Detailed and interesting article for tourists: best things to do in Seychelles, or the TOP 20 attractions in Seychelles. Map, prices, opening hours, tips, and recommendations for visiting. After reading this article, you will definitely have a clear understanding of what you want to visit and what may not be interesting and can be skipped. Good reading for the next 10 minutes is guaranteed.
Attractions in Seychelles: general information
In summary, the key points that will give you an overall picture of the cultural program of attractions during your vacation in the Seychelles.
- The Seychelles are beaches, jungles, and the ocean. There are almost no architectural landmarks, castles, palaces, churches, or cities here. Instead, there are numerous natural locations: reserves, national parks, mountain hikes, and so on.
- For architecture enthusiasts, it may be boring, but those who love flora and fauna, beaches, and the ocean will be thrilled.
- Be prepared that entrance fees may only be accepted by card at some attractions. Cash is not accepted everywhere, but such places are not uncommon. If you don’t have a card, ask other tourists to pay for you, and you can pay them in cash.
- You need a car to reach the attractions on the islands of Mahe and Praslin. Yes, you can get somewhere by bus, but not everywhere, and you’ll spend four times more time. On La Digue, a car is not needed at all; everyone gets around on bicycles. Everything about car rental in the Seychelles, personal experience, and pitfalls.
Seychelles Attractions: Map
Below is a dynamic map of all the main attractions in Seychelles. You can click, zoom in, and explore the locations in more detail.
Important:
Out of the 115 islands in the Seychelles archipelago, tourists have access to practically three islands for independent travel: Mahe, Praslin, and La Digue. There are also about 10 uninhabited islands nearby that are easily accessible as part of an excursion. In reality, there are more hotels than on these three islands, but 99% of tourists travel between them. An article to help you choose your island: where is the best place to stay in the Seychelles.
Attractions List: Top 20
The list includes not only Seychelles attractions but also activities, hiking trails, mountain peaks, and iconic excursions. Everything that makes up and fills the leisure of your vacation between lying on the beach and dinner in a restaurant.
Victoria – capital of Seychelles (Mahe Island)
Victoria, the capital of Seychelles, is the only city in the country and the only place where there is an grocery hypermarket, one for the entire country, a large market, and several architectural landmarks. The population of Victoria is about 20,000 people out of the country’s total population of 95,000 people. Victoria is the least populous capital in Africa.
- City center coordinates: -4.623043734671125, 55.45230563810155
- How much time to plan for a city tour: 2-4 hours.
- A comprehensive review of Victoria and its attractions.
- I could have included each attraction in this list separately and stretched the list even more, as is often done on the internet. But here, all attractions take 5-10 minutes. You can walk to all of them. And the entire center of Victoria, which is interesting to tourists, is within a 500 by 500-meter area.
- Tip: There are no beaches in Victoria, no chain hotels. It makes no sense for a tourist to look for accommodation here. Victoria has heavy traffic and poor parking situations. Just come here once to walk around the center for a couple of hours.
Author’s rating:
6 out of 10. Overall, it’s a big village. There’s not much to see. Tourists are interested in the main market and hypermarket STC. If you like museums, then visit the Seychelles National Museum. The jetty, where ferries depart to Praslin and La Digue, is also in Victoria. That’s essentially the whole capital. If you have time and the opportunity to come here, be sure to visit.
Botanical Garden (Mahe Island)
A classic botanical garden with hundreds of exotic plants. Lots of greenery, a place to walk, a pond with lotuses, an eco-trail through the jungles. If you’ve been to botanical gardens in tropical countries, such as Mauritius, then it’s more of the same here.
- Parking and ticket office coordinates: -4.630059992404657, 55.45570989366123. Located on the outskirts of Victoria, beyond the city. Well, as for the outskirts, it’s 1 km to the center of the capital. Distances here are like that 🙂
- How much time to plan: Maximum 2 hours.
- Opening hours: From 8 AM to 4:30 PM.
- Ticket price: 250 rupees (about 17 euros). Payment by card only.
- Official website: https://www.spga.gov.sc/parks/national-botanical-garden
- The pride of the botanical garden, what tourists come here for: the enclosure with giant land tortoises and the Coco de Mer endemic palm. These are the two main symbols of Seychelles; read more about them in the link. There are coordinates where you can meet tortoises in the wild.
