Antananarivo

Antananarivo is located in the centre of Madagascar and is known by locals and familiar Madagascar travellers as ‘Tana’.

When first travelling to the capital city it can be seen to resemble a Mediterranean hill town, as it is 1400 metres above sea level and is built on hillsides and ridges and ringed with rice paddies.

The city itself is full of bustling streets, many of which are interspersed with hundreds of ancient stone steps leading to fascinating historical and architectural sites, markets stalls selling every kind of goods imaginable from raw meat to embroidered linen and fresh produce to leather goods and handicrafts.

Tana is a remarkable place to spend a few days either at the beginning or end of your African or Madagascan holiday. Due to the location of the country's major international airport, travellers end up passing through the city at least once.