Port Louis: Street Food Tour
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Discover the streets of Port Louis, learn about its history and experience its culture, all through local Mauritian street food. To know Mauritius, you must taste Mauritius!
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From 50,00€ per person
Star of the Indian Ocean, this jewel of an island is famous for its palm-fringed beaches, beautiful lagoons, coral reefs and unparalleled hospitality. Moreover, its volcanic terrain makes it one of the most extraordinary places on the planet.
From the glamour and richness of its inimitable culture to the verdant rolling hills and desert island vibe with many secluded beaches, you are sure to find your favourite corner.
Port-Louis, the capital of Mauritius, is a must-see when staying on the island: it is a colourful city, steeped in history and culture, where every corner reveals something different, a scent, a style, a period and, above all, the diversity of the Mauritian population, where the ancient and the modern meet.
After leaving your car at the Caudan Waterfront, a modern complex that houses shops, restaurants, cinemas, a museum and a multi-purpose entertainment centre, continue to the market, letting yourself be inebriated by the scent of fruits, vegetables and spices, admiring the explosion of colours, especially in summer, and tasting exotic flavours.
Port Louis is also a reflection of the local population, with its mosques, Chinese pagodas and churches, all equally interesting in terms of architecture and history. Indulge in the many restaurants and snacks along the way and sample Mauritian street-food: dholl puris, faratas, chili cakes, ‘mines bouilli’ boiled noodles, ‘boulettes’ ravioli, alouda for an explosion of flavours.
Shoppers will be amazed by all that can be found in its many shops: clothes, textiles, jewellery, toys, souvenirs. The culture of Mauritius also includes the horse races that are held every Saturday and have become a weekly must-see for some. The Champ de Mars, where these races take place, the oldest racecourse in the southern hemisphere, is worth a visit and, if you have the opportunity, experience a day at the races.
To learn more about the island’s history, visit the Natural History Museum, followed by a stroll through the tranquil Jardin de la Compagnie . Continue on Vieux Conseil Street to the Photography Museum with the history of photography in Mauritius.
Also not to be missed is the view from above, visiting the Citadelle, also known as Fort Adelaide, built during the British era in the early 19th century on top of a hill near the Champ de Mars: it offers a beautiful panorama of the capital.
The Pamplemousses Botanical Garden, or Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam, is one of the most visited sites in Mauritius and the oldest in the southern hemisphere.
Created under the direction of Mahé de Labourdonnais by the king’s steward, Pierre Poivre, more than 300 years ago, the garden is home to an extraordinary flora with a myriad of native and endemic plants. Animals have also taken up residence here: tortoises, deer and birds of all species.
For nature lovers, the Pamplemousses garden is the ideal place to stroll along the paths bordered by greenery. You might have the chance to see a Talipot tree in flower: it only happens every 30 to 80 years, before the tree dies. The famous ponds with giant water lilies are also worth a visit, the perfect place to take some souvenir photos.
After visiting the garden, take some time to make a short excursion to the village of Pamplemousses and visit the island’s oldest church still standing, St Francis of Assisi, with its architecture unique to Mauritius.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Le Morne Brabant is spectacular for its natural beauty and historical significance. This cultural landscape, once a fortress where escaped slaves found refuge in the 18th and early 19th century, is a historical symbol of universal ideals and the fight for freedom.
Take the 7 km hiking trail to pass verdant vegetation and caves before the summit gives way to views of the Mauritius lagoon and the surrounding islands of the Indian Ocean.
It is recommended to do the hike accompanied by a guide, as the second part of the trail involves bouldering, or climbing passages, which is much easier with an experienced person beside you.
Like a magical palette of the gods, the Chamarel Seven Coloured Earth Geopark is a ‘layer cake’ of sand dunes in red, brown, purple, green, blue, violet and yellow.
A geological phenomenon that has given the earth this incredible variation of colours. Nearby, you will be amazed by the view of the Chamarel waterfall, the highest in Mauritius, access to which is included in the park ticket. If you are lucky, you may spot monkeys or the elegant Mauritian phaeton.
You can head to other parks and nature reserves such as Ebony Forest or Lavilleon Park, where you can recharge your batteries and learn more about Mauritian nature, while the more adventurous will try some supervised outdoor activities.
Chamarel is one of the places that reflect the authenticity of Mauritius. It is a quiet little village situated on high ground. Take a walk, visit the small church of Saint Anne, meet the village’s small coffee producers and try one of the local restaurants offering typical Mauritian cuisine. Then head south towards the beach of Le Morne, or the central plateau towards Plaine Champagne or the cities.
Famous for its well-marked trails and beautiful landscapes, the Black River Gorges National Park is a hidden gem in the south-west of the island.
It is the largest natural park on the island and a must for anyone visiting Mauritius. Spread over 6,754 hectares, it is the ideal retreat for nature lovers and hikers. Rainforest, waterfalls, turbulent and calm rivers, and stunning overhanging views: the forest is home to 300 endemic plant species and 9 bird species.
Book a visit with a guide to explore the wildest and most rugged jungle trails with the opportunity to swim in waterfalls. You are also likely to see many macaques swinging in search of bananas.
Tamarin is a hiker’s paradise. After passing through lush vegetation, you will arrive at the waterfalls where you can experience natural massages under the cold water.
This charming village is also known by wave, diving and surfing enthusiasts.
Discover the sugar and spices of Mauritius with a tasting at the famous Rhumerie de Chamarel distillery, one of the few still operating and growing its own sugar cane.
This distillery offers tours of the eco-friendly estate, where you can taste more than 21 flavours of rum inspired by the tropics and buy bottles to bring authentic Mauritian rum back home.
Immerse yourself in the world of tea at Bois Chéri. From the harvest to the cup, discover the secrets to making this iconic drink.
End your visit with a tasting session with breathtaking views of the undulating tea fields: a sensory journey into the heart of Mauritian tradition.
Dive into the crystal-clear waters of the Blue Bay Marine Park, a veritable open-air aquarium.
This exceptional site is a paradise for divers and snorkellers. Be amazed by the richness of Mauritius’ marine fauna in this unique underwater sanctuary, accompanied on an organised boat excursion with local guides.
This enchanting coastal village will reveal the authenticity of Mauritius to you.
Stroll along its waterfront and admire the view of the Grand Port Bay. Don’t miss the naval museum that tells the island’s maritime history, as well as the colourful markets where the scents of spices and exotic fruits mingle to delight your senses.
An intriguing little island, Rodrigues has more than one curiosity to offer its visitors. A popular destination for fans of unique diving and other water sports, it is also a nature destination par excellence, much appreciated by hikers.
Its lagoon is a paradise corner that makes you dream. Tourists also leave the island with wonderful taste memories.
If you are sporty, you will love the challenging 10-kilometre hike between Plaine Champagne and Petite Rivière Noire, with a 400-metre ascent followed by an 800-metre descent.
Views of the Black River Gorges National Park will delight you as you discover kilometres of lush vegetation all around, and even the Black River Bay in the distance, all to the sound of the surrounding waterfalls. The effort is rewarded with a relaxing dip in the river.
The less daring, on the other hand, can opt with relief for the drive along the green and winding road of the Plaine Champagne, counting some twenty minutes.
In the following map you can see the location of the main places of interest mentioned in this article.
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