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: 2026-08-21
⌕
Currency CodeRate
1INCH 0.002629
AAVE 0.000002
ADA 0.001141
AED 0.000859
AFN 0.015428
AGIX 0.003743
AKT 0.000446
ALGO 0.002665
ALL 0.018528
AMD 0.085243
AMP 0.586772
ANG 0.000422
AOA 0.214596
APE 0.001773
APT 0.000406
AR 0.000113
ARB 0.002562
ARS 0.350023
ATOM 0.000154
ATS 0.002752
AUD 0.000328
AVAX 0.000032
AWG 0.000418
AXS 0.000241
AZM 1.987139
AZN 0.000397
BAKE 0.312470
BAM 0.000391
BAT 0.003510
BBD 0.000468
BCH 0.000001
BDT 0.028596
BEF 0.008067
BGN 0.000391
BHD 0.000088
BIF 0.695826
BMD 0.000234
BNB 0.000000
BND 0.000297
BOB 0.002700
BRL 0.001215
BSD 0.000234
BSV 0.000014
BSW 0.626045
BTC 0.000000
BTG 0.000497
BTN 0.022381
BTT 825.096154
BUSD 0.000234
BWP 0.003142
BYN 0.000712
BYR 4.581716
BZD 0.000471
CAD 0.000322
CAKE 0.000141
CDF 0.535943
CELO 0.003453
CFX 0.005194
CHF 0.000187
CHZ 0.017708
CLP 0.215721
CNH 0.001572
CNY 0.001572
COMP 0.000012
COP 0.717900
CRC 0.106255
CRO 0.004356
CRV 0.000819
CSPR 0.088717
CUC 0.000234
CUP 0.006195
CVE 0.022051
CVX 0.000136
CYP 0.000117
CZK 0.004825
DAI 0.000234
DASH 0.000007
DCR 0.000019
DEM 0.000391
DFI 0.433898
DJF 0.041641
DKK 0.001495
DOGE 0.002846
DOP 0.013678
DOT 0.000276
DYDX 0.002059
DZD 0.031061
EEK 0.003129
EGLD 0.000078
EGP 0.011894
ENJ 0.008903
EOS 0.003345
ERN 0.003507
ESP 0.033273
ETB 0.038101
ETC 0.000034
ETH 0.000000
EUR 0.000200
EURC 0.000201
FEI 0.000234
FIL 0.000313
FIM 0.001189
FJD 0.000514
FKP 0.000171
FLOW 0.008045
FLR 0.033608
FRAX 0.000236
FRF 0.001312
FTT 0.001075
GALA 0.144014
GBP 0.000171
GEL 0.000608
GGP 0.000171
GHC 25.929046
GHS 0.002593
GIP 0.000171
GMD 0.017338
GMX 0.000034
GNF 2.055270
GNO 0.000002
GRD 0.068141
GRT 0.015465
GT 0.000032
GTQ 0.001784
GUSD 0.000234
GYD 0.048947
HBAR 0.003153
HKD 0.001834
HNL 0.006272
HNT 0.001285
HOT 0.661228
HRK 0.001507
HT 0.004972
HTG 0.030622
HUF 0.072920
ICP 0.000098
IDR 4.148287
IEP 0.000157
ILS 0.000702
IMP 0.000171
IMX 0.002114
INJ 0.000049
INR 0.022381
IQD 0.306696
IRR 321.322026
ISK 0.028397
ITL 0.387202
JEP 0.000171
JMD 0.037029
JOD 0.000166
JPY 0.037161
KAS 0.008121
KAVA 0.005507
KCS 0.000031
KDA 0.047894
KES 0.030259
KGS 0.020467
KHR 0.941023
KLAY 0.008663
KMF 0.098380
KNC 0.002145
KPW 0.210385
KRW 0.322989
KSM 0.000073
KWD 0.000072
KYD 0.000194
KZT 0.106846
LAK 5.268253
LBP 20.984819
LDO 0.000689
