Port Louis: Travel Guide & Things to Do
Let's explore the best things to do in Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius. Our guide will help you to discover top attractions, cool sights, and must-visit places, including tips on where to stay and how to get there.
Mauritius is a tropical paradise that has beautiful beaches, stunning landscapes, and turquoise sea. It's a perfect destination for a romantic trip, honeymooners, family vacation, and fans of slow travel.
However, there are few towns and villages worth mentioning, and today we are going to spend the day away from the golden beaches and coral reefs, and visit Port Louis on a day trip.
The capital and most populous city on the island, Port Louis has a long history dating back to the 17th century. This harbor town surrounded by the Indian Ocean from one side and Moka Mountains from the other was founded in 1638, and it became the administrative capital under French rule in the 18th century.
The mountain range plays an important role in the location of the town, as it protects Port Louis from strong winds and bad weather. The port itself had an essential position in the colonization era for both French and British, as it had a strategical location for ships sailing from Europe to Asia around the southernmost tip of Africa (long before the Suez Canal was built).
As a result, Port Louis is home to many fascinating structures such as colonial buildings, an old fort, government offices, modern buildings, and many more top attractions.
The official capital of the island has cultural importance to Mauritians and says a lot about the island and its residents, as it's a vibrant city full of colors, and a really cool blend of past and present.
Nowadays, Port Louis (named after French King Louis XV is a popular stop on every Mauritius itinerary.
The tourist area is very compact, and easily covered on foot, so you don't have to worry about getting around the town by public transport. The only place worth visiting further from downtown is the racecourse, but you just easily hail a taxi on the street.
The tourist area is encircled by Les Jardins de la Compagnie in the southwest, Champs de Mars and La Citadel in the southeast, Jummah Masjid and China Town in the north, and the waterfront in the west. There is not much going on for tourists outside of this zone, so you might want to stick to this part of the town during your whole stay.
We've rounded up a list of some of the best places to visit and things to do in Port Louis, and we would encourage you to plan your trip to Port Louis with our guide to explore top places and best attractions while in the city.
BEST THINGS TO DO IN PORT LOUIS
Port Louis is not the most exciting capital city in the world, but it has its charm.
Walking around the waterfront is really nice, the central market is fun to experience, and the Blue Penny Museum is a must-visit.
However, don't expect to spend there a few days packed with activities, as there are not that many things to do, and you can easily see the best sights and visit all the top attractions in one day.
In our opinion, even a half-day in Port Louis is enough, and you might want to visit other interesting places outside the city, such as Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden or Cap Malheureux on the same day.
BLUE PENNY MUSEUM
For us, the principal reason to visit Port Louis was the Blue Penny Museum that features the most famous post stamp in the world.
The Two Pence Blue, and Red One-Penny stamp. Yeah, there are actually two famous stamps, we called them simply a red one and a blue one.
This is the symbol of Mauritius. This was the only famous stamp(s) in the world we had heard about (well, remembered the name to be more precise) before our visit.
The best part about this place is, that you don't have to be a philatelist to enjoy it. We sure aren't, and we really liked it.
Even though we don't collect stamps, and the last letter we sent was like 15 years ago (not counting postcards, of course), we think the museum is worth the visit. If you are a fan, then the visit to the museum will have a completely different meaning for you than it had for us, but that's something pretty obvious.
You are not allowed to take photos once inside the museum, and the most famous stamps are shown for only 10 minutes at a time.
The admission fee is 245 MUR for foreign visitors, and the museum is opened daily between 10 AM and 5 PM, except for Sundays and holidays.
CENTRAL MARKET
Visiting the local market is usually one of our favorite things to do while traveling around foreign countries, and Port Louis was no exception to this fact.
It's always fun to see local products, discover natural spices and traditional handicrafts. This central market has a great array of fresh food, such as meat, fish, veggies, and fruit.
