Saint Lucia · Local picks
100+ Places to Visit in Saint Lucia
These are the places worth your time in Saint Lucia, from the market and murals of Castries and the beaches of Rodney Bay to sheltered Marigot Bay, the Pitons around Soufrière and the windswept south. Classics sit beside quiet corners many travellers miss, so every kind of visitor finds something to love.
Places to Visit in Castries
Shopping and Markets
- Castries Market (Jeremie Street)
The orange roofed market hall and vendors' arcade are the best place to taste, smell and shop like a Saint Lucian, especially on Saturday morning. - Caribelle Batik (Howelton House, Morne Fortune)
Watch artisans dye colourful batik in a restored hillside house, then browse the shop. - Pointe Seraphine (Castries harbour)
Duty free shopping beside the cruise berths, handy for spirits, jewellery and souvenirs with a passport. - La Place Carenage (Jeremie Street)
A waterfront duty free mall right in town, easy to combine with the market.
Arts and Culture
- Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception (Derek Walcott Square)
Its walls glow with Dunstan St. Omer murals of a Black Holy Family and island life, a quiet surprise behind a plain facade. - Derek Walcott Square (Downtown Castries)
A shady square honouring the island's two Nobel laureates, shaded by a giant samaan tree. - Fort Charlotte (Morne Fortune)
Old British and French fortifications on the hilltop, now part of a college campus, with harbour views and few visitors. - Eudovic Art Studio (Goodlands, Morne Fortune)
A family studio carving striking sculptures from local woods, founded by master carver Vincent Joseph Eudovic. - Inniskilling Monument (Morne Fortune)
A memorial to a 1796 battle for the hill, with sweeping harbour views beside it.
Nature and Outdoors
- Morne Fortune (Morne Fortune)
The classic lookout over Castries harbour, with views stretching south towards the Pitons on clear days. - Vigie Beach (Vigie)
A long beach by the city airport where locals swim after work and planes land over your head. - Choc Bay (Choc)
A calm, wide bay between Castries and Rodney Bay with gentle water and a local feel. - La Toc Beach (La Toc)
A quieter cove south of the harbour, often less busy than the beaches to the north. - Rainforest Adventures (Babonneau)
Aerial tram and zip line rides through the rainforest canopy, good for families.
Restaurants
- The Coal Pot (Vigie Marina)
A long loved waterside restaurant where Creole and French flavours meet beside the bobbing boats.
Events
- Saint Lucia Carnival (Castries)
July brings calypso, soca, steelband and the colourful parade of the bands through the capital. - Jounen Kwéyòl (Rotating communities)
Creole Day in October fills a chosen village with Kwéyòl food, music, costume and language.
Cafés
- Castries Market food stalls (Jeremie Street)
Simple counters serving bouyon, fish, green fig and saltfish and fresh juices to market workers.
Stays
- Sandals Halcyon Beach (Choc Bay)
An adults only all inclusive on Choc Bay, a few minutes from Castries and the city airport. - Sandals Grande St. Lucian (Gros Islet peninsula)
A couples resort on a narrow spit with sea on both sides and views of Pigeon Island.
Places to Visit in Rodney Bay
Stays
- Bay Gardens Hotel (Rodney Bay Village)
A friendly mid-range hotel close to Reduit Beach and the village restaurants. - Cap Maison (Cap Estate)
A Spanish style boutique hotel on the cliffs with its own little beach and sunset views. - Bay Gardens Beach Resort (Reduit Beach)
Family friendly rooms directly on Reduit Beach.
Nature and Outdoors
- Pigeon Island National Landmark (Gros Islet)
Climb to Signal Peak, explore Fort Rodney's ruins and swim from two small beaches in one visit. - Reduit Beach (Rodney Bay)
The island's best known beach, long and golden with calm water and plenty of shade. - Cas en Bas Beach (Cap Estate)
The island's kitesurfing beach on the Atlantic side, with trails to quiet coves. - Gros Islet Beach (Gros Islet)
The town's local beach, quieter than Reduit and good for watching fishing boats come in. - Fort Rodney (Pigeon Island)
The hilltop ruins of a British fort with views across to Martinique.