LEO 0.000025
LINK 0.000022
LKR 0.077226
LRC 0.028819
LRD 0.042448
LSL 0.003765
LTC 0.000005
LTL 0.000690
LUF 0.008067
LUNA 0.005050
LUNC 4.383055
LVL 0.000141
LYD 0.001482
MAD 0.002163
MANA 0.003315
MBX 0.010983
MDL 0.004018
MGF 5.0000
MINA 0.004987
MKD 0.012331
MKR 0.000000
MMK 0.490874
MNT 0.841423
MOP 0.001889
MRO 0.093345
MRU 0.009335
MTL 0.000086
MUR 0.010905
MVR 0.003614
MWK 0.405791
MXN 0.003960
MXV 0.000450
MYR 0.000946
MZM 14.920492
MZN 0.014920
NAD 0.003765
NEAR 0.000132
NEO 0.000118
NEXO 0.000294
NFT 840.666873
NGN 0.315665
NIO 0.008608
NLG 0.000441
NOK 0.002182
NPR 0.035827
NZD 0.000392
OKB 0.000002
OMR 0.000090
ONE 0.313270
OP 0.002414
ORDI 0.000056
PAB 0.000234
PAXG 0.000000
PEN 0.000784
PEPE 72.540429
PGK 0.001048
PHP 0.014420
PI 0.002567
PKR 0.064943
PLN 0.000863
POL 0.002892
PTE 0.040091
PYG 1.409498
QAR 0.000851
QNT 0.000004
QTUM 0.000287
ROL 10.501071
RON 0.001050
RPL 0.000144
RSD 0.023463
RUB 0.019356
RUNE 0.000521
RVN 0.077181
RWF 0.344044
SAND 0.005305
SAR 0.000877
SBD 0.001874
SCR 0.003283
SDD 14.030069
SDG 0.140301
SEK 0.002214
SGD 0.000297
SHIB 47.093302
SHP 0.000171
SIT 0.047922
SKK 0.006024
SLE 0.005354
SLL 5.353595
SNX 0.001098
SOL 0.000003
SOS 0.133681
SPL 0.000039
SRD 0.008841
SRG 8.840759
SSP 1.313824
STD 4.940319
STN 0.004940
STX 0.001574
SUI 0.000316
SVC 0.002046
SYP 3.039360
SZL 0.003765
THB 0.007677
THETA 0.001438
TJS 0.002163
TMM 4.087042
TMT 0.000817
TND 0.000678
TOP 0.000563
TRL 11,233.480779
TRX 0.000691
TRY 0.011233
TTD 0.001586
TUSD 0.000234
TVD 0.000328
TWD 0.007445
TWT 0.000569
TZS 0.618500
UAH 0.010442
UGX 0.869484
UNI 0.000062
USD 0.000234
USDC 0.000234
USDD 0.000234
USDP 0.000234
USDT 0.000234
UYU 0.009380
UZS 2.768971
VAL 0.387202
VEB 18,170,330.909088
VED 0.181200
VEF 18,119.971652
VES 0.181200
VET 0.044965
VND 6.087512
VUV 0.027721
WAVES 0.001135
WEMIX 0.001175
WOO 0.020136
WST 0.000635
XAF 0.131174
XAG 0.000003
XAU 0.000000
XAUT 0.000000
XBT 0.000000
XCD 0.000633
XCG 0.000422
XCH 0.000162
XDC 0.008155
XDR 0.000171
XEC 33.682181
XEM 0.509579
XLM 0.001264
XMR 0.000001
XOF 0.131174
XPD 0.000000
XPF 0.023863
XPT 0.000000
XRP 0.000182
XTZ 0.001043
YER 0.055424
ZAR 0.003765
ZEC 0.000000
ZIL 0.092427
ZMK 4.435695
ZMW 0.004436
ZWD 0.084605
ZWG 0.006226
ZWL 15.556334

No currencies match your search.

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.