Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
After arriving on Réunion, collect your rental car if you have not arranged an airport transfer, then allow roughly 35–45 minutes from Roland Garros Airport to Saint-Paul, depending on traffic. The coastal Route des Tamarins is usually the quickest approach; avoid planning a tightly timed activity because baggage collection, rental paperwork, and traffic around Saint-Denis can easily add an hour. Settle into your accommodation and leave the car parked where possible—central Saint-Paul is pleasant to explore on foot, with waterfront parking filling quickly on market days.
Start at the Marché forain de Saint-Paul, held along the waterfront and particularly lively on Saturday mornings. Browse tropical fruit, vanilla, spices, samoussas, bouchons, and fresh juices; bring small cash and a reusable bag, and arrive earlier if you want the best selection. The market is generally finished by late morning, but opening times can vary, so check locally if your arrival is delayed. From the market, walk toward the Cimetière marin de Saint-Paul, about 10–15 minutes along the seafront, for a quieter introduction to the town’s history. Allow around 45 minutes to see the old graves, sea views, and nearby waterfront without rushing.
Keep the afternoon deliberately light after the journey. Drive south along the west-coast road to Pointe des Trois-Bassins, allowing roughly 20–30 minutes from Saint-Paul depending on traffic. This is a good place to slow down: bring water, a towel, and reef-safe sun protection, and spend about an hour by the shore rather than trying to fit in another major attraction. Swimming conditions vary, so use only designated safe areas and follow local signs, especially if the sea is rough.
Return to Saint-Paul for dinner at L’Auberge du Relais, a relaxed choice for Creole cooking. Expect approximately €25–40 per person for a meal, and reserve or ask your accommodation to call ahead if arriving on a weekend. Finish with a short walk along the Saint-Paul waterfront if you still have energy. Keep tomorrow’s beach plans flexible: the west coast is often sunnier, but local weather and sea conditions can change quickly.
Start at Plage de l’Hermitage in L’Hermitage-les-Bains, arriving in the morning while the lagoon is calm and the heat is still manageable. Allow about two hours for swimming and snorkeling inside the coral-protected lagoon; the shallow water is generally gentle, but wear reef shoes and avoid standing on coral. Parking near the beach can fill quickly, especially on weekends, so arriving around 8:30–9:00 is worthwhile. Bring water, sun protection, and your own mask if possible—rental options are not always immediately beside the beach.
A short drive or walk inland brings you to Jardin d’Eden, a compact tropical garden where roughly an hour is enough to follow the shaded paths among palms, spices, and fragrant plants. Check the current opening hours before setting out, as smaller attractions can vary seasonally; expect approximately €8–10 admission. For lunch, continue to Le Copacabana in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains for Creole and seafood dishes by the waterfront. Budget around €25–45 per person, and allow extra time if ordering a leisurely meal.
After lunch, drive about 10–15 minutes south to Plage de la Saline-les-Bains. This is a good place to slow the day down: spend a couple of hours in the lagoon, read beneath the filaos, or take another gentle snorkel. The beach is usually less busy and more relaxed than Hermitage, but shade is limited, so bring a beach umbrella or arrive prepared with a hat. Keep valuables out of sight in the car and use marked parking areas.
Return to Port de plaisance de Saint-Gilles for an easy sunset stroll of about an hour. Walk along the marina, watch the boats come in, and choose a café or bar nearby if you would like a drink after dinner. Sunset timing changes through the year, so arrive 30–40 minutes beforehand; parking around the port becomes tighter in the evening, and walking from Le Copacabana or nearby accommodation is often simplest.
Collect your rental car after breakfast and allow around 1.5–2 hours door-to-door from Saint-Gilles-les-Bains to Bourg-Murat, including the pickup process, traffic, and hotel check-in or luggage drop. Take the Route des Tamarins east before joining the N3 uphill; the landscape changes quickly from dry coast to cooler, greener uplands. Bourg-Murat sits at roughly 1,600 metres, so bring a light layer even if the coast is sunny. The route is straightforward, but fill the tank before heading deeper into the highlands and check mountain-road conditions locally.
Late morning is ideal for Cité du Volcan, where interactive displays, maps, films, and a large-scale model explain Piton de la Fournaise and Réunion’s volcanic formation. Allow about two hours; a useful visit here will make tomorrow’s volcano landscapes much easier to understand. Admission is typically around €10–15, with reduced rates sometimes available, but verify the current tariff and opening days before setting out. Parking is available on site, and it is best to arrive before the busiest midday period.
