Where to Stay in Seychelles in 2023 | Best Areas & Hotels

The Seychelles can easily be described as a mythical paradise land. The good news is that it’s not — it’s actually very real, and you can visit it any time of the year!

Known for its divine beaches, coral reefs, and unique biodiversity, this tropical land of plenty will tickle all of your senses. Read on to find out more about where to stay in the Seychelles.

Why You Should Visit Seychelles in 2023

A little-known common fact is that Seychelles is not one island but an archipelago of 115 islands in the Indian Ocean. It’s a remarkable place filled with stunning natural wonders — lush rainforests, mountains, waterfalls, turquoise waters, and versatile flora and fauna.

Seychelles is renowned for luxury tourism, ecotourism, and nature conservation efforts. It’s a multicultural destination with Creole culture and cuisine, but we all know what potential tourists are all interested in — the otherworldly beaches.

And honestly, we can’t blame them, as the Seychelles are home to what’s probably the best stretch of beaches on earth, which is reason enough to visit the archipelago at least once in your life.

That said, we’ll cover a few other different aspects as well, so buckle up, and let’s get into it.

The 3 Best Parts of Seychelles

The 3 best parts of this tropical paradise in which to stay include:

1. Mahé: Best for those who are coming to the Seychelles for the first time since it has everything for a classic tropical getaway — nature, beaches, and bustling city life.
2. Praslin: Perfect for people who want to explore the wilder side of Seychelles and be in touch with nature.
3. La Digue: Best for people who want a rural retreat with amazing beaches, far from the noise and stress of the city.

The Best Areas & Hotels in Seychelles

Seychelles is an exciting place to visit, but it’s definitely not cheap. There is, of course, a variety of accommodation options — like guesthouses, hotels, and resorts, and not all of them are expensive.

However, lots of restaurants on the island are, even though it’s also possible to find reasonably priced eateries. We’ll suggest budget options, but all in all, be prepared to spend extra on your trip.

1. Mahé

Mahé is the main island of the Seychelles, with Victoria as its capital. Victoria is a nice place worth visiting for its busy street markets — like the Selwyn-Clarke Market and Victoria Market, where you can find fresh island produce and different kinds of artisanal products.

It’s the perfect place to get handmade souvenirs for home.

Mahé, overall, is the ideal place to visit if you’re in Seychelles for the first time, and if you’re looking for different kinds of activities to do on the island, it has the best of both worlds — the great outdoors and immaculate beaches.

Of course, being a central hub of the tropical archipelago, it also offers lots of opportunities for water sports and cultural attractions.

If you’re looking for a more peaceful island experience, then you might want to skip Victoria and Mahé altogether and head out to a different part of Seychelles.

There’s a lot to be said about Mahé. For one, it has some of the most popular beaches in the Seychelles, like Beau Vallon Beach, Sunset Beach, Grand Anse Beach, Anse Royale Beach, and many more.

If you grow tired of lounging in the sun, though, you might want to consider the numerous hiking opportunities that Mahé offers as well.

Our top two suggestions are the Morne Blanc Trail and the Copolia Trail, which are part of the wonderful Morne Seychelles National Park. But the fun doesn’t end here.

You can also take the ferry from Mahé and do some island hopping. You can visit the picturesque nearby island La Digue and the wonderful Praslin with its pristine sandy beaches, both of which we’ll cover next.

Also worth visiting are the Vallée de Mai nature reserve and the iconic granite boulders of Anse Source d’Argent. If you’re willing to pay a little extra, you can also sign up for sailing charters and take a helicopter tour.

In terms of accommodations, Mahé is also as versatile as its attractions, so you’re sure to find something that fits your budget.

