Saint Kitts and Nevis · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Saint Kitts and Nevis
These are the places worth your time in Saint Kitts and Nevis, from the Circus in Basseterre and the beach bars of Frigate Bay to Brimstone Hill, the South East Peninsula and the quiet plantation inns of Nevis. Classics sit beside village cookshops, rainforest trails and ruins many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Basseterre
Things to Do
- The Circus (Town centre)
Basseterre's little roundabout with the green Berkeley Memorial clock is the heart of town and the best place to start a walk. - Warner Park Cricket Stadium (Basseterre)
Catch a regional or Caribbean Premier League match at one of the region's most attractive cricket grounds. - St Kitts Scenic Railway (Needsmust)
The old sugar train circles much of the island on narrow gauge track with views, drinks and a cappella singing. - Basseterre Ferry Terminal (Bay Road)
The public passenger ferries to Charlestown leave from here, a cheap and scenic way to reach Nevis. - Blue Water Safaris (Basseterre)
A long running catamaran company offering snorkel trips and full day sails across to Nevis. - Leeward Islands Charters (Basseterre)
Catamaran day sails and sunset cruises along the coast of St Kitts and over to Nevis.
Arts and Culture
- Independence Square (Town centre)
Once a slave market and now a shaded garden ringed by Georgian buildings, it is the most moving square in the capital. - National Museum of St Kitts (Old Treasury Building, Bay Road)
Housed in the old treasury by the waterfront, it tells the federation's story from Kalinago settlement to independence. - St. George's Anglican Church (Cayon Street)
Rebuilt after fire and earthquake, this stone church stands on the site of the island's first French church. - Immaculate Conception Co-Cathedral (Independence Square)
The twin towered Catholic cathedral overlooks Independence Square and is lovely in the soft late afternoon light. - Berkeley Memorial and the Treasury Arch (Town centre)
Walk from the Circus to the old Treasury arch, the colonial gateway where arrivals once entered the island.
Shopping and Markets
- Port Zante (Waterfront)
The cruise pier and duty free shopping area is where most visitors step ashore, with jewellery, rum and souvenir shops. - Basseterre Public Market (Bay Road)
Come early on Saturday for island fruit, ground provisions, hot pepper sauce and a real slice of Kittitian life.
Restaurants
- Ballahoo Restaurant (The Circus)
An upstairs balcony restaurant overlooking the Circus, ideal for lunch, a cold drink and people watching. - El Fredo's Restaurant (Basseterre)
A local favourite for generous plates of stewed saltfish, goat water, fried chicken and island sides.
Cafés
- Bayembi Café (Bank Street)
A friendly café and bar near the Circus for coffee, smoothies and a light breakfast before exploring.
Stays
- Ocean Terrace Inn (Fortlands)
Known locally as OTI, this hillside hotel above the bay is a long standing base for exploring the capital. - Bird Rock Beach Hotel (Bird Rock)
A simple, good value hotel on the edge of town with a small beach and diving right on site.
Events
- St Kitts Music Festival (Warner Park)
Every June the federation's biggest party brings international and Caribbean stars to Basseterre for three nights. - Sugar Mas (Basseterre streets)
The national carnival runs from late November into early January with calypso, soca, J'ouvert and the grand parade.
Places to Visit in Frigate Bay
Bars and Nightlife
- The Strip (South Frigate Bay)
A row of colourful beach bars on the sand, the place for drinks, music and local nightlife after dark. - Mr X's Shiggidy Shack (South Frigate Bay)
A legendary beach shack with a bonfire night, fresh seafood and feet in the sand fun.
Things to Do
- Royal St Kitts Golf Club (Frigate Bay)
An eighteen hole championship course stretching between the Atlantic and Caribbean coasts.
Stays
- St Kitts Marriott Resort (North Frigate Bay)
The island's largest resort on the Atlantic beach, with pools, a casino and plenty of dining. - Royal St Kitts Hotel (Frigate Bay)
A mid-range hotel beside the golf course, a short walk from both Frigate Bay beaches. - Timothy Beach Resort (South Frigate Bay)
A simple beachfront hotel at the quiet end of South Frigate Bay with easy access to the Strip.
Restaurants
- Rituals Sushi (Frigate Bay)
Sushi and Asian dishes in a stylish setting, a popular choice for a night out away from the Strip.
