Port Louis, the capital city of Mauritius, is one of the most popular destinations to visit in the country. It is a melting pot of glitz and glamour harmonizing beautifully with traditions and customs from its 300-year-old past. Port Louis is fascinating in terms of its mix of culture, tradition, and history.
Port Louis has conserved many historic and colonial buildings throughout the years. One of them is a fortification named Fort Adelaide built by the British in 1835. The biggest and oldest post office in Mauritius can also be found in Port Louis near the Caudan Waterfront. In the city center, there are a number of French-styled buildings, which enhance the charm of Port Louis. You can tour the city and see some wonderful French colonial buildings.
Here are the Top 10 Places to Visit in Port Louis, which are worth visiting on your Port Louis Trip:
1. Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden
Popularly famous as the name of Pamplemousses Botanical Garden and one of the most visited tourist attractions in Port Louis, the Sir Seewoosagur Ramgoolam Botanical Garden (SSR Botanical Garden) is the largest Botanical Garden in Mauritius. Featuring an extravagant variety of exotic and rare species of plants along with some endemic animals on the verge of getting endangered, this massive garden covers the ground of over a whopping 37 hectares!
There are some trees and shrubs and some perennial species as well which can be found only during specific months of the year. The tourists can explore the 85 varieties of palm trees curated from several parts of the world. Another attraction for the visitors is the giant water lilies in the huge pond.
2. Jummah Mosque
The Jummah Masjid, located on Royal Road in Port Louis, is one of the most stunning religious buildings in Mauritius. It dates back to the 1850s and highlights the skills of Tamil artisans. The mosque is open to the public where you can tour the grounds and admire the intricate mix of Islam, Creole, and Indian architectural design. Jummah Masjid houses the remains of Jamal Shah in a marble tomb nearby.
3. Mauritius Photography Museum
Here you can find many old pictures as well as old cameras and prints. Get ready to experience pictures in the old way. The museum has an s archive of historical photos of the Island and they are definitely worth seeing.
4. Port Louis Waterfront
One of the best places to visit in Port Louis on your Mauritius trip, Le Caudron Waterfront offers you exhilarating views. From shopping stores, and casinos, to fine dining restaurants, what has it not got? Your trip is incomplete without paying a visit to this part of the city. The sophisticated ambiance of the place will leave you smitten. Whether it is day or night, have a good time with your friends or family.
5. Citadel Fort
Popularly known as Adelaide Fort, this place gives you a chance to experience the stunning views of the city of Port Louis. Adelaide was the wife of William II but after Britishers captivated it, they renamed it, Citadel Fort. The Moorish style of architecture gives it an archaic appeal and all the arches are horseshoe-shaped.
6. Le Caudan Waterfront Casino
Port Louis has a number of casinos but what sets Le Caudan apart is its mesmerizing waterfront location. Even if you do not know how to gamble, you can at least enjoy the views. The entrance of the park is set up like a pirate ship. There is quite a range of casino games like reel machines, roulettes, poker, and blackjack. Enjoy the amazing service at the double bar.
7. Pieter Both Mountain
With a height of 820 meters, the Pieter Both is the second highest mountain range on the island of Mauritius. Pieter Both is a part of the Moka mountain range of Mauritius that is situated in the center of the island. It is an iconic and unique mountain as it is easily noticeable due to its round-shaped boulder at the extreme top of the hill, almost making it similar to a human head. It is also famous for being the home to the rarest palm species Hyophorbe amaricaulis, which covers most of the mountain.
8. Blue Penny Museum
Blue Penny Museum is a famous stamp museum located in the capital of Mauritius in Port Louis. Ever since its inauguration in 2011, the Blue Penny Museum has continued to take visitors on enthralling journeys of the rich culture and history of the island. The Museum is named after the famous 1847 2-pence Blue Penny Stamp, which had been engraved for Mauritian post offices by Joseph Osmond, back in the 1800s.
9. Place d'Armes and the Government House
Considered a jewel of the Mauritian heritage, the Place d'Armes is undoubtedly the most iconic place of the island. It stretches from the Hotel du Gouvernement all the way up to the Port Louis Waterfront. The road lined with royal palms leads to the beautiful French Colonial structure - the Government House - that dates back to 1738. Also famous by the name Sookdeo Bissoondoyal Square, Place d'Armes is the place where you can find the statues of some of the great personalities who contributed, in one way or the other, to the long and rich history of Mauritius; the buildings present in the area also reflect the deep-rooted history.
10. Port Louis Main Market
Port-Louis which is the capital of the island provides lots of small as well as big malls to shop at. It is home to more than 100 small retail shops including typical Chinese shops selling herbs, and Chinese origin products or typical small shops selling clothing.
The Port Louis main market (also known as the Port Louis main bazaar) is a treat with its exotic fish and vegetables, saris, t-shirts, baskets, wooden and traditional handicraft products, local jewelry, and souvenirs at very low prices. The Port Louis main market is the ideal place to find many locally made products, textiles, Mauritian spices, fruits, and many souvenirs for very cheap prices.
Next to the market found the large shopping mall, ‘Le Caudan Waterfront’ where there are luxurious stalls, shops, a craft market, a food court, and restaurants in one place.
Besides the above attractions, there is much more to explore in Port Louis!!!