Things to Do

• Victoria Botanical Gardens is the main botanical garden in Seychelles located in Victoria. It’s filled with exotic flora and fauna, including giant tortoises and fruit bats, as well as coco de mer palm trees and a spice grove.
• Anse Royale Craft Village is a place where you can discover the creations of local artisans (textiles, jewelry, and various handcrafts) and gain insights into Seychellois craftsmanship.
• Go scuba diving and snorkeling and explore the vibrant coral reefs and marine life in various diving spots around the island — one example is the Baie Ternay Marine National Park.
• Seychelles Natural History Museum is a good place to start if you want to learn about the islands’ history, culture, and biodiversity. It offers a variety of exhibits on the island’s flora and fauna, as well as its difficult maritime and colonial history.
• Takamaka Rum Distillery is worth visiting if you want to learn about the production of the famous Seychelles Takamaka rum and also taste a variety of rum flavors.

Where to Eat

• Del Place Restaurant is an expensive waterfront restaurant on Mahe’s northwest coast. It serves amazing fresh seafood and local delicacies and offers great views of the ocean and the surrounding area.
• La Perle Noire Restaurant is an Italian restaurant near Beau Vallon Beach. It serves all the beloved Italian dishes in a beautiful tropical atmosphere.
• Marie Antoinette is a mid-range restaurant in the heart of Victoria. It serves creole food with fresh, local ingredients.
• Kafe Kreol Cafe & Restaurant is a very chill restaurant located on Anse Royale Beach. Here, you get to enjoy great views of the ocean, push your toes in the warm sand, drink cocktails, and eat delicious Creole food.

Mahé Budget Hotels

• Papaya Guesthouse is a three-star guesthouse less than four miles from Victoria. It has an outdoor swimming pool and nice rooms with comfy beds and a beautiful terrace to relax on. Reviewers particularly like the breakfast served at the house.
• La Residence is another affordable option in Seychelles, just a ten-minute drive from Petite Anse Beach. You can rent one-bedroom apartments and two-bedroom bungalows, offering wonderful ocean views and comfy rooms for very fair prices.

Mahé Mid-Range Hotels

• Coral Strand Smart Choice is a four-star beachfront hotel on Beau Vallon Bay. This is a great hotel because it offers spacious, beautiful rooms with mountain and ocean views. You also get direct access to the gorgeous Beau Vallon Beach and be as close to luxury for a mid-range price as is humanly possible
• Glacis Heights Villa is a three-star villa, just a ten-minute walk from the sandy shores of Sunset Beach. A great mid-range solution, it has comfy air-conditioned rooms with great big terraces to enjoy the sunset and ocean views.

Mahé Luxury Hotels

• Constance Ephelia is a five-star resort with luxurious villas and suites and two pools. The hotel has a gym and a spa, perfect if you’re also looking for a wellness retreat. And if you ever get tired of the pools and the spa, you can always sunbathe or swim at the private beach.
• Savoy Seychelles Resort & Spa is a five-star hotel on the beautiful Beau Vallon beachfront. It’s a sophisticated resort with three pools, a spa, and a fitness center. It has bright, elegant rooms and several restaurants where you can enjoy local and international delicacies.

See All Hotels in Seychelles

2. Praslin

Praslin Island is smaller than Mahé, but its exquisite beauty is second to none, given the white sandy beaches and a full-fledged jungle reserve.

As the second-largest island, it offers a more laid-back and pristine environment compared to its bustling counterpart, Mahé, which is only one hour away by ferry.  

Praslin is the perfect spot for people who are looking for a wilder, less touristy place on the Seychelles, where you can explore the island’s beautiful natural wonders all you want.

You can start from the famed Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve, which is home to the elusive Coco de Mer palm, an endangered and rare species of palm characteristic of the archipelago.

Then you can also go to the Anse Lazio Beach, often touted as one of the most beautiful beaches on the planet. Expect ivory sands bordered by turquoise waters and massive granite boulders, which add a flair of otherworldliness to the whole place.

In terms of transport, Praslin, albeit smaller, is well-developed, and you can explore it in different ways. You can use a bike or a car, and you can take boat tours.

