St. George's
Grenada's capital on its horseshoe harbour - 18th-century forts, Spice Island nutmeg and cocoa heritage, and gateway to Grand Anse, underwater sculpture park and Carriacou.
Before you go
St. George'sBest months
Suggested days
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This year
What is this place?
St. George's is Grenada's capital of 35,000 people on the Caribbean coast. It lies in a horseshoe harbour at the foot of an extinct volcano. The French founded Fort Royale in 1650 and made it the capital of La Grenade. The British renamed the island after the 1763 Treaty of Paris. Grenada gained independence in 1974. English is spoken and the East Caribbean dollar is used. The country is known for nutmeg, mace, clove, cinnamon and cocoa. It includes the main island plus Carriacou and Petite Martinique.
Why does it matter?
Three reasons. The 18th-century horseshoe harbour, Carenage waterfront and Fort George from 1705 remain the most intact historic ensemble. The Spice Island plantations and factories such as Belmont Estate, Gouyave Nutmeg and Diamond Chocolate Factory trace the nutmeg, cocoa and rum lines that still operate. The Grand Anse beach, Molinere Bay underwater sculpture park created in 2006 by Jason deCaires Taylor, and ferry access to Carriacou and Petite Martinique complete the circuit from city to sea.
Am I the kind?
You are the kind if you walk harbours at your own pace, follow spice and chocolate trails, and sail to smaller islands. You are not the kind if you want all-inclusive resorts only, big nightlife or mountain terrain. The minimum proper St. George's costs around USD 220 per person per day. The full version with yacht charter and fine dining reaches USD 450 plus.
When should I go?
December to April brings dry air, temperatures of 24 to 30 C and the travel peak. August holds Spicemas Carnival with its calypso, soca and street events. Two windows to avoid:
- June to November hurricane season. Grenada lies at the southern edge of the belt. Hurricane Ivan in 2004 caused heavy damage.
- Peak summer rains in September and October when ferry schedules can shift.
November to March offers the sweetest combination of lower crowds and steady weather.
How do I get there?
Maurice Bishop International (GND) is 9 km south, 20 minutes from the centre by taxi or Bolt for USD 25 to 45. Direct flights arrive from London, New York, Miami, Toronto, Atlanta and regional hubs on British Airways, American, Delta, JetBlue, United, Air Canada, Caribbean Airlines and LIAT. Visa-free entry for 90 days applies to most EU, US, UK, Canadian and Australian passports. The Carenage is walkable by day. Use Bolt, taxis or local buses for short hops. Rent a car or book a driver for Belmont Estate and the north. The ferry to Carriacou takes 1.5 hours from the harbour.
Where do I stay?
Carenage waterfront, Grand Anse beach, L'Anse aux Epines, south coast villas
- Spice Island Beach Resort - On Grand Anse. The 64-room property open since 1965 offers direct beach access.
- Calabash Hotel - In L'Anse aux Epines. The 30-room Relais and Chateaux property dates to 1962.
- Sandals Grenada Resort and Spa - On Pink Gin Beach. The 257-room all-inclusive sits on the south coast.
- Maca Bana Villas - Near Point Salines. The seven design villas give a boutique scale.
What do I do?
The four areas:
- Carenage - The waterfront curves around the harbour with markets, restaurants and boat views.
- Fort George - The 1705 French fort overlooks the city and holds layers of 1983 history.
- Grand Anse - The 3 km white-sand beach lies south of the capital for swimming and walks.
- Market Square - The central square hosts the Saturday spice and produce market.
The fixed points:
- Belmont Estate, Gouyave Nutmeg Processing Station and Diamond Chocolate Factory for the full trail.
- Underwater Sculpture Park in Molinere Bay for snorkelling among the 2006 installations.
- National Museum in the old barracks for the complete timeline.
- Annandale Falls and Grand Etang National Park for the rainforest and waterfall circuit.
- Ferry to Hillsborough on Carriacou for Big Drum culture and Tyrrel Bay anchorage.
- Westerhall Estate and River Antoine Rum Distillery for the 1785 and 1786 operations.
Where do I eat?
Oil down, callaloo, crab, nutmeg ice cream, local chocolate, rum
How long do I need?
Three nights minimum. One day for the Carenage, Fort George and National Museum. One day for the Belmont Estate, Gouyave and Diamond Chocolate circuit. One day for Grand Anse, the underwater sculpture park and a beach meal. Five nights if you add the ferry to Carriacou or a rainforest hike. Ten days covers the full island plus Petite Martinique.
What does it cost?
Two people, end of 2026, mid-tier:
Skip the yacht charter and you can manage USD 220 per person per day. Add fine dining, a driver and Carriacou ferry and the figure climbs to USD 450 plus.
Who else does this?
What's nearby?
What's nearby?
6Saint Vincent and the Grenadines capital on the southwest coast of Saint Vincent - the Western Hemisphere's oldest botanical garden from 1765, St George's Cathedral, Fort Charlotte, and gateway to the Grenadines islands of Bequia, Mustique and the Tobago Cays.
Trinidad and Tobago's quieter island with the western hemisphere's oldest protected rainforest from 1776, Buccoo Reef, Speyside manta dives, leatherback turtles, and unhurried villages serving curry crab.
Trinidad and Tobago's capital on the Gulf of Paria - Carnival centre, steelpan birthplace, and the Indo-Caribbean and Afro-Caribbean cultural mosaic.
Saint Lucia's capital on Castries Bay, the gateway to the Pitons UNESCO site 40 km south, Derek Walcott Square, and the French British colonial history.
Barbados capital on the south-west coast - UNESCO Historic Bridgetown and Garrison, Mount Gay Rum since 1703, and Bajan flying-fish cuisine.
Martinique's capital on the Bay of Fort-de-France - French overseas department, Creole heritage, Mont Pelée volcano and 1902 Saint-Pierre ruins.
What's special this year?
Spicemas Carnival runs in August 2026 with J'ouvert, Mas, calypso and soca events across the island. The Grenada Chocolate Festival takes place in May 2026 and focuses on the bean-to-bar trail at Belmont Estate and Diamond Chocolate Factory. The underwater sculpture park continues to add pieces in Molinere Bay.
What's the catch?
Before you go
- Season: Dec to Apr
- Budget: $$$ (USD 220-450 per person per day)
- Visa: Visa-free 90 days for most EU, US, UK, Canadian and Australian passports
- Currency: East Caribbean dollar, USD widely accepted
- Language: English
- Getting around: Bolt, taxi or 1.5 hour ferry to Carriacou
- Tipping: 10 to 15 percent in restaurants
- Power: Type A and B, 230V
- Tap water: Bottled water advised
- Safety: Tourist zones in Carenage and Grand Anse are relaxed