Author’s rating:
7 out of 10. Honestly, there’s no overwhelming excitement; the botanical garden is not huge. Without a guide, there’s not much to do; you just wander through the park, not really understanding where everything is, but that’s the case in any botanical garden. Of all the parks on Mahe Island, this is definitely the best. Such places should be visited with a guide. In the Seychelles, there are many national parks like this and many places where you can encounter tortoises and the Coco de Mer nut.
Tip: Read the entire article and choose one park to visit; there’s no need to go everywhere. In terms of value for money, this botanical garden is a good option.
Anse Major – Hiking through the Jungle to a Wild Beach (Mahe Island)
An exhilarating, picturesque, and easy hike along a trail through the jungle along the ocean to Anse Major. Among the numerous hiking trails in the Seychelles, this is the simplest. Along the way, there are scenic viewpoints, and on the beach itself, you can spend a couple of hours sunbathing and swimming.
- Starting point coordinates: -4.619194, 55.396556
- The route is approximately 2 km long with a 100-meter elevation gain.
- It takes about 40-50 minutes one way.
- Currently free, but it will likely become paid. The usual price for such routes in the Seychelles is 7-10 euros. Just be aware, and don’t be surprised if there’s a ticket booth during your visit.
- “All Seychelles Hiking Trails” is a fantastic article for active travelers. It includes routes to all the peaks on all three islands, as mentioned below in this article.
Author’s rating:
10 out of 10. Highly recommended to everyone, even if you’re not a fan of hiking. The key is to go in sunny weather. The only challenge is getting to the starting point; buses don’t operate here. But renting a car or taking a taxi solves all these problems. Moreover, the starting point is not far from the most popular beach on the island – Beau Vallon.
Morne Seychellois – Highest Point in the Seychelles (Mahe Island)
Another jungle hike, but this one is for a more prepared tourist. Morne Seychellois has an elevation of 905 meters above sea level. If you reach the summit, you can proudly add conquering the highest point in the entire Seychelles archipelago to your list of achievements.
- Starting point coordinates: -4.642769, 55.449422
- The route is 2 km one way, with an elevation gain of 620 meters! The trail is challenging; calculate it yourself, for every 3 meters of distance, there’s a 1-meter elevation gain.
- The trail is paid: 250 rupees (about 17 euros).
- Bring plenty of water; you can’t buy it here. There’s a chance you won’t be allowed without a guide, but details about this can be found in the hiking article mentioned earlier.
Author’s rating:
10 out of 10. Assess your capabilities realistically; the entire route is a challenging climb. I love such activities and mini-achievements like this. If you’re confident in your abilities, this point is a must-visit.
Grand Anse Cascade Waterfall (Mahe Island)
This is not the only waterfall on Mahe; there are about five more on the island. However, they all look quite similar. Honestly, it’s more like a water threshold than a true waterfall. I wouldn’t call it a real waterfall; neighboring Mauritius has genuine 50-100-meter waterfalls. Here, it’s about 8 meters at most, and during the dry season, it almost completely dries up, leaving just a stream.
- Coordinates: -4.6635520738392, 55.446896369308874
- Walk about 1300 meters from the parking lot, with a 120-meter elevation gain. An easy trail through the jungle, with a slippery descent at the end.
- If you’ve already seen everything on Mahe and enjoy such natural attractions, this is one way to spend your time.
Author’s rating:
5 out of 10. Don’t expect much from waterfalls in the Seychelles. This waterfall is suitable for swimming. In December-January, it is at its maximum flow, as shown in the photo. It takes about 30 minutes to walk one way.
Tea Factory and Tea Plantation (Mahe Island)
A genuine tea plantation and factory for the production of Seychellois tea in the mountains of Mahe Island. Seychellois tea is one of the main souvenirs tourists bring home. What else you can bring from the Seychelles is explained in the link.
Interesting fact:
There are only two places in the world – Seychelles and Mauritius – where they produce vanilla tea with real vanilla, not artificial flavors. On the neighboring La Digue island, there is a vanilla plantation.
- Parking at the tea factory (free), leave your car here and head to the museum/café/tea shop on the factory grounds: -4.662611002764241, 55.43776957429951
- About 100 meters from the parking lot, uphill, the actual tea plantation begins; walk here (starting point): -4.661983412316428, 55.438090101132055.
