Two Cities to Explore on a Mauritius Holiday

A holiday in Mauritius is associated with beaches, water sports and busy city centres. Visiting the cities of Grande Baie and Port Louis will give you just that, where you can relax on the sandy beaches and get to know the locals on the northern coast, or enjoy the buzz of the country's busy capital city.

The Friendly Atmosphere of Grande Baie

Grande Baie forms a pretty horseshoe on the northern coast of Mauritius. It is a popular destination for tourists in search of a holiday to Mauritius, with beautiful beaches and a buzzing nightlife making it an ideal beachside town.

With a range of top Mauritius hotels to choose from in this region, you won't be short of accommodation options. You can spend your days on the white sandy beaches of the bay, where you can watch local fisherman busy at work. With the crystal clear, warm Indian Ocean water at your fingertips, you could spend countless hours going between the sea and the sand.

Holidays in Mauritius are frequently associated with water sports, and Grand Baie certainly gives you many options. Explore the waters on diving and snorkelling trips, or if you don't want to completely submerge yourself in water, you could sail the sea in a glass-bottomed boat, as you watch the colourful fish swim by beneath you.

The streets are lined with hotels, shops, restaurants and bars, with a selection of designer stores beckoning your credit card. The country is a popular shopping destination, and holidays in Mauritius often involve several hours of shopping frenzy. Choose from the selection of bars to enjoy cocktails at sundown, and enjoy the delicious seafood served in local restaurants.

The Bustling City of Port Louis

Port Louis is the capital city and a buzzing destination for a Mauritius holiday. It is a working harbour and commercial hub, with recent town developments resulting in many activities to do in and around the city. Being a larger city, this provides a good contrast to the quieter village life of Grande Baie, and you won't have a dull moment in this buzzing tourist hub.

A visit to the Central Market will certainly be an interesting addition to your holiday in Mauritius. With hundreds of stalls for you to get lost in, you will find everything you desire from tropical fruit to fake designer t-shirts. You'll have to haggle with the store-keepers to get the best bargains, and you can munch on samosas and dhal pancakes as you wander through the stalls.

A stop off at the Caudan Waterfront on any holiday to Mauritius' capital is a must. It is considered to be the city's central tourist attraction, with a range of trendy shops and restaurants to suit all tastes. You can catch a film at the cinema if you're in the mood for a quieter afternoon, escaping for a couple of hours from the busy town.

During the months from May to November, horse racing becomes a central feature of the city. The Champs de Mars draws scores of eager punters to its races, and can be a fun and exciting day out while on holiday in Mauritius.

The Chinese Quarter is another interesting place to visit on a Mauritius holiday, with colourful shops lining busy streets, and scores of food stalls scenting the air with their delicious smells. Spice-sellers will teach you about their interesting products, and Ayurvedic remedy shops will treat any ailment.

The Jummad Mosque is situated in this quarter, where its hundred-year-old teak doors and decorations are beautiful to behold. This place of spiritual worship is popular among tourists on holiday in Mauritius, a peaceful site where locals have come to worship since 1853.