Réunion is a world created by nature. Extinct volcanoes up to three thousand meters high rest peacefully beneath verdant jungles, azure ocean waters meet black basalt cliffs, monsoons cool valleys of solidified lava, and the only sounds in the gorges are the roar of waterfalls and the occasional cries of exotic birds.
Attractions and Activities in Réunion
The first stop on your itinerary should be a visit to the majestic Piton de la Fournaise volcano. Here you can stroll through valleys of solidified lava, climb hiking trails to observation platforms, or, conversely, descend into the Sandy Valley, a Martian landscape covered in volcanic ash. Continue your exploration of volcanic activity in the Grand Brulé lava valley, where lava from the Piton de la Fournaise has been erupting for millennia. No less impressive are the island’s three cirques, formed by volcanoes. The most picturesque of these is the Cirque de Cilaos, which surrounds Réunion’s highest mountain, the extinct Piton de Neige. This geological amphitheater offers breathtaking views from each of the 400 curves of the 37-kilometer road. You can leave your car at designated parking areas and hike—the journey to the summit takes about 1.5 hours.
The Cirque de Salazie combines natural beauty with cultural heritage. It is home to authentic Creole villages, as well as the town of Elbourg, sheltered by emerald mountains. In this cozy spot, you can admire colonial mansions, a church, and a town hall, and visit the Museum of Music and Musical Instruments of the Indian Ocean. The Mafate Cirque is the island’s most remote and wild region, where rugged mountain ranges, shrouded in clouds, create a symphony of delicate hues that makes time itself slow down.
In Saint-Denis, noteworthy attractions include 19th-century Creole mansions, the Grand Mosque, Notre-Dame Cathedral, the picturesque Barachois Quay, and the impressive Museum of Natural History. The capital’s botanical garden, home to a vast variety of vines and rare orchids, is especially worth a visit. More than 90% of Réunion’s known orchids are found in the island, 49 of which are endemic. Orchids can also be found in the wild, especially near the numerous waterfalls. However, remember: picking and exporting orchids from the island is prohibited!
