🇸🇨 Seychelles

10 best places in Victoria

One of the world's smallest capitals, this colorful port town on Mahé Island mixes a bustling creole market with a British-era clock tower and jungle pressing right up to the streets.

Market

Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market

A lively covered market downtown selling fresh fish, tropical fruit, and spices to the beat of creole music.

Sight

Victoria Clock Tower (Lorloz)

A miniature replica of London's Little Ben has become the town's unofficial symbol and reference point for all distances on the island.

Park

National Botanical Gardens

A botanical garden home to giant coco de mer palms and slow-wandering giant tortoises.

Park

Sainte Anne Marine National Park

A marine reserve just off Victoria with coral reefs, perfect for a day-trip snorkeling boat outing.

Museum

Natural History Museum

A compact museum explaining the Seychelles' unique endemic flora, fauna, and geological past.

Sight

Sri Navasakthi Vinayagar Temple

A brightly painted Tamil Hindu temple in the heart of town, a legacy of the island's longstanding Tamil community.

Market

Marché Artisanal de Victoria

An open-air craft market selling batik, wood carvings, and souvenirs made by local artisans.

Restaurant

La Palme Restaurant

A homestyle creole restaurant serving capitaine fish in spicy tec-tec sauce and fried breadfruit.

Café

Marina Coffee House

A cozy harborside coffee shop with a view of fishing boats and fresh pastries every morning.

Sight

Beau Vallon Beach

The capital's nearest golden-sand beach with turquoise water - the go-to spot for sunset after a day in town.

FAQ

Best time to visit Seychelles?

It is hot and humid all year, so the real difference is wind and sea state. April to May and October to November sit between the monsoons and give the calmest water and the best visibility for diving. December to March is wetter, while June to September is drier but windy, with seaweed on some beaches.

How long do you need in Victoria?

Victoria is one of the smallest capitals in the world, and its centre - the market, the clock tower, the botanical gardens - takes half a day. After that the point is the rest of Mahé and the other islands, Praslin and La Digue. A week for the country as a whole is a sensible plan.

Do you need a visa for Seychelles?

Seychelles issues almost no traditional visas: visitors get a permit on arrival if they have a return ticket, accommodation and funds. You do, however, need to apply online for travel authorisation before you fly, and those requirements have changed more than once. Check the official process shortly before departure.

Can you move to Seychelles?

It is difficult. The labour market is protected, and hiring a foreigner requires a permit the employer has to justify. Living costs are high because nearly everything is imported, and there is no citizenship-by-investment programme. Most long-stay foreigners are there through tourism jobs, the offshore sector or family ties.