5 Days in Reunion island: The Perfect Itinerary

You’re about to spend 5 days in Reunion Island and you’re wondering what is the best itinerary to follow?

I have exactly what you need!

There are thousands of things to see and do in Reunion Island, but you can already get a great overview in 5 days if you follow the right itinerary.

For this short stay, you really need to optimize your routes so you don’t waste time on the road and can enjoy your trip without stress.

In this article, I share my ideal itinerary to visit Reunion Island in 4 or 5 days.

You will be able to explore the most spectacular parts of the intense island, from Salazie cirque to Piton de la Fournaise volcano, as well as the beautiful West Coast beaches and the incredible landscapes of Cilaos.

So, best things to do in Reunion Island in 5 days?

I tell you everything!

Step 1 – 5-day itinerary in La Réunion: Piton de la Fournaise

Day 1: Excursion to the summit of the volcano

Before getting into details, you should really rent a car in Reunion Island to be totally free to move around during these 5 days.

To find the perfect car at the best price, you should use a comparison website. Personally, I always use Booking Cars.

With this comparator, you get many strong points:

• You can see at a glance all car rental offers in Reunion Island, sorted by price or vehicle type
• You benefit from full protection insurance, for total peace of mind during your vacation!
• In case of problem, you get a quick refund
• You can cancel your booking for free until the last minute.

Compare car rental prices in Reunion Island by clicking below:

Once you’ve picked up your car, it’s time to start this express stay in Reunion Island!

I suggest you start your trip with the famous, the great, the unique: Piton de la Fournaise!

This volcano, still active today, is one of the most active in the world and regularly goes into eruption. If you’re lucky, you might even see lava flows during your visit!

But don’t worry, even when it is sleeping, Piton de la Fournaise is still an extraordinary place to discover.

It is located in the southeast of the island and you can reach its summit by car.

To get there, head to Cité du Volcan museum in Plaine des Cafres. From there, you will start the climb.

The road going up to the volcano is an incredible succession of very different landscapes. The higher you go, the more the environment changes dramatically.

You start the drive surrounded by meadows, then a few minutes later you arrive in a kind of tundra, then on cliffs above the clouds, and finally vast desert landscapes.

At around 2200 m altitude, you will reach Plaine des Sables with its incredible lunar landscape. Just after that, you arrive at Pas de Bellecombe, the final stop, where you get a beautiful view of the main crater of the volcano.

Here you can park and continue on foot to walk around the crater (plan about 4 hours of hiking to do the full loop).

However, if you are there during an eruption, the enclosure will be closed. In that case, you can still walk around it to get a viewpoint over the lava flows.

You should plan at least half a day to drive up to the volcano at your own pace and take your time for photos.

You can also opt for a 5.5-hour guided hike to the summit of the volcano, with a guide who will share plenty of information about this iconic place.

Book your guide now to hike up to Piton de la Fournaise crater by clicking the button below:

Where to stay near Piton de la Fournaise?

After this first busy day, you can stay near Piton de la Fournaise so you don’t have to drive too much and can really rest.

In this area, you will find several nice places where you can stay.

Here is my selection of the best accommodations near Piton de la Fournaise in Réunion Island:

• Côté Volcan: modern and comfortable hotel located less than 1 km from Cité du Volcan, starting point of the ascent. Rooms are comfortable and very nicely decorated, some with balcony. Perfect location to drive up to Piton de la Fournaise. From 94€ per night for a double room.
• Fleur de Vanille: small charming boutique hotel with original decoration, surrounded by a beautiful exotic garden. It’s a peaceful little haven, 20 minutes drive from Cité du Volcan. You can enjoy the pool, garden and terraces, as well as a spacious room with movie decor. Double room from 100€.

Step 2 – 5 Days in Reunion Island – Salazie cirque

Day 2: Hike in Salazie

For this second day in Réunion Island, you should go discover Salazie cirque.

A must-see even for a short 5-day stay in Reunion Island, this spectacular cirque features lush nature, many waterfalls and picturesque Creole villages.

It’s a paradise for hikers, with several kilometers of trails to explore.

If you have time and you love hiking, the best is to plan 2 or 3 days in Salazie to really explore the cirque, staying in hiking lodges. But don’t worry, in one day you can already get an excellent overview (you should leave early in the morning!).

To get to Salazie, take RD48 from Saint André and, above all, take your time because this road is just beautiful! You can stop several times along the way to enjoy viewpoints over the gorges and waterfalls.

