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: 2026-10-05
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.002150
AAVE 0.000001
ADA 0.000841
AED 0.000824
AFN 0.014472
AKT 0.000283
ALGO 0.001714
ALL 0.018346
AMD 0.081290
AMP 0.354663
ANG 0.000404
AOA 0.205907
APE 0.001338
APT 0.000284
AR 0.000050
ARB 0.001116
ARS 0.343830
ATOM 0.000129
ATS 0.002761
AUD 0.000323
AVAX 0.000021
AWG 0.000402
AXS 0.000171
AZM 1.907435
AZN 0.000381
BAKE 0.934442
BAM 0.000392
BAT 0.002185
BBD 0.000449
BCH 0.000001
BDT 0.027595
BEF 0.008094
BGN 0.000392
BHD 0.000084
BIF 0.676320
BMD 0.000224
BNB 0.000000
BND 0.000288
BOB 0.002688
BRL 0.001172
BSD 0.000224
BSV 0.000011
BSW 0.540197
BTC 0.000000
BTCB 0.003166
BTG 0.000339
BTN 0.021642
BTT 599.237444
BUSD 0.000224
BWP 0.003099
BYN 0.000674
BYR 4.391980
BZD 0.000452
CAD 0.000321
CAKE 0.000090
CDF 0.518701
CELO 0.002134
CFX 0.004161
CHF 0.000186
CHZ 0.013426
CLP 0.219877
CNH 0.001506
CNY 0.001505
COMP 0.000009
COP 0.736122
CRC 0.102797
CRO 0.003287
CRV 0.000586
CSPR 0.087050
CUC 0.000224
CUP 0.005374
CVE 0.022126
CVX 0.000096
CYP 0.000117
CZK 0.004901
DAI 0.000224
DASH 0.000004
DCR 0.000012
DEM 0.000392
DFI 0.339191
DJF 0.040017
DKK 0.001500
DOGE 0.002355
DOP 0.013432
DOT 0.000185
DYDX 0.001550
DZD 0.030000
EEK 0.003140
EGLD 0.000050
EGP 0.011814
ENJ 0.006713
EOS 0.002327
ERN 0.003366
ESP 0.033386
ETB 0.036636
ETC 0.000025
ETH 0.000000
EUR 0.000201
EURC 0.000200
FEI 0.000224
FIL 0.000214
FIM 0.001193
FJD 0.000506
FKP 0.000170
FLOW 0.007096
FLR 0.031064
FRAX 0.000226
FRF 0.001316
FTT 0.000878
GALA 0.090487
GBP 0.000170
GEL 0.000582
GGP 0.000170
GHC 26.309265
GHS 0.002631
GIP 0.000170
GMD 0.016622
GMX 0.000027
GNF 1.975065
GNO 0.000002
GRD 0.068372
GRT 0.007497
GT 0.000020
GTQ 0.001715
GUSD 0.000225
GYD 0.046906
HBAR 0.002175
HKD 0.001761
HNL 0.006039
HNT 0.000391
HOT 0.501185
HRK 0.001512
HT 0.006214
HTG 0.029364
HUF 0.073985
ICP 0.000069
IDR 4.026058
IEP 0.000158
ILS 0.000685
IMP 0.000170
IMX 0.001235
INJ 0.000030
INR 0.021642
IQD 0.293794
IRR 391.365655
ISK 0.027527
ITL 0.388518
JEP 0.000170
JMD 0.035496
JOD 0.000159
JPY 0.035472
KAS 0.005255
KAVA 0.003258
KCS 0.000030
KDA 0.024149
KES 0.028901
KGS 0.019625
KHR 0.909792
KLAY 0.005951
KMF 0.098715
KNC 0.001594
KPW 0.201673
KRW 0.302173
KSM 0.000044
KWD 0.000069
KYD 0.000186
KZT 0.100644
LAK 5.057695
LBP 20.116652
LDO 0.000481
LEO 0.000025
LINK 0.000016
LKR 0.074161
LRC 0.021326
LRD 0.038535
LSL 0.003755
LTC 0.000003
LTL 0.000693
LUF 0.008094
LUNA 0.004422
LUNC 4.266628
LVL 0.000141
LYD 0.001436
MAD 0.002212
MANA 0.002209
MBX 0.007540
MDL 0.004006
MGF 5.0000
MINA 0.001402
MKD 0.012289
MKR 0.000000
MMK 0.471070
MNT 0.807663
MOP 0.001814
MRO 0.090120
MRU 0.009012
MTL 0.000086
MUR 0.010872
MVR 0.003469
MWK 0.388830
MXN 0.004090
MXV 0.000464
MYR 0.000917
MZM 14.324064
MZN 0.014324
NAD 0.003755
NEAR 0.000046
NEO 0.000088
NEXO 0.000261
NFT 933.573825
NGN 0.297806
NIO 0.008245
NLG 0.000442
NOK 0.002169
NPR 0.034643
NZD 0.000401
OKB 0.000002
OMR 0.000086
ONE 0.001535
OP 0.001713
ORDI 0.000050
PAB 0.000224
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.000777
PEPE 51.104539
PGK 0.001008
PHP 0.014079
PI 0.002583
PKR 0.062135
PLN 0.000880
POL 0.002067
PTE 0.040227
PYG 1.310165
QAR 0.000817
QNT 0.000001
QTUM 0.000228
ROL 10.723360
RON 0.001072
RPL 0.000118
RSD 0.023445
RUB 0.018818
RUNE 0.000287
RVN 0.094091
RWF 0.331476
SAND 0.003074
SAR 0.000842
SBD 0.001811
SCR 0.003199
SDD 13.469623
SDG 0.134696
SEK 0.002263
SGD 0.000288
SHIB 38.020459
SHP 0.000170
SIT 0.048084
SKK 0.006045
SLE 0.005171
SLL 5.171328
SNX 0.000892
SOL 0.000002
SOS 0.127881
SPL 0.000037
SRD 0.008486
SRG 8.485895
SSP 1.281908
STD 4.958151
STN 0.004958
STX 0.000569
SUI 0.000184
SVC 0.001964
SYP 2.913496
SZL 0.003755
THB 0.007560
THETA 0.000991
TJS 0.002066
TMM 3.926992
TMT 0.000785
TND 0.000671
TOP 0.000539
TRL 11,031.432369
TRX 0.000669
TRY 0.011031
TTD 0.001521
TUSD 0.000224
TVD 0.000323
TWD 0.007137
TWT 0.000395
TZS 0.590590
UAH 0.010092
UGX 0.895024
UNI 0.000025
USD 0.000224
USDC 0.000224
USDD 0.000224
USDP 0.000225
USDT 0.000224
UYU 0.009038
UZS 2.642779
VAL 0.388518
VEB 19,457,711.870937
VED 0.194577
VEF 19,457.711871
VES 0.194577
VET 0.025816
VND 5.837531
VUV 0.027026
WAVES 0.000746
WEMIX 0.001149
WOO 0.016638
WST 0.000623
XAF 0.131620
XAG 0.000004
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.000607
XCG 0.000404
XCH 0.000142
XDC 0.006821
XDR 0.000166
XEC 27.622282
XEM 0.392474
XLM 0.001007
XMR 0.000000
XOF 0.131620
XPD 0.000000
XPF 0.023944
XPT 0.000000
XRP 0.000149
XTZ 0.000683
YER 0.053047
ZAR 0.003755
ZEC 0.000000
ZIL 0.062621
ZMK 4.407071
ZMW 0.004407
ZWD 0.081210
ZWG 0.006006
ZWL 15.008291

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Cities in Madagascar 204
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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.