Réunion Travel Guide
Territory French overseas department in the Indian Ocean
Reunion captivates with its volcanic landscapes and Creole culture. The Piton de la Fournaise, an active volcano, draws hikers, while the island’s beaches and coral reefs lure snorkelers. Street markets in Saint-Denis offer samosas and rougail, a spicy tomato-based dish, reflecting the island’s diverse heritage.
.jpg?width=1200)
.jpg?width=1200)
Why Visit Réunion #
Piton de la Fournaise is the island’s headline: you can hike across lunar lava fields to Pas de Bellecombe and see real volcanic geology up close. Guided walks and evening trips give the best context; eruptions are unpredictable, so check local guides before planning. This is the reason many visitors fly to Réunion.
The three cirques-Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie-offer radically different hiking and village experiences. Mafate is reachable only by foot or helicopter and rewards multi-day routes and mountain lodges, while Cilaos has thermal baths and winding roads carved into the caldera walls. Maïdo viewpoint tops many day trips.
Don’t skip the island’s cari and rougail, sold at Saint-Paul’s market alongside spices and rum arrangé. Street-food stalls and family-run gîtes serve up shellfish, samosas and local curries with French technique and Indian, African and Malagasy influences. Food is an easy way to sample Réunion’s mix of cultures.
Basin-la-Reine, Voile de la Mariée and numerous cascades in Salazie are perfect for waterfall hikes and canyoning trips. Local operators run half-day and full-day canyoning adventures through river gorges-expect rappels, swims and natural pools. Bring sturdy shoes and a sense of adventure; guides know the safest routes.
Launch from Maïdo or Saint-Leu for memorable paragliding over the coast, then snorkel the coral lagoon at L’Hermitage. Saint-Leu also has surf breaks and a lively seaside scene where turtles are often seen near the reef. Combine an aerial perspective with time in the water for a full island view.
Who's Réunion For?
Cilaos and small mountain gîtes make Réunion a romantic pick: narrow cirque villages, thermal springs, and sunset walks on Saint-Gilles’ lagoon combine intimacy with dramatic volcanic backdrops.
The calm lagoon at L’Hermitage and kid-friendly coastal towns like Saint-Gilles offer safe swimming and short nature outings; whale-watching boats run seasonally for memorable family trips.
Mafate is the crown jewel for trekkers: long multi-day approaches, mountain refuges and wild camps. Hostels are sparse, so expect basic gîtes and lots of hiking rather than nightlife.
Saint-Denis and Saint-Pierre have decent cafés and a few coworking spots, plus reliable French broadband in towns. Cost of living is higher than other islands, though connectivity is solid in urban areas.
Creole carri, samoussas and street markets in Saint-Paul and Saint-Pierre are highlights; seek vanilla stalls and island rum, and try rougail saucisse at market stalls for authentic flavor.
Piton de la Fournaise volcano hikes, canyoning in Cilaos and paragliding over Saint-Leu make Réunion an adventure mecca. Trails are steep and varied, rewarding experienced outdoor travelers.
Nightlife is concentrated in Saint-Denis and Saint-Gilles - bars, live sega bands and some late-night spots. Expect fewer mega-clubs; the scene is more laid-back and seasonal.
The island’s three cirques, Piton des Neiges highlands and coral reefs offer huge biodiversity. Birdlife, endemic plants and dramatic volcanic geology reward slow exploration and long hikes.
Top Cities in Réunion
All Cities ›
_-_panoramio.jpg?width=600)
Regions of Réunion #
West Coast
For beaches, reef snorkeling and relaxed evenings, the West Coast is Réunion’s go-to. Long lagoons and sheltered coral reefs make this the easiest place to swim and spot fish or dolphins by boat. Use Saint-Gilles or Saint-Paul as your base for day trips to the island’s dramatic interior and sunset promenades.
Top Spots
- Saint-Gilles-les-Bains - The island’s main resort with lagoons, sunset bars and easy snorkeling off coral-protected beaches.
- Saint-Paul - Famous for its lively Sunday market and waterfront cafés; a good base for island tours.
- La Saline-les-Bains - Shallow lagoon ideal for swimming and family beach days.
