Africa · Eastern Africa

Madagascar

Republic of Madagascar

Flag of Madagascar
Local Time
--:--:--
UTC+03:00
🏛️ Capital
Antananarivo
👥 Population
31,727,042
📐 Area
587,041 km²
💱 Currency
Malagasy ariary (Ar)
🗣️ Languages
French, Malagasy
📞 Calling Code
+261
🕐 Time Zones
UTC+03:00
🌐 Region
Africa / Eastern Africa

About Madagascar

Madagascar is a world unto itself — the world's fourth-largest island, separated from the African continent for around 88 million years, evolving in magnificent isolation to produce plants and animals found nowhere else on Earth. When you land in Antananarivo and begin your journey into this extraordinary island, you quickly realise that Madagascar is not simply an African destination but a parallel universe of biodiversity. Over 90 percent of its wildlife is endemic: ring-tailed lemurs peer at you from tamarind trees, chameleons the size of your thumb cling to branches, and baobab trees stand like ancient sentinels along dusty red roads.

The landscapes are as diverse as the wildlife. In the south, the spiny forest of the Atsimo-Andrefana region bristles with octopus trees and cacti under an intensely blue sky. The central highlands rise to rolling green plateaus dotted with rice paddies and terracotta-coloured villages where zebu cattle roam. The western coast around Morondava is famous for the legendary Avenue of the Baobabs, a dirt road flanked by a cathedral of ancient trees that glows amber at sunset. Northern Madagascar around Nosy Be offers turquoise waters, colourful reefs, and the forested peaks of Montagne d'Ambre National Park.

Travelling through Madagascar requires patience — roads can be rough, distances are long, and the infrastructure is developing — but that is precisely what preserves its raw, unhurried magic. You will meet the Malagasy people, one of the most culturally distinctive populations on the planet, descended from Austronesian seafarers and Bantu Africans, and you will find a warmth and spiritual depth that transforms any logistical challenge into a cherished memory.

History & Background

Madagascar's human story began around 350–550 CE when Austronesian seafarers from Borneo made the extraordinary 7,000-kilometre crossing of the Indian Ocean in outrigger canoes, becoming the island's first inhabitants. Over subsequent centuries, Bantu-speaking people crossed from East Africa, Arab and Swahili traders established coastal settlements, and the Merina kingdom in the central highlands rose to prominence. By the 18th century, the Merina king Andrianampoinimerina had unified much of the island under his rule, and his son Radama I is recognised as the first king of all Madagascar.

France colonised Madagascar in 1896 after decades of pressure and war, ending the Merina monarchy and imposing forced labour and cultural suppression that fuelled deep resentment. The independence movement gained momentum after World War Two, and the Malagasy Uprising of 1947 — brutally suppressed by French forces — is still mourned as a national tragedy. Madagascar achieved independence on June 26, 1960, a date celebrated as the national holiday. Post-independence politics have been turbulent, marked by coups and economic hardship, but the Malagasy people's cultural identity and extraordinary natural heritage have endured with remarkable vitality.

Culture & People

The Malagasy people represent one of history's most remarkable cultural syntheses: descendants of Austronesian settlers who arrived by outrigger canoe from Borneo some 1,500 years ago, blending over centuries with Bantu Africans, Arabs, and later Indian and European traders. Their Austronesian heritage is visible in the language (Malagasy is closely related to Malay), in the architecture of elevated wooden houses, and in practices such as rice cultivation and outrigger fishing. This foundation was layered with Bantu traditions, Arab Islam along the coast, and French colonial influence from the late 19th century.

Central to Malagasy culture is the concept of fady — a system of taboos and prohibitions tied to ancestors, sacred days, and local customs that vary significantly between the island's 18 ethnic groups. The Famadihana, or "turning of the bones," is one of the most striking and profound expressions of ancestral veneration: families periodically exhume their ancestors' remains, rewrap them in fresh burial cloths, and celebrate with music and dancing in a joyful affirmation of the bond between the living and the dead. Visitors who are respectfully invited to witness this ceremony often describe it as one of the most moving experiences of their lives.