- Follow the path through the entire tea plantation. Beyond that, there is a small beautiful eco-trail and an exotic plant garden.
- Visiting the tea plantation, eco-trail, and access to the factory yard and shop are entirely free. There are guided tours of the tea facilities for 10 euros, but there is no schedule, and sometimes you may arrive, and everything is closed, while other times you may join a tour. It depends on your luck. Inquire with the café and shop staff.
Author’s rating:
7 out of 10. The factory itself without a tour isn’t particularly interesting. The views of the archipelago and the observation platform here are fantastic. You can buy vanilla Seychellois tea in any store on any island and at a lower price than at the factory. The tea plantation is not as picturesque as those on the slopes of Sri Lanka, but you can still take beautiful photos. I recommend coming here with the intention of taking a tour of the production; that’s the most interesting part of this attraction.
Kot Man-Ya Exotic Flower Garden (Mahe Island)
This garden is often touted as if it were the main attraction in Seychelles. In reality, it’s a small flower garden that takes about 15 minutes to explore. There is also an enclosure with turtles.
- Coordinates: -4.7391016666486685, 55.5068293536108
- Ticket price: 150 rupees (10 euros).
- How much time to plan: 15 minutes.
Author’s rating:
3 out of 10. There’s no point in comparing it to the Victoria Botanical Garden, which is significantly superior. I recommend coming here only if you are a botanist and have a professional interest.
For a comprehensive overview of Mahe Island, including beaches, accommodation recommendations, and tips, check out the article “Overview of Mahe Island.“
Le Jardin du Roi Spice Garden (Mahe Island)
A vast array of plants, fruit trees, and nearly all representatives of Seychellois flora. Upon entry, you are provided with a booklet containing information about all the plants on the farm, each identified by a number. The trails within the farm also have signs with corresponding numbers, making it convenient to explore without a guide, as you can easily identify the plants along the way. The famous Coco de Mer palm is also found here.
- Coordinates of the farm: -4.7464157030916825, 55.50363216510081
- The entrance fee is 150 rupees (10 euros).
- There is a cafe on-site that prepares salads using ingredients from the farm. The salads are delicious but relatively expensive, costing around 25-35 euros.
- Plan for 1.5-2 hours at the farm, as there is ample space to wander around.
Author’s rating:
6 out of 10. It’s a good farm with excellent navigation and a map. If you appreciate such places, I recommend a visit. In my personal ranking of botanical sites on Mahe Island, the main botanical garden in Victoria takes the top spot, followed by Le Jardin du Roi Spice Garden. As for the exotic flower garden Kot Man-Ya mentioned earlier, you can easily skip it without missing much.
Takamaka Rum Distillery (Mahe Island)
The main alcoholic attraction in Seychelles and the country’s only alcohol symbol is Takamaka rum and the Takamaka rum distillery. The distillery premises include a souvenir shop where you can purchase various types of rum. They offer free tours of the production and the rum museum, as well as paid tastings.
- Coordinates of the distillery: -4.719363027370428, 55.52310567907375
- Official website (check for the current tour schedule here): https://www.takamakarum.com/our-home
- The distillery, museum, and shop are open to tourists from Monday to Friday, from 10:30 to 16:30.
- Guided tours of the museum and premises (production area is not accessible, but you can view it through panoramic windows) are conducted three times a day (in English): 11:00, 13:00, 15:00. The tours are free, no tips required, and the duration is approximately 40 minutes.
- Prices in the shop at the distillery are the same as across the island for rum. However, they often offer limited-edition collections and 10-15-year-old bottles.
- The tasting costs 150 rupees (10 euros), and they pour samples of all the rum varieties shown in the photos above, providing information about each. They are quite generous with the pours. To avoid overindulging in the morning, consider sharing one tasting between two people 🙂 I sympathize with the driver in this situation. My personal favorite is Takamaka Dark Spiced, 43%, with hints of vanilla and papaya. Also, keep in mind that they use real vanilla in production, not artificial flavors.
