort by the beach under the mountain. - The St. Regis Mauritius (Le Morne)
A grand resort facing the kite lagoon.
Restaurants
- La Gaulette snack shops (La Gaulette)
Small local spots for fried noodles, briani and grilled fish near the coast road.
Bars and Nightlife
- Sunset at Flic en Flac (Flic en Flac)
The beach crowd gathers at dusk for food vans, music and the sun sinking into the sea.
Places to Visit in Black River Gorges
Nature and Outdoors
- Black River Gorges viewpoint (Plaine Champagne)
The classic view over the gorges, forest and sea, with birds circling below. - Alexandra Falls (Plaine Champagne)
An easy viewpoint over waterfalls and the green southern slopes. - Macchabée trail (Pétrin)
A forest trail through native ebony and tambalacoque with gorge views. - Black River Gorges visitor centre (Black River)
The starting point for the lower trails, with maps and advice. - Tamarind Falls (Seven Cascades) (Henrietta)
A string of seven waterfalls best explored with a guide for canyoning or hikes. - Piton de la Petite Rivière Noire (Black River Gorges)
The island's highest summit, a moderate climb with a big panorama. - Pétrin trailhead and heathland (Pétrin)
A short boardwalk loop through rare upland heath and native shrubs. - Rochester Falls (Souillac)
A wide waterfall falling over basalt columns near the south coast. - Gris Gris Beach (Souillac)
A wild clifftop beach where the reef ends and big waves hit the shore.
Arts and Culture
- Grand Bassin (Ganga Talao) (Grand Bassin)
A sacred crater lake ringed by temples and a giant statue of Shiva. - Saint Aubin House (Saint Aubin)
A colonial plantation house with gardens, vanilla and a rum distillery.
Events
- Maha Shivaratri pilgrimage (Grand Bassin)
Hundreds of thousands walk to the lake carrying decorated kanwars each year.
Things to Do
- Bois Chéri Tea Estate (Bois Chéri)
A tea factory tour and tasting with a view over a lake and the south. - La Vallée des Couleurs Nature Park (Chamouny)
Coloured earth, waterfalls and zip lines in a southern valley. - La Vanille Nature Park (Rivière des Anguilles)
Giant tortoises and crocodiles in a lush park that families love.
Stays
- Heritage Le Telfair (Bel Ombre)
A colonial-style resort on the south coast near the gorges. - Shanti Maurice (Saint Félix)
A calm, spa-focused resort on the wild south coast.
Places to Visit in Mahébourg
Shopping and Markets
- Mahébourg Monday Market (Mahébourg)
The south east's big weekly market for produce, fabrics and street food. - Biscuiterie Rault (Ville Noire)
A family factory still baking the famous manioc biscuits, with tastings.
Things to Do
- Mahébourg Waterfront (Mahébourg)
A seafront promenade with views to Lion Mountain and local fishing boats. - Île de la Passe (Grand Port lagoon)
An old fort islet that guarded the pass during the 1810 naval battle.
Arts and Culture
- National History Museum (Mahébourg)
An old colonial house holding relics of the Battle of Grand Port and early colonists. - Vieux Grand Port Frederik Hendrik Museum (Vieux Grand Port)
The site of the first Dutch settlement on the island.
Nature and Outdoors
- Île aux Aigrettes (Pointe Jérôme)
A nature reserve islet where guided tours show pink pigeons and giant tortoises. - Blue Bay Marine Park (Blue Bay)
Shallow coral gardens and glass-bottom boats in one of the island's best snorkelling spots. - Blue Bay public beach (Blue Bay)
A sheltered beach with soft sand and calm water. - Lion Mountain hike (Vieux Grand Port)
A steep ridge walk above the lagoon with outstanding views. - Ferney Valley (Ferney)
A protected native forest valley with guided walks. - Pointe d'Esny beach (Pointe d'Esny)
A quiet residential beach with a beautiful lagoon.
Stays
- Shandrani Beachcomber (Blue Bay)
An all-inclusive resort with three beaches near the marine park. - Preskil Island Resort (Pointe Jérôme)
A resort on its own little peninsula facing the lagoon.
Restaurants
- Mahébourg waterfront snack stalls (Mahébourg)
Gateaux piments, samoussas and fresh juice by the sea.
Events
- Cavadee in the south east (Mahébourg area)
Tamil devotees carry decorated kavadi in colourful processions each summer.
Places to Visit in Belle Mare
Nature and Outdoors
- Belle Mare public beach (Belle Mare)
A long, wide beach with fine sand and turquoise water. - Île aux Cerfs (Trou d'Eau Douce)
A famous island of sandbars and lagoon for swimming and boat trips. - Grand River South East waterfall (GRSE)
A waterfall reached by speedboat on the way to Île aux Cerfs. - Bras d'Eau National Park (Poste Lafayette)
Quiet woodland trails, old ruins and mangroves.
Things to Do
- Trou d'Eau Douce village (Trou d'Eau Douce)
A fishing village where local boats leave for the islands.
Shopping and Markets
- Flacq Market (Centre de Flacq)
One of the island's busiest markets for fruit, vegetables and spices.
Stays
- Constance Prince Maurice (Poste de Flacq)
An elegant resort built around a lagoon and nature reserve. - Shangri-La Le Touessrok (Trou d'Eau Douce)
A luxury resort with its own islands facing Île aux Cerfs. - LUX* Belle Mare (Belle Mare)
A family-friendly resort on the long east coast beach. - One&Only Le Saint Géran (Poste de Flacq)
A classic grand resort on a private peninsula. - Long Beach (Belle Mare)
A lively, modern resort on one of the longest beaches.
Bars and Nightlife
- Sunset drinks on the east coast (Belle Mare)
Resort beach bars are the main evening scene in the east.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Mauritius Photography Museum (Old Council Street, Port Louis)
A private collection of historic cameras and images of old Mauritius. - Intercontinental Slavery Museum (Old Military Hospital, Port Louis)
A newer museum telling the story of slavery in Mauritius and the Indian Ocean. - Signal Mountain (Port Louis, Port Louis)
A quiet hill walk on the edge of the city for a sunrise view over the harbour. - Les Enfants Terribles (Pointe aux Canonniers, Grand Baie)
A beach restaurant and bar known for sunset drinks over the lagoon. - Le Capitaine (Grand Baie, Grand Baie)
Seafood on a terrace by the bay, a long-standing date-night choice. - Chez Tante Athalie (Mont Choisy, Grand Baie)
Creole home cooking in a garden full of vintage cars. - Happy Rajah (Grand Baie, Grand Baie)
A popular Indian restaurant for curries and tandoori dishes. - Le Chamarel Restaurant (Chamarel, Le Morne)
A terrace restaurant with a view down to the west coast lagoon. - Festival International Kreol (Various venues, Le Morne)
Celebrates creole music, food and culture each year, often with concerts in the west and south. - Domaine de Saint Aubin table d'hôte (Saint Aubin, Black River Gorges)
A plantation house lunch of creole dishes on a veranda. - Frederica Nature Reserve (Bel Ombre, Black River Gorges)
Quad and walking trails through a southern nature reserve. - Mahébourg tea shops (Mahébourg, Mahébourg)
Small family shops serving vanilla tea and cakes on the old streets. - Chez Manuel (Saint Julien, Belle Mare)
A long-running Chinese restaurant serving generous family dishes. - Kayaking at Poste Lafayette (Poste Lafayette, Belle Mare)
Quiet lagoon paddling on the windy, uncrowded northeast coast.