Castries, the island's capital and cruise ship port, offers a colorful slice of St. Lucian life. Shop at its lively market, and stop to snap some photos of its fascinating historic landmarks. At Morne Fortune and Pigeon Island National Park, you can learn about the history of the island's many battles between the French and English, who fought savagely for its possession.
It’s known for palm-lined Vigie Beach and as a port of call for cruise lines, with duty-free shopping near the harbor. The Cathedral Basilica of the Immaculate Conception, with its colorful murals, sits by leafy Derek Walcott Square park. Lively Castries Market is nearby. In the south, Morne Fortune hill offers views of the city.
Here are the Top 11 Places to Visit in Castries, which are worth visiting on a Castries trip:
1. Sulphur Springs
Sulphur Springs is located in Saint Lucia on the southwestern side of the island, near Soufrière (French for Sulfur). According to scientists, it is supposed to erupt in around 100 years and the impact it can wipe out 3/4 of St Lucia. The Sulfur Springs is a popular tourist destination in St Lucia due to their ability for tourists to literally drive up to the edge of the springs. Up until the mid-1990s, tourists were able to walk right up to the end of the tar pits. Following an accident where a local tour guide named Gabriel fell through the crust into a pit and received third-degree burns over most of his body, the formation of what is now known as Gabriel's Hole has restricted viewing to a platform a few hundred feet away.
2. Soufriere
Reputed as the birthplace of Napoleon’s Empress Josephine de Beauharnais who also spent her childhood in this town, Soufriere is situated on the southwest coast of Saint Lucia. Set against a southern backdrop of the picturesque Gros Piton and Petit Piton directly rising up from the coral reef beds, this excellent UNESCO World Heritage Site is also a popular destination for snorkeling and scuba diving as well. Featuring rainforests containing an abundance of wildlife and waterfalls, Soufriere offers several picturesque trails alongside the coastline offering spectacular viewpoints.
3. Micoud
Micoud is a village of around 2,700 inhabitants situated on the east coast of Saint Lucia. It was named after Baron de Micoud, who was the French governor of Saint Lucia in the 18th Century.
4. Dennery
Dennery is both a quarter and a town on the east (windward) coast of the island nation of Saint Lucia. The main economic activities are fishing, and the cultivation of lima beans, bananas, and other tropical fruit. Much of Dennery is in Mabouya Valley which is made up of Derniere Riviere, Au Leon, Despinoze, Gadette, Grand Riviere, Grand Ravine, La Ressource, Richfond, and other surrounding areas and Frigate Island Nature Reserve is offshore a few kilometers to the south of the town. Sault Falls located a few miles inland from Dennery, it is a 20 m high waterfall on the Dennery River.
5. Castries Market
The Castries Market is another popular shopping destination located not far from the terminals. The market is open Monday through Saturday and is a good option for people looking for more local, handmade goods. Several local vendors line the market with fresh produce for sale. The market has been a staple for fresh produce since it was built in 1894. Stalls with crafts and local handmade goods can also be found in the market. It's remained a go-to destination to get authentic, one-of-a-kind goods from local vendors.
6. Derek Walcott Square
The public park is surrounded by buildings featuring the city's signature architecture. A 400-year-old monkey pod tree sits at the center of the square. The centuries-old tree sprawls over a majority of the large park, offering a bit of shade from the Caribbean sun.
7. Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception
It was completed in 1897 and later declared sacred by Archbishop Dowling in 1931. The building finally became a cathedral in 1957 when Bishop Gachet was consecrated and Castries Diocese was established. Colorful, ornate paintings and large windows line the inside of the cathedral.
8. Government House
The house is the official residence of the Governor-General of St. Lucia and sits at the top of Morne Fortune, a sprawling hill and residential area that offers scenic views of the island. The current incarnation of the house was built back in 1895, after the first was destroyed in 1817 and the second was abandoned in 1865, according to Caribbean information site Caribya.
9. La Toc Beach
Caribya describes the crescent-shaped beach as "calm and clean" and a tourist hotspot. La Toc Beach is home to the popular Sandals Regency La Toc resort. The 220-acre estate is home to large guest suites, an executive-style golf course, several restaurants, and a luxurious spa.
10. Marigot Bay
Marigot Bay is located on the western coast of the Caribbean island of Saint Lucia, 3.75 miles southwest of Castries and a short distance from the Saint Lucian National Marine Reserve. It is surrounded on three sides by steep, forested hills. Marigot Bay is a historic landmark, having been the site of a number of battles between the French and British navies. The American novelist James A. Michener famously described Marigot Bay as "The most beautiful bay in the Caribbean."The all-girl trio Arabesque featured the song "Marigot Bay" appearing on the album of the same name in 1980.
11. Rodney Bay
Rodney Bay is a bay on Saint Lucia it is along the northwestern coast of the island to the north of Choc Bay. It is named after British naval officer George Brydges Rodney. At Rodney Bay, you can climb aboard the brig Unicorn, used in the film Pirates of the Caribbean, and see the west side of the island by sea from her decks.
Besides this, there is much more to explore in Castries!!!
