Places to visit in

Mauritius

Mahebourg Monday Market is a long-standing weekly market in the coastal town of Mahébourg in southeastern Mauritius. It serves as a living snapshot of the island's multicultural identity—Creole, Indian, Chinese and European influences converge in the food, goods and daily interactions. The market supports local fishermen, farmers and artisans and has been a central part of community life for generations. Its proximity to the Mahebourg waterfront and the National History Museum links the market to the town's maritime and colonial past.

Flacq Market is the largest open-air market in Mauritius and a major cultural hub on the east coast. Established informally in the 19th century as a local trading spot where farmers and merchants gathered, it has grown into a bustling regional center reflecting Mauritius's multicultural society—Creole, Indian, Chinese and French influences. The market plays an important economic role for local producers and artisans and is a living showcase of traditional commerce, culinary culture, and crafts.

Grand Baie Bazaar is a lively commercial and cultural hub in the northern seaside town of Grand Baie, Mauritius. Once a small fishing settlement, Grand Baie has grown into a major tourist and shopping area; the Bazaar reflects the island's multicultural heritage through Creole crafts, Indian and Chinese goods, and French-influenced boutiques. The site is important as a meeting point for locals and visitors and as a showcase of Mauritian artisanal traditions.

Quatre Bornes Textile Market is a key local shopping hub in the heart of Quatre Bornes, Mauritius. It plays an important economic and cultural role by supplying affordable fabrics, ready-to-wear clothing and tailoring services to residents and visitors. The market reflects Mauritius's multicultural trading traditions and is a lively example of everyday island commerce.

Goodlands Market is a traditional local marketplace that reflects Mauritius's multicultural heritage—Indian, African, Chinese and European influences—through its vendors, foods and goods. Markets like Goodlands have long been central to daily life on the island as hubs for commerce, social exchange and culinary culture.

Champ de Mars Racecourse (Hippodrome de Champ de Mars) in Port Louis is the oldest racecourse in the Southern Hemisphere, founded in 1812. It has been a central social and sporting institution in Mauritius for over two centuries, reflecting the island's colonial history and continuing local passion for horse racing. The racecourse is managed by the Mauritius Turf Club and plays an important role in the cultural life of Port Louis as a gathering place for residents and visitors alike.

Fort Adelaide (La Citadelle) is a 19th-century British-built fortress perched on a hill overlooking Port Louis, the capital of Mauritius. Constructed between 1834 and 1840, the fort was intended to strengthen British control of the island, protect the harbour and deter unrest following a period of social and economic change. It represents colonial military architecture on the island and is a visible symbol of Port Louis's strategic maritime importance.

Albion Lighthouse (Pointe aux Caves) is an important coastal landmark on Mauritius’s west coast. It has guided vessels around the rocky promontory of Pointe aux Caves for generations and serves as a visual reference point for local fishermen and coastal navigation. The site also highlights the island’s volcanic coastline and supports nearby marine and birdlife.

Macondé Viewpoint is a scenic lookout on Mauritius's southern coast known for its dramatic panoramas of the Indian Ocean and rugged coastline. It highlights the island's geological formations and the powerful southern swell, offering insight into coastal processes and natural coastal beauty rather than major built heritage.

Roche qui Pleure (French for 'the rock that cries') is a natural coastal landmark on the east coast of Mauritius. It is valued primarily for its geological and scenic importance: waves continually crash against the rock formations and drain through crevices, creating the impression of a rock that 'weeps'. The site is an accessible example of coastal erosion and sea action on volcanic island rock, and is a popular, low-impact attraction for visitors and locals who appreciate dramatic sea views and photography.

Le Souffleur is a natural coastal blowhole on the island of Mauritius. It is geologically significant as a dramatic example of wave action on volcanic rock and sea caves: ocean swells are forced into narrow sea tunnels and expelled through vertical shafts, producing loud spouts and spray. The site is a popular scenic landmark and contributes to local coastal identity and tourism.

Pont Naturel is a striking natural rock arch on Mauritius’s southern coast formed by centuries of wave erosion. It is valued primarily for its geological and scenic importance as a dramatic coastal landmark and a popular photography/viewing spot that showcases the island’s rugged shoreline.

Crystal Rock is a small granite outcrop off the northern coast of Mauritius renowned for its natural beauty rather than historical monuments. It serves as an easily recognizable maritime landmark for boaters in the Grand Baie/Cap Malheureux area and is valued for the clear turquoise waters and marine biodiversity around it.

Ebony Forest Reserve Chamarel is a privately managed conservation area in the south‑west of Mauritius that protects and restores a patch of native Mauritian forest. The reserve conserves rare endemic trees (notably native ebony species), helps rebuild habitat for endangered birds and reptiles, and connects visitors with Mauritius's unique island ecology. It is important for biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and ecotourism in the Chamarel region.

La Vallée de Ferney is a remnant tract of native lowland forest in southeastern Mauritius that preserves high biodiversity and rare endemic species. It functions as an important conservation and restoration site, protecting native plants and providing habitat for endemic birds, reptiles and invertebrates. The valley is a prime example of Mauritius’s broader efforts to restore formerly cleared landscapes to native forest and reconnect fragmented habitats.

Heritage Nature Reserve (Bel Ombre) is a restored and protected landscape in south-west Mauritius, part of the larger Domaine de Bel Ombre managed by Heritage Resorts. The reserve conserves a mosaic of coastal forest, wetlands, marshes, and grasslands that represent rare remnants of Mauritius’s native ecosystems. It plays an important role in national conservation efforts by providing habitat for several endemic and threatened species and by supporting ongoing restoration and species-reintroduction programs.

Domaine de l’Etoile is a large private nature reserve and outdoor activity estate located on the central plateau of Mauritius. It represents a successful example of converting former agricultural (sugarcane) land into a mixed-use conservation and eco-tourism area, protecting pockets of native vegetation and offering habitat for local birdlife. The site contributes to sustainable tourism and provides opportunities for visitors to experience Mauritius's inland landscapes away from the beaches.

Casela Nature Parks (also known as Casela World of Adventures) is one of Mauritius's largest and most popular nature and adventure parks. Located on the west coast near Flic-en-Flac, the park combines wildlife conservation, environmental education and adventure tourism, offering visitors a chance to see African and native species in a landscaped, semi-natural setting. It plays a role in local conservation awareness and provides recreational and educational opportunities for families, schools and tourists.

La Vanille Nature Park is one of Mauritius's leading conservation and eco-tourism sites, located in Rivière des Anguilles in the south of the island. It plays an important role in the conservation and captive-breeding of giant tortoises (notably Aldabra tortoises) and various reptile and insect species. The park combines natural wetland and mangrove habitats with educational exhibits, helping visitors understand local biodiversity and conservation challenges.

Île aux Cerfs is one of Mauritius's most famous day-trip destinations, celebrated for its turquoise lagoon, powder-white sandy beaches, and vibrant marine life. The island plays an important role in the island nation's tourism economy and showcases Mauritius's unique coastal ecosystems — shallow lagoons, coral reefs and seagrass beds that support snorkeling and small-scale marine biodiversity. The site represents the island-nation's blend of natural beauty and recreational tourism.