Among the must-see spots in Salazie, don’t miss:

• the charming village of Hell Bourg, listed among most beautiful villages in France
• Voile de la Mariée waterfall
• Trou de Fer, a dizzying chasm with a waterfall plunging into it
• beautiful forest paths of Bélouve
• view of Piton des Neiges

Where to stay in Salazie?

To make the experience last longer, you can choose to stay in Salazie for the evening and the night. You will find several charming guesthouses that are used to welcoming hikers and visitors.

To help you save time, I have selected the best places to stay in Salazie:

• Bec’Roz: homestay in Salazie for an immersive and warm local experience. You will be welcomed in a charming Creole house and sleep in a lovely and comfortable double room. You can also enjoy the garden and the terrace. The setting is idyllic at the foot of the mountains. Expect to pay a minimum of 70€ per night for 2 people.
• Les lodges de Salazie: houses with terraces and gardens for rent in an idyllic setting in the middle of the mountains. The 40 to 70 m² lodges are modern, comfortable and very well equipped. You will love the quiet and peaceful environment, a real cocoon in the heart of nature. From 105€ per night.
• Sarana Hôtel & Spa: for a luxury stay in central Réunion, you should opt for this 4-star hotel located 9 km from Salazie and 17 km from Mafate. It has an outdoor pool facing the mountain, a spacious garden, a spa and a restaurant. Special mention for breakfast and food in general, really delicious. Double room from 214€/night.

Step 3 – West Coast of Reunion island

Day 3: West Coast beaches – Saint-Gilles-les-Bains

Let’s continue this 5 days itinerary in Réunion and head to West Coast and its beautiful beaches!

After these 2 action-packed days, I now suggest a relaxing day around Saint-Gilles-les-Bains.

So drive towards West of the island, about 1.5 hours by car from Salazie.

Saint-Gilles-les-Bains is island’s main seaside resort, where you will find the best beaches for swimming and sunbathing.

In Saint-Gilles, you will be able to enjoy a beautiful lagoon and do plenty of water activities.

You should especially try this transparent kayak outing, a must-do activity in the region, which allows you to discover all the beauty of Saint-Gilles lagoon without even getting wet! Book your spot directly by clicking here.

Here are the other best things to see and do around Saint-Gilles seaside resort in Réunion:

• Hermitage beach, protected by coral reef and boasting crystal-clear waters
• Boucan-Canot beach, surfers’ favorite
• A scuba diving session with a guide
• A panoramic microlight flight over the lagoon

Then head back to your accommodation for a good night’s sleep.

Where to stay in West Reunion?

If you want to stay in the area for the night, here are the accommodations I recommend around Saint-Gilles:

• Hôtel de la Plage: small, unique and comfortable seaside hotel in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains. Ideally located close to beautiful Roches Noires beach. Rooms and common areas feature original and very colorful decor. Top cleanliness and comfort. The owner is lovely and very accommodating. Double room from 71€/night. The best choice for a budget stay in West Reunion!
• Résidence Tropic Appart Hôtel: studios and apartments to rent in Saint-Gilles, less than 100 m from the beach, accommodating up to 7 people. Units are very comfortable, modern and fully equipped. The decor is beautiful, with lots of plants. Access to garden and outdoor pool. Excellent value for money, from 126€ per night. A great place to stay in West Reunion with family or friends.
• Papangue Hôtel & Spa: if you want some luxury during your vacation in Reunion, you can stay in this 4-star hotel located in L’Etang-Salé. The property is modern, with very beautiful rooms, tastefully decorated and with quality materials. You can enjoy the restaurant-bar and the spa. Special mention for the rooftop with pool! From 174€ per night for a couple.
• LUX* Saint-Gilles: superb 5-star hotel in Saint-Gilles-les-Bains, set on the beach and surrounded by lush tropical garden. Stay in a luxury room or suite with sea view. You will also enjoy the pool, 3 restaurants and gym. From 247€/night.
• Blue Margouilla Seaview Hotel: one of the most beautiful hotels on West coast, labeled Relais & Châteaux and rated 5 stars. It welcomes you in Saint-Leu in a truly idyllic setting. Double room with terrace and sea view from 285€/night. The top choice for a high-end stay in Reunion!

Step 4 – Cilaos Cirque

Day 4: Hiking in Cilaos

It’s already the second-to-last day of your 5 days in Reunion, and it would be a shame to leave without seeing Cilaos!

It’s one of the 3 cirques of the island and a truly iconic natural and cultural site, absolutely not to be missed.

The village of Cilaos, nestled in the ancient crater, stands at an altitude of 1200 m.

