GlobalSpa
25-Jul-2025
Living beyond the island life of Seychelles!
Whenever you think of Seychelles, you picture taking in the turquoise blue waters, walking on the silken smooth sands or relaxing on one of the most beautiful beaches in the world. And while all that is beautifully true, beneath the palm-fringed perfection lies a melting pot of culture and history, waiting to reveal itself. Where else can you cook Creole curry with locals, sip rum in a plantation house, track baby turtles at sunrise, and dance barefoot at a beach festival, all on the same trip?
From colonial excursions in Victoria to vanilla-scented trails on La Digue, here are 8 unforgettable cultural experiences in Seychelles that will enrich your island adventure.
1. Visit the Craft Village of Seychelles
(Image Credits: Michel Denousse)
The essence of Creole tradition comes alive at the Domaine de Val de Pres, or the craft village, located in the heart of Au Cap. Here, you can find a representation of the various traditions and activities found in the early days of Seychelles. Take a walk through the old colonial house, where you will find pictures and artefacts of the people who used to occupy the land. Head to ‘Lakwizin Tradisyonnel’, which stores all the necessities of a typical Creole kitchen. Across the lush green garden lies ‘Lakaz Roza’, a little wooden house famous for its traditional exterior and newspaper-covered interiors. You will also find about 13 colourful kiosks, occupied by local artisans, which sell Coco Crafts, pareos and vakwa bags, and ‘SeyTe’, the local Seychelles tea and more.
2. Trail through the Vallée De Mai
(Image Credits: Seychelles Tourism Board)
The Vallée de Mai is the green heart of Praslin Island and contains the Seychelles’ largest intact forest of the endemic coco de mer palm. Beyond the Coco de Mer, you can explore various other plants like the wild coffee plants, wild Seychelles vanilla orchids, pitcher plants and jellyfish trees. Vallée de Mai offers well-marked trails that cater to all levels of hikers. The UNESCO World Heritage site is also home to the Seychelles black parrot, three endemic species of bronze gecko, endemic blue pigeons, bulbuls, sunbirds, swiftlets, Seychelles skinks, burrowing skinks, tiger and Seychelles chameleons, caecilians, freshwater fish and more.
3. Soup at midnight & Samba at sunrise at the Festival Kreol
(Image Credits: Michel Denousse)
Visit Seychelles in October for the Festival Kreol to witness the archipelago come alive with the best of Creole culture. The capital, Victoria, bursts into colour with parades, music, and street food. Feast on local favourites like octopus curry, grilled snapper, and sausage pilau, and then groove the night away at Kamtole – an evening where traditional dances like the moutya and kontredans are the highlight. Strut into ‘Lafoli lanmod’, a fashion show where Seychellois girls show off their tropical glamour. and join locals for a Sunday beach picnic, aka Dimans Kreol.
4.Sip, Swirl and Discover the Spirit of Takamaka Rum
Want to see where Seychelles’ favourite rum is made? Head to La Plaine St André, the home of Takamaka Rum, just outside Victoria. Set in an old-school Creole plantation house from the 1700s, the visit to the Takamaka Rum distillery is a complete experience. On the tour, you’ll get the inside scoop on how Takamaka turns local sugarcane into smooth island rum, hear interesting stories about the rum, and conclude the tour with a tasting session. Try the classics, the spiced, and even the fancy aged blends. After that, you can tour the museum and medicinal garden, grab a bite or cocktail at the on-site restaurant, say hello to the two giant Aldabra tortoises named Taka and Maka, and check out the shop for bottles and island-made goodies to take home.
5. Time Travel Through La Digue’s L’Union Estate Park
(Image Credits: Seychelles Tourism Board)
At the southern end of La Digue, visit L’Union Estate Park, a former coconut and vanilla plantation that will give you real insights into La Digue's colonial history. Start by visiting the plantation house which was built in French colonial style and became the setting for the film “Goodbye Emmanuelle”. Next, walk through the coconut and vanilla plantations. In the park there is a small shop where it is possible to buy both dried vanilla and the essence. The Coprah factory is also a must-visit site where you can follow the different steps in the production of coprah. During the tour, you can stop by and say hello to the friendly giant Aldabra tortoises. Towards the end, you’ll reach the Anse Source d’Argent beach where you can soak in the sun amid its massive granite rocks and splashing waters.
6. Explore the Rich Cultural Secrets of Victoria
(Image Credits: Michel Denousse)
Victoria is a cultural treasure trove, where a walk through its streets reveals charming colonial architecture and historic landmarks. Begin at the National Museum of History to explore Seychelles’ past through fascinating artefacts, then stroll to the iconic Clock Tower, a tribute to Queen Victoria. From there you can explore the Sir Selwyn Clarke Market and shop for the tropical fruits, fragrant spices, fresh seafood, and Creole crafts or simply witness local life. The spiritual soul of Victoria lies in the Immaculate Conception Cathedral, Seychelles’ largest Catholic church built in French style, and the adjacent La Domus, a granite priest’s residence dating to 1834. You can also visit Victoria’s colourful Hindu temple, a key spiritual landmark built in1992. For an encounter with the past, head to the Bel Air Cemetery, Seychelles’ oldest burial ground. Shaded by towering trees and steeped in legends, this gothic resting place holds the graves of pirates, French settlers, and even a nine-foot-tall “Giant Boy” of Creole folklore.
7. Get Your Hands Into Creole Culture
For families and curious travellers alike, Seychelles offers a range of hands-on cultural experiences. Join a Creole cooking class to learn how to prepare dishes like grilled fish with chatini or coconut curries, guided by local chefs. Participate in craft sessions where you can try traditional weaving, shell art, or basket-making. On Mahé, the Creole Institute in Au Cap hosts cultural immersion programmes, including Moutya drum and dance workshops, folklore storytelling, Creole language lessons, and coconut husking demonstrations.
8. Participate in Protecting the Paradise
Love nature? In Seychelles, you don’t just see the wildlife—you team up with it. Swap the beach lounger for boots at sunrise and help conservationists track nesting Hawksbill and Green turtles on Curieuse or North Island. Bonus: you might just witness baby turtles’ first dash to sea. On Cousin and Aride Islands, meet rare island birds like the Seychelles Warbler and Fairy Terns. Head to Mahé, where you can snorkel with marine biologists and assist in coral planting and marine life monitoring.