Hiking is also a good idea since there are a lot of hiking trails on the island, like the Salazie Trail, which is our favorite.

And if you happen to be a golf enthusiast by any chance, you must visit the Lemuria Golf Course and play a couple of holes. It’s part of the wonderful Constance Lemuria five-star hotel, and you’re bound to have a wonderful experience at this place.

Things to Do

• Vallée de Mai Nature Reserve is a primeval forest, home to the rare Coco de Mer palm, which produces the world’s largest nut. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site well worth visiting not only because of the palm but also because of other endemic flora and fauna species.
• Praslin National Park is a beautiful national park in the heart of the island, protecting the island’s unique ecosystems. It features trails for nature enthusiasts, leading to stunning panoramic viewpoints of the whole island. You can also go bird watching and see some of the island’s endemic bird species.
• Just off Praslin’s coast, there’s Curieuse Island, an islet with a marine park that is a sanctuary for giant Aldabra tortoises. The island also offers intriguing ruins of a leper colony, as well as a mangrove forest.
• Praslin Museum is a small but very informative museum showcasing Praslin’s history, culture, and biodiversity, providing insights into the island’s traditions and culture.
• Praslin’s surrounding waters offer opportunities for diving, snorkeling, and water sports, allowing visitors to explore the vibrant coral reefs and rich marine life of the area.
• Cousin Island is a nearby island and a protected nature reserve, perfect if you want to further discover the unique ecosystem of the archipelago. It’s a vital habitat for seabirds, turtles, and other wildlife. You can take guided tours to learn more about the natural riches of the island and also to find out about the conservation efforts of the locals.

Where to Eat

• Breeze Garden is a beachfront restaurant overlooking Grand Anse Beach. It has a relaxed atmosphere and great local food for very affordable prices.
• The Nest Restaurant is a super-expensive and super-exclusive restaurant part of the luxurious Constance Lemuria hotel brand. It serves fresh, locally sourced Creole food in a magical oceanside atmosphere overlooking Petite Anse Kerlan.
• Les Rochers Restaurant is a restaurant on the southwest side of Praslin, offering beautiful sunsets and delicious Creole cuisine.

Praslin Budget Hotels

• Coco Bay Villa is a two-star, budget-friendly lodging option near Anse Lazio Beach, offering simple but cozy rooms with private kitchens and bathrooms and a convenient location for easy beach access.
• Chateau Sans Souci is a two-star hotel just a stone’s throw away from Anse Kerlan Beach, which offers the best sunset views of the island. It’s a nice, affordable hotel with an outdoor pool and clean rooms with private bathrooms. There’s also breakfast and dinner included in the room price.

Praslin Mid-Range Hotels

• Villas de Mer is a three-star beachfront hotel situated in the Grand Anse area on Praslin Island. This mid-range hotel offers bright, spacious rooms, an outdoor pool, and direct beach access, making it ideal for a laid-back tropical vacation.
• Castello Beach Hotel is a four-star boutique hotel near Anse Kerlan Beach. It provides comfort, a beautiful beachfront setting, and personalized service.

Praslin Luxury Hotels

• Constance Lemuria is a luxurious, five-star resort near Anse Kerlan Beach, known for its stunning golf course, elegant suites and villas, and a range of other top-notch amenities, such as a spa and wellness center, an outdoor pool, and a private beach.
• Raffles Seychelles is a five-star hotel set on Anse Takamaka. The luxury resort offers private pool villas, a spa, and impeccable service in a serene and exclusive environment.

See All Hotels in Seychelles

3. La Digue

La Digue is a small island in the Seychelles archipelago that offers a tranquil escape from the business of the larger islands. It’s defined by its untouched beauty and secluded, picturesque beaches that look just like out of a postcard.

Anse Source d’Argent is not undeservedly deemed as one of the world’s most photographed beaches. Known for its striking granite boulders, powdery sands, and turquoise waters, it’s a must-visit for every tourist on La Digue.

