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Mauritius🇲🇺 | best landmarksDiscover the 6 Best landmarks Across Mauritius

Landmarks in Mauritius are mostly natural and cultural rather than ancient: volcanic peaks, colored earths, waterfalls, Hindu temples and colonial-era sites. The southwest packs the big sights close together, while the north and east are quieter. Independent travelers can reach most by local bus, though early starts beat tour-bus crowds, and many entries are free or cost only a few dollars.

By Johan Kruseman 🇳🇱 | Updated October 23, 2026
Explore the best national parks in Mauritius

Why go?Why These unique site Stand Out

Mauritius is a young volcanic island of about 2,040 square kilometers, so landmarks sit close together and shift between volcanic geology, Hindu, Tamil, Chinese and Muslim places of worship, and sugar-era and colonial heritage. That mix comes from settlement by the Dutch, French and British, plus indentured labor from India. Few countries this small stack so many faiths and landscapes in one drive.

Know before you choose: you won’t find ancient ruins, and several sights are about viewpoints and short walks rather than long visits. The tropical climate means morning clarity often gives way to afternoon cloud on the uplands. Public buses are cheap and cover main towns, but reaching rural spots takes patience, so plan around bus timetables or a shared taxi.
Our Approach to Ranking
The list of best unique sites in Mauritius is created based on history or culture, wow factor, atmosphere, quirks, and memorability. If you feel a unique site is missing in this list, please let us know.

When to go?When to Plan Your Trip

Best months: May to December is best for landmarks in Mauritius, because it is the cooler, drier season, with highs of roughly 24 to 27°C on the coast and clearer morning views. October and November are my favorite pair: dry skies, fewer people, and lower fares than the December peak.
Shoulder and wet season: January to April is hot and humid, with highs of 29 to 32°C and heavy showers, and cyclone risk peaks from January to March. The central plateau (Curepipe area) is cooler and wetter than the coast year-round, so bring a light rain jacket. Mid-December to early January, and some July and August school holidays, push up accommodation prices, often by 30 to 60 percent. Major Hindu festivals like Maha Shivaratri (February or March) bring huge crowds to certain sacred sites, so book ahead then.

unique site hoppingOptimizing Your Multi-Stop Itinerary

How many days: A trip linking several landmarks in Mauritius needs 5 to 7 days, since the island is small but roads clog near Port Louis. Group by region: the southwest (Chamarel, Le Morne, Black River Gorges) takes about 2 days, while the north (Grand Baie, Pamplemousses) and the center (Curepipe, Trou aux Cerfs) suit shorter stops. A sensible direction is from Port Louis or Grand Baie south, then circling back along the east coast.
Pacing and transfers: Allow 2 to 4 hours per stop, and 1 to 2 hours between regions. Mauritius has two main bus hubs, Port Louis and Curepipe, with most routes passing through one of them. A common mistake is cramming north and southwest into one day, as traffic can double drive time. Another is relying on buses to remote sights, which often run infrequently. Hire … read more 👉
How many days: A trip linking several landmarks in Mauritius needs 5 to 7 days, since the island is small but roads clog near Port Louis. Group by region: the southwest (Chamarel, Le Morne, Black River Gorges) takes about 2 days, while the north (Grand Baie, Pamplemousses) and the center (Curepipe, Trou aux Cerfs) suit shorter stops. A sensible direction is from Port Louis or Grand Baie south, then circling back along the east coast.
Pacing and transfers: Allow 2 to 4 hours per stop, and 1 to 2 hours between regions. Mauritius has two main bus hubs, Port Louis and Curepipe, with most routes passing through one of them. A common mistake is cramming north and southwest into one day, as traffic can double drive time. Another is relying on buses to remote sights, which often run infrequently. Hire a taxi for a half day, or rent a car for 2 or 3 days, and keep the rest car-free.

The ListMust-Visit landmarks in Mauritius

1 Grand Bassin

Crater lake shrines, 33-meter Shiva, shoeless pilgrims, macaques

Walk down to a volcanic crater lake where marigold-draped shrines crowd the shore, a giant Shiva watches the road, and monkeys eye your snacks.

mauritius-unique-site-grand-bassin
© Google |

2 Trou aux Cerfs

Dormant crater, forested bowl, rim road, plateau panorama

Circle the paved rim of a 300-meter crater, look down at its green pond, and name the distant peaks from the orientation table.

mauritius-unique-site-trou-aux-cerfs
© Google |

3 L’Aventure du Sucre

Rusting steam engines, unrefined sugar tasting, indenture galleries, rum pour

Tour a former cane factory hall of boilers and crushers, then taste a lineup of raw sugars and local rums before leaving.

mauritius-unique-site-laventure-du-sucre
© Google |

4 Rochester Falls

Hexagonal columns, 10-meter drop, cane-field approach, plunge pool

Scramble over flat ledges below a curtain of water to read the geometry of cooled lava columns, then check the pool’s current.