Cirques
The three cirques - Mafate, Cilaos and Salazie - define Réunion’s heart: enormous volcanic amphitheaters cut by vertiginous trails. Expect dramatic ridge hikes, tiny mountain villages and a real sense of remoteness in Mafate where footpaths are the only access. Salazie’s waterfalls and Cilaos’ hot springs make for rewarding, shorter day outings.
Top Spots
- Cilaos - A thermal town ringed by steep granite walls and famous for mountain hiking and local handicrafts.
- Mafate - Car-free caldera reached on foot; the ultimate destination for overnight hikes and remote gîtes.
- Salazie - A lush, waterfall-dotted amphitheater village that’s great for short walks and local Creole life.
Volcanic South
Piton de la Fournaise dominates the southeast with frequent eruptions and a surreal moonscape of cooled flows. Hike the caldera rim or descend into volcanic plains at dawn for dramatic light on grey rock. The surrounding south coast is rugged and wind-swept, with lava-carved beaches and fewer tourists than the west.
Top Spots
- Piton de la Fournaise - One of the world’s most accessible active volcanoes with lunar walks across hardened lava.
- Plaine des Sables - A stark, otherworldly expanse of volcanic rock perfect for sunrise photography.
- Saint-Philippe - The island’s quieter southeastern town close to lava fields and coastal walks.
East Coast & Waterfalls
The windward east is the wettest side of the island, where jungle-clad valleys feed spectacular waterfalls and deep gorges. Expect lush scenery, cascades tumbling from high cliffs and quieter rural roads. Hell-Bourg and viewpoints overlooking Trou de Fer reward anyone seeking dramatic landscapes away from the resort coast.
Top Spots
- Trou de Fer - A spectacular, remote gorge with thundering waterfalls best seen from viewpoints or canyoning trips.
- Sainte-Rose - A town gateway to raw coastline, black-sand stretches and coastal lava flows.
- Hell-Bourg - A pretty village in Salazie known for Creole houses and nearby waterfall trails.
Highlands
The highlands around Piton des Neiges offer cool, alpine-like terrain and sweeping views across the island. Trails here climb through volcanic plateaus and ridgelines, rewarding early starts with sunrise over the cirques. This area is where serious walkers come to sample the island’s best long-distance routes and high-altitude scenery.
Top Spots
- Piton des Neiges - Réunion’s highest peak and the top challenge for hikers seeking panoramic island views.
- Maïdo - A famous viewpoint above the cirques with sweeping vistas over Mafate at sunrise.
- Mountain Trails - Numerous highland paths link ridges, viewpoints and remote shelter huts for multi-day treks.
Top Things to Do in Réunion
All Attractions ›
- Piton de la Fournaise - Walk across lunar lava fields to the active Piton de la Fournaise volcano and observatory.
- Cirque de Mafate - Accessible only on foot or by helicopter, Mafate's steep caldera offers secluded mountain villages and trails.
- Piton des Neiges - Hike to Réunion's highest peak, Piton des Neiges, for sunrise above cloud-filled cirques.
- Maïdo viewpoint - Drive up to Maïdo viewpoint for expansive panoramas over Cirque de Mafate and coastal plains.
- Hell-Bourg (Cirque de Salazie) - Colorful Creole houses and colonial charm define Hell-Bourg, a historic village in Cirque de Salazie.
- Bras-Panon market - Early-morning market in Bras-Panon sells fresh sugarcane, spices, and lively local atmosphere.
- Anse des Cascades - Small eastern cove with waterfalls, tide pools, and black-sand shoreline beloved by islanders.
- L'Entre-Deux village - Quiet hill village L'Entre-Deux preserves Creole architecture and peaceful walking trails away from crowds.
- Cap Méchant (Saint-Philippe) - Jagged lava cliffs at Cap Méchant deliver dramatic ocean-spray viewpoints and volcanic plateaus.
- Maison du Volcan (Bourg-Murat) - Museum at Bourg-Murat explains Réunion's geology, volcano history, and safe hiking routes.
- Route de Cilaos (hairpin climb) - Hairpin climb to Cilaos through 400-plus bends, rewarding drivers with mountain village and spa town views.
- Route du Littoral (RN1) - Coastal RN1 drive between Saint-Denis and Saint-Paul offering seaside vistas and dramatic engineered causeways.
- Salazie circuit day drive - Drive the Salazie circuit to visit waterfalls, Hell-Bourg, and verdant upland landscapes in one day.