Author’s rating:
8 out of 10. This place is not for teetotalers. Come here to break up your beach and jungle relaxation. You can buy a bottle of limited-edition rum or souvenir items to take home. They have cool hats and shirts with Takamaka branding. And the tasting is a must; you’ll try all the rum varieties, learn a bit about the production process, interesting facts, and choose your favorite. Highly recommended.
A piece of advice: You can visit here even when the weather is overcast, providing a great alternative to beach and jungle activities.
Ruins of an Old Prison in the Jungle (Mahe Island)
One of the few man-made attractions, relatively unknown, and with very few tourists. Stone ruins of the Seychellois prison in the jungle. The prison was operational, but it has been abandoned for about 20 years, gradually succumbing to nature.
- Coordinates: -4.799836771950526, 55.518981879268416
- Free admission.
- You can visit it on the way to the stunning Police Bay beach.
Author’s rating:
5 out of 10. It’s a slightly eerie place and will appeal to fans of abandoned structures, urban explorers.
Curieuse Island – Uninhabited Island
One of the main national parks in the archipelago, occupying an entire island. Curieuse Island, measuring 1.5 km by 1 km, is home to a large colony of giant land tortoises living freely, not in enclosures like on Mahe Island. You can only visit this island as part of a tour, and it’s most convenient to travel from Praslin Island.
- Coordinates of Curieuse Island: -4.2823650161692415, 55.725881043029844
- Usually, Curieuse Island is included in any excursion from Praslin to uninhabited islands. The typical program for such excursions includes snorkeling at fantastic spots, an hour of relaxation on the beach of an uninhabited island, a visit to Curieuse Island, and a beachside barbecue for dinner/lunch.
- For information on Curieuse Island tours, prices, check here.
Author’s rating:
10 out of 10. One of the most significant and popular tours in the Seychelles. Curieuse Island is the highlight of the entire program. In one day, you’ll experience a variety of activities: snorkeling, encounters with tortoises, visits to uninhabited islands, and a beachside barbecue under palm trees. It encapsulates everything you need to do in the Seychelles in a single tour.
Vallée de Mai National Park (Praslin Island)
The main nature reserve on Praslin Island. It is often compared to the botanical garden in Victoria on Mahe Island, and, based on reviews, Vallée de Mai is sometimes considered even more impressive. It’s a fantastic park with a genuine relic forest. The iconic Coco de Mer palm also grows here.
- For detailed information about Vallée de Mai and other attractions on Praslin, refer to the comprehensive overview article on the island.
- Coordinates: -4.331856632548546, 55.74006956211823
- Official website: http://www.sif.sc/vdm
- Ticket price: 450 rupees (30 euros).
Author’s rating:
7 out of 10. This is an excellent nature reserve, and I recommend it to everyone. The rating of 7 is primarily due to the high cost – for two people, it comes to 60 euros, and that’s without a guide. In such places, a guide is highly recommended, as you may overlook or not pay attention to the most interesting features.
Fond Ferdinand Natural Reserve (Praslin Island)
Another reserve/national park/botanical garden. As mentioned earlier, Seychelles has numerous natural attractions. Fond Ferdinand is the younger brother of Vallée de Mai. It’s smaller, cheaper, but equally beautiful, well-maintained, and offers a chance to walk through the jungles. The famous Coco de Mer palm also grows in this area.
Important note:
You won’t find the Coco de Mer palm in the jungles outside these national parks; it’s a species under strict government control. Hence, every time I mention whether this palm grows in an area or not. It is a Seychelles symbol, and tourists often wish to see it, although it looks like an ordinary palm. Its fame lies in the unique shape of its nuts, resembling female hips.
- Coordinates: -4.354677118114979, 55.75887147119351
- Ticket price: 300 Seychellois Rupees (20 euros)
- The website is the same as Vallée de Mai.
Author’s rating:
6 out of 10. Similar to Vallée de Mai but smaller and with more hills, yet cheaper. Decide where you’d prefer to go; visiting both locations might not be necessary. Vallée de Mai is more popular among tourists.
Anse Georgette – Hiking through Mountains and Jungles (Praslin Island)
Another hiking trail in the mountains leading to a stunning beach, but this time on Praslin Island. You can reach the beach either through the Constance Lemuria hotel, if you pre-book, or through the mountains and jungles, offering breathtaking views. Details on the route can be found in the hiking article linked at the beginning.
