Walking tours in Antananarivo: discover the Upper City

The easiest discovery of the Upper City

It is the introductory circuit, ideal for a first discovery.

It is a short, easy and accessible walk, which allows you to have a quick glimpse of the Upper Town, its main historical landmarks and some beautiful viewpoints.

👉 This is probably the most suitable route:

• To visitors who discover Tana for the first time,
• To travellers who want a short walk,
• Or to those who simply want to "take the measure" of the historic neighbourhood.

According to the document, it lasts about 1 hour and covers about 1.27 km.

A first real immersion in several historic neighbourhoods

The Tsidika circuit already allows a richer and more complete discovery.

It crosses several emblematic neighbourhoods of the Upper Town, including:

• Antsahatsiroa,
• Andohalo
• Ambavahadimitafo,
• Ankadindramina
• And Ankaditapaka.

The document specifies that it is particularly interesting to discover:

• Historical remains,
• Old buildings,
• And several belvederes.

👉 It's a good circuit for someone who wants a more cultural walk without going towards a route that is too long.

It is given for about 2 hours 30 and 2.54 km.

A more complete walk between heritage and panoramas

The Zaha circuit is a more developed version of the Tsidika circuit.

It allows you to discover a wider part of the Upper City, by integrating in particular:

• The belvedere of Ankaditapaka,
• The descent to Antsahanandriana,
• The small oasis of Amparihidrasahela,

As well as several old neighbourhoods and viewpoints.

This circuit seems particularly interesting for those who want a walk:

• More varied,
• More immersive,

With an alternation between built heritage, gardens, historic alleys and views of the city.

It lasts about 3 hours for 3.54 km.

The panoramic circuit par excellence

The document presents Tsirika as a panoramic route offering a real 360° view of the Upper Town.

In particular, it involves:

• The west perspective of Ankaditapaka,
• Ankadindramina
• A southern part,
• The historic neighbourhood of Ambavahadimitafo,
• Religious vestiges and architectures,
• The garden of Andohalo,
• And finally Andafiavaratra / Avaradrova.

👉 It is one of the best circuits if you are looking for:

Very beautiful viewpoints,

• A photographic journey,
• And a visually strong walk.

It is short but very interesting: about 1 hour and 30 minutes for 1 km.

To admire the slopes and the great urban landscapes

The Tazana circuit is more oriented towards reading the landscape and the different sides of the city.

It allows you to contemplate:

• The west parts,
• Southwest,
• And south of Antananarivo,

With in particular very beautiful views of:

• The hill of Ambohijanahary,
• And the valley of Tsimbazaza.

The route also crosses:

• Anjahana,
• Andohanadmandry,
• And leads to the promontory of Ambohipotsy,

Before returning through a quieter and more charming alley.

👉 It's a very good circuit for those who like:

• Open views,
• Sloping neighbourhoods,
• And the walks a little more contemplative.

It is announced at about 3 hours for 3.64 km.

An itinerary oriented to the East and Northeast of the city

The Todika circuit is more oriented towards the east and north-east slopes of the Upper City.

It begins in particular with:

• The panoramic view of Ankaditapaka,
• Ambohimitsimbina,
• Ambohipotsy,

Then continues to:

• Ambatomitsangana
• Ambanimaso,

Before going back to Avaradrova.

The document presents it as an interesting route to discover another reading of the historic hill, with a mixture of:

• Landscape,
• Old neighbourhoods,
• Churches,
• And views of urban reliefs.

It lasts about 3 hours for 2.90 km.

The great complete circuit of the Upper City

The Tambatra circuit is the most complete and ambitious.

The document describes it as a large loop combining the logics of the Tazana and Todika circuits.

It therefore allows a wider discovery of the Upper City, by emphasising:

• The diversity of neighbourhoods,
• The many belvederes,
• The old alleys,
• Historical sites,

And a more global view of the Royal Hill.

👉 This is the most interesting circuit for:

• Motivated travellers,
• Lovers of heritage,
• Or those who want to do the real big walk of the Upper City.

It is also the longest: about 4 hours for 3.80 km.