Elephant ear taro (Alocasia macrorrhizos), Victoria Botanical Gardens, Mahe Island, Seychelles

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Botanical Gardens

Victoria


The manicured botanical gardens, full of streams and birdsong, are about a 10-minute walk south of the centre. Star attractions are the coco de mer palms lining the main alley. There's also a spice grove, a pen of giant tortoises, a patch of rainforest complete with fruit bats, and a cafeteria.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Victoria attractions

1. Sheikh Mohamed bin Khalifa Mosque

0.36 MILES

Tucked away from the main drag is this modern mosque, which serves Victoria's small Muslim community. It's at its busiest for Friday noon prayers.

2. Liberty Monument

0.44 MILES

Unveiled in 2014 to mark 38 years of independence, this eye-catching bronze sculpture is the work of British-born Seychellois artists Tom Bowers.

3. National Museum of History

0.5 MILES

Housed in Victoria's restored colonial-era Supreme Court building (1885), this terrific museum opened in late 2018. While the architecture itself is worth…

4. Clock Tower

0.52 MILES

The focal point of the city centre is this downsized replica of the clock tower on London's Vauxhall Bridge. It was brought to Victoria in 1903 when the…

5. Natural History Museum

0.53 MILES

The rather ramshackle Natural History Museum is worth a quick visit to learn about the islands' geology, fauna and flora.

6. Anglican Church

0.56 MILES

Taking pride of place in the centre of town is the simple Anglican church, with its renovated facade and elegant tower.

7. Kaz Zanana

0.63 MILES

This gallery, in a traditional Creole wooden structure built in 1915 and restored in the 1980s, exhibits the work of George Camille, one of the Seychelles…

8. Sir Selwyn Selwyn-Clarke Market

0.66 MILES

No trip to Victoria would be complete without a wander through the covered market. It's small by African standards, but it's a bustling, colourful place…