What to do in Victoria, Seychelles: a complete guide to the must-sees

Hello, I’m back! This time I’ve put together a complete guide to everything you need to know about the capital city. So, what to do in Victoria, Seychelles. Given the number of questions I receive, I’ve realized that the Seychelles archipelago is a destination that makes you dream and want to know more about it. In this article, I will focus on the capital, Victoria. To get to the Seychelles, the international airport is located in Victoria, on the main island of Mahé. That’s where you arrive!

Many travelers wonder if the Seychelles capital is worth the detour. According to feedback from people I know, spending a few days in Victoria is a must! Taking advantage of Victoria at the beginning of your stay is a great way to start your Seychelles holiday! It’s a town with a relaxed atmosphere and a certain charm. You’ll be at the heart of the local culture, close to shops, activities and monuments to discover. As you can see, there are plenty of things to do in Victoria. I’ve written this article so that the capital of the Seychelles will no longer hold any secrets for you!

Firstly, I’d like to say a few words about the town and its history. Although it is the capital of the archipelago, it’s still quite small, with a population of just under 25,000. It’s located in the centre of the island of Mahé, which means it’s a hub of cultural and economic activity. It really is an important town for the Seychelles! In fact, in the 18th century, the capital and the island of Mahé in general were under the control of French and then British colonists. For the record, the town was called Victoria, in reference to the name of the Queen of England at the time. That’s why in Victoria you’ll see old colonial houses and architecture with both European and British influences. It all makes sense! Economically, Victoria was and still is a major port, connecting Mahé to the other islands of the Seychelles.

So, I hope this little update on Victoria is of interest to you. In my opinion, it’s always good to have some context to understand the history of an area and what it is today.

Discover Sir Selwyn Clark Market in central Victoria. It offers an authentic experience at the heart of local life. Pretty cool, isn’t it? As you make your way through the market, you’ll discover tropical fruits and colorful local produce (you’ll want to try everything!). In Victoria, you’re certainly at the start of your journey. At the market you’ll find fun, handmade souvenirs to take back to your loved ones!

As you can see, this market offers a friendly atmosphere right at the heart of local life. If you have time to stay in Victoria, the Sir Selwyn Clarke Market is well worth a visit!

The Seychelles Botanical Garden is the perfect place to explore nature. Located just outside Victoria, you’ll love this lush garden! You’ll be able to see all sorts of tropical plants, local fruits and beautiful palm trees (you guessed it, ahah). To give you an idea, you’ll be able to discover the famous coco de mer, Seychelles vanilla, cannelier and much more! If you’re a nature lover, you’re in for a real treat!

As far as wildlife is concerned, there’s plenty to see! Along the way you’ll spot the Seychelles Bulbul, a distinctive bird, and the Aldabra giant tortoise. If you’re looking for an activity away from the city, this botanical garden is a breath of fresh air!

The Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple puts you in the heart of Hindu culture! For the record, the Hindu religion is second only to Christianity in the Seychelles archipelago. The architecture and colors of the temple are simply stunning and a real eye-catcher. In fact, it is one of the most visited monuments in the country! For the record, it’s usually open every day, but I recommend checking before you go.

If you’re looking for something unusual and mysterious, the Bel Air Cemetery is a good option. Although the cemetery is abandoned in the middle of tropical vegetation, a few stone tombs remain. This place tells the story of Seychelles’ colonial past. It’s a mysterious place where many legends are told! If you’re a curious person with an adventurous streak, you’ll love a visit to this unusual place.

Next to Victoria Market, pictured above, is the Clock Tower, one of the Seychelles’ landmarks. It’s a replica of London’s Little Ben, built in 1903 in honor of Queen Victoria of England. The Clock Tower is located in the heart of the capital where you can enjoy the friendly atmosphere of the city! As you can see, Seychelles is not only a paradise, it’s also steeped in history. In my eyes, this makes it an even more interesting destination to discover, and I’m sure history buffs will agree.

We’re still in the heart of Victoria with this beautiful Cathedral of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, right next to the Clock Tower. This monument represents the history and culture of the Seychelles archipelago! The details of the cathedral and its architecture invite you to explore. You can also visit the interior, which is just as impressive! This cathedral attracts locals and travelers alike. You’re sure to enjoy your visit.

Get back to nature with an exploration of the Morne Seychellois National Park. Here you can discover an impressive variety of vegetation. As you follow the park’s various trails, you’ll be surrounded by palm trees, colorful orchids and more! You’ll be able to enjoy it all in peace and quiet. Here’s a tip: climb to the top of Morne Seychellois for breathtaking views of Mahé Island and the turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean.

What’s more, this national park is really important for the conservation of the Seychelles’ environment. In short, a walk in the Morne Seychellois National Park is a must if you’re in the area!