Nature and Outdoors
- South Frigate Bay Beach (Frigate Bay)
Calm Caribbean water, soft sand and the Strip bars, the easiest swimming beach near Basseterre. - North Frigate Bay Beach (Frigate Bay)
A long, breezy Atlantic beach good for walks and sunrise, with stronger waves than the south side.
Places to Visit in South East Peninsula
Nature and Outdoors
- Timothy Hill Lookout (Dr Kennedy Simmonds Highway)
The viewpoint where the Atlantic and Caribbean meet on either side of the peninsula, the island's classic photo. - Cockleshell Bay (South East Peninsula)
A wide sweep of sand with calm water and a direct view across The Narrows to Nevis Peak. - South Friars Bay Beach (South East Peninsula)
A calm Caribbean beach with a handful of bars, quieter than Frigate Bay and easy for children. - Turtle Beach (South East Peninsula)
A beach at the far end of the peninsula with snorkelling, monkeys in the trees and views of Nevis. - Great Salt Pond (South East Peninsula)
A large salt pond where waders and shorebirds gather, best seen from the highway lay bys. - Banana Bay (Christophe Harbour)
A sheltered bay with soft sand and a perfect view of Nevis Peak across the channel. - Monkey spotting along the peninsula (South East Peninsula)
Green vervet monkeys roam the scrub along the peninsula road, most active in the early morning.
Bars and Nightlife
- Reggae Beach Bar and Grill (Cockleshell Bay)
A beach bar and grill with loungers, kayaks and a mellow soundtrack facing Nevis. - Shipwreck Beach Bar (South Friars Bay)
A rustic beach bar where green vervet monkeys often drop by, famous for its fish and laid back feel.
Restaurants
- Spice Mill Restaurant (Cockleshell Bay)
Elegant open air dining on the sand with local flavours and lights twinkling across on Nevis. - Carambola Beach Club (South Friars Bay)
A stylish beach club with a pool, loungers and a smart restaurant on a calm Caribbean bay. - Salt Plage (Christophe Harbour)
A sunset bar and restaurant built around old salt works on the edge of the marina.
Stays
- Park Hyatt St Kitts (Banana Bay, Christophe Harbour)
A luxury resort on Banana Bay facing Nevis, the island's most polished place to stay.
Things to Do
- Christophe Harbour Marina (Christophe Harbour)
A superyacht marina village with waterfront dining and a calm, upmarket feel. - Sea Bridge ferry (Majors Bay)
The car and passenger ferry linking the tip of the peninsula with Cades Bay on Nevis.
Places to Visit in North St Kitts
Arts and Culture
- Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park (Sandy Point)
A vast eighteenth century hilltop fortress and UNESCO World Heritage site with views to Statia and Saba. - Romney Manor (Old Road)
Restored manor gardens with a huge old saman tree, stone ruins and a bell tower in the rainforest foothills. - Wingfield Estate ruins (Old Road)
The ruins of one of the island's earliest sugar and rum estates, set in lush forest beside Romney Manor. - Old Road Kalinago petroglyphs (Old Road)
Rock carvings left by the island's early Indigenous people, a quiet and powerful stop. - Bloody Point (Stone Fort)
The site of the 1626 massacre of the Kalinago, marked by a memorial and an important place of reflection. - St. Thomas Anglican Church (Middle Island)
The church where Sir Thomas Warner, the first English settler, is buried beneath an elaborate tomb. - Brimstone Hill visitor centre (Sandy Point)
The visitor centre explains the fortress, the enslaved Africans who built it and the battles fought there.
Shopping and Markets
- Caribelle Batik (Romney Manor, Old Road)
Watch artisans make batik by hand and shop for colourful island clothing and fabrics. - Romney Manor gardens shop (Old Road)
Pick up batik scarves, sarongs and gifts while you wander the gardens.
Nature and Outdoors
- Mount Liamuiga (St Paul's area)
A guided hike through rainforest to the rim of a dormant volcano, the highest point on the island. - Black Rocks (Belle Vue, Atlantic coast)
Dramatic black lava formations where the Atlantic crashes on the rugged northeast coast. - Dieppe Bay (Dieppe Bay Town)
A black sand bay with a reef offshore, local fishing boats and a sleepy village feel.
Restaurants
- Sprat Net Bar and Grill (Old Road Bay)
A much loved seaside grill with fresh fish, lobster and a lively crowd, especially on weekend nights.