Food & Cuisine

Malagasy cuisine reflects the island's diverse cultural heritage, with rice (vary) as the absolute cornerstone of every meal. The Malagasy consume more rice per capita than almost any other nation, eating it two to three times daily in a variety of preparations. The most common accompaniment is romazava, a warming broth made with zebu beef, leafy greens, and fragrant ginger — considered the national dish. Ravitoto, a stew of shredded cassava leaves cooked with pork, is a beloved western highland speciality with a deep, earthy flavour.

Seafood is magnificent along the coast, with grilled crayfish, crab, and octopus prepared simply with lemon and garlic being particular highlights in fishing villages. Street food stalls serve mofo gasy (rice flour pancakes) for breakfast and vary amin'anana (rice with greens) for lunch. Fresh tropical fruits — vanilla-scented pineapple, litchis, mangoes, and the Malagasy banana — are outstanding. Locally produced vanilla, the world's finest, flavours everything from rum punches to ice cream. The strong local rum (toaka gasy) is a fixture of rural celebrations, while Three Horses Beer (THB) is the ubiquitous lager.

Top Attractions

  • Avenue of the Baobabs — A breathtaking dirt road near Morondava lined with towering baobab trees up to 800 years old, most spectacular at sunrise and sunset.
  • Tsingy de Bemaraha (UNESCO) — A dramatic landscape of razor-sharp limestone pinnacles in western Madagascar, home to unique wildlife accessible via suspension bridges and climbing routes.
  • Ranomafana National Park — A biodiverse highland rainforest where golden bamboo lemurs and dozens of other endemic species inhabit the misty forest canopy.
  • Île Sainte-Marie — A slender island off the east coast with white-sand beaches, pirate history, and some of the world's best humpback whale watching from July to September.
  • Isalo National Park — Otherworldly sandstone massifs, natural swimming pools, and canyon trails in the semi-arid south of the island, ideal for multi-day trekking.
  • Andasibe-Mantadia National Park — The closest major park to Antananarivo, famous for the haunting calls of the indri — the largest living lemur — at dawn.

Practical Travel Tips

  • Book a reputable local guide — essential for national parks where independent access is restricted and guides genuinely enhance wildlife spotting.
  • Roads outside major cities can be very rough; a 4WD vehicle is often necessary, and journey times are typically much longer than the distance suggests.
  • Carry plenty of small-denomination ariary (MGA) as ATMs are unreliable outside Antananarivo and credit cards are rarely accepted.
  • Respect local fady (taboos) — always ask your guide about prohibitions specific to each region, as violating them causes deep offence.
  • Malaria prophylaxis is strongly recommended for most areas below 2,000 metres; consult a travel health clinic before departure.
  • Pack a portable water filter or purification tablets; tap water is not safe to drink outside major hotels.
  • The internal airline Air Madagascar connects major destinations and saves enormous time on long overland routes.

Visa Overview

Most nationalities, including citizens of the European Union, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia, can obtain a tourist visa on arrival at Ivato International Airport in Antananarivo. Visas are available for 30 or 60 days and can be extended at the immigration office. The fee is paid in euros or US dollars. It is advisable to carry the exact fee and the required passport photos. Alternatively, an e-visa can be obtained in advance online through the official government portal. Always verify the current requirements before travelling as policies can change.

Getting Around

Madagascar's transport network requires flexibility and patience. Domestic flights with Air Madagascar or Tsaradia connect major cities such as Antananarivo, Nosy Be, Toliara, and Fort Dauphin, saving days of overland travel. National route RN7 from Antananarivo to Toliara is one of Africa's great road journeys and is paved, but most other national roads are rough and slow. Bush taxis (taxi-brousse) are the cheapest way to travel between towns but can be very crowded. Car hire with a local driver is the most comfortable option for independent exploration. Motorbike hire is available in resort areas.

Safety Notes

Madagascar requires standard precautions but is generally safe for visitors who travel thoughtfully. Petty theft and bag-snatching occur in Antananarivo, particularly around the Analakely market and bus station areas; avoid displaying expensive gear. Night travel on rural roads carries risks of banditry in some regions — always seek local advice before setting out after dark. Armed robberies have occasionally targeted tourists in isolated national parks, so travel with reputable guides. The emergency number for police is 117; medical facilities outside the capital are very limited, so comprehensive travel insurance including evacuation cover is essential.

