Antananarivo: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Antananarivo is the capital of Madagascar, a city on the hills of the central plateau at about 1,280 metres. Thanks to the altitude there is no punishing heat: days are warm and nights cool. The country's economy rests on agriculture, vanilla, nickel and cobalt, textiles and tourism, and the capital on government, trade and French-language outsourcing centres.

The city suits contract professionals in international organisations, mining and development projects, French-speaking entrepreneurs and people who want a long stay on the island. It is harder for those who need stable infrastructure and healthcare: water and power cuts are common.

Neighbourhoods: where newcomers settle

• Ivandry: a northern district with embassies, offices and housing for foreigners.
• Ambatobe: a green district with houses and international schools.
• The Upper Town: the historic centre with the Queen's Palace and city views, but steep streets and dense buildings.
• The centre by Lake Anosy: business areas, banks and hotels, heavy traffic.

Cost of living

The local currency is the ariary, about 4,465 ariary per dollar on 6 October 2026. Rents for foreigners are often quoted in euros or dollars.

Practicalities: climate, transport, health

Climate. The dry cool season runs from May to October and the rainy season from November to April. Cyclones mostly hit the east coast, but heavy rain also floods the capital. Transport. Rush-hour traffic jams are long; the city moves by taxi and minibus, and foreigners usually have a car with a driver. Health. Many foreigners have complex treatment in Mauritius, Réunion or Europe, so insurance with evacuation is needed.

Moving and legal status

• Russian citizens need an electronic visa applied for online before travelling: since 16 February 2026 a 15-day visa costs €30, 30 days €35 and 60 days €40;
• work requires a contract with a local employer and a work visa, with documents prepared in French;
• for business there is an investor visa, and companies are registered through a one-stop shop for investors.

Exchange rate: $1.12 per euro on 6 October 2026: a 60-day visa is about $45. We help with the visa and documents for work or business.

Language and situation

The official languages are Malagasy and French, and English is not widely spoken. In autumn 2025, after mass protests over water and power cuts, power in the country passed to the military. Ask an expert about the situation on your travel dates.

Nature and trips

Madagascar is an island with unique nature: lemurs and most local plants and animals are found nowhere else. From the capital people go to Andasibe National Park a few hours east, to the Avenue of the Baobabs near Morondava on the west coast and to the resort island of Nosy Be in the north. Domestic flights are expensive and roads slow, so trips are planned in advance.

Money, communications and safety

Payments are mostly in cash in ariary, and cards are accepted in large hotels and shops. Mobile wallets are widely used for small payments and transfers. Petty theft happens in the centre and at markets, so valuables are kept out of sight, and in the evening people take taxis rather than walk.

Getting there

Ivato International Airport is about 15 km north of the centre, but in traffic the trip takes over an hour. Flights link Antananarivo with Paris, Addis Ababa, Istanbul, Nairobi, Mauritius and Réunion, with no direct flights from Russia. Many arrive via Mauritius or Addis Ababa.

Work and business

Madagascar is the world's main vanilla supplier and a major producer of nickel and cobalt, textiles and shrimp. The capital hosts customer service and data processing centres for French companies, which need staff with fluent French. Foreigners mostly work in mining, international organisations and development projects, and businesses are set up through a one-stop shop for investors.

Is the city worth considering

The pluses are a mild highland climate, modest prices, the island's unique nature and a French-speaking environment. The minuses are water and power cuts, traffic, limited healthcare and political instability. Antananarivo is a city for contract work or a long trip, not for emigrating with the whole family.