Reunion · 2026 itinerary
Saint-Paul 3-Day Itinerary
A day-by-day plan for Saint-Paul: the best attractions in order, where to eat, how to get around — with free hotel briefings for your stay.
Arrive & Explore the Highlights
A 19th-century stone church with a simple whitewashed interior and a tall bell tower. Gives a sense of the town's colonial past.
🕐 08:00–12:00, 14:00–17:00 Mon–Sat; closed Sun
Free entry💡 Look for the small cemetery around the back—some graves date to the 1700s.
Hotels near Église Saint-Paul →A lively open-air market every Friday and Saturday selling local fruit, vanilla, spices and handmade crafts. Free to browse.
🕐 06:00–12:00 Fri & Sat only
Free entry💡 Arrive by 7am to see the best produce; haggle gently for souvenirs but not for food.
Hotels near Marché Forain de Saint-Paul →Le petit randonneur · ££
Chez Dédé · ££
Deeper Into Saint-Paul
A botanical garden with mature banyan trees, a small pond and benches. Quiet, shady spot for a picnic or reading.
🕐 08:00–18:00 daily
💡 Check the noticeboard near the gate for occasional free guided walks on local plants.
A natural swimming spot with clear pools carved into black volcanic rock. Good for a cool-off walk from the centre.
🕐 Open 24 hours
💡 Go early on weekdays to avoid crowds; the water gets choppy after 11am in trade wind season.
La marmite du cap
Chez Luçay
Final Favourites & Departure
An old sugar mill turned museum. Exhibits on Reunion's sugar and rum history. Entry is €5, but the grounds and outdoor machinery are free.
💡 Skip the guided tour; the self-guided route is well-signposted and cheaper. Free on first Sunday of the month.
Chez Noé
L'Instant Plaisirs
Getting Around Saint-Paul
Use this bus to reach beaches and restaurants along the lagoon – get off at 'Boucan Canot' for the best snorkelling. The bus runs late only on Friday and Saturday evenings in summer.
Buy a rechargeable 'Pass' card at the airport boutique for €2 – single tickets cost the same but the pass works on all Reunion buses. From Saint-Paul station, walk or take a taxi 3 km up to the gîte; the station taxi rank is cheap during daytime.
Book a fixed-price taxi at the airport kiosk inside arrivals to avoid haggling. Ask the driver to take the coastal N1 route for sea views, not the inland N2 tunnel road.
Download the 'Taxi Réunion' app to book – short rides in town are metered and reasonable, but confirm the fare before starting if going uphill to the gîte.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 3 days enough for Saint-Paul?
Three days covers the main highlights well. You can see the key attractions like Église Saint-Paul and get a genuine feel for the city. For a more leisurely pace or to explore neighbourhoods in depth, a 5-day trip is better.
What is the best time to visit Saint-Paul?
See our full best time to visit Saint-Paul guide — it covers weather month by month, peak vs. shoulder seasons and how to avoid the crowds.
Where should I stay for this itinerary?
A central location saves transit time between sites. Top options include Coco Island, L'Archipel, Gîte La maison Laclos. See the full ranked list with free briefings for each.