Why is Réunion worth visiting?
Across around 2,511 km², Réunion combines two volcanoes, three deeply carved cirques and a dense hiking trail network that was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2010 as "Pitons, Cirques and Remparts," covering around 40% of the island. Add to that the Piton de la Fournaise, one of the most active volcanoes in the world, whose eruptions can often be observed from a safe distance.
Unlike many neighboring islands in the Indian Ocean, Réunion is not a classic beach destination: the black and white sand beaches on the west coast are beautiful, but the real draw for most travelers is the mountainous interior.
As a French overseas department, the tourism infrastructure is unusually well developed for the region: paved mountain roads, a dense network of mountain huts (gîtes) and its own airport with direct connections to Europe.
What does Réunion feel like?
Réunion feels like a piece of the Alps in the middle of the Indian Ocean: French administration and baguettes meet Creole cuisine, Hindu temples and one of the most ethnically diverse populations in the region. With around 910,985 residents (as of January 2026), the island is significantly more densely populated and more touristically mature than Mayotte.
The population is made up of descendants of French settlers, African slaves, Indian and Chinese indentured laborers, and Malagasy and Comorian immigrants; Réunion Creole is the dominant everyday language, while French remains the official language.
The coastal towns, especially the capital Saint-Denis and the resort towns on the west coast, are tourism-oriented and well developed, while the island's interior around the three cirques of Cilaos, Salazie and Mafate lives a life of its own, often reachable only on foot.
This combination of French everyday comfort and tropical high mountains makes Réunion one of the best-developed hiking destinations in the Indian Ocean.
Sources: Wikipedia (English)
Which places are worth visiting on Réunion?
The Piton de la Fournaise volcano in the southeast and the three cirques of Cilaos, Salazie and Mafate at the center are the heart of any trip. On the west coast, Saint-Denis, Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and Saint-Leu add lagoon, beach and nightlife.
Piton de la Fournaise
The Piton de la Fournaise rises to around 2,631 m and is one of the best-monitored volcanoes in the world: its own observatory, operating since 1979, records a new eruption roughly every nine months on average. The volcano was last active for several weeks from February to April 2026.
The Route des Laves and the Route Forestière du Volcan lead by car almost to the rim of the Enclos Fouqué, a horseshoe-shaped caldera roughly 13 km long and 9 km wide; from there marked trails continue to the crater rim.
Cirque de Mafate
The Cirque de Mafate, roughly 14 km long and 7 km wide, is the most remote of the three cirques: no road leads in, and access is only on foot over passes such as the Col des Bœufs, or by helicopter. About a dozen hamlets, known as îlets, are reachable only via hiking trails or air supply.
About 50 gîtes d'étape are scattered across the cirque; anyone hiking over several days stays in these simple mountain huts. Mafate's former mail carrier covered around 252,000 km on foot over the course of his career, more than six times around the Earth.
Cirque de Cilaos and Cirque de Salazie
Cilaos, reached via a winding mountain road with over 400 bends, is known for its thermal springs, lentil cultivation and as the starting point for the Piton des Neiges, the island's highest point at around 3,070 m and extinct for around 12,000 years.
Salazie is considered the greenest and rainiest of the three cirques, with the village of Hell-Bourg and the Voile de la Mariée waterfall; from here another route leads via the Col des Bœufs into Mafate.
The west coast: Saint-Denis, Saint-Gilles and Saint-Leu
Saint-Denis is the capital and administrative seat, with the Roland Garros airport nearby; Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and the L'Ermitage beach form the tourist center of the west coast with its protected lagoon, while Saint-Leu is the starting point for diving and surfing.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre · Wikipédia (French)
When is the best time to visit Réunion?
The drier, cooler season from May to November is best suited for hikes in the cirques and on the volcano, with coastal daytime highs typically around 26 to 27 °C. From December to April, the rainy season brings high humidity and the greatest cyclone risk.
Climate for Saint-Denis, Réunion (averages, Gillot/Roland Garros station)
| Saint-Denis | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 31 | 31 | 30 | 30 | 28 | 26 | 26 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 |
| Low °C | 22 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 20 | 19 | 18 | 18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 |
| Rainfall mm | 140 | 114 | 143 | 77 | 53 | 37 | 31 | 31 | 33 | 34 | 46 | 55 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station ST DENIS GILLOT / LA REUNION ROLAND GARROS (6 km, 20 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
Monthly values show a clear gradient: in July and August, nighttime lows on the coast drop to around 18 °C, while rainfall is heaviest during the summer months of December to March. In the mountains around the cirques it is noticeably cooler than on the coast all year round.
The cyclone season in the southwestern Indian Ocean runs from November to April; anyone traveling during this period should actively follow weather warnings, as individual trails and roads can be closed at short notice after heavy rainfall.
There is no fixed season for volcanic eruptions: the Piton de la Fournaise most recently erupted from February to April 2026, following previous quiet periods ranging from a few months to over a year.
Sources: Touring Club Switzerland (TCS)
What do you need to enter Réunion?
Swiss, German and Austrian nationals do not need a visa for tourist stays; the travel document must be valid for the duration of the stay. Réunion is part of the EU but not part of the Schengen Area, which means a Schengen visa alone does not automatically apply there.