This museum invites you to explore the biodiversity of the Seychelles archipelago. During your visit, you can see colorful birds and even tropical plants. Each exhibit takes you on a journey from geological formation to the biodiversity of today. You can also try out the interactive exhibits (which are always more fun). In my opinion, it’s a must-see and a great way to learn more about this beautiful archipelago. I, for one, would definitely stop off at this museum. You know me, geology is one of my favorite subjects!

So when I say “shopping” I’m talking about people looking for souvenirs, local produce, clothing boutiques and so on. Of course, Victoria is still a small capital city. You can, for example, shop in the boutiques on the waterfront. As you might expect, you’ll find seashells and handmade souvenirs. For a more local experience, as mentioned earlier, head to Sir Selwyn-Clarke Market!

For everything else, head to the Eden Plaza shopping mall: clothing boutiques, jewelry shops and even a supermarket. As for art, there are several galleries in the capital featuring works by Seychellois artists! As you can see, in Victoria, although the shopping tour is short, you’re sure to find what you’re looking for!

I couldn’t talk about Victoria without mentioning water sports. In fact, from Victoria you can easily take a boat trip to Sainte-Anne Marine National Park or Praslin! And that’s not all. Beau Vallon is a superb beach 4km from Victoria for diving and exploring the Seychelles seabed. If you’ve never been diving before, I highly recommend you take the plunge! I personally love it!

If you prefer to stay on the surface, snorkeling is a great way to get a glimpse of marine life. For the more sporty, Beau Vallon also offers surfing, kayaking and canoeing! If you ask me, whether you’re a snorkeller or a water sports enthusiast, you won’t be bored!

At this stage of the article, I hope you’ve already got an idea of what to do if you’re staying in Victoria for a few days. The Seychelles capital is a real tourist attraction. To find out more about tourism in the Seychelles, visit the Tourism Seychelles website, which is updated regularly!

When it comes to the Victoria area, I had to tell you about the wonderful walks you can do. Whether you’re an amateur or an expert, the walks around Victoria offer magnificent views of the ocean in the heart of tropical vegetation! In any case, you can always alternate between a day of hiking and a day of lazing ahah! In the meantime, here are the walks you won’t want to miss:

• Copolia Trail: This is an accessible hike that I’ve heard great feedback about. You’ll hike through a tropical forest to a stunning view of the whole island of Mahé! This walk is part of the famous Morne Seychellois National Park.
• Sentier du Morne Seychellois: As the name suggests, this walk is also part of the Morne Seychellois National Park! At the end of this hike, you’ll have incredible views of Victoria and the Sainte-Anne National Marine Park.
• Sentier des 3 frères (3 brothers trail): A Pleasant, fairly quick hike (1h30 return) with stunning views of Victoria, the Sainte-Anne Marine National Park and even Praslin and La Digue!

Here’s an overview of the walks and trails to discover around Victoria. Whatever your level of fitness and sense of adventure, you’re sure to find one or more walks to suit you.

It’s all well and good on Mahé, but it would be a shame not to visit other islands in the Seychelles archipelago. There are 115 islands in all! We agree, it’s not possible to visit them all in one trip, or even two, haha. After all, Praslin is the second largest island in the Seychelles! There are plenty of things to see and do on Praslin, including the Vallée de Mai. And let’s not forget La Digue, which is less well known but just as beautiful. In fact, it’s a more unspoilt island, ideal for discovering magnificent landscapes and experiencing the local culture. I suggest you read the article written by Aurélie (link above) who was lucky enough to stay there! So, are you ready to add these two islands to your itinerary? Let me know how you get on.

Now that we’ve covered biodiversity, history and even sports, let’s take a look at Victoria’s cultural events. If you’re particularly fond of these types of events and are flexible about the dates of your stay, this section should be of interest to you!

I’ve heard the atmosphere at the Victoria International Carnival is incredible! On the streets of Victoria you can enjoy beautiful parades, decorated floats with dancers and an incredible atmosphere with local and international artists. Although it’s not the carnival of Rio de Janeiro, this event welcomes visitors from all over the world. And that’s not all! During Carnival you can also enjoy dance performances, art exhibitions and, for those with a sweet tooth, Creole food tastings. If you like to party or are looking for a cultural experience, check the dates of the Victoria Carnival (it’s usually in April every year).

Fet Afrik is a festival held on 25 May (every year) in Victoria! It’s a cultural festival that celebrates African unity and diversity. On the programme: concerts by famous Seychellois and African artists, parades, local crafts, dance performances, Creole food, all in a festive atmosphere!

