Cruise ship port © St Lucia Tourist Board
The main reason for the existence of the town of Castries,
capital of St Lucia, is as a port of call for hundreds of cruise
ships that dock in the deep harbour every year, disgorging
thousands of day-trippers who shop till they drop in the market and
duty-free shopping malls. Visitors who linger find the town has a
certain charm surrounded by hills, although little to offer in the
way of sightseeing or architectural heritage. Most of the buildings
are fairly new, with Castries having been destroyed several times
by fire during its history, most recently in 1948. There is a very
vibrant and colourful market on the go every day except Sunday,
some good waterfront restaurants and a few remains of the defences
of the island's various occupiers to claim the attention. Castries
also serves as a good base for island exploration, whether it is by
road or water.
Attractions
Jalousie Beach © mickpix
Beaches
St Lucia may not have coral reefs, but it does have perfectly
clear emerald waters and brightly coloured tropical fish, perfect
for snorkelling and other aquatic activities. All of St Lucia's
beaches are public and travellers can pop onto any of the island's
most...
see full detailsCastries Central Market
For cruise passengers to St Lucia, the Castries Central Market
will be one of their first experiences of the Caribbean island - a
famous first port of call for passengers looking to stretch their
legs, do some shopping and take in some local...
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Cathedral of Immaculate Conception © Wikimedia Commons
Derek Walcott Square
The spacious Derek Walcott Square is the central point of
Castries, named for the town's famed son who won the Nobel Prize
for literature in 1992. The town's only architectural points of
interest are to be found on the square, particularly the Cathedral
of...
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Steel drums © takomabibelot
Folk Research Centre
In the hills east of Castries at the village of Morne Pleasant
is St Lucia's Folk Research Centre, housed in an old manor house
that was originally owned by the Deveaux family. The centre
includes a small but comprehensive museum. Among the exhibits,
dedicated...
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Gros Islet © www.stlucia.gov.lc
Gros Islet
North of Castries lies the small, rather unremarkable fishing
village of Gros Islet, a collection of dilapidated wooden homes
lining narrow streets and a rather grubby beach. But come Friday
night this unprepossessing town is the place to be for everyone on
St Lucia,...
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Marigot Bay
Marigot Bay
A perfect spot for a picnic, Marigot Bay, about eight miles
(13km) south of Castries, is one of the most beautiful bays in the
Caribbean. It was used in the movie
Dr Doolittle, and has
long been a favourite stopping point for recreational...
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Battery, Morne Fortune
Morne Fortune
On the outskirts of the city, to the south of Castries and
accessed via Bridge Street, stands the hill of Morne Fortune, the
'Hill of Good Luck', where some violent battles were waged between
the French and British in the 18th and 19th...
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Pigeon Island © www.saint-lucia.com
Pigeon Island
Pigeon Island, north of Castries, is St Lucia's first national
park, reached from the mainland across a causeway. The islet has a
romantic past, having been the hide-out of Jambe de Bois, the
much-feared peg-leg pirate who preyed on Spanish galleons. It was
also...
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Soufriere
Soufriere
Soufriere in the south is the oldest settlement on the island,
having served as the French capital in the 18th century. The
deep-water port stands at the base of St Lucia's main landmarks,
the two towering extinct volcanoes known as the Pitons, rising...
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Vieux Fort © Wikimedia Commmons
Vieux Fort
St Lucia's second largest town is on the south coast, adjacent
to the island's busy Hewanorra International Airport on the
southernmost tip of the island. At St Lucia's most southerly point
just outside the town is the Cape Moule, a Chique Lighthouse, which
offers...
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Excursions
Sulphur Springs
Known as the 'world's only drive-in volcano', Sulphur Springs -
located near the gorgeous town of Soufriere - is a popular tourist
attraction for visitors to St Lucia. Sulphur Springs is a dormant
volcano (some scientists say that it is due to erupt...
see full detailsThe Pitons
The Pitons - two volcanic plugs that stand like sentinels on the
headland outside the St Lucian town of Soufriere - are not only
UNESCO World Heritage Sites, but provide active visitors with a
glorious opportunity to do some hiking in what are...
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A turtle on the beach © djwudi
Turtle Watching
Between mid-March and the end of July visitors can enjoy a
unique experience at Grande Anse Beach on St Lucia's north coast. A
beach camp is a haven where campers can watch the spectacle of
leatherback turtles coming ashore in the starlight, every...
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