After the museum, make the short drive toward Maison du Volcan for a quieter, more old-fashioned look at the island’s volcano story and the surrounding Plaine des Cafres scenery. Allow approximately 45 minutes, and treat the opening schedule as conditional because local attraction hours can vary by season or day. For lunch, continue toward Plaine-des-Palmistes and stop at Le Relais des Plaines, a practical local choice for a filling Creole meal such as rougail, cari, rice, and lentils. Budget roughly €20–35 per person and allow extra time for a leisurely service rather than a quick roadside stop.
Return toward Plaine des Cafres in the late afternoon for Belvédère du Nez de Bœuf. The viewpoint is reached by a winding mountain road, so allow about 30–45 minutes from lunch depending on traffic and photo stops. Spend around 45 minutes looking into the dramatic Rivière des Remparts valley; clouds often gather here, but they can clear rapidly, so do not abandon the stop immediately if visibility is poor. Wear sturdy shoes and bring a windproof layer—the temperature and wind can feel markedly different from the coast. Afterward, settle into your Bourg-Murat accommodation for an early dinner and an early night, especially if tomorrow’s Route du Volcan outing starts before sunrise.
Leave Bourg-Murat before sunrise if the weather is clear—ideally around 4:30–5:00, depending on your hiking plans. The drive along the Route du Volcan is slow and winding, and dawn gives you the best chance of seeing the caldera before cloud builds. At Pas de Bellecombe-Jacob, park in the marked car park and spend about an hour at the rim, where the panorama opens across Enclos Fouqué toward Piton de la Fournaise. Bring a warm layer, water, and a headlamp; the high plateau can feel surprisingly cold and windy. There are no reliable cafés at the viewpoint, so pack breakfast and use the toilets before setting off.
From the viewpoint, descend toward Enclos Fouqué and follow the marked trail toward Formica Leo and the crater area, allowing three to five hours depending on trail conditions and how far the group wants to walk. The route is exposed, uneven, and covered in black volcanic rock, so sturdy footwear, sun protection, plenty of water, and food are essential. Do not leave the marked path or cross any barriers, even when the lava landscape looks close; volcanic gases, unstable ground, and sudden trail closures are genuine hazards. Check the official Piton de la Fournaise status before leaving, since access can be restricted during eruptions or poor weather.
After returning toward the upper road, continue to Plaine des Sables if the access track is open and your vehicle is suitable. The red-and-ochre plateau is one of the island’s most striking landscapes and is worth about an hour for photographs, but the rough road can be deeply rutted after rain. A standard rental car may not be permitted by the rental company on this section, so check the contract rather than risking damage or a recovery charge. If cloud, rain, or road conditions make the detour unwise, keep the stop brief and prioritize a safe descent before visibility deteriorates.
Allow roughly 2.5–3.5 hours to descend via the N3 and N2 to Sainte-Rose, stopping only at safe pull-offs; mountain roads take much longer than they appear on a map. Have dinner at Le Paille-en-Queue, reserving ahead if possible, especially on weekends. Expect around €25–40 per person for a Creole-style meal. Keep the evening relaxed after the long hike, and confirm the restaurant’s opening hours on the day, as schedules on the east coast can vary outside busy periods.
Begin in Sainte-Rose at Anse des Cascades, ideally around 8:00–8:30, before the tropical heat builds. Follow the easy palm-lined path from the parking area toward the rugged shoreline, allowing about 1½ hours for the walk, sea views, and a quiet look at the small harbor and picnic area. Wear shoes with a firm sole—the coast is beautiful but uneven—and bring water, as shade is limited beyond the palms. From Anse des Cascades, drive roughly 10–15 minutes west along the N2 to Notre-Dame-des-Laves, the church famously spared when the 1977 lava flow divided around it. Allow about 30 minutes; the church is generally viewed during daytime hours, but access can occasionally be restricted for services or local events.
Continue south on the N2 into Grand Brûlé for the two-hour drive along the Route des Laves. This is not a single attraction with a formal entrance, but a scenic stretch through successive black lava flows, young vegetation, and dramatic coastal viewpoints. Pull over only in signed parking areas and avoid walking onto unstable or environmentally sensitive lava. The road is straightforward, though rain, rockfall, or maintenance can cause short delays, so check local road conditions before leaving Sainte-Rose. There are few dependable food stops in Grand Brûlé; pack a picnic or snacks, and refuel before setting out. After exploring, allow around 35–50 minutes to reach Église Sainte-Anne in Sainte-Anne.