This festival is considered to be the biggest cultural event in the Seychelles. You’ll enjoy a lively programme of music, dance, local food, jazz concerts and much more! Everything you need to have a great time! Imagine taking part in all this right on the beach. If you fancy it, the festival takes place every year at the end of October on the islands of Mahé, Praslin and La Digue (check the dates just in case).

As the name suggests, this festival celebrates underwater life by organizing photo competitions with prizes to be won: best video, best underwater photo and so on. It’s a great way to promote activities like snorkeling and diving in the Seychelles. And of course there’s always a great atmosphere at the festival! If you’re interested, the festival is held every year on the island of Mahé in late November or early December (check the dates).

I know that food is an important part of a successful trip! You’ll be able to sample Creole cuisine, a blend of spices and exotic produce. To find out more about typical dishes, I invite you to visit the page dedicated to information about Les Seychelles. In the meantime, I’ve put together a selection of restaurants in Victoria that have received nothing but good reviews:

• Le Marie-Antoinette: a restaurant full of history and flavors, ideal for taking your taste buds on a journey! What’s more, this restaurant has been famous throughout the archipelago since it was founded in 1972. Here you’ll be able to taste delicious local and fresh dishes: fish, chicken curry and more!
• Del Place Restaurant: Head to Victoria Harbour for this charming seaside restaurant! Specialities include seafood and cocktails, all at reasonable prices. It’s a great place to go!
• Le Moloko: If you’re looking for a typical Creole restaurant, you won’t be disappointed! The reviews are unanimous: the food is very good and you’ll be welcomed in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
• La Scala Restaurant: this restaurant will take you to Italy! On the menu: pasta and freshly caught fish. Would you like to try it?
• The Maharajas: an Indian restaurant offering authentic, spicy cuisine in an idyllic setting on Eden Island (near Victoria). The quality of the food and the sea views are perfect for having a good time and even watching the sunset.

I hope these restaurants give you a good idea of the variety of cuisines you can try in the Seychelles capital. I’m sure you’ll enjoy them!

Just like with food, you’ll have plenty of accommodation choices in Victoria. To give you a few ideas :

To treat yourself :

• The Ridge Residence : A beautiful 4‑star hotel located in Victoria! You can enjoy high‑quality amenities: an outdoor pool and rooms with sea views.
• Hilltop Boutique Hotel : A family‑run property offering a lovely ocean view and modern, fully equipped rooms. You will undoubtedly love it!

For a quality and affordable stay :

• Phoenix Apartments : A family apartment with an infinity pool, comfortable rooms and, as a bonus, a beautiful mountain view.
• Beau séjour Hotel : Charming mid‑range hotel, close to both the capital’s centre and the beach. The ideal compromise for a comfortable stay in Victoria!
• Blue Hill : A beautiful hillside accommodation with breathtaking views over Victoria and good‑quality services. Just perfect for a successful holiday in the Seychelles.

Although Victoria is the capital of the Seychelles, it’s not where accommodation is most expensive—you’ll generally find a middle ground. If you prefer a quieter spot, read our article on accommodation on Mahé Island.

There are a number of ways to get around Victoria:

• On foot: Let’s start with the easiest! If you’re a keen walker, it’s great to get out and about and even get lost in the city center. It might even be a good opportunity to make some serendipitous discoveries. Victoria is also a relatively small city, so it’s easy to get around on foot.
• By bus: The city’s bus network allows you to get around Victoria and the surrounding area. Although it’s limited, it’s fair to say that the bus network gets the job done. In any case, you’ll have no trouble getting around the capital’s CBD and the monuments mentioned above.
• By car: You won’t need a car in central Victoria. But if you want to get out of the city and explore the island of Mahé, you’ll need a rental car to be completely free. By the way, I can recommend DiscoverCars, the car hire comparison service I’ve been using for years to get the best deals.

As for me, when I travel, I prefer to rent a car to be completely autonomous. When I’m in a city like Victoria, I find there’s nothing better than walking around the center and enjoying the atmosphere. Believe me, I’ve had some great serendipitous discoveries!

I’ve come to the end of my comprehensive guide to things to do in Victoria, Seychelles. I hope this article has inspired you to visit the Seychelles capital during your trip. Anyway, now you know all about things to do in Victoria. I’m sure you won’t miss a thing in this city. So, convinced to add Victoria to your itinerary?

By the way, for your stay in the sun, you’ve probably planned a few days or more to explore the island of Praslin. Don’t hesitate to read our article to find out what you can do on Praslin.

Don’t hesitate to share your opinions and experiences in the comments section.

See you soon for more activities under the sun,

Written by Sylvain PONS

In this article, I'd like to introduce you to the wonders of the Seychelles archipelago, a paradise lost in the middle of the Indian Ocean, perfect for relaxing, having a good time and simply enjoying yourself!

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