Antsiranana (Diego Suarez)

Antsiranana is Madagascar’s fifth largest town and the capital of its northernmost province. It has a beautiful deep-water harbour encircled by hills and its own sugarloaf mountain in one of the bays.

The town played an important role during World War II when Madagascar was under the control of the Vichy French. In 1942 it was captured and occupied by the British and Allied forces and there is a British War Cemetery in the centre of town.

Often just used as a gateway to Ankarana Reserve and Montagne d’Ambre National Park, Antsiranana itself is definitely worth a visit. Its charming colonial architecture, the vibrant local market and lots of small stores, as well as its cosmopolitan population, makes a visit to this town an enjoyable and atmospheric experience. The Montagne de Francais offers great views and the three bays Baie des Dunes, Baie de Sakalava and Baie des Pigeons should also not be missed out.