The central market has an upper and lower section, it looks worn down, and the fresh products section (the lower section) has a strong unpleasant smell. The upper part features clothes, textiles, and all that similar stuff, and is great for watching the craziness of the ground floor, and you might take some really cool pictures from there.
Here are useful tips to enjoy the market more.
Get there early. Most of the markets open early in the morning, and if you get there in the afternoon, the stalls will be half-empty and the smell even more unpleasant.
Don't be afraid to buy something but don't settle for the first price. Use common sense, and compare the prices - a single banana really doesn't cost 3 dollars.
Haggle down the price before you purchase anything. Take in all the smells and colors. Keep your wallet safe in crowded areas.
And final advice, have fun.
If you like markets, street food, and this kind of stuff, you may consider to book this street food tour.
PLACE D'ARMES
A pleasant walk along the busy Place D'Armes, a broad boulevard lined with tall palm trees, will take you from Caudan Waterfront to Les Jardins De La Compagnie and Government House.
This is the historical center of Mauritius that served in the colonial times first as a Naval base for French, and later on, became the administrative and commercial center of the island.
Quick Tip: Look out for the traffic when crossing streets.
FORT ADELAIDE
Walk fifteen to twenty minutes southeast from the waterfront, and you will arrive at Fort Adelaide, also known as the Citadel.
The fort sits on the top of La Petite Montagne, and it's one of the remaining places that will remind you of the colonial times.
You need to climb a short hill to get there, but the views are worth the effort. Actually, stunning 360 degrees views are probably the main reason to visit this place, as there are not many things to do except for looking at a few cannons and climbing the fortress walls.
From the top of the fort, you can see the city, port, mountainous area, and also the racecourse, which you might want to visit later on. The fort was completed in 1840 (construction started in 1834) to protect Port Louis against enemy attacks even though it was never used for this purpose.
There is a small parking lot next to the entry gate, and the entrance is free.
CAUDAN - PORT LOUIS WATERFRONT
Named after a famous local figure, Jean Dominque Michel de Caudan, Caudan Waterfront is a must-visit place in Mauritius.
This is a modern waterfront with shops, food court, restaurants, craft market, hotels, and the Blue Penny Museum. It's a popular shopping and eating area for both locals and tourists, even though the prices are inflated, so if you are on a budget, look for a lunch spot somewhere else.
We would definitely go to eat somewhere else, but that's just us. What we really enjoyed was a pleasant walk along the waterfront and around quays and the views of ships across the bay.
If you are looking for something more authentic, you won't find it here, but it's a popular place as there is always something going on.
LE CHAMP DE MARS
A former military training ground was transformed into a racecourse at the beginning of the 19th century, and horse racing became really popular in Mauritius.
If you are a fan, you might visit one of the meetings usually held on Saturdays and Sundays from March to December.
The entrance is 200 MUR for men (no entrance fee for women), and betting is allowed.
CHINA TOWN
Full of family eateries, street vendors, and small shops, Chinatown is one of the places in Port Louis you shouldn't miss.
It's not the largest Chinatown you will ever see, but if you have a thing for Chinatowns, this is a place to go while roaming the streets of Port Louis.
Watch out for the traffic when getting around this part of the town.
AAPRAVASI GHAT
This World Heritage Site with many displays and exhibits will help you understand a little bit more about the gloomy colonial Mauritius history.
More than 450 thousand people from India arrived in Mauritius after slavery was abolished by the British. They stepped off the boat at this place and then were sent to French plantations to replace the former slaves' jobs.
The museum focuses and reflects the difficult life of Indian laborers after their arrival in the 19th century, and it's great for people interested in history.
JUMMAH MOSQUE
White-walled Jummah Mosque stands on the same name street only two blocks from Aapravasi Ghat.
The property on which the mosque is located was acquired by Muslim merchants from India in the 19th century and used as a place of worship. Later on, a mosque was built (1853) and expanded in the next years that followed.
After Al-Aqsa, this is the second oldest mosque in Mauritius and a significant place for many locals. The architectural blend of different styles features a big entrance door, minarets, columns, domes, and arches.
