Victoria, Mahe Island – a popular resort in Seychelles, which locals consider a paradise on earth. This city is unlike any other in the world, and its idle and measured atmosphere is a great contrast to the hustle and bustle of major megacities. It attracts tourists with its very beautiful nature, magnificent beaches, colorful markets and traditional Creole restaurants.
General information
Victoria is the only city in the Seychelles that is also their capital.
It is located on the north-eastern coast of Mahe, the main and largest island of the archipelago. Around it is a huge bay, the entrance to which is protected by the islands of Moyenne, Long, Surf, Santa Anna and Rond.
The history of this place began in 1778, when several colonists from France created the first settlement – Establisman. When the Seychelles became a colony of Greater Britain, the city was renamed in honor of the reigning queen. This name has been preserved to this day.
Victoria, Seychelles, Mahe Island is famous for its beautiful pristine nature and is literally surrounded by tropical greenery. The city is surrounded on three sides by the forested mountains of Morne-Seichelois and Trois Freres. Stone and wooden houses with openwork balconies, colorful facades, shutters and balustrades fit harmoniously into this fabulous landscape. The aroma of various spices wafts between them, wafting from small grocery stores.
Life here is quiet and peaceful. The biggest activity is around 8am and 4pm, when everyone goes shopping or drinks coffee on the terraces. But already at 17:00, most establishments close. Only night clubs, slot machines and small bars are open. Many of them are located in the harbor.
Victoria has as many as 2 centers-near the market and the Clock Tower. It is near the latter that the main facilities are built – the post office, banks, the Palace of Justice, the city administration, etc.
Among other things, the city with the nearest suburbs is famous for truly world-class beaches. You can enjoy all kinds of water sports (diving, water skiing, surfing) and go sailing on them. The most popular place for a beach holiday is considered to be Beau-Vallon. During the day, there are cafes, sports centers and restaurants, at night discos are booming. If you like a quieter time, visit Anse-Royal or Anse-Bougainville. These beaches are suitable for couples with children.
Almost every hotel has its own access to the sea. In the morning, sports events and gymnastics are held on the coast. With the beginning of the evening – themed parties and concerts.
As for the local cuisine, it combines Creole and French traditions. The cuisine is dominated by seafood – many of them are prepared using coconut milk. Please also note that most dishes are very spicy, so ask for less seasoning when ordering.
Today, 26 thousand people live in Victoria, which is a third of the total population of Mahe. The city authorities believe that the city has grown too much, so construction in it is prohibited.
Attractions
Despite the fact that the city can not be called a metropolis, the sights of Victoria (Seychelles, Mahe) delight with their beauty and diversity. Let’s go through the most important ones.
Clock Tower
The clock Tower is the main symbol of Victoria and the most popular place. Local residents like to make dates near it, and all tourists are also taken here. Clock Tower was built in the early 20th century and is one of the most important architectural and historical monuments that remind Seychelles of its colonial past.
The height of the structure is just over 3 meters. It is painted in silver and decorated with 4 decorative lanterns. Every day, at exactly noon, the tower chimes sound, notifying city residents of the onset of the lunch break.
Clock Tower is often called little Big Ben, but this is not the case at all. In fact, the tower is an exact replica of Little Ben, installed in London’s Westminster on Vauxhall Bridge Road.
Where to find: city center at the intersection of 2 avenues — Revolution and Independence.
National Botanic Garden
The Botanical Park, founded at the beginning of the last century, is one of the most picturesque natural attractions in Victoria (Mahe, Seychelles). The idea for its creation belongs to Paul Dupont, a Mauritian botanist who planted plants here from all over the world. Now in the garden you can see flowering shrubs, cannon and fruit trees, bougainvillea, Asian araucarias, tufted cassias and numerous palm trees.
The latter are considered the main pride of the botanical garden. At the same time, the greatest attention of visitors is focused on the coco de mer variety, whose fruits have an erotic shape (there is a female and male appearance). Such palms grow only in the Seychelles and a little more-on the island of Curiosities. Their nuts are sold at the information desk. One fruit costs about 1.5 thousand rupees. In addition to these palms, there are 6 other endemic species in the botanical garden. Among all this variety, paths are laid and neat green lawns are planted.
Also in the Seychelles National Botanical Gardens live giant hundred-year-old turtles-their pen is located just behind the palm grove. Depending on the time of day, they either eat or bask in the sun. The weight of some individuals reaches 250 kg. Local children are allowed to climb on the shells and try to ride, but tourists should not repeat these tricks.
Bats fly to botsad from November to April. Animals love mangoes, which grow here in abundance. Among the permanent inhabitants of this place are various insects, guzon (small endemic fish), lizards and frogs.
You can finish the walk in the cafeteria with a delicious cold drink and study the booklet describing the most interesting exhibits (they are issued at the entrance to the information desk).
- Адрес: Mont Fleuri Botanical Garden, Mont Fleuri Road.
- Opening hours: daily from 08: 00 to 17: 00.
- The ticket price is 150 rupees.
