Country guides
Caribbean
Things to do in Martinique
Martinique offers travellers lazy days on the beach, culture, good quality accommodation, and acclaimed diving sites. The capital, Fort de France, is a must for tourists, as are the volcano-ravished Saint-Pierre, the resort town of Pointe Du Bout, and the quaint coastal villages of Sainte-Anne and Grand-Riviere.
Top tourist attractions on Martinique include the Balata Botanical Gardens near Fort de France, the Musee de la Pagerie, birthplace of Napoleon's Empress Josephine, and the active Mount Pelee Volcano, which destroyed Saint-Pierre in 1902. There are also many lovely hikes on the island, including La Caravelle Nature Trail in the mangroves of eastern Martinique. Of course, the most famous attractions are the beaches, with Les Salines and Anse Mitan being especially popular.
Sainte-Anne
One of the most popular tourist spots in Martinique, Sainte-Anne is a convenient access point for the beautiful beaches of the southern tip of the island. The town is arguably the …
Sainte-Anne
One of the most popular tourist spots in Martinique, Sainte-Anne is a convenient access point for the beautiful beaches of the southern tip of the island. The town is arguably the prettiest on the island and offers a few good restaurants and hotels, while still maintaining rustic charm. The most popular beach in Sainte-Anne is Les Salines, only a five-minute drive from the city. Les Salines is stunning and has good facilities such as snack stands, public restrooms, and showers. The only downside to Les Salines is that it can be very overcrowded in peak season and on weekends, meaning it's better to visit during the week to avoid the crowds.
Les Trois-Ilets
Located across the bay from Fort de France, Les Trois-Ilets is a well-developed resort area that is home to a casino as well as many shops and restaurants. Nearby attractions inclu…
Les Trois-Ilets
Located across the bay from Fort de France, Les Trois-Ilets is a well-developed resort area that is home to a casino as well as many shops and restaurants. Nearby attractions include the white sandy beaches and resorts of Pointe du Bout and Anse Mitan, the championship golf course, and the Musee de La Pagerie, the birthplace of Josephine Bonaparte. There are also many interesting cultural attractions in Les Trois-Ilets, including museum of slavery (The Slave Savannah). There is also ample opportunity to organise outdoor activities such as mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding, kayaking, sailing, and other water sports. The best way to get to Les Trois-Ilets is by ferry from Fort de France.
Le Diamant
The scenic resort area Diamond Rock is a small, uninhabited island known for the strategic role it once played in the Napoleonic Wars, when a British garrison fortified it for cont…
Le Diamant
The scenic resort area Diamond Rock is a small, uninhabited island known for the strategic role it once played in the Napoleonic Wars, when a British garrison fortified it for control over the channel, using the caves to shelter troops. Today it offers some of the best scuba diving in Martinique. Great dive sites include the triangular cavern beneath Diamond Rock itself but, as the currents can be treacherous, this is not a dive for beginners. The area also has some beautiful beaches, including Grande Anse du Diamant, where visitors will find a number of good restaurants and a shopping centre.