Things to Do
- Wingfield rainforest hike (Wingfield)
A guided walk through the rainforest above Romney Manor with birds, ferns and old waterworks. - Greg's Safaris (North St Kitts)
Off road rainforest and plantation tours with local guides who know the island's history.
Places to Visit in Nevis
Arts and Culture
- Museum of Nevis History (Charlestown)
The house built on the site of Alexander Hamilton's birthplace, with displays on Nevisian life. - St. John's Figtree Church (Figtree)
The church holds the record of Horatio Nelson's marriage to Fanny Nisbet in 1787. - Jewish Cemetery Charlestown (Government Road)
One of the oldest Jewish burial grounds in the Caribbean, a reminder of Nevis' early trading past. - Bath Hotel and Bath Springs (Bath Village)
The ruins of a grand Georgian spa hotel next to the hot spring where locals still soak. - Eden Brown Estate ruins (Eden Brown)
Haunting estate ruins on the Atlantic coast, with a local ghost story attached. - New River Estate (New River)
Some of the best preserved sugar works on the island, including a steam engine house.
Nature and Outdoors
- Pinney's Beach (Charlestown coast)
A long golden beach backed by palms, lined with beach bars and facing St Kitts. - Nevis Peak (Nevis)
A tough, muddy guided climb through cloud forest to the summit of the island's dormant volcano. - Source Trail (Golden Rock area)
A rainforest hike following old water pipes up into the misty forest, good for a half day. - Botanical Garden of Nevis (Montpelier)
Themed gardens with tropical plants, a rainforest conservatory and sculptures, easy for all ages. - Oualie Beach (Oualie Bay)
A calm beach with gentle water and a water sports centre, ideal for families. - Lovers Beach (Newcastle)
A wild, often empty stretch of sand in the north, best for walks rather than swimming. - Saddle Hill Battery (Gingerland)
An old lookout with sweeping views over Nevis, where Nelson is said to have watched for ships.
Bars and Nightlife
- Sunshine's Beach Bar and Grill (Pinney's Beach)
The famous beach bar home of the Killer Bee rum punch, with grilled lobster and sunset views.
Stays
- Four Seasons Resort Nevis (Pinney's Beach)
A full resort on Pinney's Beach with golf, a spa and excellent pools. - Montpelier Plantation and Beach (St John Figtree)
A romantic plantation inn in the hills with a private beach and the Mill Privée dinner experience. - Golden Rock Inn (Gingerland)
An artful inn set in old estate gardens high on the slopes of Nevis Peak. - The Hermitage (Gingerland)
Historic cottages around one of the oldest wooden houses in the Caribbean, with a warm family feel. - Nisbet Plantation Beach Club (Newcastle)
A former plantation with a palm lined avenue running down to a quiet northern beach. - Oualie Beach Resort (Oualie Bay)
A relaxed beachfront hotel on calm Oualie Bay, handy for water sports and the airport. - Paradise Beach Nevis (Paradise Beach)
Private villas with plunge pools on a quiet beach north of Pinney's.
Restaurants
- Bananas Restaurant (Upper Hamilton)
A hillside restaurant in tropical gardens known for creative food and a warm, festive atmosphere. - Golden Rock Restaurant (Gingerland)
Lunch in the gardens under the old sugar mill, with island flavours and views of the Atlantic. - Mango Restaurant (Four Seasons, Pinney's Beach)
A relaxed beachside restaurant serving Caribbean dishes in an open air setting.
Shopping and Markets
- Charlestown Public Market (Charlestown waterfront)
Farmers bring fruit, vegetables and local juices to the waterfront market, busiest on Saturdays.
Events
- Nevis Mango Festival (Nevis)
A summer celebration of the island's many mango varieties with tastings and chef events. - Culturama (Charlestown)
Nevis' summer cultural festival around emancipation with calypso, pageants and street jump ups. - Cross Channel Swim (Oualie Bay)
An annual open water swim from St Kitts to Nevis that draws swimmers and spectators.