As you can clearly see, this island has incredible cultural diversity, and Port Louis is the best place to visit in Mauritius to experience it.
If you are not comfortable with getting around without a map, get Mauritius guidebook by Lonely Planet, which covers almost 20 top attractions in Port Louis' city center (including a map).
HOW TO GET TO PORT LOUIS
Port Louis lies in the northwest part of Mauritius, which means, that the city is very accessible from the northern part of the island.
There are many parking lots around the waterfront, which is the best area to park your car in Port Louis. Search for Marina Quay Parking, Park & Ride United Docks, Granary Parking, etc.
We drove to Port Louis from Flic en Flac for about 45 minutes (even though the fastest route is only 20 kilometers), but the travel time is very dependable on the time of the day.
Of course, you can join a guided day-tour that will show you must-visit places in the North Mauritius including Port Louis.
If you hire a taxi, be prepared to pay more, but it's the most comfortable way to get to Port Louis without worrying about where to park.
Also, the local bus runs from Flic en Flac. The fare is cheap, though it takes about an hour to get there. The public bus route covers most of the major tourist towns in the north, but getting around is a time demanding process.
We recommend to rent a car for the length of your stay, as this will allow you to explore more places in one day, and you will have an easier job to plan your Mauritius itinerary.
WHERE TO STAY IN PORT LOUIS
Despite the fact, that this article focuses on Port Louis, we probably wouldn't stay there more than one night as we would rather continue our journey towards the north or south part of Mauritius the next day.
Both the north and south parts of Mauritius offer a wide range of accommodation. Especially the northwest part is very popular with tourists, and you will have plenty of options to choose from.
Said that we included one hotel in capital Port Louis to cover all possibilities.
We've included all types of accommodation, from budget hostels to luxury resorts; be assured that hotels in Mauritius will cater to all your needs and requirements.
Here are our top hotel picks in popular Mauritius' resort towns.
Port Louis | Le Suffren Hotel & Marina - This modern hotel offers everything you need - from airconditioned rooms to great location right on the waterfront, impeccably clean rooms, or an excellent onsite restaurant. Enjoy one of many treatments in the spa center or hit a fully equipped fitness room.
Trou aux Biches | Voile Bleue Boutique Hotel - Cozy hotel with modern studious offers air-conditioned rooms with kitchenette, outdoor swimming pool, and private parking.
Grand Baie | Le Pole - This is the most economical hotel on our list, and it's a perfect choice for backpackers and budget travelers. Le Pole has an excellent location close to the beach and grocery store, the rooms have an air-condition, there are an onsite restaurant and outdoor pool.
Balaclava | The Oberoi Beach Resort - Treat yourself and book a room in this luxury resort, which is one of the top hotels in Balaclava. The location is very quiet, and the facilities include a spa, wellness center, and a gym. Rooms are very spacious and airconditioned, and the attentive staff will make your stay in Oberoi Beach Resort unforgettable.
PORT LOUIS SAFETY
Mauritius is a popular place for relaxing vacations, as it's one of the safest countries in Africa.
When it comes to safety in the capital city, Port Louis has its problems, but it's considered safe during the day.
At night, the situation changes, and you should stay only in central well-lit tourist areas. We visited Port Louis during the day, and we didn't run into any troubles, but once again, the situation might be very different at night.
Look out for pickpockets in crowded places such as Central Market and Chinatown, or leave your valuables in your hotel room.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
PACKING TIPS
Port Louis is a hot city with average temperatures between 24 Celsius in winter months (June-September) and 28 Celsius (November-April).
Leave your flip flops in a hotel room and wear a comfortable pair of shoes, dress properly in case you want to visit places such as Jummah Mosque.
Regardless of your clothing choice, we always pack a sarong, that we can use as a skirt or to cover head or shoulders. During the summer months, it may rain, so you can bring a travel umbrella with you.
If you left something at home, you can find it in Port Louis, as there are many shopping malls.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