Live Exchange Rates

Current exchange rates for currencies used in Madagascar.

Malagasy ariary (MGA) Ar
Updated: 2026-06-09
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.003373
AAVE 0.000004
ADA 0.001433
AED 0.000874
AFN 0.014931
AGIX 0.002628
AKT 0.000383
ALGO 0.002614
ALL 0.019651
AMD 0.087750
AMP 0.449579
ANG 0.000429
AOA 0.218598
APE 0.001947
APT 0.000370
AR 0.000126
ARB 0.002961
ARS 0.344365
ATOM 0.000137
ATS 0.002840
AUD 0.000338
AVAX 0.000036
AWG 0.000426
AXS 0.000257
AZM 2.023886
AZN 0.000405
BAKE 0.326294
BAM 0.000404
BAT 0.002501
BBD 0.000476
BCH 0.000001
BDT 0.029212
BEF 0.008325
BGN 0.000404
BHD 0.000090
BIF 0.710124
BMD 0.000238
BNB 0.000000
BND 0.000307
BOB 0.001649
BRL 0.001239
BSD 0.000238
BSV 0.000020
BSW 0.723812
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.003249
BTG 0.000723
BTN 0.022771
BTT 889.865782
BUSD 0.000238
BWP 0.003207
BYN 0.000668
BYR 4.667335
BZD 0.000479
CAD 0.000332
CAKE 0.000181
CDF 0.550424
CELO 0.004017
CFX 0.005303
CHF 0.000190
CHZ 0.009271
CLP 0.219829
CNH 0.001614
CNY 0.001614
COMP 0.000013
COP 0.855196
CRC 0.109792
CRO 0.003917
CRV 0.001209
CSPR 0.104452
CUC 0.000238
CUP 0.006310
CVE 0.022756
CVX 0.000194
CYP 0.000121
CZK 0.004994
DAI 0.000238
DASH 0.000007
DCR 0.000020
DEM 0.000404
DFI 0.291806
DJF 0.042341
DKK 0.001542
DOGE 0.002794
DOP 0.013836
DOT 0.000249
DYDX 0.001809
DZD 0.031836
EEK 0.003229
EGLD 0.000082
EGP 0.012419
ENJ 0.007949
EOS 0.003788
ERN 0.003571
ESP 0.034336
ETB 0.037792
ETC 0.000034
ETH 0.000000
EUR 0.000206
EURC 0.000206
FEI 0.000238
FIL 0.000312
FIM 0.001227
FJD 0.000528
FKP 0.000178
FLOW 0.008951
FLR 0.033606
FRAX 0.000240
FRF 0.001354
FTT 0.000822
GALA 0.092482
GBP 0.000178
GEL 0.000632
GGP 0.000178
GHC 28.136352
GHS 0.002814
GIP 0.000178
GMD 0.017497
GMX 0.000042
GNF 2.084851
GNO 0.000003
GRD 0.070319
GRT 0.012076
GT 0.000037
GTQ 0.001814
GUSD 0.000238
GYD 0.049772
HBAR 0.002963
HKD 0.001866
HNL 0.006359
HNT 0.000587
HOT 0.780627
HRK 0.001555
HT 0.002228
HTG 0.031134
HUF 0.073441
ICP 0.000104
IDR 4.330157
IEP 0.000163
ILS 0.000699
IMP 0.000178
IMX 0.001748
INJ 0.000044
INR 0.022771
IQD 0.311970
IRR 327.439779
ISK 0.029594
ITL 0.399577
JEP 0.000178
JMD 0.037553
JOD 0.000169
JPY 0.038157
KAS 0.007396
KAVA 0.005426
KCS 0.000037
KDA 0.034568
KES 0.030799
KGS 0.020820
KHR 0.956761
KLAY 0.006473
KMF 0.101525
KNC 0.001986
KPW 0.214282
KRW 0.361720
KSM 0.000066
KWD 0.000074
KYD 0.000198
KZT 0.115636
LAK 5.246369
LBP 21.459200
LDO 0.000908
LEO 0.000025
LINK 0.000030
LKR 0.080177
LRC 0.018272
LRD 0.043451
LSL 0.003926
LTC 0.000006
LTL 0.000713
LUF 0.008325
LUNA 0.004568
LUNC 3.437835
LVL 0.000145
LYD 0.001516
MAD 0.002203
MANA 0.003626
MBX 0.008460
MDL 0.004143
MGF 5.0000
MINA 0.005656
MKD 0.012719
MKR 0.000000
MMK 0.499909
MNT 0.852300
MOP 0.001922
MRO 0.095717
MRU 0.009572
MTL 0.000089
MUR 0.011394
MVR 0.003680
MWK 0.413362
MXN 0.004154
MXV 0.000471
MYR 0.000968
MZM 15.202859
MZN 0.015203
NAD 0.003926
NEAR 0.000116
NEO 0.000111
NEXO 0.000304
NFT 891.219021
NGN 0.324178
NIO 0.008740
NLG 0.000455
NOK 0.002255
NPR 0.036451
NZD 0.000409
OKB 0.000003
OMR 0.000092
ONE 0.161452
OP 0.002540
ORDI 0.000079
PAB 0.000238
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.000827
PEPE 85.852950
PGK 0.001043
PHP 0.014662
PI 0.001853
PKR 0.066297
PLN 0.000875
POL 0.003126
PTE 0.041372
PYG 1.457741
QAR 0.000867
QNT 0.000004
QTUM 0.000347
ROL 10.820628
RON 0.001082
RPL 0.000181
RSD 0.024223
RUB 0.017378
RUNE 0.000683
RVN 0.055283
RWF 0.349121
SAND 0.004717
SAR 0.000893
SBD 0.001912
SCR 0.003301
SDD 14.291251
SDG 0.142913
SEK 0.002244
SGD 0.000307
SHIB 50.995794
SHP 0.000178
SIT 0.049453
SKK 0.006217
SLE 0.005431
SLL 5.431046
SNX 0.000989
SOL 0.000004
SOS 0.135905
SPL 0.000040
SRD 0.008917
SRG 8.917431
SSP 1.122504
STD 5.107555
STN 0.005108
STX 0.001318
SUI 0.000320
SVC 0.002083
SYP 0.026321
SZL 0.003926
THB 0.007830
THETA 0.001588
TJS 0.002224
TMM 4.166272
TMT 0.000833
TND 0.000696
TON 0.000138
TOP 0.000567
TRL 10,980.151971
TRX 0.000732
TRY 0.010980
TTD 0.001613
TUSD 0.000238
TVD 0.000338
TWD 0.007509
TWT 0.000639
TZS 0.624665
UAH 0.010627
UGX 0.898517
UNI 0.000096
USD 0.000238
USDC 0.000238
USDD 0.000238
USDP 0.000238
USDT 0.000238
UYU 0.009586
UZS 2.863362
VAL 0.399577
VEB 13,445,387.745450
VED 0.134462
VEF 13,446.149542
VES 0.134462
VET 0.049179
VND 6.268747
VUV 0.028407
WAVES 0.000940
WEMIX 0.000920
WOO 0.018209
WST 0.000648
XAF 0.135366
XAG 0.000004
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.000645
XCG 0.000429
XCH 0.000116
XDC 0.007768
XDR 0.000175
XEC 44.449876
XEM 0.447813
XLM 0.001208
XMR 0.000001
XOF 0.135366
XPD 0.000000
XPF 0.024626
XPT 0.000000
XRP 0.000206
XTZ 0.000985
YER 0.056815
ZAR 0.003926
ZEC 0.000001
ZIL 0.077964
ZMK 4.219232
ZMW 0.004219
ZWD 0.086168
ZWG 0.006382
ZWL 15.946515

