Fianarantsoa Travel Guide
The capital of the Haute Matsiatra Region, Fianarantsoa is one of Madagascar's largest and most historic cities, and a key destination for visitors exploring the Central Highlands. Often referred to simply as 'Fiana' by locals, the city is known as the country's intellectual and cultural heart, home to a major university and a calendar full of festivals, including traditional Betsileo celebrations held between May and September. Fianarantsoa also features some of the country's oldest churches, with a mix of Catholic, Lutheran and Protestant cathedrals adding to its religious heritage. Strolling through the colourful old town is a great way to soak up the atmosphere.
Surrounded by vineyards, Fianarantsoa is considered Madagascar's wine capital. While the wineries and tasting rooms are modest by international standards, local wine tourism is growing. Nearby Maromby, a quiet village with a Benedictine monastery, offers a small but notable selection of local wines.
Fianarantsoa lies just south of Ambalavao, which is a lively highland town known for its handcrafted Antaimoro paper made from bark and wildflowers. The paper makes a distinctive souvenir, as does the traditional silk produced in local workshops. Visitors will no doubt enjoy the town's elaborately carved wooden balconies and tiled rooftops, which are framed by the dramatic landscape of the Highlands.