Its a home away from home with the likes of ”Little Big Ben” in the middle of its town centre and a picturesque paradise that draws in thousands of expats from around the world yearly.
With a population of 26,450 residents, this place is becoming a dream destination to tick off on your travel bucket list.
Seychelles, in the Indian ocean, off East Africa, steals the show of one of the best places to live in Africa. And its capital, Victoria, famously known for being the smallest capital city in the world, offers a diverse culture with breathtaking natural beauty making it a must-visit destination.
Victoria is surrounded by lush mountains and vibrant coral reefs, with a tropical climate all year round. Locals here live at a slower pace of life – perfect for expats in retirement. But theres more to this capital than lazing around the beach. Imagine spending mornings exploring colourful fabrics and tropical food at the Sir Selwyn Clarke market or venturing into the stunning Valle de Mai reserve or wildlife in the corals scubadiving.
It was named after Queen Victoria when Seychelles became a British Colony in the 19th century. The citys strategic location made it an important port for trade and commerce. After gaining independence from the UK in 1976, Victoria continued to grow and develop into the vibrant city it is today.
Because of its rich history, the Victoria market place is the hub of the city’s commerce, and it has been since the early days of colonialism.
Its clock tower, referred to as ”Little Big Ben” was built in 1903 to commemorate Seychelles’ affiliation with the British empire. It is a replica of the clock tower situated to that of London’s Victoria station clock tower, and has become a symbol of Victoria’s colonial past and a popular spot to take savvy snaps for social media if you may.
The botanical gardens are just one of the must-visit attractions in Victoria. The gardens were established in the early 20th century and they cover an area of five acres.
This fluorescent garden is home to a wide variety of exoctic plants such as The coco de mer palm (Lodoicea maldivica), ornamental plants and spice plants such as Cinnamon, vanilla, cloves and nutmeg.
Source: Daily Express (Story by Taila Nichole Thompson)