According to the Touring Club Switzerland, a valid travel document covering the entire stay is sufficient for entry; when arriving via third countries, a passport is still advisable, since not all airlines accept a mere identity card.
Because Réunion, Mayotte and the other French overseas departments belong to the EU under Schengen rules but not to the Schengen Area itself, a Schengen visa alone is not valid there; Swiss, German and Austrian nationals, however, are not directly affected by this as visa-exempt nationals anyway.
The current information from official bodies is authoritative: the Federal Foreign Office, BMEIA and FDFA do not maintain a separate country page for Réunion, treating the territory under France instead. Check the currently valid information before departure.
Sources: Touring Club Switzerland (TCS) · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Wikipedia
What vaccinations and health risks are there on Réunion?
There is no mandatory vaccination for direct entry; the CDC recommends hepatitis A and B depending on travel style, along with a booster of all routine vaccinations. Malaria plays practically no role on Réunion, while dengue and chikungunya can be transmitted via mosquito bites.
Unlike Mayotte, the CDC lists no malaria risk for Réunion; more important is reliable mosquito protection against dengue and chikungunya, especially during the warmer, more humid season from December to April.
Anyone active in the cirques and on the volcano should factor in the altitude: the Piton des Neiges sits at around 3,070 m, where cold and thinner air make the hike more demanding than the tropical coastal strip might suggest.
Medical care is concentrated in Saint-Denis and the larger coastal towns; in the remote cirques, especially Mafate, evacuation in an emergency is usually by helicopter.
Sources: CDC Travelers' Health · Touring Club Switzerland (TCS)
How safe is Réunion for travelers?
The Federal Foreign Office and BMEIA do not maintain a separate security assessment for Réunion and file the territory under the France page; the biggest documented danger for travelers is not crime but shark attacks off the west coast. A prefectural swimming ban outside secured zones has therefore been in place since 2013.
Between 2011 and 2019, 24 shark attacks were recorded off the west coast, eleven of them fatal; since July 26, 2013, a prefectural decree has banned swimming, surfing and bodyboarding outside designated zones, usually net-protected, such as Saint-Gilles or l'Ermitage.
In the cirques, the bigger risk is the weather: after heavy rainfall, trails and river crossings in Mafate can become impassable at short notice, which is why sturdy hiking gear and realistic time planning are important.
Sources: Wikipédia (French) · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria
How do you get to Réunion?
Aéroport de La Réunion Roland Garros (RUN) near Saint-Denis is served directly from Paris by Air France, Air Austral, Corsair and French Bee, and from Marseille and Toulouse by Air Austral and Corsair. In 2023 the airport handled around 2.69 million passengers, up 14.7% year on year.
| Route | Airline | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Paris (CDG/ORY) – Réunion | Air France, Air Austral, Corsair, French Bee | long-haul, usually over 10 hours |
| Marseille, Toulouse – Réunion | Corsair | seasonal, without a Paris stopover |
| Mauritius, Madagascar, Mayotte – Réunion | Air Austral, Air Mauritius | most important regional connections in the Indian Ocean |
From Switzerland, Germany and Austria, the route generally goes via Paris; there is no nonstop flight from a European hub outside France. Air Austral serves as the most important regional carrier, with connections to the neighboring islands.
On the island itself there are scheduled buses along the coast, but for the cirques and the volcano a rental car is the most common way to get around; no road leads to Mafate, access is on foot or by helicopter only.
Sources: Wikipedia
How do you pay on Réunion?
The local currency is the euro; card payment is possible practically everywhere on the coast, even for small amounts. In the remote cirques, especially Mafate, ATMs are rare and cash is important for gîtes and small shops.
Because Mafate has no road connection, cash is also flown in by helicopter along with other goods; anyone staying there should carry enough cash for gîtes and meals, since card terminals work unreliably.
Besides tourism, the island's economy traditionally rests on sugarcane and rum, as well as vanilla cultivation, which has been practiced on Réunion since 1841; both products are popular souvenirs at markets and shops.
Sources: Wikipedia (English)
Where do you stay on Réunion?
On the west coast, options range from simple guesthouses to upscale hotels, especially around Saint-Gilles-les-Bains and Saint-Leu. In the cirques you stay in simple gîtes d'étape, which are the only option for multi-day hikes.
For the volcano and the starting point at Pas de Bellecombe there is the historic Gîte du Volcan, which grew out of the former rest stop for mountain guides; in the cirques, around 50 further gîtes are spread across Mafate, with additional accommodation in Cilaos and Salazie.
Because of the limited number of beds in the gîtes, booking well in advance is recommended for multi-day hikes in the cirques, especially during French school holidays and the dry season from May to November.
What do you eat on Réunion?
Réunion's Creole cuisine blends French, Indian, Malagasy and Chinese influences: rice with lentils or beans (grains), spicy meat or fish dishes (rougail, cari) and fresh vegetables from the mountainous interior. In Saint-Denis and along the west coast, the offering ranges from simple stalls to fine French cuisine.