To get there, you need to take famous road with 400 bends, which winds through the mountain. Allow about 1 hour to drive up and enjoy the journey because it’s one of the most beautiful roads on the island!

From Saint-Gilles, you should plan about 1h40 of driving in total.

Once you arrive in Cilaos you can:

• Visit the village
• Do some shopping in the local craft shops
• Taste local specialties: lentils and Cilaos wine!
• Go on a hike to explore the cirque

Once again, after this busy day, go back to your accommodation for the night.

Where to stay in Cilaos?

If you want to stay in Cilaos, here are the best places in the area:

• Les Jardins Créoles: 35 m² apartments with terrace for rent in Cilaos, in a lovely property with garden, green surroundings and very quiet. Well-equipped kitchen, comfortable rooms, spotlessly clean. Ideal if you’re visiting Cilaos with family. Price starts at 100€ per night for 4, and 70€ for 2 people.
• Au Cœur du Paradis: stay with locals in this welcoming guesthouse, set in lush surroundings with breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains. Hosts are very kind. Double room with private bathroom, simple but very comfortable. From 100€ per night for 2 people, breakfast included.
• La Villa Soalic: very beautiful guesthouse in a magnificent setting in the heart of Cilaos cirque. Spacious, bright and very comfortable double room. Exceptional breakfast. On site, you will also find a restaurant, a spa and a garden with playground for children. The owner is very welcoming and attentive. From 148€ per night for 2 people, breakfast included.
• Tsilaosa Hôtel: charming small 4-star hotel with Creole architecture, located in the heart of Cilaos village. Double room with terrace and mountain view. The property has a garden, tea room, lovely shared terrace and jacuzzi. From 200€/night for a couple.

Step 5 – Helicopter tour in Reunion island + South coast

Day 5: Helicopter flight over the island + South road trip

To give a beautiful final touch to this trip to Reunion, you should end with a helicopter flight over the island.

This is really an excellent option for a short stay in Reunion, as it gives you an almost complete overview of the island from the sky!

From Saint-Pierre, you can choose between 2 options:

• Helicopter flight over cirques and volcanoes – Book it here
• Helicopter flight over 3 cirques, volcanoes and Trou de Fer gorge – Book directly by clicking here
• Flight over waterfalls and natural pools + a Creole lunch in a remote village in Salazie – Click here to book your seat

Take-off is from Pierrefonds airport, near Saint-Pierre in the south.

After the flight, you should continue your day with a road trip along the South coast.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of the main sites to see in this part of the island:

• Grande Anse beach, one of the most beautiful on the island
• The coastline of Etang-Salé, for a nice walk on foot or by electric bike along the coast and black sand beach
• Manapany les Bains beach
• Domaine du Café Grillé, a lovely botanical garden specialized in coffee growing
• Saint-Pierre market, if you are there on a Saturday

If you have time, you can even keep following the South coast all the way to Sainte-Rose, driving along Route des Laves with its impressive stretches of dried lava (this is the southern slope of Piton de la Fournaise, where lava flows when it erupts!).

Once in Sainte-Rose, stop at Anse des Cascades, a pretty bay surrounded by waterfalls. It’s the ideal place to relax at the end of the day.

You can then go back to your accommodation, or straight to the airport if your return flight is in the evening.

Where to stay in South Reunion?

I have selected for you the best value accommodations around Saint-Pierre and Saint-Joseph, if you want to stay in the south of the island:

• Hôtel le Terre Sainte: 3-star hotel by the sea in Saint-Pierre, 500 m from the beach. Warm design decor full of colors. Rooms with balcony are spacious, bright and very comfortable. Staff is very attentive and the atmosphere is simple and friendly. From 100€ per night for a double room.
• Le Battant des Lames: also in Saint-Pierre, this beautiful 3-star hotel is set in a superb environment, facing the lagoon. The hotel has a large outdoor pool, a restaurant and a wellness center. You will love the direct access to white sand beach. Breakfast is excellent. Double room from 132€.
• L’insolite Manap’Tipik: if you are coming to Reunion with family and prefer individual rentals, this is a great villa to rent in Saint-Joseph, at the far south of the island. 150 m² house with 3 bedrooms, fully equipped kitchen and 2 bathrooms. Outdoor pool (with child safety) and beach 400 m away. From 293€/night.

Alternative Step 5 – Visit Saint-Denis, capital city

Day 5 – Alternative: walk in Saint-Denis

To suit all budgets and all wishes, I suggest an alternative for your last day of vacation in Reunion.