Things to Do
- Charlestown ferry pier (Charlestown)
Watch the ferries come and go and the town bustle around the harbour. - Mill Privée (Montpelier)
Dinner inside a restored sugar mill by candlelight, one of the most romantic evenings on the island. - Nevis walking tour of Charlestown (Charlestown)
Self guided walks pass Georgian stone buildings, the courthouse and the Hamilton house.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Serendipity Restaurant (Basseterre, Basseterre)
A long running fine dining restaurant with harbour views and creative Caribbean dishes for a special evening. - Circus Grill (The Circus, Basseterre)
A casual first floor grill above the clock with seafood, burgers and views of the busy town centre. - Café des Arts (Waterfront, Basseterre)
A garden café near the ferry terminal serving breakfast, sandwiches and fresh juices in a relaxed setting. - Fairview Great House and Botanical Garden (Boyd's, Basseterre)
A restored eighteenth century great house with gardens and an old kitchen just west of Basseterre. - Monkey Hill (Basseterre outskirts, Basseterre)
A steep local hike above town where you may meet green vervet monkeys and enjoy wide views of the capital. - Pelican Mall (Bay Road, Basseterre)
A small shopping arcade on the waterfront with local crafts and the tourism information office nearby. - Buddies Beach Hut (The Strip, Frigate Bay, Frigate Bay)
A relaxed Strip bar with cold drinks, island snacks and a lively crowd at weekends. - Vibes Beach Bar (The Strip, Frigate Bay, Frigate Bay)
A laid back Strip spot for rum punch, music and watching the sunset over the Caribbean side. - Sugar Bay Club (Frigate Bay, Frigate Bay)
A relaxed hotel on the Atlantic side with a pool and a good value feel close to the golf course. - Marshall's Restaurant (Horizons Villa Resort, Frigate Bay, Frigate Bay)
Poolside fine dining with ocean views and a menu built around local fish and lobster. - Pro-Divers St Kitts (Frigate Bay area, Frigate Bay)
A dive operator running reef, wreck and beginner dives around the island's southern coast. - Kenneth's Dive Center (Bay Road, Basseterre area, Frigate Bay)
One of the island's longest running dive shops, popular for wreck dives and discover scuba trips. - Frigate Bay salt pond walk (Frigate Bay, Frigate Bay)
A flat walk around the salt pond where you may see egrets, herons and the island's green monkeys. - Koi Resort St Kitts (Frigate Bay, Frigate Bay)
A newer resort with suites and a quieter, more grown up feel close to the golf course. - Majors Bay (South East Peninsula, South East Peninsula)
A quiet bay at the very end of the road, good for a calm swim before or after the Sea Bridge crossing. - Lion Rock Beach Bar (Cockleshell Bay, South East Peninsula)
A small, easygoing bar on Cockleshell serving rum punch and grilled snacks to beachgoers. - Boozies on the Beach (South Friars Bay, South East Peninsula)
A beach bar with loungers, music and snacks for a lazy afternoon on the calm side. - Sky Safari Tours (Wingfield, North St Kitts)
A zip line through the rainforest canopy above Wingfield Estate, fun for families and teens. - Clay Villa Plantation House and Gardens (Lodge, North St Kitts)
A family run historic house and garden on the windward side with tours by appointment. - Fort Charles (Sandy Point, North St Kitts)
The crumbling ruins of an early English fort by the sea below Brimstone Hill. - Sandy Point Bay (Sandy Point Town, North St Kitts)
A local fishing village beach where you can watch boats come in and find simple cookshops. - Roadside cookshops in Cayon (Cayon, North St Kitts)
Village cookshops sell goat water, roti and fried fish to locals, a true taste of everyday food. - Coconut Grove (Pinney's Beach, Nevis)
A beachfront restaurant and bar for long lunches and sunset drinks near Charlestown. - Charlestown cookshops (Charlestown, Nevis)
Simple lunch counters around town serve goat water, saltfish and johnny cakes to locals. - Indian Castle Beach (Indian Castle, Nevis)
A remote Atlantic beach on the southern tip with crashing waves and almost no one around. - Nevis horse racing (Indian Castle, Nevis)
Race days at the Indian Castle track are a sociable, very local day out. - Fort Charles Nevis (Charlestown, Nevis)
Ruined cannon and walls of an old fort on the coast just south of Charlestown. - Newcastle Pottery (Newcastle, Nevis)
Local potters shape red clay pots by hand, a craft tradition with African roots. - Nelson Museum (Bath Village, Nevis)
A collection on Horatio Nelson's time in the islands and his Nevisian marriage. - Double Deuce (Pinney's Beach, Nevis)
A beach bar on Pinney's with grilled food, music and a friendly mixed crowd. - Nevis Artisan Village (Charlestown, Nevis)
Small craft shops and stalls where you can buy local art, spices and souvenirs. - Ital food stalls in Basseterre (Town centre, Basseterre)
Vegetarian ital cooking, fresh juices and coconut water from street stalls near the market.