With its turquoise lagoon, lively streets, local street food and panoramic views of volcanic lava flows, Saint-Pierre in Reunion Island offers a delightful mix of culture, relaxation and nature. Whether you’re an early riser or a fan of post-lunch siestas, here are the best activities to do in Saint-Pierre, Reunion Island, for a stay in Saint-Pierre where your senses are always on alert. Don’t hesitate to add these to your itinerary.
1. Stroll through the Saint-Pierre market (Saturday morning)
This is the beating heart of the city. Every Saturday morning, between sea breezes and the scent of vanilla, the city awakens to the rhythm of wicker baskets, sweet peppers and candied chillies. The Saint-Pierre market, located along the seafront, is a joyful bazaar where colours, flavours and smiles mingle in an authentic Creole atmosphere. Here, you can fill your shopping bag with tropical fruits, crispy samosas and homemade rum cocktails. It’s the perfect place to experience the living heritage of the south.
Just a stone’s throw from the market and the beach is the Hôtel Le Terre Sainte, where you can extend your morning on the black sand beach of Terre Sainte or take a dip in the hotel pool while sipping a cocktail.
2. Stroll along the seafront and marina
At sunset or after your midday coffee, there’s nothing like a stroll along the seafront. Palm trees, cycle paths, ice cream vendors, moored boats… The marina offers a lively and peaceful setting, combining local atmosphere and tropical postcard scenery. You may even encounter fishermen returning from sea or treat yourself to a trip out to sea for some big game fishing in Réunion.
Comfort break: the Hôtel Le Terre Sainte is located a few minutes’ walk away. Ideal for alternating between exploration and rest, while keeping your feet in the water.
3. Explore the Terre Sainte neighbourhood
A small village within the city, Terre Sainte has retained its fishing village soul, with colourful Creole huts, flower-filled streets and a peaceful atmosphere. Take the time to watch the fishermen casting their lines, chat with the elders, or relax on Terre Sainte beach, a small sheltered cove, perfect for swimming or watching the sunset hand in hand.
Want to stay in the heart of the neighbourhood? Check into the Hôtel Le Terre Sainte, an intimate and artistic hotel just a stone’s throw from the sea and the port.
4. Take a day trip from Saint-Pierre
Saint-Pierre is also a gateway to day trips. Destinations include:
- The active volcano Piton de la Fournaise, via the Route des Plaines
- A hike in the wild south between Cap Méchant and Langevin
- The Stella Matutina Museum, to learn more about the island’s history
- A snorkelling trip to Grand Bois or Manapany
Can you visit a volcano from Saint-Pierre?
Yes! It is even one of the most convenient starting points for a day trip to the volcano. Stay at the Exsel Victoria Hotel in Grand Bois, a peaceful location with ocean views and quick access to excursions.
5. Go diving or kayaking in Saint-Pierre
The Saint-Pierre lagoon is ideal for snorkelling, especially near the marine cemetery. The waters are clear, the fish colourful, and turtles sometimes make an appearance. Want a little more action? Rent a kayak or paddleboard and explore the coast at your own pace.
Relaxation tip: head to the Hotel Exsel Victoria’s ocean-view pool for a homemade cocktail by the water.
6. Sample authentic Creole cuisine
Where can you find a good local restaurant in Saint-Pierre?
Here, you’ll find one on almost every street corner. From food trucks on the seafront to local restaurants in the narrow streets. Try boucané bringelles, gratinated pains bouchons, or artisanal coconut bonbons. And for a slightly more upmarket but equally local dinner, don’t miss Le Rivage restaurant at the Exsel Victoria Hotel, with its inspired cuisine and lush green setting.
7. Enjoy the climate of Saint-Pierre
With 300 days of sunshine a year, Saint-Pierre is the perfect place to recharge your batteries. Relaxing, swimming, light hiking or napping in the shade of coconut trees, here time is lived rather than counted. It is one of the sunniest spots on the island, ideal for a seaside holiday in Réunion all year round. The perfect opportunity to leave the alarm clock off and live to the rhythm of the filaos trees and the sun.