If you don’t feel like doing the helicopter tour, you can instead choose to visit island’s capital city: Saint-Denis.

You will also be very close to the airport to catch your flight back home.

Saint-Denis is located in the far north of the island. It’s administrative, cultural and economic center of Reunion. It’s a nice city to visit, with many historical and cultural sites, a market and a pleasant seafront.

Best things to see and do in Saint-Denis, Reunion:

• Barachois seafront, with its old cannons on display
• Rue de Paris and its traditional Creole houses
• Jardin de l’Etat, botanical garden in the heart of the city
• Saint-Sauveur Cathedral, the only cathedral in Reunion
• Noor-e-Islam mosque, oldest mosque in France
• Kali Kampal temple, a very colorful Hindu temple
• Grand Marché, covered market in city center, where you can discover Reunionese and Malagasy food traditions as well as local handicraft
• Chaudron market (on Wednesday morning and Sunday morning only)
• Brasserie de Bourbon, where famous Dodo beer is produced (mythical in Reunion!)
• Léon Dierx museum to discover 19th and 20th century modern art
• Artothèque, if you love contemporary art
• walk to Maniquet waterfall, starting from hamlet Le Brûlé (4 km)
• hike up to Roche Ecrite, highest point in north of the island.

If you want to make the most of your time and not miss best things to see in Saint-Denis, you should opt for this guided tour of city center, including:

• Visit of Jardin de l’Etat and Natural History Museum
• Walk and shopping in Rue de Paris
• Free time on Avenue de la Victoire
• Guided walk along seafront and historic district of Barachois
• Visit of Saint-Denis prefecture, historic monument and oldest building in Reunion

For this tour, the guide can even pick you up and drop you off at your hotel.

You need to book your guided tour of Saint-Denis in Reunion now by clicking below:

Where to stay in Saint-Denis in Réunion?

If your flight is the next morning, it can be a good idea to stay in Saint-Denis to be close to the airport.

You’re looking for the best accommodations in Saint-Denis? Here is my selection:

• Le Barachois City: beautiful modern and comfortable apartment located in a quiet street in city center, only 10 km from airport. Contemporary, well-thought-out decor and spotless cleanliness. With one bedroom and a sofa bed, it can accommodate up to 3 people. From 99€/night.
• Villa Angélique: charming hotel set in a Creole house listed as a Historic Monument. Close to city center (10 minutes on foot) and airport (15 minutes by car). Very beautiful rooms and suites with wooden floor. Lovely decor, both traditional and modern, very comfortable bedding. Generous breakfast served on outdoor terrace. Friendly, attentive staff. From 105€ per night for a double room. My favorite hotel in Saint-Denis!
• Perle Insulaire: fully renovated 45m² apartment for rent, with balcony and beautiful view of sea and mountains. Very nice decor, excellent comfort and all necessary equipment (oven, dishwasher, washing machine, etc.). Private parking. Expect to pay around 135€ per night.

Where to stay for a 5-day trip to Reunion island?

You’re wondering where to stay in Reunion island for 5 days?

You have several options:

• Option 1: explore island as a road trip, changing accommodation at each stop.

It’s a good option to limit driving time. For a short stay, it allows you to visit a large part of island and save time. On the other hand, you need to pack and unpack every time, so if you choose this option, you should really plan to travel light.

• Option 2: book a single accommodation and explore from there.

In this case, it’s better to choose a central location that gives easy access to rest of island. If this is the option that appeals to you, you should stay in West, around Saint Gilles les Bains. This option gives you a stable base. However, drives across island can be long, so you need to keep this in mind when planning your itinerary.

• Option 3: split your stay in 2, staying in 2 different areas.

It’s a good compromise between first 2 options, balancing stability and driving time. You can, for example, spend first 3 nights on west coast in Saint-Gilles, then end your trip in accommodation around Saint-Pierre in south.

Rent a car in Reunion Island

If you want to really enjoy these 4 or 5 days in Reunion, you absolutely need to have a car at your disposal.

To find the best rental car in Reunion at the best price, you should book through Booking Cars.

This comparison website offers many strong points and I always use it personally for my trips.

With Booking Cars you can:

• See at a glance all rental car offers in Réunion, sorted by price or vehicle type
• Benefit from full protection insurance = peace of mind guaranteed during your vacation!
• Get refunded super quickly in case of problem
• Cancel your booking for free until the very last moment if you change your mind.

Click below to compare rental car prices in Réunion:

Travel insurance for Réunion: My tips