Places / Africa / Seychelles
Victoria
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At a glance
- Country
- Seychelles
- Region
- Mahé
- Population
- 26,000
- Best time to go
- April to May, October to November
- Main airport
- Seychelles International (SEZ)
- Coordinates
- 4.62°S, 55.45°E
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Overview
Victoria is one of the world's smallest capitals, a compact town on the north-east coast of Mahé with a silver clock tower, a lively market and the green peaks of Morne Seychellois rising right behind it.
Most visitors come for the beaches, but half a day in town gives a sense of Creole life, with Indian, Chinese, African and French influences mixing in the food and the streets.
Things to see
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Photo: Gerard Larose (Seychelles Tourism Board), CC BY 1.0 Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market
The central market, busy with fish, fruit, spices and craft stalls, liveliest on Saturday mornings.
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Photo: NorbertNagel, CC BY-SA 4.0 Clock Tower
A small silver replica of a clock tower in London, the town's best-known landmark.
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Photo: Seychelles Nation, CC BY 4.0 National Botanical Gardens
Old gardens with giant tortoises, palms and the famous coco de mer.
Tickets and tours -
Mission Lodge ruins
The remains of a 19th-century school for freed slaves, with a viewpoint over the mountains and coast.
Things to do
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Photo: Photography by Dino Sassi - Marcel Fayon, Photo Eden LTD, Public domain Hike Morne Seychellois National Park
Trails such as Copolia lead up through the forest to granite summits with views over Victoria.
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Photo: A.Savin, FAL Sainte Anne Marine National Park
Snorkel or take a glass-bottomed boat around the small islands just off the town.
Find tours -
Photo: Welcomematt22 at English Wikipedia, CC BY-SA 3.0 Beach day at Beau Vallon
A long sweep of sand on the north-west coast, with calm water and sunset bars.
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Photo: Unknown photographer, CC BY-SA 3.0 Day trip to Praslin
Take the fast ferry to see the coco de mer palms of the Vallée de Mai.
Find tours
Where to stay
Victoria
Small hotels close to the market, ferries and buses.
Hotels in VictoriaBeau Vallon
The island's busiest beach area, with restaurants and watersports.
Hotels in Beau VallonEden Island
An artificial island near the town with apartments, a marina and a calmer feel.
Hotels in Eden Island
Getting around
Buses from the Victoria terminus cover most of Mahé cheaply. Hire cars and taxis are widely available, and you drive on the left.
The airport is about ten kilometres south of Victoria, around 15 to 20 minutes by taxi.
When to go
The calm months between the trade winds, from April to May and October to November, are best for snorkelling and diving. The south-east trades blow from May to September, and the north-west monsoon brings more rain from December to March.
Plan your trip to Victoria
Guide last checked October 2026. Opening times and prices change, so check before you go.