mauritius-unique-site-rochester-falls
© Google |

5 Le Souffleur

Lava-shelf blowhole, swell-driven spout, sharp basalt, southern headland

Time a short walk across sharp lava to a fissure where incoming waves fire water skyward with a thump you feel underfoot.

mauritius-unique-site-le-souffleur
© Google |

6 La Roche qui Pleure

Black basalt cliff, streaming spray, Souillac coast, wave-battered railing

Stand at the railing and watch swells drain down a dark lava face in thin streaks, then continue along the coastal trail.

mauritius-unique-site-la-roche-qui-pleure
© Google |
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Expert viewPro Tips for Exploring the Best

How many to visit: Aim for 6 to 8 landmarks over a week. Mauritius is small, but sights are spread across winding roads and afternoon rain, so a day with two landmarks beats one with four. Fewer stops cost less in transport and leave time for a beach day, which gives a backpacker the most value.
Which kinds to prioritize: If you love hiking, put the volcanic peaks and gorge trails first, since they cost little and need early starts. If you prefer culture, pick one or two Hindu temples and a colonial-era site, which are often free. Skip paid add-ons such as helicopter or quad-bike combos unless a view truly matters, as these can run US$80 to 150.
Budget: Plan roughly Rs 1,500 to 3,000 a day (about US$33 to 66) including bus rides, simple meals and entry fees. Single entries range from free at … read more 👉
How many to visit: Aim for 6 to 8 landmarks over a week. Mauritius is small, but sights are spread across winding roads and afternoon rain, so a day with two landmarks beats one with four. Fewer stops cost less in transport and leave time for a beach day, which gives a backpacker the most value.
Which kinds to prioritize: If you love hiking, put the volcanic peaks and gorge trails first, since they cost little and need early starts. If you prefer culture, pick one or two Hindu temples and a colonial-era site, which are often free. Skip paid add-ons such as helicopter or quad-bike combos unless a view truly matters, as these can run US$80 to 150.
Budget: Plan roughly Rs 1,500 to 3,000 a day (about US$33 to 66) including bus rides, simple meals and entry fees. Single entries range from free at temples to about Rs 200 to 700 (US$4 to 15) at gardens and parks. Guides at hiking sites cost about Rs 1,000 to 2,000 (US$22 to 44) per group, worth it for gorge trails where paths fork. Buses cost about Rs 30 to 100 per ride, while a taxi day runs Rs 2,500 to 4,000 (US$55 to 88), cheaper split among four.
Safety and culture: Dress modestly at temples and mosques: cover shoulders and knees, and remove shoes at the door. Ask before photographing worshippers, and avoid walking into ceremonies. Some sites ban drones. Wet rock and swollen streams make waterfalls and trails slippery after rain, so check weather first and carry water. Leave nothing visible in parked cars, as theft happens at popular viewpoints.

✈️ The backpacker research shortcutMauritius Travel Guide

An offline-friendly backpacking guide with optimized travel routes, ranked highlights, transport advice, and the best areas to stay.
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🛏️ Where to stay?Where to Stay: Mauritius Edition

Backpacking Mauritius means few true dorm hostels, but budget guesthouses, family-run pensions and self-catering studios are common, typically around Rs 1,200 to 2,500 (€25 to 50) a night for a double. Grand Baie in the north has the widest choice, the island’s liveliest bars and easy boat trips, though it’s the most built-up stretch, while Flic en Flac on the west coast pairs a long public beach and sunset views with a calmer evening scene. For quiet and a more local feel, Mahébourg sits 15 minutes from the airport near the southeast lagoon, and La Gaulette puts you close to Le Morne’s kitesurfing and hiking, but both go silent after dark and need buses or a scooter to reach much else.

If you … read more 👉
Backpacking Mauritius means few true dorm hostels, but budget guesthouses, family-run pensions and self-catering studios are common, typically around Rs 1,200 to 2,500 (€25 to 50) a night for a double. Grand Baie in the north has the widest choice, the island’s liveliest bars and easy boat trips, though it’s the most built-up stretch, while Flic en Flac on the west coast pairs a long public beach and sunset views with a calmer evening scene. For quiet and a more local feel, Mahébourg sits 15 minutes from the airport near the southeast lagoon, and La Gaulette puts you close to Le Morne’s kitesurfing and hiking, but both go silent after dark and need buses or a scooter to reach much else.

If you enjoy meeting fellow travelers, consider choosing hostels with high ratings for atmosphere. On the other hand, if you prefer having your own space, a hotel might be a better option.

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👋 Meet the founderWho’s Behind Take Your Backpack?

Johan, backpacker and founder of TakeYourBackpackHi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past 3 decades, I’ve backpacked through 90+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.

This site is built on a combination of firsthand travel experience and carefully curated insights from other backpackers. Many guides are based on places I’ve personally visited, while others bring together tips, observations, and practical advice shared by trusted travelers I’ve met along the way.

The goal is to provide realistic, experience-driven guidance — not generic itineraries — so you can explore destinations with better context, clearer expectations, and more confidence.