Events
- Gros Islet Friday Night Street Party (Gros Islet)
Every Friday the fishing town fills with grills, sound systems and dancing until late. - Saint Lucia Jazz and Arts Festival (Pigeon Island)
A May festival of jazz, R and B and Caribbean music on stages around the island. - Atlantic Rally for Cruisers finish (Rodney Bay Marina)
Each December hundreds of yachts arrive after crossing the Atlantic, with festivities at the marina.
Things to Do
- Rodney Bay Marina (Rodney Bay)
A yachting hub with waterfront dining and the departure point for many boat trips. - Saint Lucia Golf Club (Cap Estate)
The island's established public course, laid out on rolling hills at the northern tip. - Rodney Bay boat trips (Rodney Bay Marina)
Sunset cruises and day sails down the coast to the Pitons leave from the marina. - Reduit Beach water sports (Reduit Beach)
Kayaks, paddleboards and snorkelling gear for hire right on the sand.
Restaurants
- Spinnakers Beach Bar and Grill (Reduit Beach)
Feet in the sand dining on Reduit Beach, easy from breakfast to sundowners. - Jacques Waterside Dining (Reduit Beach Avenue)
French Caribbean cooking on the lagoon, a favourite for special evenings. - Buzz Seafood and Grill (Rodney Bay Village)
A lively, long running spot for fresh fish and cocktails on the village strip. - Big Chef Steakhouse (Rodney Bay Village)
A popular steakhouse by the lagoon for a hearty night out. - Spice of India (Rodney Bay Village)
Indian dishes that echo the island's own Indo Caribbean heritage.
Bars and Nightlife
- Treasure Bay Casino (Baywalk Mall)
The island's main casino and sports bar, open late on the Rodney Bay strip.
Shopping and Markets
- Baywalk Mall (Rodney Bay)
A modern mall with supermarket, banks and shops for stocking up near the beach. - JQ Mall Rodney Bay (Rodney Bay)
Practical shopping, a supermarket and cheap eats on the main road.
Cafés
- Gros Islet street food stalls (Dauphin Street)
Grilled fish, chicken and bakes from street grills, at their best on Friday nights.
Arts and Culture
- Pigeon Island Museum and Interpretation Centre (Pigeon Island)
A small exhibit on the island's Amerindian, pirate and military past.
Places to Visit in Marigot Bay
Nature and Outdoors
- Marigot Bay (Marigot)
A palm fringed hurricane hole full of yachts, one of the most beautiful bays in the Caribbean. - Marigot Bay beach (Marigot Bay spit)
A short water taxi ride to a calm, palm shaded strip of sand at the mouth of the inner bay. - Anse Cochon (Anse La Raye)
A sheltered bay with clear water and reef for snorkelling, best reached by boat.
Restaurants
- Doolittle's Restaurant (Marigot Bay)
Waterfront dining named after the film shot here, best at sunset. - Chateau Mygo (Marigot Bay)
A casual waterside spot for fish, rotis and local dishes.
Stays
- Capella Marigot Bay Resort and Marina (Marigot Bay)
A luxury resort and marina wrapped around the inner bay. - Marigot Beach Club and Dive Resort (Marigot Bay)
A relaxed hotel on the beach side of the bay with its own dive centre. - Ti Kaye Resort and Spa (Anse Cochon)
Clifftop cottages above Anse Cochon with a long staircase down to the beach.
Events
- Anse La Raye Friday Fish Fry (Anse La Raye)
A smaller, family friendly street party where fishermen cook the day's catch.
Things to Do
- Lesleen M wreck dive (Anse Cochon)
A freighter sunk as an artificial reef, now encrusted with coral and fish. - Marigot Bay water taxi (Marigot Bay)
A tiny ferry that crosses the bay all day, a fun ride in itself. - Marigot Bay sunset cruise (Marigot Bay)
Short evening boat trips along the west coast as the sun sinks.
Bars and Nightlife
- Marigot Bay Marina Village (Marigot Bay)
Waterside bars and cafés where sailors gather to watch the sun go down.
Cafés
- Anse La Raye roadside stalls (Anse La Raye)
Grab bakes, cocoa tea and fresh juice on the drive south.
Arts and Culture
- Canaries village (Canaries)
A small fishing village on the coast road with a river and a slow, friendly pace.
