If you’ve ever wanted to visit a place where you can hike an active volcano in the morning, feast on Creole curries at lunch, and snorkel over coral reefs by sunset — Réunion Island is calling. Floating between Madagascar and Mauritius, this French overseas department is where Europe, Africa, and Asia collide, but with way more palm trees and a lot fewer crowds.

Réunion doesn’t just offer tropical beaches (though, yes, they’re gorgeous). It’s a land of towering peaks, lava flows, deep cirques carved by ancient erosion, and waterfalls that look like they were designed for movie sets. And because it’s technically France, you get all that with good wine, fresh baguettes, and zero visa stress if you’re an EU citizen. Win-win.

Sights

• Piton de la Fournaise (The Volcano) 🔥One of the most active volcanoes on Earth — and you can hike on it. The trail to the Dolomieu Crater offers Martian landscapes, solidified lava rivers, and a sense of "am I still on planet Earth?" Check at the observatory before you go; if it’s erupting (which it does, often), you might even catch lava flows lighting up the night.
• Cirque de Mafate 🏞️ A giant natural amphitheater of sheer cliffs, forests, and remote hamlets. There are no roads in (yep, zero), so you’ll have to hike or take a helicopter. The trails to La Nouvelle or Marla are stunning and give you a real taste of island isolation — plus the chance to sleep in a gîte (mountain guesthouse).
• Cirque de Cilaos 🏔️ Accessible via a winding road with 400+ hairpin turns (not a typo), Cilaos is known for thermal springs, lentils, and dramatic views. Hike to the Bras Rouge waterfalls or tackle Piton des Neiges if you’re up for summiting the Indian Ocean’s highest peak.
• Cirque de Salazie 💦 The greenest and most accessible cirque, famous for its waterfalls. Don’t miss Voile de la Mariée — a cascade so pretty locals named it the Bride’s Veil. The village of Hell-Bourg here is pure charm: Creole houses, gardens, and mountain air.
• Saint-Gilles-les-Bains 🌊 The island’s main beach town. Chill on L’Hermitage Beach, snorkel in the lagoon, or hop aboard a whale-watching boat with Duocean (July to October is peak humpback season).
• Piton Maïdo 🚗 This viewpoint offers jaw-dropping panoramas over Mafate Cirque at sunrise. The road up is lined with tamarind forests, and if you’re lucky, you’ll spot wild deer. Bring a jacket — yes, on a tropical island, it gets chilly up here.
• La Route des Laves 🌋 A coastal drive through hardened lava fields near Sainte-Rose, where past eruptions from Piton de la Fournaise spilled into the sea. Stop at Notre-Dame des Laves, a tiny church that miraculously survived the 1977 flow.
• Jardin des Parfums et des Épices 🌱 A botanical garden in Saint-Philippe where you can wander among vanilla vines, ylang-ylang, and rare palms. They offer guided tours that end with sniffing and tasting sessions — no complaints here.
• Kelonia 🐢 A turtle observatory in Saint-Leu dedicated to the research and rehabilitation of marine turtles. The exhibits are interactive, the rescued turtles are adorable, and the views over the ocean aren’t bad either.
• Grand Galet Waterfall (Cascade Langevin) 💧 Located in the south, this massive cascade thunders into a natural pool surrounded by greenery. Popular with canyoners — or you can just picnic nearby and feel superior for picking such a perfect spot.

Good to Know

• French, but with a Twist 🇫🇷 – French is the official language, but Réunion Creole is what you’ll hear on the streets. Most locals are friendly if you give basic French a go.
• Drive with Respect 🚘 – Island roads can be narrow, twisty, and full of fearless scooter riders. The mountain switchbacks? Legendary. Breathe, drive slow, and enjoy the view.
• Sharks = Awareness 🦈 – Some parts of the coast have shark risks. Stick to protected lagoons or lifeguarded beaches if you’re swimming or surfing.
• Weather is Wild 🌦️ – You can start the day in sun and end it in fog, rain, or both. Pack layers, especially if you’re heading into the highlands.
• Eurozone Perks 💶 – Currency is the euro, and your EU SIM card probably works. Credit cards are widely accepted, except in remote mountain villages (bring some cash).

Getting There

• By AirMain airport: Roland Garros Airport (RUN) near Saint-Denis. Direct flights come from Paris (11 hours), Marseille, Mauritius, Johannesburg, and Bangkok. From Europe, airlines like Air France, French Bee, and Corsair cover the route.
• Island HoppingShort flights connect Réunion with Mauritius and Madagascar — useful if you're planning a regional adventure.

Best Time to Travel

• Dry Season (May to November) ⛅ Cool, dry, and ideal for hiking. June to October also brings whale season and clear mountain skies.
• Wet Season (December to April) 🌧️ Hot, humid, and sometimes cyclone-prone. Still, it’s lush and green — just plan for afternoon showers and muddy trails.
• Carnival (February/March) 🎭 Saint-Denis hosts colorful parades, music, and dancing. It’s vibrant chaos in the best possible way.

For Foodies

• Le Vieux Bardeau (Hell-Bourg) 🍲 Rustic, family-run spot known for cari poulet (chicken curry) and lentils from the local fields. Hearty, comforting, and served with homemade pickles.
• Le D.C.P. (Saint-Gilles-les-Bains) 🐟 Top pick for fresh fish — their tuna tartare and grilled marlin are straight from the boats that morning.
• La Varangue du Lagon (L’Hermitage) 🍤 Lagoon-side dining with Creole dishes like rougail saucisse (spicy sausage stew) and swordfish skewers. Watch the sunset with a rum arrangé in hand.
• Snack du Volcan (Piton de la Fournaise parking) 🥖 After your volcano hike, grab a baguette sandwich and a Dodo beer here. No frills, just fuel and mountain air.
• Les Délices du Jardin (Saint-Philippe) 🍍 A small café inside the botanical garden serving tropical fruit smoothies, coconut cake, and vanilla-infused desserts.
• Chez Loulou (Saint-Pierre) 🍕 Beachfront pizzeria beloved by locals for wood-fired pies topped with island ingredients like smoked marlin.
• Marché de Saint-Paul 🥭 Not a restaurant, but an essential experience. Load up on samosas, fresh mango, and coconut fritters from the Friday/Saturday market stalls.

Réunion doesn’t fit in a box. It’s tropical, volcanic, French, Creole, and completely its own thing. Whether you’re here to chase waterfalls, hike through ancient calderas, or just eat your weight in rougail, the island gives you adventure with a side of baguette — and isn’t that what we’re all looking for? 🌋🥖🌴