Typical dishes include cari, a mildly spiced stew usually made with chicken, pork or fish, and rougail saucisse with spicy sausage and tomato sauce, served with rice and lentils grown locally in Cilaos. As a condiment, spicy rougail chili made from tomatoes, ginger and chili is on almost every table.
In the cirques, the gîtes d'étape set the menu: there is usually a fixed, simple meal, often made with locally produced ingredients such as lentils from Cilaos or vegetables from the îlets of Mafate.
What culture shapes Réunion?
Réunion is considered one of the most ethnically and religiously diverse regions of France: French, African, Indian, Chinese and Malagasy roots shape language, cuisine and festivals alike. Réunion Creole is the dominant everyday language, alongside French as the official language.
Hindu temples, Catholic churches and Chinese temples often stand just a few streets apart; festivals such as the Tamil fire-walking ritual or Diwali are celebrated alongside Catholic holidays.
Séga and Maloya, two Creole music and dance styles, date back to the era of slavery; Maloya was recognized by UNESCO as an intangible cultural heritage of humanity in 2009 and remains alive at festivals and in bars across the island today.
Sources: Wikipedia (English)
What can you experience on Réunion?
Highlights include hikes to the crater rim of the Piton de la Fournaise, multi-day tours through the car-free Cirque de Mafate, and diving or snorkeling in the lagoon at Saint-Leu and Saint-Gilles. Add to that canyoning in the gorges of the island's interior and paragliding over the west coast.
The climb to the crater rim of the Piton de la Fournaise from Pas de Bellecombe is the island's classic volcano hike; during an active eruption, authorities close access to the Enclos Fouqué for safety reasons, but often still allow views from the surrounding remparts.
Multi-day hikes through Mafate, usually via the Col du Taïbit from Cilaos or the Col des Bœufs from Salazie, run over several days from îlet to îlet and are considered the island's most demanding but also most memorable hike.
On the west coast, the reefs off Saint-Leu and Saint-Gilles offer sheltered diving and snorkeling among colorful fish schools; further out, dolphin- and whale-watching tours between June and September are a fixed seasonal offering.
Canyoning in the numerous gorges of the island's interior, such as at Trou de Fer, and paragliding over the west coast from the Saint-Leu plateau round out the range of activities.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
How do you travel responsibly on Réunion?
The Parc national de La Réunion and the UNESCO World Heritage site protect around 40% of the island; staying on marked trails and choosing licensed mountain guides directly supports this protection. In the cirques, the local economy depends heavily on hiking and overnight stays at the gîtes.
Because Mafate has no road connection, almost everything is transported by helicopter or on foot; using water sparingly and carrying out your own trash are therefore especially important in the cirques.
The lagoon off Saint-Leu and Saint-Gilles is part of a marine protected area; snorkeling and diving without touching coral, and respecting designated swimming zones, protect both the reef and swimmers' safety given the shark attack risk.
Sources: UNESCO World Heritage Centre
What can Réunion be combined with?
Since Air Austral, the most important regional carrier, also serves Mauritius, Madagascar and Mayotte, combining with one of these islands is an obvious choice. Réunion and Mayotte together show two very different facets of the French overseas Indian Ocean.
Combining Réunion with Mauritius pairs hiking in the cirques with classic beach holidays; the flight time between the two islands is only around 45 minutes. Combining with Madagascar adds very distinct nature and culture to the itinerary.
Who is Réunion suited for, and who less so?
Réunion suits hikers, volcano and nature enthusiasts, and anyone who wants to combine French comfort with intense mountain terrain. Anyone looking mainly for classic beach holidays without swimming restrictions is better served in Mauritius or the Seychelles.
- Well suited: hikers, volcano and nature enthusiasts, travelers who want to combine well-developed infrastructure with demanding terrain.
- Less suited: anyone seeking undisturbed beach holidays without swimming restrictions — since 2013, a swimming ban has applied on the west coast outside secured zones because of the shark attack risk.
What does it mean that Réunion is a French overseas department?
Réunion has been a regular French overseas department since 1946 and is therefore also an EU outermost region; this means the euro, EU law and French administration apply, while the island is geographically and climatically clearly part of the Indian Ocean. Unlike majority-Muslim Mayotte, Réunion is multi-religious and considerably more developed for tourism.
For travelers this means: entry, customs and health questions generally follow French law, but Réunion, like the other overseas departments, is not part of the Schengen Area even though it belongs to the EU. Official travel advisories from the Federal Foreign Office, BMEIA and FDFA therefore cover Réunion under the France country page, without a separate detail page.
- Administration: prefecture and departmental council as in a mainland French department, with its own representatives in the French National Assembly.
- Economy and law: the euro as currency, French and EU law, well-developed public infrastructure thanks to French investment.
- Geography: around 700 km east of Madagascar in the Indian Ocean, around 9,300 km from Paris, closer to Mauritius and Madagascar than to any point in Europe.
Unlike Mayotte, Réunion has been an established tourism destination for decades and is significantly stronger economically; the two islands thus show two very different realities within the French overseas territories of the Indian Ocean.
Sources: Wikipedia (English) · Wikipedia