Spend about 30 minutes admiring the ornate façade of Église Sainte-Anne and the historic surroundings. Visit during daylight and check locally for current opening access, as the interior may be closed outside services. From Sainte-Anne, continue west toward Saint-Benoît; Le Beauvallon is best reached by car, with parking and exact opening hours worth confirming ahead because restaurant schedules can vary by season. Settle in for a Creole or seafood dinner, budgeting approximately €25–40 per person. Order local specialties if available—such as fresh fish, rougail, or a vegetable cari—and keep the evening relaxed after a full day on the lava coast.
Leave Saint-Benoît after breakfast, ideally around 8:00, for the drive through the Rivière du Mât valley toward Hell-Bourg. Allow about 1½ hours, plus time for brief roadside stops and finding parking on arrival. The road becomes narrow and winding as you climb, so take it slowly, particularly after rain; check local road conditions before setting out. If the weather is clear, make your first stop at Voile de la Mariée, one of the cirque’s most recognizable waterfalls. Allow roughly 45 minutes for the viewpoint and photographs, and expect spray or low cloud in wetter weather.
Continue to Hell-Bourg, where parking is generally easiest around the village center rather than directly outside each attraction. Visit Maison Folio, a beautifully preserved Creole house with a richly planted garden, allowing about an hour for the guided visit. Opening times can vary by season and staffing, so check locally or confirm through your accommodation; admission is usually in the low single-digit euro range. Afterwards, walk through the village to Le Relais des Cimes for lunch. Plan on approximately €20–35 per person for a substantial mountain meal, and allow extra time if the restaurant is busy—Hell-Bourg is small, and lunch service can be unhurried.
After lunch, wander through the quieter upper part of Hell-Bourg to the thermal baths of Hell-Bourg, the atmospheric remains of the old spa complex. The site takes around 45 minutes and is best appreciated as a short historical walk rather than a fully preserved bathing facility; there is no modern spa experience here. Wear shoes with a little grip, as paths can be damp and uneven. Keep the rest of the afternoon flexible for browsing the village’s Creole houses and craft shops or returning to your accommodation before the mountain mist thickens. In wet weather, waterfalls around Salazie can become more impressive, but visibility and road conditions can deteriorate quickly.
Set out after breakfast for Bé-Mahot viewpoint, allowing roughly 15–30 minutes by car from Hell-Bourg, depending on your exact accommodation and road conditions. The route is short but winding, so take it slowly and use the marked pull-offs rather than stopping on narrow sections of road. Spend about 45 minutes here: the broad view over the deeply folded, exceptionally green Salazie landscape is best before the usual mountain cloud gathers. There is generally no admission fee, but facilities are limited, so carry water and a light snack.
Continue by car toward Mare à Vieille Place, a quieter village setting where small lanes, gardens, and valley views give you a more local feel than the headline viewpoints. Allow about an hour, including time to pause at the overlook and wander respectfully near homes and cultivated plots. From here, continue to valley viewpoints for views of Piton d’Anchaing, the striking volcanic peak rising from the cirque. Plan another hour for photographs and short walks; this is an admiration stop rather than a summit attempt—the ascent is strenuous and needs a separate, properly prepared hiking day. Pick up lunch from a bakery or small snack shop in the valley, as choices become limited outside the main villages.
After lunch, drive toward La Cascade Blanche and allow around 1½ hours for the walk and viewpoint, weather permitting. The path can be damp and slippery after rain, so shoes with good grip are worthwhile; heavy rain may also make sections uncomfortable or temporarily unsuitable. The waterfall is particularly impressive when the streams are full, but visibility can change quickly in the cirque—if cloud closes in, wait a little rather than rushing, as conditions often shift within minutes. Return to Hell-Bourg before dusk, when the mountain road is easier to navigate and roadside parking is less congested.
Have dinner at Chez Alice in Hell-Bourg, budgeting approximately €25–40 per person for traditional island cooking. Réunionnais menus often feature dishes such as cari, rougail, lentils, and rice, with portions best enjoyed slowly after a day outdoors. Reserve or ask your accommodation to call ahead, particularly during busy hiking periods, and confirm the evening service time because mountain restaurants may operate on limited schedules. After dinner, keep the evening unhurried: Hell-Bourg is quiet after dark, and the temperature can feel noticeably cooler than on the coast.
Leave Salazie around 7:00–8:00 for Cilaos, allowing 3½–4½ hours door to door via the N3, N1A and N5 through Saint-Pierre. This is a full mountain transfer rather than a quick hop: include time for breakfast, fuel, traffic near Saint-Pierre and short breaks on the winding approach. Check the Route de Cilaos status before leaving, and aim to reach the village before midday, when parking becomes noticeably harder. Once there, leave the car at your accommodation or use the central village parking and continue on foot.
