Mauritius is known for its stunning beaches, breathtaking lagoons, and clear reefs, making it ideal for honeymoons, family vacations, and romantic trips. While there are many towns and villages worth seeing, if you want to experience something besides beaches and coral reefs, you have to visit the capital of Mauritius, Port Louis.
Port Louis perfectly blends tradition with modernity and it’s home to many different cultures with influences from India, Africa, Europe, China, and the Middle East. Here are the highlights that you don’t want to miss out on when visiting this beautiful city.
What to Do
Blue Penny Museum
At the top of our list of things to do in the city is Blue Penny Museum, home to the former Mauritian Post Office’s one-penny and two-pence stamps, which are some of the most valuable ones in the world.
Citadel Fort Adelaide
You also don’t want to miss the amazing views from Citadel Fort Adelaide, which was built between 1834 and 1840 under the direction of William IV and named after Queen Adelaide. Today, the fort stands at 240 feet above sea level and it’s one of the few garrisons that doesn’t stand in ruins.
China Town
There’s never a dull moment in China Town and the food is to die for. Make sure you try bol renverse (literally, upside-down bowl), which is a stir fry with rice, vegetables, and chicken served with a fried egg.
Jummah Mosque
This mosque combines Indian, Creole, and Islamic architecture and the remains of Jamal Shah are in a marble tomb next to the mosque.
When to Visit
Mauritius only has two seasons, winter and summer. During the winter (May to November), it’s warm and dry and in the summer (November to May), it’s hot, humid, and wet. The temperatures stay pretty consistent throughout the year and in Port Louis, the climate is tropical with some winds.
How to Get Around
While you can drive a car or take taxis in Port Louis, the traffic can be rough, so we suggest taking public transportation or walking. If you’re staying in the center, most places can be reached on foot.
Where to Stay
Le Suffren Hotel & Marina
This hotel is located on the waterfront in Port Louis and the rooms are modern and spacious. Don’t miss the onsite restaurant which is a favorite among guests and non-guests.
Villa Anakao Mauritius
Just six kilometers away from Port Louis, this hotel has an outdoor pool, restaurant, and a ton of on-site water activities.
Labourdonnais Waterfront Hotel
Overlooking the Indian Ocean, this luxurious hotel has elegant rooms, two resultants, an on-site bar, a private balcony, an outdoor pool, a relaxing spa, and a complimentary cruise aboard a catamaran.
What to Eat
Gateaux Piments
These deep-fried chili cakes, are similar to falafel, but instead of chickpeas, they’re made from yellow split peas that are soaked overnight, ground up, and mixed with coriander, spring onions, chili, and turmeric.
Boulettes
Chinese-Mauritian dumpling, boulettes, are a great example of different influences coming together to make a delicious dish. There are tons of varieties of the dumplings and they’re usually made from fish, minced meats, calamari, chayote, or prawns.
Dholl Puri & Roti
These Indian-style flatbreads are made from oil, flour, water, and salt. They’re served with your choice of toppings including a tomato-based Mauritian creole sauce, a butter bean curry, and a raw chili chutney. The Dholl Puri has the addition of yellow split peas, turmeric, and cumin.
Anana Confit
This chilli salted pineapple is super refreshing and they’re also visually pleasing. Victoria Pineapples are carved and topped with sweet tamarind sauce, chilli, and salt.
