In the far south of the Caribbean, Grenada offers an intoxicating taste of the Old Caribbean. Fragrant nutmeg, cinnamon, cloves, vanilla, and cocoa flourish in its fertile volcanic soil, earning it the name, "the Spice Island," and the island's rich culture makes it a top choice for tourists looking for an authentic Caribbean experience.
Grenada will also charm you with its classic Caribbean beauty. Lushly-cloaked mountains, rainforests, plantations, and colorful seaside villages provide picturesque photo ops, and you can bask on beautiful beaches framed by frangipani and flamboyant trees.
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Homes on the hillsides of St. George's |
St. George's, Grenada's capital, is one of the prettiest cities in the Caribbean, its busy harbor of Carenage bristling with sailboats. You can even island hop in Grenada - the quieter islands of Carriacou and Petite Martinique lie off the island's northeast coast.
Many visitors spend their time around Grand Anse Beach, one of the best beaches in the Caribbean, but Grenada offers more things to see and do than just basking on its sun-kissed sands. Waterfalls gush in the island's interior; hiking trails thread through the lush rainforest; and coral reefs rim the coast, where you can swim, dive, snorkel, and fish. History buffs will also enjoy exploring the country's forts and museums.
For ideas on the best places to visit on this quintessential Caribbean island, read our list of the top things to do in Grenada.
1. Grand Anse Beach
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| Grand Anse Beach |
Fringed by sea grapes, almond trees, and coconut palms, Grand Anse is Grenada's most famous beach. Cruise ship visitors flock to this three-kilometer arc of golden sand and gentle surf.
Water hues range from clear turquoise in the shallows to deep cobalt blue, and the calm waters are perfect for swimming. Many hawkers patrol the sands, but a polite "No, thank you" will keep them at bay.
If you feel like indulging in a little shopping, midway along the beach is the Grande Anse Craft and Spice Market, another popular stop for cruise ship visitors.
Many of the best hotels in Grenada lie along the shores of Grand Anse. Steps from the sand, Spice Island Beach Resort is one of the island's most famous boutique hotels and one of the best luxury all-inclusive resorts in the Caribbean.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in Grenada
2. St. George's
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| St. George's |
One of the prettiest port towns in the Caribbean, St. George's curves along a horseshoe-shaped harbor backed by volcanic hills.
This colorful capital of Grenada is popular with boaters, who dock in the busy harbor, called the Carenage. Brick and stone buildings with red-tiled roofs line the streets, where locals sell spices and crafts.
Two of the main historical attractions in the city are Fort George, built by the French in the early 18th century, and Fort Frederick. Both offer beautiful views over the town and sea.
Wondering about Grenada's history? Stop by Grenada National Museum. Housed in a 1704 French barracks and former prison, the museum displays a hodgepodge of historical items, including Carib and Arawak artifacts and exhibits on the sugar and whaling industries.
Another one of the top things to do in St. George is visit the House of Chocolate. Here, you can browse exhibits on the local cocoa industry and sample decadent sweet treats. This is a must for chocoholics!
To soak up some local color and buy fresh tropical fruits and spices, stop by the popular Saturday morning market at St. George's Market Square.
Accommodation: Where to Stay in St. George's
3. Underwater Sculpture Park
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| Underwater Sculpture Park |
On the west coast of Grenada, a short drive north of St. George's at Moliniere Bay, the Underwater Sculpture Park is a unique submerged gallery that also serves as an artificial reef in a marine protected area.
Created by artist Jason deCaires Taylor, the sculptures range from Amerindian petroglyphs to life-size figures cast from local children.
Divers, snorkelers, and glass-bottom boat passengers can admire this underwater exhibition, although coming face-to-face with these sculptures below sea level is the best way to appreciate their artistry.
4. Fort Frederick
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| Fort Frederick |
At the end of winding hairpin turns atop Richmond Hill, Fort Frederick offers stunning views of St. George's and the sea.
The fort has an interesting history. The French began construction of Fort Frederick in 1779, and the British then completed it in 1791. It is nicknamed the "backwards facing fort" because its cannons face inland instead of out to sea, thanks to the French who feared a surprise land attack after they used this successful strategy with the British. In 1850, the fort was abandoned completely until it was later occupied by the Grenadian military.
A small entrance fee gives you access to the site, but the views are worth it.
5. Spice Tours & Tastings
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| Belmont Estate | Tom Coady / photo modified |
Sampling fragrant spices is one of the most unique things to do in Grenada. You'll find plenty of interesting places to visit where you can learn about the spice industry and see how the plants are cultivated.
About an hour's drive from St. George's, the Belmont Estate offers a variety of tours that explore the organic farm and its tropical fruits and spices. At this 17th-century plantation, you can also learn about the cultivation of cocoa and how the fruit is made into chocolate (with tastings along the way). Serious chocoholics can sign up for a tour, which includes a scrumptious three-course lunch spotlighting chocolate in every course.
Other fun things to do here include browsing the small heritage museum and shopping for chocolate-related treats and local crafts. Children will enjoy the petting zoo and all the animal residents, including goats, donkeys, tortoises, and talking parrots.
Laura's Herb & Spice Garden offers a more intimate experience. Your visit begins with a guided tour through the beautiful spice gardens, with tastings and tips on health benefits.
For a more rustic experience, stop by the Dougaldston Spice Estate. Here, local workers demonstrate how the island's spices are grown and processed, and you can wander through the old wooden buildings sampling spices as you go.
After all these tours, you can stock up on nutmeg, vanilla, cinnamon, cloves and other goodies in the on-site gift shops.
6. Carenage
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| Carenage |
The inner harbor and anchorage, known as the Carenage, is the lively hub of St. George's. It's a lovely place to wander along the waterfront and soak up daily life.