- Maïdo to Mafate access road - Scenic ascent to Maïdo, the primary gateway for hikes down into Mafate and panoramic overlooks.
Planning Your Trip to Réunion #
Weekend Réunion Itinerary
Spend a short trip exploring Réunion's volcanic south: Piton de la Fournaise hike, La Plaine des Sables, plus seaside Saint-Pierre markets and coastal drives.
Show itinerary- Day 1 - Arrive Saint-Denis (Roland Garros), pick up car, drive to Saint-Pierre and evening market.
- Day 2 - Drive early to Piton de la Fournaise, La Plaine des Sables walk and return to Saint-Pierre.
- Day 3 - Morning at L'Ermitage lagoon, coastal drive back to Saint-Denis for departure.
1 Week Réunion Itinerary
Circle Réunion's interior: Salazie and Cilaos cirques, hike into Mafate, summit Piton des Neiges approach, relax at L'Ermitage lagoon and market mornings and coastal drives.
Show itinerary- Day 1 - Arrive Saint-Denis, collect rental car, explore downtown market and waterfront.
- Day 2 - Drive to Cirque de Salazie, hike short trails and visit Hell-Bourg village.
- Day 3 - Head to Cilaos, scenic drive and afternoon hot springs or village strolls.
- Day 4 - Two-day hike into Mafate or full-day rim walks from accessible trailheads.
- Day 5 - Return from Mafate, rest in Cilaos, sample local Creole cuisine.
- Day 6 - Drive south to Saint-Pierre; beach time at L'Ermitage and market evenings.
- Day 7 - Piton des Neiges approach or relaxed coastal morning; return to Saint-Denis for departure.
2 Weeks Réunion Itinerary
Spend two weeks circumnavigating Réunion: summit Piton des Neiges, cross Mafate trails, visit Salazie and Cilaos, explore Piton de la Fournaise, plus snorkel and whale-watch.
Show itinerary- Day 1 - Arrive Saint-Denis, collect car, settle in and explore the waterfront.
- Day 2 - Drive to Salazie and Hell-Bourg, short hikes and viewpoint stops.
- Day 3 - Cilaos: thermal baths, village streets and local mountain cuisine.
- Day 4 - Hike or trek into Mafate; overnight in a gîte in the cirque.
- Day 5 - Return from Mafate, rest day and coastal drive to Saint-Pierre.
- Day 6 - Piton des Neiges summit approach or guided trekking day.
- Day 7 - La Plaine des Sables and Piton de la Fournaise exploration.
- Day 8 - Boucan Canot or L'Ermitage lagoon day with snorkeling.
- Day 9 - Explore southern towns: Saint-Philippe basalt coast and viewpoints.
- Day 10 - Circle western coast, lookouts and small beach stops.
- Day 11 - Return to Saint-Denis, visit markets and Saint-Denis cathedral.
- Day 12 - Optional second summit attempt or relaxed coastal day.
- Day 13 - Final shopping, Creole meals and drive to airport.
- Day 14 - Depart from Saint-Denis (Roland Garros).
Best Time to Visit Réunion #
Réunion has a tropical climate with a hot, wet austral summer (roughly December-March) and a cooler, drier winter (May-September). The drier months are best for hiking and coastal activities, while the summer brings high rainfall and a cyclone risk.
January
January is in Réunion's austral summer and is typically hot and humid with frequent heavy showers. This month falls inside the island's cyclone season, so storms are possible and some outdoor plans may be disrupted.
Events
No major festivals this month.
February
February is usually the wettest month on the island, with high humidity and regular heavy rainfall. Cyclone risk remains elevated through February, and mountain trails can be slippery or closed.
Events
No major festivals this month.
March
March remains warm with frequent rain and thunderstorms as the wet season tapers off slowly. Lowland beaches may still be swimmable but inland hiking can be muddy.
Events
No major festivals this month.
April
April is a transition month from the wet season toward drier conditions; showers occur but become less frequent. Temperatures start to moderate, making outdoor activities easier than in midsummer.
Events
No major festivals this month.
May
May marks the beginning of the drier, cooler season with more stable weather and lower humidity. This is a good month for hiking and coastal exploration as trails dry and sea conditions calm.
Events
No major festivals this month.