Places to Visit in Soufrière
Nature and Outdoors
- The Pitons (Soufrière)
Twin volcanic spires rising from the sea, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the island's icon. - Tet Paul Nature Trail (Chateau Belair)
A short guided walk to the best viewpoint between the two Pitons. - Sulphur Springs (Malgretoute)
Steaming vents in a collapsed volcano, then warm mud baths that are fun for all ages. - Diamond Falls Botanical Gardens (Soufrière Estate)
A mineral stained waterfall, tropical gardens and historic baths on an old estate. - Toraille Waterfall (Fond St. Jacques road)
Stand under a cool cascade in a garden setting just outside town. - Enbas Saut Waterfall Trail (Edmund Forest Reserve)
A rainforest trail with steps down to two waterfalls deep in the reserve. - Anse Chastanet Beach (Anse Chastanet)
Some of the best shore snorkelling on the island over a protected reef. - Anse Mamin (Anse Chastanet)
A quiet cove next door with a jungle backdrop and bike trails. - Sugar Beach (Anse des Pitons) (Val des Pitons)
White sand between the twin peaks, public but reached through the resort. - Edmund Forest Reserve (Fond St. Jacques)
Deep rainforest home to the Saint Lucia parrot and giant ferns.
Things to Do
- Gros Piton Nature Trail (Fond Gens Libres)
A guided, steep climb to the summit from a community of descendants of free Africans. - Fond Doux Plantation (Chateau Belair)
A working cocoa estate with tours, Creole lunch and colonial buildings. - Morne Coubaril Historical Adventure Park (Soufrière)
A historic estate with cocoa demonstrations, a recreated village and zip lines. - Rabot Estate Tree to Bar Experience (Rabot Estate)
Make your own chocolate bar on a historic cocoa plantation. - Soufrière Marine Management Area snorkelling (Soufrière coast)
Protected reefs below the Pitons with turtles, sponges and colourful fish. - Scuba Saint Lucia (Anse Chastanet)
A long established dive centre on the reef at Anse Chastanet. - Hot Mineral Baths at Diamond (Soufrière Estate)
Warm baths fed by volcanic springs, first built for French soldiers.
Restaurants
- Boucan by Hotel Chocolat (Rabot Estate)
Cocoa infused cooking on a working cocoa estate with Piton views. - Dasheene (Ladera)
Open air dining with one of the most famous views in the Caribbean, between the Pitons.
Stays
- Ladera Resort (Soufrière)
Open walled suites facing the Pitons, an unforgettable place to wake up. - Jade Mountain (Anse Chastanet)
Sanctuaries with infinity pools and one wall open to the Pitons. - Anse Chastanet Resort (Anse Chastanet)
Hillside rooms above a reef where snorkelling starts from the beach. - Sugar Beach, A Viceroy Resort (Val des Pitons)
Villas in a valley between the Pitons on Anse des Pitons beach. - Stonefield Villas (Soufrière)
Family run villas on a former estate with views of Petit Piton. - Fond Doux Eco Resort (Chateau Belair)
Cottages scattered across a working cocoa estate.
Arts and Culture
- Soufrière town square (Soufrière waterfront)
A historic square by the church where the guillotine stood in the French Revolution era. - Fond Gens Libres (Fond Gens Libres)
A small village at the foot of Gros Piton with a proud history of freedom.
Cafés
- Soufrière waterfront snack stalls (Soufrière waterfront)
Simple stalls with rotis, fish and fresh juice near the jetty.
Events
- La Rose Flower Festival (Island wide)
In late August rival societies celebrate with song, costume and Kwéyòl tradition. - La Marguerite Flower Festival (Island wide)
In October the rival society holds its own feast of song and procession.
Places to Visit in Vieux Fort
Nature and Outdoors
- Anse de Sables (Vieux Fort)
A long Atlantic beach with steady trade winds, the island's kitesurfing hub. - Maria Islands Nature Reserve (Off Anse de Sables)
Tiny islands home to the Saint Lucia whiptail and racer snake, visited only with the National Trust. - Moule à Chique Lighthouse (Moule à Chique)
The southern tip's lighthouse with views of the airport, Maria Islands and Saint Vincent. - Savannes Bay Nature Reserve (Savannes Bay)
Mangroves and seagrass beds that are a haven for birds and juvenile fish. - Mankòté Mangrove (Vieux Fort)
One of the island's largest mangroves, quiet and good for birdwatching. - Laborie Beach (Laborie)
A local beach where families swim and fishing boats pull up. - Mamiku Gardens (Micoud)
Botanical gardens and woodland trails on an old estate.
