Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles

The city of Victoria was founded in 1778 by the French colonists who established here their first settlement.

Victoria is the capital and the only city in the entire Seychelles archipelago. The international airport is not far from the capital. The population of Victoria (including suburbs) is about 21 000 inhabitants. It is almost 25% of all population of Seychelles islands. 

Taxi is the fastest and the most convenient way to reach the city from the Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa. 15 minutes – and you are in the city center. The taxi cost is about 20-25 euro for one way ride.

We offer the following city route during which you will see all the main places of interes: Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa – Hindu temple Vinyagar – Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clark Market – The Clock Tower – Bicentennial Monument – Botanic Garden – Eden Island.

1. Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa – Hindu temple Vinyagar

Follow the Quincy Street to hindu temple Vinyagar. The temple got its name after the great hindu god of safety and prosperity Ganesha, Lord Vinyagar. You can easily find the temple as it is high and colorful building. It is open from 6 am to 12 am and from 7 pm to 9 pm.

The temple attracts more visitors and believers in October. 

The Holy Wedding Ritual takes place that time. It symbolizes the wedding of the Goddesses Sri Valli and Shri Devasana to Lord Murugan (Skanda – the god of war in hindu mythology usually pictured as a young man with 6 heads and 12 hands and legs), son of Shiva and Parvati.The ritual goes with offerings of fruits and flowers and loud accompaniment of music of drums and horns.

2. Hindu temple Vinyagar – Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clark Market

The neighboring street – Market street – is a place for local market named after Percy Selwyn Selwyn Clark – former governor of Seychelles in the mid of 20th century.

You can find a lot of fresh fruits, vegetables and fish along with local crafted souvenirs here.

3. Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clark Market – The Clock Tower

Turn to left from Market street to Albert street and follow to Independence Avenue where you will find the most famous sightseeing of the islands by all means (besides the ocean and the beaches) – The Clock Tower Lorloz The Little Ben. It is a replica of Little Ben installed in London.

Lorloz Little Ben in Victoria was installed in 1903 to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the British queen Victoria.

4. The Clock Tower – Bicentennial Monument

There is another monument on the opposite side of the Independence Avenue – Bicentennial Monument. It was established in 1978 to celebrate 200-annual of the foundation of the Victoria. It sounds like “Moniman Trwa Lezel” on Creolean language. It means the monument with three wings. These three wings is the essence of the Seychelles people as the mix of ethnic group from three continents: Africa, Europe and Asia.

5. Bicentennial Monument – Botanic Garden

Going down the 5th avenue and Mon Fleur Road you reach the Botanic Garden. It is located in the outskirts of the city but this garden is the oldest national monument.

There you can see exotic plants, fruit and spice trees that are endemic for Seychelles. Giant and very old tortoises are roaming in the garden. There is also a big variety of orchids to look at.

6. Botanic Garden – Eden Island

You have to follow Bois de Rose Avenue when you leave Botanic Garden. This street will lead you to the final point of our small journey – Eden Island. It is one of the modern places of interest of Seychelles – this island was built on the place of the coral reef which used to be there.

Now there are luxury houses and apartments with individual marinas. The shopping mall, bars and restaurants attract locals and tourists there. More information about Eden Island in the special article.