Moka is a quiet district on the central plateau of Mauritius, tucked into a green valley below the Moka Range. It is one of the cooler parts of the island, thanks to the elevation, and feels distinctly more residential and local than the coastal tourist areas. Most visitors come here for one thing: Eureka House.
Maison Eureka is a beautifully preserved 1836 Creole colonial mansion, one of the largest wooden houses on the island, with 109 doors and a wide veranda overlooking gardens full of tropical plants, palm trees, and a stream with small waterfalls. The house is furnished with period antiques and gives a vivid sense of how the Franco-Mauritian planter class lived during the sugar boom. A Creole lunch is served on the veranda, and it is one of the more memorable meals you can have on the island.
Beyond Eureka, Moka is home to the University of Mauritius and the Mauritius Research Council, giving it a slightly academic atmosphere. The surrounding hills offer excellent hiking: Le Pouce — the third highest peak on the island — can be climbed from nearby, rewarding you with panoramic views over Port Louis and the entire island. The more challenging Pieter Both, recognisable by the large boulder balanced on its summit, requires rope skills but is one of the more dramatic climbs in Mauritius.