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Cities in Madagascar 204
Browse all cities and towns
Alatsinainy Ialamarina Ambalarondra Ambalavao Ambalavao Ambanja Ambanja Ambato Boeny Ambato Boina Ambatofinandrahana Ambatolampy Ambatolampy Ambatomainty Ambatondrazaka Ambatosoa Ambilobe Ambilobe Ambinaninony Ambinaniroa Amboasary Amboasary Ambodifototra Ambohidratrimo Ambohimahasoa Ambohimanana Ambohimanga Du Sud Ambondromamy Ambositra Ambovombe Ampanihy Ampanihy Amparafaravola Ampatsy Ampangabe Analalava Analavory Andapa Andevoranto Andilamena Andohanilakaka Andranobory Anjahamana Anjozorobe Anjozorobe Ankadinondry Sakay Ankafina-Tsarafidy Ankazoabo Ankazoabo Ankazobe Ankazobe Ankazomiriotra Ankilizato Anosibe An'ala Antalaha Antanambao Manampontsy Antananarivo Antananarivo Antanifotsy Antanifotsy Antanimora Antsalova Antsirabe Antsirabe Antsirambazaha Antsiranana Antsiranana Antsohihy Antsohihy Arivonimamo Arivonimamo Bealanana Bealanana Befandriana Bekily Belo-Tsiribihina Beloha Beloha Belon'i Tsiribihina Beroroha Beroroha Besalampy Betafo Betafo Betioka Betioky Betroka Bevoay Bezaha Brickaville Dzamandzar Ejeda Emagnobo Enakara Fandriana Farafangana Faratsiho Faratsiho Fenoarivo Fenoarivo Atsinanana Fenoarivobe Fetraomby Fianarantsoa Fianarantsoa Hell-Ville Iakora Ifanadiana Ifanadiana Ifarantsa Ihosy Ihosy Ikalamavony Ikalamavony Ikongo Imerintsiatosika Isaka-Ivondro Isoanala Ivohibe Kandreho Lazarivo Maevatanàna Mahabo Mahajanga Mahajanga Mahanoro Mahanoro Mahatalaky Mahatsara Mahavelona Mahitsy Maintirano Malaimbandy Mampikony Manakara Manambaro Mananara Mananara Avaratra Manandriana Mananjary Mananjary Mandiso Mandoto Mandritsara Manja Manjakandriana Manjakandriana Maroantsetra Maroantsetra Marolambo Marolambo Maroseranana Marotsiraka Marovoay Marovoay Miandrivazo Miandrivazo Miarinarivo Midongy Atsimo Mitsinjo Morafenobe Moramanga Morombe Morondava Morondava Nahampoana Namakia Namoly Nosy Varika Nosy Varika Port-Bergé Ranohira Ranomafana Sakaraha Sakaraha Sambava Sampona Sandrakatsy Sarisambo Soalala Soanierana Ivongo Soavinandriana Soavinandriana Tamboharivo Sahatona Tanambe Tanandava Taolanaro Toamasina Toamasina Tolagnaro Toliara Toliary Tsaratanana Tsaratanàna Tsihombe Tsihombe Tsiroanomandidy Tsiroanomandidy Tsivory Vangaindrano Vangaindrano Vatomandry Vavatenina Vohemar Vohibinany Vohipeno Vondrozo Vondrozo

