The lively Madagascar port—and former pirate enclave—of Toamasina has long avenues and some old colonial buildings (though not as many as it used to have—the city was hit hard by a cyclone in the early 1990s). It's a popular tourist destination for Malagasy people, about 135 mi/215 km northeast of Antananarivo. If you are in the area, take time to visit the surrounding towns of Foulpointe (beaches and fort) and Mahambo (with a scenic area around a creek) and the Ivoloina zoo, about 10 mi/15 km to the north, with lemurs and other species. You can also catch a flight to Nosy Boraha from Toamasina.