Sir S. Clark’s Market
The city of Victoria in the Seychelles has many popular places, but the most visited is the market. This is a huge covered square located next to a Hindu temple and named after the mayor who ruled the city during the Second World War.
You can find it by its Chinese-style gate and fishy flavor. However, in addition to the fish itself, you can also buy other goods here-from local vegetables, fruits and spices to beach accessories and various souvenirs. Shells, corals, shark fangs and other interesting things are allowed to be exported in any quantity.
There are no price tags on the market, so tourists are often offered goods at an inflated price. In order not to overpay, it is customary to bargain here – you can throw off half of it. In addition, there are good discounts on Saturdays. In general, this day is considered the busiest – especially in the early morning (about 6 o’clock), when colorful elderly Creoles come for the freshest food.
Location: Market Street.
Opening hours:
- Mon-Fri-from 07: 00 to 17: 30;
- Sat. – from 06: 00 to 14: 00.
Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Most Holy Theotokos
Cathedral of the Immaculate Concept is the largest Catholic church in the Seychelles and the center of religious life in the entire archipelago. Its first construction dates back to 1874, and the last restoration was carried out in the mid-90s.
The cathedral, located on a small hill, is designed in the style of French colonialism. The building was designed by architect Gilbert Frijo, and the exterior of the doors and tabernacles was designed by sculptor Egbert Marday. Around the temple there is a garden with a figure of the Virgin Mary, stained glass windows “burn”, columns and arches adorn the facade, and an unusual dial is installed on the pediment. The clock strikes twice an hour, reminding the monks that after the night’s feast, it’s time to sober up.
Today’s cathedral complex includes several other buildings – the two-story rectory La Domus (1934), the Anglican Church of St. Paul (2003), the Capuchin Seminary (1933) and the bell tower (1898). The cathedral can accommodate up to 700 parishioners. It is especially crowded on Sundays, when hundreds of Catholics flock to Mass.
Where to find it: Oliver Maradan Street.
Mass hours:
- Mon-Fri-06: 00;
- Sat. – 17: 00;
- Sun – – 07: 00 and 09: 00.
Arul Mihu Navasakti Vinayagar Hindu Temple
A famous Hindu temple and one of the most striking tourist attractions. It is often called an architectural masterpiece. Indeed, the details of this structure can be studied all day: a very beautiful roof, figures of gods made of stone, colorful facades, an intricate pattern… In addition, Tempio hindu significantly rises above the small buildings of Quincy Street, so it is simply impossible not to notice it.
Currently, the temple is regularly visited by up to 5 thousand Hindus. Services are held here in the morning. Tourists are allowed to enter during non-working hours (shoes must be removed at the door).
Address: Quincy Street.
Victoria Mosque
A small Muslim mosque in Victoria in the Seychelles is named after Sheikh Mohammed bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, who built his residence here. Located in the city center, it was recently built. The Victoria Mosque building is perfectly integrated into the surrounding environment, and its gilded dome and minaret can be seen from afar. Next to the mosque, there is a Sinnasamy Snack Shop, where you can buy halal goods.
Address: lane from Francis Rachel St. (opposite the stadium).
Habitation
The city of Victoria in the Seychelles offers a wide range of accommodation options. There are bungalows, spa hotels, hotels, apartments. Most of them are located near the beaches and are luxury low-rise buildings.
The cost of living in the main part of hotels is quite high. So, daily accommodation in a 5* double hotel starts from $430, but in return you can get increased comfort and truly royal service. There are also less expensive places in the city, but you should book them in advance. For example, a 4* hotel will cost $125 per night for two people, 3* – about $100, without stars-around $70.
Interesting facts
Walking around the capital of the Seychelles, you can notice a lot of interesting features. Here are just a few of them:
- Here you can try the unique coconut Coco de Mer, the shape of which resembles the female genitals. Mother’s coconut is very expensive and grows only in the Seychelles. Nuts are used not only for food, but also in the form of souvenirs and urban art objects. Anyone who plans to buy it from under the floor (that is, without a certificate) risks going to jail. In any case, you will definitely not be released from the country with such contraband.
- Victoria is the smallest capital in the world.
- There are only 2 traffic lights in the city. However, these are the only traffic lights in the entire archipelago, so not every Seishelese knows how to use them. To avoid problems, there are warning signs and explanatory signs hanging near each device.
- The Victoria Botanic Garden contains a time capsule written by local schoolchildren in 1994. The letter asks students to save the nature of the Seychelles. The capsule will be opened in the summer of 2044.
- Among the local vegetables, cucumber deserves special attention. It is usually used to cleanse the gastrointestinal tract – it works flawlessly, so be careful.
- There are no high-rise buildings in the city (maximum 3 floors). This is how the authorities take care of the beauty of the urban landscape.
- Seychelles, Victoria can boast only one cinema. At the same time, it has 2 interesting features: it shows the same movie all week, and sessions are interrupted by a 30-minute intermission.
When is the best time to relax in the Seychelles: weather by month