Visa Requirements

Check what visa a citizen of Madagascar needs to enter any country.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the capital of Madagascar?
The capital of Madagascar is Antananarivo.
What currency does Madagascar use?
Madagascar uses the Malagasy ariary (Ar) as its official currency.
What language is spoken in Madagascar?
The official language(s) of Madagascar include French, Malagasy.
What is the population of Madagascar?
Madagascar has a population of approximately 31,727,042 people.
What region is Madagascar in?
Madagascar is located in Africa, specifically in the Eastern Africa subregion.
What is the international calling code for Madagascar?
The international dialing code for Madagascar is +261.
What time zones does Madagascar observe?
Madagascar observes the following time zone(s): UTC+03:00.
What is the current time in Madagascar?
The local time in Madagascar is currently --:--. This time applies to the primary time zone.
What is the total area of Madagascar?
Madagascar covers a total area of 587,041 km².
How many states or provinces does Madagascar have?
Madagascar is divided into 27 states or provinces.
What are the public holidays in Madagascar in 2026?
You can view the complete list of public holidays for Madagascar in 2026 on the Holidays 2026 page.
What are the visa requirements for citizens of Madagascar?
Visa requirements for citizens of Madagascar vary by destination. Use our Visa Requirements Checker below to look up requirements for any destination country.