June
June is part of the cool, dry season-pleasant for hiking and sightseeing with lower rainfall. Coastal waters are generally calm and visibility improves for snorkeling in many spots.
Events
- Fête de la Musique - June 21 - island-wide music events and performances, as in mainland France.
July
July is one of the coolest months on Réunion, especially on the coast and higher elevations where temperatures drop further. Dry conditions make this a popular time for outdoor activities and long walks.
Events
No major festivals this month.
August
August stays cool and dry with stable weather ideal for hiking, visiting cirques, and whale watching off the west coast (seasonal sightings). Nights at higher elevations can be chilly, so layers are recommended.
Events
No major festivals this month.
September
September often has very pleasant conditions-warming slightly but remaining mostly dry. It's a good month for both mountain and coastal activities before the humid season returns.
Events
- Leu Tempo Festival - Usually in September - an electronic music festival held in Saint-Leu (dates vary by year).
October
October is a shoulder month with increasing heat and humidity toward the end of the month. Rainfall begins to pick up relative to winter, but many days remain suitable for outdoor events like trail races.
Events
- Grand Raid (Diagonale des Fous) - Late October - one of the island's major endurance trail races across rugged terrain.
November
November sees humidity and rainfall increase as the island shifts toward its wet season. Sea conditions can become rougher, and outdoor plans should allow for passing storms.
Events
No major festivals this month.
December
December often brings the return of hot and humid conditions with frequent showers and thunderstorms. It's the start of the wetter season when cyclone watch windows open through the early months of the year.
Events
No major festivals this month.
Getting to & Around Réunion #
Réunion is reached almost exclusively by air: the island’s international gateway is Roland Garros (RUN) at Saint‑Denis. Long‑haul services link Réunion with Paris and other French airports, while shorter regional flights connect via Mauritius (MRU) and Madagascar. There are no regular international passenger ferries; most freight and some inter‑island links use Port de La Pointe des Galets (Le Port).
Réunion’s volcanic, mountainous interior and deeply incised cirques make travel very different from typical lowland islands: there are no trains and many roads are narrow, steep and occasionally closed by rockfall or weather. Most movement happens along the coastal ring road and a handful of major expressways, so expect longer travel times to interior attractions and plan transfers in advance.
- Air travel - Most visitors arrive at Roland Garros (RUN) airport near Saint‑Denis; regular services operate from metropolitan France and regional hubs. Carriers with scheduled services include Air France, Air Austral and French Bee; flights from Paris are long‑haul (~11 hours) while connections from Mauritius (MRU) are about 40-50 minutes.
- Rental Car - There is no rail network - a rental car is the most practical way to explore. The coastal Ring Road (RN1) links major towns; the Route du Littoral and the newer Route des Tamarins are the main west‑coast arterials, while mountain roads into the cirques are steep, winding and subject to rockfalls and occasional closures.
- Buses & shuttles - Local and interurban bus services serve coastal towns and Saint‑Denis but frequencies drop outside peak corridors; airport shuttles and intercity coaches run between the major towns. If you plan to visit the interior (Cilaos, Mafate), look into local shuttle providers or guided transfers.
Where to Stay in Réunion #
Réunion offers a wide mix of French-style hotels along the coasts and locally run gîtes and mountain refuges inland. Expect higher prices in seaside resorts (Saint-Gilles) and limited, rustic options in Mafate and volcanic zones; book early for hiking season.
Saint-Gilles and Saint-Denis host most hotels ranging from budget chains to mid-range seafront properties. Good for travelers wanting beach access and organised excursions; prices rise during European school holidays and Carnival.
Cilaos, Hell-Bourg and small villages offer family-run gîtes for a local feel and simpler breakfasts. Ideal for hikers and extended stays - many owners can arrange guides or meals; rooms are cosy and often book out in high season.
Saint-Pierre and Saint-Gilles have a healthy supply of apartments and villas suitable for families or longer stays. Self-catered rentals are practical for exploring the island and can be cheaper outside school breaks.
Mafate, Cirque de Cilaos and trails to Piton des Neiges rely on basic gîtes d’étape and refuges. Expect dorms or simple private rooms; they’re essential for multi-day treks and often require advance reservation through hiking operators.
Campgrounds and informal beach bungalows near Saint-Leu and the south coast cater to budget beachgoers and surfers. Facilities vary - bring supplies and check access roads after heavy rain.