- Starting point for the trek through the mountains: -4.303771655287162, 55.68972365830955
- The trail is free, as is the beach.
- Length: 2 km. Elevation gain: 100 meters, descent: 200 meters, one way. Some sections are quite steep; be cautious as it’s not an easy stroll.
- Bring water and snacks; there are no places to buy them along the way.
Author’s rating:
9 out of 10. The route is excellent, with three panoramic viewpoints, providing views of Praslin airport from above. If lucky, you might witness plane landings and take-offs. However, the route is not the easiest; if in doubt, it’s safer to go through the hotel. The beach, Anse Georgette, is a must-visit—very impressive. Choose the route that suits you best.
Uninhabited Islands of Seychelles: Cousin, Cousine, Grande Soeur, Petite Soeur
The Seychelles archipelago comprises 115 islands, with only 33 inhabited. The remaining 82 islands are entirely uninhabited, many converted into national parks and reserves under state protection, contributing to the conservation of bird species.
Many of these islands are home to giant Aldabra tortoises, but they are not under protection as their population is stable and not at risk of extinction.
Interesting to know:
Seychelles cover a vast area, but around 20 uninhabited islands are in the vicinity of Praslin and La Digue. These islands are popular in all marine excursions.
The most popular uninhabited islands, where you can easily spend a couple of hours on the beach, apart from Curieuse Island: Cousin, Cousine, Grande Soeur, Petite Soeur – these are paired small islands, translating to Cousin and Cousine, Elder Sister, and Younger Sister.
- For details on excursions and tours in Seychelles, the most popular ones, prices, check the resources mentioned there.
Author’s rating:
10 out of 10. Any marine excursion in Seychelles is delightful and a must for every tourist. Pay attention to the programs; there are many and varied options. Some include beach barbecues, visits to wild beaches, snorkeling, and more. There are 2-hour trips and full-day ones. Choose what suits you best.
Mont Azore – the Highest Point on Praslin Island (Praslin)
Praslin has two peaks with a height of 350 meters. The difference between these peaks is just 1 meter. While you can’t climb one of the peaks without a road, you can ascend Mont Azore. The hiking trail is called Glacis Noire Nature Trail. At the top, you’ll find an observation tower and panoramic views of the archipelago, with La Digue Island clearly visible.
- Starting point: -4.331620, 55.741125 (Very close to the entrance of Vallée de Mai, 200 meters away)
- The trail length is 1.3 km, with an elevation gain of nearly 200 meters.
- Ticket price: 100 Seychellois Rupees (7 euros), payment by card only.
- You can easily reach the top in 40 minutes.
Author’s rating:
9 out of 10. Easy accessible, not too challenging, and well-equipped trail; 80% of the path is like a road. Rare black parrots, Seychelles endemics, live here. Be observant. Coco de Mer palms also grow along the route. There are benches, shade, and breathtaking views at the top. Very few tourists.
Seychellois Notre Dame (La Digue)
La Digue is a tiny island with minimal roads and cars; residents and tourists mainly use bicycles for transportation. There are few landmarks on the island, but locals take pride in having their Notre Dame, similar to the one in Paris.
- Coordinates: -4.357324511933303, 55.82609740299294
- The church is always open and free to enter, with no doors even.
- This is an Anglican church. Anglicanism is one of the Protestant denominations, and, for instance, their mourning color is white. If you see many people in white on a Sunday near the church, don’t rush to go there; it might be a funeral.
- I recommend reading an article about religion in Seychelles; it contains many interesting insights.
Author’s rating:
5 out of 10. You won’t see anything new, and luxurious decorations, as in Catholic churches, are not typical here. Regarding scale and architecture, it’s not the Notre Dame in Paris. However, for broadening your horizons and observing the local culture and life, it’s an excellent place. The uniqueness of Seychelles lies in being a Christian country amidst a region where Islam or Hinduism predominates.
L’Union Estate – Turtles and Vanilla Plantation (La Digue)
What to see in Seychelles? – Undoubtedly, the vast private estate of L’Union Estate. A large and green territory featuring the planter’s house, where the film “Emmanuelle” was shot, and the British Prime Minister Tony Blair stayed. There’s also a huge granite rock, a large enclosure with turtles, a botanical garden, a vanilla plantation, and an ancient cemetery.
