Dzaoudzi is the administrative capital of Mayotte, crowded onto the tiny island of Petite-Terre along with the airport, the prefecture, and a surprising amount of history for such a small piece of land. The town was the colonial capital of the Comoros under French rule before Moroni took over, and its old quarter — La Pointe — still has a few colonial buildings in various states of repair.
The walk around La Pointe takes about an hour and gives good views over the lagoon in both directions. There are several good restaurants and bars here, and the general atmosphere is more relaxed than Mamoudzou. The airport is a short drive away, making Dzaoudzi a convenient base if you arrive late or leave early.