The Capital of the Seychelles

The capital of the Republic of the Seychelles is located on the north-east island Mahé, flanked on one side by high mountain ranges. At first look, the city’s importance as the country’s cultural and administrative center is unclear; there are just two dozen streets, which characterize not only the city’s snug atmosphere but also the Seychellois way of life. Visitors will struggle to locate much in terms of parking garages, neon signs, or showmanship in general with the philosophy of ‘Beauty Acts Silently’ pulsing through the veins of the city; the city only has two traffic signals! Nonetheless, Victoria remains the Seychelles’ largest town and only city, with a population of roughly 25,000 people located on the main island of Mahé.

victoria-seychelles-capital-seybooking

This ‘backwater’ has matured, with a tiny, bustling market selling fish, fruits, and vegetables, as well as restaurants, offices, banks, and stores. Victoria’s eastern boundary, which includes the Sainte Anne Marine National Park, extends up into the port and the ocean. The New Pier, which serves as the country’s principal trade port, accommodates cruise ships, huge freighters, and tankers. Spices, vanilla, coconuts, coconut oil, soap, tuna, and cinnamon bark are among the Seychelles’ exports. The International Airport, the Botanical Gardens, a university, museums, places of worship, offices belonging to tourism organizations, airlines, and banks, and ultimately a cinema and stores are all located in the city’s surrounding urban area.

victoria-seychelles-capital-seybooking

The town’s architecture is characterized by stone and wooden buildings from the early twentieth century, which, with their colorful facades, shutters, and balustrades, make a colorful image. Walking past these structures, you will undoubtedly detect the fragrances of numerous fascinating spice scents, which are typically originating from little grocery stores where you may fill up on supplies. You’ll definitely notice a more vibrant version of Victoria in the mornings around 8 a.m. and in the afternoons at about 16 p.m. Many folks go shopping or have coffee at this hour. This drama, however, does not last long, as most businesses lock their shutters by 17.00 (or 18.00 at the latest) and the Seychelles capital shuts down for the evening.

victoria-seychelles-capital-seybooking-4

The Clock Tower, a copy of the clock tower at Vauxhall Bridge in London and a symbol of the Seychelles, is located in the middle of the northern roundabout and is one of Victoria’s two primary centers. Banks, the post office, the Palace of Justice, and restaurants may all be found on Independence Avenue in this vicinity. The National Museum is almost directly across the street, and a bit farther down the road are various travel companies and a tourist information center with hiking route maps. The Sir Selwyn Selwyn Clarke Market, which is about a five-minute walk from the clock tower, is located in the second center. This market is definitely worth a visit, especially on a Saturday morning when there is a flurry of activity, with fish, spices, and unusual fruits for sale.

people-of-seychelles-seybooking-com

Continue north on Revolution Avenue from the market to find additional snack eateries, travel agencies, and a major supermarket. This route winds its way out of town and over the St. Louis pass before descending into Beau Vallon. Visitors may enjoy Victoria by walking underneath the summit of the Trois Frères mountains from the peak here, which is roughly 300 meters (985 feet) above sea level.

New grounds in the northern section of the harbour basin were formed by land reclamation, on which a big sports complex, tennis courts, a swimming center, and a multi-purpose auditorium were erected. Approximately 2,000 residential units were built in the nearby district of Roche Caiman as a result of the project, which was sorely required in the ever-expanding metropolis and slowed building in Mahé’s hilly parts. Eden Island, just south of Victoria, is a more upscale version of this new residential development, with contemporary architecture, luxury villas, fine pubs and restaurants, a marina, and a retail center.

ictoria is undoubtedly worth a closer look, and here are a few places where the Seychelles visitor may learn more about the island’s culture and history.