What to see in the Seychelles islands: a week's stay in one of the African archipelagos most visited by tourists from all over the world
Le Seychelles, officially the Republic of the Seychelles, they are one of the smallest and least inhabited African states and at the same time one of the most visited by international tourism due to the extraordinary celebrity of their beaches and natural beauty. Made up of an archipelago of 115 islands and islets north of Madagascar, the Seychelles boast an ancient history made up of pirates and corsairs who infested the waters of the Indian Ocean until 1600. Only with the arrival of the French were the first cities and the first fortified settlements founded, which formed the basis of the current structure of the State.
Although these wonderful islands are globally known and recognized for their postcard-perfect white beaches, coconut palms and splendid sea, they also hide a rich natural of incredible beauty and a cultural life not to be underestimated. In this guide we will discover the main islands of the Seychelles archipelago in a week-long itinerary between the sea, uncontaminated nature and cultural attractions.
The first stage of the journey is onMahe Island, the largest of the entire archipelago both in terms of size and population - in fact 90% of the inhabitants live here -, where the state capital, Victoria, is located, a charming colonial-style city with almost 30.000 inhabitants. The city is located against a belt of low hills which with a gentle slope descend to the spectacular gulf where they meet a wonderful bright blue sea developing a suggestive seafront where it is worth walking at dusk and admiring the lights that are reflected in the 'waterfall.
A Victoria you can spend a couple of days visiting the lush botanical gardens, which act as a green lung for the city and where you can see up close the friendly giant tortoises of the Seychelles and some colonial buildings of great charm, such as the old Court building, the Anglican church and, finally, the Natural History Museum, perfect for learning about the flora, fauna and geology of the islands in detail.
Just 3 kilometers from Victoria is one of the best known and most celebrated locations in the Seychelles, Beau vallon, the prototype of the tropical beaches of the island of Mahè, where you can find the white beaches, palm trees and the wonderful sea that stand out in every image associated with the archipelago. In addition to the tourist area, very convenient due to the presence of every type of service, venue and beach facility, you can get to Glaze e North point to find quieter and less crowded areas.
Before leaving Mahé you cannot miss a visit to the main natural parks of the island, the Morne Seychelles National Park e Sainte Anne Marine National Park: the first is the largest terrestrial nature reserve in the State, where you can admire some of the most spectacular ecosystems such as mangroves, tropical forest and central highlands, all with numerous traces of the colonial past among ruins and abandoned structures; the Sainte Anne Marine is instead a large protected area that surrounds the islands of Round Island, Long Island and other wonderful islets where you can dive to discover the extraordinary underwater ecosystem of the island and some of the most spectacular beaches of the archipelago.
After three days spent on Mahè it's time to embark from Victoria and head north for about 45 kilometers to the second island of the Seychelles, Praslin, where just 5000 people live and you can find some more romantic and less crowded seaside resorts than Beau Vallon. In Praslin you can stay a couple of days to visit the suggestive Vallès de Mal, an incredible valley covered by a tropical forest unique in the world, lush and intricate, recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site.
The Valley is an ecosystem of rare beauty and preserves some very rare plants, such as the coco de mer, and an incredible variety of bird species, which make it a perfect destination for birdwatchers and nature photographers. For those who love tropical beaches the island offers spectacular ones Anse Lazio e Anse Volbert less frequented by tourists but equally beautiful and romantic, the ideal destinations to spend an evening by the sea.
The last days of the trip can be used for sightseeing La Digue, the last of the major islands of the archipelago which hosts some of the most beautiful beaches in all of the Seychelles, also because it has suffered less massively from urbanization linked to tourism. In La Digue visit the charming port of The pass, a quiet fishing village where you can rent a boat and explore the nearby coasts and islets, and the spectacular Veuve Reserve natural park, where a corner of virgin forest has survived the presence of man and offers shelter to a large number of very rare bird species, such as the paradise flycatcher, which lives only on this island.
La Digue also offers the wonderful beaches of Anse Source d'Argent e Grand Anse, which seem to be the true model of the tropical beach of the Seychelles, with white sand, palm trees and a sea of an incredible variety of colours, from emerald to cobalt. For those who want complete solitude, away from tourists and noise, the best choice is to reach the beaches of Brown Handle e Anse Reunion, where you will find nothing but the sand, the sea and the splendid tropical sky of this corner of paradise.