- Read more about this place in the La Digue island overview. L’Union Estate is the main attraction on the island.
- Entrance coordinates: -4.361627147384466, 55.825309791246504
- Opening hours: 6 AM to 6 PM daily
- Entrance fee: 150 Seychellois Rupees (10 euros), a multi-entry ticket for the entire day. You can enter and exit within the day.
Author’s rating:
9 out of 10. An excellent place with a large beautiful area. As a bonus for the 10 euros, you get access to Anse Source d’Argent, mentioned below. On one side, turtles, rocks, and jungles are free and abundant all over the island, but spending money here is genuinely worthwhile, not to mention the beach. The plantation house’s ground floor has an excellent souvenir shop and an art gallery. You can buy paintings by local artists and handmade souvenirs.
Anse Source d’Argent – The Most Photographed Beach in the World (La Digue)
The name speaks for itself. This beach is located on the L’Union Estate grounds, and to access it, you need to purchase a ticket to the estate. Some drawbacks to note: it’s the only paid beach in Seychelles, crowded, and very shallow during low tide. On the positive side, it offers excellent sunsets, though spectacular sunsets are a common feature across the islands.
- Beach coordinates: -4.371393878684839, 55.827230862124104
- A detailed report and description of this beach can be found in the article: Best Beaches in Seychelles.
- You can come here for a full day of sunbathing or just for the sunset. The L’Union Estate ticket is valid for the entire day, allowing you to come in the morning and return in the evening for the sunset.
- The beach has souvenir shops and bars with drinks and cocktails.
Author’s rating:
5 out of 10. You must visit this beach, and it’s hard to overlook the most photographed beach in the world if you’ve bought a ticket to L’Union Estate. However, there are many free beaches on the islands that are much better. In this case, Anse Source d’Argent is good marketing, but it doesn’t live up to expectations, at least not to mine. I expected more from the most photographed beach in the world.
Nid d’Aigle – The Highest Point on La Digue Island
Another island, another peak. Nid d’Aigle (Eagle’s Nest) – 349 meters, just a couple of meters below Praslin’s peak. So, in comparison with Praslin: the ascent is more challenging, the trail itself is abandoned, and no one maintains it. There’s an observation platform at the top, but it’s not equipped. The views are not as stunning as from Mont Azore on Praslin. However, it’s free.
- Starting coordinates from the village at the center of the island: -4.356373, 55.835342. A offline map is essential, as the road is not entirely clear on the ground, especially the last 500 meters.
- You might need to start from sea level or ask your host or hotel to arrange a taxi for 10-15 euros. They’ll take you up about 100 meters to the end of the paved road. The rest is on you.
- Plan for the entire round trip to take 2 to 3 hours.
Author’s rating:
4 out of 10. This is the only mountain hike on La Digue, but the route is weak, with no particularly beautiful views, and no one takes care of the trail. On Mahe, there are dozens of hikes much better; the best ones were mentioned earlier in this article. If you’re bored on La Digue and have seen everything, you can hike to the top, but it’s better to go snorkeling or on an excursion to uninhabited islands, which are abundant here.
In conclusion: I hope you now know what to see in Seychelles and what you can skip. It should be clear to everyone that Seychelles is about beaches, jungles, ocean, and there are almost no architectural landmarks, and those that exist are a bit of a stretch to call “landmarks.”
I recommend to every tourist: visit any one national park/reserve/botanical garden of your choice, hike any jungle trail of your choice, and definitely buy a yacht/catamaran excursion to uninhabited islands with turtles. This vacation will stay with you for a lifetime.
IMPORTANT: essential links to organize your dream trip to the Seychelles:
- FLIGHTS: Aviasales – direct flights and best deals.
- CAR RENTAL: Mahe and Praslin, no deposit required – DiscoverCars.
- TOURS and EXCURSIONS:
- GetYourGuide – 75+ activities on land and water in the Seychelles.
- Viator – 150 + activities in Seychelles.
- TRAVEL INSURANCE: EKTA.
- HOTELS, VILLAS, APARTMENTS:
- PACKAGES: from budget to luxury – Expedia.
- AIRPORT TRANSFER: Intui.
- INTERNET: eSIM of local telecom operator – Airalo.