Things to Do in Port Louis, Mauritius

October 31, 2026

Port Louis at a glance

Port Louis is the working harbour capital of Mauritius, and its best activities are indoors, on foot or on a race day. There are no swimming beaches in the city, and the commercial harbour is not used for swimming, snorkelling, kayaking or paddleboarding. The nearest beaches are on the north and west coasts, such as Turtle Bay at Balaclava, Trou aux Biches and Albion, tens of minutes away by car.

Plan your day around the clock. Offices, the market and street food stalls wind down by about 17:00 to 18:00 on weekdays and by early afternoon on Saturday, and most of the centre is quiet on Sunday. Mornings are best, and summer from November to April is hot and humid. Carry cash in Mauritian rupees (Rs) for stalls and buses.

Odysseo Oceanarium

Odysseo is the marine attraction on the harbour waterfront, with an ocean tunnel and many tanks. It is open daily from 09:00 to 17:00, with last entry at 16:15, and it closes on 1 January. Non-resident tickets are Rs 1,280 for adults and Rs 960 for children aged 4 to 12, and children under 4 are free. It is a short taxi ride from Caudan.

Le Caudan Waterfront and the Blue Penny Museum

Le Caudan Waterfront is the shopping and dining precinct on the harbour. It holds the Blue Penny Museum, the Caudan Arts Centre, a cinema and a casino at Marina Quay that runs from 10:00 to 02:00 daily. Restaurants and the cinema stay open later than the rest of the city.

The Blue Penny Museum at Barkly Wharf covers the island’s history, art and stamps. It is open Monday to Saturday from 09:30 to 16:00 and closed on Sundays and public holidays. Adults pay Rs 325, children and students Rs 200, and a family of two adults and two children Rs 820. The rare 1847 “Post Office” stamps are lit for 10 minutes at quarter past each hour, so time your visit for that. Photography is not allowed in that room.

Central Market and street food

The Central Market (Bazar Central) is the place to eat like a local. Typical snacks are dholl puri, alouda, gateau piment and boulettes. Prices are low and stalls take cash only. Go in the morning.

Race day at Champ de Mars

The Champ de Mars racecourse, run by the Mauritius Turf Club since 1812, is billed as the oldest racecourse in the southern hemisphere. The 2026 season opened on 25 April with 27 meetings and runs to about late November, mostly on weekends and some Sundays. Ask the club for dates and ticket prices before you go.

Walks above the city

Signal Mountain (Montagne des Signaux), about 323 m high, is a free walk up a tarred road closed to vehicles. Allow 3 to 3.5 km to the top and one to two hours return. The start is at the foot of the mountain in Port Louis, near Tranquebar. Go in daylight and take water.

Le Pouce (about 812 m) starts in the Moka range, not in the city. The trail is waymarked, runs about 3.8 km out and back, has a short rocky step near the summit and needs no guide. Take water and sturdy shoes, and choose a dry day because wet weather brings landslides.

Aapravasi Ghat

Aapravasi Ghat on Quay Street is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a memorial to the indentured labourers who arrived from India from 1834. Entry is reported free, with weekday hours of about 09:00 to 16:00 and Saturday mornings. Confirm hours with the Aapravasi Ghat Trust Fund before you travel. Visit it as a place of memory and keep your voice low.

Getting around

The Metro Express runs from the Port-Louis Victoria station to Curepipe, daily from 06:00 to 19:00. A MECard costs Rs 150 and includes Rs 100 of credit. Taxis cover short hops between sights. Check your government’s current travel advice, avoid demonstrations, and do not walk alone at night in poorly lit streets in the business district.

Tours that start in Port Louis can be compared on GetYourGuide . Official pages: Odysseo , Blue Penny Museum and Metro Express .