This idyllic paradise, smaller and more intimate than its counterparts, showcases a relaxed pace of life — there are no airports here, and most visitors arrive by ferry from the nearby Praslin.

If you have extra cash, however, you can always come with a helicopter from Mahé, as well.

The primary mode of transport on the island is the bicycle, so we suggest you rent one and leisurely pedal through the quaint La Digue villages and the island’s lush landscapes. It’s best to stay in La Digue if you just want to relax and do some exploring of the lush nature of the island.

If you take the two-and-a-half-mile trek Nid D’Aigles (Eagle’s Nest) trek, then you’ll get to the highest pong of the island — 1092 feet — and witness a sensational view of La Digue and its neighboring islands.

La Digue is also the perfect spot for exploring the Seychelles’ vibrant underwater world by snorkeling or scuba diving.

Things to Do

• Anse Coco is another amazing beach in Seychelles, but it’s a more secluded and private one, known for its untouched beauty and tranquil atmosphere where all you get to hear are the waves crashing on the shore and a bird’s song. You’ll need to trek through lush forests to reach it, though, so be prepared.
• L’Union Estate is a former coconut and vanilla plantation that offers detailed insight into La Digue’s colonial past. Besides learning about the island’s heritage, you also get to witness traditional copra production and see the impressive ox-driven sugar mill.
• Veuve Reserve is a conservation area meant to shelter and protect the endemic Seychelles Paradise Flycatcher. If you want to see this beautiful and rare bird, then make sure to visit the Veuve Reserve.

Where to Eat

• Chez Jules Restaurant is a Creole restaurant that serves amazing, fresh local food. It’s located near Banana Cove, so you’re not only going to delight in the perfectly crafted meals but also in the scenery in front of you.
• Le Repaire Restaurant is part of an upscale hotel. It serves good quality local and international dishes in an elegant ambiance.
• Fish Trap Restaurant & Bar is a seafood restaurant on Anse Reunion Beach. It serves super fresh delicacies from the waters of the Seychelles. If you’re a seafood lover, you can’t go wrong with this one.

La Digue Budget Hotels

• Chez Marston is a guesthouse near Anse Reunion Beach. It provides cozy, affordable rooms with a private bathroom and air conditioning. It’s surrounded by a tranquil garden setting where you can enjoy your breakfast included in the price of the room
• Oceane Self Catering is a budget-friendly accommodation offering comfortable rooms with private bathrooms and a convenient location.

La Digue Mid-Range Hotels

• Chateau St Cloud is the perfect mid-range option for La Digue. It’s a three-star hotel with charming colonial-style architecture, nestled in lush greenery near Anse Reunion Beach. It has an outdoor pool and bright, spacious rooms with en suite bathrooms.
• Le Repaire Boutique Hotel is a four-star boutique hotel with great service and upscale rooms that provide both comfort and luxury for half the price of luxury resorts.

La Digue Luxury Hotels

• Le Domaine de L’Orangeraie is a luxurious, five-star resort offering private villas with beautiful, elegant designs amidst lush tropical gardens. It has an outdoor pool, as well as a spa and wellness center.
• La Digue Island Lodge is a four-star hotel that offers beachfront villas, providing a range of amenities like an outdoor swimming pool, breakfast and dinner included in the price, and a stunning beachfront location.

See All Hotels in Seychelles

Over to You — Book Your Trip Today!

🏆 Best for First Timers	Mahé
🌳 Best for Nature	Praslin
👪 Best for Families	La Digue

The Seychelles, as we saw, are a fantastic place to visit. We chose three of the best places from an archipelago of 115, so you don’t have to do all the work.

Choosing which island to stay at is a matter of what kind of vacation you want to have — action-packed, with lots of people, or a more secluded one, surrounded only by natural wonders and pristine white beaches.

It’s up to you to make a wish, and the Seychelles is bound to fulfill it. Happy travels!