Things to Do
- The Reef Kite and Surf (Anse de Sables)
Lessons and gear for kitesurfing and windsurfing on the beach. - Treetop Adventure Park (Dennery)
Zip lines and treetop courses in the rainforest.
Restaurants
- The Reef Beach Café (Anse de Sables)
A laid back beach café for local food after a day on the water.
Stays
- Coconut Bay Beach Resort and Spa (Vieux Fort)
A family friendly all inclusive minutes from Hewanorra. - Serenity at Coconut Bay (Vieux Fort)
An adults only suite section next to Coconut Bay.
Arts and Culture
- Laborie village (Laborie)
A pretty fishing village with a calm beach and colourful houses.
Events
- Dennery Saturday Fish Fry (Dennery)
A big local street party with seafood and dennery segment music.
Shopping and Markets
- Vieux Fort market (Vieux Fort town)
A small local market for produce and street food.
Cafés
- Vieux Fort roti shops (Vieux Fort town)
Simple roti and bakes for travellers waiting for flights.
More to Explore
We are still checking these with fresh sources, so confirm opening times before you go.
- Folk Research Centre (Mount Pleasant, Castries)
The keepers of Kwéyòl culture, music and heritage, and a good contact for events around Jounen Kwéyòl. - Bagshaw Studios (La Toc, Castries)
Hand screen printed fabrics and linens made in a long established family studio with garden views. - Fond Latisab Creole Park (Forestière, Castries)
A community heritage site where you can see cassava bread making, traditional music and old Creole crafts. - Coco Palm Restaurant (Rodney Bay Village, Rodney Bay)
A boutique hotel restaurant serving Creole inspired dishes by the pool. - Marjorie's Beach Bar (Cas en Bas, Rodney Bay)
A simple bar on the windswept kitesurfing beach, perfect after a hike from Cap Estate. - Donkey Beach (Cas en Bas, Rodney Bay)
A wild, empty bay reached on foot along the north east coast trail. - Cabot Saint Lucia (Point Hardy, Rodney Bay)
A cliff top golf course and resort with dramatic Atlantic views. - Royal by Rex Resorts (Reduit Beach, Rodney Bay)
A beachfront hotel right on Reduit Beach, close to the village restaurants. - Coco Palm (Rodney Bay Village, Rodney Bay)
A colourful boutique hotel steps from Reduit Beach, with swim up rooms. - Smugglers Cove (Cap Estate, Rodney Bay)
A small, secluded cove at the north of the island with a steep path down. - Rainforest Hideaway (Marigot Bay, Marigot Bay)
A romantic restaurant on a dock reached by a little ferry across the bay. - Masa at Capella Marigot Bay (Marigot Bay, Marigot Bay)
Resort dining with views across the marina. - La Sikwi Sugar Mill (Anse La Raye, Marigot Bay)
A restored historic sugar estate with a giant water wheel and gardens. - Anse La Raye waterfall (Anse La Raye, Marigot Bay)
A short walk inland leads to a small cascade and swimming pool away from the crowds. - Millet Bird Sanctuary (Millet, Marigot Bay)
A forest trail inland where you may spot the Saint Lucia parrot and other endemic birds. - Orlando's Restaurant (Bridge Street, Soufrière)
Chef driven Saint Lucian cooking in the heart of town. - Jalousie Beach Bar (Sugar Beach, Soufrière)
Sundowners on the sand between the Pitons. - Anse l'Ivrogne (Soufrière, Soufrière)
A remote black sand cove south of the Pitons, reached by boat. - Choiseul Arts and Crafts Centre (Choiseul, Vieux Fort)
Basketry, pottery and woodwork from southern craftspeople. - Saltibus potters (Saltibus, Choiseul, Vieux Fort)
Traditional pottery made by hand in southern villages. - Latille Gardens and Waterfall (Micoud, Vieux Fort)
A peaceful family garden with a waterfall and pool. - Errard Waterfall (Dennery, Vieux Fort)
A tall waterfall on a working estate in the east. - Desbarra turtle watch (Grande Anse, Vieux Fort)
Watch leatherback turtles nest on a remote beach with local guides in season.