After lunch, drive or walk up to Roche Merveilleuse, one of the best easy-access panoramas over the Cilaos cirque. Allow about an hour, including the short walk from the parking area and time for photographs; clouds often gather over the peaks later in the day, so do not postpone this stop. Return toward the village and spend another relaxed hour at Mare à Joncs, following the easy lakeside path beneath the dramatic cliffs. It is a good place to slow down after the long drive—bring water, and expect limited shade.
Back in the village, visit La Maison de la Broderie, where local needlework traditions are presented through finished pieces and demonstrations. Allow roughly 45 minutes, but check the opening hours locally because small cultural venues may close for a break or operate reduced hours outside their busiest periods. Finish at Le Cottage for dinner, budgeting approximately €25–40 per person. Book or ask your accommodation to call ahead, particularly on weekends; mountain restaurants can fill quickly, and dinner service may begin later than you expect. Choose a warm local dish and keep the evening unhurried—tomorrow’s scenery is best enjoyed after a good night’s sleep.
Start early from your accommodation in Cilaos, ideally around 7:00–7:30, while temperatures are cooler and cloud is less likely to build over the cirque. The trailhead for Sentier de la Chapelle is reached by car along the local road toward Ilet à Cordes; allow roughly 20–30 minutes from the village, and arrive with water, sun protection, and sturdy shoes. Parking is limited, so use marked spaces and avoid blocking residents’ access.
Allow around four to five hours round trip. The path descends through rugged volcanic scenery and narrows into a spectacular canyon before reaching the natural rock chapel. It is not a technical hike, but the uneven, rocky sections become tiring on the return climb. Confirm trail conditions with the Cilaos tourist office or your accommodation before setting out, especially after rain, and do not continue if rockfall or flooding warnings are in place. Carry lunch or substantial snacks, as there are no reliable food stops on the trail.
Return to Cilaos for lunch and a slower afternoon. After a hike of this length, keep the midday meal simple—sandwiches, salad, or a local plate at one of the village cafés—then allow about 1½ hours at Thermes de Cilaos for a treatment or thermal-water experience. Advance booking is strongly recommended, particularly during the busy May–November hiking season; treatments and access arrangements vary, with a sensible budget of roughly €30–80 depending on what you choose. Arrive a little early and bring swimwear if required by the facility.
In the cooler late afternoon, drive toward Mare à Joseph for an easy one-hour valley walk and a quiet picnic setting away from the village center. Bring leftovers or local fruit from Cilaos rather than relying on facilities at the site, and leave before dusk—the mountain roads are winding, poorly lit, and can become misty quickly.
Finish with dinner at Le Tapacala, a welcoming highland choice for a final evening in Cilaos. Expect approximately €25–40 per person, often with hearty Creole-style dishes suited to the cooler mountain climate. Reserve ahead if possible, and ask your accommodation to confirm the evening’s opening hours, as restaurant schedules in Cilaos can vary outside peak periods.
Have breakfast early and leave Cilaos around 7:30–8:00. Allow roughly 2½–3 hours door to door for the winding descent on the N5, then continue toward Saint-Leu via the west-coast roads. The route is much slower than the map suggests, with hairpin bends and occasional traffic near Saint-Pierre, so fuel up before leaving and check road conditions in the morning. On arrival in Saint-Leu, park near the waterfront or at your accommodation, then head to Musée Stella Matutina for a late-morning visit. Set aside about two hours for the former sugar factory, its machinery, and exhibits explaining Réunion’s plantation history; allow extra time for the museum’s entry queue or temporary exhibitions, and check the day’s opening hours before setting out.
After lunch in Saint-Leu, make your way to Kélonia, a short drive north along the coast. This sea-turtle observatory combines aquariums, rehabilitation pools, and conservation displays, making it a good shaded stop during the warmer part of the day; plan around 1½ hours. Admission is typically in the low-teens per adult, but confirm current prices and opening times locally. Later, spend about an hour at Marché de Saint-Leu on the waterfront if it is operating—Sunday morning is usually the liveliest period, while on other days it may be quieter or closed. Pick up tropical fruit, samoussas, or local spices if stalls are open, then wander along the seafront before dinner.
Finish at Leu Compère, where you can settle in for a relaxed west-coast dinner rather than trying to fit in another attraction. Expect roughly €25–45 per person, depending on drinks and seafood choices; booking is sensible in the evening, particularly at weekends. If you still have energy afterward, take a short walk along the Saint-Leu waterfront, but keep the evening easy after the mountain descent and a full day of museums and coastal stops.
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