Cheap Flights to Moroni

Discover Moroni

Moroni is the capital and largest city of the Union of the Comoros, a sovereign archipelago nation in the Indian Ocean. It is located on the western coast of Grande Comore Island, the largest of the three principal islands of the republic. There is an estimated population of 75,000 people residing in the city that is located at the foot of Mount Karthala, an active volcano and is the highest point of the Comoros. In the native language, the name Moroni means "in the heart of the fire" – pertaining to the city’s location, which is just below one of the largest active volcanoes in the world. Arabic and French are the official languages of the islands, as well as Shikomoro. The city was founded by Arabic settlers as the capital of a sultanate that was commercially linked to Zanzibar in Tanzania, and now serves as a major port with connections to neighbouring islands.

What to see & do

Although there are few traditional tourist attractions, the city's exotic beauty, colonial atmosphere, its beaches and the overall location and people are in itself a gem of a destination. Enjoy the tropical weather exploring Bouni Beach, Chomoni Beach, Galawa Beach, and the Istandra Beach. The most notable district is the historic town centre, the Medina, with its maze of narrow alleys located near the Vendredi Mosque and the port. The ancient buildings and the neighbourhood itself transport you to a different world. There are many mosques, but the most notable of which is the Vendredi Mosque, also known as old Friday Mosque and the oldest in the city, from which you can have a bird's eye view of the entire city. Immerse in the local culture scenic beauty of the city in the fishing village of Itsandra. For the adventurous spirit, a two-day climb to the top of the dangerous Mount Karthala is a must-try activity. Taking a trip to Iconi, one of the island's oldest settlements, is also worth it, as travelers can choose from different activities, such as shopping in the town centre, exploring the volcanic crater, or just bask in the city's coastal beauty from its incredible cliffs. The Coelacanth Marine Park, located on the southern coast of the island, is popular for its underwater cliffs, and is also set to put up a conservation and educational centre to develop the region's diverse marine culture. Other than these attractions, several traditional festivals involving major Islamic holidays and Independence Day are regularly held in Moroni and are not to be missed for its colourful celebration and honouring of this exotic city's past. Don't forget to stop by Volo Volo market for souvenirs and handicrafts handmade by Moroni's local artisans and craftsmen.

How to get around within Moroni

The most common way to get around Moroni is by bus or taxi-brousse. There are three taxi-brousse stations in the city serving different areas. The northern taxi-brousse near the Volo Volo market serves passenger heading to the north and east. This route covers points such as Itsandra, the airport at Hayahaya, and goes all the way to the northeast coast in M'beni. For passengers heading to central Grande Comore, there are taxi-brousses leaving from the Chalima terminal. For destinations in the south, taxi-brousses leave the station at Place Cobadjou near the New Friday Mosque.

How to get there

Moroni is served by Prince Said Ibrahim International Airport located in Hahaia, approximately 15 kilometres north of the town. International flights include Air Services Comores and Comores Aviation, which has flights to and from Dar es Salaam, Zanzibar, and Nosy Be in Madagascar. Airlines operating international flights to this airport are Air Austral, South African Airways, Air Mauritius, Kenya Airways, Egypt Air, and Qatar Airways. There are no direct flights to and from Europe.