Chill option: choose a hotel with a swimming pool and sea view in Saint-Pierre, such as the Hôtel Exsel Victoria or Le Terre Sainte.
8. Dance (or just listen) in a southern-style bar
When evening comes, the lights change, the terraces come alive, and the laughter rises. The southern-style bars offer a warm and lively atmosphere, with sega, maloya and more contemporary music. You don’t have to dance to enjoy yourself: sometimes, a local rum, a little live music and the view of Saint-Pierre Bay are enough.
9. Discover local festivals and Creole culture
Reunion Island is a land of local festivals, traditions and intertwined cultures. In Saint-Pierre, everything is celebrated: music, harvests, ancestors. Every year, the town hosts craft markets, religious events such as Cavadee, and open-air concerts such as Sakifo, a major public festival combining electronic, world, rock, reggae, French, sega and maloya music… Immerse yourself in the cultural discovery of the south, full of soul and emotion.
Where to stay? Find our hotels in Saint-Pierre for a combination of comfort, atmosphere and authenticity.
10. A typical day in Saint-Pierre
Morning: Market, swimming at Terre Sainte
Midday: Creole lunch in the town centre
Afternoon: Relax at the Exsel Victoria or Terre Sainte hotel
End of the day: Sunset on the beach
Evening: Dinner at Le Rivage or a bar with live music
Night: Return to the calm and spend the night at the Exsel Victoria or Terre Sainte hotel
Where to stay in Saint-Pierre? Two Exsel hotels combining comfort and character
When it comes time to settle in, Saint-Pierre offers two locations, each with its own personality but sharing the same sense of hospitality and attention to detail: the Victoria Hotel and the Le Terre Sainte Hotel, both part of Exsel Hotels.
The Victoria: green, blue and a restaurant not to be missed
A stone’s throw from the town centre and the seafront, the Exsel Victoria hotel welcomes you to a large tree-lined garden with panoramic views of the ocean. It is a place designed for those who like to take their time. The spacious and bright rooms offer modern comfort in a peaceful atmosphere. Some even have a balcony with a sea or garden view.
The highlight? The panoramic view of the ocean from the swimming pool, with some of the sun loungers raised so you can relax in the sun, a homemade cocktail in hand, gazing out at the horizon.
And to prolong the moment, head to Le Rivage, the hotel’s restaurant. Fresh cuisine, rooted in the flavours of Réunion, served in a green and peaceful setting. Ideal for a romantic dinner or a quiet lunch on the terrace.
Le Terre Sainte: an intimate hotel in the heart of the fishermen’s quarter
The discreet Le Terre Sainte hotel is nestled in the peaceful streets of the eponymous quarter, a stone’s throw from the beach and the marina. This small hotel cultivates a warm, artistic, almost confidential atmosphere. You feel at home as soon as you walk in.
The rooms are tastefully decorated in a raw style inspired by artists’ studios. Some overlook a leafy inner courtyard, others the rooftops of the neighbourhood, just a few metres from the colourful boats.
When it comes to relaxation, the intimate swimming pool lined with sun loungers invites you to laze around. Ideal for a getaway for two, far from the noise but close to the essentials: Terre Sainte beach, the covered market and the restaurants on Rue des Bons-Enfants.
FAQ
What are the best things to do in Saint-Pierre?
Between the street market, walks along the seafront, diving in the lagoon, hiking in the wild south and Creole dinners… you won’t have enough time in a weekend.
Can you visit a volcano from Saint-Pierre?
Yes, Saint-Pierre is one of the best starting points for a day trip to Piton de la Fournaise, Réunion’s iconic active volcano.
Where can you find a good local restaurant in Saint-Pierre?
In the town centre, on the seafront or at Le Rivage restaurant, local cuisine is synonymous with generosity, freshness and atmosphere.
