Victoria

Victoria's centrally located clock tower

Victoria is the capital of the Seychelles islands, on the island of Mahe.

Victoria is one of the smallest capital cities in the world and the only major port in the Seychelles. Its courthouse and post office in the centre of town have been virtually unchanged since colonial times.

Understand

Victoria's port

In 2010, it was home about 26,500 people.

Get in

By plane

• 1 Seychelles International Airport (SEZ  ^IATA). This is the hub for Air Seychelles. Air Seychelles flies from Bangkok, London, Paris, Frankfurt, Johannesburg, Rome, Milan and Port Louis using Boeing 767s and Airbus A330 aircraft. International service is also available from Nairobi (Kenya Airways), Dubai (Emirates), Abu Dhabi (Etihad Airways), La Réunion (Air Austral) and Doha (Qatar Airways), along with regular charter services from Frankfurt (Condor) and Amsterdam (Martinair).  

Get around

By bus

These buses cater to the locals and are fairly cheap. Buses are sometimes irregular and may come to a stop less often than in other cities, so don't be surprised to wait for a while.

By taxis

The taxis are metered and will often offer to be your tour guide around the island. Negotiate a price beforehand.

By bike

The most popular alternative among locals. Bikes can be rented for cheap at some shops in the city.

See

Tamil Vinayakar Kovil

• 1 Natural History Museum, Independence Ave, ☏ +248 4 32 13 33, [email protected]. The museum features many displays of the natural wildlife of the Seychelles. (updated Feb 2021)
• 2 Immaculate Conception Cathedral (Cathedral of Victoria), Olivier Maradan St. The largest Catholic Church in the country, built in 1892 in the French colonial architectural style. (updated Feb 2021)
• Arul Mihu Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple (Tamil Vinayakar Kovil) (near the fish market and clock tower). The main place of worship for Seychelle's second largest religious community, the colourfully decorated Hindu temple is one of the architectural drawcards to Victoria. (updated Feb 2021)

Attractions in the city include a clocktower modelled on that of Vauxhall Clock Tower in London, England, the Courthouse, the Victoria Botanical Gardens and the Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market. The city is also home to the national stadium and a polytechnic institute, while the inner harbour lies immediately east of the town, around which tuna fishing and canning form a major local industry. One of the largest bridges in Victoria was destroyed in the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake.

Do

• Visit the morning market where residents buy and bargain for fresh fish, fruits and vegetables.

Buy

Coconuts and coconut products are very abundant in Victoria and sell for fairly cheap.

• Victoria Market. (updated Jul 2015)
• Barcays Bank., Independence ave.. master card / visa card ATM (updated Jul 2015)
• STC Supermarket, Albert street.. (updated Jul 2015)

Eat

• Islander Restaurant/Anchor Café is Anse a’ La Mouche. Owned by an American, and his family. He is former USAF who worked in Seychelles . Excellent food, great location. (closed on Sundays)
• Marie Antoinette in St. Louis. Family style, you eat what they give you, generally it is about 5 different items. If you go with two people, order for one, if you have three, order for two and if you have five order for three. They give you a lot of food, genuine Creole. M-Sa 18:30-21:00.
• Boat House in Beau Vallon. Creole Buffet, they open at 07:30, get there early, once it’s gone, it’s gone.
• La Perle Noir (The Black Pearl ) in Beau Vallon. Fancier place and a bit pricier.

Drink

• 1 Barrel Night Club, Revolution Ave, ☏ +248 4 322 136. Longstanding bar and nightclub that is a hip spot for reggae and discotheque jams. Billiard tables also. (updated Feb 2021)
• 2 Boardwalk Bar & Grill. M-Th 08:00-midnight, later on Fridays. This is where you can have your pilsner or Captain Morgan rum on the dock overlooking the water. (updated Feb 2021)

Sleep

Budget

• Calypha Guest House, Ma Constance (off North Coast Road), ☏ +248 4 241 157, [email protected]. Family-owned basic accommodation. Has a restaurant serving Creole cuisine. (updated Dec 2018)

Splurge

• Belair Hotel, ☏ +248 422 4416, [email protected]. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 10:00. All rooms are air-conditioned and have free WiFi. Can help you organise activities. Pets are not allowed. From €165. 
• Casuarina Beach Hotel. Safe and clean rooms. Approximately US$200. 
• 1 Avani Seychelles Barbarons (formerly Le Méridien), ☏ +248 4 673 000, [email protected]. Check-in: 12:00, check-out: 10:00. Private beach resort with spacious rooms. Staff are fluent in French and English. About $US380.