Fisherman unload their catch from colorful wooden schooners, locals haggle for the fresh catch of the day, and supplies are unloaded from container ships.
You can also browse the shops, or relax at one of the restaurants selling fresh seafood and snacks. Wharf Road runs along the harbor offering great views of the area.
While you're here, look for the bronze Christ of the Deep statue. It was donated by the owners of a luxury liner in gratitude for local rescue efforts after the ship exploded off Grand Anse.
7. Morne Rouge Bay
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| Morne Rouge Bay |
One bay south of Grand Anse, near the southern tip of Grenada, Morne Rouge Bay is usually a quieter alternative to Grand Anse Beach. Calm, jade-green seas slosh upon this one-and-a-half kilometer crescent of white sand making this one of the safest beaches in Grenada for swimming.
Resort restaurants along the beach offer snacks, and the lush foliage fringing the beach provides plenty of shady areas to sit and relax. You can also rent sun loungers here, as well as paddleboards and snorkel equipment.
8. Grand Etang National Park & Forest Reserve
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| Grand Etang National Park & Forest Reserve |
Home to a rich diversity of plants and animals, Grand Etang National Park, in the interior of the island, offers some beautiful rainforest scenery and rewarding hikes.
One of the focal points of the park is the beautiful crater-formed Grand Etang Lake. From the Grand Etang visitor center, several trails lead through the park, ranging from the 30-minute self-guided Morne LaBaye Trail, with many specimens of native plants, to the more challenging Concord Falls Trail, which passes a trio of cascades with swimming areas.
Other popular hikes include the Shoreline Trail around the Grand Etang Lake; the Seven Sisters Falls hike; and the Mount Qua Qua Trail, a three-hour uphill trek with views over the forest. Along the trails you can spot many species of birds, orchids, and towering rainforest trees.
9. Levera National Park
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Levera National Park |
On the northeastern shore of the island, Levera National Park offers some beautiful and dramatic scenery where the Caribbean Sea meets the Atlantic.
You'll find some inviting, relatively undeveloped beaches here. Backed by cliffs, coral-sand Bathways Beach offers pretty views of the pointy-peaked Sugar Loaf (Levera Island) and other islands in the distance, while a natural offshore reef affords good protection for swimming.
Levera Beach is also pretty, with less visitors than Bathways. Sea turtles frequently nest on the beaches here.
Also of interest is Levera Pond, a water-filled, ancient volcanic crater and an important habitat for birds such as black-necked stilts and herons.
Stop by the visitor center at the entrance to the park before you visit to find out more about these important habitats.
10. Fort George
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| Fort George |
Built in 1705 by the French, Fort George lies on the promontory to the west of the harbor and is Grenada's oldest fort. It was built to protect the harbor, but stands mostly derelict today. The main draw here is the spectacular 360-degree view across the town's red-tiled roofs and church spires to the harbor and sea beyond.
Be prepared for a hot and steamy hike up a flight of stairs to reach the fort.
Address: Church Street, St. George's
11. Annandale Falls
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| Annandale Falls |
In the mountains north of St. George's, Annandale Falls is a 10-meter waterfall plunging to a pool tucked in tropical foliage. The short trail to the falls begins at the Annandale Falls Centre.
Along the way, you'll see beautiful tropical flowers and foliage, like ferns and wild ginger.
One of the highlights of a visit is watching fearless local divers leap into the water from the top - but be prepared that they may ask for a donation. You can also swim at the base of the cascades, and change rooms are available.
If you're seeking a more peaceful waterfall experience, Royal Mount Carmel Falls, on the island's east coast, is worth visiting. The hike is only about 10 minutes, and you can slide down the rocks and cool off in the crystal-clear pools.
12. La Sagesse
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| La Sagesse |
On the Atlantic side of the island, La Sagesse lies on the former estate of Lord Brownlow, Queen Elizabeth's cousin. His beachside residence has been renovated and turned into a romantic hotel and restaurant fronting a golden-sand beach, with great swimming in the protected bay.
The restaurant here is a lovely spot for lunch, with locally caught seafood dishes and produce plucked fresh from the organic garden. After lunch, you can explore the nature trails that lead up through the windswept hills, with pretty views over the ocean.
The area is also great for birding. Many avian species make their home in the area's scrub forests, mangroves, and salt ponds. This is a fun day trip far from the crowds on the well-trodden tourist track.
13. Carriacou
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| Carriacou |
Known as the "Land of Reefs," the island of Carriacou (carry-a-cou), northeast of Grenada, is a beautiful spot for a day trip.
Both white- and black-sand beaches fringe the coast, and coral reefs lie offshore with great opportunities for diving and snorkeling. Nearby Sandy Island, in a Marine Protected Area, is also excellent for snorkeling.
Carriacou has a number of small villages, but the main population center is Hillsborough. The Carriacou Museum here displays Carib, European, and African artifacts, and the island offers several hiking trails.
You can access Carriacou via high-speed ferry from St. George's Carenage (a 60- to 90-minute trip) or on flights from Grenada's Point Saline International Airport.
14. Petite Martinique
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| View of Petite Martinique from Carriacou |
Five kilometers northeast of Carriacou, Petite Martinique is even quieter than its neighbor and equally beautiful. Fishing is the mainstay of this tiny island, and you can watch the locals haul in their catch, or stroll along the beaches and chat with boat builders as they work.
This is truly an island getaway, with few tourist facilities except a couple of guesthouses and family-run restaurants, but you'll find plenty of local color. Many boaters stop here to dine at one of the island's restaurants or hike up the piton, the island's highest peak, for fabulous views.
From Carriacou, you can catch a ferry or water taxi across to the island.
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